ARE YOU WILLING?



I love Christmas time. It's my most favorite time of the year! I always tell my oldest son that God knows how much I love Christmas, and that is why He gave him to me at Christmas time. He was almost born on Christmas day, but came on the next day, December 26th.
As I read about the circumstances that surround the birth of our Saviour, Jesus Christ, several things jump out at me.
One thing that really comes through is the willingness of both Joseph and Mary to do what God called them to do, even though it meant alot of hardship, shunning (on Mary's part) and sacrifice.
When the angel Gabriel came to Mary, she was "a virgin espoused to a man whose name was Joseph, " (Luke 1:27). During the Jewish "espousal" period, the man and woman were considered married, but had not yet consumated the union. So, when Mary was found to be with child, of course everyone, including Joseph, had thought her to have been unfaithful. This was a great shame in their society (unfortunately and sadly, quite different from ours today!). And yet, Mary said, "Behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it unto me according to thy word." Luke 1:38. She was willing to sacrifice herself and life to do what God was asking her to do.
The Bible tells us that Joseph was a just man. When he found out that Mary was with child, and knowing that this baby wasn't his, Joseph did not want to make a public example out of her, but decided to "put her away (or divorce her) privily" Matthew 1:19. But an angel visited him in a dream, explaining everything to him, telling him not to be afraid to take her as his wife. Did Joseph question or hesitate? No. He got up and did as God asked him to do.
Is there something that God is calling you to do? Are you willing, no matter what the cost? What is He calling you to do? Why are you hesitating? What is holding you back from following what He wants you to do? Pray and seek His face. Search the Word of God. Have those prayer warriors help you pray that you might find God's will for your life, and that you would have the strength to follow through. Don't forget, "I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me." Phillipians 4:13. He will not call you to do something that you can not handle. It may not be an easy thing to do, but we must do what God is asking us to do. He will see us through!
Have a wonderful and blessed day!
Beth :-)

GOD'S TEAR BOTTLE



“Thou tellest my wanderings: put thou my tears in thy bottle: are they not in thy book?” Psalm 56:8.

One day, I cried. It was a good cry. It was a cleansing cry. Feelings that I had been holding onto for years suddenly just came out. I was watching a wedding video. The song that always grabs at my heart, "Butterfly Kisses", was playing as the bride and her father were sharing a special moment. Memories suddenly came back to me-my parents' divorce, my father telling me that he couldn't attend my wedding, the strokes and cardiac arrest that my mom suffered and we didn't know whether or not she was going to make it through (she did, praise the Lord!!), even when my oldest child need stitches above his eye.....These memories and more suddenly surfaced and I allowed myself, FINALLY, to cry.
You see, I am one of the oldest of six children (I have a twin brother who is four minutes older than I). I have always felt that I had to be the strong one in situations where everyone else was falling apart. I did not allow myself the option to cry, even though I wanted to very badly. I would just push those feelings deep down inside.
Dear readers, this is not healthy. God gave us tears for several reasons, and one of those reasons is to release emotion. Some people even cry when they're happy.

Did you know that God has a bottle for your tears? The Psalmist tells us so. God knows when we are sad. He listens as we unburden our hearts to Him. He puts our tears into His bottle to let us know that He now holds our sorrow and that when things seem so out of control for us, He is still in control. This tells me that I can go before the Lord and pray, talk and cry unto Him, and He will hear me.

How about you? Is there a burden or sadness that is weighing heavily on you? Do you need to cry? It's alright. Male or female, we were all given tears. Give it to the Lord. Cry out unto Him. Shed those cleansing tears. Fill God's tear bottle. He is waiting.

I hope you have a blessed day!

Beth :-)

OH, THAT TONGUE!



Does anyone know what this is? This is called a seam ripper. It is my best friend when I sew. Why? Because when I sew a seam or stitch wrong, I simply use the sharp end to remove it. I also use it to open old seams when I am recycling old jeans, skirts, etc, into purses or new skirts. Did you notice the red ball just above the point? This is to prevent you from ripping the fabric around the seam. Sometimes this doesn't help, however, and I have been known to slip and rip the fabric next to the seam. Now I have a hole to fix, too! Just great. This usually happens to me when it's late at night, I'm tired and I have been sewing for a while.

