Game Night, Date Night, or Just A Way of Life

Rushing, Rushing, Rushing.

We are always in a hurry. Ever since I was involved in a Random Acts of Kindness Scavenger Hunt a couple weeks ago, I've been more aware of this. Just watch the people around you as you run your errands. Everyone is in such a hurry that they barely have time to look at someone and smile.

My girlfriend came up with this idea for our small group to do. She came up with most of the ideas herself but said she did find a few on Pinterest.

We had an hour and 15 minutes to complete as many Acts of Kindness as we could. Of course we had to have photo documentation, which probably was the worst part. It kind of takes away from the kindness when you do something nice for someone and someone is snapping pictures while you do it.

That's why I thought this would also be a great idea for a date night with your husband or maybe even one of your kids or a whole family outing! Or just think how great it would be if in your daily life you were slowing down, aware of the people around you and being kind! Ever since doing this with our friends, I have definitely been more aware and have been trying not to be in such a rush everywhere I go.

Here is the list my friend made up but really the list could be endless. I did change a few things just because she had a lot of specific places to go.

1. Help someone bag their groceries at Aldi.
2. Hand out flowers to random people at the store.
3. Place Christmas cards and invites to our church's Christmas Eve service on cars in a parking lot.
4. Go through drive thru and pay for the person behind you.
5. Buy coffee for a Salvation Army bell ringer.
6. Leave quarters for someone at the Laundromat.
7. Leave coloring books and crayons in a waiting room.
8. Tape quarters to a vending machine.
9. Buy a gift card at a store and give it to the person behind you.
10. Buy a bottle of water and gum for a clerk at the grocery store.
11. Hand out balloons to kids shopping with their parents at the grocery store.
12. Push carts back inside at a store.
13. Give coupon to a table at a restaurant.
14. Drop coins at a playground for kids to find.
15. Send a text to someone you think needs a lift. Tell them that you will be praying for the throughout the week and include scripture.

Like I said, the possibilities are endless. Just stop and look around you when you are out and I'm sure you will find many things to add to this list to bless those around you.

Here are some more that I thought of:

Give someone your cart at Aldi and DON'T take their quarter. (I actually love doing this!)
Take some one's cart from them after they load their car and bring the cart back for them.
Pick up garbage that you see lying around.
Help an elderly person.
Smile at people and say "Hi!"
Let others go first.
Hold the door for someone.

Another way our family has been blessed this month is through an assignment Alex, Amanda, and Joshua were given at school. Their teacher gave each student in their class $5 to bless someone. We had a lot of fun thinking of ideas and bringing gifts to others.

Joshua brought Football cards to a little boy that has been going through intensive treatments for cancer. We have been praying for this boy for months now and they were so excited to go and meet him.

Alex wanted to bring flowers to a woman that we have also been praying for that has cancer. We were able to bring her the flowers and sit down and have a cup of tea with her.

Amanda really wanted to buy gifts for kids at the hospital but was disappointed that she wouldn't be able to give the gifts to the kids herself. She then decided to buy a Poinsettia plant for our neighbor and we brought them some cookies too. They are new neighbors of ours and he has been in and out of the hospital this fall.

It's been a huge blessing to our family to take time out of our busy schedules to think about others, take the time to go and sit with them for a little while. I definitely want to add this to the things we do every year at Christmas time and even throughout the year.

As you go through the busyness of this season, remember to take time out for others around you and show them the Love of Christ.

"For this is the message that you have heard from the beginning, that we should love one another."

1 John 3:11

Chore Charts + Lemonade Stand = Backpacks

Last year our family became involved with an organization called The Children's Hunger Fund. After volunteering at their warehouse just one time, we fell in love with their mission.

If you remember last year we hosted our first Lemonade Stand to raise funds for their Back to School Paks.

This year the kids made a goal to raise more money.

They had chore charts and were busy doing chores from January through June with all the money they were paid going towards the Backpacks.

In June we once again hosted a Lemonade Stand. Jim Callow from the Children's Hunger Fund came out and helped us set up and joined us for a while. We had many friends and family who came out to support the cause. Over $500 was raised from the Lemonade Stand alone.

For every $10 that is donated to CHF, One Backpack is packed with school supplies and given to a child in need.

But you can also pack your own backpacks and donate them as well. We will be donating most of the money to CHF but we also like to pack our own backpacks too. We went out and bought 20 backpacks and all the supplies to fill them. By shopping some sales we were able to pack each of those backpacks for $8.12.

