Words of Encouragement for Today

February 10th 2011

"Trust me enough to spend ample time with Me, pushing back the demands of the day. Refuse to feel guilty about something that is so pleasing to Me, the King of the universe. Because I am omnipotent, I am able to bend time and events in your favor. You will find that you can accomplish more in less time, after you have given yourself to Me in rich communion. Also, as you align yourself with My perspective, you can sort out what is important and what is not.

Don't fall into the trap of being constantly on the go. Many, many things people do in My Name have no value in My kingdom. To avoid doing meaningless works, stay in continual communication with Me. I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with My eye upon you."

Luke 10:41-42, "Martha, Martha,” the Lord answered, “you are worried and upset about many things, ⁴² but few things are needed—or indeed only one. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.”

Psalm 32:8, "I will instruct you and teach you the way you should go; I will counsel you with my loving eye on you."

Young, Sarah. (2004). Jesus Calling: Enjoying Peace in His Presence. February 10.

Glittery Gifts

Christmas is my favorite Holiday. I love to organize, decorate, make things cozy, and bundle up in my house. I love to give- not just 'stuff' and presents, but happiness, companionship, friendship and hospitality. When I was a tike, I would make these enormous glittery holiday cards and decorate random objects that suddenly became beautiful. A pine cone adorned with glitter and paint suddenly was the most beautiful thing hanging from the tree; string of popcorn with cranberries left out to the birds was the coolest gift; wrapping and re-wrapping my presents just because I was so excited to give them.

The traditions of Christmas can cause symptoms of coveting, greed, overspending, a spirit of busyness, or general malaise. Sometimes we can get too focused on what we're going to 'get' instead of what we're going to give. In Genesis is a great story about giving: Cain (a prosperous farmer) and his brother Abel (a simple shepherd) were called by God to give their best to God. In those days, sacrifices were the standard. Cain decided to give God his second-best crops (because he wanted to keep the best for himself). Abel brought God his best livestock. God then accepted Abel's give because it was given from a pure heart. Rejecting Cain's crops, God favored Abel's gift. The story ends with Cain getting ticked off and killing his younger brother. Whoops!

I'm not suggesting giving all your best things away for Christmas.I'm not suggesting to go buy top-dollar gifts either. This is more about the motive of your heart. People come and go, gifts to others are thoughtful in the moment and tradition of Christmas; God is eternal. What are you bringing Him? Is it your second-best? Are you trying to keep something to yourself this Christmas?

Glittery presents and beautiful gifts are of this world, they will one day be thrown away, given to the Goodwill, and eventually become buried with all our trash. Don't focus on the external.

In what ways would you change your heart this Christmas?

Be glittery on the inside too!

Gratitude Worksheet

In the spirit of Thanksgiving Day- check out this worksheet about Gratitude!

Gratitude Worksheet

Your Relationship Determines How you Feel Toward God

Check out this link from CNN about how your relationship might determine how you feel towards God.

Written by Liberty University's own: Tim Clinton and Joshua Straub.

Get Rid of Emotional Junk!

How much baggage do you carry around with you? If you could put all your emotional pains, relational hurts, and self-esteem or boundary issues in a bag- would it be heavy?

Do you think hauling all that junk around effects those around you? What about in your relationships- your marriage, parenting, dating, friendship...

Most of the time we unknowingly carry around these hurts and pains from memory lane. Other times, we simply need an "update" in our Recycle Bin of recent events. No matter the situation, we DO carry baggage. What would happen if you dropped it?

Maybe feeling like you need a resource?

Georgia Shaffer is a licensed psychologist in Pennsylvania and a certified life coach with over 19 years of experience. Georgia's new book, "Taking out your emotional trash: Face your feelings and build healthy relationships" is flying off the shelves! With permission from the Georgia, who would like to take a quiz to see if you need to "Dump Your Junk?!"

Here's the link to Georgia's site which includes her book information. Check it out, and take the quiz! http://www.GeorgiaShaffer.com

Falling in love with Fall...

When I was a little girl, I can remember making "leaf forts" with the leaves that our parents "let" us rake. My twin brother and I would make a skeleton out of bark, limbs, anything we could find and then stuff these colorful, crispy leaves into the structure. Believe it or not, these forts were pretty strong and actually really awesome. I can remember laying inside of one of our forts gazing up through the bright leaves into the crisp blue chilled sky. What a memory! I love fall. I love the memories it evokes.

I have had the blessed opportunity to experience the Fall Season twice. I was in upstate New York in early October where the leaves were on fire with brilliance. This week, here in good 'ole North Carolina, the trees are so beautiful and bright- they are literally distracting. I can't really drive as well as I ought because I'm focused on such beautiful, clear colors.

Someone told me the amazing chemistry behind the changing of leaves- something about the how the glucose in the leaves gets trapped when the photosynthesis stops (the signal of winter: shorter days and light). The trees "know" when to stop chemical exchange, thus leading to the changing of colors and eventually they fall off. Awesome, huh?

This season, like every other, seems so short- like it had just begun a couple days ago. Yet in a couple of weeks, these trees around me will become bare bones, exposing their skeletons to all. I could say the usual "life is short, like the seasons so enjoy it while you have it" kind of thing; I'm feeling more pulled to say simply that our earth is beautiful. Still cheesy, yet it's what I have been thinking every day when I see these colors.

The things God created, what they do, what they look like in these short seasons- are simply BEAUTIFUL.

A Gift for Today

October 6: Jesus Calling by Sarah Young

"Be willing to follow wherever I lead. Follow Me wholeheartedly, with glad anticipation quickening your pace. Though you don't know what lies ahead, I know; and that is enough! Some of My richest blessings are just around the bend: out of sign, but nonetheless very real. To receive these gifts, you must walk by faith- not by sight. This doesn't mean closing your eyes to what is all around you. It means subordinating the visible world to the invisible Shepherd of your soul.

Sometimes I lead you up a high mountain with only My hand to support you. The higher you climb, the more spectacular the view becomes; also, the more keenly you sense your separation from the world with all its problems. This frees you to experience exuberantly the joyous reality of My Presence. Give yourself fully to these Glory-moments, awash in dazzling Light. I will eventually lead you down the mountain, back into community with others. Let My Light continue to shine within you as you walk among people again."

-2 Corinthians 5:7

-Psalm 96:6

-John 8:12

-Psalm 36:9