The November Winner, Birthday Wishes and a Reminder!

The winner of the November Praise and Coffee is:

Katy at The Country Blossom

Congratulations!!!

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I have to wish a Happy Birthday to one of my favorite people in the world. I was having my 1st two children while she was having her last two. She was the best mentor this young mom could have had. She became one of my dearest friends and though we don't see each other much due to our move, I still feel a strong bond of love and friendship with her.

On many occasions I called her needing answers that only an experienced mom would have. I will never forget my desperate call one night because I was trying to get Matt in a "big boy bed" and was failing miserably. She so sweetly talked me through it and put all things in perspective.

Karen I love you and wish you a Happy Birthday!

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Reminder! This Thursday is the Praise and Coffe Night in Clio, MI.

I'm grabbing a friend and we are heading over for some shopping at Birch Run and then the fun evening with the girls! If you live over on the East side, I sure would love to see you.

Hop on over to Monkey Giggles to get more details!!!

This is my prayer in the desert...

I couldn't sleep this morning, so I decided to throw on the earplugs and drown myself in worship. In searching for a new song I came across this video.

If you've ever struggled with knowing that you need to worship, but carry the weight of trials that make it so difficult, you will relate to and cherish this powerful song.

The testimony at the beginning lays a beautiful path to walk right up to His throne and sing Him praises.
Enjoy.

Let's be in unity...really?

Unity, it’s the buzz word of the day. But, what does it mean?
As Christians, are we supposed to be in unity with those around us?
It would seem so from what we are hearing these days.

We have a new president and many of us don’t agree with his policies. But as good little American’s, we are to live in unity so there can be peace. Really?

The definition of unity is: oneness.

As Christians, we are supposed to base all of our beliefs on the Bible, so I decided to see what God’s Word said about unity.

Here’s what Jesus said about unity:
John 17:22-23
I in them and you in me. May they be brought to complete unity to let the world know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me.
NIV

He is referring here to being unified together as brothers and sisters in Christ.

And this one:
Rom 15:5
May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you a spirit of unity among yourselves as you follow Christ Jesus
NIV

…As they follow Christ Jesus…again the author seems to be referring to being unified as brothers and sisters in Christ.

What about the Old Testament?
Ps 133:1
Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity!
KJV

Now back to the New…
Eph 4:3
3 Endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.
KJV

Eph 4:13
13 Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ:
KJV

Col 3:12-14
12 Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.
13 Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.
14 And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.
NIV

It is quite clear that in God’s Word, the unity we are called to is within the body of Christ. I could not find any verses that tell us to be unified with the world. But I found these:

Rom 13:1-5
13:1 Everyone must submit himself to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God.
2 Consequently, he who rebels against the authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves.
3 For rulers hold no terror for those who do right, but for those who do wrong. Do you want to be free from fear of the one in authority? Then do what is right and he will commend you.
4 For he is God's servant to do you good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for he does not bear the sword for nothing. He is God's servant, an agent of wrath to bring punishment on the wrongdoer.
5 Therefore, it is necessary to submit to the authorities, not only because of possible punishment but also because of conscience.
NIV

Eccl 10:20
20 Curse not the king, no not in thy thought
KJV

We are called to submission, and to that submission we add faith. Faith and trust that our God will take care of us if we obey Him.

Unity = oneness.
As Christians, we are one with God and his children, but we are to submit to governing authorities.
We don’t have to agree to submit…that would be called “agreement.”
However, we can not be “one” with the world.

1 John 2:15-16
Do not love the world or anything in the world.
If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him.
NIV

John 15:18-19
"If the world hates you, keep in mind that it hated me first.
19 If you belonged to the world, it would love you as its own. As it is, you do not belong to the world, but I have chosen you out of the world. That is why the world hates you.
NIV

When we submit to the governing leaders and “curse not the king” in obedience to the Lord, we are honoring the Lord.

However, I do not believe that means that we sit back and let whatever happens happen. If there is an issue we disagree with, we first pray. Then we get involved where we can. That could mean writing letters to leaders stating our concerns, it could mean taking situations to our courts and fighting in our legal system for justice. I believe we have every right to address concerns and stand up for what is right within the laws of the land.

Of course we are to first obey God’s commands and if we are told to disobey those, we must not.
Here’s a perfect example:
Acts 4:18-20
18 Then they called them in again and commanded them not to speak or teach at all in the name of Jesus.
19 But Peter and John replied, "Judge for yourselves whether it is right in God's sight to obey you rather than God.
20 For we cannot help speaking about what we have seen and heard."
NIV

As always, it comes down to the condition of our hearts. There is nothing wrong with exposing and discussing the concerns we have. But if there is hatred in our hearts towards a person (as opposed to hatred towards a sin) than we are not honoring the Lord.

