Spiritual Maturity is Measured by How We Treat Others

One of the email devotionals I get from Joel and Victoria Osteen talked a bit about our quote of the week from I Corinthians 13:13 which I thought was so good that I want to share it with you. Here it is:

Spiritual maturity isn’t measured by how long you’ve been a Christian, how much you know, or how often you go to church. Spiritual maturity is measured by the way you treat other people. It’s measured by the love you allow to operate through you. First Corinthians 13 tells us about the characteristics of love. One characteristic is that it is not rude. That means, when we are walking in love, we treat other people with courtesy and respect. Are you courteous to other people? Are you kind to the person at the checkout counter that may be moving too slowly for you? Are you gentle when you are driving down the highway and someone cuts you off? Are you patient with your family and coworkers? These are all ways we show love.

Scripture (I Cor. 13:4-8) also tells us that love is patient. It is kind. It does not envy; it is not proud. It is not rude. Love is not easily angered, and it keeps no record of wrongs. Love never fails. Notice that these characteristics don’t have anything to do with feelings. That’s because love is a choice. You can choose to walk in love toward people even when you don’t feel like it. Today, make the choice to do what is right. Choose today to show kindness and be courteous to others. Look for ways to cultivate the greatest thing in your life — love! As you do, you’ll move forward into the life of blessing God has in store for you!

[emphasis added]

A PRAYER FOR TODAY

Heavenly Father, thank You for loving me so that I can show love to others. Teach me to be patient and kind and treat others the way You always treat me in Jesus’ name. Amen.

I hope you will make the choice to love others and let the love of Jesus flow through you.  If you would like to get daily inspirations in your email from Joel and Victoria Osteen, you can sign up

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Managing God's Resources

I am enjoying our Pastor's sermon series on Financial Fitness. The Bible has more to say about money and money principles than it does about heavn and hell. Tht surprised me when I first heard it. As Christians (Christ followers who have trusted Jesus as their personal Savior), we must realize the God owns everything we have. He owns us and all we have is from Him, even our ability to work and earn money. Once we realize this, then it makes sense to act as God's resource manager or a good steward who uses what God has given us for His purposes. (This is prinicpal is illustrated by the parable of the talents in Matthew 25:14-30.) The question we should ask ourselves then is How can I manage God's resources in a biblical manner so that I may be found faithful?  

Here are 3 steps to follow to Manage Money Biblically:

1. Earn diligently. The diligent worker is hard working, purposeful and grateful. (Col. 3:23; Deuteronomy 8:18)


2. Save wisely. Don't spend what you don't have. I liked that our Pastor pointed out the difference between saving and hoarding. Saving is putting money aside for appropriate goals which is Biblical. (Proverbs 21:20; Proverbs 6:6-8) On the other hand, it is sinful to hoard as illustrated in the story Jesus told in Luke 12:16-21. Hoarding is continuing to put money aside AFTER our goals are reached.


3. Spend Prudently. We hear it's wise to diversify and "Don't put all your eggs in one basket" all the time about investing. Set up a budget based on your net income and then stick to it. (Ecclesiastes 11:2)

As we spend, we need to consider if God would want us using His money in that way. At least 1/10th of our income should to our church (the storehouse) which is called tithing. Remember though, God owns it all and we are his stewards so we should save wisely to meet our future needs and the needs of others. Certainly we need to take care of our family. When it comes to what charities to support, we try to give to those that are doing God's work and/or furthering His kingdom. Just ask God what He wants you to give to and see how He leads and what passion he places in your heart.

Jesus said in Matthew 6:19-21, Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth . . . But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. (NIV)

You can actually to to our church's website to hear the whole sermon for yourself at phbaptist.org. Tomorrow's post: "3 Steps To Get Out of Credit Card Debt" Share this:

Accepting a Challenge

I am so excited about starting a new Bible Study at church with other women, going through James Mercy Triumphs by Beth Moore.  This study gives 5 different level options so you can choose how much you want to put into it without feeling guilty. When I first got the book and looked through it, one of the first things I noticed was that part of this study involves memorizing the entire book of James (only five chapters, but still).  I have never memorized an entire book in my life!

