Penelope Baldwin's Blog, page 2
April 9, 2017
I Mustache You a Question: Bible Puns (and a Free Printable) Just Because!
I love puns. And I have a feeling Jesus does too. So I gathered some of my favorite Bible puns just to brighten your day! And in case you want to brighten someone else’s day, I created a free printable of Bible puns that you can cut out and put in your kids’ (or your spouse’s, friend’s etc.) lunch.
Or just keep them with you throughout the day, because you never know when a joke about Moses might come in handy.
To get the free printable, right-click inside the page of jokes and save it to your desktop. Then print it at your leisure! (There are two printables, one with six jokes on it and one with four.) Enjoy!
The post I Mustache You a Question: Bible Puns (and a Free Printable) Just Because! appeared first on Dwelling in Joy.
April 4, 2017
Taking Big Risks: Walking on Water When the World is Full of Doubt
Taking big risks is a major theme throughout The Bible. So, as Christians, “walking on water” should be second nature to us. But many times, when faced with the opportunity to fully trust in Jesus, we shrink back. And we forget to keep our eyes on The One who promises to keep us safe.
God, I’m feeling kind of alone in this. I’ve listened to you. I’ve prayed to you. But, sometimes, I feel like no one understands. I’m taking some big risks. But what if I’m wrong?
Sometimes following God means doing something crazy.
In fact, it usually does… almost always, actually. It’s easy to follow God’s plan for you when God is telling you to get a new car or go on a diet. But what if God commanded you to pack up and move to Somalia? Or sell your house and move into a shack? Or, maybe, quit your job without another one lined up and wait for God to tell you what to do next?
What if God told you to share all your failures, your fears and every misstep you make on your journey to joy in a blog that could possibly read by many, or WORSE, by no one at all?
Imagine how much trust in God it takes to jump outside of your comfort zone and apply for a new job. But how much trust would you have to have if God said, “drop everything and go on a mission trip tomorrow?”
Taking big risks is part of trusting God.
This doesn’t mean everyone should quit their jobs and move across the country. God has different plans for each of us, and while one person’s might be to start an orphanage somewhere far away, another’s might be to ask a non-believer to coffee. The object isn’t to be more fearless than the next person; the idea is that the more you trust that God’s got your back no matter what, the easier it is to step off that boat and walk on water.
Taking big risks. Being strong and courageous. It’s part of God’s plan for us. But it’s also really scary.
When I quit my job, and then again when I decided to start this blog, it felt a lot like holding my breath then taking a step forward, one eye open to see what was ahead, the other shut tight in fear.
And I felt alone. Because no one understood.
“So, you don’t have a job…yet?”
“But writing a blog, isn’t that just kind of a hobby?”
“Are you planning on getting a job soon?” (That one was from my husband.)
“But you are applying places, right?
Or sometimes it’s just raised eyebrows, polite smiles and head nods.
Then the questions come full force.
“What if you’re reading God wrong?”
“What if you’re making a big mistake?”
“What if your kids don’t get into a good college because you can’t afford to sign them up for extracurricular activities?”
But those weren’t other people’s questions, they’re my own.
Because I don’t like the lonely feeling of taking big risks. And no one seems to get it, so maybe I’m doing it wrong. Then weight of my actions starts to pull me under. It’s not just my life it affects; I have a husband and three kids. And dogs. That’s eight total living things in my house. And living things need to eat and drink and most of them need to wear clothes.
But then I read. And I pray. And God tells me, over and over.
“I am with you.”
“Do not fear.”
“Trust in me with all your heart.”
“If you have the faith of a mustard seed, you can move mountains.”
“Have confidence in what you do not see.”
God doesn’t want me to simply trust Him. He wants me to depend on Him. He wants me to do things that are not possible without Him.
“Therefore, you will know that I am God.”
When you are at your lowest, when the only way you can make it to the next day is with God’s promises, that’s when God can do the most within you.
God wants you to take a step and walk on water.
So, my prayers have changed from “What do I do, God?” and “Am I doing it wrong?” To “Thanks, God. I can’t wait to see what happens next.”
And God’s response?
“Just watch me.”
Do you feel like God is telling you to take big chances in your life? Is it hard for you to do? In what ways can I pray for you to take the next step in your life?
Let me know in the comments!
The post Taking Big Risks: Walking on Water When the World is Full of Doubt appeared first on Dwelling in Joy.
April 2, 2017
How to Be Still: When God Says Wait
Exodus 14:14. Be Still.
