This month the CD is ....
And of course you will also be receiving a bag of coffee from a local coffee shop here in Michigan.
I also have a special surprise for you, Bayview Cards wants to bless you too!
They've sent me boxes of beautifully handmade cards to give you every month with our Praise and Coffee! Check out their website...I'm not kidding these cards are so well done, you will be proud to send them out!
To enter the contest: leave a comment to this post! OH, and please tell me if you have my button on your blog, you will be entered 2 times!
*******************
And now a few words from this sponsor...
Do the kudos keep you going??
I was talking with someone recently and they were excited and proud of an accomplishment they were about to earn. I don't want to be specific and say what it was because I want this to relate to all of our accomplishments and titles.
This person said, I am a wife and mom but now I can add _____________ to my title.
I am happy for her. She has worked hard to achieve this goal and there is nothing wrong with the satisfaction she's gained from that.
But what concerns me is the need for a title. The need for the acknowledgement of others.
There's nothing wrong with having titles, I've had my share and still do. I've led groups and people and sat on community boards.
But several years ago now, the Lord exposed my heart and the need for such titles. He showed me how important it was to me that people knew all that I had done and respected me for it. Unfortunately, it was the stripping away of titles that laid my heart bare.
Now I am so thankful that the Lord exposed my heart. I can have titles, but they don't define me. Being a daughter of the Most High God is my most precious title now.
I find it so interesting that the men who built the Tower of Babel had this in mind:
Gen 11:4
Then they said,
"Come, let us build ourselves a city,
with a tower that reaches to the heavens,
so that we may make a name for ourselves
and not be scattered over the face of the whole earth."
NIV
Are you working hard to make your name great, or working hard to make His name great?
Psalms 135:13
Your name, O LORD, endures forever,
Your renown, O LORD,
through all generations.
NIV
God loves us enough to 'wake us up' sometimes and when He does, we'd better pay attention. He only does it because He has wonderful plans for our life that He does not want taken off course by pride.
Here is an example of a woman who did not set out to make her name great. This video says it so well, it is a beautiful tribute to Ruth Graham.
You can have all this world, give me Jesus...
51 comments:
Sue I wasn't going to comment because since I won last month I didn't want to enter the contest, but I just had too! I love you post on "titles". I was just thinking the other day how I love the mundane things of being a mom, and housewife, taking care of my families needs! The only title I really want is "well done good and faithful servant" in whatever job God has me do! And as for that video, Oh how I love Ruth Bell Graham! I've actually had that song on my blog before too! Love Fernando!
Kim,
I'm glad you did. I love the input.
Sue
I just love your little "place" over here, Sue, at "Praise and Coffee!" Enter me in the contest.
What a beautiful tribute to Ruth Graham!
Have a great Wednesday!!
Blessings,
Dori
Thank you for doing these giveaways! It adds a little fun into my day. LOL!
Smiles!
That was so touching. Thanks for posting. Give me Jesus.
God Bless
Just wanted to tell you that I enjoy reading your blog!!!!
A truly beautiful song. I always loved reading Ruth's articles in the BGA magazine.
Please enter me into the contest and I have your button on my sidebar. :)
Mornin' Sue
I "hear" what your saying. It reminds me of the Apostle Paul when he says he is content in little and in plenty, etc... He states also that it is not his life but the life he now lives in Him (Jesus). I do "hear" what you're warning against.
I also thought of this "need" you speak of and although the "need" you are speaking of is driven from selfishness; we are created to "need" respect and compassion. This reminds me of the purpose for His Body, the church, even when the people in it are also imperfect. We are created relational and this is the "need" that some may be missing out on. Everyone needs to have a sense of mattering from those we were designed to live with here on earth.
Thanks again, Sue!
PS. I posted to comment to your thoughts, no need to enter me in the contest, but thanks for the offer.
Thoughtful post! The 'need' for a title gives richer meaning to Phil 4:19 that Our God will meet our "needs" according to His glorious riches in Christ Jesus. He is so patient with us!
Thank you for the tribute to Ruth Graham!
Thank you for the opportunity to win a goodie!