Our tongue can be like this seam ripper. Very sharp and pointed. Words that are formed and fall from it can cut and wound the person that it is aimed at. It's no wonder that the Bible tells us that it is "an unruly evil, full of deadly poison". (James 3:8) This verse always draws a picture to my mind of a snake and how quick it can strike with its often deadly fangs.
As with the seam ripper, our tongue can rip apart and sometimes cause a big hole in someone either spiritually, mentally or both. The mending afterward is often a difficult process. Often, the scars will remain for a lifetime. Please remember, once those words have left our mouth, they cannot be taken back. I always tell my children to taste their words before they spit them out. In other words, they should think before they speak.
My constant prayer for myself is as the Psalmist said, "Set a watch, O Lord, before my mouth; keep the door of my lips." (Psalm 141:3) Even King David had problems with his tongue! I have found this verse to be very helpful as I am one who is very prone to speak before thinking!
As hard as we try to do right, we all have times where we will say something that we shouldn't. After all, we are only human. That is why we have Jesus! If this happens, confess it to Him. Then, go to the person that you have offended and try to make things right.
I hope you have a wonderful and blessed day.
Beth :-)


 



30 DAYS OF THANKFUL VERSES-DAY 4

"As ye have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk ye in Him: Rooted and built up in him, and stablished in the faith, as ye have been taught, abounding therein with thanksgiving."~
Colossians 2:6-7.
In verse 6, the Apostle Paul was reminding the Colossians that as born-again believers (meaning that they had accepted Jesus Christ as their Lord and Saviour), they were to "walk ye in Him", meaning that they needed to let Christ be at the head in all that they said or did. They, and we, do not need to be conformed to this world, but transformed by our salvation in Jesus Christ. Everyday, we need to walk in Him, showing the world a difference in our lives. Many Christians still look and act like the world. How can we lead an unsaved person to Christ when they do not see any difference?
Whenever I read "rooted and built up in him", I always think of a tree, with it's roots growing deep in the ground. A tree's roots anchor it to the ground, keeping the tree straight and upright. The roots are also how the tree gathers it's sustenance and water. For a Christian, reading their Bible and following what God says, keeping a healthy prayer life, attending church faithfully and trying to live as Christ-like as they can are just a few ways to make sure that their "roots" are firmly planted. Did you know that the nutrients taken in by the roots are vital for the advancement of the tree's growth and development, as well as repair? The Bible is our life map which gives us just that in our Christian life. This will also keep us "stablished in the faith".
Of course, "abounding therein with thanksgiving"! I am thankful for the salvation that I have received through the death, burial and resurrection of my Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ!
I hope you have a wonderful and blessed day!
Beth :-)

30 DAYS OF THANKFUL VERSES-DAY 2

Good Saturday morning, everyone. Today is Day 2 of my 30 Days of Thankful Verses.
Today, I chose:
"But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ." I Corinthians 15:57.
We have victory over sin and death through Jesus Christ, and I am so very thankful for that! There is no other way into Heaven, except through Jesus (Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.~ Acts 4:12). He is the Way, the Truth and the Life.
How about, friends? Can you join me today in being thankful for such a wonderful salvation? Has there been a time when you gave your heart and life to Jesus? If not, why not today? You'll never be sorry.
I hope you have a blessed day!
Beth :-)

30 DAYS OF THANKFUL VERSES-DAY 1

HI, Everyone! Yes, it's November 1, 2013. The holiday season is almost upon us.
Is it just me, or does it seem like the stores skip right over Thanksgiving and jump into Christmas? It's crazy. We should always, always remember to give thanks, especially to God!
Well, today I would like to start my "30 Days of Thankful Verses". Did you know that the Bible is just full of verses about giving thanks, being thankful and thanksgiving? I myself was surprised when I did this last year.
So, here is the first verse:
"O give thanks unto the Lord, for he is good: for his mercy endureth forever."~Psalm 107:1
We serve an awesome God. He is good, all the time. Aren't you thankful and glad that His mercy does endure forever? Lamentations also tells us that His mercies are new every morning: "It is of the Lord's mercies that we are not consumed, because His compassions fail not. They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness."~Lamentations 3:22-32. He is a God of second chances. If we fail, we can approach Him and He will receive us and forgive us.
He will never leave us or forsake us. What a promise. People will fail us, we will fail people, but God will not. AMEN!
I hope you have an awesome and blessed day!
Beth :-)

HAS YOUR CHRISTIAN JOY BEEN STOLEN?

