I KNOW THE PLANS I HAVE FOR YOU...

JER. 29:11 For I know the plans that I have for you,' declares the LORD, `plans for welfare and not for calamity to give you a future and a hope.

Normally, my posts on this blog are devotional. However, I hope you don't mind if today I share my heart with you. I am a Mother of four wonderful, beautiful children. Three of those have grown into God- fearing, awesome men of God. I am so proud of each one of them. For choosing first of all, to put God first in their lives and for choosing to pursue the great opportunities that God has laid before them. My heart is overwhelmed with pride and joy everytime I think of my precious children. (even though 3 of them ARE grown ...they will always be my children!)

My heart today is focusing on son #2! Jeremy (pictured above) is a gift from God. LITERALLY!

After the birth of our first son David, I began to have reproductive complications. A serious of tests were conducted over a period of time. It was finally concluded that I would not be able to concieve any more children. My heart was crushed. To put me in a healthier "hormonal" state, the physicians decided to start me on a series of fertility shots. This particular day that I was scheduled to start these shots, I prayed to God that TODAY would be the day that He would reveal to me one way or another the future of my womb.

After all the preliminary tests were run on this particular day, which also included a pregnancy test, the doctor came in to speak to me. He began to explain the procedure of the series of shots and what he had hoped for as results. He reported the results of the pregnancy test - which was negative, not anything new, as this was the 5th pregnancy test he had performed in recent weeks.

At the last minute, my doctor said to me "prior to starting the shots, I think I need to perform an examination". After a few moments, the doctor scooted his chair back and had a blank, disbelief look on his face. I saw it clear as day and I began to sense something was not right.

What seemed like an eternity, the silence was finally broken as the doctor spoke to me. He said, "you would like to have another baby right?" YES, how can a doctor toy with a woman who has just gone thru finding out she can no longer have babies!! To this the doctor announces, "good, because as far as I can tell you are about 16 weeks pregnant!"

WOW! When God answers - He answers! Not only did He reveal the future of my womb to me that day but He revealed what seemed to be an impossibility! Even the doctor said to me, "I don't understand how this is possible."

I know how it was possible...

“What is impossible with men is possible with God”

~ LUKE 18:27

I always knew from that day on, that God had incredible things planned for my miracle baby, Jeremy.

God reminded me today of His awesome power and that Jeremiah 29:11 is true and something that I can count on! Jeremy is grown now, 22 years old and serving in the Air Force for the past year and half. This is a Mother that has so much pride and respect for my Son choosing to serve our Country and to sacrifice for the safety of our fellow Americans. But in all honesty, this is a Mother that has a broken heart as I realize the danger that my Son may find himself in, possibly costing him his life.

I can honestly say that I am a changed person because of his decision to serve our Country.

1. At local ballgames when the national anthem is sung...I am emotional and I usually cry. The flag has a new meaning to me.

2. Every time I see my Son, my heart is ripped in half as I realize this could possibly be the last time I see him.

3. My heartfelt prayers have changed as I pray in more urgency for those families that have loved ones serving in Iraq. Many times wives, husbands and children are left behind. And my heart hurts for those other MOTHERS like me that have a son or daughter over here sacrificing so much for each of us.

Yesterday, I got the phone call! For the past year and half I always knew in my heart that this phone call would come, I just didn't know when. My son Jeremy got orders to serve for the next year in Korea. I had someone say to me, "well at least it is not Iraq". True...but for this Momma's heart it may as well be.

After a day of soul searching, crying, praying and crying alot more....I know that God is in control and no matter where Jeremy goes, if it is too far for me to see him or touch him or talk to him, the promise that I can cling to is that my Heavenly Father is with him and watching over him. God has a plan for his life...plans for his welfare and NOT CALAMITY because God has a future and a hope for my son!

I still have days of crying ahead of me, and a heart that will hurt because I miss him so...but just like that day in the doctors office 22 years ago...

WHAT IS IMPOSSIBLE WITH MAN IS POSSIBLE WITH GOD!

Please add Jeremy to your prayer list. He is scheduled to leave for Korea in August. And pray for strength and peace for this momma's heart. And if you have a son or daughter serving our Country, I would love to hear from you so we can encourage each other.

