Dust If You Must

Dust If You Must
by Rose Milligan

Dust if you must, but wouldn't it be better
To paint a picture, or write a letter,
Bake a cake, or plant a seed;
Ponder the difference between want and need?

Dust if you must, but there's not much time,
With rivers to swim, and mountains to climb;
Music to hear, and books to read;
Friends to cherish, and life to lead.

Dust if you must, but the world's out there
With the sun in your eyes, and the wind in your hair;
A flutter of snow, a shower of rain,
This day will not come around again.

Dust if you must, but bear in mind,
Old age will come and it's not kind.
And when you go (and go you must)
You, yourself, will make more dust.

Used by permission from John M. Sweeney on whose website this was found (www.johnmsweeney.com)


Note from Lois:
Along the line of dusting, we can make quick work of dusting and still have plenty of time for other adventures and productive activities.  Here's how!

Purchase several lamb's wool dusters, which will grab the dust for you much more quickly than a dust cloth will.  Don't use the static-filled dusters though (usually bright colors). The static they cause while dusting is not good to use near electrical appliances, and the dust clings much better to lamb's wool.  The job of dusting can be done in about ten minutes with lamb's wool dusters, and still give you plenty of time for other things.

Simply dust over furniture and decorative items quickly with a lamb's wool duster until it is filled with dust.  Then use the next one and take several dusters outside at one time to hit against your hand to make the dust fly. 

Why You Should NOT Welcome My Special Needs Child to Your Church

by Nichole Huggins
www.LoveinaDifferentLanguage.com
Used by permission

I realize this may be one of the most controversial posts I have ever written. It has taken me months of writing, stopping, coming back, re-writing and I’m still not positive it’s perfect. But it is my heart. Every fiber of my being burns with passion over this topic. I want to share with you why you should NOT welcome my special needs child to your church.

I write this from what I believe is a unique perspective.  You see, I have worked in ministry for over ten years now. I have been on staff as a youth pastor and a children’s pastor. I have helped to develop a special needs program within a church setting. I have also been a teacher for five years collectively. I have taught classrooms full of children from all kinds of backgrounds, strengths, and weaknesses. Most importantly, I am a mother to two beautiful children, one of whom has Autism. That’s right, I am the parent of a special needs child. 

So why on earth would someone with my background write a blog like this? Allow me to share my heart with you.  These are the reasons I believe you should NOT welcome my special needs child to your church.

-YOU SHOULD NOT WELCOME MY SPECIAL NEEDS CHILD IF YOU BELIEVE THE HOLY SPIRIT IS ONLY ABLE TO WORK IN THE HEARTS OF SOME PEOPLE, BUT NOT OTHERS.      Any good church goer would most likely read this and immediately say “Oh no! Not me! I believe the Holy Spirit can work in the hearts of all people! I would never limit what God could do!”  And I would challenge back with this: Many times we (the Church) say such things with our words, but our actions do not hold up.  Does your church offer anything for special needs children? Do you know? Instead of preparing a Bible story for special needs children, does your church place them in a nursery setting and give them a toy and some movies? As the parent of a special needs child, I beg you, please do not pre-determine who is able to be reached by the Holy Spirit.  Church leaders, I want to encourage you that your job as an ambassador for Christ is to prepare to the best of your ability, to teach God’s word, trusting that the Holy Spirit will do exactly what He has promised to do: “But the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you.” – John 14:26    You do not have to be a special education teacher to share about Jesus’ love with these children. You do not have to have sensory activity based learning, Bible centers, or offer ABA therapy. 

Your job is to present a sacrifice of your time and preparation, your love for others, and your love for Jesus…and share it.  Share it with children as best as you can. 

Tell them a Bible story, tell them about Jesus’ love and sacrifice for them, tell them how God created them with a plan and perfect purpose for their lives! And then trust that the Holy Spirit is going to do what He says He will do.  Yes, some parents of special needs children are just thankful for the respite of having a safe place for their child to stay while the rest of the family goes to worship. But why would the church want to miss out on the great opportunity of sharing Jesus with these special children? These are children who are often times excluded, laughed at, looked at, and pushed aside. For those of you who DO prepare a lesson for these precious children, thank you.  I want to tell you something very important: they are listening. They may not be making eye contact with you, they may be singing, spitting, or spinning, but they are listening. I firmly believe that God’s Word does not return void (Isaiah 55:11). It is not man’s job to determine who is able to be reached by God’s Holy Word. His Word is for everyone and His love is all encompassing.