My first reaction was "Yeah, right, no way.--you got to be kidding me!"  We have a very motivational, upbeat leader in Elena, our Pastor's wife, who gave us a little pep talk. She read my mind! She actually said out loud what I was thinking which got my attention. By the next morning, I found myself eager to take on this challenge.  Yes, folks, eager!  We are looking at a 5-month time frame with short term goals of memorizing one chapter a month.

Here are the reasons I decided to do it:

1. It's included in the study and I want to get the most out of my $15 investment.
2. It's something I've never done before.
3. I read a lot of books so by memorizing God's Word, it will be in my mind more which is a good thing.
4. The book of James is one of my favorites.
5. I will have others doing it with me so we can nag encourage one another.
6. As Elena pointed out, God can help me do it!
7. I've got nothing to lose by trying so I'm going to give it a shot and have updated my New Year's Resolutions to include memorizing the book of James.

Just to help me keep on track, I'm posting my verse that I am memorizing each day on this blog at the top. Perhaps you would like to join me in this? Yeah, right?

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Abortion: Where Does It Fall--Black, White or Gray

Initially, I would say abortion is a sin because it is intentionally taking a human life which is called murder. Do not kill is one of the ten commandments God gave. Certainly, God knows every fetus (Psalm 139:13-14). After all, He is the one who creates us and chose us before the foundation of the world. (Ephesians 1:4)

Then I hear the pro-choice reasons that in some cases, it is okay. Such as what if the doctors can see there will be brain damage? What if it’s an unplanned and unwanted pregnancy? What if the doctors can see physical defects? What if the mother was raped?

I’ve come to the conclusion that there are absolutes and God has not changed what sin is. In God’s eyes, there are not gray areas, only people make gray areas when something they want to do doesn’t fall in line with what God says to do.  We call it “situational ethics” but God calls it sin. We rationalize and question God’s judgment but have no right to do that because God is sovereign, knows the future, has a plan and created us to do good works that he planned for us to do (Eph. 2:10).

(image source:  all free clip art)

At our Women of Wonder meeting at church this month, we had a volunteer from the Cleveland Pregnancy Center speak about that organization and all the services it provides who I know personally. It was a powerful presentation because she shared her personal experience of being born to a 12-yr-old girl who was raped. She shared how the second chapter of The Purpose Driven Life by Rick Warren helped her realize that she was not a mistake! She obviously is passionate about helping woman carry their babies full-term regardless of the circumstances.

How do you feel about abortion?

Books on this topic:
Unplanned, The Dramatic True Story of a Former Planned Parenthood Leader's Eye Opening Journey Across The Life Line
Small Town Sinners by Melissa Walker (deals with questioning beliefs and hating the sin but loving the sinner)
Handle With Care by Jodi Picoult (Would the mother have chosen to have an abortion had she known her daughter would have a rare disease?)The Purpose Driven Life (chapter 2) by Rick Warren

Related Posts: Will God Forgive Abortion?
Go 180

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Sunday Snippets: Why Praise God?

Praising God somehow brings about an inner satisfaction.  Praise gets our focus on God and off ourselves which can greatly improve our mood. 

My soul is satisfied as with marrow and fatness, and my mouth offers praises with joyful lips. Psalm 63:5 (New American Standard Bible "NASB")

You can always praise God for His love because nothing can separate us from it.

For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing, will be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.  Rom. 8:38-39 (NASB)

You can always praise God for his help. 

For You have been my help, and in the shadow of Your wings I sing for joy.  Psalm 63:7 (NASB) and

so that we confidently say, "THE LORD IS MY HELPER, I WILL NOT BE AFRAID,  WHAT WILL MAN DO TO ME?" Hebrews 13:6 (NASB)

You can choose to always praise God like David did:   

I will praise You as long as I live, and in Your name I will lift up my hands. Psalm 63:4 (King James Version)

Be sure to come back tomorrow to see a good illustration of how this really works in my life.  

 

Source:  10/23/11 Sermon Notes, message by Pastor Dan Barfell.

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God is AWESOME--What a GREAT God!

God does GREAT work!

Psalm 139 is one of my favorite Psalms because it is about the greatness of God. It always amazes me how great and awesome God is. The word "awesome" means inspiring awe, feeling awe. "Awe" is defined as a mixed feeling of reverence, fear, and wonder, caused by something sublime, etc. The word is overused today and often not properly; however, in the case of God, He is truly awesome!

