Sit Still My Daughter - Fall 2020 Issue

Sit Still my

Thank you

to everyone who made this first issue possible. There is no way I can ever say just how much it has meant to have all of you by my side, encouraging me to take this leap of faith. To those who contributed their knowledge, shared their stories, and offered their support, I pray that God will bless you as richly as you have me. More than anything I would like to dedicate this to my mom who is more than just my mother, she is my friend, my encourager, and my biggest fan. It is to all of you that this first issue is dedicated to with my deepest thanks.

From her desk

Has this ever happened to you? You are moving at a comfortable pace on the interstate when suddenly you are forced to an almost complete stop by the traffic ahead. Now instead of driving you are crawling forward, fighting for every inch of movement. You see an exit coming up and decide to take it, you don’t know where it leads but at least you will be moving. You choose every possible road, not sure where it goes exactly but you feel as if you are in control because you are making progress. Eventually you find your way back to the interstate, where traffic is moving at a regular pace. You smile to yourself as you believe you made the right decision to take that exit. That short detour saved you the frustration of standing still in traffic. As you pass a mile marker you discover that your short detour only landed you two miles farther down the road and took you over an hour. Maybe it would have been better to simply have waited it out like many others did.

How often have we done the same in life? We are moving along, and life is going well until we hit a jam, maybe it’s a family problem or something at work. We can’t stand being still and doing nothing except waiting so instead we try every back road we can think of to keep moving in a desperate attempt to have things feel as if they are under control. But what would have happened if we simply had waited it out? I can’t help but think about the story of Ruth and Naomi, two widows, who had just made a bold move and now had to sit and wait to see what the dawn would bring. In that moment Naomi says, “Sit still, my daughter, until thou know how the matter will fall: for the man will not be in rest, until he have finished the thing this day.” Ruth 3:18 Naomi’s words of wisdom were given in a moment

when everything seemed out of control. Ruth has just risked everything by going to Boaz and essentially asking him to marry her, to fulfill his role as the kinsman redeemer. He tells her he would love nothing more, but there was a problem. He was not next in line to redeem her. She was sent home not knowing what the day would bring. Would she become the wife of the man she cared for or of someone she didn’t even know?

This was her traffic jam: to be moving along with high hopes of a future with a wonderful man only to have it all come to a halt. Naomi’s advice was to sit still, to wait, to not take the nearest exit. She encouraged her daughter-in-law with words of hope based on the character of Boaz.

My desire with this magazine is to encourage us in those moments of waiting, when things seem out of whack, and nothing is happening. This can be the hardest thing to do. We would prefer to keep moving, even if it does not take us anywhere, but we accomplish little and possibly miss out on something better. The stories tucked between these covers are meant to inspire you, and to remind you that there are others out there just like you who have gone through the same things, but God was faithful to them and He will be faithful to you. I promise that no season is ever wasted because our God is not a God of waste. Everything He does has a purpose and it is always good. Naomi’s hope rested in the character of a man, but our hope rests in the unchanging, unwavering character of our God who loves us deeply, promises to never leave us, and will always do what is best. My prayer for you is that when things get hard and the traffic jams come you will find a quiet place so that you may hear His voice as He gently whispers, “Sit still my daughter, I have everything under control.”

Learning to sit still,

Meet a woman who struggled with self-worth and spent a lifetime saying “Maybe now I am worth loving.”

Are you one of the many women facing infertility? Do you struggle with shame, guilt, and anger? Traci shares her story and how she was reminded of God’s great love for her.

How do you encourage your children’s imagination biblically? Hear from Nicole Stratton, an artistic director, on how to nurture their imagination to honor the Lord.

God placed a desire in a young girl’s heart to serve Him in country of Brazil. See how a yielded heart can do much for God and it is all He asks.

A army special forces husband and a wife with southern roots combine their talents to create a unique business.

Read how God brought two people from opposite sides of the state together in His perfect timing.

Elaine felt the need to enter an empty Catholic church one night, never dreaming she would find what she needed there.

In the Home

Here are some tips on how to win the war over clutter.

Get a few tips on how to get your home ready for the season.

Pretzels, soups, plum cake and more: learn how to bring a little of Germany into your fall menu.

For the Moms

Learn how three simple exercises can help ease labor. Read a few tips that can help your well-being. Here are a few tools that can help your quiet time plus a three month Bible reading plan of praise.

Is it possible to be grateful when everything falls apart?

Learn why it is essential we prepare ourselves daily for the spiritual battles we will face.

Explore the significance of being thankful.

Harvest Time

The seasons are a changing. The apples must be picked. We like apples when they are shiny, and the Lord likes when we don’t quit.

The apples must stay on the tree for growing. Harvest time is at hand, and the Lord knows those who are growing, until His coming again.

Don’t pick the apples before they are ready, they may leave a nasty taste behind. Christian, don’t walk before the Lord, or you’ll be stepping out of time.

Did you ever polish an apple, and watch the shine appear? Well, Christian, are you polished from the life the Lord has spared?

Seeds of Kindness

A few years ago, when I had just started reading the Bible, I was struggling to understand some of the books of the OT, like Deuteronomy. I nearly gave up until my pen pal friend, Carrie, encouraged me to try the NT. I started with Matthew while following along online with the sermons from her church. I LOVED IT! I loved Jesus and couldn’t get enough. During this time I had struggled with doubts and felt so emotional. Without knowing anything about this, Carrie shared with me that she and the women in her Bible study had taken time to pray for me. I cried; no one had ever prayed for me before, ever. That sweet act from a caring friend meant the world to me.

I needed to start working from home but did not have a laptop that would connect with the system from my job and I didn’t have the money to purchase a new one. Someone I knew heard about it and bought a brand new laptop for me. God used her to show me that the little things are important and not impossible. I hadn’t really been praying that hard to get a laptop, but God still knew my need and impressed on someone’s heart to provide for my needs. I still cry when I think about it.

You don’t know but that one act of kindness can have an eternal impact.

Write it down here.

Our dear friend never made light or fun of the CD that my twin sister and I recorded at the young age of eleven. Actually, she took it seriously and encouraged us to continue serving the Lord through music. Before she went to be with the Lord two years ago, she asked us to play at her funeral, so Rita and I wrote an arrangement of her favorite hymn and played it at her service. This summer we had the privilege of recording a new CD, and we decided to include her favorite hymn, “Nearer, Still Nearer,” in memory of her!

Recently the window unit in my music room where I give piano lessons stopped working, of course, the night before piano lessons. I had to make do that day with leaving the door open so that hopefully some cool air from the living room might make it into the music room. We planned to buy a new air conditioner the next time we went shopping. One of my amazing piano moms came by unexpectedly that evening, saying, “God told me to do this, so don’t argue!” She said she and her husband not only wanted to pay for piano lessons through September, but she gave me some extra money for a new air conditioner. She said they had been helped by others in similar ways as they worked in ministry, and she wanted to pass the blessing on.

kindness is picking an apple your friend cannot reach.

Were you ever the recipient of a an act of kindness?

Maybe now

The story of every woman’s struggle with being enough

Maybe if I lost twenty five pounds, I would be worth loving. Maybe if I could erase some of these wrinkles, someone would notice me. Maybe if I follow all the rules, I would be admired. Have you ever struggled with any of these “maybe now” scenarios? If you have, you are not alone. Countless women around the world are asking themselves the same thing every day, but they are not the first.

Feminists have long pursued the goal of giving women equal rights to men. Their motto is, “Anything a man can do a woman can match”. While there are many who say they have been successful in achieving this goal, they have yet been able to alter what a woman is on the inside. For as long as women have been, the core of who she is has remained untouched.

Centuries have come and gone, cultures have evolved and social structures have shifted, but who a woman was created to be has endured. She was created in the image of God with the purpose of reflecting a part of Himself to the world, a world that is in desperate need of what she has to give. Sadly, many women are fooled into thinking that is not enough, that they must meet a list of things in order to be worth loving. She spends her life saying, “Maybe now I will be worth loving since I have done this or that.”

Leah is the perfect example of what happens when a woman spends her life seeking to be worthy of love. She was a woman who lived in the shadow of others. Our introduction to Leah is not flattering but is relatable to many of us: “And Laban had two daughters: the name of the elder was Leah, and the name of the younger was Rachel. Leah was tender eyed; but Rachel was beautiful and well favored” Gen. 29:16-17

She was tendered eyed which could have meant that her eyes bulged or perhaps were deformed unlike her sister who was beautiful. Leah’s introduction was one of comparison and she was found wanting. Does this sound familiar? It should because this is what women face on a daily basis. We are bombarded regularly by numerous ads across multiple media platforms telling us what we are lacking and how we can fill our lack so that we will finally be worth loving. The world says that if we don’t have this body, this hairstyle or this type of make-up, then we are not

Every woman was born with a question that needs to be answered, “Am I lovely?” The answer to this question determines a woman’s outlook and response to life.

good enough. Of course this does not mean we should let ourselves go around with messy hair and wrinkled clothes but if that is how we define ourselves, then we have a problem.

At her core every woman was born with a question that needs to be answered, “Am I lovely?” The answer to this question determines a woman’s outlook and response to life.

In their book Captivating John and Staci Eldredge elaborate on this idea of the importance of answering a young girl’s question with a yes. “Carrie woke on her sixth birthday to the sound of singing. She knew instantly that it was her birthday, her very own day. She opened her eyes to discover that balloons had been

tied all around her bed - a colorful canopy. The celebration had begun. Her mom was standing by her bedside, holding a coffee cake with a lit candle in it, and her dad was there, too, and both of them were singing, “Happy Birthday to you”. Oh, unhindered joy! Squeals of delight, kisses, hugs, and hoorays welcomed her into this day-just as she had been welcomed into the world six years earlier. Her father whispered to his Little Princess that he loved her. Her mother reminded her again of how happy she was to have such a wonderful daughter. Life for Carrie was closer to life as God meant it to be for every little girl. She knew that her father cherished her. She was his princess. He was her knight in shining armor. He wanted to spend time with her. Carrie knew her mother loved her and wanted her. Hers was a

world where her father protected her, her mother nurtured her, and she was enjoyed. This is the soil a girl’s soul was meant to grow in; this was the garden her young heart was meant to flourish within. Every little girl should be so loved, so welcomed, seen, known, treasured. From this place she can become a strong and beautiful and confident woman.”

This is what a “yes” looks like, but sadly, for many of us the answer is “no”. To receive a “no” to our question leaves a woman

vulnerable to insecurities and creates a deep wound. Leah received a no to her question, a strong no from her father and we know that because of the deception that would shortly take place.

Like every woman, Leah dreamed of being swept off her feet, of being noticed by a man who would love her for who she was as a person not her face. She wanted to be loved, cherished and pursued but this would only be a dream for her. While she would marry, it would be under a cloak of deception. On her sister’s wedding night she was told that she would take Rachel’s place and go to Jacob’s tent. This was the answer to the question, “Am I lovely?” No, she wasn’t because Laban felt the only way he could marry his daughter off was through this deceptive plan. He did not believe anyone would ever want her or that anyone could ever care for her as she was.

She did as she was told and entered as another into Jacob’s waiting arms. She was face to face with a man who was madly in love but not with her. All that transpired that night was not intended for Leah but for someone else. It is hard to imagine what it must have been like to go through such a night. Her heart ached to be loved and cherished for who she was not for who she was supposed to be. How hard was it to hear those tender words of affection that were intended for her sister, Rachel, but spoken to her instead? Her body must have trembled at the thought of those morning rays preparing to break through, revealing the deception and evaporating

We are bombarded daily by the “too” lie and because of the frequency of this lie we fall for it.

We let this idea settle into our minds and hearts and let it dictate our behavior. Our souls crush beneath the weight of the lie and we find ourselves retreating from the world.

her dream like the shimmering dew.

Despite Jacob’s anger and objection at being deceived there was nothing he could do to reverse the circumstances. Leah was his wife but his love belonged to Rachel who would finally be allowed to marry him the following week. Even though Leah was in a marriage based on deception, she was determined to win the affection of her disgruntled husband. She longed to be loved by him, to be noticed for who she was and she thought the best course of action was by having children. Listen to what she says about her children: “And Leah conceived, and bare a son, and called his name Reuben: for she said, Surely the Lord hath looked upon my affliction; now therefore will my husband love me.”

Gen. 29:32

After her third child she said: “And she conceived again, and bare a son; and said, Now this time will my husband be joined unto me, because I have born him three sons”

Gen. 29:34

Leah lived in a society that deemed a woman valuable if she bore children. Leah hoped that bearing Jacob sons would make her worth loving. With each child her hope grew and each time her disappointment was greater. Society still determines a woman’s worth but in

different ways. Today, women believe that if they can just lose those pesky 20 pounds, wear that certain outfit they saw on the mannequin in the mall, have so many followers on social media, be involved in several organizations, have a good career, or use that new creme that promises to make them look 10 years younger then they will finally be worth loving. This is where they believe their worth lies and they cling to it as hard as they can. According to one study, the average woman spends about $313 per month on her appearance which totals at a whopping $3,756 per year. Why? They are afraid to grow old because if they are no longer “beautiful” then they are no longer worth loving. Women spend their life pursuing and holding tight to the things the world says makes them valuable. Unfortunately, they come away as empty as Leah and remain broken and empty.

We, as women, long to be cherished, adorned and loved but because of the world’s impossible standards we are afraid that we are not enough which makes us feel insecure. It is these insecurities and fears that Satan loves to feed upon. He comes and whispers to us with the famous “too” lie. You know the one. It goes like this, “You are too plain, too tall, too big, too thin, too strong, too weak, too ugly, too dumb, too smart, too short or

too something.” We are bombarded daily by the “too” lie and because of its frequency we fall for it. We let this idea of not being enough settle into our minds and hearts allowing it dictate our behavior. Our souls are crushed beneath the weight of this lie and we find ourselves retreating from the world and unable to bear-up under the heavy load. We become afraid of showing our true selves and instead choose to hide who we are which is the person God created us to be and the person the world needs us to be.

