What Would God Say About You?

When looking for a new king to take Saul's place, God chose David.  God said that David was, "A man after His own heart."  He wanted a king who would follow His will and do what He wanted him to do.

But now your kingdom will not endure; the Lord has sought out a man after his own heart and appointed him leader of his people, because you have not kept the Lord’s command.” 

1 Samuel 13:14

²¹ Then the people asked for a king, and he gave them Saul son of Kish, of the tribe of Benjamin, who ruled forty years. ²² After removing Saul, he made David their king. He testified concerning him: ‘I have found David son of Jesse a man after my own heart;he will do everything I want him to do.’

Acts 13:21-22

David found favor in the eyes of the Lord, and so He was given a great compliment by God.  God didn't care that David was the youngest in His family.  God didn't look at the outward appearance - the way man looks at people.  God was looking at David's heart.  

Here are a few questions to ask yourself today:

1.  Can God compliment me?

2.  What am I doing that enables God to compliment me?

3.  Am I more concerned about my outward appearance and pleasing the world, or am I more concerned about my inward appearance - my heart - and being pleasing to God?

But the Lord said to Samuel, “Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. The Lord does not look at the things man looks at. Man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.”

1 Samuel 16:7

God loves us unconditionally.  Nothing can take that away.  But He may not always be able to compliment us.  If we are not striving to do His will, but are continuing to do our own will, He won't find many reasons to compliment us.  If we aren't walking 'in the light' and trying to following in the footsteps of Jesus, we're walking in darkness.  There isn't much to compliment.

God wants to compliment us.  He wants to see that we are striving to walk in the light and live according to His word.  Yes, we may mess up.  In fact, we will mess up, but it's the continuing to try aspect He is looking for.  It's the perseverance...the not giving up.  That's what He can compliment!

(*Note: This devotional thought is based on a lesson from Phillip Johnson, who was with our congregation in October for a series of lessons.)

Little Things

Sometimes little things turn into big things.  Little things often mean a lot to someone who is having a hard time.  Just taking a little time or using a little effort can go a long way in helping someone in need.

Last month at a ladies' retreat, some of the speakers talked about doing "little things".  They listed things that could easily be done for someone.  I want to list some of the things mentioned, in case you are looking for a way to be a blessing to others.

It's the time of year when we tend to think more about others....we tend to think more about serving others.  Pick out just one thing you can do for someone today!

1.  Share your talent with someone.  Teach them how to do something.  Or ask them to show you a talent.  Your asking may help them more than you could ever imagine!

2.  Send someone (this was directed towards college-age kids) $2.00 in the mail.  Tell them to go get a soft drink....on you!

3.  Offer to babysit little ones.  Parents can become overwhelmed with responsibilities.  An hour or two break may be beneficial to a parent and give them a little time to just relax for a little while.....or go to the bathroom alone! (I remember those days!)

4.  Mentor someone.

5.  Write someone a letter.

6.  Visit the nursing home.  Make door decorations for nursing home residents.

7.  Offer to read the Bible or a book to someone in the hospital, nursing home, or shut in at home.

8.  Continually pray for someone.  Don't give up on them, but keep praying!

9.  Coordinate play groups for your young children.  It's fun for them, but gives young moms an opportunity to get with other moms.

10.  Be an "adoptive" grandparent to children in your congregation.  This is especially great in college towns where students may live far from relatives.

11.  Organize "Ding Dong Ditch".  Prepare goody bags.  Leave them on someone's porch.  Ring the doorbell and run away!

12.  If the youth in your congregation participate in LTC (Leadership Training for Christ) or other leadership opportunities, get involved.  Help the youth by using your talents to teach and train!

13.  Ask questions.  Most people will talk when they are asked questions.  Some will not.  Just be sure to not make it seems like you are prying into their life.  Some people are private.  Give others the opportunity to open up, but be respectful when it's obvious they don't want to.

14.  School supplies are really expensive.  We often think of school supply drives during the beginning of the school year, but many schools/students could probably use supplies all during the year.  Organize a drive and donate to schools all school year long.

15.  The Bible says to care for the widows and orphans.  Caring is more than sending money, clothing, or other goods.  Give them a hug.  Send them a note.  Sit by them.  Ask them to eat with you.  Show them you care in your actions.

16.  Care givers have a difficult task in caring for others, and often they, themselves, need a break.  Offer to sit with someone so that the caregiver can get away for just a little while.  Just 30 minutes would be welcomed, I'm sure.

17.  Offer to take people to their doctor's appointments.  When I worked at a doctor's office, I often heard patients say they couldn't get to an appointment - especially when they needed to go further away.  It made me really sad.  Did they really not have anyone to call?  Were they afraid to ask others for help?  I'm not sure, but I definitely know there is a need for transportation for many people.  What a great opportunity to serve!

18.  We have a juvenile detention center nearby and there are jails/prisons around the country.  What about taking goody bags and Bibles to these people?  Perhaps a small act of kindness would show them Jesus and they would want to know more about Him?