(There is no love like the love of a Son!)

love and prayers,

Laurie

IF THE HAT FITS...WEAR IT!

If the HAT fits….wear it! “Why do you always wear a hat?” “Cause it fits my head.” -Robert Redford, Actor Do you like wearing hats? You do not see many women wearing them anymore. I can remember a few years ago, that shopping for a new Easter outfit ALWAYS included a new hat. I have not given much thought to including hats as part of my wardrobe; if I cannot pull a ponytail thru a hat…it serves no purpose for me. The thought of hats reminded me recently of all the different kinds of relationships we find ourselves in. I put on a wide variety of hats as I deal with people in my daily routine. A few that I find myself wearing are: * the hat of Wife * the hat of Mother * the hat of a Business Owner * the hat of a Christian * the hat of a Pastors wife * and many others too lengthy to mention! Unfortunately, the hat we wear many times enhances the stress that we feel in our life and in our relationships. In last weeks YOUR OPINON MATTERS, a poll asking “what best describes your style of dealing with conflict” revealed the top 3 results: 1. We respond as a BEAR…. We attack when threatened (50% of votes) 2. We react as a TURTLE…We turn inward and remain silent (43% of votes) 3. We act like a BIRD…We flee (6% of votes) When it comes to dealing with conflict in our relationships, we CANNOT be responsible for what others say or do. However, we are responsible for the choices that we make. Some of the choices we have made in our relationships have caused deterioration and because of it, our spirits have withered. At times, we feel like we can no longer extend love or be loved. We are so burnt out that we feel like we can no longer give. If this describes you….you are stressed out in your relationships! We cannot be totally stress free in our life, but we can make choices that will reduce our stress! 3 TYPES OF STRESS PERSONALITIES 1. THE ENABLER The enabler is a person who attempts to be all things, to all people, all of the time. If you are an enabler, most likely you are like me and totally stress out when visiting relatives or friends come to stay at your house. You stress over what food to cook, keeping the house in order, where your guests will sleep, etc. You stress the entire time they are visiting, so much that you miss out on enjoying time with them. 2. THE DUMPSTER The dumpster is the person who allows everyone to dump everything on you. You are the garbage collector. If you are a dumpster, you find yourself caught in the middle of two other loved ones. You allow the stress and discord that exist between them to now be your stress and discord. 3. THE BUSY BEE The busy bee is the person who strives on fixing things. You put yourself in everyone else’s problems. You have the need to know everything about everyone. Your role is to fix everyone’s problems and make their lives better. Most likely, you can identify with one of these three stress personalities. Choices we make really can reduce our stress! LUKE 10:38-42 “Now as they were traveling along, He entered a certain village; and a woman named Martha welcomed Him into her home. (39) And she had a sister called Mary, who moreover was listening to the Lord’s word, seated at His feet. (40) But Martha was distracted with all her preparations; and she came up to Him, and said ‘Lord, do you not care that my sister has left me to do all the serving alone? Then tell her to help me.’ (41) But the Lord answered and said her, ‘Martha Martha you are worried and bothered about so many things; (42) but only a few things are necessary, really only one, for Mary has chosen the good part, which shall not be taken away from her’. ” When I read this passage, I have to insert my name in verse 41 ; ‘Martha, (and LAURIE), you are worried and bothered about so many things'….Martha was also an ENABLER. 3 CHOICES WE CAN MAKE TO REDUCE STRESS: SET BOUNDARIES: Enabler's need to set boundaries. If having visiting relatives stay with you totally stresses you out…give them the phone number to a local hotel to stay in. You will enjoy your visit much more! STAY NEUTRAL: Dumpster's need to stay neutral. Be firm and respond to your loved ones “That is between the two of you, I love both of you and will pray for you. Please don’t ask me to take sides.” MIND YOUR BUSINESS: Busy Bee’s must only give their opinion if asked. Remember that sometimes your business is just that …YOUR BUSINESS. Don’t get caught up in talking about everyone’s problems. If a friend confides something….just listen and pray and that’s all. It is not your job to fix it, let God work it out! You will never be able to eliminate all the stress in your life, but if you choose to be more like Mary than Martha, you will feel more hopeful, more peaceful and you will feel renewed. (and that will reduce your stress load!!) Your hat of relationships will fit better now that you are not heavy laden with the stress and worry. Thank you for being a Woman Who Takes a Stand. Have a wonderful (and more relaxed) week! MATTHEW 11:28 " Come to me all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest." Blessings, Laurie YOUR OPINION MATTERS: Please take time to vote in this week’s poll, “Which of the following losses have you experienced in the past five years?” Your opinion really does matter!! QUOTE OF THE WEEK: “Lord, you have given so much to me. Give me one thing more- A GRATEFUL HEART.” - GEORGE HERBERT SCRIPTURE OF THE WEEK: MATTHEW 22:39 “Love your neighbor as yourself.”

