Amanda Stephan's Blog: God is Good, God is Great, page 52
May 12, 2012
Is This All There Is?
"Dear Dee Dee" is the featured Saturday column at
Sisters in Cahoots! We encourage our readers to write in with their questions.
If you have a question you would like answered from God's Word, please email deedeewike@gmail.com or write to:
Dee Dee Wike, 728 Peterson Lake Rd, Collierville, TN 38017-1851.
*****************************************************
Dear Dee Dee,
I have been having trouble for the past couple of weeks
getting motivated to do just simple daily tasks. I have volunteered at my
daughter's school, gone to church, done laundry, etc., but I am still feeling
kind of useless, and I would really love to sleep half of the day away. I know
exercise would help, but I am good at making excuses because I hate it so much. Can you give me some Bible verses that would
help me get motivated to not waste so much time, because I'm feeling guilty
about it, but I can't seem to get out of this "slump" I'm in? -- Denise
Although I am not
sure whether Denise is expressing concern that she might be depressed or
simply is frustrated with her routine, I think it safe to assume that she, like
many of us, is probably wondering, Is this all there is?
When
God created us he planted seeds of purpose deep within us. Knowing that the Lord has a plan for each of
us, a plan to prosper and not harm us, plans to give us a hope and a future
(Jeremiah 29:11), we spend much of our lives trying to determine his will and
purpose for our lives. Not all of us are
called to vocational ministry (i.e., pastors, missionaries, worship leaders),
but we are all called to serve those both inside and outside the Church in
whatever profession he places us. For a
stay-at-home mom like me, sometimes that ministry plays itself out in mundane activities like doing laundry and cutting the grass. When Jesus set the example of service for the
disciples he didn’t give a lecture on expository preaching, healing the sick, or casting out demons. He simply performed the humble task of
washing the disciples' dirty feet (see John 13:4-5).
Even
when we sense God calling us to a more prominent area of service, he sometimes
takes us through the spiritual disciplines of praying, studying, and
waiting on him in order to build in us the strength and wisdom we will need to
carry out his calling. Part of that season
of preparation includes staying right where we are, serving our families and
churches with little recognition or appreciation. It is there that we need to seek God’s
approval and do all things for his glory alone (1 Corinthians 10:31). As we take our focus off of ourselves and our
egos and begin to serve others as though we are serving Christ himself (Matthew
26:40), we become content in our service to others and with the increased intimacy
we experience in our relationship with him.
If you feel like you will never achieve the greatness God has for you, rest assured that in his timing you will. Relish this season of life knowing that "we (you) are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us (you) to do" (Ephesians 2:10). Take time to study the Word, pray, and take care of yourself along the
way, whether by exercising or catching a nap now and then, because you are precious
in God’s sight and deserve the same kind of tender loving care you so freely
give to others. Cut yourself a little slack and love yourself the
way you love God and your family – without guilt – knowing that “there is now
no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus” (Romans 8:1).
Copyright © 2012 by Dee Dee
Wike. All rights reserved. www.deedeewike.comLonely Hearts ~ a sweet Christian Romance
The Price of Trust ~ Christian Romantic Suspense
http://www.booksbyamanda.com
Sisters in Cahoots! We encourage our readers to write in with their questions.
If you have a question you would like answered from God's Word, please email deedeewike@gmail.com or write to:
Dee Dee Wike, 728 Peterson Lake Rd, Collierville, TN 38017-1851.
*****************************************************
Dear Dee Dee,
I have been having trouble for the past couple of weeks
getting motivated to do just simple daily tasks. I have volunteered at my
daughter's school, gone to church, done laundry, etc., but I am still feeling
kind of useless, and I would really love to sleep half of the day away. I know
exercise would help, but I am good at making excuses because I hate it so much. Can you give me some Bible verses that would
help me get motivated to not waste so much time, because I'm feeling guilty
about it, but I can't seem to get out of this "slump" I'm in? -- Denise
Although I am not
sure whether Denise is expressing concern that she might be depressed or
simply is frustrated with her routine, I think it safe to assume that she, like
many of us, is probably wondering, Is this all there is?
When
God created us he planted seeds of purpose deep within us. Knowing that the Lord has a plan for each of
us, a plan to prosper and not harm us, plans to give us a hope and a future
(Jeremiah 29:11), we spend much of our lives trying to determine his will and
purpose for our lives. Not all of us are
called to vocational ministry (i.e., pastors, missionaries, worship leaders),
but we are all called to serve those both inside and outside the Church in
whatever profession he places us. For a
stay-at-home mom like me, sometimes that ministry plays itself out in mundane activities like doing laundry and cutting the grass. When Jesus set the example of service for the
disciples he didn’t give a lecture on expository preaching, healing the sick, or casting out demons. He simply performed the humble task of
washing the disciples' dirty feet (see John 13:4-5).