-YOU SHOULD NOT WELCOME MY SPECIAL NEEDS CHILD TO YOUR CHURCH IF YOU BELIEVE THAT CHURCH IS NOT A PLACE FOR THE “MESSY.” 
It should always be for the great love of our Lord that we would want to present the Bride of Christ, the church, in the best way we can by taking care of church facilities. I understand this completely. But my heart breaks for the church that has lost sight of the God given mission of the Church. The Church was never meant to be a pristine, social gathering of perfect people sitting in Church bookstores or coffee shops. These outreach tools in and of themselves are fine, but  let us never replace the gift of human compassion, connection, and our mission to serve with only tools. This I know: Jesus knew how to get messy. Jesus placed His hands into the wounds of the hurt, He surrounded Himself with the “unclean,” He loved the “least of these,” He cared for the broken, and He washed the dirty feet of the disciples. Jesus knew that ministry is messy. I can promise you this, special needs ministry is messy too. There is nothing very cute about changing a five year old’s poopy diaper. It is not very glamorous to wipe drool or to help change soiled clothes. My special needs son is not going to sit quietly during your Christmas Cantata and he very likely will hurl his sippie cup up on the stage in the middle of your sermon (it’s true, it happened). Welcoming those with special needs into your church will cause you to have to think about wheelchair ramps and points of accessibility.  Welcoming those with special needs into your church might be a little more noisy, might require more volunteers, might cost your church money, and it WILL be messy.  But Oh, dear Church, do not forget that Jesus loves and came to serve the messy. What if the Church began to serve “the least of these?” What if Church was a place where those who cannot care for themselves would be cared for? What if Church was a place where dirty diapers where changed, drool was wiped, and the outcasts were accepted? If Jesus, the Messiah, Lord of all Creation, came to serve the “least of these,” shouldn’t we? What if we have it all wrong? What if Church could be a haven for the “messy?”

-YOU SHOULD NOT WELCOME MY SPECIAL NEEDS CHILD TO YOUR CHURCH IF YOU DO NOT RECOGNIZE THAT “SPECIAL NEEDS” IS A MISSION FIELD. In the book of Matthew, Jesus gives his disciples the “Great Commission” telling them to “Go and make disciples of all nations…” (Matt 28:19). As the church, as Christians, it is our mission to share with others the unconditional love and grace of Jesus Christ.  We send out missionaries all over the world to share the good news of salvation. Praise the Lord! But did you know that there is a mission field, right here in America, that is not being reached? Did you realize that 90% of special needs families do not attend church? I can give you a pretty good reason why this statistic is what it is just based on personal experience. It’s so hard.  Did you know that most parents of special needs children who actually make it to church on any given Sunday have probably had much less sleep than you, many have faced several huge obstacles, and are literally hanging on a prayer that “this whole church thing works today”.  It’s hard to take your special needs child into a huge crowd because (usually) it overwhelms them. It’s the look of panic or sheer terror on the church worker’s face when they see your child bounding through the door. It’s worrying if the ministry workers will truly care for your child while you are at worship. It’s wondering if I can truly say “let’s go to church and learn about Jesus!” or if my child will actually just be sitting in a room while the volunteer nervously watches the clock. It’s wondering if anyone would actually be able to relate to you and your family. It’s worrying about the safety of my non-verbal child who cannot tell me how he was treated by those who care for him.  It’s wondering if you’re truly going to be accepted or just tolerated. My husband and I both grew up in church and are quite determined to have our family there each Sunday, but even for us, it can be discouraging at times. Dear Church, there is a mission field of tired, overwhelmed, and often times questioning people who are just waiting to be loved, included, noticed, and accepted. 
But let me warn you, this is not a mission trip that you can just donate to or visit for one week and walk away. If your church should accept the mission to minister to special needs families like mine, it will be a continuous labor of love. I beg you, Church, to not claim to have a “special needs ministry” unless it is truly the heartbeat and conviction of your church. I have seen what it is to have a church with a “special needs ministry” but it is not the passion of the congregation or the passion of the pastor. I have been the guest of churches who have a “special needs ministry” where there is no heart behind the ministry. Parents of special needs children pick up on this very quickly and for many, it is their first and very last time to “try church.”  I have visited churches that have an undeniable passion for special needs families. I have seen what can be when a congregation embraces this mission as their own. It can be a very beautiful thing! Special needs families just like mine are not welcome very many places. As a whole, public places are not our friend. Special needs families long for community and connection because it is rarely offered to us anywhere else. Would your church please pray about this widely un-reached mission field? If your church will not reach out to a family like mine, who will? We are falling into the cracks, unnoticed.

