A PIECE OF MY HEART...sit still

The strangest memory flashed in my head earlier today. I was thinking about the time that my 3 boys were very small, and we lived in Wisconsin. If you are a regular reader and live in the north, all I can say is "bless your heart".

We are transplanted northerners living here in the sweet, warm and mosquito-fested south! and loving it. But memories of the wonderful Wisconsin winters flooded my mind today. Oh the days of preparing my sweet little boys to go outside and play in the snow.

We started with the first layer of clothing ... the long johns.

Then we moved onto the second layer of clothing ... an extra pair of wool socks and sweat pants.

The third layer ... snow pants

The fourth layer ... jacket, gloves, hat, scarf

The final and most difficult layer ... the rubber boots!

"Okay now, sit still!" - I can remember telling my boys. My, my how they liked to squirm. As difficult as it was in all of that attire, trying to get this final winter play wear on was really trying my nerves.

As soon as I would get one boot on, two pairs of socks came off. When I finally got the socks back on, the toes would curl up so it was nearly impossible to get that final boot on. Finally all of the winter apparel was fastened down tightly. We were ready to meet Mister Frosty .... as we step out into the cold winter air, I hear a holler from one of those little wrapped up mummies. "Mommy...I have to go to the bathroom!"

oh bother. I holler out: "Wait just a minute!"

Sometimes we get squirmy in our own situations. We become impatient. We wonder "where is God when I need Him?"

And all along... God is simply saying to us ...

"Sit still"

"Wait just a minute"

Do you have time today to slow down

and wait upon the Lord?

and that is a piece of my heart today!

AT THE WELL... Praise for the most high

Today, the chatter over AT THE WELL is about PRAISE.

More specifically, the discussion questions are:

Who or what is "most high" in your mind and heart today?
Is it the Most High, or someone or something else?

YYYYYYYYYY

PRAISE to me is not dependent on what my circumstances may or may not be.

Giving praise to my Wonderful, Almighty, Loving Heavenly Father does not come and go from my lips based upon having a "good day" or a "bad day".

Each day with the Lord is a day to be welcomed.

Another day to give Praise.

Another opportunity to give honor where honor is due.

www.heartlight.org

There is nothing more beautiful than to usher in God's presence in song. Whether it is in a beautifully sung worship song, or an instrumental melody. But the best form of worship is just opening our mouths and DOING IT.

Now that must be music to God's ears!

You can join us around THE WELL today and hear what others are saying about Praise for the most High. CLICK HERE to find the WELL.

STAND BY YOUR MAN

One of my most favorite bloggers is LISA of The Preacher's Wife. One of the reasons I just love Lisa is because she has a gift to write with such flair, humor and excitement! Another reason is because Lisa loves the Pastors wife. And since I am one of those, it blesses the socks off of me that she cares about me!

You will see Lisa not only over at her personal blog, but often times you will see her penning some great thoughts over at CHRISTIAN WOMEN ONLINE. One of the most recent things that she has done on her blog is spotlight different ministries of Pastors wives. She has named this segment: "The Woman Beside the Man."

I got thinking about that title.

What does it mean, for me, to be the woman beside my man.

I came up with a top ten list of what it means for me ...to be a Pastors wife ... standing beside my man ...a Pastor:

TOP TEN LIST: standing beside my man!

#10...I stand beside my man when a little sweet, precious lady says his tie is ugly.

(it is great hon...I picked it out didn't I?)

#9...I stand beside my man when he leads us in a chorus and he might sound alittle off key. (it is music to my ears hon!)

#8...I stand beside my man when he tells the entire congregation how old I am when it is my birthday.

(45 and proud of it hon - go ahead tell the world!)

#7...I stand beside my man when after several attempts to get his attention while he is preaching, he acknowledges what a great supporter I am of his.

(hon ... I was actually just trying to tell you that your zipper was down!)

#6...I stand beside my man when he tells his favorite joke to the congregation, and even though this is the 129th time I have heard it, I still laugh.

(hon...they are so corny I can't help but to laugh!)

#5...I stand beside my man when he stands before the congregation to pray for someone and he can't talk because of the emotion he feels.

(hon...never apologize for being sensitive to the Holy Spirit!)

#4...I stand beside my man when we are about to celebrate our wedding anniversary and he gets an emergency call to come to the hospital.

(hon ... dinner will wait, a grieving spouse or dying friend may not be able to wait...)

#3...I stand beside my man when he feels discouraged because all he has dealt with is sickness, death, and despair all week long.

(hon ... I pray daily that God would lead and guide you and keep you!)

#2... I stand beside my man when he volunteers me to fill in where nobody else will and forgets to tell me that he did until the last minute.