O LORD, You have searched me and you know me. You know when I sit and when I rise. You perceive my thought from afar. You discern my going out and my lying down. You are familiar with all my ways. Before a word is on my tongue, you know it completely, O LORD. (Psalm 139:1-4)

I cannot read this passage without thinking WOW! I do not even know all these things about one other person; yet God know all of this about everyone in the whole wide world! And not only that, but knew all this about everyone who ever lived since the beginning of time! We can never hide from God. God knows our heart and our thoughts. I love that God knows everything about me. If I read further, I also see that God actually thinks about me. This passage is like getting a "Thinking of You" card from God almighty!

Your eyes saw my unformed body. All the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be. How precious to me are your thoughts, O God! How vast is the sum of them! Were I to count them, they would outnumber the grains of sand. When I awake, I am still with you. (Psalm 139:16-18)

This chapter gives great value to human life, knowing that God takes such an active interest in each one of us. I hope you realize how special you are to God today and join me in worshiping Him. GREAT is our God!

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Along The Way

In the New Testament, it is recorded that Jesus often met the needs of people along the way.  Some examples are talking to a Samaritan woman at the well, calling Zachaeus to come down from the tree, turning water to wine at a wedding, healing a Centurion’s servant, calming the storm when in a boat on the Sea of Galilee and healing a blind beggar. 

In our Wednesday night Bible study about The Tangible Kingdom, we discussed what the world’s general perception if of Christians and agreed we are perceived to be judgmental, hypocritical, self-righteous generally annoying.  This is certainly not the way God wants Christians to be as we see from the following verses:

Be ye therefore followers of God as dear children:  And walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet-smelling savour.  Ephesians 5:1-2

Jesus went out to where the people were.  He did not sit in the temple all day.  As Christians, we need to show we love God by loving people in our everyday lives and make the gospel of Christ real by showing His love to them by our actions.  Two weeks ago, our Wednesday night Bible study group went to a local park and picked up trash.  Instead of sitting in the church talking, we went out into the community to do something helpful outside of our church. 

I am a task-oriented person but am learning to look at interruptions in my routine or schedule as God-given opportunities to be a blessing to others.  Although this may seem like a little thing, it is huge for me.  Here are a few examples that came up recently:  

On the bus that week, instead of burying my nose in my book, I actually talked to a woman sharing my experience with Cancer and convincing her she definitely should get a mammogram. 

As I was walking outside on break reading a book one day, a woman came up to me asking for directions to the library which I gladly gave her.

On my morning walk to the bus stop one day, one of my neighbors showed me her yard had been torn up by a skunk.  We had that same thing happen to us last fall so I told her we used Grub-X to get rid of the grubs.  I had just recently come across another solution which I shared with her:  place some cucumbers in an aluminum pie tin and place it in the yard.  It makes a scent that the grubs do not like so they leave.

How can Christians change the world’s perception?  By imitating Christ by going out into our world and meeting needs of others.  Make some non-Christian friends and leave the judging to God.  Ask God to give you an opportunity to be a blessing to someone along the way today.

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Creator or Creation--Which Rules Your Heart?

This was our discussion this morning in our "Circle of Friends" Bible study. It really made me think and I thought I'd share some of the things that stood out to me here.

An idol of the heart is anything that rules us other than God.

So, what do you think rules your heart? Some of the things mentioned in our class was family, appearance, addictions and hobbies. I for one must be careful not to let blogging become an idol. I am either posting, reading other blogs and commenting or thinking about what to post next all day long it seems. In other words, it is constantly on my mind. Yet, I like to believe that it is under God's control, that I seek his guidance, inspiration and direction daily. I like to use it to bring glory to God and to share things I've learned, including some spiritual things but not only limited to that.

Based on Ezekiel 14:1-5, there is a core principle of inseparable influence:

Whatever rules the heart will exercise inseparable influence over a person's life and behavior.

This is why people have such a difficult time changing their behavior for long-term, because our hearts need to change for our behavior to change. If God is ruling my heart, that I will show his love to others in my action and speech. If I take back control, then what I do is self-serving. It's definitely something to think about.