One of the saddest parts of Leah’s story is that she fought for every ounce of affection she may have received from Jacob but missed the fact that God loved her beyond measure. While everyone else ignored her and made her feel invisible, the One who created her noticed her and her situation and had compassion. “And when the Lord saw that Leah was hated, he opened her womb.” Genesis 29:31

He saw her and loved her for who she was but instead of realizing this, she believed Satan’s “too” lie. That is all it is, a lie. The truth is God tells us we are enough because we are made in His image. Let this truth sink in. We are made in the image of God AND in a unique way. So often we are taught we are all made in the image of

God, but it is not in a generic way. God has imparted a portion of himself into both a man and a woman. When both men and women live as God intended them to be, the world gets a clearer picture of who He is. As women we are made in the image of God and meant to reflect the mercifulness of our Creator and His gentleness that comforts the hurting. The Bible is the story of how much God loves us and our feminine traits play a part in sharing this great love with the world.

Women also have a unique way of defining themselves. Here again is an excerpt from the book Captivating: “Most women define themselves in terms of their relationships, and the quality they deem those relationships to have. I am a mother, a sister, a daughter, a friend or I am alone. I’m not seeing anyone right now, or my children aren’t calling, or my friends seem distant.”

This desire for a relationship is not a weakness but a reflection of our God. He wants us to know Him on an intimate level and He wants to know us. He longs for a relationship with us and our longing is merely a reflection of Him. Instead of running to Him with our broken, empty heart, we run to the world and seek to satisfy those longings there.

Even though Leah understood that the Lord had given

This is the tragedy for many women, they spend their whole life trying to fulfill an impossible list while the God of the universe only asks that we love Him, that is His list.

her children, she missed the fact that He loved her. She spent her whole life looking for someone to love her and was unaware that someone already did. This is the tragedy for many women. They spend their whole life trying to fulfill an impossible list while the God of the universe only asks that we love Him. That is His list. In John 14:15 God says, “If you love me, keep my commandments”. God asks us to love Him because when we do everything else falls into place. Man has always tried to make things complicated and that includes how we live our life. Everywhere we go there is a list of rules and expectations that we feel obligated to complete in order to find the acceptance we so desperately crave, but we never will be able to fulfill it. This is why it is vital to grab hold of the truth that God loves you just as you are which is the way He created you.

While Leah did have a life that was hard in many ways and it was filled with multiple sorrows there is an interesting twist at the end. Listen to the final words of Jacob as he gives instructions to bury him in the cave that was purchased by his grandfather: “There they buried Abraham and Sarah his wife; there they buried Isaac and Rebekah his wife; and there I buried Leah.” Gen 49:31

Jacob made a point to emphasize the word wife. He did not chose to be buried with Rachel who was buried near Bethlehem. He chose Leah. She has already passed

away and rather than bury her in Egypt, their current home, he made the journey to bury her with the other patriarchs and their spouses. Perhaps in the end she did get her wish that Jacob would love her for her.

Here is the wonderful truth about our story, we don’t have to wait our whole life to find love because our God already loves who we are. Who are we? We are the image bearers of the God of the universe, created by Him to be a reflection of Him to a world that is lost in darkness. This world desperately needs us to be who we were created to be. Please don’t live in fear of not being enough. You are enough! You are valuable! And you are loved! It is not determined by how many friends you have on social media. It is not governed by how many ministries in which you are involved. Nor is it based on the reflection in the mirror. It rests in the truth that God, the One who made every star in every galaxy, loves you with a love that sent Jesus to die on a cross and that includes every freckle, wrinkle, and bump.

Let these truths sink into your heart and your very soul because you will need to remind yourself every day. This will not be a one and done battle. Satan makes sure you see this lie as much as possible. He is determined to feed those insecurities and fears so that you will not be able to fulfill your calling. Stop listening to that old “too” lie and embrace the truth that you are loved with an everlasting, persistent, unchanging and inescapable love.

Who are we? We are the image bearers of the God of the universe, created by Him to be a reflection of Him to a world that is lost in darkness. This world desperately needs us to be who we were created to be.

After four heartbreaks, I said “enough!”

In August of 2016, a year after we were married, we had the joy of finding out we were pregnant. As we began to dream of our future with a sweet child, it was quickly snatched away when we found out one week later that I was in the process of having a miscarriage. We were seven weeks. Six months later in mid-January of 2017, we found out we were expecting again. Grey skies, however, quickly overshadowed our joy as two days later I felt the familiar pains and knew I was having a second miscarriage.

Then in August of 2017, we were surprised and delighted when we found we were pregnant once more! Yes, all of our waiting and prayers had finally paid off. We would soon be parents. Sadly our joy was short-lived as I miscarried again. At this point, we began preliminary steps to start fertility testing and after a year of uncertainty we conceived again in September 2018.

We were excited this time since it was all being monitored by our fertility doctor, but we would feel the sting of loss one more time as this pregnancy ended in a miscarriage. I couldn’t do it anymore. I literally gave up and said, “Enough!”

In January of 2019, we had decided to go the route of adoption. It was late February and we were preparing to write our first adoption check that would secure our spot but I just felt off. I decided to use my last pregnancy test before I left for work. I just stared as the little test read PREGNANT. As each day turned into another week and then another month, we kept holding our breath and fervently praying as we waited to see if this was our miracle. To our absolute delight, our faith became sight in October when I gave birth to our beautiful Genevieve Marie.

Even when I had said, “Enough,” God was working in the background to give me my greatest wish. We don’t know what God has in store for us and that’s good. What we do know, however, is that God gives us DAILY grace to face whatever comes our way.

Sometimes in those moments when our trials seem so big, we need to lean on Him and allow His strength to hold us. I promise He is enough.

You were created in God’ image. God makes no mistakes.

To put yourself down for the way you are is to insult God’ handiwork. You are beautiful.

s s

Wisdom from the past

Choose rather to want less, than to have more.

He that cannot forgive others, breaks the bridge over which he himself must pass if he would reach heaven; for every one has need to be forgiven.

Herbert

All growth that is not toward God, is growing to decay.

Cultivate forbearance till your heart yields a fine crop of it. Pray for a short memory as to all unkindnesses.

Spurgeon

Act nothing in a furious passion. It’s putting to sea in a storm.

Be cautious with whom you associate and never give your company or your confidence to those of whose good principles you are not sure.

A pilgrims thanksgiving.

They journeyed across the sea, where thousands of waves were battled and numerous souls were lost, but this was done so that they might obtain the freedom to worship God as they chose. They did it not for just themselves but for those of us who were to come.

The first Thanksgiving was not about pies, cranberry sauce, mashed potatoes, or a perfectly browned turkey. It was a time to praise God for all that He had done for them. It was a way to publicly show their spirit of gratefulness and joy, even in the midst of the loss of many who did not survive their first year in the new world.

May we remember the attitude of those who lived to see another autumn and praise Him like they did.

The worship most acceptable to god, comes from a thankful and cheerful heart. - plutarch

God has two dwellings: one in heaven, and the other in a meek and thankful heart. - Izaak walton

Six tips for making your home ready for Fall

1. Finish Home Projects.

As much as I was tempted to break out the fall decor as soon as the temp dropped for a day or two, I knew I had several little projects around the apartment that I knew I needed to finish before trying to create a pallat I wasn’t yet pleased with. Here’s the projects I knocked out before decorating:

1. Stripped and refinished legs on two living room chairs and a loveseat.

2. Painted my nightstand.

3. Purchased and refinished a fireplace.

2. Get Inspired.

I love to scan through Pinterest weddings to get inspired for almost all of my seasonal decor. Floral arrangements make a room come alive and I love me some Pinterest inspiration.

3. Prep Decor.

Before I even began strategically placing pumpkins everywhere, I wanted to make sure the pumpkins were all the perfect shade of orange or cream. Although I used more traditional colors this year, it’s becoming more and more popular to use whatever color you want! Acrylic paints are your friend in this case. Mix ’em. Add a little white to the mixture to lighten ’em. Create the ombre affect with pumpkins if you like!

4. Clean House.

“Work first. Play later.” It’s an annoyingly necessary saying for most human beings. I wanted all of my laundry taken care of (folded and put away too) as well as dusting and sweeping before I tried to add to the chaos with more junk. Pretty decor or not, adding to clutter

and uncleanliness just makes a space seem unfinished and uninviting.

5. Bring on the Cozy. Now’s the time to break out the plush blanket and Fall scented candles. Don’t forget to keep your hot chocolate stash restocked. This girl is a homebody and the cooler weather here in Seattle gives me an excellent excuse to stay at home and cozy-fy the place since my family and I will be spending so much time here this fall. There’s nothing quite as comforting as the warm glow of candlelight and scrumptious scent of cinnamon fall-goodness in the air. Sometimes the simplest thing like a cozy throw or twinkle lights can do so much to add to the ambiance.

6. Don’t Play the Comparison Game. Play the Thankful Game. Nothing will steal your joy more during the prime decorating season ahead of us than comparing your home to that of other people. We all have different gifts, budgets, and means to create. Instead of getting discouraged because you can’t afford to go out and buy four hundred pumpkins for your front porch, or whatever extra fall touches you’d like to add, remember instead to be thankful for the things you do have. Work with what you have and own it. I have a massive list of updates I’d like to make in our home and decor, but I’m purposing just to bloom

where I can with what I have rather than focusing on greener grass.

“It is not happy people who are thankful. It is thankful people who are happy.” – Unknown It’s been fun sharing our new place and these tips with you! Be sure to visit my website: www.hemadeitbeautiful.com for more tips or follow me on instagram @hemadeitbeautiful for inspiration. Have fun making it beautiful!

Love, Emily

Home Decorator | Mommy | Couch Potatoer

Don’t Play the Comparison Game. Play the Thankful Game.

Face Off

In high school, I played sports…every sport available. We had several coaches, but there was one that stood out above the rest. He was the best! No kidding. We referred to him as “Coach.” He wasn’t the best because he was the most talented or most athletic, though he was both of those things. No, what set him apart was that he LIVED the life of Christ on the court and off. He didn’t just talk the talk, he walked the walk, you know? He treated his players with love, compassion, and dignity.

When you messed up, OH, he would absolutely let you know about it, but I never once remember him degrading or screaming in someone’s face to get the next points. He was different. He actually cared about the players. He influenced us on the court in ways that no one ever could in a classroom. No matter what sport we were playing, he drove us and pushed us to be better, stronger, prepared for the battle that was coming in the face off with the next team. So many of the principles that he taught us I still use in my life as I train my own kids, but also, as I prepare for FACE OFF every single day.

Who knew that as Coach was preparing us to score the next points, God would be preparing us to face the next

battle, many times behind enemy lines? Marianne, what are you talking about??? I’m glad you asked.

Today, just like every day, there is an opposing team to what God has for you in your life. In I Peter 5:8, the Bible says, “Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour.” Basically, this means that you and I are in a daily “face-off” with an enemy that wants to swallow up and destroy us. I love studying surrounding passages. It is intriguing to me that the verse before the warning about the enemy is I Peter 5:7, “Casting all your care upon him for he careth for you.” It seems like a perfect time for attack when we have thrust every ounce of care and worry onto our Savior in complete dependence on Him to carry us through. BUT, just like a good coach, the Word of God continues with an incredible offence play. It looks something like this…

• “Be sober” – well-balanced

• “Be vigilant” – cautious at all times

• “Resist steadfast in the faith” – withstand him; be firm in faith (rooted, strong, unmoveable, determined)

• “Knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren” - be aware that your brothers around

the world are experiencing the same suffering

PRACTICE MAKES PERFECT!

Batting practice. Free throws. Running laps…more laps…more laps…oh my goodness…did he say “take a lap again?”

Sometimes, the spiritual battles that we face can be so much more profound than the battles that can be seen. Satan is crafty. He is an angel of light. He makes things look good so that he can fake you out and seemingly get one up. How do we “practice” (prepare) for the battle ahead. Let’s look back at that verse again…. Below you will find “PROOF” texts that will help you put this verse into practice when you come head on with attack. Take the time to look them up. You will be glad you did. Ask the Lord to speak as you read His Word. It speaks life like no other.

• “Be sober” – I Thessalonians 5:8, II Timothy 4:5, I Peter 1:13

• “Be vigilant” – I Corinthians 16:13, Colossians 4:2, Revelation 3:2-3

• “Resist steadfast in the faith” – James 4;7, II Timothy 2:19, Acts 26:18

• “Knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren” - I Corinthians 1:5-6, I Peter 2:17, II Corinthians 7:1

WHAT DOES THIS PLAY LOOK LIKE IN REAL LIFE?

“Be sober” – This is merely letting God dictate your schedule. “God what do YOU want for me today?” This is working from a heart of rest, not to be confused with laziness. No, this is choosing God’s plan for me. Remember, “For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light” (Matthew 11:30). Most often when we lack balance, it is because we are choosing a plan that God didn’t choose for us. BE SOBER friend!

Keep in mind that your brothers and sisters around the world are enduring the same suffering attacks that you are. Take your eyes off of you. Have compassion on someone else.

“Be vigilant” –Simply put this means to be keenly watchful to detect danger; wary. In I Thessalonians 5:21, the Bible says, “Prove all things; hold fast to that which is good.” Satan is the Father of lies and deceit. He is typically found slipping in just enough truth to cause doubt. God has equipped us with His Word. It has power over the enemy. Read and apply liberally!

“Resist steadfast in the faith” – Stay planted! I Corinthians 15:57 is such a huge help when I feel like I am ready to throw in the towel and let the enemy win the game. “Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord.”

