WEDNESDAY WEEKLY WORD...sharing your story

Currently, my husband is teaching on Galatians in our adult Sunday School class at my church. First of all, I must take this moment to say, that my husband is one of the greatest teachers I have ever sat underneath. He is awesome, and I don't just say that because he gave me a ring to wear. (ha ha)

One thing that he is planning to do in a few weeks is have us write out our testimony. or in other words, tell our spiritual story.

Isn't that an awesome idea?

One of the most important things we can share is ourselves! At a very early age, we learned that in order to be "nice" you had to "share". Remember...

• in order to have a cookie...you had to have enough to share with all of your friends.
• in order to play with a certain toy...you had to share it with another friend; take turns.

Sharing is something that some kids just never learn. Years ago I read a poem that totally depicts this...

"Now I lay me down to sleep

I pray the Lord my soul to keep

And if I die before I wake,

I pray the Lord my toys to break,

So none of the other kids can use 'em...Amen

(Shel Silverstein)

And as kids grow up to be adults, we tend to hold onto this same principle. We would rather lose everything than open up to others. Especially the things of our past that may not be pleasing to think about.

Paul was not one who found it difficult to share his story with others. Even his difficulties. For example, Ananias hesitated to even help Paul because he heard about how much evil he had done. (Acts 9:13-14) Faced with this kind of question, would it not have been natural for Paul to be hesitant to tell his story to others?

In last week's YOUR OPINION MATTERS POLL, I asked the question, "What do you remember doing as a youth that you are now ashamed of?" The top 3 answers were:

1. 63% of those voting said that they were indeed ashamed of something they did.

2. 27% voted and said they were ashamed of lying to their parents.

3. 18% of the readers voted and said they were ashamed of teasing or hurting a sibling.

Most of us do not enjoy reliving our mistakes. We just want to put them behind us and go on. But Paul did share his story...failures and all! Paul realized that God could use his story to help others learn from his mistakes. What was comfortable for Paul was not as important as giving God glory and honor for what He had done in Paul's life.

GALATIANS 1:22 -24 "I was personally unknown to the churches of Judea that are in Christ. (23) They only heard the report. 'The man who formerly persecuted us is now preaching the faith he once tried to destroy.' (24) And they praised God because of me."

So if you were to sit down and write out your spiritual story, as Paul did, what would you include? Let's look at Paul's example:

1. TELL IT HOW IT USED TO BE

Paul started by sharing how his life used to be before he came to Christ. He violently persecuted Christ and the Church which he later came to love. Christians whose testimonies include turning from such things as alcohol or drug addiction or crime can have such an impact on those that are dealing with those things at the present time. But at the same time, the one who has a testimony of being raised in a Christian home and not really having a big, dramatic turnaround can have just as much of an impact on others by sharing their story.

2. TELL WHAT GOD DID FOR YOU

Paul recognizes the actions that brought about the positive change in his life.

GALATIANS 11:15,16 "When God, Who set me apart from birth and called me by His grace, was pleased to reveal His Son in me."

We can never be the changed person in God on our own merit. Paul knew that the change in his life occurred solely by God's free gift of forgiveness. We must convey to the unbeliever that change comes from the grace of God.

3. TELL WHAT GOD HAS DONE THROUGH YOU TO BENEFIT OTHERS

Paul clearly points out that it was because of what God did in his life, that the Gentiles were able to receive the gospel. When God changes us, He will use us to benefit others for His kingdom.

Our spiritual stories can touch the life's of others. So what would you say if you were asked to share your spiritual story? Have you thought about it?

Why not write out your spiritual story today, and when given the opportunity maybe tomorrow or the next day...you will be ready to share your story.

We are where we are today because somebody cared about us. They cared enough to build a relationship with us and to introduce us to Jesus. What am I doing to share a God legacy with others? For the next few weeks, on Wednesday Weekly Word, I will be sharing some thoughts on how we can touch others in a spiritual, meaningful way. It is my desire to leave a godly legacy behind. How about you?