"MULLIGAN"

MULLIGAN

In the game of golf, serious players are not very forgiving. If you slice the ball too far into the woods...you will have to take the penalty! Not only do you take a penalty on your score but the penalty comes when the game is delayed as you search for your ball. However, recreational golfers are a little more forgiving. Instead of taking a 2-point penalty for hitting the ball into the water, you might hear the recreational player yell, "MULLIGAN". This is a golf term for a do-over or a second chance.

Wouldn't it be great if we could yell "MULLIGAN" in life? When we make a mistake, we just yell DO OVER and all the furious bosses, all the upset husbands and the sad children would just smile and say, "No harm done!" There would be no consequences and no guilt. Only a chance to get it right the second time in a "do over".

Unfortunately, failure usually provokes great stress because of its consequences. These consequences sometimes involve a loss:
* loss of a relationship
* loss of closeness
* loss of a job or an opportunity
* loss of finances
* loss of respect, trust or approval
These losses can be minimal and temporary and sometimes the loss is great and permanent.

In the YOUR OPINION MATTERS poll last week, I asked the question: "Most recently in which of the following situations would you have gladly taken a DO OVER?" The top three results are as follows:

- 33% said they would take a do-over when it came to dealing with something at work.
-27% said they needed a mulligan when dealing with their children.
-27% said they would take a second chance when it came to responding to frustration.

I wonder if any of us have ever wanted a second chance as much as Peter must have:

MATTHEW 26:31-35
"Jesus told them, 'this very night you will all fall away on account of me, for it is written: I will strike the shepherd, and the sheep of the flock will be scattered. (32) But after I have risen, I will go ahead of you into Galilee.' (33) Peter replied; "Even if all fall away on account of you, I never will". (34) "I tell you the truth," Jesus answered, "this very night, before the rooster crows, you will disown me 3 times." (35) Peter declared, "Even if I have to die with you, I will never disown you." And all the other disciples said the same...

Most of us will never know the persecution or find ourselves in as threatening place as Peter found himself. But we often times compromise our commitment to God.

4 THINGS TO OVERCOME THE STRESS OF MAKING MISTAKES

1. Realize that God does not approve our failures - however, He ANTICIPATES them!

• Jesus was not provoking Peter into dedicating himself more fully. Jesus was giving His disciples information (vs. 31) and He was giving His disciples reassurance (vs. 32).
• Peter was not listening, he totally missed the point of what Jesus was saying. Peter got defensive and proud.

How many times when we make mistakes, do we become defensive and proud?

2. Know that Jesus believes in us DESPITE our failures!

Luke 22:31-32 And the Lord said, "Simon, Simon! Indeed, Satan has asked for you, that he may sift you as wheat. (32) but I have prayed for you, that your faith should not fail; and when you have returned to Me, strengthen your brothers."

• God still believes in you in spite of your failures!
• God has something significant for you to do!

If you are consumed with guilt, you cannot fulfill the amazing mission God has for your life!

3. Realize that God sees our failure and shame!

LUKE 22:61,62 "And the Lord turned and looked at Peter. Then Peter remembered the word of the Lord, how He had said to him, 'before the rooster crows you will deny Me three times' (62) So Peter went out and wept bitterly."

