Keeping Your Word

Commit your way to the Lord; trust in him and he will do this:  He will make your righteousness shine like the dawn, the justice of your cause like the noonday sun.
Psalm 37:5,6

On Saturday, I had to have a little life talk with Carson.  Thursday night he had told us that he was going to go to school on Saturday and work a concession stand for one of the games.  It would give him service hours for National Junior Honor Society.  No problem, Bobby said he’d run him over and then go pick him up when he was done.

But we had a full week this past week and had been out on Friday night at a friend’s for dinner, and when Saturday morning rolled around, Carson was tired and decided he didn’t want to get up and go to school to work, he’d rather stay home and hang out with Chase.  And the more Bobby tried to encourage him to go, the more adament Carson became that he didn’t want to.

I asked Carson if he had committed to working this event.  He said, “No”, he’d just told them he might be there. 

I explained to Carson that he could stay home this one time, because he’d not made a commitment, but that it was very important to honor his word, whether he was tired or not.  If he said he was going to do something, he must honor that.

I work with a lot of volunteers at church.  Some are always on time, always doing what they said they would do.  Others … not so much.

Yesterday, our Pastor was talking about our commitments to God.  We make vows with him on Sunday, when we’re caught up in the emotion of the moment … we say, YES LORD, but then by Tuesday or Wednesday, we’ve let life get the best of us and we are back to … “No God, can’t do that right now.”

I want my little Carson to grow into a man of character … in life and with God.

I want to grow into a woman of character … in life and with God.

Father, thank you for teaching me how to be a woman of character.  I want your character, your spirit to fill me up, to flow through me, to flow out of me.  And Jesus, please teach my little Carson the same lesson.

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.
http://www.alifedecision.org

Are You Listening?

 

My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me.
John 10:27

We have a new family member, Jack, a Jack Russell Terrier. Jack is a sweetie pie, cute as a button, the total opposite of Zeke. Jack loves to hunt, he has a field day in our yard running from tree to tree chasing whatever it is that he is chasing. He plays keep away with Zeke, they chase each other around the house, each one trying to keep the ball or stuffed animal away from the other. Jack has never had an accident, he’s not chewed up anything except chew toys. He’s a good dog. But Jack does not listen to me.

I can be calling his name and he’s so focused in on what he’s doing … he totally ignores me. I have to actually go over to him and pick him up for him to stop doing what he’s doing and look at me. Jack does not hear my voice.

Zeke, on the other hand, who has been my best buddy for over five years always hears my voice. Even when I don’t want him to hear me, he does. I cannot say one word without Zeke being at my side. Sometimes I don’t have to even speak, I can just look at him and he’ll come over and lay his head on me. Zeke loves me, he listens for my voice and the second he hears it, he responds.

Sometimes I act like Jack, with God. I am so busy running around doing my thing, I don’t hear His gentle whisperings. He literally has to put a wall up in front of me for me to stop what I am doing and listen.

I want to be more like Zeke in my walk with Jesus. I want to hear His voice, whatever I’m doing – where ever I’m doing it. I want to stay attuned to His call.

I want to be part of His flock. I want to follow HIM.

Father, thank you for allowing me to see this example so clearly. Teach me Lord Jesus, how to hear your voice, no matter what the circumstance.

I Love You Jesus!
In Your Name I Pray,
Amen

God’s Blessing Upon You!

Love,
Joyce

Million Copy Give-Away.
    Will You Help?

http://www.alifedecision.org

Life is not about waiting for the storms to pass…
   it’s about learning to dance in the rain!

Big Dreams

“For I know the plans I have for you, ” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”
Jeremiah 29:11

Carson and Chase spend a lot of time talking about what they want to do when they grow up. Carson wants to be a Veterinarian and live on a farm in North Florida with a lake and raise Guinea Pigs and take care of hurting animals. That is a big dream.

Chase wants to work at Sea World and swim with the dolphins and the whales. He wants to own a preserve and have all sorts of animals there that he and his buddy, Josh, take care of. That is a big dream.

I used to have big dreams when I was a kid. Then I grew up … and I allowed life to steal my dreams.

A few years ago, my life turned around and I wrote a book about the hope and healing I had experienced through Jesus. Most authors dream of selling a million copies of their books. My book was never about the sales, but rather the lives helped.

I had an idea the other day … why couldn’t I GIVE AWAY A MILLION COPIES in E-Book Format? That’s a BIG DREAM … but I serve a BIG GOD!

So … here goes. I am dreaming big. Will you help me achieve my goal?

Please forward this email to your friends and family … let’s see how many lives God can affect through email … through the Internet … through a book about healing and hope!

Chili and Chocolate Cake is not your average inspirational book; and is as unique as the title. The author shares her message of forgiveness, restoration, and hope for hurting women– especially those who have experienced the loss of a child through abortion, miscarriage, or stillborn birth. This book is a shining testimony to the power of God to heal the broken heart. Author Joyce Schneider’s dramatic life and the miraculous change from a tortured young women to a great woman of God will encourage every reader. God even used the stablilty gained from preparing chili and chocolate cake to weave the thread of His grace throughout her troubled life. Get ready for an outpouring–from the barren days of the past, to springs of living waters; rivers that will refresh long after you close the pages of this book.

