Blog Find of the Week~~Encouragement Corner

     I want to introduce you to my new friend, Tessa.  We met last week at New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary while our oh-so-studious husbands were in their doctoral class. We had fun chatting about ministry, family and blogging.  Her blog is Encouragement Corner (Godly Encouragement for Everyday Life).  Each Saturday she posts a devotional.  Not just any devotional, but one rooted in scripture.  I think you will find her devotionals each week to be not only an encouragement, but challenging as well! 

The Temptation to say "No"

     Two weeks ago I started something new.  I began helping out with our youth on Wednesdays by leading a small group for the Jr. High girls.  I love it.  Week before last the lesson was on temptation.  Our conversation during small group got me to thinking more on the subject.
     When you think about being tempted, what comes to mind?  For most, I think it's the temptation to do things.  We're tempted to say, "yes" to more chocolate, "yes" to a movie we have no business watching, "yes" to gossiping with our friends, "yes" to peer pressure, "yes" to our fleshly desires, "yes" to signing up for non-stop activities when we know it will eat away at our home life...
     As I pondered the whole idea of temptation, I tried to think about my own life and the lives of other Christians.  I think we many times allow ourselves to be deceived into thinking that we really don't struggle with temptation.  We are good, church-going Christians after all.   We lie to ourselves, "It's not like we're giving into those really sinful temptations.  I'm okay."
     BUT...consider with me for a moment another kind of temptation.  One I had not really thought about until I did some pondering last week.  The temptation to not do things.  How often are we tempted to say "No" to reading our Bible?  "No" to witnessing to someone when the Holy Spirit  prompts us?  "No" to giving of our time and energy for others when we don't feel like it?   "No" to church attendance?  "No" to praying for longer than 30 seconds?  "No" to writing a note or making a phone call to someone who needs it? 
     Just something to think about.  Whatever our temptation...whether we are tempted to say "yes" or to say "no," let's remember: "Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation.  The spirit is willing, but the body is weak."  (Matthew 26:41)
      

Stay on Your Knees

     I recently had a conversation with a friend about some tough times we had experienced in the past.  We talked about how it was one of the hardest things we had to go through.  But...we both agreed that it was also one of the sweetest periods in our life because of the time we spent with Jesus.  I can remember clinging to the Word and calling out to my Father in prayer all day long.  I often got down on my knees to pray at my bedside. 
     As I was praying the other day, God spoke to my heart these words: "Stay on your knees."  Our Heavenly Father doesn't want us to wait until we are desperate to call out to him and to desire the Word.  There will undoubtedly be things that bring us to our knees.  How much better prepared we will be to walk through that trial if we are already there---on our knees. 

"Let us kneel before the Lord our Maker."  (Psalm 95:6)

 

"Pray continually."  (1 Thess. 5:17)

 

"He withdrew about a stone's throw beyond them, knelt down and prayed."  (Luke 22:41)

 

I'm so very grateful for a God that I can talk to, and who talks to me!

Go to  Heavenly Homemakers to read more "Gratitude" posts!



13 Ways to Pray for Your Church

     Our church is currently ending week 5 of "40 Days of Discernment".  These 40 days are a time of concentrated prayer for our church...as we seek God's will for what is next. 
     In one of the devotions for our 40 days was a list of ways to pray for our church.  I like it so much, and think it to be such a great guide, I just had to share.  I'm going to tear this page out of my devotional materials and keep it where I do my Bible study so that I can be reminded of how to pray for my church each day.

 

 Pray for.....

1. Members that are sick
2. The Pastor/staff
3. For Revival and spiritual renewal
4. For specific lost individuals
5. For upcoming events
6. For Sunday School leaders and teachers to be effective (and I would add: Wednesday night teachers, etc.)
7. For growing disciples
8. For our church to outreach to our community
9. For the deacons and other church leadership
10. For the sermon the pastor will deliver
11. For special music that will touch people's hearts
12. For the challenges various families face
13. For stronger commitment to the Lord and His Church

 

     Wow...what would happen if all church members prayed for their church daily in this way???  

 

 

 

justpitchingmytent,

(in a world that's not my home)

 

Letha

Restored

     I hope all of you fellow moms out there had a great Mother's Day!  Last year my Mother's Day was a bit of a "doozie".  It's been a year now, and I can finally bring myself to talk about it. ;)  Typically, most favorite thing on Mother's Day is to enjoy a picnic in the great outdoors with my husband and two boys.  I like to find a big oak tree, spread out a big quilt, eat sandwiches, and drink IBC Rootbeer.  (Chocolate is also involved!)  Last Mother's Day before leaving for the park--we had a bit of an incident.  The picnic basket and cooler were packed.  I went to put them in our mini-van, but then realized that I didn't have the keys. So,  I left them behind the van while I went inside to get them--but somewhere along the way the whole idea of getting keys and putting our picnic in the van got lost.  When my dear husband asked if I was ready to go, I said, "Sure, go ahead and back the van out of the garage."  
     I think you can guess what happened.  I was still inside when the travesty occured.  My husband came inside, first telling me no one had been hurt.  (Okay, I was glad for that.)  But I could tell that whatever it was, it wasn't good.  After my husband told me that he had crushed the picnic basket, I remained calm-since I realize Mother's Day is all about just being with my family and I just said, "That's okay, honey, you didn't mean to." I pretty much freaked out.  Even though my husband was not at fault, I really needed someone to blame. 
     You see, this picnic basket is pretty special.  My sweet hubby bought it from a crafter in the mountains of N.C. when we were dating and we took lots of picnics together.  There are ring stains on the top of it that I cherish because they are from where we put our drinks when we used it like a table. (Back when it was just the two of us.)  I was just so devastated that our beloved picnic basket was ruined.  In my frustration, I lifted the lid of our big trash can to throw away the obviously unrepairable object.  My husband stopped me.  He said, "Letha, your daddy can fix this."  I really had not considered that--and wasn't sure it was possible.  I just left it there on the garage floor. 
     Later, I did give my dad the picnic basket.  It was in shambles.  I really wish I had taken a "before" picture.  My dad is pretty amazing.  He was able to use all the same parts, and lots of wood glue to repair it.  There was one tiny piece of wood he never found (it's probably lodged in the rear bumber of our van).  He added a few screws, and ta-da!  My dad restored my picnic basket. It now works like it was intended to. I'm so glad I did not give up and throw it in the trash! 

     My smashed and broken basket reminded me of how we are sometimes.  Our souls hurt.  Our souls are burdened. (Maybe if feels like the weight of a mini-van)  Our souls are sinful.  We come unglued. (Like I did last Mother's Day.)  God wants to restore us.  He wants to make our souls right with Him.  He is the God of all Comfort. 

"...He restores my soul.  He guides me in paths of righteousness for His name's sake."

Psalm 23: 3

          You see, this picnic basket is pretty special.  My husband bought it when we were dating.  It is handcrafted by a mountaineer in N.C.  It has seen many a delicious picnic.  And to make it even more beautiful-- it was crushed by our mini-van, then beautifully and lovingly restored by my daddy.