Even
when we sense God calling us to a more prominent area of service, he sometimes
takes us through the spiritual disciplines of praying, studying, and
waiting on him in order to build in us the strength and wisdom we will need to
carry out his calling. Part of that season
of preparation includes staying right where we are, serving our families and
churches with little recognition or appreciation. It is there that we need to seek God’s
approval and do all things for his glory alone (1 Corinthians 10:31). As we take our focus off of ourselves and our
egos and begin to serve others as though we are serving Christ himself (Matthew
26:40), we become content in our service to others and with the increased intimacy
we experience in our relationship with him.
If you feel like you will never achieve the greatness God has for you, rest assured that in his timing you will. Relish this season of life knowing that "we (you) are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us (you) to do" (Ephesians 2:10). Take time to study the Word, pray, and take care of yourself along the
way, whether by exercising or catching a nap now and then, because you are precious
in God’s sight and deserve the same kind of tender loving care you so freely
give to others. Cut yourself a little slack and love yourself the
way you love God and your family – without guilt – knowing that “there is now
no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus” (Romans 8:1).
Copyright © 2012 by Dee Dee
Wike. All rights reserved. www.deedeewike.comLonely Hearts ~ a sweet Christian Romance
The Price of Trust ~ Christian Romantic Suspense
http://www.booksbyamanda.com
May 11, 2012
John 3:16MN Giveaway Blog Hop
Welcome to the 1st John 3:16 Giveaway Blog Hop!
As one of the members of this great network of Christian Authors, I am excited to participate in this event! We have come together this week to showcase our books and to give you, our readers, a chance to win some great prizes as you "hop" from blog to blog. A different prize is offered at each blog site (no purchase necessary), however if you want to have a chance to win one of two Kindles the network is giving away, the only requirement is that you sign up for the John 3:16 ezine newsletter. (Located at the top right side column of the John 3:16 blog site.)
(See official rules here.)
What you could win from Sisters in Cahoots... $25 Olive Garden Gift Card Plus a FREE BOOK!
For the $25 Olive Garden gift card and Novel I'm giving away, all you have to do is leave a comment starting Monday. Get extra entries by following me on Twitter and Like me on Facebook, or following this blog via GFC, or signing up to receive my newsletter. Winner from my blog will be announced May 15th!
Just click on the links below to go from blog to blog! Happy hoppin'!
Blog Hop Participants:
Lorilyn Roberts (John 3:16 Blog) – http://john316mn.blogspot.com/
Lynn Dove – Word Salt (Host blog) - http://wordsalt.wordpress.com/
Laura J. Davis - http://interviewsandreviews.blogspot.com/
Paulette Harper - http://www.pauletteharperjohnson.blogspot.com/
Carol A. Brown - http://connectwithcarolbrown.blogspot.com/
April Gardner - http://www.aprilwgardner.com/
Sue Russell – http://www.suerussellsblog.blogspot.com/
Thomas Blubaugh - http://tomblubaugh.net/
Susan F. Craft – http://historicalfictionalightintime.blogspot.com/
Heather Bixler – http://heatherbixler.com/
Joy Hannabass – http://splashesofjoy.wordpress.com/
Deborah Bateman - http://www.DeborahHBateman.com
Kimberley Payne - http://www.fitforfaith.blogspot.com/
Rose McCauley – http://www.rosemccauley.blogspot.com
Lisa Lickel - http://livingourfaithoutloud.blogspot.com/
Alice J. Wisler - http://www.alicewisler.blogspot.com/
Amanda Stephan - http://www.thepriceoftrust.com/
Saundra Dalton – http://gracetolivefree.blogspot.com/
Tracy Krauss - http://www.tracykraussexpressionexpress.com/
Ashley Wintters - http://ashleyschristianbookreviews.blogspot.com/
Deborah McCarragher - http://www.godmissionpossible.blogspot.com/
Lorilyn Roberts - http://lorilynroberts.blogspot.com/
Anita Estes - http://anita-thoughtsonchristianity.blogspot.com/
Martin Roth – http://www.military-orders.com
Kenneth Winters – http://www.lostcrownofcolonnade.com/
Eddie Snipes – http://www.eddiesnipes.com/
Diane Tatum - http://tatumlight-tatumsthoughts4today.blogspot.com/
Janalyn Voigt - http://janalynvoigt.com/
Alberta Sequeira – http://www.albertasequeira.wordpress.com/
Tammy Hill – http://tammyhillbooks.blogspot.com/p/blog-hop.html
Marcia Laycock – http://www.writer-lee.blogspot.com/
Nike Chillemi - http://nikechillemi.wordpress.com/
Elaine Marie Cooper - http://wp.me/PVo1a-1vM
Sidney W. Frost - http://christianbookmobile.blogspot.ca/2012/05/welcome-to-john-316-giveaway-blog-hop.html
Jairus B. King – http://ministerjking.blogspot.com
Bill Burt - http://kotbooks.blogspot.com/
Kathy Eberly - http://authorkathyeberly.blogspot.com/
Bob Saffrin - http://bobsaffrin.com/
Theresa Franklin - http://theresa-lifesjourney.blogspot.com/
Ray Lincoln - http://blog.raywlincoln.com/
Lilly Maytree - http://www.lillymaytree.blogspot.com/
