Smile...it's spring time!

So today I decided to read from "Around the Campfire" a devotional for sportsmen.  It is actually one of my husband's devotional books; however, I love the outdoors! I love fishing, camping, hiking, and just being outdoors even if it is just to take a walk. Nature, sunlight, warm weather makes me so happy and cheerful! I love how beautiful God created our world! It doesn't matter where I go out of town, I am always amazed with my surroundings and God's creation! I love it! And now with the warm weather and so much sunlight lately, I can't help but take advantage of being outdoors.  First, shroom hunting and walks and now fishing and baseball games...I love the spring!!!! Anyways I was reading this devotional and read Psalms 15:13, "Happiness makes a person smile, but sadness can break a person's spirit."  Reading this verse reminded me of when I was back in high school, and we had a sub for our AP English class. I remember her reading to our class a poem.  It was a very emotional, somewhat sad poem.  It was about a girl sitting on a bench that no one noticed.  They never stopped to say hi or to ask how her day was or to even give a smile.  I don't remember exactly how the poem went; however, I do remember the reasoning behind why she read this poem to us.   I remember several of the other students in my class laughed at the poem and said this girl should have said hi to others or gotten up and stopped feeling sorry for herself, etc.  I remember feeling sorry for this girl....thinking how I wished I could have walked by her and said hello.  After discussing this poem and why we thought it was written our teacher went on to tell us she had written this poem describing how she felt while she was in high school. I couldn't believe it! After all the negative comments made, it was by our teacher.  Now she didn't write it so we could feel sorry for her.  We all loved having her as a teacher! She was very influential and down to earth, but taught us a lot and made us think.  She's the teacher that made me love writing! I enjoyed every paper I had to write in that class! She read this poem to us to make us aware of all those students within our high school that were students like her.  She wanted us to be aware of how others feel.  I remember getting out of that lesson that a smile goes a long way...a simple hello could make a person's day.  Isn't it crazy how we get so caught up in our world, we don't take the time to stop and say hello to an old friend or give a smile to an elderly person as we  walk into the store or say thank you to the cashier in the check out line.  I know, I am usually really shy and have troubles starting a conversation with a stranger; however, I do know I can give a smile to someone walking next to me or I can say thank you to the cashier, etc.  Just think our smile may be the only Jesus some people may ever see.  Give a smile, a simple hello or thank you the next time you are at a store...you never know maybe you may plant a seed.

I am significent

^"Just as our bodies have many parts and each part has a special function, so it is with Christ’s body. We are many parts of one body, and we all belong to each other." -Romans 12;4-5

I love these  verses! They remind me everytime that I am important to God.  No matter how I am involved in with my church family, I am significant and important in God's eyes! I am a part of the body of Christ, and I am working for the Lord.  


This past Sunday during children's church, we talked about missing the target God has for us.  We allowed each student to shoot at a target with a Nerf gun.  Everytime a student missed the target, we yelled "Sin!"  We then went on to explain that everytime we sin, we miss the target God has planned for us.  The target we are aiming for is to be more like Jesus.  
Romans 3:23-27

^"23 For everyone has sinned; we all fall short of God’s glorious standard. ²⁴ Yet God, with undeserved kindness, declares us not guilty. He did this through Christ Jesus when he freed us from the penalty for our sins. ²⁵ For God presented Jesus as the sacrifice for sin. People are made right with God when they believe that Jesus sacrificed his life, shedding his blood. This sacrifice shows that God was being fair when he held back and did not punish those who sinned in times past, ²⁶ for he was looking ahead and including them in what he would do in this present time. God did this to demonstrate his righteousness, for he himself is fair and just, and he declares sinners to be right in his sight when they believe in Jesus.
²⁷ Can we boast, then, that we have done anything to be accepted by God? No, because our acquittal is not based on obeying the law. It is based on faith. ²⁸ So we are made right with God through faith and not by obeying the law."