The look on Jesus face when He turned towards Peter could have been that of "I knew you were a coward" or a glare that said "I told you so!" But Jesus had no condemnation for Peter, His expression was a face of mercy.

What does your face express when someone makes a mistake against you?

4. Accept that Jesus forgives our failures!

MARK 16:6,7 But He said to them, "Do not be alarmed. You seek Jesus of Nazareth, who was crucified. He is risen! He is not here. See the place where they laid Him. (7) But go, tell His disciples AND PETER that He is going before you to Galilee; there you will see Him as He said to you."

The news would need to be delivered to Peter individually, indicating that Peter had separated himself from the disciples.

When someone makes a mistake against you, do you separate yourself from them?

When God forgives, He not only lifts the penalty but He seeks to restore the relationship!

• If you have made mistakes....ACCEPT GOD'S FORGIVENESS
• If you have suffered because of the mistakes of others...EXTEND FORGIVENESS

Today is your day to take a MULLIGAN when it comes to mistakes. How can you do that?

1. Confess
2. Receive God's forgiveness
3. Embrace God's love
4. MOVE ON

Thank you for being a WOMAN WHO TAKES A STAND! There is power in prayer and in Forgiveness!

Blessings, Laurie

YOUR OPINION MATTERS: Please vote in this weeks poll; "WHICH OF THE FOLLOWING BEST ILLUSTRATES YOUR STYLE OF DEALING WITH CONFLICT?" Your opinion really does matter!!

LIVING IN A ROOM FULL OF DYNAMITE

LIVING IN A ROOM FULL OF DYNAMITE


“Life is like living in a room full of dynamite with a monkey running around with a blowtorch. It is not a matter of IF but just WHEN.”

Is that saying not true when it comes to evaluating the stress and difficulties in our lives? Each of us can honestly say that we are in one out of three places:

1. We have just come thru a difficult/stressful time
2. We are currently in a time of difficulty and stress
3. We are getting ready to face a difficult and stressful situation

In last week’s YOUR OPINION MATTERS on the WOMEN TAKING A STAND BLOGSPOT, the poll entitled, “What would cause you the greatest stress?” revealed that we as Christians are stressed in one way or another. Over 50% of those who voted responded that the greatest stress they would feel would be when they were called into the bosses office and asked to close the door. The security of our future seemingly stresses us out.

I am overwhelmed by the absence of personal peace and the level of misery that many Christians are willing to live under. Christians are not hesitant or embarrassed to declare the following:

“I am under stress” “I am very unhappy”
“I am pretty anxious” “I just can’t get along with her/him”
“I am worried” “I am afraid”
“I am so angry”

In the world, mental health experts will tell us that the above conditions are socially and culturally caused and that relief can be found in the world. Places such as the casino, or a pub is where some are looking for peace and stress release. In such places, we are seeking solace and acceptance in a bottle of liquor, in illegal drugs, illicit sex and anything that will give us a quick “fix”.

However, Jesus clearly tells us that it is His intention for us to move through this world peacefully and cheerfully, untroubled and unafraid as long as we look to Him to enable us.

JOHN 14:27 “ Peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.”

This kind of peace that Jesus is speaking of, is only available from one source. It is the only source that is real and that will be everlasting. With a relationship with Christ, a peace that surpasses all understanding will overcome your spirit. Stress and difficulties will still come your way, but you will be able to handle it in a different perspective.

PRAYING PAST DIFFICULTIES

How can prayer replace worry with peace?

1. PLACE YOURSELF AROUND A CALM AND GOOD LISTENER

Avoid being around someone who mirrors your anxiety. Examples of such comments as:
“Oh my goodness you’re doomed! What are you going to do?” Or “that’s nothing, let me tell you about the time I was fired right at Christmas!” Strategically place yourself around a friend who is genuine and a good listener.

365 times in the Scriptures we can find the words. “fear not” which is almost always followed by “for I am with you”. Jesus is a friend that is genuine and a good listener! God’s presence will change your outlook.

2. PEACE FOLLOWS PRAYER

Prayer is dialogue. Prayer is not just about talking but more importantly listening. Prior to going into the Garden of Gethsemane to pray, Jesus was deeply distressed and troubled.