I know many of you are angry, concerned and upset. Let's bring our concerns to the Lord and obey what He commands. Be in unity (oneness) with fellow believers, but submit to the governing authority in this nation and pray for them in love and trust God.

Church Abuse and Guilt

Hello!
I wasn't going to write today but I came across a post that I thought many of you would find interesting.

I often get email questions like this, but I just respond personally.

I love the way Barbara answered this question and addressed the issue of church abuse.

Check it out...

Churches and Guilt

Don't forget to sign up for the Praise and Coffee contest from November 1st!!

The Day After

I have been praying about what to write today. Am I disappointed? You betcha. :)
But, is there peace in my heart? Of course.

The pillars of this world are not the pillars of God’s Kingdom. It is laughable to imagine that this could negatively affect what God wants to do in this world.

Daniel 2:21
And He changes the times and the seasons;
He removes kings and raises up kings;
NKJV

God has a plan and though we may not see what is going on, we are to live by faith and not be sight.
2 Cor 5:7
We live by faith, not by sight.
NIV

If we are trusting in Him, there will be peace in our hearts.
If not, there will be fear.

Ps 112:6-7
6 Surely he will never be shaken;
a righteous man will be remembered forever.
7 He will have no fear of bad news;
his heart is steadfast, trusting in the LORD.
NIV

We can not fall apart now, this is the time to rise up and be the body of Christ with great boldness- motivated by love.

This is an example of Godly men facing persecution:
Acts 4:31
31 After they prayed, the place where they were meeting was shaken.
And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke the word of God boldly.
NIV

I admit, initially I had a knot in my belly, much like the way it felt the day after 9/11. But, I also knew this was coming. Weeks ago Mark and I discussed that he would win. I think the Lord showed that to many of us so that we would prepare our hearts.

Think of how Jesus’ words have come alive this past year…

Matt 7:13-20
13 "Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it.
14 But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.

I thought of that every time I saw the great masses of people gathered together looking for hope.

And then read what it goes on to say:

15 "Watch out for false prophets. They come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves. 16 By their fruit you will recognize them. Do people pick grapes from thornbushes, or figs from thistles? 17 Likewise every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. 18 A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, and a bad tree cannot bear good fruit. 19 Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. 20 Thus, by their fruit you will recognize them.
NIV

I have been amazed at the people deceived by smooth words though this election. But, if we don’t know what the Lord calls good fruit and bad fruit- how would we recognize it? That’s the nature of deception, you don’t realize that you are being fooled.

One thing that we HAVE to remember today, is that MAN is not our enemy.
Eph 6:12
12 For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.
NKJV

Being angry with a man or an establishment will only serve to set us off course and keep us from God’s purposes.

We battle on our knees and with the love in our hearts for God. We serve those around us- that’s how we become victorious in this.

Our God has not changed. And I have the feeling, we are about to see Him show up on the scene and do great and mighty things!
He is our LIVING hope!

Rev 1:17-18
17 When I saw him, I fell at his feet as though dead. Then he placed his right hand on me and said: "Do not be afraid. I am the First and the Last. 18 I am the Living One; I was dead, and behold I am alive for ever and ever! And I hold the keys of death and Hades.
NIV

I'm so excited to be back!

I took some time off from writing at the Internet Cafe' (the sister site of Christian Women Online Magazine) this summer because of all our travels, but now I'm back and it feels like coming home.

It is a devotional website that offers a daily dose of inspiration from several different wonderful writers. I encourage you to sign up for their morning delivery so you can wake up to inspiration and encouragment every day in your email.

Come on over and check out my post:

"It’s Never too Late for a Fresh Start"

November Praise and Coffee Giveaway!

November already! Can you believe it???

I have some wonderful treats for you this month!

First your praise:

Your Name is a collection of powerful worship duets from some of today's top singers and songwriters, including Phil Wickham, Lincoln Brewster, Paul Baloche, Leeland Mooring, Aaron Shust, and members of Rush of Fools, Audio Adrenaline, and Building 429.


And your coffee:

Cinnamon Gingerbread! Perfect for November!

And don't forget, Bayview Cards wants to bless you too! You will also receive a beautiful box of their homemade cards!!

To enter the drawing, leave a comment on this post. Make sure there is some way for me to contact you if you win (link to a blog or email). No anonymous enteries- it always surprises me when I get those! The drawing will be on the 10th of November.

If you have my GIVEAWAY button on your blog, let me know (please don't assume that I will remember- somedays I can't remember my own kid's names!) and you will be entered TWICE!!!!

One more thing, a bit of encouragement from the Message Bible:

Romans 12:11-13

Don't burn out; keep yourselves fueled and aflame. Be alert servants of the Master, cheerfully expectant. Don't quit in hard times; pray all the harder. Help needy Christians; be inventive in hospitality.

Much love!