After all of this, 99 backpacks have been donated to CHF!

We are so excited that 99 children in our community and in need will now receive a backpack with school supplies this year. Our prayer is that these backpacks will open the door for many families to hear the gospel and that many will come to know Jesus Christ as their Savior.

We are so thankful to many of you who have so generously donated and for your prayers.

But most of all we are so thankful that God has blessed our efforts and we give Him all the glory!

Some Days I Just Want To Throw In The Towel

If you know me or if you've been coming here for any amount of time you probably know this one thing about me. Stewardship of money and time is a topic high on my list. Especially when it comes to money. I'm an avid budgeter, couponer, and sale shopper. 

But some days I've just had enough! I mean why keep going. It's seems we just keep working and working. I keep trying to cut the budget and save money in so many different ways but it doesn't seem to matter. The money just keeps flowing out. 

The garage door breaks, the car dies, the boys need a new fan for their bedroom, this kid needs to go to the Dr., this house project needs to get done, I need to buy a gift for this, the girls need more shirts (or maybe someone just needs to do laundry more often). The list never ends. It's big things, it's little things. But it just seems we can never get ahead.

Some days I just want to take that budget and chuck it in the garbage!

As I look around at others it seems everyone is driving new cars, living in big houses, buying whatever they want, eating out all the time, have the latest fashions, going on vacation....... They all seem to be happy, so why does it matter. Why are we spinning our wheels when we can be living the American dream and have all the "stuff" too.

Then after I'm done with all the drama and having my little pity-party, I come to my senses. 

I remind myself that I've never missed a meal. I never missed paying a bill. My husband has a job. I have a job. We have money in savings. We are truly blessed.

And more importantly, God CALLS me as His child to keep going. To keep living within our means. To keep trying to be a good steward of what He has entrusted us with.

Today, I was reminded that when I let the frustration of material things rule me I am not focusing on the right things. I am focusing on the earthly, not the eternal. I'm not building up treasures above, I'm building up treasures here on this earth. When I get frustrated about material possessions, I am letting them rule over me.

I was also reminded of my sin. My sins of discontentment, worry, anxiety, selfishness, and unthankfulness. Wow, that's a lot of sin! I was reminded that I am not trusting God. I may see the immediate but He sees the future and I need to trust Him in that. He has promised to take care of us and I need to rest in that.

Control. It is another issue when I get consumed with money. They are issues that I can't control and I want to. Another reminder that GOD is in control of my finances not me.

So, yes, I love budgeting. I love couponing. I love sale shopping. And yes, there are difficult days. Not every day is roses but I will continue to seek God in all of it. I'm sure there will be more days filled with frustration and worry ahead and those are days that I will once again have to get down on my knees and ask the Lord for forgiveness.

Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

The eye is the lamp of the body. So, if your eye is healthy, your whole body will be full of light, but if your eye is bad, your whole body will be full of darkness. If then the light in you is darkness, how great is the darkness!

No one can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and money. Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing?  Look at the birds of the air: they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life? And why are you anxious about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin, yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these.  But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is alive and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? Therefore do not be anxious, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’  For the Gentiles seek after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all.  But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.

Matthew 6:19-33

A Reminder of the Past and God's Faithfulness

In my attempt to organize and get rid of all the things in this house that I don't need........Yesterday I spent my morning shredding old papers. As I shred I always love finding old bills, mortgage documents, and who knows what else. Just little reminders of things that have happened in my life.

I came across a paper that was denying payment from the Insurance company when Baby Girl Vis, Baby Girl Vis, and Baby Boy Vis were born. No names even on these papers, that is exactly how they were listed. Don't worry, they paid, it was just they hadn't added them to our insurance policy yet.

It was hard to believe that it was so long ago.

As I continued to shred, I then found a bill from Midwest Fertility Clinic.

A reminder of a less happy time in my life.

Going back to that bill reminded me of all that we went through to get from that point to the point of 2 Baby Girls and 1 Baby Boy being born.

I am thankful for this little reminder. As we go through trials in our life it is easy to put them in the past and forget about the difficult times that God has carried us through.

So many floods of emotions came to mind as I saw these papers. Remembering a time when I wasn't sure if we would ever have children. All the shots, all the Dr. visits, all the hoping, all the tears, all the prayers. Then all the joy as we found out I was pregnant. Then even more joy as we found out there were 3!!!! The preparations, the bed rest, the anticipation. The birth of 3 healthy babies.