Matthew 26:39 He went a little further and fell on His face, and prayed, saying, “Oh My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from Me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as You will.”

After spending time in prayer, Jesus returned from the Garden ready to face His betrayer and to face the cross. The change that occurred I believe was not so much in what Jesus said but more importantly what Jesus heard.

(read more about this in Mark 14:32-42)

The peace that Jesus received did not come from the prayers of His disciples that were left outside the Garden. They became weary and Jesus found them asleep instead of praying. The peace that Jesus obtained came from His personal time of communing with God.

Paul’s prescription for worry or anxiety requires the one who is anxious to pray. Certainly, we are encouraged to have others pray for us in our time of need but the verse in Philippians 4:6,7 reminds us that the “peace of God which transcends all understanding” is a result of the prayer by the one in need.

The peace of the Lord...
• does not come from the prayer request
BUT
• rather the prayer result.

Stress is not something new. What kind of stress would this have brought you?

• God asking you to build an ark for all the animals because a flood was coming. Nobody will believe you or support you, but build it for the world is going to be wiped out except for you and your family

• God fulfilling His promise to you to give you a child, even though you are 90 years old.

• God telling you to take your people and walk out in the sea and He will part the waters to allow you to cross over.

• Your spouse telling you to just curse God and die, and then losing your family, your home. Everything!

Philippians 4:6 “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God”

Paul’s words in Philippians 4:6 are not condemning of worry but rather a prescription for dealing with worry.

What have you stressed about today?
How much dynamite is in your room?

You can alleviate your stress by following Paul’s instructions. I encourage you to purpose in your heart to be a WOMAN WHO TAKES A STAND by:

1. Praying with thanksgiving
and
2. Striving to have less anxiety and stress in your day.

Have a wonderful and (stress free) week!
Laurie

YOUR OPINION MATTERS: Please take time to vote in this week’s poll, “Most recently in which of the following situations would you have gladly taken a ‘DO-OVER’?” Your opinion DOES matter!

TICK TOCK

The alarm clock lets me know it is 6:30 am. I would like to pull the covers up over my head, but life is waiting for me to address it, and the clock is ticking and time is getting away from me. As soon as I set my feet on the floor of my bedroom, the race begins….

Is your morning routine as hectic as mine? We have quite the routine down at our house Monday thru Friday. We do everything in shifts since we have one main bathroom to share. While one showers, the other eats breakfast. While one gets dressed, the other brushes their teeth. The morning rush around the house is done so magically that we could all do it with our eyes closed and still make it out the door by 7:40 am.

There isn’t enough time! Or is there?

We like to pray with our children before they leave for the day. However, I have to tell you that some mornings, the kids complain and say, “Hurry up I am going to be late.” It just does not seem like there is enough time in the day to do some of the important things. Is there enough time?

It appears that our morning routine may fall into what we call a “rut”. A rut is something that we do over and over, the same way, with no change and no excitement. WEBSTER defines RUT as “a fixed routine, usually boring”.

In last week’s YOUR OPINION MATTERS, I asked the question “what area of your life is in a rut?” The results of the poll indicate that many of us are in a rut. The votes in the poll revealed that we are mostly in a rut when it comes to our exercise routine, and another area of feeling in a rut was our Bible Reading. Just like our family morning routine, the ruts we fall into can easily be changed with determination and better use of our time.

To some of us, managing our day is moving hurriedly and systematically through the day, marking off our accomplished tasks from our lists. This is sometimes also referred to as “being in a rut”. There must be more than collapsing in bed at the end of the day, holding a crumpled paper filled with check marks that scream “Well done you busy bee!”

Some Christians think that busyness is related to godliness. However, managing our time may be about doing less. Life management is having the ability to:

• discern priorities,
• having the right perspective,
• learning when to delegate and when to say no,
• And feeling good about the choices we have made!

The Apostle Paul said it well:

“Be very careful, then, how you live – not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil” Ephesians 5:15, 16

As we begin to listen for and follow God’s plan for our time, we will learn to master it and not be mastered by it! God created time and it belongs to Him.