(hon ... I will serve where I can and at moments notice!)

and the #1 reason I STAND BESIDE MY MAN is:

#1...I stand beside my man because God didn't just call him to ministry!

(yep ladies...God called me too alongside my man!)

WHY DO YOU STAND BESIDE YOUR MAN?

Lisa, The Preachers Wife has spotlighted my man's helpmate (yep that's me!) today over at her "The Woman beside the Man" segment - please check it out .... FIND IT HERE!

THANKFUL THURSDAY...making mistakes

Today, we join Lynn from spiritually Unequal Marriage as she hosts THANKFUL THURSDAY today. Lynn and I are taking turns hosting TT and next week you will find Mr linky here as I will be hosting Thankful Thursday for the month of April. I hope to see you back here next week!

This week on Thankful Thursday, I wanted to give attention to my mistakes and how thankful I am for them!

SCREECH!
HALT!
WAIT A MINUTE!

Who in their right mind is thankful for their mistakes?

I would like to suggest that all of us should be thankful for them. Face it, nobody likes mistakes but we all make them. Some more than others. How do I know that we ALL make mistakes? Because God's Word says so! "For we have ALL sinned and come short of the glory of God" (Romans 3:23).

It's not the actual mistake that I am praising God for here today, but it is the refining, the re-tooling, the molding, the forgiving and the learning that takes place because of my mistake!

"Our loving God uses difficulty in our lives to burn away the sin of self and build faith and spiritual power." - BILL BRIGHT

Mistakes are the price we pay for being human; repeated mistakes are the price we pay for being stubborn!

PROVERBS 15:31 "If you listen to correction to improve your life, you will live among the wise."

Have you made a mistake? If so, today is the perfect day to make things right with everybody...you can make it right with yourself, your family, your friends and with God!

Dear Lord, I have so much to learn. Help me to realize that my mistakes are opportunities to learn and grow in You. Help me to watch, to listen, to think and learn, not just today but everyday of my life. Amen.

PLEASE JOIN ALL OF THE THANKFUL HEARTS TODAY BY CLICKING HERE!

WEDNESDAY WEEKLY WORD...home on the range

WEDNESDAY WEEKLY WORD is a a post devoted each week to my thoughts on a personal study that I am doing. Right now I am studying from a book "Lasting Legacy" and from it I am learning how to make a difference with my life. Today, I share my thoughts on what I have learned this week. I hope you will join me on this journey of leaving a legacy for Christ!

The ability to encourage people is one of the most important skills needed throughout our society today. This world is consumed with way too much Discouragement. Remember that old song, "Home on the range"?

"Home, home on the range. Where the deer and antelope roam. Seldom is heard, a discouraging word, and the skies are not cloudy all day."

Oh my... wouldn't it be great to live a life like that? Who wouldn't want to live on the range? The reality of it is that we cannot do much about the discouraging words that come our way, just like we can't do anything about the cloudy days.

The world may be full of discouraging words but the Bible is full of encouraging words:

"Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth". - Matthew 5:5

"I am with you always, to the very end of the age". -Matthew 28:20

"I can do everything through Him who gives me strength". - Philippians 4:13

The need for encouragement, is certainly not new. Paul faced discouragement as he ministered to churches. In fact, his discouragement in some places came in a form of various degrees of persecution. Also, Paul certainly needed encouragement from other believers when he was held prisoner in jail for two years.

The Bible says that Paul not only received verbal harassment in some of these places, but often times it escalated to violence:

2 CORINTHIANS 11:24-26 "From the Jews five times I received forty stripes minus one. (25) Three times I was beaten with rods; once I was stoned; three times I was shipwrecked; a night and a day I have been in the deep; (26) in journeys often, in perils of waters, in perils of robbers, in perils of my own countrymen, in perils of the Gentiles, in perils in the city, in perils in the wilderness, in perils in the sea, in perils among false brethren."

Despite all of the "perils" that Paul endured, he never, ever lost focus of the victory that rested in the power of Jesus Christ. In fact, Paul was so sure of this power and victory that he requests for others (for us) to join him in his suffering for Christ:

2 TIMOTHY 1:8b-9 "But join me in suffering for the gospel, by the power of God, (9) Who has saved us and called us to a holy life - not because of anything we have done but because of His own purpose and grace. This grace was given us in Christ Jesus before the beginning of time."

Paul was not intimidated by other people's discouragement. The ones that threatened him with death were only giving Paul an entry to his eternal victory. Paul was an encourager despite those who were discouraging all around him. Paul encouraged Timothy, he urged him to "endure hardship with us like a good soldier of Christ Jesus" (2 Tim. 2:3)

When I think of the "hardships" that my life has brought it does not even compare to the "perils" that Paul endured. Paul could have easily whined and complained of his hardships but instead he chose to fight the fight and be an encourager! And what an encourager he was to young Timothy.

