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So often we go through our days, weeks, months and years without stopping to realize just how blessed we are. We care about and love those around us, we are grateful for what we have and our accomplishments, and we are certainly thankful for all that God provides but we often don't think about or take the time to verbalize our thankfulness to those we love. As Christians, we should make a point to be thankful in every situation. Paul said in 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18, " Rejoice always; pray without ceasing; in everything give thanks, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus". How wonderful would it be to rejoice in everything, walking through our lives in a constant state of praying, and being thankful for even the bad times? Sometimes life is SO HARD that we find it difficult to be thankful, much less rejoice! I think that God knew we as humans would struggle with thankfulness and gratitude as they are mentioned over 150 times in the Bible and it is mentioned as a command over 33 times! Here's the thing, thankfulness/gratitude is a choice. Colossians 3:15-17 admonishes us, " Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God.   And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him. Even in the worst times, we can choose gratitude. Recently in the middle of a pity party for myself (and I don't have those often) God began bringing to my mind ALL that I have to be thankful for. What a glorious thought! As I began to give thanks, the blessing running through my mind more and more. My needs are met daily, I am blessed beyond with wonderful Christian community, my life is full of friends that encourage me in the Lord, my family has been blessed far more than most, I could go on and on but I'll just say that if I began writing all my blessings, I'm not if the paper or pen would run out first but I certainly wouldn't run out of things to be thankful for! In everything there is something to be thankful for. For goodness sake, Paul wrote Colossians, that same passage that you just read from a prison cell for proclaiming Christ- we are SO BLESSED! When we lived in Germany, we went to a huge Pumpkin Festival. It was like a dream! There was pumpkin EVERYTHING! Displays made from pumpkins, pumpkin ketchup, pumpkin bread, pumpkin drinks, pumpkin carvings and so much more. I remember standing in the middle of the festivities overwhelmed with the culture adjustment, the colors of fall in Germany, the overflowing pumpkins and just realizing that this was an opportunity that I had never dreamed would happen. God's goodness and blessings just for me! In that moment, I whispered of thanksgiving and praise for His love, provision and goodness. Did I miss my family, absolutely but was God providing everything I needed and more- ABSOLUTELY! Just one day of many that I was made aware that in everything there was something wonderful from God to be thankful for. Romans 8:28 is a scripture that we would all do well to memorize. We are blessed to have the promise from God that, "...we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose." Not only comfort comes from this verse but also another reason to be thankful- God works ALL things for good for His children! God's promises to us are too many to count and that alone should give us reason to stop and "think to thank" Him. Take a minute today to jot down all that you have to be thankful for. These may be thoughts of everyday life, promises from God's Word, thankfulness for things yet to come or other ideas. Hang this in a place that you can see often, take a photo of it and put on your phone, place it in your Bible and determine now to "Think to Thank" daily as we end 2025 and head towards 2026. Luke 17:15-16 shows us a beautiful picture of one out of ten lepers returning to give thanks to God after being healed. It says, "Then one of them, when he saw that he was healed, turned back, praising God with a loud voice; and he fell on his face at Jesus' feet, giving him thanks. Now he was a Samaritan." Notice that this healed leper had to "turn back" to praise God. Sweet sister, if you have not been in the habit of having gratitude, or thanking God verbally begin today. It is never too late. As you praise God, He will bless you. My challenge to you during this Thanksgiving season is this: Think to Thank. Yes, grab your pen, paper and quite area and begin to list your greatest blessings and praise during 2025. You may find yourself as the leper did, "falling on your face giving Him thanks." And as you are writing, try jotting down, "Rejoice always;   pray without ceasing;   in everything give thanks, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus" and you will not only being memorizing three Bible verses, but you will also be hiding God's Word in your heart for those "not so good" days when you need encouragement from His Word to uplift you. You'll find yourself giving thanks and having gratitude more and more. `Live sent https://youtu.be/LDHCzm0mhuk?si=IwfUX8Ug5l3j2ca2

From Egypt to the promised land of Canaan we find the Israelites experiencing opportunity after opportunity to follow God. God was taking them from where they were to where HE wanted them to be. The route wasn't the most direct route and God used sinful people (Pharaoh) as well as His servants (Moses) to get the job done. Sister, we are very much like the Israelites- God has a plan for us and His ways are best... if we could only trust Him totally. The Israelites were just like us often asking Moses, "why and how" along with living in fear. Those things are often found together: doubt and fear. There is a bridge that provides a safe passage over doubt and fear and that bridge is called "TRUST"! The thing about bridges is that they are all different. One of the things I love to see when traveling are bridges. As a child, I grew up in Charleston, SC. Back in the day there were two bridges connecting down town Charleston to Mt. Pleasant. You have NEVER experienced a bridge unless you have traveled on the old John P. Grace Memorial Bridge . The main span of the bridge was the fifth-longest in the world at 1,050 feet (320 m) and soared 150 feet (46 m) above the river. The main span of the second cantilever was the twelfth-longest in the world. The total length of the structure was about 2.7 miles (4.3 km). Friend, driving across this bridge when there is a semi-truck in the lane beside you was more than an experience- it was like being on a roller-coaster feeling like there was no end! The steep approaches, stupendous height, extremely narrow width, and a sharp curve at the dip conspired to excite and alarm the drivers as well as passengers. Since experiencing that bridge, going over bridges and observing their style/ make up has often intrigued me. One thing I did learn from that old, beautiful bridge was to trust my driver to get me to the other side. Trusting the driver of our life (God) is much the same. God has already planned every bridge and the perfect time in your life. You know, the times when the water of life that we are swimming, sinking or even feel like we are downing start to overcome us. The bridge may be shaky, small, scary, or even look like it doesn't reach to the other side but He is the driver and He has a plan. In Exodus 14:13-14, Moses told his people, "fear not, stand firm, and see the salvation of the Lord, which he will work for you today. For the Egyptians whom you see today, you shall never see again. The Lord will fight for you, and you have only to be silent." Sister let me tell you, when we were crossing that bridge from Charleston to Mt. Pleasant, we sat still and were quite ! Trusting God with our life means believing He is going to make something happen. It means that we know God is working ALL things for His glory and our good pleasure. It means we believe that God can take what other mean for evil and use it for good. As Moses led the Israelites through the sea in Exodus 14, they had to trust God, put their feet in and begin walking. As they did, God provided a miracle that allowed their safe passage to the other side. In verse 25 the Egyptians realized that they had no hold on the God of Israel and said, "Let us flee from before Israel, for the LORD fights for them against the Egyptians." Sweet friend, God is fighting for you, ready to get you from where you are to where HE wants you to be if you will only have faith the size of a mustard seed. Let God fight you battles, drive your car and use that others mean for evil against you for good! Before I end today, I want to jump down to verses 30-31, " Thus the Lord saved Israel that day from the hand of the Egyptians, and Israel saw the Egyptians dead on the seashore.   Israel saw the great power that the Lord used against the Egyptians, so the people feared the Lord, and they believed in the Lord and in his servant Moses." Sweet sister, are you trusting God to bring you through to the other side? That may be trials that are heavy on you at this time, it may be a habit that you need to break, maybe you need to learn to budget your time to include an appointment with God daily. Whatever it is, God has made a bridge and is waiting for you to walk across. Take the first step of trust and pray for God to grant you strength to take the next step- I think you'll see that He ALWAYS provides a way! Isaiah 43:19 says, "Behold, I am doing a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it? I will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert." Genesis 50:20: "... As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good, to bring it about that many people should be kept alive, as they are today. Proverbs 3:5-6: Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths. Romans 8:28: "And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose". Philippians 1:6 : "being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion, until the day of Christ Jesus". 1 Peter 5:10 : "And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast". `Live Sent