To me, this is one of the most comforting passages in the Bible. It teaches us that we don’t have to keep putting pressure on ourselves to continually fight to be better, to do more. We don’t have to hold on to guilt, pain, stress. We can give it all to Him.
But it’s also one the passages I struggle with the most.
In the most difficult times in my life, when chaos is swirling around me like a gale of wind ready to push me over, it doesn’t seem right to “be still.” And when the road ahead of me is dark, and I can only see what’s immediately in front of me, my instinct is to retreat.
Because how can I trust that what’s ahead of me is safe when I can’t see it?
It’s been a couple of weeks now since I quit my job. Plenty of time to get my head on straight, pray to God and make a plan for myself. When I started this, I figured that two weeks would be more than enough time to figure my life out. I’ve done what I’m supposed to do: I’ve prayed, read scripture, added several Bible apps to my phone. Created lovely scripture pictures to print off and put around the house.
I mean, what else can I do? I asked God this same question. And His response? “You have everything you need.
I hear God telling me this constantly now. [image error]
Me: Should I buy this?
God: You have everything you need
Me: Maybe if I find more Bible journaling ideas on Pinterest?
God: You have everything you need.
Me: What do I do with my life, God???
God: Everything you need.
Me: But, God. The praying, and the reading the Bible, and I still don’t know what to do and…
God: Everything.
That’s when the passage from Exodus popped into my head. “Be still.” God is telling me to wait for Him- that He has equipped me with everything I need. He wants me (and all of us) to be satisfied with knowing only what’s immediately ahead of us, because we trust Him enough to follow His lead even when the road is dark. He wants us to stand firm through the storm, because He will get us through.
I’m not good at being still.
I’m good at worrying. I’m good at thinking about thinking. I’m really good at making lists of things to do to make my life better. (Even if it means adding something I’ve already done and crossing it off so that I feel like I’m moving forward.)
And, if I’m being completely honest, it’s not all that rewarding to make a list with one item: “Be still.” And it’s even less rewarding because I can’t cross it off.
But God knows I love lists, and He knows that this isn’t easy for me, so as I compromise, He’s equipped me with some things to do while I wait. So, I’ve made a different kind of list.
When God says, Be Still: Things to do in the meantime:
Read Genesis 37: Joseph went through struggles far greater than mine to get to where God wanted him to be. God gives us this story to remind us that He is constantly working within us, even when (especially when) He feels far away. Every time it seemed like Joseph’s time was coming, he was thrown another curve ball. But everything he did while waiting helped him to fulfill his destiny- to become king.
Write down my thoughts, feelings, and observations after I pray: (I’m kinda doing that right now, so can I cross that off my list for today?) Sometimes I have to marinate on things for a while before I can really grasp the full meaning. When I write down what I’m thinking and read it later, sometimes I see it from a different perspective. Plus, I have memory as small as a mustard seed, so writing things down helps me remember it.
Read: I love to read! In fact, I took my desk out of my office and turned it into a book room. I’ve since filled it with just about every book anyone has recommended to me over the last couple of years. Now would be a great time to read some of those recommendations. First on my list: Love Does by Bob Goff.
Pray for other people: God’s got me. I don’t have to keep asking for God to answer my prayers, to give me guidance, because I know it’s time to lay low. While I wait, I have plenty of time to pray for my friends, family, the government, the homeless, the abused, the persecuted, the unsaved.
Listen to music: At home. In my car. By myself. With my family. Crank it up. Music is good for the soul!
What about you? Do you struggle when God tells you to “Be Still” What do you do during periods of waiting? And how did it work out for you in the long run.
I’d love to hear your thoughts! Feel free to comment below!
The post How to Be Still: When God Says Wait appeared first on Dwelling in Joy.
March 29, 2017
When Anger Dwells Where Love Should Be: Finding Jesus in the Midst of Emotion
Anger. It’s a tricky emotion. It invades our thoughts, causes stress and keeps us from loving others. But even Jesus had moments of anger. And, as I mentioned in my last post, anger itself isn’t a sin. But often times, anger isn’t used in the way God intended. We hold the anger in, gossip, lash out or get in disputes, both privately and through public forums such as social media.
Those you who read my last post know for lent I’m not allowing unwholesome talk come out of my mouth, but “only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.” (Ephesians 4:29)
To tell you the truth, (and as a Christian I’m embarrassed to say this), but the thought of only saying beneficial things that build others up seems a little…I don’t know- daunting? I don’t consider myself an angry person. But I do let my pride, anger and opinions get in the way of being who God knows I can be.
