Everyday MattersThere's a reason for everyday.
Despite the bad and the good, everyday matters. |
4/16/2020
HobbiesThursday Matters- April 16, 2020
Everyday Clothes Hobby When someone says, “I have a hobby” I usually think their crafty. My hobby is that I like to do self-decorate. I create outfits which I call costumes. Sometimes I wear my pajama costume for the day. God enjoys all of us and our unique hobbies. Not so enjoyable is when our hobby causes havoc in the home which it has for me when I’ve exceeded our costume budget. God knows and cares about what you care about. We can always ask Him for help and balance. I wanted a new coat. I needed one (or so I thought). I prayed about it and as I was dropping off clothes at a consignment shop I picked up a check which just happened to be the same amount as a perfectly perfect purple coat which had my name on it. Isn’t that so nice of God? God cares about what concerns you, even it’s a new coat…everyday. 4/15/2020
Prayer WorksWednesday Matters- April 15, 2020
Everyday Prayers Working Something happens when we pray that doesn’t happen when we don’t. Let me say that again, “Something happens when you pray that doesn’t happen when you don’t.” BUT if we don’t feel or see an answer to what we were asking for then we may start to think that God isn’t listening. BUT He always hears. Sometimes the answer is “no” and sometimes the answer is “yes.” I think the hardest reply is to hear, “wait.” “I don’t get it. It’s not fair and God I’m starting to wonder if You care or even exist.” We all may have had those thoughts at one time or another but don’t give up. God is always on the move. He’s on “it” whatever “it” may be. I love Psalm 27:13, “I would’ve despaired unless I’d believed that I’d see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living.” There is goodness while on earth even though it’s not our final destination. Waiting is hard but with God it’s worth it…everyday. 4/14/2020
PrayTuesday Matters- April 14, 2020
Everyday Pray for Others Sometimes when I wake up, wait, who am I kidding, most times when I wake up I think about myself and my problems. So I found, rather than begin with self-pity I'll ask God, "Who do You want me to pray for? Who needs it?" And every time I ask a name comes across my forehead. Recently, a friend I see maybe twice a year opened up on Facebook about a health concern. It’s funny because her name spelled, J-a-n-e-l-l-e came across my forehead rather than the spelling of my sister-in-law, who has the same name but different spelling. I prayed for her health, hope and restoration. Then I moved on to the next person. I decided to send a message to Janelle to tell her I was praying for her and her response was, “What a pick-me-up to hear from you. I know your prayer is making a difference. And you know what, her response picked me up too. There's nothing we can't face when we have God as our strength and the support of prayer. Trust that others are praying for you…everyday. 4/13/2020
Simply PrayMonday Matters-April 13, 2020
Everyday Lord’s Prayer How should you pray? Looking to the Bible for that answer or any other one is gonna give you a great answer. You can read the Message Bible for its relatable language. I mean look at Matthew 6 telling how to pray the Lord’s Prayer; "Here's what to do: Find a quiet place and just be there as simply and honestly as you can manage. The focus will shift from you to God, and you will begin to sense His grace. The world is full of so-called prayer warriors who are prayer-ignorant. They're full of formulas and programs and advice, peddling techniques for getting what you want from God. Don't fall for that nonsense. Pray simply: Our Father in heaven, reveal who You are. Set the world right; Do what's best— as above, so below. Keep us alive with three square meals. Keep us forgiven with You and forgiving others. Keep us safe from ourselves and the Devil. You're in charge! You're ablaze in beauty. That’s the kind of sincere prayer that’ll make a difference…everyday! 4/10/2020
Freedom in a RelationshipFriday Matters- April 10, 2020
Everyday Barrier My husband was explaining to our sons what forgiveness really is and I loved his explanation. When we forgive someone who’s sinned against us the barrier in the relationship is removed. We can again see the person as God sees them rather than looking at the hurt of the sin every time we picture or see them. God doesn’t ask us to forgive others to earn any favor with Him. There’s nothing we can do to earn His love. He loves us as we are. And when we realize it’s an act of our will and a choice to forgive rather than something we let our feelings decide it can make the process a whole lot easier. I know from experience that it’s my anger and hurt that makes me FEEL like I can’t forgive or I’ll never see justice. Only by the power of the Holy Spirit can I let go and trust God to work in me to truly forgive and avenge me as He says He will….everyday. 4/9/2020
