Proverbs 28

My last post on 5/6 encouraged you all to join Open Door Ministries in reading a Proverbs a day during May. I have to say it has been a huge blessing to me and I'm sure to many others as well! As I was reading Proverbs 28 today I couldn't help but think about all the desperately needy people all over the world. I would love to take this time to ask you to search your heart and consider supporting an outreach that helps those that are less fortunate. There are so many opportunities out there, here are two that our family supports a child through:
http://www.compassion.com/
http://www.worldvision.org/

Check out your local needs as well. There's always somewhere to donate your support whether it be by giving of your time or monetarily. I'd love to hear what God places on your heart!

Proverbs 28:27 He who gives to the poor will lack nothing, but he who closes his eyes to them receives many curses.

"Wiser in 31" @ ODM

Read a chapter of Proverbs a day during May. This is the challenge presented by our pastor at Open Door last Sunday which is an answer to prayer for me personally. I am growing more and more hungry for God's Word, not just a Bible study or devotional but His Word alone! I'd just told my girlfriends during last Thursday's study that I needed to be held accountable for getting into His Word but honestly didn't want to devote more time to another study group which might sound really bad but let's just be honest, you seriously can church/study group yourself to death, right?!?! Come on friends, honesty! SO here I was, presented with the challenge and jumpstart I needed to dig in to Proverbs and it has blessed me each day!! I received the encouragement I needed to get into His Word, I have friends around me talking about the scripture each day and asking "have you read your scripture" - ACCOUNTABILITY is huge - and Open Door's blog (blog.go2odm.com) to check out for even more insight into the daily scripture. I just love the way God answers prayers. Not only does He answer (in His time) but He seems to add some extra blessings into the mix. It makes me feel so special!

Do you need a jumpstart into God's Word?? Join me in reading a chapter of Proverbs a day during May. Yes, today is day 6 but the chapters are not that long so read 3 today and 4 tomorrow and you'll be right on track. I would love to chat about them so feel free to come back and comment on whatever touches your heart or ministers to you in some special way! Check out Open Door's blog for some good nuggets each day as well.

THANKS ODM! What a great challenge!
Proverbs 1:33 But whoever listens to me will live in safety and be at ease, without fear of harm.

Thank God for girlfriends!

I went out with two girlfriends and our daughters tonight. As we chatted away in Baskin Robbins we were approached by an older woman who told us how much she'd enjoyed watching us visiting and how girl time is so important. It got me thinking how therapeutic it really is to spend time with friends, especifically girlfriends and gals that are more like sisters. There really is nothing like a good cup of coffee and a long chat with a special girlfriend. I love love love girl time!!! So call one of your girlfriends and invite her out for a cup of coffee, ice cream, a day of shopping... whatever floats your boat. Just spend some time together, catch up, LAUGH!! It will warm your heart and encourage your soul. (& it's cheaper than therapy!)

Thank you Lord for girl time!!!

The other night my husband said "I have something for you to blog about." (Side note: I am so thankful for a husband who supports even my blogging, it's just too cool!) He proceeded to tell me about our daughter getting a boo boo the night before. She was crying and said "Daddy, get the Bible", he said "why baby", she said "because it makes me feel better". What a sweet reminder that His Word truly is the answer. We waste valuable time pondering our problems, consulting others, worrying, I'll say that one twice WORRYING, over analyzing, playing situations out in our minds, etc... But what really brings resolution and revival is His Word.

(I realize this post in similar to my last, I figured you all wouldn't mind another reminder to spend some time with our Heavenly Father.)

Mark 10:15 I tell you the truth, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it. 16 And he took the children in his arms, put his hands on them and blessed them.

Let's enter His kingdom like a child, let's believe with a childlike faith untainted by the world that He can do anything and I do mean ANYTHING! Let's invite Him to hold us in His arms, lay His hands on us and bless us.

Hope you all have a great weekend!

Do Not Disturb

I have a very dear friend who told me the neatest story about how she was curious what her husband had experienced at one of their church functions which was for men only. She wanted to question him about it but clearly heard God inform her that her husband had a "do not disturb sign up" because God was spending time with him. What a powerful message.

This story touched my heart in more ways then one. It reminded me that God desires to be in a relationship with each of us, to spend time with us?