As I sat waiting for my medical appointment there were two ladies conversing about these HOT “Dog Days of Summer”. One sweet soul was distraught because it was “too hot outside” and “too cold inside”. She was not amused at all to be waiting dressed for blazing hot temperatures outside and quite cool conditions in the medical facility. Her newfound friend (sitting 2 seats down) offered encouragement, “Well, enjoy the air condition in here because you’ll be out there sweating again soon.” Patient #1 was not sold on the idea at all as they began the discussion of how the term “Dogdays of summer” began. I won’t go into the history behind this phrase but know that this term has its roots in ancient times, specifically the Greeks and Romans.  Today the term “dog days” is usually used to describe the peak of summer and no one has any idea that it is linked to Orion’s belt, Sirius (the brightest star after the son, or even astrology! Those in the South associate the “dog days of summer” with a bottle of Coke with peanuts poured inside, a huge cup of sweet tea, bare feet and listening to the crickets and Cicadas sing as night closes in. It’s a reminder to slow down, cool off and enjoy the moments with family and friends as all begin looking forward to the fall and football. I’d like to encourage each of you to begin a tradition of- having “DAWG” days in every season- not just summer. Before you think I’ve lost my mind, there is a difference between a “DAWG” and a “Dog” day. Most of you have never heard or experienced a “DAWG” day but it’s likely my favorite days of the year. While living in Germany I began having DAWG days. These were: D ays A lone W ith G od. Most of the time I planned these days once a month when the men in our church met for a breakfast. My husband would attend the breakfast and then come home and work in the yard. My day was completely mine. My sweet sisters in our church knew that this day, once a month, was one of my favorite times. They knew not to ask me to do anything with them on this day. I so looked forward to sending hubby off so that I could enjoy anywhere from a ½ to a whole day with just me and God! Oh, how sweet this time because to me as I would engulf myself in Bible study digging into God’s Word, worshipping Him in song, music and prayer as well as praying for my friends and family. All of the “Grace Girls” knew that if they messaged of called that I’d get back to them after my DAWG Day was over, but the morning was just me and God! It was such a blessing to be engulfed in His love, praising Him and having the entire house to myself. I could sing, pray and cry as loud and as long as I wanted to without disturbing anyone! Sweet sister, let me tell you how full my heart is after spending several hours to a day with my Savior! The joy and comfort, the warmth in my soul and the desire to read more in His Word, to praise Him more and to just bask in His presence can’t be described! It’s an experience that comes only with spending time focused on Him.  You may only have 1/2 a day, 4 hours, 2 hours or even an hour- USE IT! God is waiting for an invitation to spend time with you. To speak to you through His Word, to pour out His love on you and fill your heart as you praise Him. Since moving back to the USA I have had to get a little more creative with getting my DAWG time in. Recently I had foot surgery that has not went well so I've had to sit ALOT. This past Saturday I didn't make it up the stairs where my normal DAWG day is spent but I was able to sit in my recliner, read my Bible, study a foundational topic that I wanted to learn more about, play my piano and listen to praise and worship music. Yes, even a surgery not healing can be used by God and become a blessing. God is in ALL the details. You will be amazed at the benefit of spending large blocks of time with God! Spiritual growth, emotional benefit, increased gratitude, guidance and clarity are jut a few examples of blessings God bestows on us as we prioritize time with Him. He's waiting to bless us if we only take time for Him and to allow Him to work in our lives. Oh sister, I wouldn't trade my DAWG days for anything! My only regret is that during this season I can't have more of them! Find the time that He is giving you. Make an appointment for Him and put it on your calendar. There is nothing more important that you can do. For now, think about the verses below as you pray about having a DAWG day with your Savior! Verses to Meditate On (ESV translation): Psalm 46:10- “Be still, and know that I am God.    I will be exalted among the nations,    I will be exalted in the earth! Jeremiah 29:12-   Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will hear you. James 4:8- Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded. Matthew 6:6 – “ But when you pray, go into your room and shut the door and pray to your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you .” Matthew 6:33- “ But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. .” I Peter 2:2-3- Like newborn infants, long for the pure spiritual milk , that by it you may grow up into salvation— if indeed you have tasted that the Lord is good. `Live sent

Before I knew that eyes are the 2nd most complex organ in our bodies with the brain being number one, eyes have and still amaze me! Maybe because I have had glasses since the 4th, possibly due to my youngest daughter having eye surgery and glasses since she was three years old, but then- I am a nurse, and maybe it’s no because the eye is yet another amazing  creation of our wonderful Savior.  There are so many applications between our eyes and God’s instructions to us in scripture that I couldn’t resist the opportunity to write a blog post about eyes. In all honesty, I am working on a Bible study that will be called “Enlighted Eyes” (hence the name of this entry). You’ll have to stay tuned for that but here is a little snippet to whet your appetite. 😊 Here are a few fun facts about our eyes to begin with. The eye has over two million working parts, all working together to facilitate vision. Over 80% of the brain’s processing is from our vision. There are NO pain nerves inside the eye, you could have serious eye conditions and not know it until you have permanent eye damage. There are over 1 million nerves connecting each eye to the brain. Even though the retina detects only 3 colors, red, blue and green, we can distinguish over 10 million different colors. The iris (colored part of the eye) has 256 distinct features, but fingerprints only have 40. The ‘red eye’ seen in flash photography, is due to the retina being densely packed with blood vessels. The human eye weighs approximately just under an ounce. Every second, your eyes change focus over 50 times. Blue eyes? You share a gene with every person on the planet who has blue eyes. Years ago, all eyes were brown until a genetic mutation developed that led to blue eyes. How cool are those facts? What is even more amazing is that our wonderful Creator created our eyes perfectly to meet our needs as well as for our pleasure. Can you imagine what Adam and Eve must have experienced prior to their sin through their sight? Sadly, that pure perfection was tainted with sin (Genesis 3) and now we have many problems related to our eyes as well problems that we see through our eyes. As we think about the results of sin, let’s look at a couple disorders/ problems with eyes having Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the Lord and shun evil. This will bring health to your body and nourishment to your bones. Proverbs 3:7-8 a spiritual application. Amblyopia develops when there’s a breakdown in how the brain and the I eye work together, and the brain can’t recognize the sight from one eye. Over time, the brain relies more and more on the other, stronger eye — while vision in the weaker eye gets worse. This reminds me of Christians that focus only on the milk of God’s word. 1 Peter 2:2 encourages us to “desire the sincere milk of the work, that ye may grow