YOUR OPINION MATTERS POLL....please take time to cast your vote in this week's poll. You can find the poll on the sidebar of this blog. YOUR OPINION REALLY DOES MATTER!

A PIECE OF MY HEART...don't worry, be happy!

Several years ago, there was a popular song

that sang about not worrying but to be happy.

" In every life we have some trouble

But when you worry you make it double

Don't worry, be happy.

Don't worry, be happy now.
Don't worry, be happy.

Don't worry, be happy.

Don't worry, be happy.

Don't worry, be happy.
Ain't got no place to lay your head

Somebody came and took your bed

Don't worry, be happy.

The landlord say your rent is late

He may have to litigate

Don't worry, be happy. "

WORRY
We all worry about different things.

WHAT ARE YOU WORRIED ABOUT TODAY?

Today, I worried that I will not get to go out of town with my husband later this week for a Christian Education Retreat at a really nice resort. We have been looking forward to it for some time now. I have all of the arrangements made. I have taken off of work. I have taken care of the kids. However, I came down with a bad respiratory infection this week-end and now I am worried I will not be well enough to go.

Worry...what good does it do?

Have you ever woken up in the middle of the night with a sick feeling of worry in the pit of your stomach?

Do you ever dread the sound of the phone ringing in the middle of the night?

Do you worry about what lies around the corner?

When Paul wrote, "Don't worry about anything," the word he used for "worry" indicates choking or strangling.

That is exactly what anxiety does.

It puts a choke hold on us, it wipes the joy off of our faces -sometimes squeezing it from us for the rest of our lives.

In a mild form, worry gives us a sick feeling in our stomach.
In a more severe form, worry causes us to panic.

This is no way to live.

1 PETER 5:7 "Give all your worries and cares to God, for He cares about you."

We do not have to give in to the state of worrying. Instead of continually feeding on our fears, we can trust in God who offers us peace in all situations. Rather than being consumed with our fear, we can channel our energy into prayer.

Having a peace of mind, a peace of heart comes from knowing God. This peace is offered to everyone, but we have to first choose to enter into this life of peace. Refusing to enter is choosing to be emotionally bankrupt and spiritually paralyzed.

SO WHAT GOOD DOES WORRYING DO?

Today, I choose to surrender my worries and trust God.
I choose to not worry and just be happy.

AND THAT IS A PIECE OF MY HEART;

AT THE WELL...the heart of Titus 2

WELCOME back to AT THE WELL

It is new and revised

Chelsey has been busy revamping the look, the design and the direction of this great ministry. I am excited to see all of the great ministry opportunities that will be available to us as writers and readers.

THIS WEEKS TOPIC:

The Heart of Titus 2

CHELSEY leads us in these discussion questions:

When you read the Scripture found in Titus 2: 2-5,

how do you see this playing out in your own life?

What are your areas of strength? Of weakness?

If you could set some sort of goal in relation to this Scripture, what would it be?

YYYYYYYYYY

HAVE YOU EVER BEEN GIVEN A TASK THAT SEEMED TOO BIG FOR YOU? and then you thought to yourself, if it is up to me, I will NEVER get this job done!

In TITUS 2, Paul describes qualities of the older, godly woman....

TITUS 2:3

~REVERENT IN BEHAVIOUR

acting and speaking Christlike, be a godly example.

~NOT SLANDERERS

a woman who is truthful, does not gossip, does not spread rumors.

~NOT GIVEN TO MUCH WINE

drinking of alcohol will cloud your head, cause you to say and do things uncontrollably and it will ruin your testimony. Whether in private or public...a Titus Woman should refrain from drinking.

~TEACHERS OF GOOD THINGS

answer the call to teach others. Teach God's Word. Teach His principles. And if necessary use words - in other words, a Titus 2 woman will teach by example as well as in words.