Do you hang your do not disturb sign up for Him? I know I could hang my do not disturb sign up much more often. I challenge you today to hang that sign and soak Him up, chat with Him, share your heart with Him. It will change your life!

p.s. If you have not read "Captivating" by John & Stasi Eldredge please do so! I don't want to say too much about it because I want you to be so curious that you run out, purchase it and start reading it right away. BUT be prepared, it's extremely thought provoking and if you will allow God to do so, He will use it to clean you out and refresh your soul! PLEASE come back and share you thoughts with me as you read it! ENJOY!

"Feeling blessed"

(Danielle, this post is dedicated to you for your sweet reminder that I need to be better at posting :-)

One beautiful Sunday afternoon my husband, daughter and myself were riding to the mall for lunch following an awesome service at Open Door Ministries. I was riding along feeling happy and at ease as I posted "feeling blessed" from my blackberry on facebook (no I wasn't driving Oprah). Almost as soon as I hit "send" I yelled at my hubby to watch out because the driver in front of us slammed on their breaks to turn into the mall, of course my hubby responded that he'd already seen it and he had it under control. Our attitudes went from content and peaceful to tense and snippy in literally two seconds. From that point on we were quiet and on edge with one another the rest of the day. Even my daughter informed us that we should not be arguing, oops... note to self, don't argue in front of the kids, pretty sure I've heard that one in some parenting book somewhere!

Why does this happen? How can moods go from good to bad so quickly? How should we have handled this situation?

The fact of the matter is the enemy sneaks in any chance he gets, we have to be on guard at all times. I wish I could say that I am like God and always "slow to anger, abounding in love." Psalm 103:8 God is referred to this many times in the Bible, why can't we be more like Him instead of being quick to anger and abounding in hate. Yes, I used the word HATE because when we do not love we hate. I love and adore my husband, I would never want him to feel hatred from me but I bet he did on this particular afternoon. Not only did he more than likely feel hatred from me my daughter witnessed it. I was not a very good example for her and what I pray she will be like as a wife one day.

As I sit here pondering this I am motivated to respond better. I am encouraged to persevere through irritable moments and come out at least trying to maintain a positive attitude. I understand life is not always rainbows and sunshines, I so know that. But like my mom has told me my entire life, our response is what makes or breaks the situation at hand.

Twas the week after Christmas

So how are you feeling on this Monday after Christmas?? Overwhelmed with cleaning and organizing like me? Why in the world do we pack so much in during Christmas break that we are exhausted afterwards?!?! I am serious, WHY? My house is a wreck but filled with all neat things that we received for Christmas (which we are very thankful for) but what do we do with it all? I guess this isn't a very encouraging message today but it's something that is weighing on me so I needed to get it off my chest.

Do you make a new years resolution? Well I haven't spoken one out loud for the past few years but I must admit that in my head I always think weight loss, organization and be on time (my Hubby will love that one). But do I follow through? Not usually. We rush rush rush all year, smack right into Christmas then rush into the new year. Will you join me in slowing down? My husband and I came up with a plan last night to hit one room at a time and not try to tackle the whole house at one time, but it's tough to stay in one room, are any of you that way? I start cleaning or straightening one room then end up in another and after a while the whole house is in chaos... I'm REALLY going to try this one room at a time deal!

As far as the weight loss resolution, well that one is still in my head but honestly I'm depending on God to help me through it. I've asked that He change my heart towards working out and eating right and that He makes both of those things part of my normal routine, although I know it will take a lot of work on my part as well.

Being on time - well I'll put it this way, my Husband has had a watch for years that he actually wears but it says 12:15 ALL THE TIME. It's kinda funny! I got his watch repaired for Christmas and sent him on a hunt to find it. Here's the little riddle that went along with it:

Twas the night before Christmas and all through the house, Mommy and Abigail were sneaky as a mouse… Daddy thought all was lost but he’ll soon know that we have it all under control.
The stockings were hung, presents under the tree, Abigail and Mommy came up with a clever scheme. Daddy was out shopping while Mommy and Abigail continued their plan, they were excited with visions of Daddy figuring out their scam. Daddy arrived home and called out by name, now Mommy, now Abigail and quickly they came, to greet him at the door so he wouldn’t spoil the surprise, soon he will know that his gift had arrived. With a tree full of presents and Santa Claus too, Abigail’s gift will make Daddy shout WOOHOO! We love you Daddy and want to help you in 2010 to follow through with your resolution to be on time again and again…

So with all this said, I hope you will enter this week with a peace even if your house is a wreck like mine. Tackle one room at a time and take a deep breath as you ease into 2010! Blessings to you all during the New Year!