thereby”. The problem is that many do not progress in their relationship with God as instructed in 1 Corinthians 3:2 and Hebrews 5:12-14 so they become spiritually weak just as the weaker eye in Amblyopia does. Treatment requires patching the good eye or putting drops in the good eye (blurring its vision) so that the weaker eye must work- becoming stronger. Early treatment works well and usually prevents long-term vision problems. Sister, the same goes for our relations ship with Christ. When we are lazy in our “workouts” (reading our Bible and praying) our spiritual sight and strength will weaken. The only way to strengthen our faith and relationship with God is by building our spiritual muscles/ relationship. With Amblyopia, kids who grow up without treatment may have lifelong vision problems. Amblyopia treatment is usually less effective in adults than in children. The thing is, this same concept is true in our spiritual lives, if we don’t hide God’s word in our hearts as a young Christian, it is harder and harder as we move forward in our spiritual life. Cataracts: A cataract is a clouding of the lens of the eye, which is typically clear. Most cataracts develop slowly and don't disturb eyesight early on. Often people have no clue that they have cataracts but with time, cataracts will eventually affect vision. A person may become legally blind if cataracts are left untreated. Sweet sister, our souls are no different. When our hearts become diseased with sin, it is clouded and the choices we make are born in sinful, selfish thoughts. Just as a cataract decreases physical vision, sin decreases our vision for what God has in store for us. We often settle for less than God has for us because of this sin and decreased vision in our lives. 1 Corinthians 2:14 reminds us, “But a natural man does not accept the depths  of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him, and he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually examined.” Although I’ve only discussed 2, most common eye problems stem from a variety of factors, including aging, family history, systemic conditions, and lifestyle choices. The most common spiritual problems stem from not growing spiritually to keep up with spiritual age, settling for mediocracy because “that’s how my family has always been”, and lifestyle choices affecting multiple areas of our life (associating with the wrong crowd, not having daily time with God, no prayer life, etc). The important thing is that we identify these diseases/ problems before they invade major areas of our spiritual lives. What an encouragement Paul gave us when he said, “Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us.” Oh, what a blessed thought that we would lay aside these sins that weigh us down and make our souls sick. Laying aside every weight so that our relationship with our Heavenly Father would thrive. Friend, we are told to “watch over your heart with all diligence, for from it flow the springs of life (Prov. 4:23)” and to “take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ” (2 Cor. 10:5). Are you guarding your spiritual health preventing these as well as other diseases from invading your heart? Are you getting a “spiritual workout” by having devotions, Bible study, prayer time and fellowship/ accountability with other sisters? If you aren’t currently “working out”, begin today! Your spiritual wellbeing is the most important area of your life. It's the only thing that will have everlasting results! Corie Ten Boom (one of my favorites) said, "If you look at the world, you'll be distressed. If you look within you, you'll be depressed. If you look at God, you'll be at rest." Sweet friend, use your eyes to focus on God and all these things will be added to you (Matthew 6:33). Verses to meditate on: 1Peter 2:2; 1 Corinthians 2:14, 3:2; 2 Corinthians 10:5; Hebrews 5:12-14; Proverbs 4:23; Matthew 6:33 ~ Live sent

"True prayer is neither a mere mental exercise nor a vocal performance. It is far deeper than that - it is spiritual transaction with the Creator of Heaven and Earth." - Charles Spurgeon Prayer is possibly the greatest single need for growth in the lives of most Christians. Prayer is the one thing that everyone turns to (even those who aren't Christian's) as soon as plans don't go as planned, there is sickness, an emergency or a pleather of other things. We know that God commanded us to pray and we know that prayer makes a difference to God, yet it seems that it is such a hard thing for so many. In the past 2 months, I've had 4 people inquire as to how they can be better at praying, if I would pray for a certain problem because they didn't know how to pray, how do all of your prayers sound alike and is praying prayers from a book ok. I didn't want to write a blog on prayer because there is so much to dig into about prayer and my support gals for my blog keep reminding me that I, "can't post long blogs." Praise Jesus for them because they keep me in check (love you girls). One of my favorite activities to engage in, study, and discuss is prayer. The communication between my heavenly Father and me is incredibly sweet although at times it is work and draining. While I enjoy talking and having conversations with others, spending time with God is unlike any other interaction! There are moments when I speak continuously, and other times when my heart feels so heavy that I can't find the words, only murmuring occasionally and simply sitting in God's love, reflecting and listening to what He places on my heart. Oh how I cherish those moments! That's what prayer is—an active dialogue between God and the person praying. Sometimes I talk more, and other times I focus on listening. Occasionally, I might even sing a song of praise or a children's song like "Jesus Loves Me." That is exactly what prayer is - a conversation between two people: the person praying and God. I think this may be the hard part for many. It's easy to talk when the receiver audibly responds. Things get a little tougher when there is no audible answer. My husband and I have had many struggles because he is NOT a talker and I am. I get irritated and just choose not to have conversation when he doesn't answer. We must realize that God answers our prayers in many ways and that's where our faith comes in. Why should we pray? There are many reasons that we could give and here are a few verses on the issue: "Devote yourselves to prayer" in Colossians 4:2, "Pray continually" in 1 Thess. 5:17, and "in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your request to God" Philippians 4:6. These scriptures assure us that God wants us to pray. Now we know what prayer is, that God wants us to pray, but how exactly do we pray? We all know that Jesus gave an example of prayer in Matthew 6:9-13 and I encourage you all to read over that prayer. This shows us themes/idea that should be included in prayer. This prayer gives us a great example of speaking in very basic language and doing more than just asking for things. Many of you have heard of the acronym "ACTS" for praying and I'm going to go over that. Adoration is where our prayers should begin. Adoration is really just a big word for praise and praise should always be a part of our prayers. Prayer is a chance to talk to the Creator of the universe, our creator and that alone is reason to give praise. Psalm 145:3-5 is a great passage to reflect on to praise God. Confession may be the part of prayer that many of us are familiar with but hard for some of us. When confessing, we need to be a specific as we can. Not just, "Please forgive me for doing wrong" but name the weakness/sin/thought/neglected thing. God already knows and this will allow you to truly repent of the sin as you speak it to your Abba Father. Thanksgiving is remembering to give thanks in all things (1 Thess. 