“A” is for … April 18, 2011

Applying and Studying God’s Word

Do you have a Bible reading plan? Do you have a set time of day that you read your Bible?  If not, what’s holding you back?  Choose a Bible Study that is something you desire to have victory in.  Do a word study.  Read through the Bible, or the New Testament.  But come up with a plan if you don’t already have one.

 In January, I started the “What Do I Know About My God?” study that Mardi Collier talked about at the Ladies Conference.  This study has been such a blessing to me, primarily because I like to write things down, and visually see progress.  When I start with a blank piece of paper for a particular characteristic of God, and I come across a verse that goes with that characteristic, it’s so exciting to be able to write that verse down!  I was so encouraged when Mardi showed her notebook in the Saturday morning session, and she showed “My God is in Control”.  She had a couple pages of verses!!!  I only have 1 verse for that characteristic so far!!!  To think that someday I will have come across more and more verses, just in that one category alone…it fuels me to keep going!!

Do you have an accountability partner?  If getting up before the kids is a struggle, find a friend who can help you stay committed.  Send emails in the morning, text each other…whatever it takes!!

What have you found that has helped you in developing a consistent quiet time each day?

Bake Sale

New 2 You Bake Sale

We are in need of baked goods for our New 2 You sale. This year all the proceeds will be given to Max Popish’s fight against cancer. Please sign up at church or comment to let us know you are willing to bake for us.

 Here are some of the details.

• Bring items to Gym Fri, May 6 by 6 p.m. If bringing before Friday, please take to church office.
• Wrap each item (except cakes, pies, or cupcakes) in generous individual servings in plastic wrap.
• Please provide a sheet with item name and any ingredients that are common allergens.
• Contact Brenda Watkins with any questions.

 

“ABIDE” April 17, 2011

At the beginning of 2011, I was challenged by a friend to come up with a “Word for the Year”.  The word was to be my personal theme for the year.  The word I came up with was “ABIDE”.  I wanted to be reminded not to just go through the motions of my daily walk with the Lord…but to dig DEEPER and ABIDE IN HIM in 2011.  John 15:4-5 says “Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me.  I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.”;

 Each day this week, we will look at an insight taken from the word “ABIDE”.  Hope you learn much!

Job Available April 15, 2011

Job description: energetic young couple needed – unlimited patience, stamina, must be optimistic – must be able to function on 3 hours of sleep, diagnose childhood ailments and read the same book over  and over without being bored, skilled vet, counselor, teacher and taxi-driver, fulltime, no paid vacation, and no salary, but there are great eternal rewards for a job well done

Have you guessed? This job description applies to parents. What greater challenge for a parent than to communicate God’s truths to a young child. God has some words for you. Deuteronomy 6:6-7 is the key to passing on your faith.

“And these words, which I command thee this day, shall be in thine heart: And though shalt teach them diligently unto thy children, and shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when though walkest by the way, and when thou liest down, and when thou risest up.

Take advantage of teachable moments daily: meal time, play time, bed time – golden moments when little minds are most impressionable for God. Try it! Look for teachable moments in your child’s life today. Seize them and use them for eternity. You’ll be glad you did. Then expect blessings as your child grows in “favor with God.”

What teachable moments have you had recently with your children?

Giving Your Husband Respect April 14, 2011

We don’t need instructions on loving our husbands because we are wired to be loving caregivers and loyal wives. Unconditional respect is harder and does not come naturally (Prov. 14:1). If we can get a hold on this concept we will have a great marriage.

It is easier for husbands to respect their wives than to love them and easier for wives to love their husband than to respect them. One thing we need to grasp is men and women think differently! We think pink (emotionally) and they think blue. “Men are from Mars” “Women are from Venus.” Love is our deepest need and respect is his deepest need.

How we say something may be computed totally different to him than how we meant it. We are wired differently! God made us that way. The real purpose behind showing love and respect to one another is to glorify God and obey what He teaches in His word.

A book I would like to recommend is Love and Respect by Dr. Emerson Eggerichs. I gleaned much information from this excellent book.

Here are some ideas of how to show your husband respect.

♥    Respect his work – He identifies very strongly with his work.

♥    Don’t criticize him – A man wants a woman who believes in him.

♥     Appreciate his desire to protect and provide – put yourself under him and allow him to protect you. Our Husbands will answer to the Lord for how they lead our homes and the decisions they make. Men are wired to die for wife and family.

♥    Send him a respect letter signed all my respect.

♥    Appreciate his desire to serve and lead.

♥    Appreciate his desire to analyze and counsel. – recognize his insight, our decisions are sometimes based on emotions.

♥    Don’t criticize or nag.

♥    Be your husband’s best friend.

When we respect our husbands, it will cause him to want to love and serve us.

How do you show your husband respect?