All the details are on my website:
http://www.alifedecision.org

Thank you for your support!

Father, thank you for dreams. Thank you for giving me the encouragement to step out of my comfort zone and make a difference … for you!

I Love You Jesus!
  In Your Name I Pray,
  Amen

God’s Blessings To You!

Love,
Joyce

 

 

Throwing Stones

There is an old saying, “People who live in glass houses, shouldn’t throw stones.”  I was reading a story in John the other day where Jesus made a similar statement.  He had been teaching in the temple, when the religious leaders brought before him a woman caught in the act of adultery.  They wanted to know what punishment the woman should have.  The Law of Moses commanded that she be stoned, but Jesus came to bring repentance to sinners; to save them, not destroy them.

The religious leaders were trying to entrap Jesus, to put him between a rock and a hard place.

Jesus encouraged the crowd who were pointing fingers at this woman to look inside themselves.  He urged whoever was without sin in their life to throw the first stone.  And no one could.  One by one, they turned and walked away.  When it was just Jesus and the woman left, he asked her if anyone had condemned her.  She said, “No.” 
 
“Then neither do I condemn you,” Jesus declared. “Go now and leave your life of sin.” (John 8:11)

Jesus didn’t condemn the woman, nor did he condone what she had done.  He implored her to move on … and stop doing what she had been doing.

WOW … that is such an encouragement for me.  I don’t have to beat myself up when I make a mistake.  I don’t have to be stoned to death … I simply need to STOP – to ask Jesus for forgiveness and turn away from whatever it was I was doing wrong.

And when others mess up … I need to not throw stones … but take a good hard look at myself.

Father, thank you for this lesson.  Teach me how to keep myself clean and clear; to not throw stones at others.

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!
http://www.alifedecision.org

Victim or Victor?

On Sunday night we were reading the story of the healing at the pool, from John, Chapter 5.  As the story goes, Jesus had gone up to Jerusalem for one of the feasts, and he was walking through the pool of Bethesda, where many disabled people hung out.  It was said that once a day, an angel stirred the water of the pool, and if you could get into the water, you would be healed. So this was a popular hangout for those with infirmities.  Jesus came upon a man lying by the pool who had been an invalid for 38 years.  He asked the fellow an interesting question, “Do you want to get well?”

 And the guy had an even more interesting answer, “I have no one to help me into the pool when the water is stirred. While I am trying to get in, someone else goes down ahead of me.”

Okay … So this guy made the effort to get to the pool every day, but when the water got stirred, he could never get into it for the healing. 

Seems to me, if I had someone help me get to the pool, after 38 years, I’d be asking them to stick around one day and help me get into the water.  Or something?  But the guy had determination, he hadn’t given up … he was continuing to make the effort to get there.

At first the guy’s response sounds like he’s a victim to his situation, but then we see the evidence of perseverance – he continues to come to the pool, in spite of the lack of  healing.  I believe this guy has some character.  How difficult would it be to continue dragging yourself to those waters day in and day out with no positive results?

There are always two ways to look at our situations.  We can be the victim, blaming others for what is going on in our lives.  Sometimes it just feels good to have that pity party for ourselves – but does it do us any good?  Do we feel better afterwards?  Are we any closer to Jesus?  Are we any closer to freedom or healing?

Or we can be the victor … taking responsibility for our actions and our reactions.  Although no wrong doing on our part caused the situation, we are looking for a positive way to remedy it.

Paul tells us:  Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already been made perfect, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 3:12-14)

So … am I a victim – living in the unfairness of my past, or a Victor, straining towards what is ahead! 

Father, help me to let my actions and my life portray the victory that I have already won through YOU!  Thank you that YOU are the Prize … life eternal with you. 

 I Love You Jesus!
   In Your Name I Pray,
   Amen

od Bless You!

Love,
Joyce

The Choices You Make Today …
Will Affect Your Tomorrow!
http://www.alifedecision.org

Happy First Day of School

Today is the first day of school … summer vacation is officially over. When we woke Carson this morning, Chase’s first words to him were, “Happy first day of school!” He was so excited to be going back to school, seeing his friends, getting back on a schedule.

This can be a happy day or a sad day, depending how you look at it. Chase chooses it to be a happy day!

Yesterday, our pastor was sharing a message on attitude. Our attitude affects our outlook. Our outlook affects our outcome.

There is a lot of negative in the world today. If we allow it, it can consume our thinking. And we become what we think: For as he thinks in his heart, so is he. ( Proverbs 23:7)

But Paul tells us what to focus our thoughts on:
Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. (Philippians 4:7-9)

Your choice …

Father, thank you for showing me what to focus my thoughts on. You are true, noble, right, pure, lovely, admirable, excellent and praiseworthy. Help me to keep my eyes and my mind on YOU!
This might not be the first day of school for me, but help me to look at today as a new day to serve 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!
http://www.alifedecision.org

Life is not about waiting for the storms to pass…
it’s about learning to dance in the rain!

Without Applause

How much of what we do is for other eyes?