Who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshiped and served the creature more than the Creator. who is blessed for ever. Amen. Romans 1:25

The above verse, Romans 1:25, is referred to The great exchange in our study and was described as follows:

The great exchange (creator for creation) is when what really rules our hearts in daily living is not love for God, but a craving for some other thing. The way God changes us is to recapture our hearts to serve Him alone.

This takes constant surrender to God every day. Oh that I would pour out my heart and be honest with Him so that he will rule my heart all the days of my life!  
 
If you are not involved in a Bible Study group, I encourage you to seek one out.  My greatest growth spurts spiritually always happened when I was involved in a small group Bible Study.  I sincerely hope the Creator rules your heart.  

Related Post:  Making An Idol Out of Sports

(Quotes other than scripture are all from Instrument In The Redeemers Hands by Paul David Tripp.)

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September Is For Taking New Classes

I am so excited to be starting a couple new Bible studies this fall.  

SUNDAY MORNING ADULT BIBLE FELLOWSHIP 9:30 A.M.

First of all, since I gave up my Sunday School class I can now attend a small group Bible study with other women at 9:30 on Sunday mornings. We are using the study guide, Instruments In The Redeemer's Hands by Paul David Tripp which is Bible based. The goal of this study is that we will all be changed by God, ready to be his instruments of change wherever and with whomever he laces us. Some of the things that stood out to me the first week are as follows:

1. All of us are both people in need of help [because we are human] and people who have been positioned by God to provide his help to others.

2. The Bible teaches [Isaiah 55:1-13] that personal transformation takes place as our hearts are changed and our minds are renewed by the Holy Spirit. And the two instruments that the Holy Spirit uses are the Word of God and the people of God.

I am excited about this course because its focus is on developing a personal ministry which is something I've wanted to do for a very long time.  

WEDNESDAY FAMILY NIGHT 7 P.M.

Secondly, on Wednesday, I began a study on The Tangible Kingdom. This is going to be fun because we will actually be practicing the concept of serving people in the community as Jesus did. I can't wait to see what God teaches me through this class. Already, my view of evangelism (strictly sharing the Gospel of Christ verbally with others) is changing to just bringing people a step closer to having that personal relationship with God through Jesus Christ through serving.  

WOMEN OF WONDER--2ND THURSDAY OF THE MONTH 7 P.M.

Lastly, I attended our "Women of Wonder" meeting on Thursday. This one meets monthly and all women are welcome! It was fun! I look forward to actually

getting to know some other women on a deeper level and make some new friends here.

We have a dessert buffet, some discussion, time to chit chat and make a craft; first time I ever used a glue gun! This is the picture of the craft we made last week. It's a decorative frame with our monthly key verse displayed in it which is easily changed.

We listened to how women in the Bible influenced others and then shared at our tables the different roles we have and how we have influenced others. I was surprised at how many areas of influence I have when I actually took time to think about this. We certainly influence our family members, our co-workers, those we serve in a volunteer capacity and in the posts we write as bloggers.

What are you excited about this fall? Are you taking any new classes?  Who are you influencing? I invite you to visit Parma Heights Baptist Church are in the area. We are all about loving and following Jesus Christ.

[I tried posting this on my ALWAYS LOOKING UP blog at http://karen.pnn.com but it wouldn't work so here it is.  As of now, I've just about decided to stop posting over there altogether.] 


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Why Don't We Observe Lent?

I was raised going to church every Sunday and accepted Jesus as my personal Savior when seven. I would hear Catholics talking about Lent and signs about it on some Lutheran churches too but our church never said anything about it and I wondered why. My understanding is that it is a tradition that is done in preparation for Easter that involves giving something up as a sacrifice. My mom told me that the bad habits some people give up for Lent, we give up all the time such as smoking and drinking.

I don’t see where in the scripture this is commanded or even requested. On the other hand, I do see that according to Romans 12:1-2, we should present our bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is our reasonable service and be transformed by the renewing of our minds, that we may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect will of God. This, I believe, is the sacrifice God wants all the time—not just during Lent.

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The Greatest Love Story Ever! (Writer's Workshop)

Jesus loves me! I was just seven years old when I realized on an Easter Sunday in Sunday School how much God loved little unimportant me. Jesus left His home in heaven to come to earth in human form to bring me to God. Wow! He voluntarily suffered an agonizing death, even to the point of being crucified as a common criminal and humiliated before a multitude of people. He lived a holy, sinless life on earth in spite of Satan’s attempts to get him to—the only person to ever do this so that he could sacrifice himself as the Savior of the world! He did it so I can be forgiven and saved me from the punishment of sin—eternal separation from God in hell.