The encouragement and support of Christian friends is so important. In last week's YOUR OPINION MATTERS POLL, I polled the readers the following question: "Which action do you think has the greatest potential for encouraging other Christians?" The top 3 answers were:

1. 50% of those polled, voted and said that sending notes or emails encourage others.

2. 37% of those voting said that letting someone know that they are praying would encourage them.

3. 12% voted and said that calling someone on the phone would be an encouragement.

I strive to be an encourager. I like to send cards. I like to send emails. I like to call people up on the phone and say "Hey, I was thinking about you today". I like to pray with people.

As much as I would like to do this all of the time, I know that I fall short some days.

Some days I am tired

Some days I just don't feel like it

Some days I need encouragement

Instead of being an encourager, some days, I might be the one to bring that cloudy day upon someone. If you tend to be more of a "cloudy sky" than a "sunshine on the shoulder" ... try these things this week with me:

• tell someone close to you (family or friend) one quality that they have that inspires you.
• when someone tells you their plans or future .. pause a moment to choose to respond with a positive reaction.
• find one person this week that is discouraged and send them a card or call them.

Go ahead, try it and see what might happen

on your home on the range?

A PIECE OF MY HEART ... help is on its way

HOW OFTEN DO YOU ASK GOD FOR HELP?

Too many times I have seen people wait to invite Gods intervention when they are in the middle of a crisis. Instead of asking for God's assistance early and often, they scramble for help when they are in the hot seat.

"PREVENT FOREST FIRES"

Do you remember this saying several years ago? It was a huge campaign to be alert to ways we could prevent fires.

"Preventing fires" in our lives simply starts with prayer.

• Asking God to reveal His will in our lives.
• Praying for peace when trouble comes.
• Seeking patience when trials and tribulations heap upon us.
• Asking His Holy Spirit to lead and guide in days to come.

God has promised that when we ask for His help, He will not withhold it. All we have to do is ask.

JAMES 4:2 "You do not have, because you do not ask God."

Do you confidently ask God to move mountains, or do you timidly ask Him to push around a few molehills? God is perfectly capable of moving BOTH! It is simply up to us to decide whether we want His help.

PHILIPPIANS 4:6 "Do not worry about anything, but pray and ask God for everything you need, always giving thanks."

Prevent the fires in your life by praying. And when the flames are raging all around you - keep praying - help is on its way!

and that is a piece of my heart today;

RISKY BUSINESS

TODAY, I HAVE SHARED

A DEVOTION OVER AT:

entitled

"RISKY BUSINESS"....

"I have never been good at making investments. Stocks, bonds, investing. Who can figure out what is a “safe” investment and which ones are risky? In years past, it was the “norm” to invest in stocks, bonds and IRA’s. But today, the way the economy is, it is kind of risky business. Many of us are being careful how we spend our money. We are playing the financial market as safely as we can. As we consider all of the uncertainities ... "

CLICK HERE to read the rest of my devotion!

ARE YOU WEARY?

HAVE YOU EVER BECOME WEARY...

to the point of just wanting to not take another step?

Don't give up ...

the harvest is coming!

THANKFUL THURSDAY..."can you smell that?"

This week, Lynn is hosting THANKFUL THURSDAY and she is talking about miracles and being set free. When you put the words "miracle" and "set free" next to each other, I can't help but to think of the ultimate sacrifice that Jesus Christ gave for each of us. What an aroma of love!

WHAT KIND OF SMELL WOULD BRING A SMILE TO YOUR FACE?

a chocolate cake fresh from the oven?

onions simmering on the stove?

a bouquet of roses?

All of us have a sense of smell ... it triggers pleasing aroma's and it even triggers the not so pleasing aromas. Did you know that there is a smell that brings a smile to the face of God?

EPHESIANS 5:2 " Live a life filled with love, following the example of Christ. He loved us and offered Himself as a sacrifice for us, a pleasing aroma to God."

On this THANKFUL THURSDAY, I am so thankful for the sacrifice! I know you are too, but have you ever considered Christ's sacrifice as a pleasing aroma?

It was a pleasing aroma to God! Because the sacrifice on the cross demonstrated the love of God in the most complete and perfect way possible. It was one of the most tangible ways to show Gods love.

If that sacrificial act of love was a sweet smell to God, can you imagine what happens when we love others sacrificially? Surely, it is like a sweet perfume that God can smell and it makes Him smile. And possibly, you can hear God say ... "Can you smell that?"

WHAT KIND OF AROMA ARE YOU OFFERING?

