ATTITUDE. Ever have one? You know what I mean. It’s that annoyed reflection of something in your heart. Someone pushed the wrong buttons, pushed you once too many times, or pushed you harder than you cared to be pushed and then – the attitude happens. It’s not pretty.

I know of which I speak because I can be the Queen of Attitude at times. I hate to admit it, but if I’m honest I have to tell you it’s true. I had one just this week, and guess what it was over? Ministry! I got tired of carrying other people’s loads, of doing “more than my share” (who decides how much is more than my share?), and being pushed to the limit. Oooo – that button got pushed and out the attitude came. The good thing was that the Lord convicted me and after a time of stewing, I made it right. However, the Lord wasn’t done teaching me the lesson He wanted me to learn.

Yesterday in my devotions, I was working on memorizing the last two verses in Philippians 2. The background of these verses is that Paul had sent a man by the name of Epaphroditis to the Philippians and Epaphroditis became sick to the point of death. Why was he so sick? Verses 29-30 tell us: Receive him therefore in the Lord with all gladness; and hold such in reputation:
Because for the work of Christ he was nigh unto death, not regarding his life, to supply your lack of service toward me. Epaphoditis was taking up the slack of the Philippians; doing what they hadn’t done and became so sick while ministering that he almost died!

Paul says in verse 29 to “hold such in reputation.” Hold a man like this in high regard. At that moment in my quiet time the Lord brought the truth to my heart that this was a man who worked and ministered so much that he was at death’s door! My work took me nowhere close to that kind of sacrifice! I see no sign of an attitude in Epaphroditis here either! It says that he was full of heaviness because they learned he had been sick. He was probably the kind of man who tried to cover his weakness, work through whatever pain he might have been experiencing because there was a cause here – the love of Christ- and that constrained him to keep on.

I was very convicted by this man’s life, and repented of my sin and my attitude. There is a balance to strike, and I asked the Lord in my quiet time to help me hit that balance – work, rest, respite. It’s necessary so that we don’t burn out.

As you serve in any capacity, whether it’s full-time or as a layman in the church, guard your heart against the “A” word. Let’s make sure we’re serving the Lord with a sweet spirit; the kind in which the Lord would “hold us in reputation” like Epaphroditis. His work was “the work of Christ.” Too often my work is “the work of Denise” done with an attitude and won’t be rewarded in eternity. “Oh, Lord, may my ministry be Your work, done in Your strength, and done for your glory!” Ahhh, there’s the right attitude!

Lovingly,

How adorable are these little cookies? Round sugar cookie, chow mien noodles for hair, chocolate chips for eyes, licorice for smile, candy corn nose and sugar wafers for a hat! Those would sell like hot cakes at a fall festival!

This post gives the instructions for the mobile and says that the next time she’d use tacky glue instead of hot glue, which sounds like a good idea for little ones anyway.

These tin can luminaries would be adorable hanging in a tree or on a hook outside the door… Have you done a fall craft edible or not? Share your good ideas with us!

With love,

When we are planning something – a day, an event, or just a meal, I love to hear someone say, “I have a thought!” It’s usually then followed by some great idea or plan! Ooooooo, share it! Isn’t that why we read blogs, search the Internet, and flip through pictures in a magazine? A brilliant thought or idea is just waiting to be discovered!

Sunday a young man in church stood to sing a solo before the message. His song was a different tune for the words to Be Thou My Vision. The new tune made me listen closer to the words. I listened and I heard him sing, “Thou my best thought, by day or by night…” The Lord brought to my mind at that moment, that no idea or thought is ever as wonderful as when I’m thinking on Him! He is my best thought. My best idea comes when I meditate on Christ!

Are you worried? Think on Christ!
Are things confusing? Think on Christ!
Is life crazy? Think on Christ!
Is your heart breaking? Think on Christ!
Do you need direction? Think on Christ!

He will be the best thought you think all day long!

In Christ,

I have some vivid memories of difficult situations that I have had to walk into and act upon. I remember one December a few years back sitting with my husband in someone’s home who had just learned a few hours earlier they had cancer. I’ve stood beside a dear lady who lost her husband suddenly. I’ve been with families who just received tragic news. I remember feeling so helpless. What could I do or say that would comfort or encourage them?

What is the greatest thing we can do for someone who is in a trial? Pray for them. If you can, stop right then and have prayer together. Put your arm around them or clasp their hand and take them to the throne of Grace.

I read this quote on Revive our Hearts – When you tell the people around you that you’re praying for them, you’re not saying, “I don’t know how to help you.” Instead you’re saying, “I can do something really huge to help your situation by talking to God on your behalf.” Instead of trying to fix everyone’s problems yourself, take them to God. It’s no small thing!

We won’t say the wrong thing if we pray, and we will be asking God to do what we cannot do. Encourage someone’s heart this weekend by taking the time to pray with them about their trial. God will encourage their heart through your prayer in a way that you never could! Just pray.

See you in church.

With love,

I will never forget the anxious moments of waiting. I was a soon-to-be post college student seeking God’s will for my future. My name had been given to a pastor (Pastor Cunningham) who was looking for a secretary for the Christian school at his church, and I was waiting for my appointment with him where I would be interviewed for the position.

I arrived promptly at our set time, climbed the stairs to the Student center, and peeked into doorway of the interview office (from a distance). I saw a man talking with a student. Immediately, I assumed that he was the man I was waiting for. I seated myself on a sofa outside the office, in a place where I would be easily seen when he exited the interview office. Then I waited…and waited.

At another place across from where I sat, a man was seated. It appeared that, he too, was waiting for someone. We both waited. I was thinking about the exam that I was going to be taking in the next class period and wishing I could be studying instead of just sitting. The waiting grew wearisome. The interview inside the office continued, and I grew more and more impatient and frustrated. I kept looking at my watch wondering how long I would have to wait, and wondering if I would miss my appointment because he’d gone too long with this other person. Finally after 15-20 minutes, the gentleman that was seated nearby got up and approached me, and suddenly I had a funny feeling the my waiting had been in vain.

“Are you waiting to be interviewed by him?” the man asked, nodding toward the interview office.

“Yes I am” I replied.

“What is his name?” he asked.

“Mr. Cunningham” was my answer. The man smiled and then said laughing, “I am Mr. Cunningham! I assumed you were waiting for him since you kept looking toward that office!”

I introduced myself and then our interview got underway. Of course, you must realize that I got the job, and I also got his son for a husband a few years later – now that’s some deal! =)

As I’ve looked back over that interview all those years ago, I remember how awkward I felt waiting. After waiting for a long time a person begins to realize that something isn’t right. Perhaps someone waits for a friend at a restaurant and they never show, then they look at their calendar on their phone and realize their lunch date was for the next day. Sometimes waiting without response can have a tragic end because the person who was supposed to show up was in an accident or got sick. Waiting for people can have awkward moments.

Waiting on the Lord is altogether different, however. Lamentations 3;25 says, The LORD is good unto them that wait for him, to the soul that seeketh him. Even when we wait for a very long time for the Lord to answer our cries, we don’t have to wonder if He’s misunderstood. We don’t have to question if He’s really going to show up. There’s no need to doubt about Him keeping the appointment! He will always hear, He will “show up” at just the right time, and He will keep His appointment with us and our situation!

As you wait on God, don’t get up and leave. Don’t start doubting. Don’t start sighing in desperation. Your waiting will not be in vain. You can trust in Him because He is good and will do good in your life!

With love,