November 30

I Like Where I'm At!

Don't be wishing you were someplace else or with someone else. Where you are right now is God's place for you. Live and obey and love and believe right there.

 I Corinthians 7:17

I can remember wishing that I was someone else and dreaming of a life so different. I don't do that anymore. I look at my life now and I am so grateful. I would not want to trade places with anyone!!! I hope everyone finds that place in their life too!

November 29

Wise and on and the rise

The wise accumulate wisdom; fools get stupider by the day. Proverbs 14:24

Fools are people who don't learn from their mistakes. They continue to go back to things that are not good for them. Wisdom is so valuable because it keeps you moving forward.

November 28

Know it all

Prudent people don't flaunt their knowledge, talkative fools broadcast their silliness. Proverbs 12:23

Everyone knows someone who thinks they know everything or that need to be right all the time. I am not sure why people have that need, but we should be okay within if we don't know all the answers.

November 27

Raise the Roof

Celebrate GOD. Sing together - everyone! All you honest hearts, raise the roof! Psalm 32:11

What a fun way to think about it! Get loud people! Let God know how much you care!

November 26

Thankfulness

Now I'm jumping for joy, and shouting and singing my thanks to him. Psalm 28: 7

Today is Thanksgiving! This holiday is my very favorite celebrate. I love having my family together. I love having a day to be thankful all day long and love on those around. This is a very special day to me and brings me peace every year all day long. I hope you have a great Thanksgiving as well.

November 25

Peace

Hot tempers start fights; a calm, cool spirit keeps the peace. Proverbs 15:18

I aspire to keep the peace. This is something that does not come natural for me. As wives, mothers, daughters, sisters, and friends...we should be the peacemakers.

November 24

Trouble

A good person is saved from much trouble; a bad person runs straight into it.

Proverbs 11:8

Do you know people who are always dealing with trouble? Most of the time, there is a good reason for it. Bad things do happen to good people, but when there is trouble in a person's life on a continuous basis, then they could possibly be doing something wrong. If you are finding yourself in trouble a lot, take a step back and see where you are at.

November 23

Be easy to work with

Curses on those who drive a hard bargain! Blessings on all who play fair and square! Proverbs 11:26

Some people are a blessing to others and some people enjoy being difficult and are selfish. Let us try and be the blessing in other people's lives.

November 22

Integrity

GOD can't stand deceivers, but oh how he relishes integrity. Proverbs 11:20

Integrity is important. We should strive to do the right thing in every situation.

November 21

Blessings from God

God can pour on the blessings in astonishing ways so that you're ready for anything and everything, more than just ready to do what needs to be done. II Corinthians 9:8

Today is my oldest daughter's 7th birthday. She was my first born and needed special attention for a couple of weeks after her emergent birth. She was called a miracle by so many of the doctors and nurses that took care of her! God's grace was on us during all of that, and every year I thank God for my daughter and what He brought us through! His blessings truly are astonishing!

November 20

We are nothing without God

We plan the way we want to live, but only GOD makes us able to live it. Proverbs 16: 9

Our God given abilities help us to do the things we dream of.

November 19

Reality on Money

Far better to be right and poor than to be wrong and rich.
Proverbs 16:8

This seems to be something that everyone should know, but sometimes I wonder when I watch goofy people on reality shows trying to win money by being manipulative and deceitful! We have lost our moral compass as a society! Money is not the most important thing in life! People are!

November 18

Be understanding...

Wives, understand and support your husbands by submitting to them in ways that honor the Master. Colossians 3:18

We should try and be apart of the great things in our husband's lives. We do these things because God wants us to and because of the love that is shown to us. One thing that anyone can be for someone else is to be understanding and show support. When we do that for our husbands, we then honor God.

November 17

What kind of person are you?

Don't fool yourself into thinking that you are a listener when you are anything but, letting the Word go in one ear and out the other. Act on what you hear! James 1:22

I have a friend who works with a boss who is a "so-called Christian" and does not treat their customers or employees fair. She also works with a different boss who is an Atheist. Even though she does not agree with his beliefs, he is the better boss to work for because he treats customers and employees well. Isn't that disappointing!!! It is so gross to me because we all know how true it is. Of course, we are all sinners, but we have a resonsibility as humans to be kind to one another. Try and make your witness count.

November 16

Horn of plenty

Cornucopias of praise, praises springing from the city like grass from the earth.