Guess what? The devil is a thief! He will try to steal your Christian joy through things and circumstances. A lot of times, we allow him to! Yes, even I have been there. At one time I was so angry and bitter because I have to work outside of the home to provide our health insurance benefits as our church does not (my husband is a pastor). My bitterness and anger grew so big and out of control that it was affecting every aspect of my life-family, church, etc. First of all, the Bible says, "Be ye angry, and sin not. Let not the sun go down upon your wrath."~Ephesians 4:26.
Is it wrong to get angry? NO. Let's read the verse again. It says, "Be ye angry, and sin not..." It is not wrong unless we do something we shouldn't along with it. In my case, it was my bitterness. Friends, bitterness will eat you alive, literally. If we are truly born again Christians, we need to learn to bring the "old man" under subjection. It isn't easy.
Once Satan steals our joy and we have allowed what is happening to overwhelm and take over, he moves in for the kill and tries to completely destroy you, your relationship with God, family and friends. John 10:10a says, "The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy:" When someone breaks into your house, they are not there to make things better. They want to steal your possessions. They often destroy your house in the process and sometimes someone may even be killed. But wait! John 10:10b says, "I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly." There is hope. Jesus is there to bring you back. He offers abundant life.
Is there bitterness or anger in your life? Bring it to the Lord. Pray, leave it at His feet and don't pick it back up. Find a Christian (pastor, friend, counselor) who you can talk to, pray with and can help you through. It is definitely not an easy road to embark upon. Sometimes the bitterness and anger goes very deep. Healing often takes time and the devil will certainly try to keep opening up old wounds. We are not promised an easy life, but we are promised a Saviour Who will always be there for us.
I will pray for and lift you up as well.
I hope you have a blessed day!
Beth :-)

DARKNESS AND LIGHT

The Lord has laid it on my heart to say something and I have got to say it because I cannot believe how many of my Christian friends actually approve of Sleepy Hollow, which is a new television show. I'm hearing a lot about this new show, so I decide to look into it. Many people, including some of my Christian friends, are excited and have been talking for months about it because some of the scenes were shot right here in New Bern, NC.
Guess what? After only 2 minutes into the trailer, I knew definitely that this is not something a Christian should be watching, endorsing or proud to be a part of. I saw graphic violence and gore, killing, heads being cut off, etc. The occult and witchcraft are also mingled in. The Bible says:
"And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them" Ephesians 5:11a.
"Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers; for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness? Wherefore, come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you."2 Cor 6:14,17.
The Bible also has somewhat to say about witchcraft (King James Bible Online).
Are we Christians so desensitized to sin and the occult that we readily accept and participate in it? Friends, the spiritual and demonic world is definitely real (Ephesians 6:12-13). It is not to be taken lightly. We are in a continual spiritual warfare. We are not to have any part of this darkness, but, as soldiers of the Lord, we are to fight it.
Also, our Christian brothers and sisters in other countries are losing their heads for their faith, and we are over here being entertained by that same thing on a television show. I just don't understand.
My heart is so heavy for my fellow Christians who have been drawn into the blindness that they have allowed Satan to put on their eyes. I feel a special burden for today's young people. Media (electronic and written) has such a strong influence on many of their lives, which Satan knows and uses well.
My dear readers, will you please join me in lifting this up in prayer? Or, if this has spoken to and convicted your heart, won't you ask the Lord for forgiveness and for guidance in your life? We need to put on the whole armor of God (Ephesians 6:10-17) to fight this constant battle. We do not have to fight it alone. If we are truly born-again Christians, we have Jesus on our side!
I hope you have a blessed day.
Beth :-)

ENVY, STRIFE AND MOM

Envying and strife are not of the Lord, they are of the devil (James 3:14-17)!The devil absolutely LOVES to attack a Christian home. The Bible says that he, "as a roaring lion,walketh about, seeking whom he may devour." He wants to devour and destroy your home and family. And, ladies,who better to start with than mom? Who sets the mood in the house, really? Mom does. If we are bitter and moody,our house is unhappy. I'm first in line needing a change! How short I fall many times. Lord, please forgive me! Help me to be the wife, mother and woman You want me to be.

Have a blessed day!
Beth :-)

THE WEAVER BY B.M FRANKLIN

THE WEAVER

My life is but a weaving

Between my Lord and me,

I cannot choose the colors

He worketh steadily.

 

Oftimes He weaveth sorrow

And I in foolish pride

Forget He sees the upper

And I, the underside.

 

Not till the loom is silent

And the shuttles cease to fly

Shall God unroll the canvas

And explain why.

 

The dark threads are as needful

In the Weaver’s skillful hand

As the threads of gold and silver

In the pattern He has planned.

 

-Benjamin Malachi Franklin-

 

 



A MOM'S JOB IS NOT INSIGNIFICANT!