- YOU SHOULD NOT WELCOME MY SPECIAL NEEDS CHILD TO YOUR CHURCH IF YOU BELIEVE THAT GOD DOES NOT SPECIALLY CALL EVERY MEMBER OF THE BODY OF CHRIST TO SERVE. 1 Corinthians 12:27 says “Now you are the body of Christ and each one of you is a part of it.” If you are a Christian, then you are a part of the Body of Christ. If you are a part of the Body of Christ, then according to 1 Corinthians 12, you have a “part” or a job to do. You see, God has given all of us gifts and talents to be used for His glory. The Church is supposed to function as one body of believers with all of its different members serving through their gifts and talents for the sole purpose of glorifying God and furthering His kingdom. I am not a super gifted person, but even I have been given “strengths” in some areas.  These strengths or “gifts” as the Bible calls them, were not suddenly zapped out of my system when I birthed a special needs child. On the contrary, I, like many other parents of special needs children, have gifts that God says are important to the Church. What’s more is that I still greatly want to serve. I believe there is a supernatural, wonderful thing that happens when a believer is serving in the very way that God created and called them to serve. It fuels my heart and uplifts my spirit. It’s true, many special needs parents want to serve.  What is also true is that many times we are not able. We are desperately searching for a church that will allow us the opportunity to serve, a church that values us, a church that believes we have something special to offer. We are also desperately searching for a church that will look upon our special needs child as part of the Body of Christ…which means that he too has something very special to bring to the body. In many ways, special needs families are being “cut off” from the Body of Christ. Oh Church, please do not let this be! If the Church does not find a way to include special needs families, it will hinder any possibility of these parents or children being able to contribute to the Body of Christ within the Church. It will make it very hard for these parents and children to do the very thing that God has charged us to do.

The truth is, I wish you would welcome my special needs child to your church, but for many, there is a work to be done first. Please check your heart and the heart of your church. There are families slipping through the cracks…90% of special needs families to be exact. The Church has a great opportunity to be the hands and feet of Jesus. Who will take up this cause?  It will take work and preparation, it will be hard, it will be messy, and it is not glamorous. But, dear friends, it will be so worth it.

“The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’” –Matthew 25:40

 

Parenting Insight You Can Use Now

Children who make decisions with intensity tend to be labeled “strong-willed.” At the end of the day, their parents feel as if they’ve been engaged in hand-to-hand combat—and that the child often wins at the parent’s expense! Most parents consider a strong will a negative personality trait because it often creates resistance and frustration in family life. Yet, in reality, it’s the strong-willed kids who are often better equipped to succeed, be creative, and face adversity.

Children with strong wills have the potential to become the next generation of leaders. They have their own ideas and plans. They know what they want. They’re persistent, confident, passionate, and determined to succeed at whatever they choose to do.

Leaders have an agenda, look for ways to incorporate others into their plans, and have a high need for control in life. Balanced with graciousness, leaders become treasures because they make things happen, create organization out of chaos, and motivate people to action.

Unfortunately, it’s hard to raise a leader. These kids tend to have their own ways of doing things and like to tell other people (including their parents) what to do. A strong will keeps a child moving in a certain direction in spite of obstacles. Often these children need bigger barriers or tighter limits to teach them that those boundaries are firm.

Don’t be discouraged by the effort it takes to teach a strong-willed child which limits not to push. The strong-willed child accomplishes things in life, because the roadblocks that might hold others back are no match for this kid’s determination. Your job is to help him know the difference between obstacles to overcome and limits to live within.

A strong will can be an asset… as long as the heart is in the right place.

This parenting tip comes from the book Parenting is Heart Work by Dr. Scott Turansky and Joanne Miller, RN, BSN.

