Everyday MattersThere's a reason for everyday.
Despite the bad and the good, everyday matters. |
5/16/2024
EmotionsThursday Matters- May 16, 2024
Emotional Sickness Ya know, how sometimes you get physically sick, like the flu and it's not because you're not reading the Bible enough or doing enough acts of service, you just get sick. Well sometimes you get emotionally sick and it’s not because you’re a “bad Christian.” There can be all kinds of factors that play into all kindness of sicknesses like lack of sleep, an infection, a damaged relationship and sometimes we need medication to get well. It’s okay. Remember that no matter what emotional or physical state you’re in, God loves you as you are. We’ll go through challenging seasons where it doesn't make sense but it’s in the hard places where we grow. God tells us in 2 Corinthians 12:9, “that His strength is perfected in our weakness. “Sometimes the hardest thing to do is just let go and let God take care of us or by asking someone for help or taking medication. He works in many different ways and through many different people. In every place and time, He wants you to know how much He loves and values you…everyday. 5/9/2024
Serving OthersThursday Matters- May 9, 2024
Everyday Serve Honestly, I think the best way to help yourself is by serving others. I like working as a waitress at age 57 a few times a month. It’s community and connection and it helps me. When Mother Teresa was asked how she was able to minister to so many people she replied, “I simply serve the person God puts in front of me.” Love and serve the people God puts in front of YOU each day. I realized that if I wanted to be known and loved for who I am, I first had to be honest and vulnerable so I could fully share who I am with others. I’ve found that the part of you you're most afraid to share is, more than likely, the part others have been waiting with bated breath to see. To be seen vulnerably is a risk, but it’s one worth taking because it allows others to be vulnerable too. Focus on the people God puts in front of you each day. You make a difference by taking the time to listen and connect with others…everyday. 5/2/2024
SignificanceThursday Matters- May 2, 2024
Everyday Important What makes you feel important loved or even liked? How often do you check the “likes” on your Instagram or Facebook post? I know. Been there. Done that. But REALLY the place I feel the most love is when I know who I am and whose I am. I’m God’s girl. He loves all of you and He LONGS to have you rid yourself of the garbage and dirt that makes you feel ashamed or unloved. We’re so important and significant to God. He gets us, gives us gifts to have purpose and He never stops loving us. Jesus instructs that we’re to be willing to accept ourselves as least in importance. The least is a symbol of those who have the lowest places in society; the poor and the oppressed, the prostitutes, the tax collectors. But Jesus concern was that these should not be treated as inferior (Matthew 18:10). He was well aware of their feelings of shame, and because of their humility and His compassion they were of REALLY great value. Remember with God, you’re always popular…everyday. 4/25/2024
GraceThursday Matters- April 25, 2024
Everyday Good Words How do you know when you’ve given enough to get to God? Don’t you just have to perform a bunch of good deeds? I see Jessica helping the poor and marginalized all the time so she must be close to God. And aren’t there many different roads that can lead to God? But what about the people that have been taught to hate and are the poor just virtuous? That sounds right, but it is not what Jesus said. Jesus said you cannot earn Him taking the executioner's cross for you. We instinctively know this. If a soldier drapes his body over a grenade to save his friends, we recognize it as a sacrifice. Something we honor, but not something we can pay him back for. The same is true with Jesus. He loves us for who we are and not for what we do. The good things we do, like soup kitchens for the poor and others acts of kindness, are out of our love for Him…everyday. 4/18/2024
Fully LovedThursday Matters- April 18, 2024
Everyday Fully Loved I’m thankful for God’s Word because He is the Word! HE is our Redeemer! The Bible isn’t about us. The Bible is about God and His redemption. Of course, wickedness is judged, but that’s not the focus of the story. Redemption and restoration to the glory of God is! That's it. The Woman at the Well ran to tell others about a man who met her thirst (Is He the Messiah?)! She did not run back into town to tell others that she felt judged, but rather she ran to let others know, that despite her past, Jesus accepted her where she was at. He is that same God. Nothing we could do would ever take His love away from us nor is there anything we could do to cause Him to love us more. He knows me, my pain, my ache from the loved one I lost, the cancer that came to my husband, and my anxiety attacks. HE IS here, waiting to make creative, redemptive use of what has happened. He knows, He “gets us” and He loves us unconditionally…everyday. 4/11/2024