"Moms, never think your job is of insignificance. You are as much serving God in looking after your own children, training them up in God’s fear, minding the house and making your household a church for God as you would be if you had been called to lead an army to battle for the Lord of Hosts.”

Charles Spurgeon

MARY'S SONG

"And Mary said, My soul doth magnify the Lord, And my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Saviour. For he hath regarded the low estate of his handmaiden: for, behold, from henceforth all generations shall call me blessed. For he that is mighty hath done to me great things; and holy is his name. And his mercy is on them that fear him from generation to generation.He hath shewed strength with his arm; he hath scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts. He hath put down the mighty from their seats, and exalted them of low degree. He hath filled the hungry with good things; and the rich he hath sent empty away. He hath helped his servant Israel, in remembrance of his mercy; As he spake to our fathers, to Abraham, and to his seed forever." Luke 1:46-55 (Mary's Song)

****************
 Mary faced certain shunning and disgrace, even from her betrothed, Joseph, yet she followed what God asked her to do without question.

 OH, that we should be so willing to do as the Lord asks US to do, no matter the cost! What is He asking you to do? Follow His calling. You will not be sorry. He would not ask you to do something that you are not able to do. He will give you the strength.
Have a wonderful and blessed Sunday!
Beth :-)

I WILL LIFT UP MINE EYES UNTO THE HILLS

“I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills, from whence cometh my help. My help cometh from the Lord, which made heaven and earth.” Psalm121:1-2

***********************************************

A couple of weeks ago, this pastor's family finally got to go away for a WHOLE week! It was wonderful. We haven't been able to do that for a couple of years. Trying to coordinate between my work schedule and things that are happening in the church (deaths, sicknesses, etc) is very difficult.

We chose to go all the way to Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge this time. It is about a nine to ten hour drive (depending on how many times the boys had to stop!) for us.

We absolutely love the mountains. But I noticed something right about the second to the last day of our stay.

We had been so involved in all of the activities that these two towns had to offer, that we hadn't once looked up at the mountains that surrounded them (see picture below).

Isn't that the way we are with life sometimes? We get so involved in or overwhelmed with looking around at what is going on in our life that we forget to "look up unto the hills" as the Psalmist said, look up to God. We don't exactly forget that, "My help cometh from the Lord, which made heaven and earth", per say, we just kind of put it to the back of our minds.
Some Christians aren't on their knees as much when things are going well for them. They don't really get serious about praying until something drastic happens. Oh, they still pray, just not as fervently or maybe as frequently.
We need to always remember our God, in the good and bad times. We need to remember to lift up our eyes and hearts to God, thanking Him for His constant blessings and help in our lives. He is there with us through the good and the bad-ALWAYS. He will never leave us or forsake us. But we need to always keep those lines of communication open.
What an eye opening life experience this was for me!
Have a wonderful and blessed day!
Beth :-)



EXAMINE ME, O LORD....

“Examine me, O Lord, and prove me; try my reins and my heart.”

                                               Psalms 26:2

Last Sunday night, my husband was preaching out of Psalms 26. He came to verse 2, then he threw out a "challenge".
"I wonder" he said, "If anyone here would ask the Lord to seriously examine their heart and lives, then be willing to change whatever He says needed changing?". This statement really spoke to my heart, so I prayed right then that the Lord would examine me and show me what in my life needed changing. I prayed the same thing that night before I went to bed and again the next morning. I was not really prepared for the quick response that I received!
When we go to an earthly physician for an examination, we want them to be honest and tell us if there is something wrong, even if it is something that we don't want to hear. We then want them to tell us how to treat and correct the problem, right? When we approach the throne of the Great Physician, we should have the same attitude, no matter what the cost. It is often hard to do, though.
Well, the Lord spoke to me that very next morning. He brought to light several things that needed changing in my life. Really? That many? Some I was not even aware of, and a couple I already knew, but had been reluctant to really look at before.
I meant business when I prayed those prayers, so, hard as some of the changes have been, I went ahead and did as the Lord asked me to do. Guess what? He has blessed me in SO many ways since I have been obedient to Him! I feel that I have drawn closer to Him as well.
How about you? Are you willing to pray and ask Him to examine your heart and life, then make those changes? I grant you that it won't be easy, but you will be so very blessed when you do.
Have a wonderful and blessed day!
Beth :-)