Stand on truth. Fight for right. No matter what happens today…YOU, my sweet friend, are on the Victory Team! “Knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren” - this is likely one of my favorites. If you look up Jude, you will find a host of attacks and afflictions that are brought on by the enemy. At the very end of the chapter, our Bible gives clear instruction what we are supposed to do in these times of attacks…. Verse 22 says, “ Of some have compassion, making a difference.” Sometimes, it feels as if we are charging hell with a water gun, BUT while we have a formidable adversary, we have a wonderful Savior!

Psalm 9:9-10 is one of my favorites - “ the LORD also will be a refuge for the oppressed, a refuge in times of trouble. And they that know thy name will put their trust in thee: for thou, LORD, hast not forsaken them that seek thee” Keep in mind that your brothers and sisters around the world are enduring the same suffering attacks that you are. Take your eyes off yourself. Have compassion on someone else. Sometimes when I am discouraged, I find a verse to pray and text to friends. Or I make a phone call to purposely cheer someone up. I bake goodies and deliver them to someone who is struggling. You know what happens? God in turn encourages my heart!

• Are you defeated?

• Are you being attacked?

• What plays are you using to fight?

• God’s word is FULL of wisdom to help you get your head in the game.

No one can ever explain exactly how our God wins a game, but victory awaits you… and with that victory comes blessings that the world knows nothing of and you and I can only imagine. Can you begin to imagine what heaven will be like? Oh the wonder! Oh the splendor. Face off today with Jesus as your coach! Victory is for the taking. We are not defeated!

IN CHRIST WE ARE VICTORIOUS!!!!

From our table to yours

guten appetit

More than just ingredients

Food is more than just a compilation of different ingredients. It is the creator of memories and provides the perfect atmosphere to share dreams.

Families all over the world gather around the table not just to eat, but to relive the best parts of their day with those they love. That is what makes food so special: the memories made at the table will stay with them for a lifetime.

We wanted to share a portion of our table with you and your loved ones, giving you some new recipes to taste as you celebrate the day’s accomplishments while gathered at your own table.

Food

is the

ingredient

that binds us

together

Bread Dough

For both the pretzels and the salt sticks, the dough is the same. The initial start is identical but the difference comes from shaping and baking them. This is a very versatile dough that can also be made into two medium bread loaves.

For Dough: 5 cups of all-purpose flour (divided) 2 tbsp yeast 1 tbsp salt 2 1/2 cups of warm water

For egg wash: 1 egg 2 tbsp water

In a large bowl, combine 3 cups of flour, yeast, salt, and water. With a mixer, blend on high for about one minute. With a wooden spoon, mix the remaining flour, 1/2 a cup at a time. Remove from bowl and knead on a floured surface for about five minutes, or until smooth.

Oil a large bowl and place dough inside; cover and let rise in a warm place for 30 minutes to an hour till it doubles. Punch down.

Pretzel Salt stick

In a large saucepan pour six cups of water, then add six tablespoons of baking soda, and stir until dissolved. Bring to a boil, then continue on medium. Take the dough and cut into strips of equal size; then roll each until they are 22 to 25 inches long. Twist into a pretzel shape. Dip each form into the water for about 30 to 40 seconds and then place on baking sheet. Sprinkle with coarse salt and bake on the middle rack for about 25 minutes at 400 degrees until they turn medium brown. Let cool before enjoying.

Cut dough into strips that measure around eight inches by one and a half inches. Lightly shape them before placing on a baking sheet that has a wax paper on top. Let rise until double in size, and then brush with the egg wash, sprinkle salt and caraway seeds. Bake for 25 minutes at 400 degrees. Let sticks cool before taking them off the baking sheet and enjoying them.

serve warmed and buttered

She made the most of all that came, and the least of all that went... Ruth Bell Graham

For variations, try topping your pretzels with cheese or finely crumbled bacon.

Cut beef into small cubes and set aside. In large pot, pour water and add salt bringing to a boil. Add beef and reduce the heat to low for about one hour. Wash vegetables before cutting into small pieces. Add to water along with noodles and beef bouillon; then bring to a boil for another ten minutes. Add fresh parsley before serving.

Potato soup

Serves: 4

4 medium potatoes

1 pack of bacon

2 carrots

1 medium onion

3 tbsp of all-purpose flour

5 cups of broth one bunch of fresh parsley

Wash, peel, and dice potatoes and carrots; rinse again. Finely chop onion; set aside. Cut bacon into small squares and fry in a large sauce pan on medium high. When bacon is almost done, add onions and carrots; then mix in potatoes. Stir until bacon is crisp. In a separate cup take 1/2 cup of water, blend in three heaping tablespoons of all-purpose flour, mix well, then add to saucepan. Stir well as you add the remaining broth. Cook on medium heat for about 25-30 minutes. Serve with finely chopped parsley.

Plum cake

Serves: 8

Filling Dough Topping

2 packages (5 tsp) of active dry yeast

1 cup of whole milk - warmed 1/2 cup granulated sugar

3 large eggs

5 1/2 cups all-purpose flour

2 tsp salt

1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened

3 lbs of ripe plums, pitted and quartered

2 tbsp of sugar

1 tsp cinnamon

1/2 to 3/4 cup of water

2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour

1 cup of softened butter

1 cup of sugar

1 tsp cinnamon

To make the dough, in a large bowl, dissolve the yeast in the warm milk and let stand until foamy, about five minutes. Add the granulated sugar, eggs, salt, and butter and stir with your hand or a wooden spoon until a rough mass forms. Using a plastic pastry scraper, scrape the dough out onto a lightly floured surface. Knead the dough, working in the remaining flour, until it is smooth and elastic, 5 to 7 minutes. The dough should be soft, but not sticky. Place dough into a bowl, cover with a light towel, and put in a warm place to rise for about 45 minutes. Preheat oven to 400 degrees.

For filling, take plums, place in a large sauce pan over medium heat, and add water, sugar, and cinnamon. Simmer until plums soften, the water will turn into a sauce. Remove from heat and let cool.

For topping mix flour, butter, sugar, and cinnamon in a medium bowl then crumble with your fingers. Grease baking pan, take dough, knead through one time, then roll out to fit a 9 by 13 baking sheet. Spread filling over dough then cover with topping, let sit about 10 minutes before placing in the oven. Bake for 25 to 30 minutes, until golden brown. Take out and let cool before serving.

South Dakota From to South Carolina

It was May of 2017 when I met my husband. I didn’t meet him at church or family camp or through a mutual friend. I met my husband on eHarmony.

I grew up in a small town in western South Dakota where my dad pastored a tiny church in the Black Hills. Our congregation consisted of my family, four families, a handful of single older adults, and a caboodle of children.

As a child, I had always dreamt of being a wife and having at least five kids by the time I was in my mid twenties. But life has a way of surprising us, and things do not always go as planned. So at age 25, still very single, with no prospects in sight, and with much encouragement from a close friend, I took to the online realm.

If you’re unfamiliar with eHarmony, it is an online dating site where you are matched up based on profile options, personal questions, and compatibility scores. I viewed it as a platform to meet and get to know someone. Not everyone shares the same views

as I do, and it is important to use discretion and depend on God’s guidance through prayer and godly authority.

I was on eHarmony for five months, and after some serious conversations with a couple of not-so-serious young men, it was a little discouraging. I had thought it would be easy! So I made the decision at the end of those five months to take a few weeks and just let things be and not worry about having a relationship.

I remember getting an email “match” notification, but also hit the delete button.

During that time, I would receive emails from the site asking if I was interested in certain matches, but I would delete them from my inbox, resolving that none of those guys were serious about God or real commitment anyway. It was a growing time for me to just trust God with my life.

One of those days, though, I specifically remember getting an email “match” notification, but also hit the delete button. Just after I added that to my email trash can, I felt a nudging to open that notification. I brushed it off, though; after all, I didn’t care about going this route anymore, at least not right now. But I couldn’t shake that feeling, so I did open that email, and it directed me back to the dating site and straight to the profile page of this “match.”

Curiously, I began reading and quickly found out this guy was actually talking openly about God, his testimony, and his faith. The crazy thing was that he lived in South Carolina, more than 1,700 miles away! I liked what I read, however, so I sent him a smiley face. Shortly after that we began a series of long talks, and right off the bat Adam, that was his name, was asking me some serious questions about my faith and walk with God, and that really caught my attention. This guy was different.

He didn’t mind or get intimidated by talking about God and the Bible. Adam and I communicated several days via the eHarmony platform before conversing over the phone and eventually via Facebook.

During the course of our long-distance relationship, we spent time going through portions of Scripture and spending time in prayer. Seeking God in our relationship was always something we talked about and did together, even though we were miles apart. Adam and I always tried to include each other in activities we were involved in with our families and churches, and many times just going to grab groceries or coffee would turn into a “Skype date.”

one knee to propose and of course and I said yes!! We were engaged!

This guy was different, he didn’t mind or get intimidated by talking about God and the Bible!

Three months after we started talking, we pretty much knew that we wanted to pursue marriage, so Adam came to visit me and my family in person at my parents’ home. We had such a fun time with my family, and just being together in person was the absolute best.

September 30, 2018 turned out to be a special day, it was a Sunday morning and we met up in downtown Columbia, SC for breakfast and to catch the beautiful sunrise. I was in utter shock when Adam got down on

Fast forward 5 months and we were married February 22, 2019. It was the perfect day, a day well worth waiting for.

We believe the Lord guided, directed, and orchestrated us meeting on eHarmony and we are so glad He did.

A merry heart corner

On the Elevator

Once I met an alligator, Going up an elevator, Said he was a people-hater, But he’d wait and eat me later.

I didn’t know quite what to do. When there hopped on a kangaroo. She said she had the stomach flu, And got out on floor number two.

I thought I might should run away, But then there slid a manta ray, Right up to me and blocked my way, I did not know what I should say.

What came next? A grizzly bear, I started fighting for my air, For I was trapped and in despair, With creatures that could kill me there,

Last of all there came a snake, My greatest fear I couldn’t break, I was so scared I couldn’t shake, And then I finally came awake.

Pillsbury Doughboy Dead at 81

The Pillsbury Doughboy died Monday of a severe yeast infection and complications from repeated pokes to the belly. He was 81. Doughboy was buried in a lightly greased coffin.

Dozens of celebrities turned out, including Mrs. Butterworth, Hungry Jack, Betty Crocker, the Hostess Twinkies, and Captain Crunch. The grave site was pilled high with flours as longtime friend Aunt Jemima delivered the eulogy, describing Doughboy as a man who, “never knew how much he was kneaded.”

Doughboy rose quickly in show business but his later life was filled with many turnovers. He was not considered a very smart cookie, wasting much of his dough on half-baked schemes.

Despite his being a little flaky at times, and even crusty as an old man, he was considered a roll model for millions. Toward the end it was thought he’d rise once again, but he was no tart.

His wife, Play Dough, survives Doughboy. They have two children and one in the oven. Mrs. Dough said of their 60 year relationship, “It was a piece of cake.” The funeral was held at 350 degrees for about 20 minutes. May he rest in yeast, I mean peace.

A good laugh is sunshine in a house. -

Thackeray

“A merry heart doeth good like a medicine:” Prov. 17:22

For the children

Fall

What if you woke up one morning and all the color in your world was gone? That’s exactly what happened not long ago in a lovely land inhabited by mice, including lovable Mooseberry Mouse. Of course, Mooseberry and his forest friends are terribly upset. But Monty the Mole, who hates light and bright colors even more than he hates mice, is glad. Could Monty be the one who stole the colors? And what can be done now to bring each and every color back?

For the young girls

Based upon the story of Ruth, Lady in Waiting is a must read for those who have not yet dated, are dating, have been through a breakup, or are single, engaged, or married. I did not meet my husband until I was thirty years old and this book was a huge encouragement to me during my single twenties. You will laugh and cry as you read this book. The author’s writing styles are both fun and convicting. They give many practical ways to wisely use your single years to grow spiritually and to help others. They also give insights along with Biblical guidelines for what to look for in a man. ~a reader

This book is a must for every teenage girl who dreams of being married. Jackie Kendall and Debby Jones speak with understanding and wisdom on the topic of waiting for God’s best. Using Ruth as an example, the topics range from becoming a lady of diligence and contentment as well as what to look for in your own Boaz. This is a great gift for any girl who thinks her Mr. Right has taken a wrong turn.

I received this book on my 20th birthday and it was the best gift I ever received. It challenged me to go deeper in my study of God’s Word and learn more about Him.

~a reader

A simple Bible study method for praise, for remembering, and for comfort becomes the life-transforming way one woman got to know her God. Can it do the same for you? For Mardi Collier, helping women and teens get to know and enjoy God daily is a calling. In “What Do I Know about My God?” she makes available to others the simple program that first helped her, and now many others, to maintain a close walk with the Lord.

For inspiration

This was an incredible book. You feel as if you experience it all with them, the long journey to recovery for the family and the miraculous events surrounding Jen as she embraced a new normal. It was a conviction in my own life, calling me to make my life count for Christ. ~a reader

One minute can change your whole life. Fifteen-year-old Jennifer Barrick was the daughter parents dream about: a varsity athlete and cheerleader; a healthy, happy girl with a loving heart. And if the Barrick family had left church even one minute later that night, everything might have stayed the same. But in a moment, a drunk driver careened into their van at eighty miles an hour. The entire family was seriously hurt - but Jen’s injuries were so devastating that the paramedics thought she had no chance to live. Discover how God turned normal into extraordinary in Miracle for Jen - a transformational story of hope and love. What happened to this family will strengthen and renew your faith and leave you forever changed.

Christian meditation is, very simply, meditating on God’s Word. It is using God’s Word as the focus of your thoughts, rather than a worldly mantra. It is filling your mind with the truth of the Bible as opposed to emptying your mind.

Christian meditation is one of the oldest spiritual disciplines practiced by the Church and is recommended in the Bible.

The Psalms tell us where to focus our meditative thoughts.

Psalm 1:2 instructs us to meditate on God’s law.

Psalm 143:5 gives us God’s works as a meditation focus. Psalm 119 has several references to meditation. The psalmist meditated on God’s precepts (vs. 15), statutes (vs. 23), and his word (vs. 148). By meditating on God’s word and his ways, we learn his character and his plan for our lives.

Christian meditation is simple to begin. You can select a verse and meditate on it for a day, week, month or year. For the past four years, I’ve selected a theme verse for the entire year and meditated on it every day. The verse is like a lens through which I see God working throughout 12 months of my life. I also select another verse from my One Year Bible for daily meditation.

I meditate for a few minutes at the beginning of the day, and the verse serves as a guide for my thoughts, words and actions. The Holy Spirit brings it back to my mind to keep me on track. I also refocus on it by writing it out, glancing over at it in my open Bible, and making a graphic of it.

By reviewing my daily verse through Christian meditation, God helps me hide it in my heart and mind. This spiritual practice gives me peace like nothing else, as God promises in Philippians 4:7.

Sarah Geringer is a speaker, artist and author of Transforming Your Thought Life: Christian Meditation in Focus and three self-published books. She is currently writing a teen girl version of Transforming Your Thought Life, to be published in fall 2021.

She is on the devotional writing teams for Proverbs 31 Ministries, A Wife Like Me, Devotable, Hope-Full Living, Kingdom Edge Magazine and Woman 2 Woman Ministries.

When she’s not reading over 100 books per year, Sarah enjoys painting, baking, gardening and playing the flute. Her daily must-haves are hot tea, dark chocolate, and fresh flowers.

She lives in southeast Missouri with her husband and three children.

Sarah writes about finding peace in God’s Word at sarahgeringer.com.

Follow Sarah on: FB, IG, and Twitter

Recognize the Temptations. At first, the temptations of infertility didn’t seem like temptations at all. They were subtle whispers disguised as innocent thoughts, barely skimming the surface of my consciousness. For months I believed these thoughts were acceptable, even healthy for a woman in my situation to explore. I had just suffered two miscarriages and was told I was born with a genetic disorder and a blood clotting disorder that would increase my chances for miscarriage or carrying a baby with a severe life ending syndrome. I was distracted by all the negative news and failed to recognize the battle being

fought for my mind.

Satan wants to deceive women who are struggling with infertility at all cost and he almost deceived me by using the most emotionally straining moments of my adult life to his advantage. Long before my infertility challenges were resolved I recognized the battle for my mind. It was then I vowed to be watchful in prayer and recognize the enemy for the cunning and deceitful adversary he is. “Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:

The Temptations of Infertility

Temptation Can Be Useful

Temptations hurt and at first glance seem to have no rewarding purpose for our lives. But temptations, if handled property, can produce a number of useful things: perseverance (James 1:12), spiritual growth (1 Corinthians 13:11), and a deeper trust in God (1 Peter 1:6-7).

You Can’t Ignore Temptation

Before I understood the usefulness of temptations, I was determined to ignore them. After my miscarriages, professionals started asking me questions. Infertility

specialists and genetic counselors said my feelings of anger, isolation, low esteem, guilt, and anxiety were normal.

They assured me I wasn’t alone and that thousands of women just like me felt the same way. I knew the doctors were right. I was suffering from a major life crisis and these feelings were to be expected.

But then I realized my feelings weren’t the issue –the negative thoughts that turned into actions were! The more I ignored the root cause, the louder my negative thoughts became.

If we merely turn away from temptation outwardly and do not strike at the root, we will make very little progress. In fact, you will find that the temptations will return more quickly and powerfully, and you will feel even worse. – Thomas a’ Kempis

Temptations Reveal a Heart Problem

Instead of sharing my feelings with God I confided only in specialist. I gave the enemy an opportunity by not recognizing my responsibility - which was to confront the negative thoughts of infertility for the lies they truly were and to trust God with the sins they had become.

Small struggles with anger, isolation, low esteem, guilt, and anxiety became big ones. The subtle whispers became loud shouts and I was tossed about like a ship without a helm.

Then we will no longer be infants, tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching… Ephesians 4:14

Anger

I didn’t want to listen to God out of fear He would tell me “no.”

The first lie I believed was that I had every right to be angry with God. Infertility was the first true hardship I faced as a woman. There were times I questioned if

God really cared at all about my desire to be a mother. My lack of faith turned into anger. It hurt to see other women who had children, who seemed happy and in a season of prosperity. I didn’t want to listen to God out of fear He would tell me “no.”

Isolation

“No one understands what I am going through.”

The anger left me bitter which led to isolation. I stopped socializing with friends and started sulking at home. There were days it felt like no one could possibly understand what I was going through. The pain of going through two miscarriages was difficult. I was afraid to tell many of my friends.

Self-Esteem

“I’m a worthless wife if I can’t give my husband children…”

The third lie I believed was that my value was tied to my ability to birth children. Growing up I played with dolls and pretended to be a mom. Like millions of other women, I assumed I had every right as a female to be one. My body was supposed to work properly. I was so ashamed when I realized I couldn’t control my body. I was even more ashamed that the next chapter of my married life might not look the way I envisioned. I

My body was supposed to work properly. I was so ashamed when I realized I couldn’t control my body.

“Why would God allow this to happen to me?”

never imagined the second half of my life without kids. Knowing I was powerless to give my husband the gift of a child was almost more than I could bear.

Guilt

“Surely I did something to deserve this.”

The fourth lie I believed was I deserved punishment. I must have done something so horrible, so wrong, that I deserved this horrific situation. It was all my fault and

“Little by little, through patient endurance of spirit (with the help of God), you will win a better victory than by your own determination.

– Thomas a’ Kempis

God was up in heaven shaking His head at me, “If only you had been better. . .”

Anxiety

“The idea of never having kids gives me anxiety.”

All of these things consumed me which led to more anxiety. I was anxious, worried, and on edge on and off for many months. I believe anxiety is the culmination of all things that have to do with worry and I was worried all the time.

Meet Temptations at The Door

Then the day came when I had enough. I was tired of being blown and tossed by the wind. I knew my unstable mind needed stability. I vowed to be faithful in prayer and diligent in my scripture reading. I did my best to recognize the negative thoughts and stop them at the door. Slowly, things started to change.

I opened my heart and was honest with God. I cried, I screamed, I whispered, and I sat in silence over and over again. I confessed it was beyond my ability to escape temptation – especially the temptations of infertility – and that I needed His help. After a few consecutive weeks of being faithful in prayer and diligent in my scripture reading things slowly started to change. I finally allowed God room to reveal His truths. There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.

1 Corinthians 10:13

Love

“God loves me so much.”

Self-Esteem

“God gave me the Holy Spirit.”

Talking with other women who also had miscarriages was the best medicine for my heart. It gave me the ability to share my pain and learn from other believers.

He didn’t create me to condemn me.

God revealed his love to me through nature, songs, people, and situations during my infertility. On a drive to work one day there was a beautiful sunrise or my favorite songs would come on the radio when I least expected it. Friends would comfort me with scripture that had deep rooted significance from my past. There were times of sweet silence when I never felt His presence so close. What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us?

He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things?

Romans 8:31–32

Community

“It’s so nice to feel understood.”

I opened up about my infertility issues with friends. After a few weeks and a little networking, I had a community of women I could reach out to. Talking with other women who also had miscarriages was the best medicine for my heart. It gave me the ability to share my pain and learn from other believers. I finally could celebrate pregnant women and mothers without a hint of bitterness in my heart.

As powerful as the Holy Spirit is, it’s quiet and tender in its approach. God gave us free will and the Holy Spirit abides by these rules – it doesn’t control us or force us to do things. That’s why it can be so easy to ignore when the things of this world are shouting so loud. The Apostle Paul told us to be filled with the Holy Spirit. The Spirit pierces through all our weakness, shortcomings, and fears. God doesn’t use perfect people –He uses broken people – over and over again. For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind. 2 Timothy 1:7

Guilt

“God not only forgives, he forgets.”

The Spirit pierces through all our weakness, shortcomings, and fears.

Long before I was born, God was thinking about me. He didn’t create me to condemn me. He created me with a free-will in hopes that I would recognize my sin, give it to Him, and trust that it is covered through Jesus Christ and His death on the cross. Long before you were born, God was thinking about you too. God doesn’t hold your past sins against you – He forgives and forgets. All we have to do is believe and repent. For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved. John 3:17

Anxiety

“I am a child of God.”

One of the most powerful truths I held onto during infertility was this: I am a child of God. We, as Christians, are called to live with eternity in mind. As a child of God, no matter how hard this life gets, this isn’t the end for me. Even when this life is full of

Peace is not found by escaping temptations, but by being tried by them. We will have discovered peace when we have been tried and come through the trail of temptation.

– Thomas a’ Kempis

disappointments and I can’t understand the “why,” God’s plans for me goes beyond this life – into eternity. To know a love that surpasses all understanding gives me the

Trials should not surprise us, or cause us to doubt God’s faithfulness. Rather, we should actually be glad for them. God sends trials to strengthen our trust in him so that our faith will not fail. Our trials keep us trusting; they burn away our self confidence and drive us to our Savior.

- Edmund Clowney

peace I need.

For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus. Galatians 3:26

Infertility, and all the negative thoughts that goes with it, might be the greatest temptation you face as a woman. Use this season to grow in faith. Trust that God loves you and would never harm you – that He wants to give you a hope and a future.

Traci McCombs is a fertility blogger with her first book in progress, forthcoming Fall 2020. Her goal is to shine a light on the unique infertility or pregnancy loss challenges women face and provide hope and healthy coping mechanisms through a solid foundation in scripture. She’s a Christ follower and military spouse who currently lives in Stuttgart, Germany with her husband Adam, rainbow baby Morgan, and son Micah. Follow her and her incredible journey @road2motherhood or visit her website: www.road2motherhood.com

Words, even well intended, can hurt others. Here are a few things to say and not say to your friends who are going through infertility.

What Most Women Say:

“It will all work out”

“You’ve got plenty of time” “Just relax”

“I really appreciate you being honest with me about your infertility. I can’t imagine how hard that is. I’m here to listen if you ever want to grab a cup of coffee. My treat.”

What A Sister in Christ Should Say:

“This all must feel like an eternity to you. I’m sorry that I don’t understand. If you’re comfortable, I’d like to pray over you. What prayer do you need most?”

“I’m sure this is a very stressful season. Is there something I can do to help ease the load you’re carrying? Maybe bring you dinner this week?”

Nothing is beyond the reach of prayer because God Himself is the focus of prayer. - Dick Eastman

Your Body...

Workout While Working in Truth

On a piece of paper or 3×5 card, write down a verse you would like to meditate on or memorize. Take your time. Write slowly. There is power in the written word. Once you finish writing, place the card on the ground in front of you and complete the following workout. As you move and meditate on Scripture, you are renewing your mind (Romans 12:2). Not only will you be getting physically stronger, but spiritually stronger as well!

Complete the following exercises. With each move read the verse out loud. (Read slowly as you catch your breath.)

• 50 Jumping Jacks (Option: tap instead of jump)

• 40 High Knees (Option: Alternating knee up without the jump)

• 30 Jumps Squats (Option: leave out the jump)

• 10 Push-Ups (Option: Wall or on your knees).

• 20 Mountain Climbers (Option: Alternating knee up and tap)

• Rest for 1 minute.

• Repeat 1-2x

Need a verse?

The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? the Lord is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid? Psalm 27:1

Jumping Jacks

High Knees

Squats

Push ups

Jennifer is the founder of Whole Fitness and is a certified:

• Personal Trainer, NETA

• Revelation Wellness Instructor

• Group Fitness Instructor

Mountain Climbing

Sweat Smile & Repeat

Whole Fitness is a non-profit faithbased fitness ministry in Greer, SC. Our mission is to build a healthy and whole community: mind, body and soul.

Connect and follow us on social media

@wholefitsc

FB - Whole Fitness www.wholefitsc.com

Your Mind...

Thy word have I hid in mine heart... Psalm 119:11

Psalm 34:1-4

1 I will bless the Lord at all times: his praise shall continually be in my mouth.

2 My soul shall make her boast in the Lord: the humble shall hear thereof, and be glad.

3 O magnify the Lord with me, and let us exalt his name together.

4 I sought the Lord, and he heard me, and delivered me from all my fears.

Over and over again we are told to hide God’s Word in our hearts, to commit it to memory. When we have something memorized it is ready for us to use and it can never be taken away.

Over the course of the next three months try to memorize the verses on the left. In times of discouragement, temptation, or trouble the Holy Spirit can bring these verses to mind to renew our faith and remember who our God is. He hears our cry and He promises to deliver us from all our fears if we just cry out to Him. A verse memorized is one of the greatest things we can do for ourselves.

The memory is a treasurer to whom we must give funds, if we would draw the assistance we need.

Your Soul...

Be still, and know that I am God... Psalm 46:10

The world is a noisy place making it difficult to find time for ourselves, but when we are surrounded by noise we are unable to focus on what is important.

It is vital that we set aside time to renew our soul, especially with the Word of God.

Take a few moments to care for your soul by stepping away from the noise and the clamour of the world. Use that time to nurture relationships with family, friends, and God. Take time to be still and know that He is God. 1. Light your favorite candle, grab a blanket and read 30 minutes before bedtime.

Ten ways to practice self-care...

6. Turn your phone off for a few hours.

Plan a stay-cation

Go for a walk outdoors.

Set up a coffee date with your friend.

Start a gratitude journal.

