Week 13 - Gracious Words

Be gracious in your speech. The goal is to bring out the best in others in a conversation, not put them down, not cut them out.

Colossians 4:6

Sometimes the hardest thing is not reacting to someone after they have been rude to you. It is hard not defending yourself. We should be careful in our everyday talk with one another and learn to graciously leave things alone at times.

Week 12 - Getting Rid of the "Stuff"

I feel like I have agitated a bee's nest trying to get ready for a garage sale that was my idea! I have stuff everywhere and me cleaning out places has caused a very unclean look in my house. How did we end up with so much stuff!!!

This got me thinking about the junk we collect in our own lives. I don't know why we think we have to hang on to junk. Junk is junk. It has no value. There are things we should let go of and stop hoarding up in our heart. Just like the garage sales we throw together in the natural, when we come across old useless things in our lives, we should let them go to the highest bidder. Jesus paid the ultimate price for you and me so we don't have to have closets filled up with things we don't want anymore. I encourage you to do a garage sale in and around your heart! I guarantee you will profit from it!

He'll forgive our sins and purge us of all wrongdoing. 1 John 1: 9 (The Message)

Week 11 - Two are better than one

Ecclesiastes 4:9-12

Two are better than one,

Because they have a good reward for their labor.

For if they fall, one will lift up his companion.

But woe to him who is alone when he falls

For he has no one to help him up.

Again, if two lie down together, they will keep warm;

But how can one be warm alone?

Though one may be overpowered by another, two can withstand him.

And a threefold cord is not quickly broken.

Today is my husband and I's ten year wedding anniversary.

We married when we were 20 and have been girlfriend and boyfriend since we were 16.

I am very grateful to have a best friend who

...helps me get back up when I have fallen

...comforts me in his warmth

...and defends me when I am weak.

God never wants us to be lonely. We can see the obvious benefits that companionship brings us.

Value your friendships, your relationships, and your family. No one should feel alone!

Week 10 - Be a blessing on purpose

Genesis 12:2

I will make you a great nation; I will bless you and make your name great; and you shall be a blessing.

There is something so special about being a blessing to someone. I know how great it feels when someone tells me a complement that takes me by surprise. Those kind gestures just make my day.

People need encouragement...don't just "think" something nice about someone, actually speak up and share it with them. It is so much fun to give out a little confidence to others. God made us to be a blessing. Share the love.

(This is a flower from one of my peach trees in our backyard.)

Week 9 - Seasons change...Here comes Spring!

To everything there is a season, and a time for every matter or purpose under heaven.    

Ecclesiastes 3:1

This happens to be one of my favorite scriptures. I have it tacked up in front of me in my home office so I can have quick access to the words.

They reassure me that I won't be doing the same thing for the rest of my life.

They remind me that my children won't be little forever.

It brings me comfort to know that time I spent studying is not wasted time and will be used one day.

I love seasons because they bring new, fresh expectations every time they change. God knew we would need them to exist on our world and in our lives.

Enjoy each season life brings you and rest assured that if it is a hard one, it will change soon.

This little amber bird was found last weekend in New Braunfels at the Red Rooster Antique Co. http://www.redroosterworld.com/ and now lives in my kitchen window seal where it serves the purpose to make me smile every morning when I see it glowing like sunshine.

For more fun on the antique shopping: http://chadcrystal.blogspot.com/2010_03_01_archive.html