TITUS 2:4

~ADMONISH THE YOUNG WOMEN TO LOVE THEIR HUSBANDS AND THEIR CHILDREN

encourage that even when things get tough, and they will, that love is the center of their home. Encourage one another that love is a choice just as God chose to love us, even in despite of our flaws and problems.

TITUS 2:5

~BE DISCREET

having a reserve in your speech and actions. Being modest in how you dress and how you display yourself.

~CHASTE

being morally pure in thought and action. Pure and simple - not ornate or extreme.

~HOMEMAKERS

being a woman who makes her home a safe, loving and welcoming environment. If your home is chaotic, the attitude will be chaotic but if your home is a safe haven ... all who are welcome will feel safe.

~GOOD

good to her family, good to her friends, good to her neighbors. Expressing goodness to all those that she comes into contact with. Goodness can be something that is said, something that is baked, something that is done. No matter what ... a good deed must be expressed through action.

~OBEDIENT TO THEIR OWN HUSBANDS

being a dutiful wife. This is not suggesting that we become robots in our marriage, but certainly putting our mans needs above ours. Always speaking highly of our husbands.

~THAT THE WORD OF GOD MAY NOT BE BLASPHEMED

striving to be a Titus 2 woman will not only honor your family: your husband and your children but it will bring honor to our Heavenly Father. The Word instructs us to love and honor.

THESE ARE THE QUALITIES that Paul has laid out for us. A pretty tall order, isn't it? Chelsey has asked us which quality is our weakness and which is our strength? To answer that question, I would have to come back with another question..."on which day?"

When we read this list set before us, we can easily become discouraged. We know ourselves and our weaknesses all too well. And it just seems impossible to do this job as described in Titus 2 all on our own.

WELL - THAT IS EXACTLY RIGHT!! We cannot do it all on our own. But instead of giving up, we need God to step in and help us each and every day.

The good news about God's desire for us to become a Titus 2 woman is that He doesn't leave it up to us to accomplish this huge job on our own. He is at work in us. He is chipping away at our selfishness, our lies, our hardened hearts and our weaknesses!

Becoming a Titus 2 woman is a work in progress, it is an ongoing project that God is doing in and thru us.

So if I had to answer Chelsey's final question of "What are my goals to become a Titus 2 woman?" - it would be to take one day at a time, strive to be my best each day and ask God to continue to mold me, make me and fine-tune me into the godly, influential, gracious woman that He wants me to be!

PROVERBS 11:16a "A gracious woman retains honor"

To read more on "THE HEART OF TITUS 2"...CLICK HERE to go to the AT THE WELL homepage.

FRIDAY FUNNIES...vacation in Jerusalem

A man and his ever-nagging wife went on vacation to Jerusalem. While they were there, the wife passed away. The undertaker told the husband,

"You can have her shipped home for $5,000.00, or you can bury her here, in the Holy Land, for just $150.00."

The man thought about it and told the undertaker that he would have her shipped home. The undertaker asked him,

"Why would you spend $5,000.00 to send her home, when it would be wonderful to be buried here, and it would only cost $150.00!"

The husband replied,

"Long ago, a man died here, and was buried here and three days later, he rose from the dead. I just can't take that chance!"


FRIDAY FUNNIES is hosted by KIM from HOMESTEADERS HEART. Click HERE to find more laughs today.

"A joyful heart makes a cheerful face, but when

the heart is sad, the spirit is broken." -Prov. 15:13

THANKFUL THURSDAY...teens for jeans

EPHESIANS 4:32 "Be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you."

Isn't that a great scripture! It spurs me on to do to others what has been bestowed upon me. Forgiveness... it says that we are to forgive others just as God has forgiven us.

But wait, what about that first part of the scripture.... "Be ye kind one to another". You mean not only do I have to forgive but I HAVE TO be kind also??

Be kind to who?
~the unsaved?
~my neighbor?
~my enemies?
~those who are down and out?

