Hearts in Service Blog

Back in September I spoke of the need to close down my sewing and craft business due to some increased ministry opportunities that were taking place in the spring.  For those who read this blog on a regular basis you know I wobbled back and forth on that decision for months.  Sometimes it's hard to let go of things, but I finally closed it down and haven't looked back once my items were out of the local shops. Well, the time is looming near when I will be stepping into my new role as Director of Great Commission Women.  This is the arm of our denomination that provides support and care for our International Workers.  I will be overseeing the Great Commission Women's groups in the Northeastern District of our denomination (about 75 churches).  I'm not doing this on my own as I have a wonderful team of women around me and there are regional coaches responsible for individual churches, but it's a big responsibility and I do have t...

I Peter 3:18-22 ~ "Christ died once for our sins. An innocent person died for those who are guilty. Christ did this to bring you to God, when his body was put to death and his spirit was made alive. Christ then preached to the spirits that were being kept in prison. They had disobeyed God while Noah was building the boat, but God had been patient with them. Eight people went into that boat and were brought safely through the flood. Those flood waters were like baptism that now saves you. But baptism is more than just washing your body. It means turning to God with a clear conscience, because Jesus Christ was raised from death. Christ is now in heaven, where he sits at the right side of God. All angels, authorities, and powers are under his control. What a wonderful picture of God's love for us. Jesus, who was sinless and without blame, took on our sin. He did this so we could approach God. We no longer have to offer up perpetual sacrifices.   We can approach God anywhere...

I realized this morning that it's been a month since I've done a Multitude Monday.  It's not because I haven't been thankful, but just focused on different things.  I do have to say that writing out my list of blessings here does helps me be more aware of how God is working in o ur lives. This week I'm thankful for blessings #2681 - 2690. 2681.  After a week of being sick, I'm feeling so much better. 2682.  Working my way through major anxiety this week and feeling more at peace today.  2683.  I need surgery on my knee but I'm unsure of the recovery time (it could be 10 days or it could be 6 weeks).  I have a crazy three months coming up with some things events and activities that I can't put off so I have decided to try and postpone the surgery until the beginning of July.  I'm thankful that so far my knee is okay as long as I don't overdo. 2684.  Crocuses beginning to bloom. 2685.  A wonderful ...

Mark 11:10 (HCSB) ~ Hosanna! He who comes in the name of the Lord is the blessed One!   The coming kingdom of our father David is blessed! Hosanna in the highest heaven!

I generally try to keep this blog upbeat and inspirational, but there are times when I just need to share some of my pent-up emotions. I'm hurting for my children and I honestly don't know how to help them.  And to be honest, I feel like a failure. I feel as if Dan and I have done something wrong as parents and this is why they struggle so much. Emily came home from school crying yesterday.  She had two different friends hurt her.  One isn't speaking to her because Emily was called on in class to answer a question and as she tried to find the answer in her notes, the girl was trying to take them.  Emily pushed her hand away and said, "Stop."  At the end of class, the girl (who is Emily's best friend) stormed out of class and now will not speak to her.  Another friend isn't talking to her either and when Emily asked her why yesterday, she told Emily that she hasn't liked her for a while and "Just because." Stephen has generalize...

As I was working on a project yesterday afternoon, I heard a clap of thunder.  The sky was dark and the thunder got louder and there were flashes of lightning.  Within a few moments, the skies opened up and it started pouring.  A bit later as I looked out the window of my laundry room, I saw a beautiful sight.  The tops of the trees were lit up in a beautiful golden light.  The rain had stopped and the clouds had parted enough to let out a few rays of the sunset.  Just like that the storm was over. My life can be like that too.  The skies cloud up as I'm faced with a storm in my life.  The thunder claps of worry sound repeatedly and lightning flashes fear into my soul.  It seems as if I'm drenched in problems.  Nothing goes right and I'm surrounded with struggles. Yet, as I trust the Lord, the storm does break.  He parts the clouds enough to let me see His light shining through.  It's in those times of trust th...

1 Peter 2:11-12 (NLT) ~ Dear friends, I warn you as "temporary residents and foreigners" to keep away from worldly desires that wage war against your very souls. Be careful to live properly among your unbelieving neighbors. Then even if they accuse you of doing wrong, they will see your honorable behavior, and they will give honor to God when he judges the world. When my children were little they loved to visit people, and especially certain friends of ours that were great with children.  One friend, in particular, would have toys, snacks and games just for them.  The kids loved her house, and I would often tease that my children would rather live with her.  There were a few times when I would just be popping in to pick something up and would tell the children, "We aren't staying."  "Don't make yourselves comfortable." The same hold true for us as believers. This is not our home. It's a temporary place we dwell until we get to our true h...