 After reading these verses and trying to explain them to the students, we had the students act out a court scenario.  We had each student acting out an important role in the court system.  After doing this, Jason, the judge, declared the little boy guilty for not being nice to his sisters; however, after assigning his punishment, Jason took away the punishment and said he would do it for him.  It was our way of getting across that God declares us not guilty.  Just like Jason took away this little boy's sins by taking his punishment,  Jesus Christ took our punishment for our sins by dying on the cross.


The students enjoyed acting out this scenario so much that after having the students explain to us why we did this, we allowed them to act out another court situation.  This time, Jason was being charged for eating all the ice cream without asking me if I would like any.  I laughed hearing what our 'lawyers' discussed and debated about this topic and thought you would enjoy it as well.  I can't remember word for word what was said; however, they were such good debaters I had to write it down as they were debating because it was cute and funny listening to these little girls debate such a funny topic.  Lawyer 1 is a fifth grader and Lawyer 2 is a first grader.  However, I think they both proved great points!


Lawyer 1:  "I don't think he ate the ice cream because he has no evidence of eating it.  There is nothing on his face or clothes."


Lawyer 2: "I think he is guilty.  He doesn't have it on him because he wiped it off to hide that he ate it."


Lawyer 1: "He did not do it.  Kristina ate it and is putting the blame on Jason to keep from getting blamed for it."


Lawyer 2: "I don't think Kristina ate it because her belly is skinnier than his."  (At this point, I decided I loved this little girl and gave her a hug for saying that!) 


Lawyer 1: "He did not do it.  There is no evidence.  Besides he doesn't even look like he could eat that much."


Lawyer 2: "I know he did it. I have ice cream on my shoes with his germs on it! I have video of him eating it."  (As she says this, she takes out her phone and pretends to show us the video.)


I enjoyed this court scenario and thought you could use a smile that would come from reading all about it!

I am content right where I am in life

So often, I compare myself to others or think they have it easier or someone is way prettier than me, etc.  There are times I wish I had what others had.  However, lately I have had a feeling of content with my life.  I know God has this magnificent plan for my life. He has so much planned for only me...things that only I can accomplish. 2 Corinthians 5:9 says "So whether we are here in this body or away from this body, our goal is to please him."  Our goal should be to please Him in everything we do.  We don't have to please others or try to impress others or live up to what they expect out of us.  Our ultimate goal should be to please Him!   Recently, I can honestly say I am content with where I am in life.  I have a job I enjoy, a husband who loves me more than anything else and think I am incredibly beautiful and tells me that often, and a church family who I can count on thru life's ups and downs.  Yes, I still sometimes wish I was prettier or more in shape, or have what others have, but overall, God has helped me be content with my life.  He has plans for me, and I am right where I need to be for Him! I pray that He can continue to use me and that I can be all I can be for Him!  My goal is to please HIM!!!

I Will Not Worry!

^{Matthew 6:27-29
"}Can all your worries add a single moment to your life?  And why worry about your clothing? Look at the lilies of the field and how they grow. They don’t work or make their clothing, yet Solomon in all his glory was not dressed as beautifully as they are."

 I read these verses twice today.  One from a friend's blog, and then from my daily devotions.  Isn't is crazy how God seems  to use the same verses over and over to get it in our heads!!! It seems like he tends to do this often for me.  I'm not really one to worry a lot; however, certain things tend to make me worry.  God doesn't want us to worry.  Worrying doesn't add moments to our life. If anything, it brings us down.   One of my all time favorite verses is Philippians 4:6-7 "Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus."  I love this and use it as my own reminder to stop worrying and instead pray about everything.  Really we should have no reason to worry if pray and trust God to take care of us! God is an amazing God, He will provide! In my devotional, "From the Inside Out" by Gregory Dicklow, it says, "When a thought of worry comes into my head, I use it as a sign to stop and pray."  I think I am going to start doing this!! I know I pray constantly when I'm nervous or worried, but I don't always let it go and take a deep breath and just do my best.  The next time I'm in front of a crowd, speaking in front of grown-ups, I plan to stop, pray, and let God take that worry from me!!!