Seems so long ago yet so many memories fresh in my mind. It's been over 8 years!!

Those papers were a blessing to me as I was reminded of the faithfulness of our great God and how He is right there by our side in the difficult times and in the times of rejoicing.

Praise God from Whom All Blessing Flow!

My Life Is In Your Hands

The choir at our church recently sang this song and I absolutely loved it. A friend of mine put it on a CD for me and I have been listening to it a lot lately. I'm getting close to being able to listen to it without tearing up.

I know for many, this weekend is a time a celebration (and it should be) but amidst all the celebrating, there are many who are going through great trials right now and so I thought I would share this song. It seems every time I turn around someone is telling me of someone who is sick, hurting, lost a child......and my prayer list continues to grow. 

Maybe you aren't going through a great trial right now but a small one. All of us are going through something. Whether you are missing a loved one, going through a sickness, a stay at home mom that is having a moment of frustration with your kids, car problems, financial hardships, problems in your marriage, loneliness, whatever it may be......remember that you have a friend in Jesus and you can get through whatever it is at that moment with Him carrying you through. 

Whatever it is that you are going through today, I hope you are as blessed by this song as I have been.

Enjoying the Little Moments of Life

“But the biggest mistake I made is the one that most of us make while doing this. I did not live in the moment enough. This is particularly clear now that the moment is gone, captured only in photographs. 

There is one picture of the three of them sitting in the grass on a quilt in the shadow of the swing set on a summer day, ages 6, 4 and 1. And I wish I could remember what we ate, and what we talked about, and how they sounded, and how they looked when they slept that night.

I wish I had not been in such a hurry to get on to the next thing: dinner, bath, book, bed.
I wish I had treasured the doing a little more and the getting it done a little less.”

~Anna Quindlen

Yesterday I was skimming through a blog post by Ann Voskamp. Yep, that's what I do now.....skim. This quote caught my eye and I've been thinking about it ever since.

Why do I have such a hard time living in the moment?

Why do I always have to think about what I have to get accomplished right after I finish the thing that I'm trying to accomplish at that moment. Even when I stop and try to just relax, I'm thinking about what I need to do next.

It's hard to slow down and just enjoy the people around you. Something I'm always trying to work on. Before I know it my kids will be grown and those little moments will be gone.

For all you busy moms out there, how do you relax and enjoy the little moments of life?

Take Comfort

This morning during my devotions I read something out of a devotional that immediately brought someone to my mind that was hurting. I thought about retyping the devotional and sending it to her. Then as the day went on another person popped into my mind that might take comfort by these words. Then later another person and then another. Before I knew it so many had popped into my head, I realized how many people I know that are going through trials right now or know someone that is.

I decided I would just share it here and if you are reading this today, I hope it comforts you. If you know someone that needs comfort, please pass this along.

Take Comfort

For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a

far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory.  I Corinthians 4:17

Do you ever feel your trials are like wearing a crown of thorns? Be faithful. As you trust in God, He will hand you a crown with stars instead. Remember to thank and praise Him.

Do you feel like you are overloaded, your hands filled with heavy cares? Be faithful. As you keep trusting in God, He will take away your heavy cares and place a harp in your grasp, so you may sing glory and honor to God for all He has done. Remember to thank and praise Him.

Hold on and do not despair. There will be a time when you look back and your trials will seem as nothing in light of the many answered prayers, miracles, and evidence of God's glory and grace.

Step by step, day by day, He takes each trial and turns it inside out. Triumphs emerge like a marvelous spiritual metamorphosis. Each of your obedient acts will be transformed to joy unspeakable!

So take heart. Stay faithful. When all is ever so dark, know for sure morning follows the night.

From When I'm Praising God

ANITA CORRINE DONIHUE


I also really enjoyed Ann Voskamp's post today.
Head over to her blog and read about What to Sing in Your Storms.

Checking my Priorities

Sometimes my kitchen sink looks like this.

And sometimes it looks like this.

I'd share a picture of what it looks like without any dishes but it is a rare sight.

One thing I have to do every week is weigh my priorities and as you can see, dishes are low on the list OR just always on my list.

We are all busy and it's easy to say 'I don't have time.' But what don't you have time for?

Is it getting into God's word?

Spending time with your husband?

Teaching your children?

Helping others?

Building relationships?

As you make your 'to do' list remember to prioritize. Make sure that what is most important isn't crowded out by dishes that are always done, floors that are spotless, time on Facebook or Twitter, and watching your favorite TV show.