Each of us gets 24 hours a day, no more, no less. We cannot put an extra hour in our day. We can, however, learn to make the best use of the time we have.

Jesus was pursued by friends and enemies, His every word was monitored, His gestures questioned, and His actions analyzed. But yet He was not rushed, He did not have to play catch up nor did He fall into a rut. His life showed a wonderful balance.

WHY WAS JESUS ABLE TO CONTROL HIS TIME?

1. He understood His mission

Because Jesus had a clear vision of His mission, not even Satan could convince Him to shortcut His Father’s eternal priorities.

MATTHEW 4:2-4 And after He had fasted forty days and forty nights, He then became hungry. (3) And the tempter came and said to Him, “If you are the Son of God, command that these stones become bread.” (4) But He answered and said, “It is written, Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that proceeds out of the mouth of God.”

2. He understood His own limitations & He knew the source of His power

His Private time, such as the 40 days in the wilderness and the prayer in Gethsemane was a priority to Jesus. He not only knew His limits, but He also knew the source of His strength.

MARK 1:35 “In the early morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house, and went away to a secluded place, and was praying there.”

PSALM 77:14 "You are the God who works wonders; You have made known Your strength among the peoples.”


3. He made intentional choices about His time

Jesus invested prime time, taking the disciples through the Scriptures, explaining the deeper meaning of His messages to the crowds.

MATTHEW 16:24 Then Jesus said to His disciples, “If anyone wishes to come after Me, he must deny himself, and take up his cross and follow me.”

MATTHEW 11:1 “When Jesus had finished giving instructions to His twelve disciples, He departed from there to teach and preach in their cities.”

Jesus practiced this principle: Where your priorities are, there your time will be.

Today is the day to change the rut you find yourself in. Make an intentional choice today:

1. To seek a clear vision of the task God has laid before you
2. To understand your limits and know that God is your strength
3. To make an intentional choice today to give God your time

Thank you for being a Woman Who Takes a Stand and I believe as you purpose in your heart to be the Godly Woman He has called you to be, your time and priorities will be different.

Love and prayers,
Laurie

YOUR OPINION MATTERS: Please vote in this week’s poll, “What would cause you the greatest stress…”

SIMMERING STEW

SIMMERING STEW

One of my favorite things about the cold weather is cooking things like chili, homemade soup or stew. Stew is probably one of my favorite dishes. Everyone knows what “stew” is…it is the meat and vegetable dish that you put into a pot, simmer to a slow boil and then (yum!) eat.

There is another definition of the word “stew” :

WEBSTER DICTIONARY: “a state of being agitated, disturbed”.

Have you ever heard of the saying: STEWING IN ONE’S OWN JUICES. This saying is not referring to the juices boiling on the stove but rather allowing trouble and agitation to simmer, to continue in a disturbed state of mind.

We tend to overlap the two different meanings of this word “stew” . When we try to describe our troubled emotions, we often use cooking terms.

Do any of these sound familiar?

• I’m steamed! (An upset person)

• I am BOILING mad! (A very angry person)

• Their mind is fried! (A person who rages excessively)

• This place is like a pressure cooker. (One may describe their office as this)

• We are turning up the heat now. (Meaning to put pressure on)

• Somebody ought to light a fire under him. (A way to motivate someone)

• If you cannot stand the heat, get out of the kitchen. (Describing someone who can’t handle the pressure)

• You are really cooking now! (Someone who is making progress)

ANGER: WHERE DOES IT COME FROM?

We have all felt it. It is that rush of emotion that seems to flood through our veins. It is like a volcanic eruption that is screaming for release. It is that pot that has a lid that begins to rattle as the contents begin to boil over.

• Perhaps it comes from the car that cuts you off in traffic

• Maybe you feel it when you step on a toy (barefoot) in the middle of the night

• It happens when your husband doesn’t understand you

WHAT IS IT THAT MAKES US ANGRY?

