Hearts in Service

God takes the things that happen to us in our lives and if we allow Him to do so, can shape them into something beautiful that we can share with others.  When we share the story of our lives and what God has done, many will see how He works and can use their own struggles. My story is fairly simple.  God took a young girl from a broken family and called her into full time ministry.  I've had struggles, heartache and pain along the way.  Things were pretty bumpy my entire life and yet, God has used that pain and heartache and I'm able to help others who are going through similar things. And that makes it all worthwhile.  My story will not be the same as yours.  Each of us has our own unique circumstances that the Lord can use for His purpose.  We have a women's study in our church that meets once a month and it is part of our larger denomination's group.  The theme this year was "Tell Your Story."  We had our last meeting for the s...

Psalm 13:5-6 (NIV) ~ But I trust in your unfailing love;      my heart rejoices in your salvation. I will sing the Lord ’s praise,      for he has been good to me. God is good to me!  All the time.  And for that I am so very happy.  I'm learning to recognize this even when I'm going through a difficult time because even in the difficulties, I have lessons to learn.  They are not easy but I know that ultimately it is for my benefit. So today I want to sing His praises! This week I'm thankful for blessings #2501 - 2510. 2501.  A friend who loves us enough to help Dan & I work through some rough emotions from a past church experience that holds us back at times. 2502.  Fresh fruit.   2503.  Emily is officially a junior in high school!   2504.  My bee swarm is gone, taken away by a local bee keeper. 2505.  A steaming cup of coffee and time in God...

I'm trying to get outdoors more this summer and actually enjoy some of the sights around my yard.  I can get so wrapped up in sewing, cooking, cleaning and computer time that before I know it summer is over! Yesterday, as I strolled around my yard I saw a few things. Vegetable plants that are doing well. Blackberries that will be ready in August. Beautiful flowers. Pretty blossoms.   Noisy birds. And a swarm of bees hanging off the bottom of one of my bushes.  Yikes!  A friend gave me a link with information about swarming honey bees.  Supposedly they will be gone within a day or two.  If not, I'm going to have to get someone to relocate them because it's not the ideal location for them or ME!      My daily visitor. There is a cool breeze blowing this morning and while we are supposed to get rain later, it's been nice morning on my deck.  It's a great way to start my day!

  Calvin Coolidge ~ "Industry, thrift and self-control are not sought because they create wealth, but because they create character." It's 2:41 a.m. and I haven't been able to sleep for hours.  So I guess it's time to write a Frugal Friday post!  lol  My body is not cooperating with me today. One thing that I'm finding is that organization is the key to frugality.  I used to pride myself on how organized I was but it has been slipping a lot lately.  One of the reasons is I'm very busy and stretched thin so it's even more important that I get on top of things. The saleslady at Hobby Lobby yesterday gave me a wonderful idea on a way to keep track of prices, orders, etc.  She suggested keeping a swatch of every fabric I buy with a note on where I purchased it and the price.  I thought it was a wonderful idea because there are many times when someone will order something and I'm out of that particular fabric and then can't remember whi...

This post is from a couple of years ago, but since today Dan & I celebrate twenty-seven years of marriage, I thought it was a great one to revisit.  For better or for worse.  We've had better days and we have definitely had worse, but we've stuck it out all these years.  I think our marriage has stood the test of time because we've used the following recipe. Ingredient #1 - A strong foundation. It really helps to start out the right way.  Make sure you are on the same page spiritually.  That goes a long way towards making a good marriage.  I know plenty of couples where one is a Christian and the other is not, and some do have really good marriages, but this is an area that always brings heartache.  It is helpful to start out heading down the same path. Ingredient #2 - Commitment We are both committed to each other.  When we took those vows twenty-seven years ago we knew there was no turning back.  Trust me when I say tha...

Proverbs 12:25 ~ An anxious heart weighs a man down, but a kind word cheers him up. My son, Stephen, was diagnosed with Generalized Anxiety Disorder when he was eleven years old. At that time his anxieties were so bad that he would get facial tics when he was in the midst of a full blown attack. We took him to a counselor for about a year until he was able to learn coping techniques to get them under control.  Nowadays, most people would never know that he struggles with this. God is good!  It was difficult to deal with his irrational anxieties and I have to admit I was not always very patient. To be honest, I wished he would just snap out of it! However, I found that when I was patient in the midst of one of his more anxious times and spoke kindly and gently to him, it helped him to work his way out of it. Most of us do not have anxiety to that degree, but I’m sure we can all relate to the fearful knots we can get in the pit of our stomachs...

As I'm sitting here this morning, I'm looking around at piles of laundry, empty boxes from an order that came, a pile of paperwork and numerous other bits of clutter.  It's been such a busy few weeks.  And I feel tired.  I haven't slept well in months because of a problem with my shoulder that really needs to get fixed.  I struggle with diverticulitis from time to time and it's flared up the past three days.  Emily has a doctor's appointment this afternoon which is a 45 minute drive one way.  Someone is coming for dinner and I have a to do list three miles long. And I really could do some major whining this morning. But... I'm reminded of these verses in Isaiah 40. Isaiah 40:27-31 (NIV) ~ Why do you complain, Jacob?      Why do you say, Israel, “My way is hidden from the Lord ;      my cause is disregarded by my God”? Do you not know?      Have you not hea...