Faith Like Moses

In March, I began reading through the Bible in One Year. I use the the NIV One Year Chronological, which just makes sense to me to go through it in the order it actually happened.

I love reading through all the Bible stories that I listened to as a kid. Every time I do this, I love how I notice new things that I never noticed before. Little details. Things that I just kind of skimmed over because they weren't part of the main story.

For instance, there are so many crazy names in the Bible but Esau married a woman named Judith. Such an ordinary name just doesn't seem to go with Esau.

I never remembered reading that after Sarah died, Abraham got remarried and had more children.

This past week I've been reading about Moses and the 10 plagues. As I was reading I noticed what great faith Moses had as he continued to go back to Pharaoh over and over again. And God continued to harden Pharaoh's heart over and over again.

While I was reading I thought to myself, 'Why did God keep sending him and putting Moses and Aaron through this if He was just going to harden Pharaoh's heart time and time again?'

I kept reading and I came upon this:

Then the Lord said to Moses, "Get up early in the morning, confront Pharaoh and say to him, 'This is what the Lord, the God of the Hebrews says: Let my people go, so that they may worship me, or this time I will send the full force of my plagues against you and against your officials and your people, so you may know that there is no one like me in all the earth. For by now I could have stretched out my hand and struck you and your people with a plague that would have wiped you off the earth. But I have raised you up for this very purpose, that I might show you my power and that my name might be proclaimed in all the earth....."   Exodus 9:13-16

Amazing!

Each and every plague was To Show His Power! To Proclaim His Name!

When we are doubting what God is doing.......He's not done showing His Power!

As we look forward to Hebrews, these beautiful words were written about Moses faith.

By faith he left Egypt, not fearing the king's anger; he persevered because he saw him who is invisible. Hebrews 11:27

Wow!

I don't know about you but I want to have that kind of faith! The kind that doesn't fear men and perseveres after our Great God!

A Giveaway!

On July 15, 2009 I started my list of 1000 gifts and have had 35 posts with 487 items of gratitude and my list continues to grow. I can truly say that through doing this I see the world around me in a different light. I notice the little moments in life that just seem to pass us by, I notice the little gifts that we forget to thank God for and I feel joy in those moments.

Ann Voskamp over at A Holy Experience has encouraged hundreds, maybe even thousands to begin their list of 1000 gifts.

She has also written a book entitled One Thousand Gifts: A Dare to Live Fully Right Where You Are. As soon as it came out I was so excited to buy it. Last week I received my copy in the mail, along with a couple extra copies, and I would love to share one with one of you!

I am about half-way through Ann's book and I can tell you it is definitely life changing! Her words encourage to seek God in everything and through thanksgiving you will find joy.

If you would like to be a joy seeker, I invite you to leave a comment below telling me one thing you are thankful for. And to give you more chances to win, I will let you leave up to 3 comments with items of gratitude. If you want to share more than 3 items, please do, just leave it in 3 comments.

I will leave the giveaway open through Friday and will then pick a winner using random.org. So come back on Saturday to see if you have won.

If you would like to learn more about Ann's book you can go to her blog over at A Holy Experience or you can head over to incourage and join the book club that is currently discussing her book.

* If you are leaving a comment Anonymously - please sign your name. Thank you!

A Couple Things Worth Checking Out

I just wanted to share with you all a couple links that are worth checking out. One is to read and the other to listen.

Recently a friend of mine on facebook had a link to Beth Moore's hairbrush story. If you aren't familiar with Beth Moore, you should become familiar with her. She is a woman that has a true passion for Christ and follows the Spirit wherever He may lead her. So, if you haven't read this story, just click on the link above and read it. Warning: you will probably cry.

The second link is to a sermon by Pastor Mark Driscoll. If you aren't familiar with him, once again I highly suggest him. He is the pastor of Mars Hill Church in Seattle, WA. This sermon is about Mary and Martha but don't let the name fool you, this sermon isn't just for women. It's a sermon that all of us busy Christians need to listen to.

I'll be honest, I am a Martha through and through. I've had a hard time lately being anything but a Martha because my schedule is so busy, actually I like a busy schedule but it leaves little time to be a Mary. I often fail at putting Jesus first and sitting at His feet before I start all my Martha tasks.

Below I've copied and pasted what is posted on the link about this sermon. After reading this, I highly suggest clicking above on my link and listening to the whole sermon. Download it onto your ipod and listen to it while you workout, clean house, or drive in the car.