Used by permission

Parenting Insight You Can Use Now

Jesus said, “out of the overflow of the heart the mouth speaks" (Matthew 12:34). Parents can use this principle to gain some understanding and insight into a child’s heart. Listening becomes key.

It’s surprising how many times we ask kids why they don’t talk to their parents and hear the answer, “Because they don’t listen to me.” Yes, it’s true some children confuse listening with agreeing. On the other hand, we find some parents really don’t listen to their children, whether they agree or not. They’re irritated by the lack of logic, the different viewpoints, or the naïve opinions of their children.

Listening can feel like torture as a child goes on and on about things that don’t make sense to the parent. It’s in these moments, however, that parents can learn about a child’s heart. Children may be wrong, but they’re usually following some kind of internal logic. Listening allows you to figure out what's going on and offer more truth where helpful.

As you listen to your kids talk, try to discern what may be distracting them from understanding the truth. Don’t feel like you have to point it out on the spot. Take time to listen and make mental notes of errors in their thinking. Look for creative ways to help them understand truth more fully.

An accepting, safe, listening ear, often opens the heart in ways that nothing else can. As you listen to your child, you’ll learn about dreams, goals, and commitments. Good or bad, time spent listening to your children gives you a greater sense of what’s going on inside, offering you ideas and direction about the heart change that’s needed.

This parenting tip comes from the book Parenting is Heart Work by Dr. Scott Turansky and Joanne Miller, RN, BSN.

This parenting tip comes from the book Parenting is Heart Work by Dr. Scott Turansky and Joanne Miller, RN, BSN.

Used by permission

Reflections of a Preacher’s Wife: Post-it Note #158

by Connie Post
July 19, 2015
http://graceintherealworld.com/ - Used by permission

Today is my 18^th wedding anniversary. My husband was already a preacher when I married him and so my life has been on display before a congregation of people since before I said “I do”. All these years later we have ministered in many settings to multiple congregations and have been blessed with 5 great kids.

We have been supported and loved and prayed for by the people of our congregations. They have celebrated our victories and walked with us through some dark and challenging days. Those folks who have made a difference for us are the ones that know the following things:

1. The preacher’s family is a real family. They don’t have it all together. They are sinners just like the rest of the world and can’t be held up on a pedestal or unrealistic standard. They blow it sometimes. They lose it with their kids. They are learning as they go, just like you are. Sometimes their house is a wreck. Sometimes they need a break or a vacation or time away. They don’t know the answers to every question. They need your prayers for wisdom.
2. The preacher’s kids are kids. They act like kids. They might run at church if Mom isn’t watching. They don’t come into the world knowing how to act. And when they are at church their dad is working so mom is a “single-mom” on Sunday mornings. If you talk to her at church expect her to be looking over your shoulder while listening so that she can keep her eyes on her kids. Because EVERY unsupervised kid wants to jump on the stage or swing from a chandelier whether they are related to the preacher or not. They need your prayers to balance it all.
3. Preacher’s kids give up their dad a lot. They share him with everyone. Mom is often the one teaching them to ride bikes and taking them to recitals and soccer games because Dad is ministering to the church family. So it’s likely they didn’t see dad all day Saturday and greeting time on Sunday is the first time they’ve seen him in a while. If they go hug their dad on Sunday morning, it’s because they need too and not because they are trying to interrupt “real ministry” to the church. Preacher’s come and go, but he’s the only Dad they have. The preacher’s family doesn’t get a quiet holiday at home. Dad is planning an event for the church family to come to.  So if the preacher’s kids seem tired, clingy or out of sorts, they need to be given a little slack. They need your prayers for strength.
4. The preacher’s family is under attack. Satan loves to trample on the preacher’s family. He comes after their marriage, their kids individually, and their family unit. He is constantly trying to distract them and cause disunity. And often Saturday night or Sunday morning is when he takes his best shots. So maybe the kids aren’t all dressed to the nines and their hair isn’t smooth as glass on Sunday morning. Maybe mom is looking a little frazzled. She got those kids dressed by herself and out the door and maybe what she’s wearing at the moment is the best she could do on this particular morning because she was so busy fighting the devil to even get there. Judgment never helps the preacher’s family. It only adds to Satan’s schemes. They need your prayers for protection.
5. The preacher may be a godly man, but he’s still a man. You can’t expect more of him than he can give. And the preacher’s wife may be a godly woman but she’s just a woman with limitations too.  Sometimes she has to say “no” to the lists of tasks and responsibilities that others want from her. Her number one priority is her family. She can’t apologize or feel guilty for that. It’s hard to make choices like this, because nobody want to say  “no” to people they are called to minister to and yet don’t want to short change their family.  It’s a constant tightrope.  They need your prayers for stamina.
6. The preacher’s family answers to God for their actions, their parenting, and their ministry. They shouldn’t be expected to act according to the standards of individuals in the church. They can’t parent their kids according to the way others parent. They should be allowed to minister according to their spiritual gifts and not according to the list of expectations of what a preacher of preacher’s wife or preacher’s kids should do, look like or be like. They need your prayers for courage.
7. When they go through a tough time, they need your support. It’s hard to struggle publicly. It’s hard to live in a “fish bowl” for everyone to watch. They need your love and they need your prayers.