Yvonne Pat Wright - http://www.spicetoeternity.co.uk/1/post/2012/05/come-blog-hopping-with-john-316-marketing-network-members-for-gifts-and-prizes.html
Pauline Creeden - http://fatfreefaith.blogspot.com/
Katherine Harms - http://livingontilt.wordpress.com
Brenda Wood - http://heartfeltdevotionals.wordpress.com/
Deborah Malone - http://deborahsbutterflyjourney.blogspot.com/
Melissa Main – http://www.mainwriters.com/
Kevin Main - http://mainchristianbooks.com/
Sandy Humphrey - http://www.kidscandoit.com/blog/
Felice Gerwitz - http://www.writingandpublishingblog.com/
Hallee Bridgeman - http://www.bridgemanfamily.com/hallee
Lisa Mills - http://www.authorlisamills.com/blog/
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Lonely Hearts ~ a sweet Christian Romance
The Price of Trust ~ Christian Romantic Suspense
http://www.booksbyamanda.com
May 9, 2012
Head in the Clouds?
I read something once, or maybe my husband shared it with me. Regardless this bit of information was this: Your dreams and your vision are just that, yours. Don’t expect people to be happy for you, encourage you or want to help you. In fact, if you are dreaming past their understanding, most people will condemn you and make fun, saying your head is in the clouds.
My message to you is this; if you have a dream, dream it. Don’t let anyone stop you, hinder you, discourage you, dampen your drive, disqualify your dream, talk down to you or beat you down with a stick. It’s your dream. The only way someone can take it away from you is if you let them. Don’t let them.
At first, some people may be excited for you, but results take time. They don’t happen immediately. Why the attitude of these people who are supposed to love you and want to see you succeed changes, I know not.
Maybe they thought they would benefit from your success. Maybe they do not have the persistence and the drive to make their goals happen as you do. Or maybe, they have no idea how to dream. It is a foreign concept to them. A language they do not understand.
My husband is among those who have a differing opinion. He believes there is an elite group of people who will accomplish what they go after. This group of people is not afraid to fail and because of that they will succeed.
He also believes those who are afraid to take chances, who feign happiness for those willing to take them, are in their most inward parts, jealous of those who are willing to lay it all on the line.
Part of these people see what us dreamers are going after and instead of being truly helpful and happy, they are burning with envy. They want what we are going after, but they don’t have what it takes to make it happen.
They become haters. They will say little things to discourage us, provoke us and to ultimately make us feel less than our worth because we are not like them.
And they are right. We are not like them. And, to be blunt, I never want to be like them. I’d rather fail a million times and get back up then be defeated before I ever start. It matters not to me what others think. It matters only that I am doing what I am supposed to be doing.
So, live this life like you are flying in an incredible flying machine, flitting from place to place and dreaming as big as the sky. You are incredible. You can make your dreams come true.
If someone has discouraged you today, please be encouraged. And try and encourage someone who needs your kind words. These dreams we are working so hard at accomplishing come from someone much much bigger than you and I and He knows we can get it done!
Blessings!
Darlene Shortridge
Author of Until Forever
Website
Blog
A little p.s. I want to share with you. Until Forever is going to be available as a free download from Amazon on Friday, May 11th, Saturday May 12th and Sunday May 13th. Feel free to check it out and please share the link with everyone. Thanks a bunch!
Lonely Hearts ~ a sweet Christian Romance
The Price of Trust ~ Christian Romantic Suspense
http://www.booksbyamanda.com
My message to you is this; if you have a dream, dream it. Don’t let anyone stop you, hinder you, discourage you, dampen your drive, disqualify your dream, talk down to you or beat you down with a stick. It’s your dream. The only way someone can take it away from you is if you let them. Don’t let them.
At first, some people may be excited for you, but results take time. They don’t happen immediately. Why the attitude of these people who are supposed to love you and want to see you succeed changes, I know not.
Maybe they thought they would benefit from your success. Maybe they do not have the persistence and the drive to make their goals happen as you do. Or maybe, they have no idea how to dream. It is a foreign concept to them. A language they do not understand.
My husband is among those who have a differing opinion. He believes there is an elite group of people who will accomplish what they go after. This group of people is not afraid to fail and because of that they will succeed.
He also believes those who are afraid to take chances, who feign happiness for those willing to take them, are in their most inward parts, jealous of those who are willing to lay it all on the line.