7. Spend some extra time praying and meditating. 8. Go to bed early. 9. Enjoy a warm cup of tea, your favorite treat, and listen to music. 10. Watch the sunset.

Sometimes we underestimate the influence of little things.

Charles W. Chestnutt

Yielded Vessels

How a young girl’s desire to serve the Lord in Brazil began with a yielded heart.

From the mission field

Our first Resurrection Sunday in Brazil

Nine years ago, I sat dripping with sweat in the middle of the Amazon Rainforest. At twenty-one years old, I had spent six months on an island in the Amazon assisting a veteran missionary couple. The air was steamy and humid, but that morning I didn’t notice the sweat droplets coming from my every pore. I wasn’t paying any attention to the words the Sunday school teacher was speaking that morning. No, my mind was wandering…as it so often is prone to do. Any of y’all relate?

I sat there thinking of how blessed I was to have been brought up in a family who shared with me the fact that Jesus loved me. I had heard of Jesus as far back as I could remember and how He had paid my sin debt on the cross. I had known the scriptures from a child. Why had I been given so much? Why had God allowed me to be born into a family of Christian parents, surrounded by many believers? Why did I hold a copy of God’s Word in my very own language? I couldn’t answer these questions, but one thing I was completely sure about. Because God had given me so much, I could do no less than spend the rest of my life living for Him! I wouldn’t be content doing anything other than wholly dedicating my life to the Lord and following wherever He led. God also clearly impressed on my heart in those moments that He wanted me to

Because God had given me so much, I could do no less than spend the rest of my life living for Him! I wouldn’t be content doing anything other than wholly dedicating my life to the Lord and following wherever He led.

64 Sit still my Daughter | Fall 2020 return to Brazil as a missionary.

I never dreamed I would later marry a Brazilian/American man who is passionate about reaching his own people with the Good News that Jesus saves! Our friendship and love story is a completely different chapter, but needless to say, I am beyond thankful that I waited on God to bring me the perfect mate in His perfect timing.

Five months ago all those years of planning and preparing came to fruition as my husband, daughter, and I boarded a plane in Washington, D.C., bound for Brazil! I have spent the last ninety something days setting up my new home here (which I absolutely love), beginning Portuguese language classes with a tutor, and serving in the church here wherever possible.

Far Right: On our flight to Brazil, Eliana is enjoying herself. Below: All packed up and ready to serve the Lord in Brazil. Right: Before leaving for the mission field, my husband Jed trained and received his pilot’s license. It will be an added tool for the ministry.

Since moving to Brazil, I have faced some intense times of loneliness. Feelings of isolation are normal for any missionary and I am sure for many of you as well. I find it easy to fall prey to the thought that if a person is in the center of the Lord’s will, this individual will be immune from hardships and trials. Ladies, this is just simply not true. We can see in the Bible how often when someone was living for the Lord, he faced great opposition (Job, Joseph, Paul…etc).

God allows us to face overwhelming tasks and to bear difficult burdens because these tribulations drive us to totally depend on Him. One thing that has helped me tremendously when facing a particular low time is to immerse myself in God’s Word. A mind saturated with the scriptures will have a difficult time wallowing in self-pity, sorrow, and woe.

One day, not that long ago, I was having an unusually emotional time (please tell me I’m not the only girl who cries for no reason or sometimes it’s a billion little reasons all mixed up together). I was feeling very overwhelmed

A mind saturated with the scriptures will have a difficult time wallowing in self-pity, sorrow and woe.

and tired. I lay on my bed and just began listening to my Bible App play Psalm after Psalm. Oh, how refreshed my heart was and my inner man renewed! I later got up feeling very much strengthened and my entire focus had shifted from my problems to my Lord’s faithfulness and goodness instead.

Something I am still learning here in Brazil is that I can’t compare this country to America. Having this view has helped me adjust faster and made the changes a lot easier to cope with.

I view Brazil and America as two completely different worlds —each has elements I love and others I dislike. I choose to embrace this new home and rejoice for it is where God has placed me.

The biggest fear I had in moving to a new country and culture was for my two year old little girl. She didn’t understand Portuguese (I am semi-conversational and

Left: The beautiful city of San Paulo, what a wonderful sight! Bottom left: Me and my wonderful tutor working hard on learning the language. Above right: Eliana enjoying the view in our front gate. Far right: We have added a sweet four-legged family member, his name is Glock and we love him dearly. Above: I captured this little moment of my sweet Eliana enjoying the lovely weather. She has adjusted so well.

Left: a Brazilian style BBQ or cookout. Right: a typical Brazilian meal form our area of Brazil. Below: An array of peppers at a local market.

my husband is fluent). She wasn’t used to the intense heat. And she didn’t really know anyone here other than her grandparents. I should never have feared, for little Eliana adjusted amazingly and beyond what I could have imagined. Our God is so good! She loves her new country, home, and cuisine. She has already made friends with a girl from church. God answered so many of the prayers that I had prayed for my girl to have a smooth transition in moving.

I am no-one special. I struggle with my sinful

Above: a Brazilian sunset. Right: a favorite in my home, this quote hangs in my kitchen and is a great reminder of why we are here.

flesh daily. I have fears. And yes, a couple of times since coming here, I told my husband I wanted to leave and return to the States (yes, it was during one of my emotional times). If there’s one thing I would like you to take away from this article it is this: Our God delights in using yielded vessels. Not perfect. Not people who “have it all together.” Just regular individuals who are willing to take their God at His word!

Our God delights in using yielded vessels. Not perfect. Not people who “have it all together”. Just regular individuals who are willing to take their God at His word!

Where you and I lack, He is more than enough. When we are weak and have no strength, His grace is

sufficient, for His strength is made perfect in weakness! When we completely bomb something, His mercy is still new EVERY. SINGLE. MORNING.

Dear Friend, what is holding you back from completely surrendering to God? What is your biggest fear? Are you not currently doing all you can for the Lord because you’re waiting to marry or everything to be comfortable financially? Are you focusing on your personal disappointments and heartaches? I don’t know your heart, but I know The Almighty, All-knowing Heavenly Father Who does. Surrender without reservation to Him.

TRUE SATISFACTION IS FOUND IN LIVING A LIFE WHOLLY ABANDONED TO FOLLOW JESUS!

Left: Eliana making friends with the neighbors by sharing her toys, she is so sweet.

Bottom left: My husband Jed (in the back holding Eliana) organized a soccer outreach by doing a tournament in front of our home. Pizza was provided afterward and he was able to share the gospel to all 14 young men. They listened and we are praying they surrender their hearts to Christ.

Gloria Ruth Duarte is missionary with her husband and young daughter in interior Brazil. Her passions are to reach the lost with the saving Gospel of Jesus Christ and disciple woman and girls. She loves to encourage Christian ladies and believes God can use any circumstance in one’s life to bring Him glory.

Her email is totheuttermost89@ gmail.com and Facebook page is “The Duarte Family “Harvesting Souls in the Heart of Brazil”.

3 practical ways you can encourage a missionary.

PRAY SPECIFICALLY I know this would seem obvious but prayer is something we can so easily pass over. It takes time and thought. (Some specific areas to pray for would include: a strong marriage, strengthened in the inner man, protection from Satanic attacks, wisdom in child rearing.)

CONTACT THE MISSIONARY and let her know you are praying for her! The times my husband and I have received emails, text, or social media messages letting us know we were remembered in prayer has truly meant the world to us! Ask a missionary how she’s doing—like how she’s really doing. Often missionaries are facing hidden battles and unseen trails. Your outstretched hand of contact can be just what a missionary needs to lift her hurting heart.

INVEST IN REAL FRIENDSHIP Perhaps one of the greatest ways you could personally encourage a missionary is by investing time to get to know her. This goes far beyond a few passing minutes before or after the service at your church. Invite her and her family over for pizza following the Sunday evening service or maybe out for a quick coffee the next morning. It doesn’t need to be fussy or fancy, it just needs to say: “I care.”

Every-time someone has shown interest in getting to know me deeper than on a surface level, it has made a huge impact on me. I will always cherish specific memories of certain churches my family and I visited while raising support, because of an individual there who spent time really being my friend.

A woman after God’s own heart is a woman who carefully cultivates a servant spirit. ~ Elizabeth George

Sandra felt as low as the heels of her Birkenstocks as she pushed against a November gust and the florist shop door. Her life had been easy, like spring breeze. Then in the fourth month of her second pregnancy, a minor automobile accident stole her ease.

During this Thanksgiving week she would have delivered a son. She grieved over her loss. As if that weren’t enough, her husband’s company threatened a transfer. Then her sister, whose holiday visit she coveted, called saying she could not come. What’s worse, Sandra’s friend infuriated her by suggesting her grief was a God-given path to maturity that would allow her to empathize with others who suffer.

“She has no idea what I’m feeling,” thought Sandra with a shudder.

Thanksgiving? Thankful for what? She wondered. For a careless driver whose truck was hardly scratched when he rear-ended her? For an air bag that saved her life but took that of her child?

“Good afternoon, may I help you?” The shop clerk’s approach startled her.

“I....I need an arrangement,” stammered Sandra.

“For Thanksgiving? Do you want beautiful but ordinary, or would you like to challenge the day with a customer favorite I call the Thanksgiving “Special?” asked the shop clerk. “I’m convinced that flowers tell stories,” she continued. “Are you looking for something that conveys ‘gratitude’ this Thanksgiving?”

Thankful for the Thorns

“Not exactly!” Sandra blurted out. “In the last five months, everything that could go wrong has gone wrong.”

Sandra regretted her outburst, and was surprised when the shop clerk said, “I have the perfect arrangement for you.”

Then the door’s small bell rang, and the shop clerk said, “Hi, Barbara...let me get your order.”

She politely excused herself and walked toward a small workroom, then quickly reappeared, carrying an arrangement of greenery, bows, and long-stemmed thorny roses; Except the ends of the rose stems were neatly snipped: there were no flowers.

“Want this in a box?” asked the clerk.

Sandra watched for the customer’s response. Was this a joke? Who would want rose stems with no flowers! She waited for laughter, but neither woman laughed.

“Yes, please,” Barbara replied with an appreciative smile. “You’d think after three years of getting the special, I wouldn’t be so moved by its significance, but I can feel it right here, all over again,” she said as she gently tapped her chest.

“Uh,” stammered Sandra, “that lady just left with, uh.... she just left with no flowers!”

“Right, said the clerk, “I cut off the flowers. That’s the Special. I call it the Thanksgiving Thorns Bouquet.”

“Oh, come on, you can’t tell me someone is willing to pay for that!” exclaimed Sandra.

“Barbara came into the shop three years ago feeling much like you feel today,” explained the clerk. “She thought she had very little to be thankful for. She had lost her father to cancer, the family business was failing, her son was into drugs, and she was facing major surgery.”

“That same year I had lost my husband,” continued the clerk, “and for the first time in my life, had just spent the holidays alone. I had no children, no husband, no family nearby, and too great a debt to allow any travel.”

“So what did you do?” asked Sandra.

“I learned to be thankful for thorns,” answered the clerk quietly. “I’ve always thanked God for good things in life and never to ask Him why those good things happened to me, but when bad stuff hit, did I ever ask! It took time for me to learn that dark times are important. I have always enjoyed the ‘flowers’ of life, but it took thorns to show me the beauty of God’s comfort. You know, the Bible says that God comforts us when we’re afflicted, and from His consolation we learn to comfort others.”

Sandra sucked in her breath as she thought about the very thing her friend had tried to tell her. “I guess the truth is I don’t want comfort. I’ve lost a baby and I’m angry with God.”

Just then someone else walked in the shop.

“Hey, Phil!” shouted the clerk to the balding, rotund man.

“My wife sent me in to get our usual Thanksgiving arrangement...twelve thorny, long-stemmed stems,” laughed Phil as the clerk handed him a tissue-wrapped arrangement from the refrigerator.

“Those are for your wife?” asked Sandra incredulously. “Do you mind me asking why she wants something that looks like that?”

“No...I’m glad you asked,” Phil replied. “Four years ago my wife and I nearly divorced. After forty years, we were in a real mess, but with the Lord’s grace and guidance, we slogged through problem after problem. He rescued

our marriage. Jenny here (the clerk) told me she kept a vase of rose stems to remind her of what she learned from “thorny” times, and that was good enough for me. I took home some of those stems. My wife and I decided to label each one for a specific “problem” and give thanks for what that problem taught us.”

As Phil paid the clerk, he said to Sandra, “I highly recommend the Special.”

I don’t know if I can be thankful for the thorns in my life,” Sandra said to the clerk. “It’s all too...fresh.”

“Well,” the clerk replied carefully, “my experience has shown me that thorns make roses more precious. We treasure God’s providential care more during trouble than at any other time. Remember, it was a crown of thorns that Jesus wore so we might know His love. Don’t resent the thorns.”

Tears rolled down Sandra’s cheeks. For the first time since the accident, she loosened her grip on resentment.

“I’ll take those twelve long-stemmed thorns, please,” she managed to choke out.

“I hoped you would,” said the clerk gently. “I’ll have them ready in a minute.”

“Thank you. What do I owe you?” Sarah asked.

“Nothing; nothing but a promise to allow God to heal your heart. The first year’s arrangement is always on me.” The clerk smiled and handed a card to Sandra. “I’ll attach this card to your arrangement, but maybe you would like to read it first.”

It read: “My God, I have never thanked You for my thorns. I have thanked You a thousand times for my roses, but never once for my thorns. Teach me the glory of the life I bear; teach me the value of my thorns. Show me that I have climbed closer to You along the path of pain. Show me that, through my tears, the colors of Your rainbow look much more brilliant.”

Praise Him for your roses, thank him for your thorns.

A moment in Psalms

Most of us would say that we thank God in our heart, even for the little things like a spot near the front of the store parking lot, or that last pint of your favorite ice cream, but how often do we praise Him publicly?

We post every little thing on our social media pages but when do we take the time to just post about how wonderful our God is?

The book of Psalms is filled with praise and David often states how he praises the Lord in front of all men.

I will declare thy name unto my brethren: in the midst of the congregation will I praise thee.

Ps. 22:22

I will give thee thanks in the great congregation: I will praise thee among much people.

Ps. 35:18

Praise ye the Lord. I will praise the Lord with my whole heart, in the assembly of the upright, and in the congregation. Ps 111:1

These are just a few of the passages where David speaks of praising the Lord in front of everyone and he praised Him for who He was and what He had done for this lowly shepherd. He is the same God today. He is still worthy of all our praise every day of the year not just at thanksgiving.

He is our redeemer, our place of refuge, and our source of strength. He guides our steps and leads us in paths of righteousness. He delights in us and never withholds any good thing. He is worthy of our praise in front of everyone.

So the next time you receive a little blessing why not share it with everyone? It may just be the reminder they need that God is still faithful and cares about even the little things.

imagination

A Powerful Tool, or Potential Pitfall?

As a child I had a HUGE imagination! To put it into perspective for you, I once took my parents on a 10-minute car ride directing their every turn until I brought them to the exact location of my dog, Barkley. This may seem quite normal to you, until I tell you that I didn’t have a dog at the time. When we finally arrived at our destination, I pointed up into a tree and said, “There! There he is!” My parents looked around and of course, saw nothing.

They kindly asked me, “Where, Nicole? Where is your dog?”

“Can’t you see him?” I replied, “He’s there in his tree!”

“He lives in a tree?” my mother asked with quiet surprise.

“Yes, Mommy! My dog Barkley lives in trees and he eats houses!”

Oh, yes, I was one of those kids! You know the kind, one of those super imaginative, creative types that you think are so interesting. . . when they’re in someone else’s family! But in all seriousness, Barkley was only one of my imagination’s stories that I played out as a child! For several years, I believed I was Dorothy Gail from Kansas and would cry anytime someone denied it, or sat on my imaginary Toto! Yes, I’m sure I embarrassed my parents on more than one occasion with my imagination. But what’s remarkable is, that if I did embarrass them, I never knew it. You see, my parents never let on that anything I was doing was “out of the ordinary”. And it’s this very balanced approach that my parents took with me as a young imaginative child that I’d like to discuss with you today.

First, you need to know that for the past 20 years I’ve been ministering to young and old alike through directing, teaching, singing, writing, and so much more with The Academy of Arts Ministry, which was founded by my parents in 1971. I’ve been a wife for 11 years, and a mother for 10, and I can honestly say that my younger years of imagination did nothing but help prepare me for all that God has called me to do in His great work. Yes, I firmly believe that the reason for any success that I’ve had in what I am doing today is largely due to how my parents handled me during those formative years.

I think that’s why I was shocked to recently hear from a friend of mine that there were Christians who actually believed that using imagination was a negative thing, was even Biblically wrong, and were teaching this to their children. This troubled me deeply, and it began my mind on an even deeper journey of study into this very important subject.

You see, I’ve found that too many times we as humans prefer to take the easy road when it comes to topics like this. We’d much rather take the path of least resistance here and either make a rule and throw it out altogether, or just let it run free and not worry about it. Perhaps some don’t value or use their imagination. And so, they figure they’ve lived just fine without it, so why waste time thinking about it now? Or we have the classic argument, “I’m not the creative type so I leave that stuff up to the artsy people.” And while there is so much that I could say concerning that fallacy, I will simply say this. Sadly, our Christian society has bought into the lie of classifying people and putting them in boxes. It needs to stop. Even if you are no good at using your imagination,

or you are just out of practice, the subject of imagination is still something that deals with the mind. Therefore, it is a spiritual matter and one that we should care about as believers. Knowing the “why” behind what we do as Christians should be a delight. But even if it isn’t that to you yet, it is still your duty as a Christian parent or mentor to understand the why of what you do and pass it on with passion and clarity to the next generation.

But you know what, sometimes we are just downright tired, aren’t we? I mean with everything else that is going on, the last thing we want to do is think about our philosophy on imagination. I mean, really, how important can it be? Well, I hope to show you today that it is of the utmost importance. I also hope to encourage you not to take the path of least resistance on this subject and simply slap a rule on this. Or worse yet, not even give it a second thought. Rather, I hope you enjoy taking the time to learn more about this amazing tool God has given all of us.

Now, what is the path of least resistance when it comes to thinking about the subject of imagination? Well, I actually believe it’s a two-way road, with lanes of thought running in opposite directions.

The first directional lane of thought would be the idea that imagination is in and of itself wrong and should be cast down, or suppressed at the very least.

We’d much rather take the path of least resistance and either make a rule and throw it out altogether, or just let it run free and not worry about it.

The second directional lane of thought would hold to the idea that imagination is a wonderful thing that should be celebrated and freed!

So let’s begin with the first lane of thought which I will call:

CASTING DOWN IMAGINATION

The verse normally cited by people who support this belief is 2 Corinthians 10:5 which seemingly tells us that as Christians, we are to cast down imagination. But is that what the verse is REALLY saying? Well, let’s take a look.

2 Corinthians 10:5 “Casting down imaginations and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God ... “

Now you English lovers out there will enjoy the first point I would like to make in regards to this verse. I’d like to point out that the word used here is imaginations, plural, not imagination, singular. I could understand someone believing that Paul was speaking out against imagination in general if he had simply said, “Cast down imagination.” But, he doesn’t. He says, “Casting down imaginations…” plural. He then goes on to say, “... and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge

to believe that God wants us to stop imagining is to believe that God wishes us to stop thinking, and that is absurd.

of God.” Paul is not speaking against imagination as an entire entity here. He is not even speaking against the use of imagination, but rather the corruption of it. After all, what is imagination in the first place? I think we’d all have to agree that it’s simply — thought.

Webster defines imagination as the following: “The faculty or action of forming new ideas, or images, or concepts of external objects not present to the senses. The ability of the mind to be creative or resourceful.”

The Greek word that is translated imaginations in our Bible actually carries with it the idea of “to think” or “reckon.” So to believe that God wants us to stop imagining is to believe that God wishes us to stop thinking and that is absurd. It is also impossible, as we have been created by God in His image, and one of the ways He has seen fit to have us share in His likeness is by designing us with the ability to think. In fact, thinking is literally a sign of life.

Nowhere in Scripture will you find God telling us to stop thinking. He warns us against corrupting our thoughts, but never demands that we stop thinking altogether. Why? Because the ability to think and imagine is an absolutely crucial thing that God has placed inside of each one of us to not only help us create wonderful things, but to aid us in our pursuit of knowing

Nowhere in Scripture will you find God telling us to stop thinking. He warns us against corrupting our thoughts, but never demands that we stop thinking altogether.

Him more fully! To neglect it will not only weaken your child, but it can also make it very difficult for them to believe in something being real if they can not see it or touch it. I hope you can see how that could be extremely damaging! They can’t see God. They can’t touch God. If you have told them that only what they see and touch is real, then you have created quite the obstacle for them in their future faith to believe in an invisible, but VERY real God.

Imagination is also crucial for learning to be creative and resourceful - two attributes of God Himself. This is one thing that I love about working at The Academy of Arts Ministry. Everyone in our ministry has to use their imagination EVERY DAY. We use it to create concepts for set building, story telling, costume design, staging, and problem solving. We use it as we think and muse on the scriptures and place ourselves in those characters’ shoes. Literally, there is nothing that we do each and every day in our ministry of communicating the Gospel that could be done without the use of our imagination. Now don’t get me wrong, we don’t sit around imagining all day. But we do have “think tank” meetings, and once we have imagined and expressed ideas, we formulate a plan, assign tasks, and get to work making what we imagined into reality.

This brings me back to my obsession with dogs as a child. Now, I need you to stay with me on this because this point is important. You see, I wanted a dog so badly as a child that I began imagining myself to have one. This went on for a while until one day, my parents woke me and my sisters up with the exciting news that someone special was arriving at the airport that we needed to go

and meet. We wondered if it was Grandma or even the president. (We didn’t think small in our family!) But when we arrived at the airport, we didn’t meet any of those people. We met the sweetest, smallest, fluffiest, little white poodle puppy you’ve ever seen. Apparently, my grandmother, who bred poodles, had offered, and my parents had agreed. And I finally had my very own real live dog!

We named her Prissy and let me tell you, Prissy and I were inseparable! We had so many wonderful times together, but I also realized that having a real dog was quite different than an imaginary one. You see in my head, I hadn’t imagined cleaning up messes or getting up early to take it out. No, my imaginary dog just played with me 24/7. It didn’t need to be fed or bathed. It didn’t make messes or bark obnoxiously. My real dog, however, took time, effort, and sacrifice to care for. You see, this was the important lesson my parents wanted me to learn. Sometimes it’s easy to imagine something, but to take that idea and turn it into actions and reality, now that’s another story!

But the point I would like to make here is that this very idea is one of the main reasons God has given us the ability to imagine. He doesn’t want us to just stay in the imagination phase. He wants us to think and imagine good and helpful things, and then do what is necessary, even if it is hard, to make that thought into a reality - a reality that will, Lord willing, help and change lives. Having a real dog taught me how to take an idea in my head and turn it into a reality, and what kind of cost goes along with that. My parents were willing to sacrifice many things, including their carpet, so I could learn that

valuable lesson, and I am so grateful to them for that.

You see, every great invention ever created, first began with an idea someone imagined in their mind. William Arther Ward said it this way, “If you can imagine it, you can achieve it. If you can dream it, you can become it.” William Blake was quoted as saying, “What is now proved was once only imagined.” And the great Albert Einstein penned this profound statement concerning imagination, “The true sign of intelligence is not knowledge but imagination. Imagination is more important than knowledge. Knowledge is limited. Imagination encircles the world.” Yes imagination is an amazing tool of God to help us accomplish the things He desires us to accomplish in this life for Him.

Now let’s look at the second lane of thought when it comes to imagination. I’ll call this idea:

ANYTHING GOES

This would be the belief that imagination is purely good and should only be celebrated, nurtured, and freed!

I can truly understand how that could be easy to believe. After all, we all remember with great fondness being a child and imagining fantastic adventures in the woods or imagining that our stuffed animals could actually talk and understand us. I mean, who among us didn’t give a rousing sermon to their bears and dolls, and see several decisions made, I might add? I know I did! We love to chuckle at the innocence of a child’s imagination, but sadly our thoughts as human beings don’t tend toward righteousness, but rather they tend in the

opposite direction.

There are real dangers to allowing children or grown ups to use their imagination to escape or avoid reality, or even worse create an unhealthy reality that cannot or should not exist.

We’ve all seen it: people can’t cope with life and so they escape inside their minds. I’m sure that my parents had their moments as I introduced myself as Dorothy Gail from Kansas for the 15th time, on whether or not I was just imagining, or if I had crossed over some invisible line into lying. But they did not panic. The other thing they never did was lie to me. Now hear me out. You can listen

with wonder as your child tells you about their great adventure of killing a bear or Goliath in the backyard, or takes you to meet their imaginary dog, and yet not be promoting lying or some form of escapism. When our children imagine this way they are not lying, but rather stretching their minds and using it to create things they love or want to be.

But when I came to my parents with the imagination that a bad man lived under my bed and wanted to eat me if my foot touched the floor, why did my parents not go along with that imagination? Why didn’t they say “Oh no, Nicole, let’s put a blockade around your bed so the

bad man can’t come out and get you.” Why? Because my imagination had exalted itself against the knowledge of God, and I had created a false truth that denied the truth of who God was; and that imagination didn’t need to be nurtured, it needed to be cast down. So what did they do? They lovingly and calmly told me that I was wrong, and showed me that nothing but dust was under my bed. They told me the truth that God was with me and had His angels about me, and I did not need to fear because of that truth.

They did not stop my imagination about killing a bear, because that could, with God’s help, be possible someday, and that imagination promoted bravery. They did not tell me I had not actually defeated Goliath because me feeling the feelings of David could do nothing but build my faith. They did not tell me my dog was fake because my desire to love and care for God’s creatures was a good desire.

So yes, imagination can have its pitfalls if not handled properly, but it can also be a powerful tool for good! But how do we know which one it’s become in our lives? After all, we have all seen and known people who have fallen into the snare of imagining wicked or unhealthy

things. We have seen how hard it can be to break a bad habit once that imagination has turned into action and has taken hold in our lives. So how do we prevent that from happening, or stop it if it has already begun to happen in our lives? Well, Paul gives us the answer in the last part of our verse.

2 Corinthians 10:5 “... and bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ.”

Here is the correct response: we must bring our thoughts and imaginations and any high thing into captivity to the obedience of Christ. In other words, we can’t do it alone. These gifts of thought and imagination are so powerful that if they are left to themselves they will begin to work against us. But if we choose to submit them to the truth of who God is and allow Christ to control them with HIS power, we will be able to use these amazing things for others good and God’s glory!

Many times we hear words like “captivity” and we are tempted to think that this will somehow put a damper on things or hold us back. But oh, my friend, think for a moment about Who holds your imagination captive - Jesus Christ, the One who thought up all of nature in its majesty and spoke it into existence. The One who

imagination can have its pitfalls if not handled properly, but it can also be a powerful tool for good!

designed the human body. The One who holds all things together with the power of His word! If there ever was a perfect Teacher to guide and grow your imagination in a healthy and full way, it is your Creator and Master, JESUS CHRIST. Trust me, He will not make you dull! How could He? He is the most creative Being to ever exist and you can trust Him to make you the best at whatever He has called you to be and do.

