Fireworks

“The faithful love of the LORD never ends! His mercies never cease. Great is his faithfulness; his mercies begin afresh each morning.” Lamentations 3:22-23

My family went to our local Minor League baseball team’s game to celebrate the 4th of July. After the game, all the attendees were invited to stay to watch the fireworks put on by our city. As I was sitting there watching the beautiful bursts of light, I was reminded of God’s love and mercies.

The cascading glow of the fireworks represented God pouring out His love and mercies upon us. Sometimes we recognize His outpouring because it is so vast and cannot be missed much like the huge fireworks that explode with a big BOOM. Other times we may miss what He has given us because it is not so flashy. It may be He provides us with a blessing that is small that thrills us for a moment like a sparkler and then is over because life interrupts and we must focus on something else.

Today I challenge you to review what has taken place in your life this week. Identify instances where God may have been pouring out His love and mercies on you but you were too busy to notice. Praise Him for what He has done in your life.

Making Memories

“But watch out! Be careful never to forget what you yourself have seen. Do not let these memories escape from your mind as long as you live! And be sure to pass them on to your children and grandchildren.” Deuteronomy 4:9 NLT

I am addicted to scrapbooking. I have always loved looking at pictures and making albums out of them. I feel so blessed that I was introduced to scrapbooking when my husband and I were dating. I have albums from our dating years through our wedding and first years together. When we had kids, scrapbooking took on a whole new dimension. I wanted my kids to know all about their years growing up even when they could not remember events from those years anymore. To me scrapbooking is a priceless way to pass down not only family memories but your spiritual heritage.

This summer has been different than any other for our family. This is the first summer that we’ve not had a vacation planned before summer started. It is also the first summer I’ve had a job where the kids have had to stay with Nanny and Papa a few days each week. Now that we’re almost half way through I am asking myself “What do I want the kids to remember about this summer?”

I hope they remember that Mom tried her best to make her days off fun and not just days to catch up on housework. Maybe they’ll remember the days we went to the pool and put off chores for the day. Or maybe they’ll remember impromptu piano lessons, meals out to eat at a “sit down” restaurant or making cupcakes.

When summer is over and the kids are back in school, I will write down our memories and give the kids a summer scrapbook. I will write them notes about how much I love them and all the fun memories we created. If you have children or grandchildren, I challenge you to make memories with them this summer. Don’t forget to write them down so that they may be passed down to future generations.

Father, help us to never forget the precious memories you’ve entrusted to us. May we always be faithful to pass down our stories of your faithfulness to the next generation.

Pride Equals Destruction

“Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall.” Proverbs 16:18 NIV

Ok, I confess…I have a pride issue. There, I said it. Sometimes I just want my own way or think my idea is the best way. Well, God has shown me many times that life is not all about me. He has directed my attention to show me that His way is the BEST way. When my pride takes over, I hinder God from giving me the opportunities and blessings He has planned for me. I’m so thankful God has gently shown me how to have a humble attitude when my pride gets out of control. His Word says that pride leads to destruction. It’s only because of God’s mercy and grace that my pride has not destroyed me.

Unfortunately, all we have to do is turn on the tv or pick up the newspaper to see where many people have destroyed their lives because of pride. Unfaithful spouses, dishonest business people and ministry leaders who forsake God’s ways are popular topics of articles. Their choices to follow their pride led to the destruction of their lives.

So, what can we do to recognize when our pride is about to get the best of us? Let’s take a look at the word PRIDE to help us determine what pride looks like.

P-Puts our wants before others’ needs. Sometimes this shows up in attitudes such as “It’s my way or the highway.” Pride keeps us from meeting others’ needs.

R-Rejects godly wisdom from those who see pride is in control of our lives. Pride blinds us to the fact that we are on the path to destruction. The counsel of godly friends makes no sense because it does not fit into our plans.

I-Incorrectly applies Scripture to justify our decisions. I’ve seen many people take a verse out of context just to prove that what they are doing is ok with God. We must be careful to read God’s Word as a whole and not take out the bits and pieces that sound good to us.

D-Distances us from those who don’t share our opinion. Our pride keeps us from forming the relationships we need to hold us accountable in our faith walk. When someone challenges our authority or opinion, pride makes us distance ourselves from them. We surround ourselves with people who share our opinion. The problem with this is that eventually we will alienate all those who care about us if we continue to hold on to our pride. We won’t have anyone around us that will agree with our opinion.

E-Exposes our true motives. Pride shows what we truly believe. If we think we are always right, our pride will expose our feelings of superiority over others. Pride says “I’m in charge, not God.”

I challenge you to look over this list and see if you do any of these things. Pray and ask God to reveal when pride is taking over your life.

Dear Father, open my heart and eyes to know when pride is taking over my life. Fill me with a humble spirit so that I may serve you better.

