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Shared by Kristine, author, blogger, humorist, homeschooler, and chief wrangler at the ‘ole testosterone farm.

Lion Chaser?

Benaiah chased a lion down into a pit. Then, despite the snow and slippery ground, he caught the lion and killed it.
II Samuel 23:20

I read a great book this week, In a Pit with a Lion on a Snowy Day, by Mark Batterson. The concept of the book is taken from a passage in II Samuel, a scripture that I might have read a time or two … but never really gave much thought.  This guy, Benaiah, was a valiant fighter who performed great exploits, according to the passage.  One day he actually chased a lion down into a pit and killed it.  I mean really?   He then went on to be in charge of King David’s Bodyguard and then Commander in Chief of King Soloman’s army.  Pretty impressive resume.

I wonder what he was thinking that day …  Hey, I think I’ll go kill myself a lion?

He actually chased the lion … and he won!  And he went on to have an amazing career in Israel’s army under the two most powerful Kings of all times!

David knew a little about lions and bears and giants. When he was pleading with King Saul to let him fight the giant, Goliath, he shared that he had actually killed a lion and a bear in his father’s pastures, while tending to the sheep.  Scripture tells us that David ran quickly towards Goliath that infamous day, and he won! (I Samuel 17).   And he went on to become King of Israel!

In his book, Mark says:  Your greatest regret at the end of your life will be the lions you didn’t chase. You will look back longingly on risks not taken, opportunities not seized, and dreams not pursued. Stop running away from what scares you most and start chasing the God-ordained opportunities that cross your path.

Your greatest regrets will be the lions you didn’t chase … I love that!

I don’t want regrets in my life.  I want to take the risks.  I want to pursue the dreams that God has given me.

I want to be a lion chaser.

Thank you Jesus for giving us dreams to pursue and lions to chase.  Help us Lord to not be complacent with status quo or comfortable.  Ignite that spark in each of our souls Lord to seek after YOU with our entire being.

   I love you Jesus!
   In your name I pray,
   Amen

God’s Blessings To You!

Love,
Joyce

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Into His Presence

Who is the “you” that no one else sees? Who is the “you” that hides hurts deep inside?

There are just times in life where it feels like the winds of life are beating down on us and we are standing up by ourselves facing that wind on our own. It’s not that others don’t care or aren’t trying to understand what we are going through – it’s just that God has asked us to go through this particular challenge in life, with Him alone. These are the times where He draws us into His presence to teach us something, or show us something very personal. It feels like we will break at times – but we won’t. We will only bend.

I used to dread these times in my life. I would feel sorry for myself and wonder why only “I” could really feel or understand a certain situation or circumstance. Now I am learning to embrace them. It’s not that they are comfortable or that I have grown some newfound courage to endure hard times – it’s simply that I am gaining an inner understanding about what these challenges in my life are about.

They are about God drawing me closer to Him.

My mom and I were talking about how situations in life grow character in your heart. I used to tell her that I didn’t want more character – because it usually hurt to get it! But as we were talking, remembering and smiling about this; I shared with her that although it hurts to get stretched by God at times, I have never once regretted a painful, hurtful, or challenging time in life that was designated by God. Not once. Because He has used each one in my heart and life to have a ministry and to help others. He has used each one to grow insight into my heart, to mature me as a believer, and to draw me closer to Him. And oh how I love to be closer to Him!

Wherever we are in life; if we are feeling all alone or that maybe God is “sifting” us and weeding things out of our lives — please consider the fact that He may just be calling you by name and asking you to personally come into His presence for a little while so that He may share some truths with you and you alone. It can be a very special and precious time that is shared by only you and the Lord, if you choose to look at it that way.

Right now, God may be trying to draw you into His presence. You may be going through things that no one else can go through with you. Let Him speak to you – let Him be with you. Draw the strength and courage you need from being in His presence.

~ Dionna Sanchez

Visit Dionna’s main blog at http://beautyinthestorm.blogspot.com

At Ease!

Military people in service to their country know very well the difference between standing at attention or at ease. “Attention!”  The command instantly moves a soldier to an erect rigid stance. They barely breathe! All respect to commanding officers is displayed in row after row of soldiers standing at attention.   

“At ease!” Bodies take the cue when given permission to relax. Have you ever seen a balloon on a string freed from the hands of a child? It floats above, supported only by prevailing winds. It is at ease! Earlier the child gripped it tightly, holding it back.

Is your spirit at attention, or at ease? Do you find yourself rigidly standing on a cliff fearing you may be pushed over the edge? Back up, green pastures are behind you! Jesus lovingly whispers. “At ease!” Give Him your attention and He’ll put your mind at ease. “Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls (Matthew 11:28-29 NKJ).” Rest in the everlasting arms!