Part of these people see what us dreamers are going after and instead of being truly helpful and happy, they are burning with envy. They want what we are going after, but they don’t have what it takes to make it happen.
They become haters. They will say little things to discourage us, provoke us and to ultimately make us feel less than our worth because we are not like them.
And they are right. We are not like them. And, to be blunt, I never want to be like them. I’d rather fail a million times and get back up then be defeated before I ever start. It matters not to me what others think. It matters only that I am doing what I am supposed to be doing.
So, live this life like you are flying in an incredible flying machine, flitting from place to place and dreaming as big as the sky. You are incredible. You can make your dreams come true.
If someone has discouraged you today, please be encouraged. And try and encourage someone who needs your kind words. These dreams we are working so hard at accomplishing come from someone much much bigger than you and I and He knows we can get it done!
Blessings!
Darlene Shortridge
Author of Until Forever
Website
Blog
A little p.s. I want to share with you. Until Forever is going to be available as a free download from Amazon on Friday, May 11th, Saturday May 12th and Sunday May 13th. Feel free to check it out and please share the link with everyone. Thanks a bunch!
Lonely Hearts ~ a sweet Christian Romance
The Price of Trust ~ Christian Romantic Suspense
http://www.booksbyamanda.com
I read something once, or maybe my husband shared it with...
I read something once, or maybe my husband shared it with me. Regardless this bit of information was this: Your dreams and your vision are just that, yours. Don’t expect people to be happy for you, encourage you or want to help you. In fact, if you are dreaming past their understanding, most people will condemn you and make fun, saying your head is in the clouds.
My message to you is this; if you have a dream, dream it. Don’t let anyone stop you, hinder you, discourage you, dampen your drive, disqualify your dream, talk down to you or beat you down with a stick. It’s your dream. The only way someone can take it away from you is if you let them. Don’t let them.
At first, some people may be excited for you, but results take time. They don’t happen immediately. Why the attitude of these people who are supposed to love you and want to see you succeed changes, I know not.
Maybe they thought they would benefit from your success. Maybe they do not have the persistence and the drive to make their goals happen as you do. Or maybe, they have no idea how to dream. It is a foreign concept to them. A language they do not understand.
My husband is among those who have a differing opinion. He believes there is an elite group of people who will accomplish what they go after. This group of people is not afraid to fail and because of that they will succeed.
He also believes those who are afraid to take chances, who feign happiness for those willing to take them, are in their most inward parts, jealous of those who are willing to lay it all on the line.
Part of these people see what us dreamers are going after and instead of being truly helpful and happy, they are burning with envy. They want what we are going after, but they don’t have what it takes to make it happen.
They become haters. They will say little things to discourage us, provoke us and to ultimately make us feel less than our worth because we are not like them.
And they are right. We are not like them. And, to be blunt, I never want to be like them. I’d rather fail a million times and get back up then be defeated before I ever start. It matters not to me what others think. It matters only that I am doing what I am supposed to be doing.
So, live this life like you are flying in an incredible flying machine, flitting from place to place and dreaming as big as the sky. You are incredible. You can make your dreams come true.
If someone has discouraged you today, please be encouraged. And try and encourage someone who needs your kind words. These dreams we are working so hard at accomplishing come from someone much much bigger than you and I and He knows we can get it done!
Blessings!
Darlene Shortridge
Author of Until Forever
Website
Blog
A little p.s. I want to share with you. Until Forever is going to be available as a free download from Amazon on Friday, May 11th, Saturday May 12th and Sunday May 13th. Feel free to check it out and please share the link with everyone. Thanks a bunch!
Lonely Hearts ~ a sweet Christian Romance
The Price of Trust ~ Christian Romantic Suspense
http://www.booksbyamanda.com
My message to you is this; if you have a dream, dream it. Don’t let anyone stop you, hinder you, discourage you, dampen your drive, disqualify your dream, talk down to you or beat you down with a stick. It’s your dream. The only way someone can take it away from you is if you let them. Don’t let them.
At first, some people may be excited for you, but results take time. They don’t happen immediately. Why the attitude of these people who are supposed to love you and want to see you succeed changes, I know not.
Maybe they thought they would benefit from your success. Maybe they do not have the persistence and the drive to make their goals happen as you do. Or maybe, they have no idea how to dream. It is a foreign concept to them. A language they do not understand.
My husband is among those who have a differing opinion. He believes there is an elite group of people who will accomplish what they go after. This group of people is not afraid to fail and because of that they will succeed.
He also believes those who are afraid to take chances, who feign happiness for those willing to take them, are in their most inward parts, jealous of those who are willing to lay it all on the line.
Part of these people see what us dreamers are going after and instead of being truly helpful and happy, they are burning with envy. They want what we are going after, but they don’t have what it takes to make it happen.
They become haters. They will say little things to discourage us, provoke us and to ultimately make us feel less than our worth because we are not like them.