Psalm 72: 17

During fall, I always receive art work from my kids and at least one of them will be a cornucopia. My oldest tells me that it means horn of plenty. When I came across this scripture, I was tickled to see the use of cornucopia. It is a beautiful picture of our love for God especially during this fall season.

November 15

JUST KIDDING...

People who shrug off deliberate deceptions, saying, "I didn't mean it, I was only joking," are worse than careless campers who walk away from smoldering campfires.

Proverbs 26:18-19

I love this example because I feel that "just joking" is a terrible "out!" Everyone has been told this and everyone has used it on someone else. Sometimes ... sorry is the better choice instead of shifting the blame off of you and back towards the person who was hurt by the statement. We can do better.

November 14

Wake up Lazybones

Just as a door turns on its hinges, so a lazybones turns back over in bed.

Proverbs 26:14

Oooops! Guilty of this way too many times!!! Join me in my effort to shake the lazybones off in life!

November 13

Every little thing is gonna be alright...

Worry weighs us down; a cheerful word picks us up.

Proverbs 12:25

Women are facing a lot of anxiety everyday. Positive and encouraging words help us to weaken the worry and fear that we all deal with on a daily basis. Ask God for a word everyday that can bring peace when you need it the most.

November 12

Be yourself in worship

John 4:23-24

"It's who you are and the way you live that count before God. Your worship must engage your spirit in the pursuit of truth. That's the kind of people the Father is out looking for: those who are simply and honestly themselves before him in their worship. God is sheer being itself—Spirit. Those who worship him must do it out of their very being, their spirits, their true selves, in adoration."

On our way to school every morning, we listen to Christian music on the radio. As I was making our one last turn towards the school, I happened to notice my little first grader singing with her eyes closed. At first I thought something might be wrong, but I realized that she was worshiping God with her eyes closed. There is nothing more precious to a momma than seeing her daughter worshiping God all on her own...not even in church...just because she wants to!!!

Remember to spend time with God. We can't use the excuse that we are too busy, because if my first grader can do it all her way to school, then we can find a moment to worship God on our own as well!

November 11

Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends.

John 15:13

For Veterans Day, my daughter's school does a big celebration and invites guest speakers each year to share. This year was amazing! We had Col. James Harding sharing his experience during a rescue mission to save a Marine pilot named Clyde Smith who had been shot down in Laos over "one of the hottest segments" of the Ho Chi Minh Trail. The rescue was deemed next to impossible!!!

The story was simply beautiful showing the efforts for several days to rescue this one man. He shared that he loved America because we value life!!! As he shared in detail all that happened, you could not help but picture the love of Jesus. Col. Harding and his men did rescue Clyde Smith, and no one was hurt during the mission. No one involved gave up! They didn't let the enemy's advantage take over.

We can find ourselves selfish at times and even complain about our country and its leaders. We are an awesome country with great men and women who serve to make it better and safe everyday! We should remember them in our prayers and help their efforts any chance we get. Don't spend your time complaining about America! Be thankful that you live here.

To read more on his story check out this link...Col. James Harding and his story

November 10

Take Notes on Love

1 John 3:18

My dear children, let's not just talk about love, let's practice real love.

During my morning drive, I heard the most precious story. A little 7-year-old girl had died of cancer and since then, her parents have found several little love notes hidden all over their house. Their daughter left her parents all of these notes for them to find! I was completely choked up after hearing this. Wow! How thoughtful for a young person to think of others in a time when she was in need. That is true love! It makes me think how easy it is to let people know how much you care. If a 7-year-old with cancer can take the time to show her parents how much she loves them, then I can leave at least one note for my husband to find, or call my parents, or help a friend! I can do something to make someone feel better! I hope this story inspires you as much as it did to me!

November 9

It is okay to be yourself

Matthew 23: 11-12

"Do you want to stand out? Then step down. Be a servant. If you puff yourself up, you'll get the wind knocked out of you. But if you're content to simply be yourself, your life will count for plenty."

There is so much satisfaction in just being you. It seems like such a simple statement, but it is so powerful! I don't know why people have a hard time with this. You are asking for trouble when you try to be like someone else. It distorts who you are and people can't be blessed by the real you.

Stop trying to hold back the potential that is inside of you. There is freedom in being yourself.

November 8

Learn to Love

Ephesians 3: 17

And I ask him that with both feet planted firmly on love, you'll be able to take in with all Christians the extravagant dimensions of Christ's love.