What are you thankful for today? Please stop by Spiritually Unequal Marriage and visit with Lynn and all of the grateful hearts sharing with us this week!

WEDNESDAY WEEKLY WORD..."did you roger that?"

HOW DO YOU BRING THE BEST OUT IN PEOPLE?

Some people think that reprimanding or threats will bring the best out in people. I read recently a quote from a biographer who shared what the success was for Gandhi in working with people.

"He refused to see the bad in people. He often changed human beings by regarding them not as what they were but as though they were what they wished to be, and as though the good in them was all of them." -LOUIS FISCHER, a Gandhi biographer

Now that describes someone who was a great affirmer of people. Paul was also a great affirmer of people. Almost every book that Paul wrote, he starts out with affirming the people of the church that he is writing to.

1 THESSALONIANS 1:2,3 "We always thank God for all of you, mentioning you in our prayers. (3) We continually remember before our God and Father your work produced by faith, your labor prompted by love, and your endurance inspired by hope in our Lord Jesus Christ."

Wouldn't it be awesome, if in every conversation we had, we started it out with affirming the other person, just like Paul did?

How would that change your ministry?
How would it change your church?
Would it change your attitude?

George Barna, founder of a Christian marketing research company said this about "turn around" churches: "a bit of celebration and appreciation regarding true ministry can help maintain an active and happy congregation."

Wow.
Could it be that Barna's findings could also work in other areas of our lives?

~In child rearing, how much more successful is affirming what our children do right vs. jumping all over them for doing the wrong stuff?

~On the job site, how much more beneficial is it to affirm an employees strong abilities vs. zeroing in on their weaknesses?

Putting Barna's theory to the test...

• Would you rather attend a church that bickers about everything everyone is doing wrong or attend a church where no matter how small - success is celebrated!


• Would you rather be involved in a ministry that focuses on what has not worked in the past or work with a group of people who see outside the box?


• Would you gravitate towards a friend who encourages you and lifts you up or a friend that tears you down and finds fault in everything you do?

When people do not affirm each other's successes, but only find criticism - you will get discouraged. You will feel like "why even try". You may feel like nothing you do is ever good enough.

I personally experienced this recently. Someone was trying to give me some constructive criticism but instead of affirming me ... all I heard was criticism. I didn't do a good job. I should have done that differently. There must be a better way. Even though I knew the heart of the one giving me the criticism and it was with pure motive, it all came out wrong. There was no affirmation.

It tore me down.
It left me discouraged.
I felt defeated.

and worse yet, it was said in front of my kids.

"Did you roger that?"

It was done in front of my kids!
Affirming one another goes beyond just the person you are speaking to.

Last week, in the YOUR OPINION MATTERS POLL, I asked the readers the following question: "How would you rate yourself on how you affirm others?" The top 3 responses were:

1. 55% of those voting said that they are both a perfectionist and an affirmer. Doing it differently at different times.
2. 38% of the readers said that they are "affirmers" - they like to catch people doing right!
3. 5% who voted (thank you for your honesty) said that they are perfectionists and they tend to tell people what they can do better.

Paul seemed to realize that people work best when they feel good about themselves and what they have accomplished. That still holds true. We need to reclaim Paul's ministry of affirmation.

MAY WE AFFIRM ONE ANOTHER... did you roger that?

WEDNESDAY WEEKLY WORD is a post once a week designated to sharing my thoughts of a current personal study that I am doing. Currently, I am studying ways that I can leave a legacy for those in my world. Thank you for joining me on this journey this week! It is my prayer that you will look for the positive in others and be a "people affirmer".

YOUR OPINION MATTERS POLL: Please take time to vote in this weeks poll. You can find it on the side bar of the blog. Your opinion really does matter and you will find your input in next weeks Wednesday Weekly Word post!

A PIECE OF MY HEART...are you a night or day person?

I am a night person. I like to stay up late at night, sometimes even into the wee hours of the early morning. It is at this time of the night that I get alot of my writing done. The house is quiet. Everyone is in bed. I turn the TV off, and just spend time doing the things that I need to get accomplished. With no interruptions.

My husband, on the other hand, is a early riser. He likes to get a good start at his day early in the morning before sunrise. His most productive time is early before anybody else at our house is even thinking of getting up. So he tends to tire out early in the evening.

DAY OR NIGHT

which one are you?

The Bible talks about day people and night people. But it is not referring to our sleep habits. It is referring to whether or not we have embraced Christ.

Many times our culture makes it difficult to distinguish between people when it comes to eternity. But according to scripture, the world is divided into two kinds of people - night people and day people. Many of us may have trouble identifying who is who - but God is able to.

At the end of time, those who have chosen darkness will enter into a eternal darkness. And those who have chosen light will enter into the eternal light of heaven.