5:18). When we speak audibly of the blessings that we receive from Christ, we are better able to comprehend just how vast God's love is for us. So often when I realize a blessing has bestowed upon me I literally stop and audibly thank God. It give me joy and often focuses my mind on just how blessed I am. Supplication is simply asking God for specific request. This may be for yourself or for others. God wants to hear our concerns and as we intercede for others, we are blessed, they are blessed, and it pleases God. The thing that we need to be careful of here is that we pray according to God's will. This is why anyone that has ever asked me about prayer will hear me stress the importance of praying scripture. It's great to have scripture memorized to pray but it is also just fine to look up scripture that speaks to your request and read it, then pray the concept. Some of my favorite books that helped me as I was beginning to pray scripture are listed at the end of this blog entry. Keep in mind that God may answer with a "Yes", "Wait", or even a "No." Prayer doesn't change God but it does change us. God may answer your requests in a wide variety of ways and one of those ways may include changing you and/or changing your heart. Allow me to step onto my soapbox... every conversation we engage in is lively, filled with energy and emotion, and holds significance. Your prayers should be no different. If your prayers have become repetitive in words and posture, it might be time to introduce some variety. Each prayer before meals shouldn't be identical (except when teaching children to pray). You wouldn't enjoy a "conversation" with a friend who repeats the same thing every time you meet. While God does know our hearts, our words reflect what's within - from our hearts. Pray with your eyes open, gazing towards heaven, lie prostrate on the floor, pray with a friend, change your usual prayer location, focus solely on one aspect of the ACTS system (imagine an entire prayer dedicated to adoration for God), or perhaps try sitting quietly to listen to God during your prayer. Another rewarding practice is writing down your requests, blessings, praises, or whatever God places on your heart. Beside the request, write the date. When God answers prayers, record them. It is such a blessing to look back on. I keep a prayer journal as well as have a prayer wall in my craft room. These two things have been such a blessing in my life. Come back next week for that. As for now, just spend time with God. It's ok to cry, pause, ask God questions, share all your emotions, and it is an awesome idea to ask our wonderful Holy Spirit to help you during your prayers. Trust God knowing that He loves you and cares for you more than you can ever imagine. Unlocking the power of prayer is confessing sin and pouring your heart out to your heart out to God. David poured his heart out in prayer as recorded in many Psalms. Read Psalm 13, 23, 18:2-3, 51, 59 as these are just a few of David's prayers that show various emotions and his heart. Verses to mediate on : 2 Chronicles 7:14; Romans 12:12; Colossians 4:2; 1 Thess. 5:17-18; Philippians 4:6;  Matthew 6:5-15; Psalm 13, 23, 18:2-3, 51, 145:3-5; 1 John 1:9, 5:14 Prayer Prompt: Dear Heavenly Father, thank you SO much for the opportunity to come to you in prayer. You are my strength, my sustainer, Savior, refuge, creator of our Universe and so much more. Oh what a privilege to come to you in conversation. I just want to bask in your goodness; sit here for a few minutes and ponder all of the wonderful things You are. Thank you! Today I come seeking wisdom from You as my desire is to improve and increase my time of communing with you. Even before I raise my head in the mornings, remind me to acknowledge You. Throughout my day I pray that You would prompt me to "pray without ceasing." Lord I don't want my prayers to be a "run to" when I need help but I want to honestly have conversation with you. Help me to pour out my heart, to daily be honest with you as I am honest with myself, place on my heart needs of others that I may intercede for them. Thank you for Your Word that instructs us on prayer. May I continually seek growth and power in my prayers. Amen My favorite song about prayer: https://youtu.be/FtDu6ykjE8c?si=v0Bzz0j6v4BFkqfU Go Sew Seeds

When we were traveling in Holland, we were privileged to watch clogs being made by hand. What a meticulous process this was. The clog-maker took a piece of log and made a masterpiece out of it. I think my favorite part (other than painting) was when he held a piece of sandpaper in his hands and the clogs were transformed from a rough outline of shoes to a beautiful, smooth pair of shoes that would protect the wearer from the soggy Dutch land, allowing for the completion of daily activities and tasks. He passed the shoes around and the smoothness was like silk. Perfect for use. Sweet sister, just like the sandpaper made for use on wood, God graciously provides “Christian sandpaper” (sand-people) to smooth our rough edges and aid in perfecting us. Let’s have a look at the concept of Christian sandpaper. Think about this verse: “I will do this to recapture the hearts of the people of Israel” (Ezekiel14:5). Imagine the results of us turning to God when these people come into our lives and walk through life with us during various seasons! Certainly, it isn’t just me that has had some of my prickly imperfections shaped by people and situations in my life. Sure, these cause some degree of discomfort or conflict, but oh, the finished product will be such a beauty. There are times that I’d pull out my wallet and pay to get out of the situation or away from a person that is a bit abrasive or rubs us a little raw, but that isn’t God’s plan. Ultimately these situations, like sandpaper, smooth out our rough edges making us more and more like Christ. Just like sandpaper removes imperfections from wood, these “sandpaper people” and situations can refine and change us.  I’m reminded of Romans 5:3-4: “Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope.” We all love “our people,” whether it is family (blood or Christian), co-workers, neighbors or friends. Those that we love are the ones that God will usually use as sandpaper for us. You know-- the ones that are a bit rough or unpleasant to be around for long periods of time. These sweet souls may even be Christians that are just a bit different in action or word than we are. We have lessons and shaping of our lives that can be gained from them as well. Matthew 5:46 says, “For if you love those who love you, what reward do you have? Do not even the tax collectors do the same?” In other words, it’s easy to love those who love you and please you. There is no challenge or growth there. BUT… the challenge and reward are to love those Sandpaper People who will also grow you. I bet by now you are thinking, “YES, I know exactly who my strong grid sandpaper is in my life but how do I deal with this?” Friend, my first bit of insight is this: sanding with water enables you to eliminate scratches that dry sandpaper may cause. Yes, inviting “The Living Water of Life” to join you as you rub shoulders with the sandpaper people He puts in your life. If you know that you will be with a sandpaper person, don’t shy away- instead, pray! Love them! 1 John 4:1 tells us that if God loved us, we ought to love one another. Join Christ in sharing a love that can only be found and shared through Him. Living water in Hebrew is expressed beautifully in Hebrew: "mayim chaim." It means constantly being in a state of refreshing, replenishing, and refilling. Oh, how sweet to know that Christ can and will constantly refresh, replenish and fill us as He lovingly allows those around us to be used in our perfection. Here are some additional insights when dealing with "sandpaper people:" When you are praying, don’t just pray for yourself. Use this as an opportunity to minister to your “sandpaper person” as well. Ask God to give you the love that He wants you to have for this person. Ask God to draw this person closer to Him as well as to you (Romans 12:18). Sometimes that is a huge pill to swallow, but that’s usually when it is most needed. Many of you likely know that when sanding, one begins with a coarser grit sandpaper to remove imperfections, then a finer grit is used for a smooth finish. Here’s an important step though- you MUST clean the surface between each sanding stage. Now isn’t that just the stuff! Imagine us cleansing ourselves by confession of shortcomings (sin) between sanding. Oh, what a sweet picture of God restoring us and forgiving us along our way to our final stage. Sanding with the grain is the golden rule of woodworking. Basically, that means working/moving in the same direction as the wood grain. Oh, my sweet sister, this is something that we MUST get into our minds. Our daily prayers should include asking our Holy Spirit to lead us in the ways of the Lord so that we are moving in the right direction.  That may mean slowing down (or speeding up if laziness is a temptation) to make more time for Him. Finally, we need to check progress while sanding is taking place. We often forget to complete this step of asking God to show us any imperfections and impurities in our lives that need further sanding. Having an accountability partner is a wonderful asset for this. A Christian sister that you can confide in whom you can take constructive criticism from is priceless. We have many examples in the Bible of men and women who didn’t see their own weaknesses and faults until God sent another person to confront and restore them. Sister, if you are blessed to have a lady who pours into you, that you can confide in, and who will give you Godly wisdom and scripture in time of need - cling to her ! Give her permission to be that iron that sharpens iron (Prov. 27:17), that fine grit sandpaper that helps you become the masterpiece that God has designed you for. We cannot fathom all that God has planned for our lives, nor can we begin to understand all of the ways that He draws us to Him and refines us. The one thing that we can be sure of is that God works ALL things for good to those who are called according to His purpose (Romans 8:28). Because of this, we can trust Him COMPLETELY as He places those sandpaper people in our lives. He has a purpose and a plan. Our responsibility is to treat these people in our lives with love and grace. As we lean on God to do this, day by day He will continue to grow us. We will have the love that He wants us to have for these people and we will grow in grace. Scripture to Ponder: Ezekiel 14:5; Proverbs 27:17; Romans 5:3-4, 8:28, 12:18; Matthew 5:46; 1 Corinthians 13:41 John 4:1