Talk is Cheap

“May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, O LORD, my Rock and my Redeemer.” Psalm 19:14 NIV

Twitter, facebook, texting…these are the new ways of communication in the 21st century. We receive “words” from people without ever hearing their true voices. Sometimes these ways of communicating can be very convenient for our busy lifestyles. Other times they can cause miscommunication between two people because of the lack of face-to-face interaction. As we go about our daily business, we need to be aware that even though we may not be communicating through the words we say, the words we write, tweet or text can be just as powerful. We are still “talking” no matter the form of communication we choose to use.

Our focus verse today reminds us that we should strive to please God through what we say and what we think. Talk is cheap if we don’t have actions that back up what we say. Our mouths (or fingers) can say one thing, but if we don’t really believe what we say, our words are meaningless. How many times have we passed someone and said “How are you?” but don’t take the time to really hear their answer. Do we really care how the other person is doing?

One thing I’m working on in my own life is to make time to get to know people on a deeper level. I’m convinced that meaningful relationships with people are the way to encourage each other as well as further the kingdom of God. I want my words and actions to be pleasing to God. If I say I’m going to do something for someone, I want to do it.

I encourage you today to consider how you are using your words. Are you building up people or tearing them down with what you say (or write, tweet, text)? Make encouraging words a priority and see how great an impact you can have on someone’s life.

Chosen by God

“The word of the LORD came to Jonah son of Amittai: ‘Go to the great city of Ninevah and preach against it, because its wickedness has come up before me.’” Jonah 1:1 TNIV

I love reading the story of Jonah. I remember growing up hearing the tale of Jonah and the whale in Sunday school. The teachers always made the story so exciting and intriguing. As I’ve grown older and have read the whole story of Jonah, I have realized that God uses us in the same way He used Jonah to save the people of Ninevah.

Sometimes Christians think just because they have accepted Christ that their lives will be easy and free from trouble. Not so. Jesus says in John 16:33b “In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” There are times when our troubles may be God using us in a way that will further His Kingdom and bring Him glory. Look at Jonah. God called him to go to Ninevah, a very wicked city, to preach against it and condemn them to death if they did not change their ways. If you know anything about Jonah you know that he got swallowed by a big fish because he was disobedient and ran away from the task God gave him.

I think that God calls us into similar situations today. All you have to do is pick up the newspaper or watch the news to know how much wickedness is going on in the world today. Modern day Christians are called to stand up and proclaim the word of God to help save the world from its wickedness. Sometimes God places us in the heat of battle so that our lives may affect more people. Maybe you’re facing a troubled relationship, a serious illness, loss of a loved one or a loss of job. Take heart…maybe God is allowing this trouble to help further His Kingdom. Know that God is always in control, and that He has chosen YOU to proclaim the message of His love. What an honor to know that through your trials you are serving God!

Downcast Soul

“Why are you downcast, O my soul? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God.” Psalm 42:5-6a

I have to confess this is not one of my better days being a Christian. I’m being very stubborn about something, and that is making me miserable. My soul is downcast because I am tired of waiting. Now, what I’m waiting on is really not that important. It truly is a petty issue. But, in my life, it’s a big deal to me. I’m finding out though that being stubborn makes my soul become depressed. And when my soul is depressed, nothing works out right in my life. Thus begins the cycle of depression, things going wrong, depression, etc. You get the picture.

So, this morning as I was having my quiet time, I remembered the focus verses from Psalms. I know the way I’m feeling is wrong and certainly not beneficial to me or God. I am trying my best to do what the last half of the verses say, and that is to put my hope in God and praise Him. It’s hard sometimes when life isn’t going your way. The last thing you want to do is to put your hope in someone else when everyone else has disappointed you. And praise? Who feels like doing that when their life is falling down around them? That’s how I feel today. But, I had another reminder from God’s Word. We are commanded in Philippians 4:6 “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.”

Two phrases stand out to me—in everything and with thanksgiving. No matter what we’re going through God wants us to pray about everything and give thanks to Him in every circumstance of our lives. What’s the benefit of that? Well, the next verse in Philippians says “And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” That is what I want! I want peace in my situation and my heart and mind guarded so that I don’t become depressed when things aren’t going my way.

I challenge you today (and myself) to take all your cares and burdens to God. Praise Him for what He has already done in your life and what He is going to do. He will give you peace and guard you from depressing thoughts. Praise His name today!

Hearts at Home

Motherhood is a valid profession.

It is that belief that inspired Jill Savage and a group of women to plan the first Hearts at Home conference 16 years ago. Today these conferences are a place where moms can go to find the encouragement and education they need to do this mothering thing right!

The problem is, not everyone can attend a Hearts at Home conference, so Hearts at Home University was created!

Hearts at Home University is a new resource designed to encourage and equip you in your journey as a parent! These live web casts, affordably priced at $15 each, allow you to tap into continuing education as a mom on a regular basis right from the comfort of your own computer.

The topics that will be covered over the Spring and Summer Semester include:

“Is There Really Sex after Kids” with Jill Savage
“She’s Gonna Blow” with Julie Barnhill
“Redefining Romance” with Mark and Jill Savage
“Keeping Your Ducks in a Relative Row” with Karen Ehman

For information on dates and times, or to register go here.