GOD'S PROTECTION



I just have to share a wonderful praise about God's protection!
Yesterday, I had taken down one of my hummingbird feeders to clean it and refill it. I was in my bathroom, washing out the feeder when I felt something on my left arm, close to where the short sleeve of my blouse ended. I looked down in time to see a black widow climbing on my arm! Yes!
Well, I screamed, my six year old ran from the room, and I flung that spider into the sink. I killed it dead, yes, I did!
After my stomach stopped feeling so sick, I thought about how good my God is to protect me! My husband said that he didn't know why the spider didn't bite me. A black widow bite is a terrible thing.
We often don't realize what God has protected us from through out our day, be it a spider bite, a car accident, whatever. We need to thank Him daily for His blessings! How often I take them for granted.
Have a wonderful and blessed day!
Beth :-)



DESENSITIZED TO SIN



           Bran Made Tags   

             

I have heard it said that if you put a frog in a pot of water and slowly bring it to a boil, the frog will not be aware of any danger until it is too late.
Christians are in the same kind of danger today. Slowly, slowly, we are being "desensitized" to sin. Through media (television, books, internet, etc) and public schools, we and our children are exposed every day to the world's views that living together and sex before marriage is ok, homosexuality is just another lifestyle, immodest dress is the way to be attractive and cursing is fine. People are exposed to violence and sexual content in their video games. If we choose to simply just tolerate and "quietly overlook" these sins, eventually we will not see it as such a bad thing.
Listen dear readers, if it was an abomination to God back in Bible times, it's STILL an abomination to Him today. If it was a sin back then, it's STILL a sin today! God does not change.
What is a Christian to do? How can we protect ourselves and our children from this?
First, stay in the Word! 2 Timothy 2:15 says, "Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needed not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth."  Read and study the Bible. Keep up your family prayer and devotions. Constantly talk to and teach your children about God's ways, as it says in Deuteronomy 11:19, "And ye shall teach them your children, speaking of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, when thou liest down, and when thou risest up."  That's ALL the time!
Know your Bible so that when a situation arises, you can show your children what God says about it. If you don't know, search the Scriptures together with them to find the answer (a concordance helps alot!).
Second, when you are watching a movie or TV program and someone curses, walks on the screen scantily clad, magic or sorcery is introduced, or any other questionable thing comes on-TURN IT OFF! If it is on a DVD that you own-THROW IT AWAY! Sounds drastic? Yes, but it needs to leave your house. You may have to endure some crying and arguments from your children. My husband and I have been there. But, protecting our families should be the most important thing to us. Don't forget that you are the parent, and are the one in charge.
Monitor very, very closely the video games that your children play. Even some of the innocent looking ones may have some surprises as the levels progress.
 Although it's an easy way out, don't use the explanation of, "Just because I say so". Your children need to know why you are doing this. Once again, go to God's word and show them.
My friends, it is a battle which can get very hard sometimes. Satan is shrewd and cunning. But we must fight for the sake of our families. We must continually be on our guard, staying in the Word and on our knees! Watch out that you don't get caught in boiling water!

Have a wonderful and blessed day!
Beth :-)

WE ARE FEARFULLY AND WONDERFULLY MADE!

"For thou hast possessed my reins: thou hast covered me in my mothers womb. I will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: marvellous are thy works;and that my soul knoweth right well. My substance was not hid from thee, when I was made in secret, and curiously wrought in the lowest parts of the earth.Thine eyes did see my substance, yet being unperfect; and in thy book all my members were written, which in continuance were fashioned, when as yet there was none of them." Psalm 139:13-16               

Hallelujah! We are wonderful works of God! He knew us from the beginning. Life begins at conception. The Bible even tells us that!

Have a wonderful and blessed day!
Beth :-)