Exodus 2:1-10 gives us a description of Jochebed, the mother of Moses, Aaron and Miriam. From this mother of three, we have a wonderful example of courage, trusting God and the importance of having insight. This mother was fearless and put God’s plan for her son above her own desire. She let go and let God have full control of her son, even when it meant giving him up. Today we will meet Jochebed and for just a bit step into her life as a mother of a child born when a royal decree was declared that deemed all male babies born be killed. Imagine just for a moment that you knew because of the sex of your child your baby would be killed. What would you do? How would you react? This is exactly what happened to Jochebed and Amram (her husband). Pharaoh issued a decree that all Hebrew male newborns were to be thrown into the river to drown. Jochebed and Amram hid Moses for three months, knowing that if Pharaoh found out they would surely die. Can you imagine the fear, stress and faith that were involved during those three months!? Those of us who have had children know that those first three months after delivery hormones are still leveling off, new demands and stresses appear, and anxiety rises. Despite all of this, Jochebed knew God had a plan for Moses and she focused on prioritizing the safety and life of her newborn son. Bathed in prayer, I am sure that tears poured down her face as she sought God’s protection for her baby. As the three-month-old baby grew, there is no doubt in my mind that Jochebed pondered many things: we can’t continue hiding him as he grows; will he be safe in the basket; what if a crocodile comes; a storm may come tossing the basket over; what about snakes; and many more. I’m sure you can relate to trying to cover all the bases as trying moments arise. It’s during these times that we tend to make rash decisions and forget to include God. Jochebed trusted God and her priorities were focused on God’s sovereignty. He would take care of the “what if’s. ” There is no doubt in my mind that our wonderful Creator of the universe calmed her mind and heart as she carried out the work that God had for her. Oh, what a good, good Father we have! Matthew 6:34 tells us, “Do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things.” Praise God for His miraculous plan. Pharoh’s daughter heard baby Moses crying, got him from the water and fell in love with him immediately. Jochebed in all her wisdom had Miriam watching over the basket in which Moses was in, so when Pharoh’s daughter got Moses, Miriam offered to get “a Hebrew mother” to nurse Moses for her. Who but God could have orchestrated all these things. As Jochebed was brought to the palace and nursed Moses those first three to four years, what do you think those days were like for Jochebed, knowing that she only had a short time with Moses. Aware that the Egyptians worshipped false gods, Jochebed no doubt began to teach Moses about Jehovah from the moment she held him in her arms. She knew the influence of these first years would be the foundation in the life of her son. Planting seeds early in life is so important and Jochebed seemed to have full knowledge of this. Hebrews 11:24-28 gives us a little more information regarding the faith of Moses that must have been grounded in him as a young toddler while still with his mother, Jochebed. He “refused to be known as the son of Pharaoh’s daughter, chose to be mistreated with God’s people rather than enjoy the fleeting pleasure of sin, regarded disgrace for the sake of Christ as of greater value than the treasures of Egypt, left Egypt with no fear of the king’s anger” and much more. Moses was looking ahead (just as Jochebed did) to his reward from God. Dear friend, just as in the story of Jochebed and Moses, history is made every time we make a decision. The importance of having our priorities centered around doing God's will cannot be understated. I want to regress just a moment here. While I have focused mostly on Moses, we can’t really leave a discussion of Jochebed without considering her other children. Oh, how proud she must have been of them! Miriam was about 7-12 years old as she watched over her baby brother’s (Moses) basket. Think about what that must have taken for a child of this age to do: patience, courage (esp. to approach Pharaoh’s daughter), love, a protective demeanor, and maturity beyond her years. Yes, Jochebed must have instilled having priorities into Miriam as well, and these were all displayed as the scene with Pharoh’s daughter transpired. Miriam was also known for leading the women in song and worship after the Israelites crossed the Red Sea leaving Egypt. As for Aaron (the older brother of Moses), he was a high priest with a calling from God. Aaron stepped up many times as needed to speak for Moses, helped in leading, and the line of priests came from him. Aaron (as well as Miriam) did have a bout with disobedience, but God had grace on him. There were consequences, but God had a purpose in the lives of this sweet family who knew the importance of priorities. Hebrews 5:4 says, “And no one takes this honor on himself, but he receives it when called by God, just as Aaron was.” Jochebed’s children realized the importance of serving God, prioritizing His will, and answered “yes.” My sweet friend, that brings me to you. Can you say that your priority in life is God? Are you teaching your children to follow Him? Are you praying daily for your children? Friend, you may feel like Jochebed as you release your child as a single mother to their father, as you release your new graduate to a new college in another state, into a relationship that is not what you have prayed, as you release your sweet child into the life of marriage, or you are just releasing them to go out into this evil world to work or go to school. Sister, I feel your pain and so does God. What a blessing we have that Jochebed didn’t have in that we have God’s Word: The Bible that gives us hope, comfort and promises. James 5:16 says, “The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man (woman) avails much.” Jochebed took the role of motherhood seriously. There is no greater call than to influence and teach your child to prioritize God in their life. Down through the years, the mission of motherhood is the same: molding our children to have the character of God; having and displaying priorities in our lives that reflect God's love and obedience; using God’s Word to prepare ourselves as well as our children to navigate life here on earth and prepare for eternity; and finally seeing our children come to accept the gift of salvation from our wonderful God. My prayer is that every woman reading this blog will make an effort to prioritize things in our lives (and the lives of our children) that God will be pleased with, to set our priorities on God’s will, raising children who like Aaron and Moses will shine for God. Verses to consider: Exodus 2:1-10, Exodus 6:20, Hebrews 5:4; 11:24-28; James 5:16 Think About This: *Are you praying courageously and trusting God with the future of your children? Do your priorities center around God's will for you and your family? *How does Jochebed’s story inspire you? ~Live Sent BONUS: More on Miriam can be found in Exodus 14-15 as she gave praise, leading women to praise God with tambourines, dancing and singing after her husband (Hur) and Aaron held up the arms of Moses during a major battle victory. Micah 6:3-4 also refers to Miriam. Miriam was also a Prophetess through which God had spoken (Exodus 15:20; Numbers 12:2).