Suggestions for Immune Support before Returning to School

1)  Create a healthy intestinal environment.  (Kefir, yogurt, fermented items, etc.)

2)  Vitamin C (at least 200mg for kids daily, 500mg for adults)
 

3)  Elderberry syrup for prevention and seasonal distress

4)  Cut out the sugar (and chemicals from processed foods)!
 

5)  Sleep! 

For more immunity tips, go here!

For an elderberry syrup recipe go here!

Tiny Teacup Terrarium

Creative Ideas

from www.allfreekidscrafts.com

  

Collect all of the materials listed above to create your terrarium.

I got my pebbles at Target in the vase section.  I bought my charcoal at the pet supply store in the terrarium section...Go figure! You can find Spanish moss at Michael's or JoAnn Fabrics and a ton of other places.  Any old potting soil will do. Keep in mind the size of your container when selecting plants. You would be surprised how much room all of the stuff takes up inside the jar. I used mostly ground cover like Irish moss or baby tears that I had growing around my yard. If you have a large container you could do a little Bonzai tree or a succulent plant.  I think herbs will work too.

Wash your glass container and lid with hot water.

Layer the ingredients in order.  I used a large spoon to add the dirt.

Start with a good sized scoop on top of your moss and then add your plant.

Use a couple of fingers to help protect the little guy while adding more soil around the edges and use your spoon to press it all down.

Now's the time to add your little figurines to create a world all your own.

Once you've got everything placed, give it a couple sprinkles of water, secure your lid and VOILA!  Your very own portable world of enchantment.

Monitor your tiny garden for the first few days to regulate the moisture level.  If it gets too steamy in there remove the lid to let it evaporate a little.  If it seems a little dry you can mist it or add a few more sprinkles of water. Once it has become established it will pretty much take care of itself!  You shouldn't need to water more than every 2-3 weeks.

You won't believe how simple it is...with all the ingredients and about 3 dozen glass jars I have saved up in all different shapes and sizes. I couldn't resist making a whole gang of them.

How to Freeze Fruits and Veggies

Used with Permission by Dollar Stretcher http://www.stretcher.com/stories/15/15jul27a.cfm

We have a large garden, many fruit trees, and a large family. Most years, we have a pretty good crop of fruits and veggies. We can a lot and give a lot to neighbors. But, I'd like to freeze some. We have a large freezer that could store a lot of good food. I need some advice on which fruits and veggies freeze well and what's the best way to do it. Can anyone share their experience with freezing fruits and vegetables? Maddie

You Can Freeze A Lot of Produce!

In my experience, lots of fruits and veggies can be frozen, including tomatoes. One of the best ways I have found is to slice the fruit into bite size pieces first. In the case of strawberries, I slice them in half. I lay them out on a cookie sheet lined with parchment paper and then pop the cookie sheet into the freezer until they are frozen. Then I transfer them into a freezer bag. One of those devices that sucks the air out of the bag might be a good investment, but I never seem to keep the frozen fruit that long as I use it up in smoothies. I do this with other fruits like bananas (they don't even turn brown), blueberries, raspberries, blackberries, cherries, cantaloupe, mango, etc. You can also do this with veggies like butternut squash, green beans, broccoli, and others as well. Of course, with most vegetables, blanching them first and then cooling them down in a bath of ice water is the first thing to do. I like the idea of freezing the veggies and fruit individually as it is easier to separate out how much you want to use of it. Donna