And they are right. We are not like them. And, to be blunt, I never want to be like them. I’d rather fail a million times and get back up then be defeated before I ever start. It matters not to me what others think. It matters only that I am doing what I am supposed to be doing.
So, live this life like you are flying in an incredible flying machine, flitting from place to place and dreaming as big as the sky. You are incredible. You can make your dreams come true.
If someone has discouraged you today, please be encouraged. And try and encourage someone who needs your kind words. These dreams we are working so hard at accomplishing come from someone much much bigger than you and I and He knows we can get it done!
Blessings!
Darlene Shortridge
Author of Until Forever
Website
Blog
A little p.s. I want to share with you. Until Forever is going to be available as a free download from Amazon on Friday, May 11th, Saturday May 12th and Sunday May 13th. Feel free to check it out and please share the link with everyone. Thanks a bunch!
Lonely Hearts ~ a sweet Christian Romance
The Price of Trust ~ Christian Romantic Suspense
http://www.booksbyamanda.com
May 8, 2012
Quilts and Creation
Over the years I have acquired many hobbies and loves and one of them happens to be quilting. Now I am by no means an expert quilter; the most ambitious quilt I ever made was a quilt made of blocks containing different colored leaves. Usually I just make random patchwork quilts or patchworks like the one pictured above in the Around The World pattern where you start with a center square and keep adding different fabrics around the first until you reach the edges.
It is also pretty obvious if you have read any of my previous posts that I love books. I especially love children's books. Recently I had the opportunity to read a children's book by Janice Green about the creation of the world. It was truly an excellent book. It would never have occurred to me to combine two loves like quilting and writing.
Janice has done a great job doing just that. Her retelling of the creation story in an entertaining and simple way that children will be sure to understand is delightful. And the beautiful illustrations made from quilt segments add interest to this fine book. I would definitely recommend this book to parents just beginning to teach their children biblical truths.
Although this book is most assuredly in the Christian Children's genre, all you quilting fans might just want to take a look at the splendid illustrations as well. In the back of the book Janice even identifies many of the fabrics used in the quilt segments pictured. So go get your copy of The Creation today.
So ends another episode of Kids Korner with me, Children's Author Aileen Stewart. Join me next week for another exciting episode same krazy time, same krazy channel. And feel free to drop by my personal blog Aileen's Thoughts any day of the week for even more on reading, writing, and life in general.
And! Don't forget the John 3:16 Marketing Network Giveaway Hop! Click HERE for participating blogs and more details!
Welcome to the 1st John 3:16 Giveaway Blog Hop!
What you could win from Sisters in Cahoots...
$25 Olive Garden Gift Card Plus a FREE BOOK!
Lonely Hearts ~ a sweet Christian Romance
The Price of Trust ~ Christian Romantic Suspense
http://www.booksbyamanda.com
May 7, 2012
Quilts and Creation
Over the years I have acquired many hobbies and loves and one of them
happens to be quilting. Now I am by no means an expert quilter; the most
ambitious quilt I ever made was a quilt made of blocks containing
different colored leaves. Usually I just make random patchwork quilts or
patchworks like the one pictured above in the Around The World pattern where you start with a center square and keep adding different fabrics around the first until you reach the edges.
It is also pretty obvious if you have read any of my previous posts that I love books. I especially love children's
books. Recently I had the opportunity to read a children's book by
Janice Green about the creation of the world. It was truly an excellent
book. It would never have occurred to me to combine two loves like
quilting and writing.
Janice has done a great job doing just that. Her retelling of the
creation story in an
entertaining and simple way that children will be sure to understand is
delightful. And the beautiful illustrations made from quilt segments add
interest to
this fine book. I would definitely recommend this book to parents just
beginning to teach their children biblical truths.
Although this book is most assuredly in the Christian Children's genre,
all you quilting fans might just want to take a look at the splendid
illustrations as well. In the back of the book Janice even identifies
many of the fabrics used in the quilt segments pictured. So go get your
copy of The Creation today.
So ends another episode of Kids Korner with me, Children's Author Aileen Stewart. Join me next week for another exciting episode same krazy time, same krazy channel. And feel free to drop by my personal blog Aileen's Thoughts any day of the week for even more on reading, writing, and life in general.Lonely Hearts ~ a sweet Christian Romance
The Price of Trust ~ Christian Romantic Suspense
http://www.booksbyamanda.com
A Week of Giveaways!
Welcome to the 1st John 3:16 Giveaway Blog Hop!
As one of the members of this great network of Christian Authors, I am excited to participate in this event! We have come together this week to showcase our books and to give you, our readers, a chance to win some great prizes as you "hop" from blog to blog. A different prize is offered at each blog site (no purchase necessary), however if you want to have a chance to win one of two Kindles the network is giving away, the only requirement is that you sign up for the John 3:16 ezine newsletter. (Located at the top right side column of the John 3:16 blog site.)
