I thought I’d share with you the upcoming fall Ladies’ ministry that’s soon to begin. I’m excited about it, and if you’re a part of BCBC, I pray you’ll be excited too! If you have a question, feel free to leave it in the comment section.

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What is the best ladies’ ministry/activity you’ve ever participated in? What are you looking for in a ladies’ ministry?

When I walk out to my box and find a letter or card with my name handwritten on it, I get excited! This past week I got two thank you cards – and they were so special to me. In a day when electronic messages are more popular than Popsicles on a summer day, getting a real thank you note in the mail is extra-special!

This week I enjoyed reading an article in September’s Southern Living Magazine entitled, “Write a Charming Thank You Note.” There is no wrong way to write a thank you note, really, as long as your are writing one, but they shared five tips – let me share them as they were written in the magazine.

1. Start with the date and salutation. Send you note written in black ink within a week of receiving a gift.
2. Say thanks right off the bat. Be specific about why you are writing the note. If you’re thanking someone for a monetary gift, refer to their generosity rather than mentioning the amount.
3. Compliment the kind gesture. Don’t be afraid to go over the top – everyone loves an effusive compliment, as long as it’s heartfelt.
4. Allude to the future. Anticipate another get-together, or if you’re writing about a gift, be sure to tell them how you plan to use it.
5. Finish with sincere regards. reiterate your gratitude, then close the letter on an intimate note, signing your first and last name. Don’t forget to proofread before you postmark!

On this Noteworthy Wednesday, tell us how you express thanks to someone. Do you still write a handwritten note, or do you prefer an e-mail, electronic cards, or a Facebook note? Do you use a special kind of card, homemade stamps, or pretty stationary to write on? Have you gotten real mail recently? Share any good tips or ideas on expressing thanks or sending cards.

Thanks!

Lies of the devil. They’re easy to believe, but not always easy to detect. After all, he is the father of lies! There is no truth in him, so when he tells a lie, he’s doing what he does best.

How many of his lies are you and I believing? I heard this list of his lies at church last night…but it’s amazing how many times I’ve heard these statements in simple conversation, in quotes from Oprah or Dr. Phil, or on people’s Facebook status!

See if any of these sound familiar to you…

1. Look out for Number One – We’re supposed to make sure we get what we want before anyone else – or even in spite of anyone else, because if we don’t look out for ourselves, who will? You and I deserve nothing, Friend. Our God will supply our needs and go before us to look out for us! Phil 4:19, Deut. 31:8 And the LORD, he it is that doth go before thee…
2. God helps those who help themselves – Where do you read that in Scripture? In contrast we read in II Cor. 3:5 – Not that we are sufficient of ourselves to think any thing as of ourselves; but our sufficiency is of God. Helping myself puts all the focus on what I can do…which isn’t much!
3. Surely God doesn’t expect me to stay in an unhappy situation – Is God’s goal for our lives happiness? No, it’s Christlikeness. Do we really believe that Romans 8:28, 29 can be fulfilled in our lives if we’re trying to hop out of every difficulty?
4. I’ll forgive, but I won’t forget! – The Lord doesn’t bring our sin back up in our face. He throws it into the sea of forgetfulness and to be like our Savior, we must do the same.
5. I don’t get mad; I just get even – Greed isn’t just associated with money – but also with wanting a pound of flesh! Romans 12:9 Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord.
6. I deserve better than this! What we deserved was hell, but God in His mercy He delivered us from that fate! Titus 3:5

We need to line up what we’re believing about each situation with the Word of God. If it cannot be backed up by Scripture or is contrary to it, then it is a lie of the devil and we must discard it.

Thankful for Truth,

I promised I’d share the Blueberry Streusel Muffin Recipe this week, so I guess I’d better do that today. But first, how about these dreamy treats…

I made these over the weekend and froze half of them (don’t tell my family they’re in the freezer!). These are Peanut Butter Blossoms from my Hershey cookbook. They are so good. Even just one…

with a glass of milk, of course! It’s a great combination of flavors – peanut butter and chocolate! Mmm! Try them if you haven’t made them. I’m warning you, though – you’d better freeze half as soon as they cool or they will disappear before morning!

Here was the Blueberry Muffin for last weekend’s breakfast. This is my new favorite muffin recipe! It came from Taste of Home.

I like change; ask my husband. He never knows what he’s going to find when he comes home. For starters I like to change – the placement of the furniture, accessories in my decor, the rings on my phone, my menu, and the background picture on my computer!