Lent hasn’t even started yet, (I wrote this the Sunday before lent) and I’ve already caught myself trash talking famous people while watching the Academy Awards. Like, “Why did (talented actor up for their hundredth Emmy) win again? They’re so overrated.” (Although, my husband fell asleep within the first fifteen minutes of turning the award show on, so I was really only commentating to myself.)
Without even realizing it, I get frustrated about things that don’t have anything to do with me, and for some reason, I think I’m justified in my indignation.
But what about those times when it does have to do with me? How do I manage my anger when I feel attacked? Or my feelings are hurt? When I feel like no-one’s listening?
What then?
Luckily, Jesus is always working in us. And God’s word comes in all forms.
This morning I opened my email to find my daily devotion from Proverbs 31 Ministries. And, of course, this morning’s reading was all about thinking things through before acting.
You ever notice that when you’re working through something with God, Biblical truths about the subject show up everywhere?
Or maybe God knows that in order to learn anything, I need to be hit over the head with it. The sermon at church, my daily devotionals, the part of the Bible I happen to be reading- they all seem to about a common theme- and that theme is whatever it is I’m wrestling with at that moment. Sometimes I’ll even start giving someone else advice then stop and realize it’s what I should be saying to myself. Like God’s lobbing my own words back at me to make a point.
But from these experiences, I’ve gained some insight into how to move forward in my relationship with God while following the words written in Ephesians 4:29.
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So, how do we do that?
Stay in the Word. The more you read the Bible, memorize the verses, and keep them in the back of your mind, the easier it will be to remember God’s word during difficult times. I created a printable card with Ephesians 4:29 on it to print out and hang on my wall. If you’d like to print off the same one, click here and get your free printable to hang up where you’ll see it.
Count a few breaths before you speak. (or type/write) And during that brief moment, ask God for the words to say. It’s amazing what God can do for you in a few seconds time!
Find a Friend to keep you accountable. Or two. Or as many as you need. As soon as I told my husband my plan and the struggles I’ve had already, he jumped in to help. Then after someone cut us off in traffic, and I started to say something about the driver, I stopped myself, turned to my husband and said, “I’ll pray for them,” to which he shook his head, rolled his eyes and laughed.
Realize your anger might be telling you something. Like I said before, not all anger is sin. If you see injustice, notice people who are Christian tear others down (whether those people are Christian or not) or any of the other things that make Jesus angry in the Bible, it’s okay to speak up. Part of being a Christian is loving others, and standing up for people is part of loving them.
Do something with your anger. God might have given you that anger to use it to make a change. But holding it in, complaining to someone else or lashing out isn’t the way to make a difference. Pray before making any decisions.
While these ideas are some quick and easy ways to think before you talk, this is in no way a substitute for seeking help for your anger issues. If you have anger that you’re unable to control, I will pray for you. But don’t let that keep you from asking for professional help if necessary. Sometimes God’s will for you might mean taking a step outside your comfort zone.
So, what about you guys? Is God speaking to you in amazing, yet persistent ways? Do you struggle with saying the right thing? What Godly tools do you keep handy when you’re dealing with anger?
And what did you think about the Emmy’s? (Only the nice things!)
Let me know in the comments!
The post When Anger Dwells Where Love Should Be: Finding Jesus in the Midst of Emotion appeared first on Dwelling in Joy.
March 27, 2017
Paul’s Letters, Lent and Loving People: Being Kind When it’s Hard
Loving people seems like it should be easy. But in our society, it’s not hard to get caught up in the constant contest of “who’s right and what’s most important.” How can we have joy no matter the circumstances, when our frustration, anger and hurt feelings get in the way?
I’m not always nice.
And that’s not easy for me to say. I like to think of myself as the kind of person who loves to build people up, who tries to think of others’ points of view. The kind of person willing to help anyone in their time of need. Loving people should be a snap.
But my experiences with traffic have taught me otherwise. And so have my kids. Not to mention my frustration with social media. And, well…probably a few (many) other things.
In fact, if I’m being honest, voicing my not-so-nice opinion is sometimes second nature to me.
I don’t even realize I’m doing it until someone (one of my kids) points it out to me. Because it’s easy for me to tell my kids to pray for others and to assume the best in people, but not as easy to remember to do it myself. (Although it’s SUPER easy for my kids to remember my advice when I’m not following it.)
So, when I yell something like, “What? Are you just going to stop in the middle of the highway?” to the car in front of me, I’m lucky I have my kids to remind me that I don’t know what’s going on in that person’s life or why they’re riding the break like a footrest.