Sometimes it is just hard to be nice when you are not in a nice mood. And, when someone is rude...it is even more a challenge!! God wants our feet planted firmly on love...all the time. Sometimes Christians are the worst at being nice! As Christians we should show be experts on love. We are all loved in our "ugliness." Show kindness today!

November 7

Need a Hug?

Psalm 91: 14

"If you'll hold on to me for dear life," says GOD, "I'll give you the best care if you'll only get to know and trust me."

I love hugs! You can show someone a little bit of love by just putting your arms around them and giving them a little squeeze. It just makes you feel secure somehow.

One year we took our children to Sea World and they wanted to ride the Shamu Express. It was a small rollercoaster for children, but a rollercoaster still! My youngest was 3 years old and wanted to go on that the most. So I rode with her. This was their first rollercoaster to ride. Needless to say, I held on to her for dear life! They had us all strapped in secure, but that was not going to stop her momma from holding on still.

God says that if you hold on to me tight, then I will take care of you. We can fully trust in God to take care of us. He is stronger than us, bigger than us, and much much wiser than us! Let God hug you today!!!

November 6

Don't be afraid to give thanks

Psalm 92:1

What a beautiful thing, GOD, to give thanks, to sing an anthem to you, the High God.

Thanksgiving is approaching fast and I hope people are sharing with others what they are thankful for. The phrase in this scripture/psalm is referring to giving public acknowledgment or praising God verbally in a public setting. Don't be afraid to share with other what God has done in your life. We don't have to be obnoxious about it, but we should tell others what great things God does in our lives. Thanksgiving is a choice to focus on the positive and an attitude that is humble and loving. Have gratitude today. Share with at least one person why you are thankful. It could be contagious.

November 5

Good Morning

Psalm 5:3

Every morning I lay out the pieces of my life on your altar and watch for fire to descend.

Every morning when I wake up still snug in my bed, I pray over my day and thank the Lord for all that I have. I believe every day is going to be a great one. I tell my girls as we are rushing out the door and headed to school that today is going to be a great day.

Every single day is a great day because the Lord made it. So, you might as well rejoice over it and declare it to be so!

November 4

No naughty list

Psalm 32:1

Count yourself lucky - GOD holds nothing against you and you're holding nothing back from him.

Having a shameful secret is awful! You don't want anyone to know the terrible things you have done. But the reality is, we have all done things we are not proud of and God knows them all. We don't have to hide anything from God. He loves us anyway.

My youngest daughter, who is 4 years old, was explaining to me about Santa's naughty list after watching a Christmas cartoon. She seemed a little concerned about being on it. I assured her that she was not naughty and that Mommy does not have a list like that. She then quickly replied, "BUT, SANTA DOES!" 

Santa might have a list of who is bad and good, but just as I don't have a list on my children, God doesn't either. Jesus tore that list up! 

Have freedom today knowing that you are forgiven once you confess your sins to God and accept Jesus as your Lord.  

November 3

Working hard

Psalm 90:17

And let the loveliness of our Lord, our God, rest on us, confirming the work that we do.

Work is something that is very important in our lives. God wants us to work. When you need rest then rest. But don't be a lazy bum! When your house is a wreck, make time to get it back in order. When things at work are piled up then work hard to finish.

Be proud of your work. If you don't like your job, then search high and low for a better one. I love how our pastor used to say to men, "If you don't have a job, then your job is to find a job!" We are made to put our hands to something.

November 2

Be ready to hear

Proverbs 19: 20

Take good counsel and accept correction - that's the way to live wisely and well.

I love sitting and listening to stories from my Grandmother. I do not agree with everything she says all the time, but most of what she shares with me are like precious pearls of wisdom that speak to the innermost parts of my soul.

Sometimes sitting and listening to people who have plenty of life experience is so valuable. I learns so much from elders around me. They inspire me to live life to the fullest. I only hope one day to be as wise and gracious as many generations before me. Sometimes counsel and correction is found when you are not looking for it. 

November 1

Do as I do...

Deuteronomy 30: 19

I call Heaven and Earth to witness against you today: I place before you Life and Death, Blessing and Curse. Choose life so that you and your children will live.

We, as parents, determine the direction of our children's future. It sounds so simple to choose life, but yet not everyone does.

Be a good example to your children and don't spend your day complaining about things. Make a difference. Put in action things you want to make better. Raise children who love life and strive to make it a better place instead of being an expert on criticizing it.