GrievingThursday Matters- April 9, 2020
Everyday Until I See You Again Trisha and Ben were excited to deliver their second child but the day before their child was due the doctors couldn’t find a heartbeat. So Tishri was induced and gave birth to baby Brendan, perfectly formed, but already in the arms of Jesus. The following Sunday their pastor brought a message of hope from 1 Thessalonians: “The grave isn’t the last word. Since Jesus died and broke loose from the grave, God will certainly bring back to life those who have fallen asleep in Jesus.” Jill, a friend of Trisha decided to write a song for all the women who know this kind of loss.” The words go like this: “Now I lay you down to sleep, Oh, my baby, sweet and fair, Until we're caught up in the clouds, I take your hand, and we meet God in the air. Until then, I'll miss you. Until then, I'll love you. I can't wait to see you.” Imagine what a reunion that will be…everyday. 4/8/2020
EmpathyWednesday Matters- April 8, 2020
Everyday Compassion for the Hurting There’s someone hurting who needs healing, someone unloved who needs our touch; elderly, needing to feel that we care; and someone who is weak and needs the support of our shared weakness. I get it. Author and speaker, Brennan Manning, who has since left this earth, still inspires me. He said; “One of the most healing words I ever spoke as a confessor was to an old priest with a drinking problem. “Just a few years ago,” I said, “I was a hopeless alcoholic in the gutter in Fort Lauderdale.” “You?” he cried. “O, Thank God!” When we bring a smile to the face of someone in pain, we have brought Christ to them. I know what it is to hurt and I know pain. What helps me? It’s NOT to hear more of what I should and should not do. I need to hear; “There’s hope. I’m sorry for this ache in your heart.” Weep with those who weep and rejoice with those who have reason for joy. We are all in this together…everyday. 4/7/2020
In Seasons of WaitingTuesday Matters- April 7, 2020
Everyday Farmer “God how are You going to do this and when are You going to do it? Why is it taking so long?” Have those questions been yours? But think about the farmer who tends his crops. He just keeps sleeping and rising and does what he can to enrich his soil and cultivate his crops but leaves the rest in the hands of God. Jesus spoke of the patient farmer in the Bible from Mark 4:26-28. He sows his seed in the ground and then goes on his way, sleeping and getting up each morning and eventually the ground brings what the farmer has hoped for. The farmer doesn’t know how the harvest will come or exactly when it will come but his job is to get up in the morning, do his work and then go to bed at night. He’s patient until the harvest arrives. Wait in hope. God is working. And while you’re waiting you can grow by spending time reading what He says and trusting Him…everyday. 4/6/2020
ParentingMonday Matters-April 6, 2020
Everyday Parenting Good wisdom right there in the middle of the Bible; Proverbs 22:6: “Train a child in the way they should go, and when they’re old they’ll not turn from it.” When I had three teenagers at home (and a preteen) I realized that for their behavior to change there needed to be a heart change. Of yea, I’ve said; “I’m not asking what you want. I am asking you to obey.” But there are stages in parenting. First, we train when they are little. Second, we coach our kids by directing and holding them accountable. Third, we cheer on good choices and discourage bad ones. Lastly, we are our children’s fans when they leave home and try and give advice only when asked. Try and speak to your child’s heart and not just their head. To tell a teenager to stop hanging out with a group they like, could get the response; “Let me live my own life.” But if you appeal to their heart and maybe share your past well you might actually see some change…everyday. 4/3/2020
Connect with OthersFriday Matters- April 3, 2020
Everyday Sharing Your Heart Believe me I know what it means to hurt. The recovery from my scoliosis back surgery was horrendous both physically and emotionally. And I was surprised at how the issues resulting in my parent’s divorce of 44 years affected me emotionally and physically too. Hurt from someone you love is pure pain. But I’ve noticed that the more I open up and share my heart of pain the more people respond to share their own hurts of an unfaithful spouse, abuse, absent love from a parent and the pain from their own children. Oh, the sins of others have such painful consequences for so many of us. So more than ever I’ve been holding on to Zechariah 9:12 by returning to Jesus my stronghold of security and prosperity as a prisoner of hope; believing that God will restore double for my trouble. Real hope is a constant positive attitude that in trusting my Redeemer, and despite what may happen, things will change for the better…everyday. |
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