An Attitude of the Heart

Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Philippians 4:6,7

This is the time of year that we take a moment and think about what we are thankful for. At our dinner on Thursday, some of us will share our individual thoughts of gratitude. We’ll be thankful for our families, and our friends and the kids are always thankful for their pets. But as I was lying in bed this morning pondering this holiday of thanks, I realized that these things are simply blessings, the real source of thankfulness should be to the Provider. That was how the holiday originally started. A day to give thanks to the Lord.

It all started back in the early 1600’s. A group of Pilgrims had left England because of religious persecution. They traveled to Holland and lived with the Dutch for several years. But when their children started speaking Dutch and becoming attached to the Dutch way of life, the English felt their morals were being threatened and decided to head to America.

On September 6, 1620, 110 Pilgrims set sail for the new world on a ship called, The Mayflower. The trip across the ocean took 65 days and many folks became sick and one even died during the voyage. They settled in Plymouth, but by this time, winter had already invaded New England, and their living conditions were sparse, to say the least. The Pilgrims did the best they could that first winter, but out of the original 110 who had set sail in September, less than 50 survived. Life was looking pretty bleak, but they didn’t lose faith.

Then in March, the weather started to clear up and the Pilgrims met a fellow that changed their lives. An Indian by the name of Squanto walked into their camp. He spoke English, he had traveled to England with other sailors and learned their language. He taught the Pilgrims how to survive in this new land. As a result of those lessons, their harvest that fall was plentiful. And they had a huge celebration to give thanks to God for the provision that He had shown them.

Thanksgiving isn’t just a day to stuff ourselves with turkey or to try to get the best shopping deals.

Thanksgiving is an attitude of the heart and one that we should live out all year round.

Father, You are so faithful. Those early Pilgrims simply wanted to live in peace in a place where they could worship you. And the journey that they endured to do that was truly amazing. And yet, in the midst of their challenges, you provided just what they needed. Father, forgive me when I fuss about my little discomforts, help me to have the fortitude to endure whatever comes my way. And Lord Jesus, thank you for all the blessings you have provided for me and that I can live my life in peace, worshipping you.

I Love You Jesus.
In Your name I pray,
Amen

God’s Blessings Upon You!

Love,
Joyce
The Choices You Make Today…
Will Affect Your Tomorrow!
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“Not thinking. Remembering.”

Don’t you just love Thanksgiving?  It’s a favorite holiday at our house. Even though we live thousands of miles from our nearest family, childhood homes and every grandparent has passed away, I love the fact that Thanksgiving is largely attitudinal.  As such, it’s more difficult to commercialize than Christmas (altho some are trying).

Thanksgiving is a chance to lift our eyes from our human-soaked selves and focus on the ultimate Source of all good things and every perfect gift. (James 1:17) The holiday offers an opportunity to slow down, re-charge, re-focus, serve others and … remember.

Are you familiar with the old MGM movie from 1960, “The Alamo“?  There’s a line uttered by John Wayne (Davy Crockett) that’s extraordinary and profound in its simplicity.  Huddled into the old San Antonio mission on the night prior to Santa Ana’s attack, Wayne delivers this immortal line in response to a question about what he’s thinking:

Not thinking.  Remembering.

In a very real sense, that’s what giving thanks is all about, isn’t it?

Can we stop for a few moments today and direct our thoughts heavenward with thanks as we remember:

- The “land of the pilgrim’s pride, land where our fathers died, from ev’ry mountain side…”

- Family

- Good books

- Challenges that have stretched us; trials that have made us stronger; adversities that have caused us to sink our roots ever deeper into the Anchor of our Soul.

- Friends who love us enough to tell us the truth (instead of what we may want to hear)

- Health

- Libraries

- The steadfast promises of a faithful God whose lovingkindnesses are new every morning.

- Free speech

- Puccini arias

- The loyalty and affection of pets (dogs rule!  Not that I’m biased or anything

- The wondrous glory of God as revealed in His creation

- “God moments” where He quietly, gently reveals Himself in ways we can hear, see, know, and understand.  Author Jan Karon calls these “Patches of Godlight.”

- Grace and truth

- The empty tomb!

… So much more.  What are you thankful for today?  What are you remembering?

A reflection shared by Kristine, author, blogger, humorist, homeschooler, and professional mom.

***

Photos (Top, B&W): Parents wedding pic, Tom and Margaret Naas, Detroit, Michigan, 1951.

Color: Husband Chris and me, 1983.

Body Maintenance

I used to glide by in life. In saying that, I mean that I didn’t pay a lot of attention to what I ate, how much I ate, how little I exercised or anything else. I was fairly slender and doing well – so I didn’t pay attention to any “maintenance” that needed to be done. But then “age” happens.