Freezing Tomatoes with Ease

I grow tomatoes, but they ripen at the hottest time of the year. Who wants a steam bath at that time of the year? My solution is so easy. I wash the tomatoes, put them on a cookie sheet covered with waxed paper, and put them in the freezer. When they are frozen, I put them in a zippered storage bag and return to the freezer. Repeat until the tomatoes are all frozen. When I need tomatoes, I take out what I need and let them thaw in a bowl. When they are thawed, I pinch the skin and pull it off. It's like they just came out of a can with far less effort. Linda

Find All the Information You Need in One Place

The US Dept. of Agriculture publishes tons of information on freezing and canning garden produce. It's all free and paid for by your tax dollars. Your county extension office will have this information and probably also has information geared to your state or local area as well. Contact your county agriculture extension agents. Their offices will be listed in the phone book under the government listings and they have a wealth of information and knowledge to share with you. Lynn

Check Your Grocer's Freezer

Almost anything that you can grow may also be frozen. The only exceptions I can think of right now are lettuce and cucumbers. Bu, if you use the lettuce in cooking, such as in a soup, you could probably freeze even lettuce.

I have frozen tomatoes for use in cooking by simply quartering them and putting them in freezer bags. The skins slip off when cooked and can be removed if you wish. I chop onions and peppers in sizes appropriate for dishes I cook.

To use space efficiently, either freeze individual pieces on a tray and then bag or be sure to flatten the bag before placing in the freezer. I prefer the former, so I can use small portions when I wish.

Look in the grocer's freezer at all the fruits and vegetables to get more ideas about what to freeze or check the website of your local extension service. Barbara

Connect With Your County Agricultural Extension Agent

One of the most overlooked sources of information is your friendly county agricultural extension agent. They have all kinds of information, such as the best varieties of produce for your area, best growing practices for your particular area, recipes galore, and so much more. They can even help identify wildlife you've never seen before (like snakes!). I learned about these folks by being in 4H so many years ago. Karen in Schertz, TX

Most Produce Freezes Well

Freezer boxes are space-effective and can be used for leftovers once emptied. Boxes keep out odors from other produce better than bags, but plastic bags can be used if you prefer.

Peel fruit and place in water with vitamin C pills dissolved in it. This will keep fruit from browning. Reserve peels for making jelly. Fruit can be put directly into boxes with a slotted spoon or can be flash-frozen on cookie sheets and then stored.

Buy groceries, earn cash back at Checkout 51

Non-browning fruit can be washed in a weak solution of white vinegar and water to kill mildew and then frozen.

Bananas can be frozen whole for snack pops, sliced for puddings, or pureed when overripe for banana bread.

The Punk Domestics website has great recipes for herb or wine jellies made with fruit peelings. Margaret

Tips to Guiding our Children into Friendliness

by Michelle Gill

Show your children how to be friendly by being friendly yourself.   You never know who just needed a smile today.

Don't shelter them when adults are speaking to them.  Teach the child to look into the face of the adult and learn to speak clearly.

Have the child stop what they are doing to show respect when people come into your home.

It does not matter the age of your children or those coming for a visit.  Hospitality is required by children to children as well as adults.

Give them opportunities in public situations to communicate with other adults and children.  Teach them how to introduce themselves and ask questions.

Teach your children to be on the look out for those in need.

Meet Him in the Morning

Used with Permission by Pamela Spurling www.achristianhome.com

Dearest Sister~ 

It truly is a joy to me to share with other sisters in the LORD the good things He has done and is doing in our midst.  Though we cannot always see or understand the workings of the LORD, He is, indeed, at work and all God’s ways are good.  We can count on Him for that.

Consider being at the threshold of a brand new year, a clean slate, and unblemished path lies ahead.  By the time a week or two passes, however, you may have already crossed off a number of “New Year’s Resolutions” and you may have “slipped” a bit in your resolve to stay away from treats and snacks, you may not have gotten to the exercises you intended to do and you may already be behind eight or twelve chapters in your “Read-through-the-Bible-in-a-Year” program.  You may have spoken harshly to the children and you may have already stayed up too late to rise early in the morning. 