In the book of Numbers (chapter 20) Moses got mad at the people of Israel. They were tired of wandering in the desert and they complained to Moses about the lack of water. Moses and Aaron gathered the people together and Moses said to them, “Listen, you rebels, must we bring you water out of this rock?” Then Moses raised his arm and struck the rock twice with his staff. Water then gushed out, and the people and their animals drank from it. (Read it in Numbers 20:9-11)

Anger is not something new. It has been around since the creation of Man. Where does this anger come from and how can we overcome it? Four things about anger for us to consider:

1. ANGER USUALLY COMES AS A RESULT OF UNMET EXPECTATIONS

I tend to be very impatient and often times I will get angry when something unexpected detours me from my agenda. Waiting 3 minutes in a fast food line that I thought should have lasted 45 seconds can turn impatience into anger quickly.

Anger is what we feel when things do not turn out the way WE want it to.

PROVERBS 14:29 “He who is slow to anger has great understanding, but he who is quick-tempered exalts folly.”

2. ANGER USUALLY COMES WHEN WE FEEL MOST OUT OF CONTROL

Imagine as you are in the kitchen cooking your stew for dinner, glancing over to the refrigerator where your two year old has just taken the jug of orange juice out, he begins to pour it in a cup but misses, and pours orange juice all over the floor. Just at that moment, your five year old comes yelling, “Johnny just broke the lamp!”

All these things happening at the same time may give you the feeling of losing control and the quickest and easiest way to regain control is to get angry!

PROVERBS 29:22 “An angry man stirs up strife, and a hot-tempered man abounds in transgression.”

3. ANGER TAKES YOU FARTHER THAN YOU REALLY WANT TO GO

Getting angry is like putting your foot in raging water. At first, it may feel good, but if you are not careful, you will find yourself a mile downstream! How many times has anger led you to say or do something that you regretted later on?

JAMES 1:19 “But let everyone be quick to hear, slow to speak and slow to anger”

4. ANGER BOILS OVER TOO MUCH WASTE

Have you ever walked away from a pot of stew and it boiled over? You took all the time to put in all of the good stuff (potatoes, vegetables, seasonings) but when it boiled over…it became useless. What boiled over was wasted and you could not use it. Our anger is very similar to that. We can put in all of the good stuff (love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control) but when anger stews up in us …what spews out of our mouths and out of our attitude will not be useful!

Ephesians 4:26, 27 “Be angry, and yet do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger. (27) and do not give the devil an opportunity.”

THIS WEEK: take a test about your anger. In my blogspot last week, I asked a question of how others see you when you are angry. The poll results showed that 50% say that others see you as “simmering: I’m hot but under control”. When you find yourself angry this week, stop and ask yourself “why am I angry?” and “how does my anger affect me and others around me?”

The Psalmist David was an adulterer and a murderer. However, David did not stew in his failures. He repented wholeheartedly - and he could say, "Thou hast turned for me my mourning into dancing: thou hast put off my sackcloth, and girded me with gladness" (Psalms 30:11).

The fastest way to “turn off the stew” is to trust in God’s forgiveness and God is ready to forgive at ALL TIMES!

I hope that this week’s devotion will help you to keep your anger under control, and that you will realize that even in our weakness of anger, God loves us and will forgive us when we ask and repent.

Thank you for being a WOMAN WHO TAKES A STAND. Post your comments on this devotion and share a testimony of how God helped you overcome a time of anger.

love and prayers, Laurie

YOUR OPINION MATTERS: Please take time to vote in this weeks poll: “Is your life in a rut?”

WHAT IS IN YOUR PURSE?

WHAT IS IN YOUR PURSE?

Recently, I received a new purse. I love shopping for new purses but I hate switching from one purse to another. One of the reasons for my displeasure is the task of cleaning out the old purse - when it comes to cleaning it out I discover all kinds of interesting things. (lint, used tissues, pens that don’t work, a toothpick, an old grocery list, Anna’s permission slip for school, old receipts, a half eaten snicker bar, lots of loose change ...)

What is inside a woman’s purse can tell a lot about her. Some women need very big purses (aka: a small duffle bag) while other women can get away with carrying a small clutch bag. Purses can hold very important, valuable items while at the same time be a trash collector for items not needed or wanted. This may seem like a very unusual intro to this week’s devotion, but I was thinking about how much a purse can be linked to a woman’s identity.

