I have one habit that has changed my life.
I am sincere. It has removed worry,
revealed my selfish thinking,
reminded me that the most important things are not things,
given me peace in trouble,
and brought genuine joy in the midst of hardship.
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A New Year’s Perspective
Newly fallen snow is a lovely reminder to me of January 1st.
Everything is fresh.
No footprints have been stomped out before us yet.
All is still with only fresh paths before us.
Each day we trod forward, one day at a time, and make our way through the year until we come to December 31. It’s a blessing to turn around and look over our shoulder and see the path that the Lord has cleared for us and just exactly where He’s brought us.
I’m not really one to make resolutions, but I do love to look behind me and see what needs improvement and then look before me with a prayer that the Lord will help me make necessary changes by His grace.
Here are some things I’m considering that might inspire you as you step into the snowbank of 2020.
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What hindered my spiritual growth last year? What moved it forward?
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What did God teach me last year?
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What did I see God do in answer to my prayers last year?
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To whom did I give my life the most? Does this need to change?
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What activities did I participate in that I need to repeat this year? Which activities should I consider removing from my schedule?
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What did I read least year?
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Did I spend too much time on social media, television or videos (You Tube, Netflix)? Do I need to set limits for myself?
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What creative outlets did I enjoy?
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Did I get enough exercise? What could help motivate me to do more?
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What area of my life brought the most joy? The most frustration?
These would be some great questions to pray about and later to ask your spouse or a close friend. Some good discussion and accountability could follow!
Enjoy the snow (the fresh New Year) before you. It has some wonderful opportunities to witness what God can and will do through you!
Refresh the way you approach the new year.
Happy New Year Friends!
Help For Your Scurrying and Worrying
It’s the week before Christmas and I wonder if you’re saying things like…
How am I going to get it all done?
I still have shopping to do!
I haven’t wrapped anything yet!
I need to get some baking done!
If you’ve uttered those words recently, I want to give you a word of encouragement! Continue reading “Help For Your Scurrying and Worrying”
Prep For the Day Before Thanksgiving!
I shared with you last week that my family had an early Thanksgiving. We celebrated last week, due to a family need. People are the most important part of our traditions and celebrations, so putting my parents’ needs first, simply meant we would celebrate the holiday a couple weeks early with our daughters and their families.
You know what? It was really great to be doing this holiday ahead of time!
The Jezebel Way
Before I begin today’s post, I want to give an update to those of you who read my Wednesday post about “What If You Knew You Only Had Another Day.”
My precious cousin was given the prognosis of two months, but she only had three days. She went home to be with Christ, her Savior on Wednesday afternoon. She is safe in the arms of Jesus and her faith in Him is now sight. Scripture says, Absent from the body, present with the Lord. II Cor. 5:8 Thank you to those of you prayed for her. Please pray for their family, for they are the only ones suffering now. She is pain free, cancer free and sin free. Again, I pray you have the assurance of eternity in heaven as she did and is now experiencing! Continue reading “The Jezebel Way”
Miniature “Cutie Pies”
The only thing better than a big pie is a personal one! As in, it’s ALL yours!
That might sound excessive, but it really isn’t because it’s a miniature one, made in the lid of a canning jar. Not only are they adorable in their miniature state, they’re also practical and can be suited to each person’s taste.
For our last Apples of Gold class, we rolled these mini pies out! It was so much fun, and a delicious ending to our six weeks’ discipleship!
(I’m posting this from a place that has no cell service, so if the photos aren’t posting check back later!)
We made up a recipe for a regular two crust pie, and gave 11 or 12 of these mini pies. Placing them in a canning jar lid makes it very easy to pop them out, as though they were in a springform pan. After they’re baked, you simply push up on the ring and they come out so easily!
We made Kentucky Derby Pie and Blueberry Pie. We simply divided the filling. They take the same amount of time to bake as a large pie.
It was as much fun to decorate them as it was to eat them… well almost! 😉
Ready for the oven.
The bakers, getting ready to enjoy the fruit of their labor…
With Thanksgiving around the corner, this might be an idea for you to tuck away for your dessert buffet!
Happy (mini) baking!
Denise
His ways are higher
What a blessing it is to watch God direct and redirect our steps! I got to see him do that even last weekend.
On Monday I got a phone call from a dear pastor’s wife. She had planned a Ladies event for Saturday and learned only days before that the speaker was sick!
Could I come and speak?
My husband and I prayed about it and we watched God clear the way and open every door for me to be able to attend.
My dear sweet friend who has traveled with me many times also cleared her schedule so she could travel with me.
The ladies at Kerwin Baptist church in Kernersville, North Carolina did an awesome job carrying the theme of, His Ways are Higher in every area of the event. From the decorations to the music, we were reminded that God’s ways that are better than our own. Yes, the theme was being lived out even in the change of their plans and mine.
This sweet pastor’s wife took care of every detail for me and the other ladies. She had a host of helpers that did a fantastic job! God was glorified in every moment.
We may never understand until eternity why God changed their plans and my own. One thing is clear, we can always trust God for the surprises that he brings. My definition of God’s surprises is,
Situations in which we have no control, so that God will get the greatest glory.
For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are my Ways your Ways saith the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts. Isaiah 55:8,9
Whatever surprises have touched your life today, know that you can trust the Lord for the outcome. He is at work doing things that are higher and greater than you could have ever imagined!
Refresh yourself by preaching in God’s house this Sunday! My husband and I are boarding planes to head out to serve the Lord this weekend. We look forward to seeing how He will be glorified in what he has planned!