We do have a choice, and we must be careful to not allow the darkness to overshadow the light!

EPHESIANS 5:8,9 "Once you were full of darkness, but now you have light from the Lord. So live as people of light! For this light within you produces only what is good and right and true."

and that is a piece of my heart today;

FINE ARTS...using your God given gift

This past weekend, I attended our annual FINE ARTS COMPETITION. This is an opportunity for our youth from all over the state of Arkansas to come together and demonstrate the gifting that Christ has given them and perform. There are many different categories to choose from to compete in from short sermon to singing, to song-writing, to drama. Just to mention a few.

I am always in awe to watch jr. and sr. high teens utilizing the giftings that God has given them. And this weekend was no different. Each performance is performed in front of 3 judges who have a list of criteria that must be met. If a performer receives a score of 36 or more, they advance to the National level, and are eligible for a scholarship.

I was extremely proud of our youth group, not only for performing at their very best but for the conduct and the Christ-likeness that they shared at this event. There were 2 young ladies that really moved me with their performances this weekend, and I just have to take a moment here to brag on them alittle. Both of these young ladies scored well enough on their performances that they advanced to Nationals, which will be held in August in Orlando, Florida.

The first young lady is ALYSSA...She impressed me with her performance in the category of "performing arts" where she expressed an ultimate act of worship by painting with her hands a tree as she shared scripture and told us about how God is the root and in Him we grow into something beautiful.

THIS IS PAINTED ALL WITH HER HANDS!

Alyssa also presented a short children's sermon, in which she advanced to Nationals for. Alyssa is a special young lady with some awesome potential. The reason Alyssa stands out alittle bit more than the other performers is because she is my son's girlfriend.

CONGRATULATIONS ALYSSA!

The second young lady who impressed me with her performance is ANNA. Anna performed in 3 different categories. She performed with a group of kids in presenting a skit, and she also performed in a large group human video. She has worked really hard at both of these - practicing and staying focused even when she may have not felt like it. The performances of both the skit and the human video were breath taking and absolutely awesome! Anna advanced to Nationals for both of these events.

"SKIT TEAM"

"HUMAN VIDEO" (Anna is the one being held up)

In addition, Anna participated in the poetry division. She submitted a free form poem and even though she did not make it to Nationals in this category - it is worthy to mention. This was her first attempt at writing poetry and her entry missed going to Nationals by a 1/2 point. That is something to be proud of!

I am so proud of this young lady. Not only am I proud of her for her hard work and her awesome performance at Fine Arts this weekend, but I am so proud of her because Anna is my daughter.

CONGRATULATIONS ANNA!

Attending this Fine Arts weekend has reminded me that each of us have been given talent and gifts, and what an awesome blessing it is when we walk obediently in those giftings and use our talents for Jesus Christ.

ARE YOU USING YOUR GOD-GIVEN GIFTS?

BEAUTY TIP...

I have been doing the Beth Moore ESTHER study with some of the ladies in my community, and I have already learned so much insight about King Xerxes and his royal character!

The character that I love is the one that is described of Esther. She has the "beauty world" cornered. Hollywood cannot get one up on Queen Esther.

She exemplifies beauty.

"Beauty is not what you ARE ... but what you DO!" -Beth Moore

I love that!

Anybody with the right amount of cosmetics or even plastic surgery can become beautiful but eventually all that will fade away. Beauty is exemplified from within. It is here that botox and anti wrinkle cream is not needed!

COLOSSIANS 2:10 "and you are complete in Him, Who is the head of all principality and power."

Realizing that our beauty comes from Him. That's the best beauty tip available today!

SO ...
WHAT BEAUTY TREATMENT ARE YOU WILLING TO MAKE?

THANKFUL THURSDAY...disappointment

My friend Lynn, of Spiritually Unequal Marriage is hosting THANKFUL THURSDAY this week. Please stop by and visit with her and all of the grateful hearts sharing with us this week!

DISAPPOINTMENT

Have you ever been disappointed with someone or disappointed with how something turned out? What a feeling of gloom, despair and agony that can come over us when this happens.

We all hate to be disappointed in life...face it, disappointed we ALL will be, from time to time. This past week, my family endured a huge disappointment. A dark cloud seemed to almost come over our house because of this disappointment. We just about had a Hee-Haw moment (gloom, despair and agony on me ...woe-o!)

Then I realized that God can use even our disappointment to show us what a powerful, almighty God He is. Being disappointed lasts only a moment, but God's leading, guiding and understanding lasts for as long as we welcome it.

PSALM 32:8 "I will guide you along the best pathway for your life. I will advise you and watch over you."

Is it possible that disappointment is only a pathway to God opening a door of new opportunity? Possibly even a way of escape for us?