So many of us give of our time. Whether it’s volunteering at our child’s school, at our church, or in our community – we can have the wrong motivation in being involved.

I believe that God wants us to give of ourselves. I believe He wants us to help the needy, the poor, to share, and to love. But is it really love if we tell everyone what we have done? Do we really serve if we serve from a heart that is hoping everyone will notice our efforts?

I read a verse in the Bible that talked about our rewards in heaven. It mentioned that it is those things done in secret that will get rewarded. It got me to thinking about how many times I have told someone something I have done for someone else in the hopes that they will be proud of me, admire me, or want to emulate my actions. And I’m ashamed of that. For when I do that, it kind of defeats the selfless giving that I did in the first place!

I now understand why God doesn’t want us to boast about how much we help someone else. He wants us to do something out of a heart that is filled with His love. He wants us to be willing to give our money, our time, and our hearts without needing, wanting, or expecting recognition for what we have done. If we can sacrifice something, if we can deny ourselves something in order for someone else to benefit – then that is true service.

I want to live the kind of life and be the kind of person that can do for others regardless of who may be watching. I want to be able to do great things for others knowing there will be no applause from anyone else. To me, that is true service and true love.

 

~ Dionna Sanchez

Founder of the EmphasisOnMoms.com ministry

Blogs at http://emphasisonmoms.blogspot.com

Growing Strong

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.
Philippians 1:6

Last night the boys and I were coming back from our walk and as I walked down the driveway, I noticed once more, how large our palms had become. I asked Chase if he knew the story behind the palms, he didn’t, so I shared it with him.

Fourteen years ago, I bought 40 Royal Palm plants. Now, looking at them, you wouldn’t know they were Royal Palms, they looked like a 10 inch blade of grass. But the man promised me they’d grow into trees, so I brought them home.

Bobby and I nurtured those plants, they were our babies as Carson and Chase hadn’t come along yet. We watered, and fertilized them, repotting them each time they grew too large for the pot they were in. A frost came one night, when we weren’t prepared, and wiped out over half of them. We ended up with 16 strong trees to plant along our driveway.

Two hundred feet of hose allowed us to continue to bring the water to them and Carson and I spent hours out there watering those trees during the dry season.

A couple of years ago, I went to get the mail and noticed one of our trees had died. It made me sad … it had looked fine on the outside, but a decay had formed inside and choked the life out of it.

The growth of the palm trees is such a special example to me, of our walk with Jesus. Those trees started out as fragile sprigs, but after years of nurturing, they are now strong vital trees, able to survive the storms. We start out with fragile sprigs of faith, maybe just a glimmer of hope in us. But with constant nurturing, from God and from others who have walked the path before us, we can grow into strong trees of faith. The storms will still come, but we will be able to withstand them.

Father, thank you for letting me see your hand in everything around me. Thank you for protecting me from the freezes and the decay that has tried to steal me from you. And Lord Jesus, thank you for loving me, first!

I love you Jesus!
In Your Name I Pray,
Amen

God Bless You!
Joyce

The Choices You Make Today …
Will Affect Your Tomorrows!
http://www.alifedecision.org

All In The Serve

So many of us claim to love the Lord.  We say we are Christians, but we don’t do anything with our faith.  We fail to go to church, or we go and don’t get involved.  We talk to God, but we don’t take any risks on His behalf – like trying to reach the lost.  We are more concerned with being comfortable, being safe, and not being inconvenienced.
 
We only have one chance here on earth.  We only have one chance to serve God.  And time is running out.
 
How do you serve for the Lord?  Are you making wise use of your days here on earth?  Are you walking it out for God or spinning your wheels on things that won’t matter in the long run?
 
Tough questions. What kind of answers do you have?

 

~ Dionna Sanchez (http://emphasisonmoms.blogspot.com)

Allies

Ever notice how most Christians look for “fellow sojourners” or “allies” in the church?   But what if a church doesn’t teach that the heart is central, or that the spiritual battle is real? Many churches focus on programs, busyness, social causes, teaching “sound doctrine” and so on. Nothing wrong with any of that, but take the heart out of “church” and it can become soul-killing. Where do we learn how to walk with God, from and with the heart?

Take it a step or two further.   How do you get to know several hundred or even several thousand other people beyond the superficial Sunday morning “Hello” and “Goodbye”? Where do you do “life together”?  How do you pray for one another, specifically and strategically?  When and where do they learn your story, and you learn theirs?

It could be in a small group. An “organic church.” A home fellowship, “cell group” or “fellowship hour” or a “growth group.”   Whatever you  call it, it has to be real and “bite-sized.”  It has to be small enough, yes, intimate enough to form authentic alliances.

It has to be in “a company of Christians.” These people must be open to being moved and changed by the works they’re reading, the parties they’re throwing, the plans they implement, by the stories and shared lives of the group. These clubs or groups or fellowships or friends don’t gather just to critique or plan or hang out, but to be transformed.  (See Romans 12:1,2.)

Do you have allies like that? If not, ask God to lead you to people who share a similar vision. Pray. Then – initiate.  Open your heart first.  Then open your doors… and watch God work.

Shared by Kristine.