Watching the JESUS film clip in my 5th grade Sunday School class last week really brought this to life for my class and was a good reminder for me. Reading it is one thing, but seeing it makes it even more moving. I still get choked up when I think about how Jesus suffered, bled and died for me before I even knew Him. Even on the cross, he was concerned about those crucifying Him, praying “Father, forgive them for they know not what they do.” The good news is He didn’t stay dead though—he arose as He said, proving He really is God. It amazes me so much that God left heaven to die for sinful humans so we can be forgiven and live with him for all eternity in heaven. What a plan God has!

What is also amazing is how people can reject Jesus once they hear how much He loves them. If you have doubts about God or his plan of salvation, ask God to show you the truth.

If you are unfamiliar with this great love story, you can read all about it in the Bible, specifically Matthew 26-28; Mark 14-16; Luke 22-24; John 18-21. (Actually the entire Bible is God’s 66 love letters to us).

Other recommended reading (click on any of these to read my review):

Letters From A Skeptic

66 Letters by Dr. Larry Crabb

The Boy Who Came Back From Heaven by Kevin and Alex Malarky

JESUS--90 Days With The One And Only by Beth Moore

Flight to Heaven--A Plane Crash, A Lone Survivor and A Journey To Heaven And Back by Capt. Dale Black

This is in response to Mama Kat's Writer's Workshop prompt: A Story Of Love

Help For Japan (Updated 3/16/11)

But whoso hath this world's good, and seeth his brother have need, and shutteth up his bowels of compassion from him, how dwelleth the love of God in him?--I John 3:17

I have been feeling really bad since I heard the news about Japan and saw the devastation.  This is just a short post that I hope will encourage others to help these people.

I cannot go about my routines and neglect to help them. Today, I finally made a donation online through Samaritan's Purse because it is an organization I am familiar with, have read about and know that it is legitimate. It is a Christian organization whose mission is to help people in need.

Yesterday at Reflections From A Christian Mommy Writer I found a wonderful prayer for Japan that I don't want to wait until Friday to share with you.

What will you do to help? " . . . the righteous give generously."  Psalm 37:21 NIV

UPDATED 3/16/11:
Today you can help the animal rescue efforts in Japan by playing the Free Kibble Trivia game.

I found some good news about Japan over at Sparkle's blog the other day about Cat Island.  Now this sounds like my kind of place for retirement!

How Compassionate Are You?

I was happy with the results of this quiz on compassion.

You Have Lots of Compassion

You are a naturally empathetic and caring person. Other people matter to you, and it shows. I just feel so blessed when I see all the problems others struggle with every day! You celebrate your friends' successes and sympathize when they run into trouble. Doesn't everyone do this?  Romans 12:15 says:  "Rejoice with them that do rejoice, and weep with them that weep." You have a strong sense of justice, and you want to protect everyone who's been treated unfairly. (I do for sure, but I know God has it covered.  He is the fair judge and no one will get away with anything.  II Corinthians 5:10 says:  "For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ:  that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad." It's hard for you to judge someone unless you've walked a mile in his or her shoes. You give people the benefit of the doubt. I do.  I believe this is so true.  Who knows what I would be like if I were born in a different country or with different parents or had different experiences?  Romans 14:13 says:   Let us not therefore judge one another any more:  but judge this rather, that no man put a stumblingblock or an occasion to fall in his brother's way.

How Compassionate Are You?  Take the quiz and find out!  
Share your results in the comments if you like.

Poor Birdie

When I got to work a couple weeks ago on Thursday, I saw a little sparrow in the lobby by the window, trying to fly through it to get out. It didn't work very well. I watched it for awhile, feeling sorry for it and tried to pick it up to take it outside, but it kept fluttering and I didn't want to scare it too much to make it fly farther into the building. I told the concierge and he called someone to take care of it. I waited with the bird, watching it for about 20 minutes but had to leave to get to work on time.