Do your words edify or tear down? Remember that day when you were so excited, and a friend crushed your spirit with her words? I do. In fact, just this past week when it happened again. Oh, how it hurts when words are blurted out at the wrong time, in the wrong tone or even with the wrong attitude. Yet when they are out, there really is no going back. Proverbs 18:21 says, “Death and life are in the power of the tongue” reminding us that our words can crush as well as uplift someone else. There is a person in my life that seems to find joy in belittling me as well as things that I say or just answering in a smart-aleck way. Often, I feel that once the words are out, this person realizes it and is remorseful but the hurt that has not healed from past comments continues to scar my heart. I dearly love this person, they are a Christian, but I have made the decision not to have encounters with them if I do not have to protect my heart. Why? Because words can hurt! Every time that I see this person I worry that my clothes are “too bright”, my hair “too big, too much gray or a comment that I don’t color it any longer.” I second guess every detail about my presentation trying not to give opportunity for a less than desirable comment. The very first time I remember words hurting like this was in 6th grade. My science teacher, Ms. Cooper (yes, I still remember her and this day) informed me as well as the whole class that I was “not smart enough to be a nurse if I couldn’t understand earth science.” I was crushed and for many years believed that I would not be successful because I “wasn’t smart enough.” In once sentence this teacher pronounced death on my hopes, desires, and dreams. Decisions were made by me in 6th grade that affected the rest of my life because I didn’t believe I was smart. Looking back, I honestly think that Ms. Cooper was trying to challenge me into doing better but her words were not “fitly spoken” as in Proverbs 25:11. Those words bound me to believing lies that were never meant to define me. It took years to repair the damage that her unintentional words did to me. Conversely, I will never forget the sweet words of Helen Granger (who is with Jesus now) as she encouraged me to begin taking part in our women’s ministry at church. Finally having enough courage to speak, I stood at the podium in front of a room full of women and thought I was going to faint! Just as I thought I’d surely hit the floor, Mrs. Granger caught my eye as she smiled sweetly and mouthed these words that she had said to me so many times before, “God will strengthen and help you.” I have no doubt that she took these encouraging words straight from Isaiah 41:10 as she repeated them to me so many times. But you know what, she lifted my spirit, breathed life into me when I felt I was falling and reminded me of God’s amazing love. Praise God there have been so many women since Mrs. Helen that have poured words of encouragement, edifying words, loving words and words of Christ into me! Sweet sister, take account of your words. Are you speaking life or death into those around you? Are you uplifting or crushing the spirits of those who look up to you or are looking for help and encouragement? Are you blessing others as you build them up or are others beginning to avoid you because of your negative words? Sometimes it’s better just to listen and share a pat on the back or a hug than to open our mouths when we have nothing good to say. Declare life and hope with your words as you go through your day sowing seeds for Christ. One great way to do that is by saturating ourselves with God’s Word so that the words that flow from our lips will reflect Him. If we could hide the words from Ephesians 4:29-32 in our hearts, perhaps our words would consistently be “helpful for building others up according to their needs.”   There are MANY scriptures that teach us how to use our words and we would do well to memorize a few of these verses. A few of my favorites to remind myself (frequently) are below. 1. “Sin is not ended by multiplying words, but he prudent hold their tongues” (Proverbs 10:19). 2. “The soothing tongue is a tree of life, but a perverse tongue crushes the spirit” (Proverbs 15:4). 3. “Gracious words are like a honeycomb, sweetness to the soul and health to the body” (Proverbs 16:24). 4."Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you make know how you ought to answer each person” (Colossians 4:6). 5. “My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry” (James 1:19). 6. “But I tell you, on the day of judgement people will give account for every careless word they speak. For by your words you will be justified and by your words you will be condemned" (Matthew 12:36-37). As we end this blog entry, there are a few take-aways for responding to hurtful words as well as evaluating the words we speak. 1. Forgiveness is always best. When a person is harsh with their words, pray that you would find forgiveness for them and love them. It isn’t an excuse, but they may be struggling, and it just happened that their outlet was on you. If it is a regular occurrence, still pray for the situation/ person but allow some distance in the relationship. 2. Watch not only your words but your presentation, and sarcastic remarks. Are those smart, snide comments really needed? Psalm 25:11 says, “A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in settings of silver.” Oh, what beauty and encouragement there is in words spoken in an appropriate and timely way. Perhaps there are those of us who need to use fewer words and keep our thoughts to ourselves. Remember, delivering truth without grace is often harsh and uninvited. 3. Remember Matt. 5:11-12 when others hurt you. “Blessed are you when people insult you and persecute you, and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of Me.  Rejoice and be glad, for your reward in heaven is great; for in this same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.” Oh, how sweet to know that one day our reward will be even sweeter for turning the other cheek. It’s hard, but it’s doable and worth it!   Verses to Ponder: Isaiah 41:10; Psalm 25:11 Proverbs 10:19,15:4, 16:2418:21, 25:11; Matthew 5:11-12,12:36-37; Ephesians 4:29-32; Colossians 4:6; James 1:19   Prayer: Oh, precious Father of mine, we are all so guilty of letting our tongue get the best of us as well as others. Today I am confessing my struggles in controlling my tongue with my family, friends and coworkers as well as asking You to help me forgive and have grace with those who have and will hurt my heart with their words. I pray that the devil will not have victory with things that flow from my mouth but that I will use this tiny muscle in my body to edify other, building them up and strengthening them as they see You through me. Help me to spread life with the power of my tongue. Lord of my life, I want to thank you for Your Words- our printed Bible. May I treasure these precious words of yours and hide them in my heart that I might not sin against You. My prayer is that Your Holy Spirit will fill me completely as I navigate through this evil world empowering my to change to be more like You, obey and proclaim Your words. Thank you so very much for my salvation and for Your working in my life. Amen.

Rest and delight in God's faithfulness to you no matter what season of life you are in or where God has you during this season. This week’s blog encourages you to rest and delight in God’s faithfulness to you no matter what season of life you are in or where God has you during this season. "In seasons of plenty, in seasons of pain You are so, so good” are some of the opening words in the song “Every Season” by Canyon Hills Worship. This song really spoke to me as I was reflecting over this past year-- so many varied seasons in my life. The song goes on to speak about our Father’s faithfulness- constant and stable in every season-- and comes to an end reminding us that we can trust God’s hand in every season. Oh, how sweet those words are as seasons come and go.   Next month we will have been back in the USA for 1 year after being in Germany for 5 years. We knew God was closing doors in Germany and we boarded the plane August 22 with heavy, torn hearts, but also a peace that we could not explain. At the time, we were not sure why God was moving us back to the states when there was an option to stay, but we trusted Him. He took us to Germany, extended our time there, and we knew that He was leading us back to the USA. It was still so HARD! One of the most wonderful seasons of our life together was the years in Germany. However, we knew that God’s ways and plans are always best. There have been many unexpected things that have come up and reasons seen by us in the past year that reminded us of God’s faithfulness in bringing us back in His timing. How blessed we were to have a Sovereign God preparing our path for things unseen knowing we could trust Him, clinging to His promises, accomplishing His plan for every season of our lives. As I looked over this song looking for scripture (as I often do with songs), I was so blessed! Canyon Hills Worship is not known to me so I cannot speak regarding the church. What I can speak to is the scripture represented over and over in this song and the peace this song offers as it focuses on God’s attributes. God is unchanging as stated in the lyrics as well as in Malachi 3:6; Hebrews 13:8 and James 1:17. God is good regardless of our circumstances seen in the chorus as well as 1 Chronicles 16:34; Psalm 27:13-14, 31:19-20, 34:8, 86:5, 100:5, 106:1, 136:1, 145:9; Lamentations 3:25; Nahum 1:7; Mark 10:18; and Luke 18:19. Oh how much I lean on some of these verses when the way ahead seems unclear or even depressing to me. I find hope and comfort knowing that my Abba Father always has things under control! For just a moment, think about all the promises we have from God through Jesus. He is good, so faithful, and so constant no matter how many times we fail or our circumstances. He is faithful through it all! His storehouse of blessings and love never run out for us. I don’t know about you but when I focus on these things, all of Satan’s attacks become so small. All the answers may not be seen but my heart can rest.  