After I figure out how to do 'labels', then I'll work on a button! LOL
Holly,
Thank you for commenting, I see what you are saying. My point is that it all comes down to finding our worth and purpose in Him and not in our accomplishments or the accolades of others- though don't get me wrong- we are to encourage others always. Feeling good about what others say is not bad...as long as it does not cross the line in our hearts of pride.
Phil 3:7-9
7 I once thought all these things were so very important, but now I consider them worthless because of what Christ has done.
8 Yes, everything else is worthless when compared with the priceless gain of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. I have discarded everything else, counting it all as garbage, so that I may have Christ 9 and become one with him.
NLT
Sue
Sue, It's been awhile since I've had time to "visit" I love the new look. Also love Ruth Graham. What an inspiration!!
Great giveaway and, as usual, great sentiments, Sue.
Thanks for inspiring!!!
Love,
Lisa
There's that steady faithfulness I admire so much. :-)
It seems we agree ~ I agree with your post ~ it simply caused me to think along another line as well.
I always enjoy what you have to write...and I will try, yet again, for some delicious coffee and a CD. And your button is on my blog. :D
Isn't it amazing how we get so caught up in earthly self gratification? I am so guilty of this! For me it's because of my simple life. All I am is a wife, mother, and dog owner. Yes, I know that this is supposed to be huge. However, in the world's eyes I feel so meager. Thanks for reminding me that I AM SO MUCH MORE! You rock. Sue!
Wow, great post! In alot of ways I can relate to this post. Thanks.
And I want to enter the contest - and yes, I have a link to your blog on mine (in fact, it's the first one under Family & Friends)! :)
What a wonderful sentiment, thank you for sharing it with us. And thanks much for the giveaway!
That's a beautiful video.
Oh my that is such a beautiful tribute to Ruth Graham...I never heard of Fernando but I do now...thanks so much for posting this. I am a mom and I homeschool my daughter which I love...all I want is the title of "much loved" and I am and it is because of Jesus
Thanks for the entry also in your contest. I adore, just adore coffee.
Blessings
I am adding your button right now! Please enter me in contest! I love the idea of the girlfriends night out, and am actually going to try and start one in this area!
Hi Sue . I 'm in the que
Amen! Give me Jesus.
And enter me in your contest! First time for me!
I have your button on my blog! Hit me twice! :) Hope I win this time! I'd love love love to get those notecards and coffeeeeeeeee. . . .
The titles post was awesome. Yeah. I think especially in the 'religious' world we get hung up on titles a lot. Pastor, Evangelist, Prophet, Apostle, Leader of some sort. But it's about Him. Titles aren't wrong in and of themselves, but the motive of the heart . . .
I believe the Scripture says if you're not careful, your very heart will deceive you. :)
Count me in for this month's giveaway. Maybe October will be the lucky month! Thanks for the chance to win!
It's been a while since I visited! We were in the process of moving back to Hawaii and now I'm settloed and getting back into the blogging routine.
Of course I have your button on my blog!!
Oh! Those cards sound like a real treasure. Please enter me in the draw for those. I'm fine not entering in the coffee and CD but those cards, absolutely! Thank you so much for the opportunity!
Sue - this was so right on. I have struggled with that myself...finding myself a slave to keeping the title of "organized" and "so together" even though they aren't "jobs" persay. But why am I pursuing how I appear to others more than my role as His daughter?
AMEN!
I've fought long and hard with the idea of titles myself. It's hard to separate writing from bearing the name "writer."
I know what I'm called to do with my God-given gift...it's how to label it that is difficult. The world of publishing requires marketing oneself. Tough stuff. Thanks for the Biblical reminder of what's important--the serving God, not the promoting myself.
Please enter me in the giveaway. Yes, your button is on my blog...both of them...plus I enjoy your writing so much that your on my list of blogs to follow. Great stuff here. I love how you're using your talent to uplift and bless.
I'd love to win this for my sister-in-law in Michigan!
dbstout{at}juno{dot}com
Hello, I learn a lot from your wonderful site! It inspires me and I often need that. Your monthly giveaways are wonderful. The CDs and coffee are perfect; especially for the upcoming cool evenings. The cards are fantastic. What an added plus! I would be honored to win your drawing. Thanks, Cindi
jchoppes[at]hotmail[dot]com
Thanks for entering me in your drawing, and I also wanted to respond to this. I recently had a revelation about this very thing, and I realized how much my "title" was what I defined myself by. I had become quite prideful about it, which is wrong. I now have put my most important job of mothering and being a wife above the title I once felt so proud of. Amazingly, God has shown me how much more important my high calling as a mother is and I do not mind if I had to drop my title all together. This is something I never thought would happen! God is great!!