MOVING MOUNTAINS

Palm Sunday is quickly approaching. Soon, children will be making "palm leaves" in Sunday School and we will be talking about the "Triumphal Entry" of Jesus into Jerusalem and the events which led to His crucifixion and Resurrection.
The day after He came to Jerusalem, the gospel of Mark tells us that Jesus was hungry. He saw a fig tree and went to it, hoping to find fruit on it. The tree had nothing but leaves. Jesus was upset and the disciples heard Him say unto it, "No man eat fruit of thee hereafter for ever." Mark 11:14. The next morning, when they went by the tree, it was dead (Mark 11:20). Peter, remembering what Jesus had said the day before, remarked about this.
Jesus said, "Have faith in God. For verily I say unto you, That whosoever shall say unto this mountain, Be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea; and shall not doubt in his heart, but shall believe that those things which he saith shall come to pass; he shall have whatsoever he saith. Therefore I say unto you, What things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them." Mark 11:22-24.
Did you know that real mountains CAN actually move? Yes, they can. This is usually due to the movement of the plates in the earth below the mountains. Scientists have found that they can move from a few feet to a few miles. Amazing! These mountains will move at different rates of time, some quickly, some slowly.
Often, we have "mountains" in our lives. We pray, wanting God to answer our prayers immediately, removing these situations so that we can continue on. But God moves in His time, not ours. These "mountains" in our lives move somewhat like actual mountains, depending on how He answers and what He is trying to teach us at that time. We need to pray in faith and believe that God will move that mountain. All prayers are not answered in the same way or in the same time frame. Make sure that you are praying that HIS will be done, and not your own. We should always want to be in God's will for our lives, although it is often hard to do. We will not be happy if we are not, I can tell you from personal experience!
Do you have a "mountain" in your life? What is it? Financial? Your children? Your marriage? Whatever it is, keep bringing it to the throne of God! Do not doubt, but BELIEVE! Yes, it is often hard, so VERY hard,  to keep trusting when your world seems to be falling in around you, but you can do it. Have faith in God. He is there for you, to put His loving arms around you, to comfort you and to uphold you through your difficult times.
Have a wonderful and blessed day!
Beth :-)

HOW GOD SEES YOU

Not too long ago, while I was shopping at the Salvation Army (one of my favorite places to shop!), I saw this:

I am guessing it was a plant holder of some sort. It was very plain and unattractive. Yet, in my mind's eye, I saw this:

Much prettier! (I will be posting about this simple craft a little later).
Well, this whole experience got me to thinking. Sometimes, we feel like the first picture-simple, unattractive, not qualified or talented enough to work for the Lord-you get the picture.
Well, today, I just want to let you know that God sees you much differently. Although you feel like the first picture, He sees you like the second-a beautiful creation of His hands! You are special in His eyes. Did you know that the Bible says, "Are not two sparrows sold for a farthing?and one of them shall not fall on the ground without your Father. But the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear ye not therefore, ye are of more value than many sparrows." Matthew 10:29-31.
He loves you so very much! Please don't ever forget that!
Has God been asking you to do something, but those feelings of inadequacy are holding you back? Do you want to do something, anything, for Him, but are homebound, have your life full and busy with small children, are disabled, etc? Look around! There are still alot of things you can do! Write cards of encouragement. Bake something and take it to the shut in down the street. If you like to talk, call someone up on the phone and let them know someone is thinking about them. Pray for people! Prayer warriors are always appreciated!
What if you don't feel qualified or talented enough to do what you know that God is asking you to do? Know this-He wouldn't be asking you if He didn't think you could do it. There are alot of people in the Bible who God called to do things they didn't think that they could do, yet they followed His calling anyway. Go ahead and do it! You won't be sorry!

Have a wonderful and blessed day!
Beth :-)

HANDWRITTEN NOTES-A LOST ART

A handwritten note. What is that? In today's society of social networks, email, etc., handwritten notes seem to be a thing of the past. It's a lost art. It's so much quicker to post to someone's wall on Facebook or send them an email when you want to tell them something. I am very guilty of this myself. When I tell myself that I am going to grab a piece of paper or note card, sit down and actually WRITE a letter or note, I quickly get aggravated at the slow process of writing. I have noticed that I am slowly losing my handwriting abilities. My hands tire quickly trying to hold the pen and write with it. My mind starts to wander to thoughts of just typing this note out. Stop!
Although messages through the internet are widely accepted these days, a handwritten note just says so much more. It tells the person that you are sending it to that they were actually worth the time that it took to write it. This also applies to businesses, as well. I am always impressed when I receive something that I have bought and find a handwritten note on the invoice or even on a separate sheet of paper, thanking me personally for my order.
Do you know someone who has recently lost a loved one, gotten married, had a baby or given you a gift? Send them a personal, handwritten note! As the pastor's wife, I try to send cards when one of our people are sick or mourning. I like to use blank note cards when I can, but if I use a card with a pre-printed message, I still write a short note on the blank side.
We also need to teach our children to write these notes. I have heard that some public schools are taking the emphasis away from handwriting all together, and focusing on the children's computer skills. What a loss! Children need to be taught to write thank you notes when they receive a gift, or when a friend or relative is ill or just feeling down, to send them a "cheer up" card.
Yes, handwritten notes are slowly being lost. But they don't have to be! Let's try to save this lost art! Send someone a special, handwritten note today and let them know how much you care.
Have a wonderful and blessed day!
Beth :-)