PeaceThursday Matters- April 11, 2024
Everyday Flood of Peace Do you feel as if you’re drowning? Maybe it’s literal in the fact that the city you live in is flooding due to a storm. What do you do? You try and move to solid and higher ground to keep from drowning…right? And there you move with the love and help of God through others, so you’re not swept away by the water. Well, the same is true for holding unto the peace God gives us and promises in John 14:27, “Peace, I give you. Don’t be afraid.” “But it’s flooding,” you cry out. He knows. He’s there. God has peace to give no matter what difficult things flood your life. But we have to choose to receive His peace. Sometimes I have to say aloud; “God I choose to receive the peace you give and not this fear I feel.” God is not surprised in what’s happening. He is always on the move. He is there for you…everyday. 4/4/2024
Listen and loveThursday Matters- April 4, 2024
Everyday Future Wives Perhaps you’ve never entered into the teen zone of angry and angrier but me? Been there. Done that. What’s crazy is that our anger can actually stem from love. We see the bad choices our teen is making and we just want them to stop and listen so we yell and then they yell. The book of James says; “Be quick to listen, slow to speak, slow to become angry because our anger doesn’t produce results like we or God wants when it’s NOT filled with grace. One day when I was going at it with my teen I was also in the book of Proverbs 14 reading, “She who foams up quickly and flies into a passion deals foolishly.” Maybe stop, take a breath, ask God to deal with you and you’ll see the grace He gives to you is the way you’ll be able to give grace to your teen…everyday. 3/28/2024
Wanting MarriageThursday Matters- March 28, 2024
Everyday Wives I don’t want to be like Rebekah who said to Isaac in Genesis 27:46; “What good will my life be to me if Jacob takes wives such as Esau did with these Hittite women (women who didn’t know the living God)?” Once my husband Dan began a relationship with Christ, he didn’t see the point in dating, so he prayed very specifically to God for a wife. Three years after this prayer, God answered, and Dan got me! Because God knew both our hearts, He matched us together perfectly. I know, without a doubt, that the prayers of my great grandfather and other family members played a significant part in bringing my husband Dan and I together. When our four sons where young, before school I made it a practice to put my hand on each their heads and pray for their future wives. I wanted them to also have the assurance that God chose someone specifically for them to spend their lives with…everyday. 3/21/2024
ReligionThursday Matters- March 21, 2024
Everyday Religion My husband Dan did not become a Christian until he in his 20’s and in college. He never grew up going to church so in college he wanted to know if there was a God. He studied the religions of the world and THEN saw the uniqueness of Jesus. Jesus claims to be the way, not just show the way. And there is an enormous difference in religion and the forever-relationship Jesus offers. It’s not based on what we do but what He’s done. ALL religions require us to do something or sacrifice to please God so we can earn heaven. Most religions are intolerant of people who disagree with them. Some even hate and want to hurt those who disagree. Jesus' message is just the opposite He says, "Let your love be genuine, hate what is evil, hold on to what is good." "Love your enemies" not just tolerate them. What? The message of Jesus is to LOVE and forgive others, which you can only do once you have seen your bad self and accepted His forgiveness…everyday. 3/14/2024
AnxietyThursday Matters- March 14, 2024
Everyday Anxiety The earth experience is hard but it’s not our home. Knowing what we need to do and then doing it are two different things. I sometimes get these crazy anxious thoughts and then have a physical response by having an anxiety attack, but courage is to go forward despite it. I know I need to turn to God 100% to get to the other side. Turning toward God and from the direction you were going is what “repent” means. In God’s holiness He must punish sin but, in His love, He didn’t want to punish us. Christ proclaims our infinite worth and His eternal love for us aside from any human standard, even our own. We will live forever in a community of equals – saints and sinners, all, saved by grace. Remember Romans 8:1, “There is therefore now no condemnation for those in Christ Jesus.” Our temporary imperfection is a quality which actually connects us to others rather than a secret shame which sets us apart. I still get anxiety attacks, but in faith I trust Christ…everyday. |
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