And I can’t tell you how many times someone has asked me, “how are your kids?” that I’ve sighed then answered, “they’re driving me crazy.” My kids are some of my favorite people in the world. I cried when they were born. I’d take a bullet for them. I would hang myself on the cross for them. But, when asked, the first thing I think to say is what they’re doing wrong.
But God wants loving people to be our top priority.
We are told to be “quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to become angry.” (James 1:19) But every time I go on Facebook, I feel a rant swell up in my throat about how mean people have gotten, and I have to shut it down before I the aneurysm I feel collecting in my brain break open.
So- I go on a forty-five second tirade with my husband about what this world is coming to, and then I feel better.
For a few seconds.
But the world is still out there. The pain people feel is still real. I haven’t changed anything by complaining about it, but I have lowered my tolerance of it.
God tells me to love others, not to judge, to be slow to anger, to pray for my enemies. (And a lot of other things about being nice to people and generally being kind.)
So why is it so hard for me to do?
Paul also says “For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.” (Ephesians 6:12).
We are constantly at battle with the forces of evil. Forces that want to break our spirit. And more importantly, that want to destroy Christianity. And what better way than to make our anger feel validated?
If someone doesn’t know Jesus, their only way of connecting with Him might be through the way we, as Christians, behave. We reflect Jesus by our actions. And when we’re seen as unloving, unforgiving, and judgmental, evil wins.
So, for lent, I’m giving up saying anything unwholesome about anyone or to anyone. And thanks to my husband’s excellent idea, I’m going to take it a step further and give in to building other’s up. When I start to feel angry or frustrated, I’m going to actively seek out ways to talk about it in a healthy way. And I’m going to concentrate on loving people like Jesus did.
I feel it’s important to mention that anger in and of itself isn’t a sin.
In the Bible, Jesus showed righteous anger when others exhibited behaviors like spiritual pride, hypocrisy, greed in the temple and hardened hearts. He even became angry with his disciples. But his anger served a purpose. He was protecting God’s Kingdom from those that wanted to use it for their own gain. And his anger never caused him to sin.
I’m hoping that by not letting ANY unwholesome talk to come out of my mouth during lent, I can increase my self-awareness and, in turn, my self-discipline so that I can be a reflection of Jesus all the time. I want loving people to be my go-to response in all situations.
How about you? Is it difficult for you not to let “unwholesome talk” come out of your mouth? Does loving people come easy to you? Let me know in the comments below!
The post Paul’s Letters, Lent and Loving People: Being Kind When it’s Hard appeared first on Dwelling in Joy.
March 21, 2017
Oh, You Mean Those Idols? How Idols Steal Joy
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Because idols steal joy.
It’s day one. Crunch time. I got my yoga pants on and my, “let’s stay home” Old Navy sweatshirt. I make myself a cup of coffee and heat up a frozen waffle. After a few stretches and an assortment of Bible plan readings (which are, of course, about finding joy) I’m ready.
Today’s the day I begin my journey to “count it all joy.”
I give myself a pep talk: I know I won’t be perfect. There will be moments that I don’t feel like I can do it. But I need to remember that my joy isn’t reliant on my circumstances. Even in my darkest hour, I’ll know that God can use my struggles for good. I am going to choose joy.
But right now, what I’m feeling- isn’t-exactly- joy.
It’s more like unease. Which is weird, because…I did tell you I read all those Bible plan passages, right?
I recently made a huge life change. I left a job I enjoyed, because I felt like it wasn’t what God wanted for me. (Or was it? Now I’m wondering. What if I was wrong? Hence the unease.) And I don’t really know what to do next. But that’s okay, because God wants us to trust him enough to take chances and know that it will be okay in the end. (Unless it’s not. Because, you know, money and kids and doing the right thing and…you know, unease.)
I go to the store to pick up something for my son’s school project, and I figure while I’m there, I’ll get a few things I need. Only all the things I “need” turn out to just be things I want. Which for some reason, makes me a little sad. Now that I don’t have a job, I should probably hold off on getting things I don’t actually need so we can save money. So now- what? I’m feeling uneasy and I can’t even buy a notebook at the store to write down all my thoughts about it? No wonder I’m feeling so uneasy, and…wait a second.
God just dropped some Biblical truth on me.
Not that I’m a big spender. (I’m still wearing my yoga pants and sweatshirt in the store- which proves I’m not into super fancy things, right?) I also don’t buy a lot of jewelry or get my hair done a lot or… you get the idea.But here I am, in the store, realizing that it doesn’t matter. It’s not how much I spend or what I spend it on; it’s about the why. Am I doing it to fulfill the part of me reserved for God? Yes. Yes I am.