Trusting God!

I read Psalm 91 today and have been challenged to trust God! Trust God with my life, family, and friends! God is in control of our lives and if we trust Him, He will protect us. Believe something good will happen instead of thinking something bad  might happened.  I hope Psalm 91 will encourage you like it has me.

Psalm 91 (NLT)

¹ Those who live in the shelter of the Most High
    will find rest in the shadow of the Almighty.
² This I declare about the Lord:
He alone is my refuge, my place of safety;
    he is my God, and I trust him.
³ For he will rescue you from every trap
    and protect you from deadly disease.
⁴ He will cover you with his feathers.
    He will shelter you with his wings.
    His faithful promises are your armor and protection.
⁵ Do not be afraid of the terrors of the night,
    nor the arrow that flies in the day.
⁶ Do not dread the disease that stalks in darkness,
    nor the disaster that strikes at midday.
⁷ Though a thousand fall at your side,
    though ten thousand are dying around you,
    these evils will not touch you.
⁸ Just open your eyes,
    and see how the wicked are punished.

⁹ If you make the Lord your refuge,
    if you make the Most High your shelter,
¹⁰ no evil will conquer you;
    no plague will come near your home.
¹¹ For he will order his angels
    to protect you wherever you go.
¹² They will hold you up with their hands
    so you won’t even hurt your foot on a stone.
¹³ You will trample upon lions and cobras;
    you will crush fierce lions and serpents under your feet!

¹⁴ The Lord says, “I will rescue those who love me.
    I will protect those who trust in my name.
¹⁵ When they call on me, I will answer;
    I will be with them in trouble.
    I will rescue and honor them.
¹⁶ I will reward them with a long life
    and give them my salvation.”

Wow! I know God sends angels to watch over us.  I have witnessed so many miracles in my life, it would take me all night to list them all.  However, I would like to share a story that happened recently that I know God had to be there! A friend of my sister's has a 1 year old little girl.  She was playing when a 6ft tall mirror fell on her.  When the parents saw her, she was covered in blood.  I'm sure there was no doubt in their mind that she was really hurt.  After being taken in an ambulance to the hospital, she came out with only 3 stitches, a bump on her head and some scratches.  How could anyone say God wasn't watching over her that day! She is a living miracle! God was there and was watching over her and her family! When I heard this story, it gave me chills.  I don't see how a one year old could have survived something so heavy, especially glass, falling on her! God is amazing! "For all things are possible with Him!!!"  

Nothing is too difficult for God!!!

Nothing is too difficult for Good.  Think about how many times you have heard that! I know I hear it all the time; however, how do I still feel overwhelmed, stressed, or too busy for life??? Life gets the best of me and sometimes I feel overwhelmed. It's those moments, I let go and let God.  I think of the many times I lose something and can't find them, and I am lost as to where it could be before I finally realize I haven't prayed for it.  And almost every time God shows me to it after I take those few seconds to pray.  It's amazing how taking a couple seconds to stop and pray helps out the smallest moments.  Just think if we took those couple seconds and added a few minutes, hours, or days with Him!!! Think of the miracles we would see happen in our life. This past summer, I remember thinking I had no clue what I was going to be doing in the fall or where I would be working.  My husband felt like he needed to fast and asked me if I would like to join with him in this journey.  The first week, we fasted, I had four interviews in the same week as well as four job offers.  You can't tell me that wasn't God!!! God truly is amazing...ALL THINGS ARE POSSIBLE WITH HIM!!  The next time you are feeling overwhelmed, stressed, over-committed...take a moment to pray, a minute to spend time with Him.  Don't be afraid to ask him for help. FOR NOTHING IS IMPOSSIBLE WITH HIM! My challenge tomorrow is to remember to take a moment to pray for the small things...or the big things, but to spend some time with Him and not be afraid to ask Him for help! After all, He knows all!!!