(See official rules here.)
Each author that is participating in the blog hop will require that you leave a comment (and a valid email address) so they may contact you if you win a prize offered on their blog site.
May I also suggest that you show your love and appreciation to each blog host by either following them on Twitter, or "liking" them on Facebook or even subscribing to their blog. It won't help your odds of winning a prize but I know each author would be thrilled and very encouraged!
What you could win from Sisters in Cahoots... $25 Olive Garden Gift Card Plus a FREE BOOK!
For the $25 Olive Garden gift card and Novel I'm giving away, all you have to do is leave a comment starting Monday. Get extra entries by following me on Twitter and Like me on Facebook, or following this blog via GFC, or signing up to receive my newsletter.
So tell your friends about the John 3:16 Giveaway Blog Hop! It's going to be a great week of fun!
Just click on the links below to go from blog to blog! Happy hoppin'!
Blog Hop Participants:
Lorilyn Roberts (John 3:16 Network Blog) – http://john316mn.blogspot.com/
Lynn Dove – Word Salt (Host blog) - http://wordsalt.wordpress.com/
Laura J. Davis - http://interviewsandreviews.blogspot.com/
Paulette Harper - http://www.pauletteharperjohnson.blogspot.com/
Carol A. Brown - http://connectwithcarolbrown.blogspot.com/
April Gardner - http://www.aprilwgardner.com/
Sue Russell – http://www.suerussellsblog.blogspot.com/
Thomas Blubaugh - http://tomblubaugh.net/
Susan F. Craft – http://historicalfictionalightintime.blogspot.com/
Heather Bixler – http://heatherbixler.com/
Joy Hannabass – http://splashesofjoy.wordpress.com/
Deborah Bateman - http://www.DeborahHBateman.com
Kimberley Payne - http://www.fitforfaith.blogspot.com/
Rose McCauley – http://www.rosemccauley.blogspot.com
Lisa Lickel - http://livingourfaithoutloud.blogspot.com/
Alice J. Wisler - http://www.alicewisler.blogspot.com/
Amanda Stephan - http://www.thepriceoftrust.com/
Saundra Dalton – http://gracetolivefree.blogspot.com/
Tracy Krauss - http://www.tracykraussexpressionexpress.com/
Ashley Wintters - http://ashleyschristianbookreviews.blogspot.com/
Deborah McCarragher - http://www.godmissionpossible.blogspot.com/
Lorilyn Roberts - http://lorilynroberts.blogspot.com/
Anita Estes - http://anita-thoughtsonchristianity.blogspot.com/
Martin Roth – http://www.military-orders.com
Janet Perez Eckles - http://www.janetperezeckles.com/blog
Kenneth Winters – http://www.lostcrownofcolonnade.com/
Eddie Snipes – http://www.eddiesnipes.com/
Diane Tatum - http://tatumlight-tatumsthoughts4today.blogspot.com/
Janalyn Voight - http://janalynvoigt.com/
Alberta Sequeira – http://www.albertasequeira.wordpress.com/
Tammy Hill – http://tammyhillbooks.blogspot.com/p/blog-hop.html
Marcia Laycock – http://www.writer-lee.blogspot.com/
Julie Saffrin - http://juliesaffrin.com/category/blog/
Nike Chillemi - http://nikechillemi.wordpress.com/
Elaine Marie Cooper - http://ReflectionsInHindsight.wordpress.com
Sidney W. Frost - http://christianbookmobile.blogspot.ca/
Jairus B. King – http://ministerjking.blogspot.com
Bill Burt - http://kotbooks.blogspot.com/
Kathy Eberly - http://authorkathyeberly.blogspot.com/
Bob Saffrin - http://bobsaffrin.com/
Theresa Franklin - http://theresa-lifesjourney.blogspot.com/
Ray Lincoln - http://blog.raywlincoln.com/
Lilly Maytree - http://www.lillymaytree.blogspot.com/
Valerie King - http://www.valeriekingbooks.com
Yvonne Pat Wright - http://www.spicetoeternity.co.uk/
Pauline Creeden - http://fatfreefaith.blogspot.com/
Katherine Harms - http://livingontilt.wordpress.com
Brenda Wood - http://heartfeltdevotionals.wordpress.com/
Deborah Malone - http://deborahsbutterflyjourney.blogspot.com/
Melissa Main – http://www.mainwriters.com/
Kevin Main - http://mainchristianbooks.com/
Sandy Humphrey - http://www.kidscandoit.com/blog/
Felice Gerwitz - http://www.writingandpublishingblog.com/
Hallee Bridgeman - http://www.bridgemanfamily.com/hallee
Lisa Mills - http://www.authorlisamills.com/blog/
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Lonely Hearts ~ a sweet Christian Romance
The Price of Trust ~ Christian Romantic Suspense
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May 6, 2012
Sundays with Kristi - "I Feel Worn Down"
Do you ever feel worn down? I know I do. Sometimes it is physical exhaustion, sometimes emotional, and sometimes even spiritual.
