Giving Honor Where Honor Is Due by Angie Ketcham As I was cleaning the house today, I allowed my daughter to turn on the television to keep her occupied. As we were flipping through the channels, we stopped at Cartoon Network just to see what kids were watching nowadays. To my disbelief, all I saw was characters that treated each other with unkind words, adults that were presented as knowing nothing and the children had to run the show to keep order because their parents were incapable of doing the job. It got me to thinking about what the Word of God looked like compared to what is being planted in the minds of children everyday.
"We never grow closer to God when we just live life. It takes deliberate pursuit and attentiveness." - Francis Chan
Food for thought:
What if we followed God with our whole heart, using our full potential, no matter the cost?
Just imagine the difference it would make in our lives, as well as the life of others.
"You shall follow the Lord your God and fear Him; and you shall keep His commandments, listen to His voice, serve Him, and cling to Him." - Deuteronomy 13:4 (NIV)
Yesterday afternoon my husband went to a baseball game with friends. I was thrilled. This would not have been the case a few years ago. No, a few years ago I would have thrown a big temper tantrum. What's changed? Well, I had to ask myself a few important questions. Now, I'd like to ask you...
In The Moment By Angie Ketcham This has been an exciting week for me! My daughter gave birth to our first grandbaby! The little (if you could call him that) guy has already become the love of my life. And it has been an even greater gift that God has used this sweet baby to provide opportunity for my daughter and I to bond and, for maybe the first time in our relationship, understand what we mean to one another. But, that will be for another day's blog. Today, God was speaking to my heart, once again, about time.
It's almost paradoxical, but time races by so fast, and yet, is all we have to count this side of heaven. Each moment put together makes a lifetime of who we are. So much of the time I share in my blogs how important it is that we use every minute of our time wisely, being careful not to waste a single moment of what we've been given. But tonight, as I held my freshly bathed, sleeping grand baby, I just wanted to soak it all in. I wanted to be right there, in that moment, holding captive the reckless thoughts that abounded in my head, and just be. I wanted to touch his soft, hairy, little shoulder, as his precious head, full of hair, rested knowing that he would be fully taken care of by the one that holds him in her arms.
"11 'For I know the plans I have for you,' declares the Lord, 'plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.'"
Jeremiah 29:11 NIV
This verse means so much to me. It is the verse God gave me 3 years ago when my church was struggling...it showed me that God has plans for us. His plans don't include harm for us but they are plans that will give us a hope and with that hope comes a future! He plans to prosper us. That doesn't mean we will 'get rich' with money. It means that we will do well when we follow His plans. I like to think it means that He will find favor in me because I am obedient and trusting of Him.
"Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God."
~ Hebrews 12:1-2 (ESV)
Life can be hard.
No one is immune to life's trials and tribulations. Not even Christians.
During these times what matters most is how we deal with them. Will we wallow, will we complain that life just isn't fair, or will we rise above, taking each thought captive and fixing our eyes on Christ instead.
I know that taking each and every painful, stressful, and soul shattering thought is not easy. There may be times when fear grips your heart and tears sting your face from the weight of it all. The questions of why, may run through your mind as the circumstances seem insurmountable and unable to bear.
During these times, we need to hold on to God's truth and not Satan's lie.
God. Will. Never. Leave. Us.
"Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid of terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you." Deuteronomy 31:6 (NIV)
It's truth friends. It's real, It's something that we can hold in our hearts to know and take comfort in. Friends, I know it's hard, but you need to let it go. Whatever your holding on to, surrender it to the Savior.
Don't let Satan will. Tell him to get out in Jesus name!
Move straight ahead and fix your eyes on Jesus friends, for that is where true peace and freedom from life's struggles can be found.
"Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid." John 14:27 (NIV)
I want to encourage you to take a moment to close your eyes, quiet your heart and listen to the song below. (This song is one of my favorites.)
It is time for the Woman to Woman Word Filled Wednesday Link Up. We desire to connect women of God with one another and encourage each other in Christ. So grab a cup of coffee or glass of sweet tea, sit back and visit a few blogs. Be encouraged and share your own stories in their comments. Use hashtag #w2wwordfilledwednesday Three rules to this link up: 1. Must be a {Christian} faith post. 2. Link back to W2W somewhere in your post. (Feel free to use our button if you want!) 3. Visit and comment on at least one other blog in the link up.
It is so wonderful to be comfortable with your husband. You know, that comfortable feeling of knowing each other in every sense of the word. Comfortable in knowing each other's thoughts and ways. Yes, being comfortable is great.
Yet, sometimes we get so comfortable that we forget to say 2 little words to him. 2 words that are so simple, yet so powerful.