I knew how the bird should go, but couldn't get it's attention. I doubt if it trusted me much either. It reminded me of how God must feel when we insist on doing things our way instead of His way. We are like that little bird, banging persistently against the glass instead of going through the doors that God has for us. To me it makes a lot of sense to trust God completely because He is so much wiser and knows the best way for us to go. He sees the big picture and knows the future. I find great comfort in knowing my life is in His hands.

What about you? Have you surrendered control of your life to God? I guess this is on my mind after reading "Flight to Heaven" by Captain Dale Black, the lone survivor of a plane crash who was in critical condition but recovered enough to fly again just a year later. Check out my review at Grab A Book From Our Stack.

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7 Tips For Developing The Habit of A Quiet Time With God Each Day

We say, God is important. Yes, I believe in God! Yes, I'm a Christian! Yes, I love the Lord! Yet, do our actions back that up? I say all those things; however, when I compare the amount of time I spend talking to God or letting Him speak to me through His Word versus the amount of time I spend talking to people or doing other things, it seems God gets very little time. Let's not let busyness of life crowd Him out of our daily lives.

Daily devotions has been on my heart lately because this summer I’ve been trying to get my Sunday School class of 5th grade boys to begin taking some responsibility for their spiritual growth by spending some one-on-one time with God through the week by reading the Bible and praying. It has kick started my quiet times as a result and so I thought I’d share some things I’ve learned that helped me get back into that habit instead of just reading a verse here or there through the day.

1. Pick a quiet place with few distractions. Gerard uses the basement, his “man cave.” I like the upstairs den, away from the computer. My cats join me, but I can pet them and pray or read my Bible at the same time, so I do not consider them a distraction.

2. Choose a specific time each day and look on it as your appointment time with God. Yes, I know we can pray anytime, but this is our special one-on-one standard appointment time. Ideally, it should be the same time every day (even on weekends) or at least following the same routine. For example, I have found that since I clean the litter boxes upstairs every day (even on weekends), I will spend some quiet one-on-one time with God in the den when I’m on the litter box run.

I recommend meeting with God to start your day. Choose a time right before or after a task you already do such as getting dressed, eating breakfast, exercising, or feeding the pets. It sets the tone for the rest of the day. If for some reason, I’m running late in the morning, I still have the evening run left to catch up. Look on it as a regular appointment—you wouldn’t skip other appointments with people that you have on your calendar.

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Don't Mind Your Own Business!

Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others.--Philippians 2:4

I really think God is working in my life to get me to be more other focused. In the last two weeks, I've read two books that address this issue: Season of Life--A Football Star, A Boy, A Journey to Manhood by Jeffrey Marx and One Simple Act by Debbie Macomber.

I just wanted to share here some of the things that really popped out at me from both these books.

From Season of Life, Joe became a minister and a high school football coach whose program included “building men for others.”

He came to the realization that masculinity is all about relationships, being focused on others, and a code of conduct that includes accepting responsibility, leading courageously, enacting justice on behalf of others and empathy. These are lessons I want to teach my 5th grade boys Sunday School class as well.

I really need to teach my Sunday School class of 5 grade boys to be more other focused.

Here are just some quotes I especially liked from One Simple Act:

Nothing says "you matter to me" more than the act of investing time with the people we care about.

God is the master of time. When we ask his wisdom on where to invest our time, we are certain to invest well.

Practicing an attitude of gratitude spills over to acts of generosity.

Use money, love people--not the other way around.--Rick Warren

If we hold our resources with an open hand, there's no telling what God can do.

Cultivating the habit of good deeds will not only affect those around us, it will improve our own emotional well-being.

Encouragement focuses on the action and heart behind it. Praise focuses on the product or performance.

8 Things One Simple Act has inspired me to do

:
Believe the best about people
Be a little kinder.
Do a good deed every day.
Be extravagantly generous because of all God has done for me.
Forgive generously.
Empathize and teach empathy.
Pray God works generosity and kindness into my life.
Listen generously. When someone asks a question, answer it and ask it back because that's what they want to talk about.

What kind of generosity will you show to others today? Please see my complete reviews of these books by clicking on the links which will take you to our book blog, Grab A Book From Our Stack. These books have both made an impact on me. Have you read anything lately that has changed your life?

Stop by Saturday Samplings for highlighted posts from last week.


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God Comes Through Again!