Simply said, God has a plan for our life. He understands the plan as thoroughly and completely as He knows us. Nothing surprises Him. While we are acting all "woe is me" ... He is saying "wait on Me!"

God has a wonderful plan for our lives. The best time to start looking for His plan is ... NOW! and begin living it - NOW. Even when we feel let down, misled, and disappointed - God will show up and lead us through the wilderness into the Promised Land.

"With God, it's never "plan B" or "second best". It's always "plan A". And, if we let Him, He'll make something beautiful of our lives." -GLORIA GAITHER

HAVE YOU BEEN DISAPPOINTED? aren't you thankful for it - God is about to show up and change your situation! HAPPY THANKFUL THURSDAY!

YYYY

I have also written a devotion for AT THE WELL.

It is entitled "THE POWER OF BLESSING"

Please visit the homepage of

At The Well to read it!

WEDNESDAY WEEKLY WORD...what the world needs now

In the 60's there was a song by Dusty Springfield that echoed what the world needed...

What the world needs now...

is love ... sweet love

John is speaking of a whole different kind of love in the book of 1 John. The love that He is referring to is agape love, something alittle bit different than the kind of love in Dusty's song.

What is agape love?

~giving without expecting anything in return

~showing concern for others well being

~portrays Gods love

1 JOHN 4:7,8 "Let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. (8) Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love."

A form of the word "love" is used at least 25 times in chapter 4 of 1 John. It is apparent that love was something very important to John to get across to his readers. In fact, here in chapter 4, John speaks greatly of Gods love.

1 JOHN 4:9, 10 "This is how God showed His love among us: He sent His one and only Son into the world that we might live through Him. (10) This is love: not that we love God, but that He loved us and sent His Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins."

The image of love that John has painted here in verses 9 and 10 show me that to have love like the kind that God had, it may require us to pay a price. "Sin demands the price of death" (Romans 6:23) and God was willing to pay such a price through His only Son.

WHAT PRICE ARE YOU WILLING TO PAY FOR LOVE?

• Are you willing to leave the comfort of your home and go visit someone who is sick?
• Are you willing to risk being ridiculed by speaking up against victims of racist jokes?
• Are you willing to pay the price by showing love to that irritable neighbor of yours?

It is easier to just say something "nice" in passing to someone, but what about your friends? Do you say things that you don't mean to your friends? How much will it cost you to truly love people in your world?

In last week's YOUR OPINION MATTERS POLL, I polled the readers the following question, "What do you look for in a friend?" The top 3 results of that poll were:

1. 78% of those polled said that a friend will show that they care.
2. 42% voted and said that a friend will tell the truth.
3. 42% of the readers voted and said that a friend will be trustworthy.

The poll reveals to me that we are looking for friends that show genuine love and and concern for us. Such a friend can be found in God - He has given us the example of what genuine love and concern is.

What the world needs now ... is genuine love. Not the fake kind. Not the sweet, syrupy and unreal kind of love. What the world needs now is AGAPE LOVE.

HOW MUCH WILL LOVE
COST YOU TODAY?

WEDNESDAY WEEKLY WORD is a post once a week designated to sharing my thoughts of a current personal study that I am doing. Currently, I am studying ways that I can leave a legacy, and leave a spiritual impact for those in my world. Thank you for joining me on this journey this week! It is my prayer that you will love others as Christ loved us, even if it costs you something.

YOUR OPINION MATTERS POLL: Please take time to vote in this weeks poll! It is located on the side bar of this blog. Remember...your opinion really does matter!

A PIECE OF MY HEART...what are you passionate about?

This week, I have been thinking about the things that I am passionate about.

Usually when asked about our passion, we will name WHO we are passionate about.

~ I am passionate about Jesus

~ I am passionate about my family

~ I am passionate about my co-workers

~ I am passionate about my church

How often do we think about WHAT we are passionate about? Take some time and ponder that question...

Are you excited about your career?

about your ministry?

2 CHRONICLES 31:21 "He did it with all his heart. So he prospered."

WHATever you are passionate about probably first started with a WHO.

• if you are passionate about your family (who) then you will have a passion to spend time with them (what).


• if you are passionate about your coworkers (who) then you will have a passion to work well with others (what).


• if you are passionate about Christ (who) then you will have a passion to serve others (what).

What stirs up your passion? ...is it cars, shopping, gardening, cooking, sports or traveling? Is it your job, your ministry or your walk with the Lord?

Understand what your passion is and then take it to the extreme.

LIVE IT!

BREATHE IT!

GO BEYOND THE NORM!