There is a constant dialogue between pastors about the "stickability" that is or isn't taking place within those that are ministered to each week. Especially with children, it is never blatantly obvious whether they are absorbing truths that are being taught each week in the hour given to guide the spiritual direction that will effect that child for eternity. And admittedly so, as a Children's Pastor, the joining of forces between leaders and parents to coordinate efforts is challenging, at best. So often, in these times, parents rely on the church to lead their children on things spiritual, without bringing it into the home, to fight for time and attention against dance practices, sports, "activities", and a myriad of other things that seem to overwhelm the schedules of families. And, little by little, the spiritual well-being of our children diminishes.
If this scenario sounds familiar, you are not alone. But, there is something you can do! You can utilize the resources of your pastor or leaders in the church, along with a concentrated effort to reprioritize your schedule, and help reignite a spiritual fire within your family. Where can you start? Here are a few ideas to lead you on your journey.
"19'Follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men.'"
Matthew 4:19 NKJV
Last night the message at church was this verse. Using a small tank of [feeder] Goldfish, Pastor Jeremy drove home this message. His use of the fish was shocking to those of us who lean more to being the tenderhearted but it sure made an impact on me!
Our lives are our stories. If you were to read the end of the book, the last chapter, what would your marriage story look like? If you continue on the path you are on without making changes, how will the story end?
Would it end with a couple in love, dating, listening to each other, living life together? Or would it end with a couple who simply exist together?
We may not know exactly how the story ends. After all, God knows what our future holds and we do not. But we can strive to get on a good path that will lead to a great ending.
Do over days. We all have
those kind of days once in awhile. I think it's God's way of reminding us
that we are still human. I am reminded in these times that God's Word
says He knows the plans that He has for us and they are good. He guides
my steps. Even on days that I feel overwhelmed and out of control, He is
in control.
Today has been one of those days for me. When it rains, it pours.
In our house, quite literally. We've had relatives
staying at our house this week because of the holiday. We don't use the
back bedroom much, unless we have guests. On Monday, we had torrential downpour in our area. I heard water RUNNING in the house and there was no one running water. When I went up to the bedroom, I found my source. Water was everything but gushing from the ceiling. Flakes of popcorn ceiling were splattered everywhere and a waterfall was flowing from my ceiling! Long story short, today we had the insurance adjuster and contractor inspecting the house and family leaving and (sigh) everything in between! I had many balls spinning and seemed to drop most of those balls today.
That sounds simple enough..."Be still, and know that I am God!"...but the reality of it is, it's not easy being still. We are a people on the move. We are living in a world that is 90+ miles an hour and to take time out to 'be still' just doesn't seem possible most of the time.
Music is an important part of worship to our Father. I love music. It has always been important in my life. As a matter of fact, it is one ways I feel the closest to God. After all, He created music.
Speak to one another with psalm,
hymns and songs from the Spirit.
Sing and make music from
your heart to the Lord.
Ephesians 5:19
Each morning when I start my quiet time with God out, I start with music. I turn on my iPad and select my worship playlist. The song on my heart, and on repeat all day long, is Holy Spirit by Francesca Battistelli. As I sing the song, I personalize it.
Okay sisters, we are fully into summer. Summer time fruits are growing plump and flowers are fully bloomed. Now, to grow your marriage with some summer lovin` fun!
Here are some fun challenges/dates for you to complete in month of July. There are 8 challenges. Pick 4, 1 for each week in July, or go bold and do 2 a week!
This year, as we celebrate the freedom of this great nation, I have to say my heart is a bit heavy. After a week of watching the desemination of traditional marriage last week (disclaimer: this not about any ill feelings to the LBGT community) and the power that 5 people have over the direction my life and future generations might take, I feel a strong attack on the family. I'm not talking about the decisions of the courts, because why would I expect them to make choices based on what the Bible says? I'm talking about the ambivalence within the walls of my home.
I know we have been a bit spoiled in America, being "free" to voice our beliefs and having very little opposition and repercussions because of it. I know that I have taken for granted that everyone must feel the same way about life as I do because it's the "right" thing. My ability to voice my opinion has not put me in prison or caused an outcry. As a matter of fact, I have made little difference in the public arena (except within the walls of my church) at all and have settled for that.
by Debi Baker 1 Corinthians 13 has been heavy on my heart this week. It's 13 verses that tell us about love. I believe 'love' has been so distorted over the years. The word 'love' is pretty much a throw-away word. We toss it around like the wind blows and I think that has caused us to forget what 'love' really is. 1 Corinthians 13 is a great reminder.
When who we are meets what really is, and it's an unnerving sight.
The tears fall one by one, because we are trying to push through the dark with every once of strength that we can muster. But, does it really have to be this way? Do we really need to go through life, full force, with what little power we have left, trying to do it all on our own, while we become more and more exhausted with each day?
The answer is a resounding no, this is not what our lives need to look like!
We are missing one key ingredient......faith.