I think it says to be kind to ALL. That means everyone that we come in contact with. Kindness can be shown in alot of different ways. It can be shown by the words we speak, the things we do openly and even in the things we do quietly.

One of things that I enjoy doing that expresses christian kindness is giving to those that are in need. Whether it be alittle extra cash or some clothes that I have far too many of.

I am thankful for the opportunity to give!

Last weekend, I was shopping with my teenage daughter. that's always an experience! And we heard about this great opportunity for "giving" that the popular AEROPOSTALE store is doing.

"TEENS FOR JEANS"

HAVE YOU HEARD OF THAT? Aeropostale is asking us to donate our jeans at any of their stores from January 26-February 22, 2009. They will give all of the donated jeans to homeless teens from all across the US and Canada.

• It is estimated that 150,000 teens are living on the streets in Canada.
• And 1 out of every 3 homeless people in the US is under the age of 18.

Isn't that staggering figures!

Together it is estimated that 1.7 million young people are homeless.

My 13 year old daughter has plenty of jeans to wear. And when she needs a new pair, we can usually find a good sale going on at Aeropostle. This past weekend she bought a pair of jeans for $10 on the clearance rack.

I am thankful that my teen has plenty of clothes, a full stomach and a warm place to call home!

If you want to share alittle love with a homeless teen - you could donate your old, holy, worn out jeans OR for $10-$20 go to Aeropostle ...buy a new pair or two or three ... and donate them to someone less fortunate than your teenager!

BE KIND TO ONE ANOTHER!

For more information on TEEN FOR JEANS, visit http://www.teensforjeans.com/ . Last year, Aeropostle donated 125,000 pairs of jeans.

LORI of Laurel Wreaths Reflections is hosting THANKFUL THURSDAY this week. Join her and all of the grateful hearts this week. Find them HERE!

HAVE YOU VOTED IN MY POLL YET? This week's poll is located on the side bar. Your vote - your opinion really does matter!

WEDNESDAY WEEKLY WORD...teamwork

Some people like to work alone. Some of the greatest heroes have worked alone~ John Wayne. Daniel Boone. Kit Carson. Davy Crockett.

Even today, people seem to be set apart from their teammates. Look at sports. Certain players are recognized by first names and not so much their team name~Michael. Shaq. Peyton.

I have been studying the book of Colossians in the Bible, and as I finish up this study, I see that Paul was not alone in the things that he accomplished. He acknowledged his team. Paul recognized the importance of teamwork in the work of the ministry.

Paul put together a great team. Strong churches came out of the leadership of this team. Throughout Europe and Asia, including Pisidian Antioch, Lystra, Iconium, Derbe, Philippi, Thessalonica, Berea, Corinth, and Ephesus. Even the church of Colossae was started by one of Paul's team members. Because of the teamwork established, the gospel of Jesus Christ grew from a small movement to a widely spread religion throughout the Roman world.

In last week's YOUR OPINION MATTERS POLL, I polled the readers the following question: "What do you enjoy the most about being part of a great team?" The top 3 answers were:

1. 56% of those voting said they like to feel that they contributed and they felt needed.

2. 25% voted and said they like doing something that makes a difference.

3. 18% of those polled, voted and said they like to get to know people better.

So what was it that made Paul's team such a good one?

1. MUTUAL ENCOURAGEMENT

Paul told the Colossians that he had sent Tychicus to them, "so that you may know how we are, and so that he may encourage your hearts." (Colossians 4:8) This was a common practice with Paul. When he could not go to a church where he had a relationship with the members, he sent someone else.

• (1 Thessolonians 3:1-5) Paul sent Timothy to Thessalonica
• (2 Corinthians 8:16-18) Paul sent Titus and an unnamed brother
• (Philippians 2:19-24) Paul sent Timothy
• (Ephesians 6:21,22) Paul sent Tychicus to Ephesus

And in return, churches sometimes sent people to encourage and assist Paul. In the difficult times that we live in today, we also need mutual encouragement.