Hi Sue...
GREAT post today and some really good reminders in there!
Cards, music, AND coffee? Sounds like a perfect evening mission to me! Being a card-aholic, this is a great opportunity.
PattiVZ{at}FBS{dot}net
28 God chose things despised by the world, things counted as nothing at all, and used them to bring to nothing what the world considers important. 29 As a result, no one can ever boast in the presence of God.
30 God has united you with Christ Jesus. For our benefit God made him to be wisdom itself. Christ made us right with God; he made us pure and holy, and he freed us from sin. 31 Therefore, as the Scriptures say, “If you want to boast, boast only about the Lord.”
1 Corinthians 1:28-30 (NLT)
What we do doesn't define who we are. God does want us to do great things, but those accomplishments will not change the way God loves us. He wants us to make the most of every opportunity, but we belong to Him regardless of our performance.
...“Do not be afraid, for I have ransomed you.
I have called you by name; you are mine."
Isaiah 43:1 (NLT)
It's so encouraging to be reminded that we are daughters of the our Father God!
Count me in on this months giveaway
nickmal(at)wildblue(dot)net
AMEN! Sue, I have to admit that I too have fallen into a certain place of self worth from other's titles and such. My prayers as of late have been to keep my eyes set on Him and all my blessings come from Him, not others! It's when I seek to find gratitude in all that the Lord has given me, I humble myself and see the Lord's blessings. Then there is no more room for pride! PTL! and I find much more for me: purpose, peace, and blessings beyond measure.
Love in Christ, Tamrah T.
jttso (at)cybertrails (dot)com
What a beautiful post.
I would love to be entered into your drawing. Thank you so much :)
Linda
I would love to be entered in this giveaway.
I do have a link to your site on my blog.
Thank You.
Lisa
"Praise and Coffee" lead me to you. That is my routine every morning, so I had to check you out. Cheers!!!
I LOVE that! Working hard to make our names great, vs working hard to make HIS name great.
These are great giveaways- I would love to enter! Thanks so much for the sweet comments over at my little blog. :)
-Meg
Thanks for your posts. I don't get to read blogs very often, but having you on my sidebar reminds me to make my way over. I did change my blog to Blogger and will be adding your link thingie there!
So, turn on some music and sit down to write some words of encouragement whilst sipping on some coffee....doesn't get much better than that! Hey, I have a button on my blog AND you and I are friends on Facebook....so I am thinking I should get 3 entries ;-) Just kidding! Thanks for such a great blog!
I have your button on my blog! I enjoy reading your blog, it is so encouraging!
Thank you for sharing! I am always blessed when I read your blog. BTW: I am adding the button tonight! Hugs from NC! And, I am going to plan a coffee night for my bible study gals!
I was concerned with titles while I was in the workforce. Having kids changed all that and what a good reminder that our worth and really our purpose is found in Him.
HE made us who we are and deserves all the glory.
Great post! Thank you.
Blessings,
Grace
I just found your wonderful blog and I'm so thankful.
Right now I am struggling with the "titles" of my life. As a young mom the world was harsh on the "just moms" and now my children are out on their own and I am the "caretaker" of my disabled father. And again I struggle when new people ask "what do you do".
The Lord has helped me answer that question when my kids were young and He will help me again.
What a sad statement for our world that taking care of those most precious to us is somehow not enough anymore.
irw dana.
I have huge respect for what you do and so should anyone else who is ever going to grow old.
Thankfully, we have the title, "Daughter" from God the Father that clearly defines all that really matters. :)
Please, enter me in the drawing.
Yes, I have your button on my blog.
Thank you for the reminder to keep our "competition" in check!
I feel blessed to have found your blog already. The tribute to Ruth Bell Graham was beautiful.
I added your button to my blog as well.
Wow! What a simple song...and how simple life really is.
I have been listening to this song over and over again today since finding it on your blog. Such a sense of peace. Refreshing.:o)
Post a Comment