So WHAT are you passionate about today?

and that is a piece of my heart today;

AT THE WELL...mothering the little chickadees

Today, I am joining up with the ladies gathered over AT THE WELL. Today's discussion is a good one. Look at this week's discussion questions:

Life's storms will come sometimes when we least expect them, how do we give our children a "safe feeling" in the midst of a life storm?

Sometimes chaos is created by our own efforts of trying to do too much, how can we maintain a peaceful home where chaos is prevented?

How can we as wives and mothers actually calm the storm?

YYYYYYY

When I think of safety in relation to my children, I often think of when my children were small and they would get too close to the street or when they would get too close to the edge of the riverbank. My first instinctive reaction would be to snatch them out of harms way or holler, STOP!

I was thinking about how a momma bird so safely keeps her young chick so close to her, keeping watch over her baby so no harm will come to it. A young bird will nestle into the warmth and safety of its mother's feathers. Doesn't that paint a picture of total safety and hope for the young birds future?

A momma bird is not only looking after the baby in their moment of need, but she continues to do this with her baby until it is old enough to go off on their own. It is an ongoing relationship of tending, caring and keeping safe.

I am reminded of the story of Ruth in the Bible. Ruth chose to seek refuge in God as a lifetime commitment. She chose to leave Moab, which was an immoral and arrogant nation that worshipped different gods and she committed to a new life in Bethlehem. Boaz heard that she had set her devotion on taking care of Naomi, and serving God, even from the time of her husband's death.

RUTH 2:11, 12 "Boaz answered her, 'Everything you have done for your Mother-in-law since your husband's death has been fully reported to me: you left your father and mother,and the land of your birth, and you came to a people you didn't previously know. May the Lord reward you for what you have done, and may you receive a full reward from the Lord God of Israel, under whose wings you have come for refuge."

Ruth's devotion led her to a place of refuge under God's wings. REFUGE (or chasah) means to "confide in, have hope in , put trust in."

These were the actions of Ruth's heart. She sought refuge, and found a new spiritual dwelling place with God - an ongoing relationship with Him.

So, in answering today's questions over AT THE WELL...taking the story of Ruth into consideration, the first step to "creating" a safe haven for our families is COMMITMENT!

Stay committed to them. Stay committed to prayer. Stay committed to have faith no matter what may come.

The 2nd step is HAVE A RELATIONSHIP with them. It is difficult to emulate a safe feeling when you are distant from each other.

Spend time together (have a relationship). Do things (by having a relationship) that your kids or husband enjoy (even if you don't). Pray together (have a relationship). Have family devotions together (have a relationship).

You may not be able to alter the crisis that your family is in, but through prayer and commitment to each other, you can alter the relationship you have with each other and with God!

PSALM 62:8 "Trust in Him at all times. O people; pour out your hearts to Him, for God is our refuge."

Please visit the homepage of AT THE WELL for more discussion on this topic. You can also visit Monday Thru Friday for daily devotions. Click HERE to find the chatter around the well.

FRIDAY FUNNIES... things you don't say to your wife

TODAY is FRIDAY FUNNIES. I always like to close out my blogging week with a laugh. Usually by the end of the week I am in dire need of a chuckle - this week is no exception!

Watch this video - it shares ideas of what a husband should NEVER say to his wife. If your hubby has said any of these things ... well, go ahead and laugh with us anyway!

Kim from HOMESTEADERS HEART hosts Friday Funnies each week. Click HERE to find more giggles today. Be glad and share a smile with someone today!

THANKFUL THURSDAY...purpose

Nobody can make something out of nothing. Have you ever tried to just grab some "air" with your hands and try to mold something out of it? Impossible, isn't it? Only God can make something out of nothing. In fact He did just that - look at creation, God made everything out of nothing!

Isn't it incredible that before God created the universe, nothing existed except God Himself. Everything that we see, the mountains, the oceans, the stars and the earth all came into existence simply by God speaking.

HEBREWS 11:3 "By faith, we understand that the universe was formed at God's command, so that what is seen was not made out of what was visible."

The same is true for the precious gift of life. God created each and every one of us and in us He has placed purpose and meaning. Everything that exists has purpose, it has a goal and a reason for being.

On this THANKFUL THURSDAY, I am so grateful for Gods hand in creation. Not only has He created beautiful things on this earth for us to enjoy but within each of us He has placed a purpose.

When I think of having purpose and meaning, I think of our dear sister, Iris. Within Iris, God placed a purpose and desire for this weekly meme. A place that we, as fellow sister bloggers could come together and offer up thanks for His goodness every week. What an encouragement this place has been for me as I have participated every week for the past year. What an encouragement Iris has been to me as we have connected not only here at TT but over at Laced with Grace and personally thru private emails.

I am thankful for Iris.

I am thankful for her diligent work with TT.