 So, all in all, you might resolve that you’re off to a very good start.  Really.  You know… really, it’s a very good thing for us to acknowledge… to take a look at our frailties and failings and stand right in front of our mirrors and see our sorry states of affairs.  It’s a very good thing to stand right there with our amended and scratched out list of “meant to do’s” and see that we truly “cannot do this.”  I think you know what I’m talking about.  I say it to my husband from time to time and I say it to the LORD, too: “I cannot do this!”  And then you know what?  It’s as if the LORD is just standing right there with His comforting outstretched arms saying: Come here, I have been waiting to help you… I have been waiting to carry you through this.  Come here… lay your burdens down and come to Me.

 Well, then, that’s what I must do.  And that’s what you must do, too.  We need to just set that paper down and put down the pen filled with the ink of good intentions and just get on our knees and wait on the LORD.  And so that’s what I am suggesting be your thought and your best hope for the year ahead: God being your Helper, that you will just do one thing—for only one thing is needed and that is to sit at the Feet of Jesus and hear His Word.

Remember Martha, all caught up in the well doing, the busyness of the day — the murmuring and the fretting over what needed to be done?  Remember how the LORD addressed her and her situation?  What did He tell her?  At first blush, it might seem as though He didn’t show consideration for all she was doing or attempting to do and it hardly seemed as though He valued her effort.  But you know, the more I read and mull over what He said to her, how He addressed her and how He advised her, I see that He gave her the most loving and helpful words He could’ve offered—  sort of an invitation and direction at once. 

(From Luke 10. 40-42) There she was working [murmuring], cumbered about with much [murmuring]  serving, and came to him [murmuring], and said [murmuring], “Lord, dost thou not care that my sister hath left me to serve [and murmur] alone? bid her therefore that she help me [murmur, murmur].   And Jesus answered and said unto her, Martha, Martha, thou art careful and troubled about many things: But one thing is needful: and Mary hath chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from her.”

You see, He did see and understand her plight, her hard work and her feelings about it all. He did address the very things that were troubling her — though it may not seem so at first glance.  He acknowledged her work (O, yes, and her troubles), but He also showed her that what she was doing was *troubling* her and was not done in restful adoration or in service to Him.  Yes, Mary’s actions were in adoration and service — it’s just that when someone is sitting at the feet of Jesus it might seem to others to be a waste of time and yet, if done in sincerity and in truth, that very sitting at the feet of Jesus and hearing His Word is of the greatest importance and tremendous value.  The benefit of that time spent sitting at the feet of Jesus hearing His Word, will be reflected in the time of serving — that waiting on the LORD, hearing His word will be reflected in every step of the way.  Instead of being troubled and careful about many things, you will have chosen that good part— remember? …that part that Jesus says cannot be taken away. 

So, where is the sitting at the feet of Jesus, hearing His Word?  It’s your quiet time with Him every morning — it’s that most important time of your day: time in the Word of God.  And so, I offer this bit of encouragement to you as we begin the New Year together.  Take that tablet and that pen filled with the ink of good intentions and just set them aside.  In my best New York accent: forget about it.  But this one thing… please consider this one thing and don’t let anything dissuade you from implementing this one thing, for this one thing is needful: establish or reestablish a daily quiet time with the LORD.   Change your schedule, or change your habits or change your discipline… but don’t allow yourself to be too busy, too late or too tired to daily sit at the feet of Jesus, hearing His Word.  For in doing so, you will have chosen the good part, that shall not be taken away from you.   

You may have many things on your heart and mind; many trials, troubles and regrets.  You may be weary in the battle and the task may seem too arduous for you to carry on.  The temptations  may seem too great to resist and the tension too intense to bear any longer.  You may be a mother of many young children and believe that you have no time to read and no time to pray.  It may be that you feel at the end of your rope.  In all these things that loom dark on the horizon I know Jesus will already be there to bear the load and the burden you cannot carry.  Taste and see that the LORD is good.  Maybe you already know this full well and are joyfully looking forward to the sunrise as you meet with the LORD. Whatever the case, when you meet Him in the morning He’ll already be there and will linger long after you’re gone.  He will fill you, refresh you, equip you, strengthen and guide you.  And you will then see there is nowhere you can go that the LORD will not already be waiting… waiting to demonstrate Himself strong on your behalf. 