Call unto me and I will answer thee, and show the great and mighty things which thou knowest not.--Jeremiah 33:3

Back at the beginning of March, I was reassigned at work to a different floor and went from the world of corporate law to litigation. I am a secretary at a law firm who has been very good to me over the 23 years I have been there.

Switching areas was challenging because there are some secretarial functions related to litigation that corporate secretaries never had to deal with. I was leery and a bit shaken up because being on one floor for so long, I had friends on that floor. The first three days were very rough. I went from working for one corporate attorney who was not very busy to three litigators, one of which was extremely busy and who had some strange quirks, was very picky, and basically hard to please. I came home all frazzled and thinking about work. I do not like to think about work when I am at home.

I prayed God would help me adjust and learn quickly. He did. I reminded myself that God is in control and I just need to trust Him. I chose to rejoice in the Lord each day and trust that God was directing my path according to Proverbs 3:5 & 6. After the first week, I felt better about my new assignment and by the end of the second week felt it would work out okay. I like being busier and am not afraid to learn new things. Just yesterday I learned another new thing about how to view pleadings on the court site that were filed electronically.

But God really came through for me. That attorney who I was basically on pins and needles with left the firm to work elsewhere and in his place I got a new guy that just joined our firm so isn't as busy. Things are no longer so crazy. When life throws us a curve, it's nice to know that God is watching over us and does not allow anything to come into our lives that he will not help us through if we put our faith in Him.

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From A Bird's Perspective

Look at the birds of the air, they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? –Matthew 6:26

God Cares For You

As a creature of the Lord’s
God shows He loves me too.
And I am just a bird—
Much more he cares for you!

The Bible says God guides us,
He tells us where to feed.
Now if God cares for animals,
He’ll surely meet your need!

So don’t get scared and worry
About things of this earth.
God says He will protect you;
To Him, you have great worth.

And when a worry tempts you,
Quick, lay it at God’s feet.
Allow the Lord to show you
That trusting Him is sweet.

But you must take that first step;
Refuse to fret and fear.
Fill up your mind with Scripture,
And let Christ draw you near.

Reprinted here from A Closer Look At the Evidence by Richard & Tina Kleiss.


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Chirp, Chirp--I Sing Because I'm Happy

Are not two sparrows sold for a farthing? and one of them shall not fall on the ground without your Father. Fear ye not therefore, ye are of more value than many sparrows.--Matthew 10:29, 31

With Spring comes chirping birds. I remember how my bird, Blue Boy, used to chirp when I played the piano and how I was so surprised how much I missed him when he died. He was just a little blue and white parakeet, but I got attached to the little thing.

When I first dated Gerard he had a bird named Dickie Bird, also a blue and white parakeet. I was impressed with how much he talked to that bird and cared for him. Dickie Bird was our first pet, before we got Moe, our cat. Dickie Bird used to swing on his swing and chirp every morning when the sun came up. He loved the sunshine! He would also walk along his perch bobbing his head to the music on the radio. Again, it was a sad day for us when Dickie Bird died. Gerard buried him in the back yard and we plant flowers there, referring to it as “Dickie Bird’s Garden.”

It never ceases to amaze me how loving God is that he sees the little tiny sparrows.

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Time To Get Scalped--Summer Weather Has Arrived In Cleveland!

But the very hairs of your head are all numbered.--Matthew 10:30

I love that we have such a great God who knows us so well and is so attentive to details such as the number of hairs each person has each day! Amazing!!

I never really let my hair get very long but when I was diagnosed with Breast Cancer and was facing the possibility of maybe having to go through Chemo, I appreciated my hair more so just kept getting it trimmed, but letting it grow. It was down to my shoulders which is really the longest I ever had it. However, with the last couple of days reaching over 80 degrees, I'm ready to get it cut short again. It was especially getting on my nerves at night when I'd wake up with night sweats, so although I like having hair, it was time to get it cut short again. It really grows fast anyway. My cousin cut it for me Saturday. She asked me how I wanted it--all one length or layered and I picked layered. I told her I wanted it off my neck, out of my face and my ears had to be free. Hair over my ears really annoys me in the summer. So, I have my hair short and am ready for summer weather--bring it on!

What do you do to get ready for summer? Do you like your hair short or long better?

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