As we dig through this today to find renewal, I first just want to share with you where we're going over the next few weeks. Next week we'll have a special Mother's day devotional "I Feel Inadequate," and then the week after that we'll jump into the Beatitudes. If you'd like to take a look back at where we've been, click on the "Sunday" tab above.
Sunrise
To me, the sunrise is the most beautiful of all God’s creations. Granted, God has certainly created a number of breathtaking and splendid works of art such as amazing sunsets, majestic mountain views, and the like. All those are stunningly beautiful, but to me, there’s nothing like the newness and freshness of a sunrise.
Sunrises are so varied. Some mornings see brilliant reds and yellows reflected on the clouds. Others show only hints of pink and purple against a clear blue sky. Still other mornings, only a light yellow haze is visible as the sun tries to pierce through an early morning fog. Occasionally, I sleep right through the sunrise, but even though I didn’t see it come up, the sun is there waiting to welcome me. Each and every day, God gives us a new artistic masterpiece to celebrate, all of them speaking of God’s refreshing newness every morning.
Lamentations 3:22-23 says, “The Lord’s lovingkindnesses indeed never cease, His compassions never fail; they are new every morning. Great is Your faithfulness.” Lamentations, a book of mourning, sadness, and grief, holds this hopeful promise. The prophet Jeremiah knew as he wrote these words that even though the people of Israel were going through hard times, God is faithful. He still loved them. And, God’s love and compassion will never cease.
New Every Morning
Many of us have heard these truths about God before. We know that He loves us. We know that His love goes on and on. We tell ourselves these truths in the midst of the circumstances of our daily lives, and certainly these truths are true. But, they are only half of the story. Not only does God love us and have compassion for us in the midst of all the circumstances of life, God’s love and compassion are new every morning. We don’t have to wake up to face the day with a stale remembrance of God’s love. We don’t have to try to hoard God’s compassion thinking we must try and make it last. God gives His love and compassion to us new and fresh every morning, just like a sunrise. And just like the sunrise, we may see them revealed in our lives differently every day.
Some days, I need to see bold, stark reminders of God’s love for my life in order to pierce through the clouds that hang around me. Other days, the soft, slow envelopment of His love spills into my life like an embrace. Some days, I do not see it and I can not feel it, but just because I missed watching it happen does not mean it didn’t. God is faithful. Every morning He gives us His love and compassion anew to wash over our lives with a fresh wave.
Do you feel worn down? Have you experienced the fresh wave of God’s love and compassion today? Look for the sunrise tomorrow morning. See it as a reminder of God’s promise to renew and refresh His love and compassion for us, no matter what our circumstances or our situation. Live and share that message of hope today to the people you are around so they, too, can share in the renewal of God’s beautiful sunrise.
Father, some days just wear on me and I feel like I'm having a hard time keeping going. You are there for me every day. You renew me every single day. You don't forget me; You don't overlook me. Your mercy and compassion is new every morning. Help me to see it and feel it today!
May you live out His Word today!
Kristi Burchfiel
Check out my daily devotions either on my blog or on my Facebook page
The Price of Trust ~ Christian Romantic Suspense
http://www.booksbyamanda.com
May 5, 2012
What Ever Happened to Wonder Woman?
One of my favorite
television series of the 1970’s was “Wonder Woman.” I always thought it would
be neat to be a sexy superhero, fighting the bad guys and never even breaking a
sweat! She made it look so easy, didn’t she?
The women of today in no way resemble the
DC Comics superhero we grew up with. Wonder Woman couldn’t begin to handle all
the responsibilities of modern women. Although her alter ego, Diana Prince, had
a full-time government job, I don’t recall Wonder Woman being married with
children, pushing a shopping cart through Wal-Mart, or volunteering at the
local food pantry.
The true Wonder Woman is described in
Proverbs 31:10–31. She is a wife of noble character, whose husband has full
confidence in her. She works with eager hands, brings her food from afar, and
burns the candle at both ends in order to meet the demands of her busy household.
She is an industrious and astute business and financial manager, with a kind
and generous heart for those in need. She is secure, prepared for the future,
and creative. Beautifully arrayed with strength and dignity, she has an amazing
sense of humor and a gift for making even the biggest worries seem
insignificant. Her husband and children praise her for the way she looks after
them, and she is recognized as a woman of excellence. She knows that no
cosmetics or fashion wardrobe are a match for the inner beauty that radiates
from a heart dedicated to God.
Wonder Woman was man’s creation.