If you are anything like me, before you can leave the house, you must locate your purse.

“Where’s my purse?” “Has anyone seen my purse?”

These are often words you can hear me hollering as I search room to room for my purse. Why is it so important for me to have this before I leave the house? That is simple…because inside my purse are the treasures that help me during my day.

My Purse Treasures
A few months ago, I mistakenly left my purse at a local restaurant. I did not discover my error until the next morning when I began to go on the room-to-room search for my purse. Since my search left me empty handed, I began to backtrack my steps and narrowed it down to where my purse had been left. Luckily for me, an honest employee had found it and management had it locked up. Not so lucky for me, is that it took me two days to finally meet up with the manager of the Restaurant to get my purse back. I was so relieved to finally get my treasures back…

• LOST TREASURE #1
MY CHECKBOOK/WALLET/CREDIT CARDS

The first thing I looked for in my newly found purse was to make sure all my cash, checks and credit cards were in place. It was as I had left it. These are some items that can tell a lot about a woman. A look into a checkbook can tell someone where his or her heart belongs.

2 Corinthians 9:5 “Therefore, I thought it necessary to exhort the brethren to go to you ahead of time, and prepare your generous gift beforehand, which you had previously promised, that it may be ready as a matter of generosity and not as a grudging obligation.”

Paul is pointing out two types of givers in this passage. The first are those who give out of generosity and the other is the one who gives out of a grudging obligation. The one who gives with a grudging spirit is also the one who gives the very bare minimum. Reading further, Paul tells us that we should give, as we purpose in our heart, not grudgingly, for God loves a cheerful giver.

What does your checkbook say about you? Are you more cheerful to give to Wal-Mart then to give in the church offering?

• LOST TREASURE #2
MY COSMETIC BAG

The second thing I checked for was to be sure my cosmetic bag was all there. It contained my favorite shade of lipstick and the hand cream that I had purchased in Paris last spring. Certainly, these were items that I can live without but not having them for two days caused me to long for them.

Have you ever longed for something?

Genesis 3:23-24 “therefore the Lord God sent him out of the Garden of Eden to till the ground from which he was taken. (24) So He drove out the man, and He placed cherubim at the east of the Garden of Eden, and a flaming sword which turned every way, to guard the way to the tree of life.”

Can you even imagine the feeling of longing and sorrow that Adam and Eve must have experienced as they looked back over their shoulders to the Garden, knowing that they could never return to the paradise lost?

We often think that we long for things of the world (from lipstick to power, position and wealth to just mention a few). These things will not truly satisfy us. Our true longing is in what was lost in the Fall of Adam and Eve - to return to paradise. A longing to experience the peace and the love from a well that never runs dry. Only God’s love is perfect and His love will never fail us.

Psalm 42:1-2 “As the deer pants for water brooks, so pants my soul for you, O God. (2) My soul thirsts for God, for the living God. When shall I come and appear before God?”

What image are you longing for? What the world offers or God’s Image?

• LOST TREASURE #3
CAR KEYS

Another lost treasure that I was glad to find were my keys. My key ring not only held my key to the car but also to the house and many other important places. To be without my keys would cause a huge inconvenience.

Matthew 16:18-19 “And I also say to you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build My church, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it. (19) And I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.”

No doubt, we need our keys so we are not locked out. More importantly than car keys, we need to possess the “keys to the kingdom” , which is the Truth of the Gospel. Keys can give you entry into your car or your house, but the power of entry into the Kingdom of God lies in the hands of every individual who hears God’s Word. It is up to each person to accept or reject Gods love and Truth.

Have you unlocked the Truth and accepted God’s love and forgiveness? He is standing at the door, waiting. He said if you will knock, He would answer.

It is my prayer that you will examine the treasures stored in your heart, this is by far more important than the treasures in your purse. If you have lost your treasure I pray that God will use this purse illustration to reveal to you His love and forgiveness and His desire for you to:

1. Give with a cheerful heart
2. Know that you were created to be in His image
3. Realize that you possess the key to enter His Kingdom, all you have to do is accept Him and accept His forgiveness

Thank you for being a WOMAN WHO TAKES A STAND.
Laurie