Hearts in Service

Days rush by and I realized today that it's been over a week since I've posted here. I love to write and often my writing is connected to something going on in my life. This is my way to process through it, figure out what God wants me to learn from it, and then in turn, encourage someone else with that same truth. But it's hard to find inspiration when the things I take inspiration in are no longer available to me. I hear best from God when I'm out in nature and yet, I can't do much walking because of my knee. I attempted to walk today but made it less than a mile. My knee kept giving out on me and I knew if I attempted to go further, I'd end up with a setback. But thankfulness came when I realized that two weeks ago I wouldn't have even been able to hobble that far.  I'm taking two classes this year. They take place once a month on a Saturday and I drove back to our previous area, spent the night with a friend and then drove on to the class in the morn...

I woke up at 4 a.m. mulling over various situations in my life and struggling with feelings of anxiety. After tossing and turning for about a half an hour, I decided that I needed to get up and spend some time in reading and prayer. I opened my Bible and my eyes fell on a passage in Hebrews 5:7-10.  During the days of Jesus’ life on earth, he offered up prayers and petitions with fervent cries and tears to the one who could save him from death, and he was heard because of his reverent submission.   Son though he was, he learned obedience from what he suffered   and, once made perfect, he became the source of eternal salvation for all who obey him   and was designated by God to be high priest in the order of Melchizedek. Jesus, who was the Son of God, chose a posture of humility and obedience as He went through suffering. At any point He could have said, "Enough is enough!" But He didn't do that. He willingly chose to submit to God's will...

Homemade dry carpet cleaner   Frugality is one of the most beautiful and joyous words in the language, and yet one that we are culturally cut off from understanding and enjoying.  ~ Elise Boulding It's been a while since I've done a Frugal Friday post and thought it was about time. I love a challenge and working to cut corners and save money is fun for me. We live on one income and so, it's also a necessity. I made the decision years ago when the kids were little to stay at home with them. I grew up in a single parent home where my mom had to work to make ends meet. I truly wanted my children's experience to be different. My husband is a pastor and I had also gone to seminary and was called into ministry. So being home afforded me the opportunity to work alongside him in ministry. This arrangement has worked for us for the past 20 years. It's been difficult at times, but we've managed to pay our bills and put two children through college. There have been no fanc...