Are you Mary or Martha? Mary’s contemplative; Martha’s active. Mary’s about being; Martha’s about doing. Martha thought she was going to serve Jesus the good portion, but Mary chose the good portion. Jesus is our good portion that will never be taken away. A meal is temporary, but time with Jesus is a gift that lasts forever.


We live in a Martha world; we’re troubled, we’re anxious, and we’re distracted. But God built this world to be a Mary world with Martha moments. When sin entered the world, it turned into a Martha world in which we have to fight for Mary moments. The rhythm of our day is supposed to be Mary first, then Martha. Spend time with Jesus, then get stuff done. Worship like Mary, then work like Martha. Worship God before you work so that you can worship God in your work. We want Mary’s heart and Martha’s hands.

31 Days of Prayer for Our Children

About a month ago I was picking up things in my bedroom when I found a piece of paper on the floor. I picked it up and it was titled "Parents Prayer Program" Written by Bob Hostetler. I'm not really sure where I got this, I think maybe a Women's retreat that I was at in the past. I'm also not really sure how it ended up in the middle of my bedroom floor. I put it on the bottom shelf of our night stand and continued to keep cleaning.

A couple weeks later, I once again found it lying in the middle of my bedroom floor. I picked it up again and thought to myself, "I think God wants me to use this."

This time I brought it downstairs in the kitchen, to file with all my other papers. You know, the big pile that accumulates. You all have one, don't you? I must admit, I have about 6 of them. As I looked over it, I thought, "Wow, wouldn't this be a great thing for me to share on my blog and we can all be praying for our children together!"

For the month of October, each day I will be posting a small prayer from this guide to help you pray specifically and purposely for your children. So please come back each day and pray with me. If you don't have children, then pray for the children in your church, nieces, nephews, or any children God calls to your mind.

I look forward to praying for our children with you all.

Someone I Want You to Meet.......

I want to share with you someone that I have grown closer to in the last couple years. She is a cousin, a friend, and a sister in Christ. My cousin Carrie is quite a bit younger than me and for that reason, growing up we were never all that close. She was someone I would babysit from time to time and someone I saw at family functions. I remember going to her house a lot for lunch when I worked at a place close to my aunt and uncle's house. Since her mom likes to talk, her sisters like to talk, and I like to talk.....Carrie didn't get too many words in. Now that I know Carrie better, it's because she is more of a listener. Something I wish I was better at and that I love about her.

A couple years ago, I had the privilege of participating in a Bible study with some women from my church. One of those women was Carrie. If you want to get to know a woman better, get involved in a small group Bible Study with them. You often learn their weaknesses, their strengths, and you generally trust these women with your deepest thoughts, desires and pains. They tend to do the same. This is how I really got to know what a beautiful person my cousin is.

During this time she went through a very great trial in her life and the rest of us were there to listen, encourage her through God's word and pray with her. To make a long story short, it was a trial with her job. She didn't know what she was going to do and she truly sought God's will through it all. She stepped out of her box in an amazing way and followed where God led her.

Carrie is now a Missionary in the Dominican Republic. She moved there last January to teach English in a school there. The plan is to be there 18 months but she has now taken on new responsibilities that could keep her there longer. When she was home for a month this summer, I had the pleasure of being able to see her a few times and spend time with her. Can I just say, she is amazing! She truly has a heart for the Lord!

When she went back, she had made the decision to move into the poor section of town to live by the people she taught. This is just amazing to me, because she made the choice to give up hot water! Yes, that's right, cold showers! I would have a really hard time giving that up. Not that she didn't have a hard time, but she DID give it up.

Also, when she got back she shared her testimony on her blog about her first 6 months. It was beautiful and had me in tears. I ask that you pray for her and if you feel led, send her an email and let her know. She is far away from home and her family and would love the encouragement.

May you be as blessed by her story as I have been by knowing her.

Girls Weekend

This past weekend I was able to spend a night away with 13 other women from my church. We got a hotel, went out for dinner, played games, laughed til it hurt, got a little sleep and then woke up to attend a Living Proof Event with Beth Moore and Travis Cottrell. It was a weekend of fun and a weekend of growing together in Christ and worshipping our Lord.

The music was unbelievable! I don't really know how to describe it. When you are in a building with that many women, singing praises to our King......there is no other way to describe it!