I am thankful that God gave her a passion for giving thanks.

As you know, Iris is taking a "blogging break". She will be missed dearly. It is because of her passion and her creativity that this weekly meme THANKFUL THURSDAY will continue. God is bringing forth some new passions within Iris and I pray that His hand will touch each step she takes!

ARE YOU THANKFUL FOR THE PASSION

THAT GOD HAS PLACED IN YOU?

WHAT ARE YOU THANKFUL FOR TODAY?

With Iris taking a break, it is with great honor that she has asked me to join Lynn of SPIRITUALLY UNEQUAL MARRIAGE to co-host THANKFUL THURSDAY. Lynn and I will be rotating months as the TT hosts and this month you can link to TT over at Lynn's place. CLICK HERE to find more grateful hearts!

I can't wait to hear what you are thankful for today!

WEDNESDAY WEEKLY WORD...basic training

WEDNESDAY WEEKLY WORD is a post once a week designated to sharing my thoughts of a current personal study that I am doing. Currently, I am studying ways that I can leave a legacy, and leave a spiritual impact for those in my world. Thank you for joining me on this journey this week!

1 CORINTHIANS 9:24-27 "Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize. (25) Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will last; but we do it to get a crown that will last forever. (26) Therefore I do not run like a man running aimlessly; I do not fight like a man beating the air. (27) No, I beat my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize."

So many times we put well known athletes up on pedestals. We idolize the greatness that they have achieved. We watch as they cross the finish line, or win the Superbowl or score the best game of their career. We rejoice in their triumph. However, we seldom recognize the hard work it took to get them to this point.

The Apostle Paul must have been a fan of sports or at least familiar with the hard work that goes into developing a great game. Several times, he uses this sports imagery in his writings.

2 Timothy 4:7 "I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race."

In a race, only one person or one team gets the prize. Nobody remembers who came in second or certainly not last place.

Have you ever been at a track meet?

I used to enjoy attending these when my boys were younger and one of my boys ran track. Something that always interested me was the stamina that it took to continue in the race when you are bringing up the rear. When the team is jumping hurdles, seldom do you notice or follow the one that is in the back knocking over every single hurdle, instead your eyes are on the one in the front who is sailing over each hurdle and seemingly the winner.

But isn't the winner the one who even in times of difficulty, when the hurdles are hard to master, still perseveres and fights all the way to the finish line?

Paul is suggesting that the "prize" is an eternal one.

Running the race is life.

The prize is hearing those words at the end of our race..."well job My good and faithful servant". To continue in the race, the Christian must develop spiritual discipline. Just like the hurdle jumper must discipline himself and train, we also must be disciplined and train ourselves to stay in the game!

Last week, in YOUR OPINION MATTERS POLL, I polled the readers the following question: "What as a teen required you to be disciplined or took practice?" The top 3 responses were:

1. 50% polled said that they needed discipline to complete homework.

2. 21% voted and said they had to practice for dancing or cheerleading.

3. 2% of those voting said that it took practice to play a musical instrument.

There are standard rules of training if we are to succeed.

• In order to do well in school - we discipline ourselves to study.
• To master a musical instrument, we must practice.
• In order to be a good athlete, we must train and do the hard prep work such as lifting weights, stretching and exercising.

Nothing comes easy without preparation and hard work.

In order to finish this race (spiritually) we must condition ourselves and the only way we can do that it is by regularly exercising....

1. PRAYER

Discipline yourself to have a regular time of prayer. Not only letting your requests be known but also a time to "listen" for God's leading. "Be still and know that I am God" (Psalm 46:10)

2. DEVOTIONAL READING

In addition to reading scripture daily, be in the habit of reading Christian books or using a daily devotional. Reading Christian blogs such as this one is also a great source of encouragement.

3. WORSHIP WITH OTHER CHRISTIANS

Hebrews 10:25 suggests that we will receive encouragement from other Christians by meeting together. Corporate worship is not only a time to bring forth praise to God but to encourage one another.

4. FASTING

Our church just finished a 21 day DANIEL FAST, fasting is a discipline that will allow us to submit our physical impulses to God. God can speak very loudly to us when we purify our bodies before Him.

Isn't it tough to be disciplined? For some time now I have been talking about going to the track, but I don't. I know people who have talked about quitting smoking for some time, but they don't. The hardest step to take in a race is the first step.

TODAY IS THE DAY TO START YOUR BASIC TRAINING FOR DISCIPLINE!

THE RACE IS HARD AND LONG...

BUT THE PRIZE IN THE END IS WORTH IT ALL!!

YOUR OPINION MATTERS POLL: There is a new poll for you to vote in. It is about friends...find it on the side bar of this blog and VOTE! Your opinion really does matter!