"I do have enough!'

My challenge today goes along with mine from yesterday.  I want to focus on having enough time rather than not having enough time.  Philippians 4:19 says, "And this same God who takes care of me will supply all your needs from his glorious riches, which have been given to us in Christ Jesus."  Most people may be thinking about this verse as God will supply all their financial needs.  Most people struggle with having enough money.  How often do we say, "I don't have enough money for this or that."  However, God provides enough. He has so much that eventually their won't be enough room for all his blessings. Luke 6:38 "Give, and you will receive. Your gift will return to you in full—pressed down, shaken together to make room for more, running over, and poured into your lap. The amount you give will determine the amount you get back." Malachi 3:10 "Bring all the tithes into the storehouse so there will be enough food in my Temple. If you do,” says the Lord of Heaven’s Armies, “I will open the windows of heaven for you. I will pour out a blessing so great you won’t have enough room to take it in! Try it! Put me to the test!" In John 6, God provided more than enough bread for Jesus to feed the 5000 even when there were doubts in the crowd about not enough!!!   God provided for these people and God will provide for us.  For me right now, my struggle is having enough time.  I always think there is not enough time in the day.  I feel like I can never get ahead in time.  However, God will provide that time!!! My challenge today is that God will provide the time I need to get house cleaning finished, lesson plans finished, time to spend with my husband and Eli as well as time for myself and time with the Lord.  He will provide!! I know He will!!!! In Exodus, He provided for the people of Israel for forty years even when most doubted, He provided! God will provide__________! Fill in the blank whatever it is that you are saying, "I don't have enough of," Remember God will provide it!!!!

"I can!" Philippians 4:13

Ok so my 40 day challenge was a flop, and I haven't blogged since January.  My life has been crazy and honestly I can't even remember what book I was reading when I was doing the 40 day challenge.  I know there were several days I read and just couldn't blog due to time or internet and computer. Then I lost my book that I was reading so I started another. I decided to read up on ideas to improve my marriage not that my marriage is bad; I just know there's always room for improvement.  Then, I got too busy and geared away from reading at all or just reading small daily devotions.  I know that's no excuse especially when it comes to spending time with the Lord; that's why I decided to do another challenge for myself this time. I am challenging myself to change from the inside out.  For the next 90 days, I want to change my attitude, ways of thinking, time management, and the things I put first on my to do list.  It's going to be hard, but I'm tired of falling out of routine with Bible reading due to going through the motions with my every day routines.  My challenge for today is telling myself "I can!"


"For I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength."-Philippians 4:13
This has always been one of my favorite verses as well as one I have used in my classroom the last couple years to remind my students that they "can" with Christ!  Tonight and tomorrow I am challenging myself to saying "I can" instead of "I can't!"  The biggest challenge for myself is "I can" find the time in my day to spend with the Lord, exercise, to spend with my family, and time to devote to my job.  "I can...I can! I can get done with things around the house.  I can find time to keep the house orderly.  I can find time to spend with my husband one-on-one.  I can find time to spend growing closer to the Lord.  Have I mentioned I love spending time with our Lord!  I love opening up to Him when driving to work or before I go to bed. I love praying throughout the day and every chance I get! However, when it comes time to open my Bible, that's where I struggle.  It seems so hard to find the time, but in Philippians, He reminds us that we "can do everything through Christ." This week I challenge myself to believing that I can!!!!!!!!!!  Because I know that "I can" through Him!!! I am changing from the inside out...changing my attitude to be more like Him.  I know I fall short every day...I know I am not perfect...no where close to perfect; however, this week I am going to pray daily that "I can" do my best to be more like Him on a daily basis, throughout the day...all day!!! "I can" and I will! How do I know that?  Because "I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength."