evangelism

Keep the Appointment

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My husband had an appointment at an eye clinic this week. It had been scheduled for the week before, but he needed to cancel. As a child of God, we know that there are no accidents or coincidences in our life. Our sovereign God directs our steps and puts us where He wants us and at the right time.So, in God’s timing his appointment was rescheduled for yesterday.

While my husband was back having his scheduled laser treatment, my daughter and son-in-law waited with me in the waiting area. I got up to use the ladies’ room, and in the few minutes I was gone, an elderly woman came and sat down beside my daughter. Opening her flip phone, she asked Alli if she could find the number for her son, Ricky, and then call him for her, stating that she had never used a cell phone before. Alli went clicking through the contacts and found the name requested. She hit “dial” and handed the phone to the woman beside her. There was no answer, so a message was left for the recipient stating that she was finished with her appointment and ready for him to pick her up.

My son-in-law sweetly told the woman that she could sit right there by us while she waited. I began chatting with her, wondering if this wasn’t an appointment of another kind – a God-sized, God-ordained one. After some initial friendly conversation, I narrowed the topic to ask if she attended church anywhere. Her answer was curt – firm, “No,” and made me think she was wishing she had chosen to sit elsewhere.

“Who is Jesus to you?” I continued.

“A Savior. A teacher.”

I told her that we had recently visited Israel and saw some places where Jesus would have indeed taught crowds of people.

She nodded, then began to stand.

“I’m going to go wait outside for my son,” she stated.

I reached into my purse, looking for a Gospel tract. I pulled one out, and handed it to my son-in-law, asking if he would take it out to her. He happily did so, and also went through it with her, explaining that Jesus had come to exchange her sin for a relationship with Him. After he gave a brief explanation and invitation to attend our church, he asked if he could pray for her.

“No, I don’t think so”

was her reply as she pulled her coat around her frail, chilled body. She shut out the breeze that blew by, but also the Truth that could give her eternal life.

The blessing of this scenario is that she may have read that tract after going home. The Spirit of God could open her spiritual eyes to make her realize that this meeting was no accident; it was appointed by God. It is the way the Lord gives to every man the opportunity to be saved. There are none shut out, none for whom Jesus did not die. He came to seek every man – For God so loved the world.

I’m so thankful for the opportunity to share. I’m grateful for a son-in-law who has a heart for the lost, and for a sovereign God who makes appointments so that all can be saved.

Have you had an “appointment” in which you heard the Gospel? Did you respond positively? Don’t turn Him away, Friend. Even this simple post is another appointment with the God Who loves you.

Have you been given the blessing of sharing the Truth with others? There’s no greater joy than to share with others how they can have eternal life. And if they reject the message, remember that they’re not rejecting you, they’re rejecting the person of Christ.

Be faithful. Be a witness. Keep the appointment.

With love,

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home · Home decor

Make Home Special with Valentine Decor

Happy February!  Seasonal decorations make home fun for our families.  It communicates life, care and spontaneity.  You don’t have to go crazy, but just little touches here and there make it special!

Here are some of my Valentine’s Day touches around the house…

The mantle in our bedroom…

I moved my chalkboard upstairs because I needed a tall picture to offset all the little things. I enjoy doodling on that board sooo much! And it’s good to remember that God does love us so much!

A simple banner is hung in the dining area. I have a fresh arrangement on the table, too. I love buying fresh flowers in the winter – it reminds me of the life of spring, just around the corner!

In the kitchen I just added a couple of my heart-shaped cookie cutters to the centerpiece on the island…

The living room…

I made a banner from scrapbooking paper and twine.

A little soft lighting for the bookcase…

These are all simple additions to add  Valentine touches without overkill.

It’s fun to have seasonal decor – even if you just add a centerpiece on the kitchen table. It’s the little things that your family will appreciate and remember.

  • You could fill a mug with a heart on it with carnations.
  • Fill a mason jar with  candy conversation hearts. Tie A ribbon around the neck of the jar.
  • Line up your red mugs on a shelf.
  • Use heart-shaped doilies as a banner. Use tiny clothespins to hang them on a piece of twine.
  • Spray paint small branches white and attach small pink and red hearts.  Place the branch in a white basket or vase.
  • Set out your February magazines on the coffee table or add red covered books to your bookshelf.
  • My Scrabbble tiles on the coffee table are used as part of my decor, too.  What message could you leave for your family?

Of course Pinterest has hundreds of great ideas for you to get inspiration from!  The point is to just do something because everyone loves Valentine’s Day!

What do you do to decorate for Valentine’s Day?

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eternal · salvation

I Was The Reason Jesus Suffered

 

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About eight years ago, I got the call most citizens dread – Jury Duty.  Not only was I called in for my turn to serve, I happened to be called in to serve on the Grand Jury.  I wasn’t really sure what my responsibilities would be, but they definitely let us know when we reported in.

One item on our “To-Do” list was to tour the local prisons.  It was pretty creepy, to be honest. Being stared at by inmates wearing orange jumpsuits was a bit unnerving.  But I also realized that our jails are pretty “cushy” in comparison to years ago.  With basketball courts and televisions, I was surprised at what luxuries they really had.

When you visit the Holy Land and walk in the steps of Christ as He was on the way to Calvary to die for the sins of the world, you are shown the judgment halls where He was questioned and tried -nothing like the prison cells I visited!  Even these preliminary places were dismal and frightening.

After His trial, He was taken to Caiaphas’ house where there were cells underground.

No light.

Dampness.

Filth.

Cold.

Solitude.

Here He was beaten and left alone.  Matthew 25:56 reminds us that Then all the disciples forsook him, and fled.

While our group was down in this cell, we sang,

Man of sorrows what a name
for the Son of God, who came
ruined sinners to reclaim:
Hallelujah, what a Savior!

2 Bearing shame and scoffing rude,
in my place condemned he stood,
sealed my pardon with his blood:
Hallelujah, what a Savior!

3 Guilty, helpless, lost were we;
blameless Lamb of God was he,
sacrificed to set us free:
Hallelujah, what a Savior!

4 He was lifted up to die;
“It is finished” was his cry;
now in heaven exalted high:
Hallelujah, what a Savior!

5 When he comes, our glorious King,
all his ransomed home to bring,
then anew this song we’ll sing:
Hallelujah, what a Savior!

To stand and try to sing that song through the emotion of all Christ did for us, was overwhelming, to say the least.  I watched as one man standing near me buried his face in his hands and wept, unashamedly.  I think we all did.  It was so much to take in that Christ endured THIS and much more for me – no, because of me!

I wiped my tears, and we headed out of that cold, damp cell.  I stepped up and out into…

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the beautiful, warm sunshine!  The picture above was my immediate view.  A rose.  I wept again.  I was going free.  I was in the warmth of sunshine.  I could see the beauty of this creation – His creation.  But Jesus, the Rose of Sharon, chose to suffer.  He chose to allow the soldiers to beat Him.  He chose to lay His life down so that I could be free.  Free from sin.  Free from death and hell.

What amazing love!  What a Savior!  How I praise His name.

I’ve shared this before, but I love this song that sums it all up so beautifully…

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Caiaphas’ House

It would all be for naught if we do not receive His sacrifice for our sins.  You must receive His free gift of salvation as the only means to have your sins forgive and to go to heaven.  He did it all. He died for you, my friend.  He loves you.  You, too, were the reason He suffered.

Have you trusted in Christ as your Savior?  When was the last time you really considered all He suffered on your behalf?  When was the last time you thanked Him, really thanked Him for dying on the cross for you?  You’re free if you know Christ; aren’t you GLAD?!

Rejoicing in my Savior,

Denise Signature 150 px

 

Dinner · entertaining · main dish

(L)Oven Monday – Hot Chicken Salad

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If you thought Chicken Salad only came in the cold variety stuffed onto a piece of bread, I have news for you – there’s a hot chicken salad that is totally a comfort food perfect for winter dinner!

 In my hunger for some good ol’ American comfort food after our trip to the Middle East, I pulled out this old recipe last week.  It’s one I often made for company because it’s a great do-ahead dish.  Southerners love their chicken salad, and this is a hot version!  Hot Chicken Salad is the best chicken salad with a cheesy addition.  That cannot be a bad thing!

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If you keep roasted chicken breasts in your freezer, you could whip this together in minutes!  The  potato chip topping is both crunchy and a little salty – a perfect addition to the creamy/cheesy chicken salad underneath!  Without further ado, I give you the recipe:

Hot Chicken Salad

Ingredients

2 cups cooked chicken breast meat, cubed
1 cup diced celery
1/2 cup slivered almonds
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon pepper
2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
1 cup mayonnaise
1 cup grated sharp Cheddar Cheese
2/3 cup crushed potato chips

Directions
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Spray a 13 by 9-inch baking dish with vegetable oil cooking spray.
In a large mixing bowl combine the chicken, celery, almonds, salt, pepper, lemon juice, mayonnaise, and cheese. Place the mixture in the prepared baking dish. Spread the crushed potato chips on top. Bake for 20 minutes, or until bubbly.

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Add a potato dish and a salad and the meal is complete!  It’s a picnic to make, but you’ll be glad you don’t have to wait until picnic season to enjoy this recipe!  

With love from my country kitchen,

Denise Signature 150 px

 

home · Husband · Marriage · Refreshment in marriage · tongue · Women's roles

Family Friday – Be Kind!

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Sometimes all it takes is a simple request to repeat what I just said to my husband that will do it.  I make a statement, he doesn’t hear and he says,

“What did you say?”

So, out it comes again, only this time it has a razor-sharp edge to it that would make Floyd the barber flinch!

Do I think he purposefully cannot hear me?  Do I really believe his diagnosis of hearing loss was an intentional  plan just to get under my skin?

How ridiculous, yet, sadly, that’s occasionally how I respond!

Why is it often easier to be really kind to people we barely even know than to our spouse?  He’s the one to whom we pledged to love until death, yet we kill him with our sarcastic responses, glaring looks and deathly silences.

 

There are kinder, nice ways of saying something and there are words or tones of voice that I could use that would upset someone.  Your husband is a person, too.  There are kinder, nicer ways of communicating with him and there are ways of setting him off, just by your choice of words or tone of voice.

Today’s encouragement for your family, your marriage, is just this –

Be Kind.

  • There are two ways to say something.  Choose the kinder way.
  • Show him even greater kindness than you would a friend who you love dearly.
  • Smile at him.
  • Forgive him.
  • Listen.
  • Look in his eyes when he speaks.
  • Lend him a hand.
  • Do a favor.
  • Oh, and repeat yourself with the softest tone when he cannot hear you (said Denise to herself!)

Do you find yourself being kinder to others than you are your spouse?  What will you do today to fix that?

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