You have that Dr. appt. that goes a little less than well. Your cholesterol is too high and they tell you that it needs to be lowered. You do it for a while and things go good but then life happens and you forget. Time creeps up on you and before you know it your weight is a little heavier than you’d prefer and you have these issues you need to pay attention to again.

God says that our bodies are vessels of the Holy Spirit. Those words mean a little bit more to me in my 30’s than they did in my 20’s. They mean more because I see how I haven’t taken care of myself as well as I should have at times. I ate too much junk food, too much fatty food, and just TOO much food! Luckily for me, I don’t weigh 500 lbs but it still takes a toll on your body and your health over time.

My dad used to tell me that I couldn’t just drive a car, I had to pay attention to keeping it tuned up and maintained. The same is true of our bodies. Just because we think we look good on the outside doesn’t mean we are running well on the inside. And how we live, what we do – it affects our families. Our children learn good or bad eating habits from us. They learn to be active or sedentary from us. And they learn how to view themselves from us. That’s a lot to put on our shoulders but we can handle it if we in turn, place it on God’s shoulders. It just takes tackling things one step at a time.

I want to be around for a long time. I want my children to have a mom around to see them grow up. I want to be healthy enough to do things with them and to enjoy those things. I want to someday enjoy being with my grandchildren! But that means that I have to start taking care of myself now.

Vow to make one change in your life today. Maybe it’s starting to take a daily multivitamin or walking 20 min a day. Maybe it’s only eating what’s on your plate and not getting seconds or serving healthier snacks or drinks to your kids. Whatever it is, make your goal tangible and do it for yourself because you care about yourself and love yourself. No other goal will stick. You can’t do it for others – you have to do it for yourself. Then, give yourself time to adjust. Cut yourself some slack when you fail at times. It takes awhile for new habits to be established in our lives! Then, once you get that goal down, give yourself another goal and watch your life slowly change into a healthier lifestyle.

I’m right there with you taking and making small goals for myself. It takes baby steps and it takes determination but we CAN do it. We can take care of the vessel that God gave us and learn to embrace it and pamper it with better food, more exercise, and a newfound joy. Let’s do it together and model what GREAT living is really all about.
~ Dionna Sanchez is the Founder of EmphasisOnMoms.com

What’s there to fear?

Be strong and of good courage, do not fear nor be afraid of them; for the LORD your God, He is the One who goes with you. He will not leave you nor forsake you. Deuteronomy 31:6 NKJV

Have you ever been in a situation you had no idea how it would turn out?  It can be confusing, frustrating and cause us to live in fear.

God’s Word reminds us to be strong, of good courage and not fear what’s before us.  God has a plan and purpose for us.  What He purposes always comes to pass.

God is trustworthy.  He cannot lie, but always tells the truth.  There is no deception in Him.  He is not a schemer or manipulator.  He is a Miracle-Maker.  What is impossible to man is very possible for God.

Every situation we find ourselves in is an opportunity to glorify God by not fearing and trusting in Him instead.  The Lord our God, He is the One who goes with us.

The God who spoke the world into existence, the One with unlimited creativity who designed every plant, animal and person to be completely unique, the One who heals people with a simple word or touch or glance, this is the Mighty God who goes with us.  God who works all things for good to those who love Him and are called according to His purpose is the same God who will never leave us or forsake us.

What is there to fear when the One True God is with us?

Father God Almighty, there are many things that cause us fear down here.  Strength our faith and belief in You.  Help us to trust you completely, for you are completely trustworthy.  Let us not lean on our own understanding but in all our ways acknowledge you so you will direct our path.  In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

©Elizabeth Marks has led small group Bible studies for almost a decade.  Author of ThinkOnItBibleDevotions.com and BeingWomenOfInfluence.com websites she has a heart for encouraging others with God’s Word.

“How we use them…”

Not what we say about our blessings, but how we use them, is the true measure of our thanksgiving.

- W.T. Purkiser

Shared by Kristine

It Makes Scents

I have a favorite old shirt of my husband’s that I just couldn’t bear to part with. So I saved it and when I wear it, I love burying my head inside of its collar and smelling my husband’s “scent” on it. It is so personal – so “him.”

It occured to me that our scent is like that to God. He knows our scent and it is personal to Him. The very knowledge and details of who we are – are not only noticed by Him, but valued and cherished. He longs to feel close to us.

I love knowing that everything about me is so special to my God. I love wrapping myself up in the knowledge that God wants to be with me and in my presence.

As this revelation came to me, I just wanted to write it down to remind me that I am very loved.

As are you.

~ Dionna Sanchez

http://www.EmphasisOnMoms.com/newsletter.htm