So what is our takeaway as parents? Well, first, let’s not throw out the baby with the bathwater! Let’s understand that imaginations are simply thoughts, and thoughts are an attribute of God, bestowed upon us because He graciously chose to create us in His image. This gift of thought and imagination should not be feared, demonized, wasted or perverted, but rather submitted to Christ, nurtured, grown, and used for His glory! We should encourage our children to imagine good and character-building things! We should fight to create environments for them to learn to use their imaginations as this technological world makes that harder and harder every day. We should be looking for ways for them to imagine themselves as brave, nurturing, creative, and positive, and we should cast down imaginations that are against the truth and knowledge of God. We should teach our children where the gift of thought and imagination comes from, and praise God for His glorious creativity. We should help our children fall in love with the amazing God that we serve, because He is worthy and the most exciting thing they will EVER experience. He will never disappoint their wildest imaginations, and He will guide their thoughts into all truth. And once their thoughts are submitted to Him, He will show them how to make the amazing things that they imagine doing for Him someday, into a reality that can change lives for eternity. And that’s not make believe! Copyright 2020

This gift of thought and imagination should not be feared, demonized, waisted or perverted, but rather submitted to Christ, nurtured, grown, and used for His glory!

Mrs. Nicole Chavers Stratton has been directing plays, concerts, and productions for over 15 years. Growing up, she traveled nationally with her family, giving concerts in churches, schools, and conference centers. In high school, she won numerous state awards for speech and singing, and has won nationally seven times. She and her sisters were auditioned and offered roles with Disney in Orlando, Florida, but Nicole turned this opportunity down to pour her talents into young people. She has acted in over 450 productions and has directed over 560 productions with casts ranging in size from 20 to 130 members. Nicole’s students have won multiple national awards and were also nominated to go to Edinburgh, Scotland for an international festival in August 2016. Nicole currently serves as the Artistic Director at The Academy of Arts Logos Theatre where she has served for 11 years.

The Logos theatre and the academy of arts ministries has so much to offer you and your family!

Summer Drama Teams

Young people are invited to travel based on their character and commitment to serve the Lord. These teams are used to greatly minister to America’s churches.

Christian Conservatory

Our program is unique in that it affords students extensive hands-on learning experience to become excellent in their craft, while keeping their hearts and lives focused on ministry.

Areas of study include:

• Sacred Dramatic Production

• Film and Media

• Technical Theatre

The Logos Theatre

The Logos Theatre is a facet of The Academy of Arts. Since 1971, The Academy of Arts has been “making the Bible come alive” to young people all around the country. In 2006, The Logos Theatre opened its doors in Taylors, SC, and has been performing professional, state-of-the-art productions ever since.

These productions are not done simply to entertain the public, but also incorporate the community as actors, volunteers, technicians, and much more. Audiences can attend the Logos Theatre with confidence that they will see a professional production with an uplifting message.

Be sure to follow them on social media to find out what exciting productions will be taking place this season.

She considereth a field

A Unique Approach to a Timeless Gift

By blending a unique floral arrangement with a handmade pottery piece, this couple create gifts that will always be there to remind others of the love they shared.

Lyle and I married in May of 2012, while he was in the military. Lyle underwent a two year course of intense military training that led him to become Army Special Forces. We were married when he only had a few months left of this training. Both of us are from the South, and so when we got our first duty station in Colorado Springs, we were both excited and apprehensive!

While guys all around him washed out daily, hourly, and even by the minute, he stayed in, His training kept me on my knees praying, and needing to busy myself.

When we got to the high altitude of Colorado Springs, Lyle said he wanted to be on any team except the dive team. Guess what team he got put on? The DIVE team. He went through even more intense training and became a Combat Diver. He passed one of the toughest schools the military has to offer.

While guys all around him washed out daily, hourly, and even by the minute, he stayed in. His training kept me on my knees praying, and also needing to busy myself with some training of my own. I lived alone in Colorado

(and missed my Southern Roots quite often), so Lyle always made sure I had floral deliveries sent to my job whenever he was deployed or on missions. I’d go days without hearing from him, but would suddenly receive flowers while I was at work. Little did I know, he would pre-schedule to have these to be delivered when he was gone, whether for my birthday, anniversary, or simply “just because.” When I received those arrangements, it gave me so much joy. I wanted to set my hands to work and find a way to bring joy to other people’s lives that might need a pick-me-up. While he was gone, I found a distance learning program based out of Portland, Oregon, and took floral design classes for several months until I earned my certificate to become a floral designer.

Fast-forward about 4 years, and Lyle decided to get out of the military after being in for 9 years. He was offered an apprenticeship program to work with my dad, who is a master craftsman woodworker. Lyle was able to use his GI bill, just like my dad did when he left the military. Both he and my dad, Michael Greene, build high-end

Left: Lyle and I on our wedding day. Above top: announcing our addition! Above: some of my work. Right: one of my first arrangements.

furniture pieces for designers in Charlotte, NC.

It was Lyle’s bright idea to take a semester of pottery classes with me and my mom.

It was Lyle’s bright idea to take a semester of pottery classes with me and my mom. Since Lyle does wood turning on the lathe, this somehow loosely translated into being able to throw pottery like a pro...the first night! My mom and I did not take to it as well, but we finished up the class nonetheless. Lyle went on to take several more semesters of pottery from an amazing teacher and potter, Trisha Woodland.

After our revelation of Lyle’s love for pottery, we decided to marry our strengths and combine our talents. He creates my vases for my floral arrangements. We create memories that last. The flowers may fade, but the vase is a work of art that will remind you of the reason for the gift.

We have since added to this dream, not only

adding to our family with a beautiful little girl, but also expanding our product line. Lyle creates a wide variety of functional and decorative pottery, everything from to-go mugs to plates to candle holders. Candle holders, because I decided to learn how to hand pour candles as well. Again, we marry our strengths and come up with ideas to keep us unique. We have created a floral, pottery, and aromatic studio that has several locations and a website. I always promised myself when I lived in Colorado that I’d name my shop Southern Roots, because it was a reminder that I’d never forget where I came from.

After our revelation of Lyle’s love for pottery, we decided to marry our strengths and combine our talents.

Who knew that the Lord would use a Special Forces Combat Diver to create delicate pottery pieces? We are blessed and thankful for this vision that God has given us!

Be sure to check out this amazing couples work at www.southerrootsflorist.com as they now ship across the country or follow them on social media “southern roots design.studio”.

Upper left: we love being together. Above: some of our new products include travel mugs with a bubble finish. Left: some examples of our work. Right: Lyle enjoying some time with his sweet girl after a long day’s work.

Home Organization

Win the war over clutter once and for all.

Do you find yourself struggling with the following problems at home?

• You are constantly misplacing things

• Your chairs have clothes hanging over them

• You have multiple junk drawers in your home

• You are embarrassed to have people visit you because of the piles they will have to step over If you do, chances are your home has more clutter than you realize. Don’t panic if you can relate to one or all of these issues. Clutter can accumulate quickly and multiply even faster. But there is hope to get rid of the piles in your home. We will share some of our best tips and techniques categorized by the top three trouble spots in the home.

Home organization in the kitchen

Let’s start in the center of the home - the kitchen.

• One of the most common things to clutter a kitchen is paper. “Paper” includes all of those coupons and ads received in the mail, magazines you intend to read, and junk mail you haven’t thrown out yet. The best solution is to take a few minutes each day to go through and throw out what isn’t needed. Having a trash can nearby makes this task super easy. Many homeowners love the trash pull-outs that are built into their cabinets. This solution keeps the trash receptacles conveniently close but stored perfectly out of sight.

• Spices and oils are needful items used on a regular basis, but storing them in a spot that is convenient yet won’t clutter the area can be difficult. Creating a space such as a spice pull-out is a great way to keep these items close at hand while keeping the kitchen counter clutter-free.

• Drawers are usually the culprit for hiding junk, including but not limited to old appliance manuals, extra screws, and plastic bags. Setting aside a few minutes each week to go through the drawers and utilizing dividers for the remaining items can help create a clutter-free space.

Home organization in the bathroom

The bathroom is an important part of our daily routine, since it is one of the first places we go when we get up. This space can cause some early morning stress if we cannot find our needed items because they are buried under piles of clutter. Here are some simple tips and ideas that will keep your area clean and your mornings smooth.

• Arrange items by how often you use them. If it is used daily, like your toothbrush or comb, place it in an easy to reach area on your counter or designate the first drawer for these items.

• Limit what is on your countertop. Frustration can occur when you are constantly knocking things off the countertop or can’t set something down for lack

of space.

• Have a designated spot for your items such as hair care and toiletries. We have heard of several people who included a docking drawer in their design making it easy to have what they need within reach, while having easy access to a hidden power source.

Home organization in the closet

The closet - the place in the house where everything that doesn’t have a home ends up. Everyone dreads opening a closet where she knows only a big mess awaits her. Here are some helpful tips to assist you in taking back your closet so you can find what you need exactly when you need it.

• Double rods have several benefits. They give you double the space and allow you to group clothing together. For example, you could group all your shirts or tops in one spot instead of having to hunt through the entire closet just to find one item. You can also use them to keep the clothing you wear most often near the front or within easy reach. This makes getting ready for work much easier and saves time.

• Drawers are a great way to store smaller items such as scarves, belts, and personal items. You can also add dividers inside to provide extra organization.

• Decorative baskets or bins give you the option to store larger items such as blankets on the closet floor. They also keep the space looking clean and provide easy access to particular items.

Home organization in the home office

For the many who work from home it is important to have a designated space set aside, or else your dining room may become the default office. If you do have an office, perhaps you struggle to stay on top of the endless paperwork that is trying to take over your workspace, or you are frustrated because you have misplaced an important document…again. Here are some of our best tips for getting back a productive work environment.

• Designated spaces – these areas will ensure that things stay in their places. Have a place just for outgoing and incoming documents and another just for important folders. It is also a good idea to have a place just for supplies like pens, envelopes, stamps, and the very important white-out.

• Phone charging station – this is an essential part of your office space because we rely upon and use our phones for just about everything now. Having a way to charge your phone that is easy to reach will eliminate stress and keep your day running smoothly.

• Drawers - these are usually where all things end up

at one point or another. One way to manage that is by assigning different groups per drawer. Keep your supplies in one and personal items like chargers and planners in another. Knowing what is in each drawer will allow you to find things faster and easier. Custom dividers can also add an extra level of organization by letting you keep little things close together but still separate.

Tips not rules

Remember these are merely tips, not rules, to help remove the pesky clutter and get you back in control. Your home is just that, yours, and it needs to match your lifestyle. The organization is meant to help you create a functional space that is perfectly suited to your needs and habits.

Stacey is the founder and creator of Greenbrook Design, a kitchen and bath design company dedicated to personalizing the home to reflect the owner’s personality and function according to their needs.

Visit www.greenbrookdesign.com to see more photos of the amazing projects completed by their talented team.

3 Exercises for an Easier Labor and Delivery

As a doctor of physical therapy, specializing in pelvic floor health, I love working with women before, during, or after pregnancy. This is such a special time in a woman’s life, but it’s also often fraught with uncertainty about what she “should” or “should not” be doing. While I can’t answer all of these questions, I can offer a little advice about what you can do to help you prepare for an easier birthing experience! Without further ado, here are three exercises to help you prepare your body for giving birth.

Calf stretch

Stretching your calves during pregnancy has a whole host of benefits! One of the best is decreasing foot and leg pain, which is great as we know how sore your legs can get as pregnancy progresses. (If you have increased pain accompanied with redness and/or swelling in the calf for no reason, contact your healthcare provider though).

Second, this helps lengthen the backs of the legs. Why do we care about this during pregnancy? Tightness in the back of the legs can lead to less mobility for the pelvis to open and allow baby through. Lastly, a good calf stretch allows for easier squatting, which leads me to my next exercise.

Squatting

Squatting is an exercise you’ll find in just about everyone’s “preparing for birth” toolbox. And with good reason! Squatting helps strengthen the leg muscles that need to have good endurance while giving birth. I recommend squatting in a way that allows the pelvis to tilt forward. This will allow the pelvic floor muscles to lengthen, which is important again for allowing passage of your baby through the pelvis. (Be careful with deep squats if you’ve been told you have an increased risk for miscarriage)

Hip openers

This exercise can be performed laying on your back or sitting! (If you’re in your second trimester and get light-headed laying on your back, change positions by turning to your side and try this in sitting instead). Sometimes called a figure-four stretch, bring the ankle of one leg over and place it on the front of the opposite thigh. Keep upright posture with pressure through your sitz bones (the pointy ones under your booty). This will help open up more of the deep hip muscles. Are you sensing a theme yet? All of these exercises help to allow the pelvis to stay mobile to allow your baby to move through the birth canal more easily! And if you’d like more information on getting your body ready for pregnancy or postpartum, check out my website www.elizacait.com or come hangout over on Instagram @elizacaitdpt. Now, go see how good these exercises feel!

Eliza Cait is a doctor of physical therapy who specializes in pelvic floor health with a special emphasis in prenatal and postpartum wellness. She has followed up her seven years of secondary education with continued training, including completing coursework in Optimal Fertility from the Integrative Women’s Health Institute and receiving her Pre and Post-Natal Coaching Certification from the Coaching and Training Women Academy. Her favorite part of her job is seeing clients get back to doing the activities they love, whether that’s playing with their kids or running marathons, with less pain or fear of injury.