You, beloved, are God’s unique creation, fashioned in his image. As you seek
his will for your life and allow his Word to dwell richly in you, you will take
on the very character and attributes of God himself, a feat not even Wonder
Woman can accomplish!
Copyright © 2010 by Dee Dee Wike. Good to the Last Drop: Refreshing Inspiration for Homeschool Moms and Other Busy Women. All rights reserved
(Photo Credit: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wonder_Woman)
. Lonely Hearts ~ a sweet Christian Romance
The Price of Trust ~ Christian Romantic Suspense
http://www.booksbyamanda.com
May 4, 2012
Giveaways Galore!
Oh goodness. May seems to be the month for giveaways! I'm serious. Check around and I'm sure you'll be amazed.
Starting May 7th and running through May 14th, a group of members with the John 3:16 Marketing Network are having a giveaway blog hop. Yep. Where you, the reader/hopper, have a chance to win not one, not two, but over 50 different prizes PLUS there will be two Kindles given away as a bonus prize! Details of which blogs to hop from and to will be posted Monday, May 7th.
I'll be giving away a $25 Olive Garden gift card PLUS your choice of either of my novels. If you haven't read Lonely Hearts, now's your chance to get your signed copy. If you haven't yet read my re-released The Price of Trust, start commenting like crazy on Monday for a chance to win it!
Rules: for the Kindle Giveaways from the John 3:16 Marketing Network the only requirement is that you sign up for the John 3:16 ezine newsletter. (Located at the top right side column of the John 3:16 blog site.)
For the $25 Olive Garden gift card and novel I'm giving away, all you have to do is leave a comment starting Monday. Get extra entries by following me on Twitter and Like me on Facebook, or following this blog via GFC, or signing up to receive my newsletter.
Yep. 55 chances to win a prize from 55 different blogs. Sweet! Hop away, baby!
Now, if you just can't wait, I found a few other giveaways you might be interested in:
The Bowers Files, Volumes 1-4, by Steven James
Enter Here
Ends May 4, 2012 @ midnight
Cluster Cross Bracelet
Enter Here for a Chance to Win!
Ends May 8, 2012
Half-Stitched Amish Quilting Club by Wanda Brunstetter
Enter Here for a Chance to Win!
Ends May 14, 2012
Lady Anne's Quest by Susan Page Davis
Enter Here for a Chance to Win!
Ends May 18, 2012
When the Hurt Runs Deep by Kay Arthur
Enter Here for a Chance to Win!
Ends May 18, 2012
A Confident Heart by Renee Swope
Enter Here for a Chance to Win!
Ends May 18, 2012
Lonely Hearts ~ a sweet Christian Romance
The Price of Trust ~ Christian Romantic Suspense
http://www.booksbyamanda.com
Starting May 7th and running through May 14th, a group of members with the John 3:16 Marketing Network are having a giveaway blog hop. Yep. Where you, the reader/hopper, have a chance to win not one, not two, but over 50 different prizes PLUS there will be two Kindles given away as a bonus prize! Details of which blogs to hop from and to will be posted Monday, May 7th.
I'll be giving away a $25 Olive Garden gift card PLUS your choice of either of my novels. If you haven't read Lonely Hearts, now's your chance to get your signed copy. If you haven't yet read my re-released The Price of Trust, start commenting like crazy on Monday for a chance to win it!
Rules: for the Kindle Giveaways from the John 3:16 Marketing Network the only requirement is that you sign up for the John 3:16 ezine newsletter. (Located at the top right side column of the John 3:16 blog site.)
For the $25 Olive Garden gift card and novel I'm giving away, all you have to do is leave a comment starting Monday. Get extra entries by following me on Twitter and Like me on Facebook, or following this blog via GFC, or signing up to receive my newsletter.
Yep. 55 chances to win a prize from 55 different blogs. Sweet! Hop away, baby!
Now, if you just can't wait, I found a few other giveaways you might be interested in:
The Bowers Files, Volumes 1-4, by Steven James
Enter Here
Ends May 4, 2012 @ midnight
Cluster Cross Bracelet
Enter Here for a Chance to Win!
Ends May 8, 2012
Half-Stitched Amish Quilting Club by Wanda Brunstetter
Enter Here for a Chance to Win!
Ends May 14, 2012
Lady Anne's Quest by Susan Page Davis
Enter Here for a Chance to Win!
Ends May 18, 2012
When the Hurt Runs Deep by Kay Arthur
Enter Here for a Chance to Win!
Ends May 18, 2012
A Confident Heart by Renee Swope
Enter Here for a Chance to Win!
Ends May 18, 2012
Lonely Hearts ~ a sweet Christian Romance
The Price of Trust ~ Christian Romantic Suspense
http://www.booksbyamanda.com
God is Good, God is Great
A little of this, a little of that. I love doing many different things, but I'm going to share my love of good books, fun crafts, freebies, contests, and scrapbooking with this blog. Enjoy!
...more
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