And it’s not just about money either. When I use anything to fulfill a need that God should fill, it becomes an idol. And God told me, (not audibly, but in an epiphany sort of way) “You will only have joy if you listen to me with ALL your heart. You cannot listen to me with ALL your heart if you continue to fill that space for me with anything else.”
My joy comes from my complete trust in God and my dependence on Him. But I can’t trust in Him if I’m not turning to Him. Joy comes from God alone. Idols steal your joy.
In a nutshell: Get rid of the idols.
Apparently, I have a lot. And honestly, I didn’t even realize most of them. It’s because I’m finally paying attention that I can see it. I’m not super proud of it either. But I want to be a real Christian. I don’t want to hide behind fake truths. So, here’s my list:
When I’m stressed, I turn to other things before turning to god. Books, home decorating, food and, yes, writing are my favorite go-to responses to pick me up when I’m feeling down. Not that these things are bad in and of themselves (except maybe eating cookie dough because, salmonella) but I use them instead of going to God which makes them idols.
I worry constantly. God tells me not to worry. At all. Ever. In the Bible, God tells people not to worry. All. The. Time. I still worry. My what-ifs take up more of my brain than my amen-s. I don’t think unless I’m overthinking. And you know what happens? Two things. First, Satan sneaks in and whispers in my ear, “you’re right- you’re not enough. You do make bad decisions. What were you thinking?” (Once again, not out loud, just in my head.) And second, I don’t want to feel bad anymore, so I decide I’m not going to think about it, and I turn to all the things listed in number 1.
I have pride. I didn’t think I did. But I recently realized how much what other people say matters to me. And when I feel unsupported or underappreciated, I react. My feelings get hurt, and I feel frustrated. My response isn’t to go straight to God and pray. My reaction is to go straight to my husband and complain. (And sometimes to turn to all the things listed in number 1.)
So, before I can go any further in my journey, I have to break down the invisible walls I’ve created that keep me from allowing God to grow me.
I’m like a flower hiding under a tree. I’m afraid of the rain. I don’t understand the sunlight. So, I hide. And I wither. And I don’t know why I can’t grow. But once I realize that tree (my idols for those of you who aren’t into metaphors) is the one thing keeping me from the only things I need to thrive, I begin to grow.
Today, I’m no longer hiding under the tree. I’m ready for the rain.
I’m ready to grow.
So how do I get rid of my idols? I go to God first.
I pray first. And by first, I mean the first thing in the morning. First before making decisions. First before getting angry. First before I speak. It doesn’t have to be a long-winded prayer. It can be as short as, “God, you first,” and reminder to myself that idols steal joy.
And even though it might be difficult at first, I will persevere. When we have thoughts, we form neural pathways in our brain. And when we train ourselves to change our patterns, we develop new pathways. (Which to me, is some amazing God work by the way.) Which means that we can literally change the way we think! Our body’s reaction won’t be to feel anxiety or stress, or to crave sweets or to turn to some other idol. Our body’s reaction will be to smile, because we know God’s got this.
So before I go any further in my journey, I have to remind myself that idols steal joy. And going to God first is the first step in my journey to joy.
Anyone else have an idol or two holding you back? I’d love to know I’m not alone! Please, let me know your thoughts in the comments!
The post Oh, You Mean Those Idols? How Idols Steal Joy appeared first on Dwelling in Joy.
January 8, 2017
Love and Other Answers Release date & First Chapter FREE!
I’m so excited! Because I have the release date for the sequel to Love and Other Puzzles, my new book: Love and Other Answers! And because my book is young adult fiction with a blend of drama, tension and a whole lot of I wanted to celebrate it’s release on...
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October 10, 2016
Solving For Ex Book Review
Solving for Ex, by Leigh Ann Kopans, is a fun young-adult romance for teens and adults who want to enjoy a light read. The book is about Ashley, an intelligent high school student with who was bullied at her old school to the point she had to change districts. She moved in with her aunt, with […]
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August 24, 2016
Ten Parent Resources You Didn’t Know You Needed
Anyone out there as frazzled as me? The kids get older, but it doesn’t get any easier. I constantly look for great parent resources that can help guide me through the treacherous waters of parenting. But looking for the right parent resources can be as tedious as parenting itself. Where...
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August 7, 2016
Hurdling Obstacles in Six Easy Steps
If you’re a teen, tween, parent or, you know…human, you know all about obstacles. Doesn’t it seem like just when you think you have it together, that’s exactly when life throws up roadblock signs in your life? From what I’ve experienced, growing up is like one long track and field event with nothing but hurdles- […]
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