Beth Moore spoke on The Law of Kindness. "She opens her mouth with wisdom, and on her tongue is the law of kindness." Proverbs 31:26

She gave us 8 tastes of kindness.
1 ~ Kindness is not a weakness.
2 ~ Kindness is not an action, it's a disposition.
3 ~ Kindness wears down when we do.
4 ~ Kindness looks pain in the face.
5 ~ Kindness is a Savior.
6 ~ Kindness has a good memory.
7 ~ Kindness craves an outlet.
8 ~ Kindness leaves a legacy.

There were a few things that she spoke about that really hit me.

First was that Kindness is not the same as being Nice. Kindness reflects the heart and is empowered by the Spirit. We can't fake kindness, it comes from the Holy Spirit.

Kindness can speak a strong word. Psalm 141:5 says kindness rebukes.

Point number 5 - Kindness is a Savior. In Ephesians 2:4-10 it speaks of that kindness. He shows "immeasurable riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus." Is this something you think about daily? We don't deserve His kindness, yet He gave it to us in the form of His Son! Yet how do I treat others, many times I only treat them with kindness when I think they deserve it. That's not what God did, but many times that's what I do. Something I need to be reminded of daily!

Lastly, I want to leave a legacy of kindness. I want others to see that in me because I want them to know that I know Christ!

If you want to see more of what went on that day, you can check out a short video on Beth Moore's website.

I also want to share with you something that she had each of us say to the woman next to us at the end of the day and today I say it to you, my sisters in Christ. I found this on her blog.

My Dear Sister,

Your God has called you
To use that mouth of yours
For His great glory.
Don’t just add to the noise.
Become a real woman
Who opens her mouth with wisdom.
God wants the Law of Kindness
On your tongue
And the love of Christ
In your heart.
Never forget:
Kindness is not a weakness!
When you’re wearing down
Head to Christ and His people
And let them build you back up.
Always remember:
His yoke is KIND.
Make sure
It’s the only yoke you wear.
It’s time to go our separate ways
But we’ll all meet up again
At the glorious epiphany of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Until then,
Let the One who led you here
Lead you on with cords of kindness.
Now, get out there
And build a welcoming fire
In a cold world.
Live by the Law of Kindness!

Love you all!!!!

The Tongue and Murder

Yesterday we had a guest pastor speak at our church. He spoke on Matthew 5:21-24.

You have heard that it was said to those of old, 'You shall not murder; and whoever murders will be liable to judgement.' But I say to you that everyone who is angry with his brother will be liable to judgement; whoever insults his brother will be liable to the council; and whoever says, "You fool!" will be liable to the hell of fire. So if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your gift there before the altar and go. First be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift."

It was a very powerful message titled "Murder in the Church".  If you want to listen to the whole thing you can download it here.

But I just want to share a few things that stuck out to me. We often look at murderers and think what horrible people and often feel we are better than them. I know you have all read these verses a million times. But have you really thought about them? We really are no different than a murderer! How many times this past week have you murdered someone with your tongue?

As women, we tend to gossip, look for the bad in people, slander, backbite. I know this used to consume my conversations. It is something I have really tried to work on not doing in the past few years, but I know I fall back into my old habits pretty easily. One thing that really stood out to me, (I wish I could quote it word for word) what if when someone started talking bad about another person and we stopped them by telling them we need to stop MURDERING that person! Wouldn't that stop our gossiping if we really used it in such bold words!

I really want to encourage you as Christian women to really think about your conversations. Ask for forgiveness for your past sins and ask God to truly help you in your speech.

I've been doing a Bible study for my devotions by Elizabeth George called Nurturing a Heart of Humility. It's a study about Mary. I want to finish this post by quoting something that she wrote in one of the lessons.

Beloved, what do you tend to talk about when you are with other Christian women? We have so many options, don't we? We choose to talk about trivia, trash, the latest "talk" from a talk show, the local news, gossip, or--our most well-loved topic---our self!

If we are nurturing a heart of humility, our "talk" will be markedly different! Why? Because as women who are humble--women after God's own heart--we will think of others. We will be other-oriented. We will, like Elizabeth, seek to encourage others, honor others, bless others, build up others. One of the principles of my life I owe to a principle from one of my husband Jim's sermons: Make it your goal that, in every encounter, others are better off for having been in your presence.

Dear one, such a goal assists both you and me as we seek to be women who encourage others!

I'm not sure about you, but I know I would rather have people walk away from a conversation with me encouraged by my words instead of murdered by my words. May we all prayerfully seek to be humble women of God.