Why?  Because I can trust the promises of my Sovereign God, Creator of the universe, and my Abba Father. I can face tomorrow and all uncertainties without fear. A dear friend of mine has been caring for her mother who was admitted to Hospice. Her mother passed from this life to eternal joy with our Heavenly Father this past weekend. Oh, how my heart hurts for my sweet sister. I wish I could make the loss of her mother easier, but we all know this is a season that most all of us will walk through, and the greatest peace she has at this time is knowing that her mother is in heaven and not suffering with health issues any longer. Her mother’s season here on earth is over and she is walking with her Savior eternally now. No more seasons of life, no more suffering, no more battles, only worship and peace with our Creator! Can I get an “Amen”? I read a statement by John MacArthur this morning (who is not with our Savior) that said, “All death can do to the believer is deliver him to Jesus. It brings us into the eternal presence of our Savior.” Sweet sister, aren’t you thankful for God’s unchanging, unending promises, that His promises never change and His steadfast love endures forever? Me too! Last night as I laid in bed, I was replaying something in my mind that happened earlier in the day. I was a little hurt and a little exasperated regarding the happenings with another person. I was focusing on MY feelings, MY hurt and MY disappointment. I began praying about the situation and God so graciously changed my thoughts to focus on how very blessed I am to serve a risen Savior who works ALL things for our good, making us more like Jesus. As a smile came across my face, I was able to give thanks once again for God’s goodness and unchanging promises despite any situation or how anyone treats me. Dear sister, God is good, He knows what is going on in our lives and He can do something about it. What an awesome thought to go to sleep on. I am praying that as women read this blog entry that your hearts will be blessed and filled as you cling to His promises, His faithfulness and unchanging promises no matter where you are in this season of life. As you look at the snow, you can find the negative or positive. Those beautiful color-changing leaves in your yard can be viewed as a blessing of color and cool temperatures or a pain to clean up. That hot summer day can be used as joy watching a child play in water or as a time of complaining to the wonderful Provider of that sun. The choice of attitude during every season is yours. How will you look at the provision and promises from your wonderful Savior?   Verses to hide in your heart: Malachi 3:6 - “For I the Lord do not change; therefore you, O children of Jacob, are not consumed.” Hebrews 13:8 - “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.”   James 1:17 - “Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change.” 1 Chronicles 16:34 - “Oh give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; for his steadfast love endures forever!” Psalm 27:13-14 - “I believe that I shall look upon the goodness of the Lord in the land of in the living! Wait for the Lord; be strong, and let your heart take courage; wait for the Lord!” Psalm 31: 19-20 - “Oh, how abundant is your goodness, which you have stored up for those who fear you and worked for those who take refuge in you, in the sight of the children of mankind! In the cover of your presence you hide them from the plots of men; you store them in your shelter from the strife of tongues.” Psalm 34:8- “Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good! Blessed is the man who takes refuge in him!” Psalm 86:5 - “For you, O Lord, are good and forgiving, abounding in steadfast love to all who call upon you.” Psalm 100:5 - “For the Lord is good; his steadfast love endures forever, and his faithfulness to all generations.” Psalm 106:1 - “Praise the Lord! Oh, give thanks to the Lord, for he is good, for his steadfast love endures forever! Nahum 1:7 - “The Lord is good, a stronghold in the day of trouble; he knows those who take refuge in him.” Lamentations 3:22-25- “The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. “The Lord is my portion,” says my soul, “therefore I will hope in him.” The Lord is good to those who wait for him, to the soul who seeks him. ~ Live Sent I hope you will enjoy listening to this song: https://youtu.be/bJUUQkeVq2s

Is Christ truly my first priority? I don't mean like you know, He is important and that He should be your first priority. I mean, He IS your first priority. As Christian women, we often wear many hats that are seen and unseen. Mother, wife, sister, friend, professional, volunteer, and the list goes on and on. Our calendars fill up quickly, and before we know it, we’re running on empty, wondering where the day, week, or year has gone. But in all the chaos, we often forget the most important relationship in our lives: our relationship with Jesus. Over the last few weeks I have been praying about what to share with you all and one theme keeps coming up in all of my personal reading, sermons I’ve listened to, and in conversations I’ve had with my brothers and sisters in Christ…Relationship. Let’s pause for a moment and ask a hard question… Is Christ truly my first priority? I don’t mean like, you know He is important and that He should be your first priority.  I mean, He IS your first priority. It’s easy to say He is, especially when we're involved in ministry, attend church regularly, or post Bible verses on social media. But prioritizing Christ goes beyond outward appearances and actions.  It’s about the posture of our hearts. In Luke 10, we see the story of Mary and Martha. While Martha was “worried and upset about many things,” Mary chose to sit at Jesus’ feet and listen. Martha wasn’t doing anything wrong. She was serving, working hard, being hospitable, all the right things, but Jesus gently reminded her that “only one thing is necessary.” Mary chose it. She prioritized Him. We often live in Martha-mode, rushing from task to task, even in service to others. I am so guilty of living in Martha-mode, often running out of steam before I realize that I haven’t chosen the right thing…to sit and be still at the feet of Jesus. Jesus calls us to a Mary-heart.  That’s a life that begins with Him. A life that truly prioritizes Him before all else.   Making Christ first matters for many reasons, but I’ll point out these three: 1. Everything flows from Him. When Christ is first, everything else aligns. Peace takes root. Wisdom grows. Joy becomes a daily companion, not because life gets easier, but because He becomes your center. 2. It deepens your identity. The world is loud with opinions about who you should be. But when you abide in Christ, you discover who you truly are.  You are chosen, loved, forgiven, and equipped. 3. It strengthens your relationships. When Jesus leads your heart, you love your family better. You lead your children with grace. You forgive more easily. You become the friend, wife, or mother you were called to be. Not out of striving, but out of overflow. So, what have I learned and reflected upon while thinking about making sure that I’m living a Mary-life and that I’m intentionally seeking a strong relationship with Christ? • Start your day with Him. Even if it’s 10 minutes before the house wakes up. Read Scripture, pray, worship. Let your heart hear His voice first. • Protect your time with God. Schedule it like you would any important appointment. Don’t let it be the first thing to go when life gets busy. • Stay connected throughout the day. Whisper prayers. Play worship music. Meditate on a verse. Invite Him into your everyday moments. • Be part of a faith community. We were never meant to walk alone. Find women who will pray with you, challenge you, and keep your eyes on Jesus. Take a moment today to honestly reflect: What have I placed above Jesus in my life? It may not be something bad. It could be your family, your job, your ministry, or your comfort. But anything that takes His place becomes an idol, no matter how good it is. Idols are not always the gold, bronze, and wooden statues that we immediately think of.  An idol is anything… let me say that again, ANYTHING that takes the place of God in your life. The good news? He’s always ready for you to return. His arms are open, His grace is enough, and His presence is the only place your soul will truly find rest. Let’s be women who choose the “one thing that is necessary.” Let’s sit at His feet, walk in His Word, and let every part of our lives be shaped by the One who gave everything for us. You don’t need more time. You just need to put first things first. Start with Jesus. “But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be provided for you.” — Matthew 6:33 Written by Melissa Eastwood- Read her bio in "writers" of the menu.