Blessings to you as we journey through the door and onto the path of this new year.
with love, your sister in Christ, — Pamela

Why You Can Trust in God's Provision - and Not Worry

Used with Permission by Randy Alcorn
Jesus tells us to “Seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things [what you eat, drink, and wear] will be given to you as well” (Matthew 6:33). Unlike the pagans who “run after all these things” and “worry about tomorrow,” believers are told to follow Christ, live a radical life of faith, and trust God to provide (Matthew 6:25-34).

In this passage, Jesus says that God cares for the birds. Yet birds aren’t created in God’s image. Christ didn’t die for birds. The Holy Spirit doesn’t indwell birds. Birds won’t reign with Christ. But we will! So Christ asks his disciples, “Are you not much more valuable than they?” (Matthew 6:26). If he takes care of the less valuable creatures, will he not take care of us, who are far more valuable?

Of course, the birds provide for their immediate future through labor—building nests and obtaining food for their young. But they don’t maintain one nest in the mountains and another at the beach. Neither do they fill their cellars with freeze-dried worms. Birds do the work that God created them to do; they sing when they work, they don’t hoard, and they instinctively trust their Creator to take care of them. Should we who know God’s grace do any less?

Jesus says, “Accept my sovereignty and goodness, and you won’t have to worry about tomorrow. Trust me.” All of us trust in something. The more dependable the object of our trust, the less we need to worry. The stock market isn’t God, the Wall Street Journal isn’t the Bible, your asset manager isn’t your priest, and financial experts aren’t prophets. (Prophets were put to death when their prophecies didn’t come true!) That doesn’t mean the stock market is bad, but it does mean it’s not trustworthy. It may do well for a day, a month, a year, or even a few decades. But because the stock market is uncertain, it can only produce anxiety when it becomes the object of our trust. God is the only totally trustworthy object. Therefore, he’s the only one who cannot betray our trust.

Why is this truth so hard for us to accept? If we believe that God can create us, redeem us, and bring us through death to spend eternity with him, why can’t we take him at his word when he says he’ll provide for our material needs?

If God calls on you today to share your resources with another, you must not say, “I can’t, Lord, because I don’t know where my own provisions are coming from.” Yes, you do know where they’re coming from. They’re coming from God. You may not know the form this provision will take, but you do know the Source. Like the poor widow who had no cash reserves, you know that God will take care of you, even if there are no visible resources.

If God has control of everything, and God takes care of his children, and God gives everything necessary to those who walk with him; and if you are his child, and you are walking with him—why worry? Worrying never helps anything anyway—but has hurt plenty.
Read more: http://www.epm.org/blog/2015/Jul/20/provision-not-worry#ixzz3hNuU7hLh

Precious Gems

Compiled by Lois Breneman

Thanks to all the moms who allowed me to include their children's quotes in Heart to Heart!
 

I had an atlas, you know the paper type, out today and was looking over states and different routes to take. Eva (8) and Mia (6) came over to where I was and Eva proceeded to explain to Mia that, "back in the old days people had to use maps on paper instead of their phone's GPS, whenever they wanted to travel." She then said, "Were you alive during that time, Mommy?"
Yes, kid, I was!! ~ Elizabeth in Virginia

 

Conversation talking about original sin.  Wes (Daddy) asks if there are any questions.
Malakai (7): "Which one is heavier?  A double decker bus or 18 wheeler?" ~ Danielle in Alabama

 

Last night, my mom tucked Samara (5) into bed, since her flight to go back east would have me taking her to the airport at 4 something this morning. Samara was crying, and said that she was going to pray that God would make the plane's batteries not work before Mamaw got on the plane. We felt bad for Samara, and kind of chuckled at what she said she would pray for.

This morning, Mom and I were up and ready to head to the airport when Mom received a text that her flight was cancelled. Why? Because it had been struck by lightning last night, and it needs maintenance before it can be flown again. Since Mom is flying standby, she is "stuck" here for another couple days.

Samara is totally delighted that Mamaw will be here for her sixth birthday party after all!!  (She had already made a gorgeous Elsa cake for her party!)

Be careful when a little girl commits to praying! God takes those prayers seriously! ~ Diane in Montana