9 months

preparing to fall in love for a lifetime.

answered

In 2014, I prayed and asked God for physical healing to my body and emotional healing from my past wounds. As I prayed with the women’s pastor from our church, God gave me a vision of how He sees me as His pure and innocent child. He revealed to me an image of a little girl with golden-blonde hair laughing and dancing freely, joyfully, and radiantly in a field of white flowers. Seeing my true, royal identity as a child of God through my Creator’s eyes began my journey toward not only physical and inner-healing, but also set my feet on a path of walking out my true calling and purpose. Along the way, God began to exchange my weariness for rest, my heartache for wholeness, and my insecurity for destiny. Just a few years later in 2017, I published my first children’s book “The Father’s Princess: The Story of the White Daisy” based on the image God gave me and an allegory of the believer’s journey to the kingdom. Today, I am in the process of publishing my second book “Emergence” for women’s ministry sharing my testimony of how He gave me beauty and new life in dead and dark places and teaching and guiding others how He can do the same for them. Our good and gracious Father is so generous when we come to Him and ask for His help and healing. He doesn’t just stop with our prayer requests. He goes far above and beyond all we could ask, think, and image as His Word promises. I encourage you to surrender your pain and your past in exchange for His perfect love, identity, and destiny. God has remarkable plans for His beloved children, daughters of the King of kings.

My sophomore year in college playing division 1 soccer, the unimaginable happened - I tore the ACL in my L knee. A death sentence for the careers of many athletes, I was afraid and uncertain about what this injury would mean for the rest of my athletic career and scholarship. As I sat with the fear, I asked God to heal me - but even more to use my injury for His glory. Over the next 6 months, I worked 3x/week with a physical therapist while at home for the summer, and then moved back to college early in order to start sessions 5x/week with our team’s athletic trainer. Through the pain and frustration, through the sweat and tears, a new interest in the wonder of the human body awoke within me. I became “that” kid who asked more and more questions. When I returned to the field in my junior season, I made my way back into the starting lineup. And my senior year, I was captain of our team. But God had started something in me during those months that blossomed to a full-blown career. I now spend my days as a physical therapist myself, getting to be a harbinger of hope and healing, specializing in helping women before, during, and after pregnancy. And I continue to pray that God would use my hands for His glory.

He will fulfill the desire of them that fear him: he also will hear their cry, and will save them. Psalm 145:19

prayer

I had been saving for a new car and was finally ready to purchase one but I was unable to find a good vehicle for sale. My frustration grew as my current car was not going to last much longer, but God’s timing is perfect. He used that time in my life to make me realize that I can’t just pray a prayer and I will have the car the next day. It taught me that I have to completely trust and lean on Him for clear direction. At the right time He provided a car that was exactly what I wanted for the price I could afford.

Both myself and my co-worker were in need of replacements for our work, I was getting ready to be married and she was going to have a baby. We were preschool teachers at a Christian school. We prayed and asked God to send just the right people to take our place. He answered that and we have two wonderful teachers.

What prayers has God answered for you?

Write them down here.

This is what “Amen” means: That I know with certainty that this prayer has been heard by God.

Dick Eastman

Saved in an Catholicemptychurch

When I was a teenager, many years ago now, I was kind of a wild teenager, though I guess not by the standards of this generation. But in God’s eyes sin is sin. Like most teenagers feel, I felt like I was carrying the weight of the world on my shoulders.

One evening my friend and I were walking uptown and going past this large local catholic church. As we made our way by, I told my friend I felt like I had to go in and pray. I did not belong to this church, though I

occasionally went to my local church when I could, but this night it didn’t matter what church. I simply had to get a hold of God!

The church was large, empty, and the lights were dim. I was on one side of the church and my friend was on the other side. As I sat there trying to pray to the Lord, I felt like my prayers weren’t even reaching the ceiling. I shared with my friend how I was feeling and said, “Let’s go find someone to help us!” So we went around back and saw

After I prayed, it felt like a ton of bricks was lifted off of my shoulders. That night wasn’t about an experience that I had, it wasn’t about a religion, or even who or who didn’t lead me to the Lord, it was all about Romans 3:13

Left: me and one of my brothers, and older sister, she is the one who prayed for me to get saved and God answered her prayer! Below left: even though we are twelve years apart, my sister is still my best friend. Below: Christmas Eve at my house, I was fifteen. Right: our family visiting Gettysburg.

a light on. I knocked on the door, and when I went in and explained to the priest how I was feeling, he looked down at his watch and said he had a meeting soon, and just for us to go back and pray out loud. With no other option, we went back, me on my side of the church, and my friend on hers. I honestly don’t remember everything I said, but I do know I called on Jesus’ name the best that I knew how. Right there in that dimly lit church I asked Him into my heart to save me! After I prayed, it felt like a ton of bricks was lifted off of my shoulders. That night wasn’t about an experience that I had. It wasn’t about a religion, or even who did or who didn’t lead me to the Lord. It was all about Romans 3:13, “For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be

Fall 2020 | Sit still my Daughter saved.” Thank God, Jesus is never too busy to hear us cry out to Him!

“In my distress I called upon the Lord, and cried unto my God: he heard my voice out of his temple, and my cry came before him, even into his ears” (Psalm 18:6).

I had entered that empty catholic church desperately in need of something and I left finding exactly what I was looking for. I came out not as a catholic, not as a baptist, but as a born-again christian.

After I got home that night I called my older sister, who had been praying for some time that her wild sister would get saved, to tell her that her prayers were answered. I explained to her about what had happened that night and that I was now sure of my eternal home.

Now there was someone who walked beside me, someone who loved me enough to die for me. And to this day that still amazes me, that He would save a wretch like me.

She was so excited and told me I needed to find a good Bible preaching church. The Lord led me to the church I still attend to this day, and I haven’t looked back.

I went on to marry a wonderful man and have four beautiful children and ten grandchildren. The Lord has been so good to me and my family. I remember the days before I knew the Lord: I was without joy, with no reason to smile, until I met Jesus. Then I had joy in abundance. This does not mean that I had no more problems, but now there was someone who walked beside me, someone who loved me enough to die for me. And to this day that still amazes me, that He would save a wretch like me.

Left corner: my husband and I on our wedding day Far left: we have celebrated 46 years together and are thankful for each year the Lord gives us Left: me and my three siblings Below: our family today, our five children, their spouses and all of our precious grandchildren Far right: my husband and I surrounded my our beautiful grandchildren, we count ourselves very blessed to have so much love.

Why is it important to be grateful?

Gratitude is a word often associated with the fall, especially around Thanksgiving, a day set aside to be grateful. There are some who have taken it a step farther by making November the national month of gratitude. Others make it a point to post something they are thankful for each day leading up to the holiday on their social media account. Gratefulness seems to overflow from every corner during this season, but what does it really mean to be grateful and why should we be grateful?

The dictionary defines it as “the quality or feeling of being grateful or thankful.” To be grateful is to express how we feel about something. We can be grateful for many things, such as a home to live in and a job that pays the bills. Others express gratitude for the little things such as a beautiful day, or the weekend.

While these are all wonderful things for which to be grateful, how often do we express it to the One who made it all possible? It is God who blesses us with all these things. It is He who allows us to have the strength to work, and it is He who gives us those days filled with sunshine and just enough breeze to make it perfect. God also blesses us with friends and family who love us and who we can love in return.

Gratitude is an expression of thankfulness but it should be expressed to our God. To be grateful is to admit that we have been blessed and that what we have did not just come from our own sweat and hard work. This is the reason it is important to be grateful, because

in that confession of thankfulness we recognize our insufficiency. David understood this principle when he wrote: “Know ye that the Lord he is God: it is he that hath made us, and not we ourselves: we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture.” Psalm 100:3

He recognized the importance of knowing that the Lord is God, that He is the One who made us, that we did not make ourselves, that we have nothing to boast about even though we often talk as if we do. All that we have is from God and nothing is of our own making. To be grateful causes us to stop and remember that we are not self-sufficient, and that we cannot do it on our own. It is not a bad thing nor is it a sign of weakness but a show of dependence on the One who formed us.

Thanksgiving is a day set aside to remind us of that truth, to encourage us to take a moment and be mindful of where it all came from, and to help us remember to express our gratitude to the One who made us. This Thanksgiving day, let’s express our gratitude to the Lord, and remember who it is that we are grateful to and for what reason.

My prayer is that we will not only do this on the third Thursday of November but every day. May we joyfully take advantage of this opportunity to shout to the Lord, to bless His holy name, and say to the world just how wonderful He is to us and that we are grateful to be the sheep of His pasture.

Wall of Praise

During this holiday season, I am reminded of how much God loves me. He sent Jesus to pave the way for me to be able to have a real relationship with Him, not to have religion but a relationship. God allowed His Son to die so I could live, and for that, I am forever thankful. However, the Lord did more for me; He put me into a family system that was not great and for that, I am forever thankful. I use to carry the shame and guilt of my father’s sins around with me, living in the past and allowing myself to have a victim mentality even after I became a Christian. If I had not endured what I did when I was younger, I may not have ever seen my need for the Savior, and for that, I am forever thankful. The Lord has blessed me with an amazing godly man I get to call my husband and four of the most beautiful children I could have ever imagined. He also placed me into a loving and godly extended family that I adore, respect, and cherish with all my heart, and for that, I am forever thankful. There is so much more the Lord has done for me that I am thankful for, but thinking on the past and the circumstances of my life that use to be my identity pales in comparison to my new identity in Christ, and for that, I am forever thankful. - Marcia Stanford

I am thankful for the weather. It sounds strange, I know, but there’s something to be said for waking up to see a beautiful clear day dawning. There’s peace in the rainfall and beauty in the lightning. It is a constant reminder of the power and provision of our God. - Iya Durand

Gratitude is such an easy thing to talk about, but there are times in my life when it can be just talk. But even in the times when I get distracted by circumstances, or when I feel like there isn’t anything in particular to be grateful for, the Lord is faithful. When I am discontented, discouraged, or feeling unseen, God still loves me. He makes His presence known to me and showers me with blessings and joy that I do not deserve. And that is something I can always be grateful for.

- Abigail Pierce

I am so grateful for God’s goodness in everything, even in trials. Job 19:25-27 gives us the hope we have as believers: that all the pain and suffering in this world is temporary and will end in the complete victory of our Redeeming Savior. Thanks for including me! I always love to share praise for the Lord. “For I know that my redeemer liveth, and that he shall stand at the latter day upon the earth: And though after my skin worms destroy this body, yet in my flesh shall I see God: Whom I shall see for myself, and mine eyes shall behold, and not another; though my reins be consumed within me.”

Rejoice in the Lord alway: and again

I say, Rejoice. Philippians 4:4

In this world, in this body, in this place in time, it would be far easier to share what I am the least grateful for than most. I am grateful for trials! Through them I draw closer to Christ, depending completely upon the Lord and allowing His strength and promises to permeate every area of my life. So I choose to Rejoice!

- Deborah Russ

The Lord knows us well. Time after time He reminds in the Scripture to express praise and gratitude. I am grateful for His persistent reminders that hold us to a standard of praise. If we truly accept the truth of who Jesus is and what He has done, we cannot deny the need to praise Him!

- Alli James

I will praise thee, O Lord, with my whole heart... Psalm 9:1

Tips and Tools to help your quiet time along

find on amazon or 1.

1. Studio Series Bible Highlighters

These beautiful gel highlighters won’t smudge or bleed through pages and the array of colors can be used to code certain themes or ideas.

2. Extra Notepad or Journal

Keep an notepad or journal handy so you can write down the meaning of a word or phrase. Maybe you can add some of your own thoughts on the passage too.

3. Strong’s Concordance

Wondering what that word actually means in the original Hebrew or Greek? Look it up in the Strong’s Concordance. This helpful tool allows you to look up each word and provides the definition.

3.

a must have!

get a notebook or journal that is fun and reflects your personality.

Looking for a Bible reading plan? Use this three month journey of praise guide which will take you all the way through Thanksgiving.

Speak God’s word over yourself until you’ve changed your own mind.

She reacheth forth her hands to the needy

A life spent serving and investing in others is a life well spent. This example is clearly seen in the Virtuous Woman found in Proverbs 31. She was a woman who looked beyond her family and sought to make a difference in her community. We can take nothing with us except people. They are the only eternal investment and should be our number one priority. Here we list some organizations, both local and national, that you can become involved with and support as they seek to care for those in need and share the gospel:

There are thousands of pregnancy help centers across the United States, each dedicated to helping women through their unplanned pregnancy. These pro-life centers offer material assistance, peer counseling, ultrasounds, and much more at no cost. They completely rely on the support of their community to continue to meeting the needs of their clients. By going to the Option Line website you will be able to find the nearest center through zip code. Reach out to them today and find out what they are in need of and how you can help: www.optionline.org

We exist to rescue children from sex trafficking. This is the purpose of O.U.R. since being founded in 2013. They’ve gathered the world’s experts in extraction operations and in anti-child trafficking efforts to bring an end to child slavery. O.U.R.’s Ops Team consists of former CIA, past and current law enforcement, and highly skilled operatives that lead coordinated identification and extraction efforts. These operations are always in conjunction with law enforcement throughout the world. Visit their website to learn more: www.ourrescue.org or visit their IG page “ourrescue”.

At Moms in Prayer International, we are a community of praying moms who believe that lives and whole communities are changed forever when we gather to pray to the only One who can change a human heart. God is working miracles in our kids’ lives, in our schools and in us. His power is unleashed through our prayers! —Sally Burke, Moms in Prayer International President. Visit their website to learn more: www.momsinprayer.org

Transforming Your Thought Life: Christian Meditation in Focus

Transforming Your Thought Life: Christian Meditation in Focus offers guided meditations and personal examples that will help you train your mind to stay grounded in God’s Word. Each chapter examines a particular kind of negative thought pattern and provides key Bible verses and prayers for standing strong against it. Day by day, as you hide God’s Word in your heart and mind, you will move closer to the heart and mind of God.

www.sarahgeringer.com

beautiful and chaste

perfect workmanship of God, the true glory of angels, the rare miracle of earth, and the sole wonder of the world. Hermes

A

woman is the

journey back in time where life was simpler and there was pleasure in the little things.

Elegance, beauty, and grace

returntoinnocenceera.com | find that perfect gift for the special people in your life.