We are in a state of spiritual warfare and if not prepared, Satan will tear us down & possibly detour another person from coming to Christ. It is very unusual that I would ask you to read a chapter in the Bible when reading one of my blog entries. It is also very unusual that I speak of Godlessness in the last days in contrast to a Christian being complete in Christ and living in the last days. However, due to a situation that I have been involved in and just observing the world around us, this chapter has been on my heart in so many ways lately. Oh, how my heart hurts for those going through the motions of attending church, having the appearance of godliness, but denying its power (2 Timothy 3:5). Those that are completely wrapped up in religious practices and routines without a thriving relationship with our Lord and Creator. Often these people truly are “always learning and never able to arrive at a knowledge of the truth” (vs 7). True knowledge and wisdom come only through God as seen in Proverbs 2:6, “For the Lord gives wisdom, from his mouth comes knowledge and understanding. James 1:5 and Proverbs 2:6-8 also address the wisdom that comes only from God. My blog would be much too long if I were to print the entire chapter here, so I encourage you to use your Bible App or pick up your Bible and read 2 Timothy 3 now or immediately after reading this blog. There is so much to gain from this chapter! Sister, we are in a state of spiritual warfare and if not prepared, armed and ready for the enemy, Satan, who is lurking around waiting for a moment of weakness, will tear us down and possible detour another person from coming to a saving knowledge of Christ. Don’t allow him to even get a foothold in your life. The Godless people described in verses 2-5 describe most of our society today. Indeed, as verse 1 says, “in the (these) last days, there will come times of difficulty”, we are there! Many of us question what we should do, how should we act and react, will we really be persecuted? Who are the “deceiving impostors” going from bad to worse in verse 13? How do we guard and protect ourselves? Sweet sister in Christ, the answers to all these questions and fears are found in God’s Word and we can begin in the final verses of 2 Timothy 3. Beginning in verse 13, I am going to simply list Paul’s instruction to Timothy. CONTINUE in what you have learned and firmly believe KNOW/ ACKNOWLEDGE the Source (God) of your knowledge TRUST in the foundational role and power of God’s Word to guide you CLAIM the power of Christ rather than fear evil/ your opposition READ scripture that you may be complete/ capable and equipped/ proficient in everything you are called to be and do John Piper said, “I have never met a mature, fruitful, strong, spiritually discerning Christian who is not full of Scripture, devoted to regular meditation on Scripture, and given to storing it in the heart through Bible memorization”.  Friend, these words from John Piper are a lot to think about especially considering the scripture shared with you here from 2 Timothy 3. Here are some “heart check” questions for you to think about and consider. Are you allowing God’s Word to teach you? You must read it to learn. Do you respond when God’s Word convicts you of weaknesses and shortcomings or do you ignore your precious Holy Spirit’s call? Do you allow/ make effort for correction? Is scripture memorization important to you to build a strong foundation and defense for living in these last days? The devil will attempt to defeat scripture memorization in every possible way- don’t let him win! Are you preparing your family (children) to stand firm? Are you setting an example in reading God’s Word and hiding it in your heart. They will need a firm foundation and much spiritual strength in the days ahead.   Although this is not the ordinary for my blogs, I want you to be encouraged through this scripture. Read and reread verses 14-17. Rejoice in God’s plan for your life. Rejoice that God is your “Firm Foundation”! Rejoice that you know the end of the story and that your “Abba Father” holds the future in His hands. He is ALWAYS faithful, but “Are we faithful to Him?” It is never too late to start! Pick up your Bible, read, memorize, pray. Prepare and arm yourself today for the battles you will face tomorrow.     {I decided to give you the passage here} 2 Timothy 3- But understand this, that in the last days there will come times of difficulty. 2 For people will be lovers of self, lovers of money, proud, arrogant, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, 3 heartless, unappeasable, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not loving good, 4 treacherous, reckless, swollen with conceit, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, 5 having the appearance of godliness, but denying its power. Avoid such people. 6 For among them are those who creep into households and capture weak women, burdened with sins and led astray by various passions, 7 always learning and never able to arrive at a knowledge of the truth. 8 Just as Jannes and Jambres opposed Moses, so these men also oppose the truth, men corrupted in mind and disqualified regarding the faith. 9 But they will not get very far, for their folly will be plain to all, as was that of those two men. 10 You, however, have followed my teaching, my conduct, my aim in life, my faith, my patience, my love, my steadfastness, 11 my persecutions and sufferings that happened to me at Antioch, at Iconium, and at Lystra—which persecutions I endured; yet from them all the Lord rescued me. 12 Indeed, all who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted, 13 while evil people and impostors will go on from bad to worse, deceiving and being deceived. 14 But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have firmly believed, knowing from whom you learned it 15 and how from childhood you have been acquainted with the sacred writings, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. 16 All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, 17 that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.   **Extra info: Jannes and Jambres are believed to be the two chief magicians (sorcerers) who withstood Moses and Aaron in Exodus 7. They exerted a wicked influence on Israel.   `Live Sent

Their relationships may look different from other families, but they are rooted in love and care. 2025 I’d like to share our family’s adoption story. It’s a story about how God’s plans are often different from our own, and how His ways don’t always look like the path we might have chosen. It’s a story of listening, of trusting, and of saying “yes” even when we weren’t sure what would come next. The verse that has carried me through is Proverbs 3:5-6: “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths.” That has been the heart of our journey—trusting God to direct our steps, even when we didn’t see the whole picture. The Call to Adopt When Jason and I got married, we thought we knew exactly how our family would look. We dreamed of two children—a girl and a boy. God was so faithful to bless us with that dream: our daughter was born in 2002 and our son followed in 2004. A few years later, while attending Centrikid with our daughter, I felt something stir deeply in my spirit. During one of the breakout sessions for leaders, I sensed God placing adoption on my heart. Looking back, I think He had been gently whispering this for some time, but that day His voice became clear and undeniable. Excited but a little unsure, I shared what I felt with Jason. He wasn’t sensing the same call just yet, which left me puzzled. For weeks I prayed, asking God to guide us. If this truly was His plan, I knew He would bring both of our hearts into agreement. On August 5, 2012—our daughter’s birthday—we were in church listening to a guest evangelist. I can’t remember the sermon, but I’ll never forget what happened afterward. As we got into the car, Jason turned to me and simply said, “Okay. I hear it too. Let’s start the process.” In that moment, God confirmed His calling for both of us. Meeting Toby I had already been quietly looking at adoption agency websites and waiting children. Deep down, I knew God was leading us to a child from a waiting list. That evening, as Jason and I sat together scrolling through profiles, we saw a little boy whose photo stopped us in our tracks. His name on the website was Jacob, but as soon as we looked into his eyes, we both knew: this was our son. The next day, I reached out to the agency. At first, though, it felt impossible. The financial requirements for adopting from China seemed out of reach. We prayed and wrestled with the numbers until one day Jason asked if we had included his retirement account. We hadn’t—and once we did, everything changed. We qualified. God had already provided the way forward. Then came the paperwork. Adoption agencies call it a dossier, but really, it’s stacks upon stacks of forms, documents, and background checks that take nearly a year to complete. Thirteen months later, we were boarding a plane to China to meet the little boy God had chosen for our family. Bringing Him Home Traveling across the world without our older two children was hard. We leaned heavily on our church family for prayer and support. They were incredible—donating, encouraging, and walking alongside us every step of the way. Our extended family, some of whom had been uncertain at first, also supported us as they saw our hearts set on following God’s call. When we finally met Toby, it was love at first sight. Though the government gave us 24 hours to “decide,” our hearts had already decided months earlier when we first saw his picture. We brought with us a Thomas the Tank Engine train—Toby—chosen just for him after we said yes to adoption. His face lit up when we placed it in his hands, and in that moment, we felt such peace. Later that night in our hotel room, however, the weight of change sank in for him. He realized he was in a new world with new faces, and he cried himself to sleep as I rocked him, whispering reassurances. That first night was tender and hard, but it was the beginning of trust. Life as a Family of Five Back home, our older two—Caroline and Nolan—couldn’t wait to welcome Toby. They had been cheering us on from afar, and now they finally got to hug their little brother. The transition wasn’t without bumps. There were moments of frustration (including one memorable brotherly bite!), and the language barrier made things tricky at times. But just like any siblings, they learned to love and adjust. Their relationships may look different from other families, but they are rooted in love and care. We knew from the beginning that Toby had cerebral palsy, and we were ready for that. Over time, however, more diagnoses came—intellectual disability, ADHD, autism spectrum disorder, visual processing disorder, and oppositional defiance disorder. While those labels explained some of his struggles, they never defined him for us. If given the chance to choose again, we would say “yes” without hesitation. He is fully ours—not born from my body, but born from our hearts. God’s Preparation Along the Way When I look back now, I see how God was preparing us long before adoption was ever on our radar. Years earlier, financial struggles led us to sell our dream home and move to St. Mary's, GA. At the time, it felt like a setback. But in that move, God gave us a new church family at Kingsland Baptist and opened the door for me to work in special education—an unexpected path that would later prepare me for parenting a child with special needs. God was weaving the story even when we couldn’t see the threads. Saying Yes If there’s anything I’ve learned, it’s this: when God calls, He equips. Saying “yes” doesn’t mean the road will be smooth or easy. Our family is far from perfect—most days feel a little messy. But His blessings and faithfulness have carried us through. James 1:22 reminds us, “But be doers of the word, and not hearers only.” And Luke 11:28 says, “Blessed are those who hear the word of God and keep it.” My encouragement to you is simple: if you feel Him calling, trust Him enough to say yes. The journey may not look perfect, but the rewards aren’t meant for this world anyway. They are eternal. And at the end of it all, my deepest prayer is to one day stand before Him and hear the words: “Well done, good and faithful servant.”