2. PRAYER

Even when we cannot be a part of a work directly, we can always take part through prayer. But when you are on a team, praying for each others needs is very vital for the teams success.

vs. 12 "He is always contending for you in his prayers, so that you can stand mature and fully assured in everything God wills."

The word "contending" is not praying lightly. It is serious prayer time. James reminds us that the "intense prayer of the righteous is very powerful." Being a united and successful team will take prayer!

3. HARD WORK

Having team work cannot end with prayer. We must also work hard.

vs. 13 "For I testify about him that he works hard for you, for those in Laodicea, and for those in Hierapolis."

The whole team had to work hard. Hard work is required for the church to thrive today. All kinds of people will try to sell churches easy answers ...if you get the right pastor, if you buy successful programs, if you read certain books, but in the end it is always the people who are willing to give of their time that makes a thriving church. If your team avoids putting in any time or work - it will not get very far.

4. FOCUS ON THE GOAL

A team must keep its eye on the goal. This week, we will see 2 football teams that have had one common goal for months ... to get to the Superbowl! In order to get to this place as a team ... the players had to remain focused on what their goal was.

Paul always kept his eye on his goal. "But one thing I do; forgetting what is behind and reaching forward to what is ahead, I pursue as my goal the prize promised by God's heavenly call in Christ Jesus." (Philippians 3:13,14) Paul's focus is what drove him and he expected it from those he worked with.

I read a joke recently that went like this:

Jesus came back to earth and made a visit to a local church. When the church leaders found out of His visit, they went to the Sr. Pastor and asked, "What should we do?" The Sr. Pastor said, "I don't know, but look busy!"

Too many churches and ministries within do just that...look busy. What is their goal? Each ministry of the church should have a goal and a mission statement. And as a team, they should be striving to maintain the goal set before them.

WHAT TEAM ARE YOU A PART OF?

do you have a common goal or are you just looking busy?

I have been studying the book of Colossians. These are some reflections of what I have learned from Paul. It is my prayer that whatever team you are a part of: whether it be in ministry, your job or in your marriage - that you will take Paul's lead and be an encourager. God did not intend for you to go full steam ahead all alone to do all of the work. Being a part of a team can be very satisfying, and successful. Get to know your teammates...pray for them and encourage them. Above all - keep your eyes on the goal and God will reward you for your faithfulness and your endless labor.

This concludes my study of the book of Colossians, I encourage you to go back and read thru this book and find the hope that Paul speaks about.

NEW POLL: Please take time to vote in this week's poll. Your opinion really does matter to me! You can find it on the side bar.

A PIECE OF MY HEART... plugged in

IT WAS IN THE MIDDLE of the night, the room was filled with darkness. As I reached over to the lamp to shed some light in...I stubbed my toe on someones shoes left in the middle of the floor. aargh :(

I pulled on the light switch ~ no light! The light bulb was burnt out! rats!

As I go to the place where we keep our supply of light bulbs, you guessed it....none were to be found! oh brother!

MATTHEW 5:16 " Let your light so shine before men that they may see your moral excellence and your praiseworthy, noble and good deeds and recognize and honor and praise and glorify your Father Who is in heaven."

It is important, as Christians, that we do not let our light burn out or run out! Just as a lamp must be plugged into an electrical outlet in order to illuminate the darkness around us, so we also must stay plugged into God if we want our light to shine bright before others.

The only way to stay "charged" up and reflect His love is to pray, read His Word and experience fellowship with God. Staying plugged into His source will allow you to illuminate light wherever you may go.

EXODUS 34:29.30 "Jesus is the light of the world and He lights up those who come into relationship with Him. When Moses spent time in God's presence, his face became so bright that he wore a veil because people feared to come near him."

HOW BRIGHT IS YOUR LIGHT SHINING TODAY?

and that is a piece of my heart today;