  Psalm 66:16-20 (NLT) ~ Come and listen, all you who fear God, and I will tell you what he did for me. For I cried out to him for help, ... praising him as I spoke. If I had not confessed the sin in my heart, the Lord would not have listened. But God did listen! He paid attention to my prayer. Praise God, who did not ignore my prayer or withdraw his unfailing love from me.   This has been a week full of blessings.  I've seen God's hand in a number of ways and I want to tell you what He has done for me! This week I'm thankful for blessings #2486-2500. 2486.  The wonderful husband the Lord has given me who is also a terrific father. 2487.  Three children who bring me joy. 2488.  New business almost every day. 2489.  Finally hearing from the agency that will help Nathan and the process is rolling to get him some services. 2490.  Praying for and with others. 2491.  Receiving a ...

  We spent the day yesterday visiting Stephen at the campground where he is working this summer.  It's actually more like a resort and boy, would I love to stay there, but would never be able to afford it.  The least expensive accommodation with meals would cost us about $1,500 for the family to stay for a week which is not my idea of frugal living! :-) But it is such a beautiful setting.  It is a Christian camp that is set in the Adirondack Mountain State Park.  There are nothing but forests, mountains and lakes surrounding it.  Stephen absolutely loves his job!  He gets to make sure the guests are comfortable, happy and he also gets to shuttle them around all summer.  It was wonderful to see him so relaxed and happy. (Dan decided he needed to close his eyes at this exact moment).   He gave us a tour of the entire site which was beautiful.  We took him for lunch and he showed us around the area.  The low peaks...

I Peter 4:7-11 (HCSB) ~ Now the end of all things is near; therefore, be serious and disciplined for prayer.  Above all, maintain an intense love for each other, since love covers a multitude of sins.   Be hospitable to one another without complaining.  Based on the gift each one has received, use it to serve others, as good managers of the varied grace of God.  If anyone speaks, it should be as one who speaks God’s words; if anyone serves, it should be from the strength God provides, so that God may be glorified through Jesus Christ in everything. To Him belong the glory and the power forever and ever. Amen. Get serious!  I've said this to my children a few times throughout the years as I'm trying to tell them something and they were busy goofing around.  They were so busy being silly that I couldn't get them to see the urgency of something. Get serious!  This passage is telling us the same thing.  As believers, we are to be...

A friend shared an article on Facebook yesterday and you can find it here.   This link triggered a discussion on why people continue to blog or have given it up or at least, greatly curtailed their blogging.  My initial response was yes, blogging does keep me from really focusing on working on my book writing.  But then as I thought about it, I don't think it's blogging but more of social media, such as Facebook that limits my time.  I spend a bit of time each day writing a blog post.  Once it's posted, the only other thing I do is come back and read comments as they come up.  Facebook, on the other hand, is unending and easier to spend tons of time there.  So if I want more time to write, the obvious thing to go would be Facebook. I do find that I have less time to read other's blogs and that is because I'm busier in my 3D life. :-)  So I find myself limiting my reading to those bloggers who actually respond to me or comment ...

  Slow down.  Stop.  Look around.  Breathe in the scents.  Enjoy the sights.  Listen to the sounds.  I do very little of this in my life.  Usually I'm so engrossed in projects, to-do lists, problems, or the mundane activities that I forget to appreciate the beauty.  There really is so much beauty in this world and most of it goes undetected because it requires quiet and peace and observation. It means not just looking at something, but really seeing it and appreciating it.  Sometimes that beauty in hidden and you have to look hard.  But it's there. At times, it's small and delicate. At other times, it's bold and beautiful. But the only way you will find it is by looking, listening, and slowing down long enough to enjoy it. This week I'm also thankful for blessings #2476 - 2485. 2476.  Better insurance this year. 2477.  Lunch with a friend. 2478.  Cooking for my family. 2479....

I have to be honest and say that I'm not feeling particularly inspirational in the frugal department this week.  In fact, I sat here staring at the keyboard for a while and wondering if I actually did save anything at all.  However, things are starting to pop into my mind so I'm going to share them, even though I think they are minor. $ We have friends who are missionaries in Russia and their daughter is here in the states.  She is raising money for a trip to a music program in Hungary this summer.  This program pulls gifted young musicians in from all over the world and gives them the opportunity to be trained by top-notch musicians and share their faith at the same time.  She had a concert last Friday night and we went to hear her perform a clarinet and vocal recital.  We heard beautiful music with only the cost of a love offering. $ We went to watch a dance recital on Saturday night.  Two young ladies from church were performing and it w...

Matthew 14:22-33 ~ Immediately after this, Jesus insisted that his disciples get back into the boat and cross to the other side of the lake, while he sent the people home. After sending them home, he went up into the hills by himself to pray. Night fell while he was there alone. Meanwhile, the disciples were in trouble far away from land, for a strong wind had risen, and they were fighting heavy waves.   About three o’clock in the morning Jesus came toward them, walking on the water.   When the disciples saw him walking on the water, they were terrified. In their fear, they cried out, “It’s a ghost!” But Jesus spoke to them at once. “Don’t be afraid,” he said. “Take courage. I am here!” Then Peter called to him, “Lord, if it’s really you, tell me to come to you, walking on the water.” “Yes, come,” Jesus said. So Peter went over the side of the boat and walked on the water toward Jesus. But when he saw the strong wind and the waves, he was terrified and bega...