19.  As Christmas approaches, I am reminded of a time when we heard of a family who didn't have very much.  We made stockings for the children and filled them with goodies - leaving them on their porch Christmas morning.  Help someone in need.

20.  Recently I heard of a family who has no running water.  This breaks my heart.  I think that a great "project" for our Bible class would be to pay to have their water turned on, but then also to continue paying their bill.  The water in our town isn't very much and it is definitely a need that needs to be met.

So many people are struggling in so many ways.  There are so many things we can do to help others.  Some things are little things, and yes, some things are big things.  But we can all do something.  We can all help someone in some way.

Reach out and help someone today.  Remember that those little things you do may be big.....HUGE things to them.  Let your light shine today!

QMCC Teen Fall Retreat 2012

This weekend we were blessed to attend the QMCC Teen Fall Retreat.  It's not that my husband and I are teens, obviously, but three out of four of our children fit into that category, and we were helping with lessons, crafts, and other things.

My brother-in-law did two of the lessons. My husband did one.  The theme was "Rock Around the Clock", which meant to be a ROCK around the clock...living out your faith 24 hours a day.

We made it a '50's theme so I had the kids do '50's crafts.  They made Coke floats and decoupaged glass Christmas ornaments (some with '50's styled paper).  

I found neat CD's that were vinyl and made to look like real records.  (You can't tell that in this picture, since it was decoupaged with tissue paper, but I'll show it on my craft blog this week.)  I also found CD sleeves that made it look like a record album.  The kids thought it was pretty neat!

For the evening meal, we decorated in a diner styled theme. 

A cute '50's looking backdrop was perfect for photos.  Many of the teens dressed up for the meal.  Here my daughter and two of her friends pose for a cute picture.

My two middle boys dressed up and reluctantly posed for my camera shot!

Several games were played.  A bubble gum relay.  They had to keep their bubble blown until they got to the other end.  This guy has one tiny little bubble!

A "Sock Hop", which was a three-legged race where the legs were tied with a long sock.

A hula hoop contest.  Here my little niece is handling 5 or 6 hoops!

Later in the evening we had a small bonfire and made s'mores.

The best part of the retreat was the spiritual part.  The worship and the singing.  The singing was BEAUTIFUL!  We had 48 youth there and seven adults.  It was great learning more about living out our faith....in the morning.....in the afternoon......and in the evening.  Being a ROCK around the clock. 

Small Town Community Spirit

There's nothing like small town community spirit.  Nothing at all.  Yesterday our small town honored our veterans, as well as veterans from all over America.

Our Student Council held its annual Veteran's Assembly yesterday morning.  The color guard presented the flags.  Always special to watch. STUCO leader and members dressed in red, white, and blue, and did a great job organizing the special assembly.  The speaker, a pilot for the Air Force, had a great message and asked the students for questions about the job and the military.  He was very interesting!

Last night was our annual PTO Fall Festival/Carnival.  Vendor booths were set up and one of my sons even volunteered to set at my little small business booth.  He did all of the setting up of the booth, too, because I was too busy with other things!  Thanks, J!

Our elementary classes each have a game in their rooms and get together a themed basket for an auction.  The 4th grade always does an OU basket.  The money raised helps the PTO do special things for the school all through the year.

This is one of the favorite games the students play.  It was loaned to us and we really appreciate Mrs. P for letting us borrow it!  It was made by her dad, I believe.

High school classes also have games/activities.  The Junior class had a fun obstacle course that many enjoyed.  The Seniors did a haunted house - something we've never had before, but was a huge hit!

Tonight is the first playoff game for our football team.  At the end of the evening, the cheerleaders had a pep rally and bonfire. 

The fire was so pretty to watch!  The wind was blowing away from us, so that was great, too!

My daughters' Senior class (about half of them here) got together for a quick pose at the bonfire.  Just another "last" in the books and in our memories. 

Thank you to everyone who helped make this years' Fall Festival and Carnival a HUGE success.  Small town community spirit is alive in our town.  We're thankful to be raising our family here. Go, TIGERS!

'Twas the Day After the Election

Yours, O Lord, is the greatness and the power and the glory and the victory and the majesty, for all that is in the heavens and in the earth is yours. Yours is the kingdom, O Lord, and you are exalted as head above all.

1 Chronicles 29:11

Today you have a choice.  No matter whether you voted for President Obama or Governor Romney, today you have a choice.  You can either act like a sore loser or a content loser.  You can either act like a proud winner or a humble winner.

If you are a Christian, you have the opportunity to let your light shine, or you can choose to cause people to wander if you are really a follower of Jesus.  Your words, your actions, your attitudes, your tone says a lot about you and the God you claim to serve.  It says a lot about what you believe about Jesus, the Savior.

Be careful what you show others today.  Be careful how you SHINE.  Shine brightly, not dimly.  Let others see Jesus living in you today!

That people may know, from the rising of the sun and from the west, that there is none besides me; I am the Lord, and there is no other. I form light and create darkness, I make well-being and create calamity, I am the Lord, who does all these things.

Isaiah 45:6-7