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Gifts are great. I love getting and receiving them. Do you? Of course, you do. Everyone loves getting gifts. What was the favorite gift that you have ever received?  It makes you smile just thinking about it, doesn’t it?

Actually today I want to talk about a different type of gift that we have all gotten. Yes, each and everyone of us. What gift did our Heavenly Father give to you? Now, don’t even try to tell me that you don’t have one. Everybody has at the very least one of them.

Abba has generously and graciously given us each gifts. Have you recognized yours? What are they? No, don’t tell me that you were skipped. God doesn’t work like that. He would not give His children gifts and talents, but when He created you decide to stop.

There are many types of gifts. Being a good father or mother, husband or wife, or grandfather or grandmother are gifts. Other gifts are healing, teaching, caring, cooking, singing, art, dancing, listening, writing, problem solving, spending time with people, gift giving, and more than I could list. Both of my grandmothers were talented cooks. Even cleaning is a gift. My sweet mother keeps the cleanest house and it is a talent of hers. How about bring others to Jesus? That’s another one. Being gracious, making people feel at ease, taking charge in emergency situations, always being cheerful are gifts that not everyone has. Think about what you really enjoy and what you are able to do well. Chances are those are the gifts or talents Abba has placed on you.

I cannot sing like my beautiful cousin Kelsey or her brother Kyle. Our family is blessed with their voices. I am not athletic like my nieces Phoebe and Emma (or beautiful like they are). Shannon, my cousin, has used her gift of cooking and testifying in her catering business.  My mother has a gift of caring. She not only cares for family and friends but also those that are less fortunate. Mom is a giver. My friend Terri has the gift of friendship. It doesn’t matter if it has been one week or ten years since we have seen each other time has stood still. Same with some of my high school friends. Our neighbor frequently sends bread, biscuits, and cards just to let us know we are in their thoughts. My friends Kristie and Annette have a gift of rescuing and nurturing animals. Another friend, Donna is an excellent author and runs a charity. Our son, Jason, has many gifts. Discernment, caring, and teaching his children about nature are just some of them.

You do have at least one gift, don’t you? I would love to hear from you and find out what your gift is. Leave me a comment and tell me what gift or talent Abba has presented to you? Where is your heart? What do you love to do? Me, I love to write, give gifts, cook, and take care of people. Those are all given to me from the Father. I have more than one, and I bet you do, too. I can’t wait to hear.

“As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God’s varied grace.” I Peter 4:10

“Having gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, let us use them: if prophecy, in proportion to our faith; if service, in our serving; the one who teaches, in his teaching; the one who exhorts, in his exhortation; the one who contributes, in generosity; the one who leads, with zeal; the one who does acts of mercy, with cheerfulness.” Romans 12:6-8

 

 

Being a Christian isn’t always easy, is it? So much is trying to run us off track. Even little things. Satan is on the prowl to see how he can tempt us and mess things up for us. Scripture tells us he is like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Gulp! We constantly need to be on our toes and wearing our armor for protection. For Satan nothing is off limits. He uses friends, music, television, internet, and movies among a multitude of things and people to brainwash us into thinking bad is actually okay. More than okay, bad is good.

Denny and I spend a lot more time together watching tv shows and movies now that he is retired. It would be nice if we just watched things on the Christian stations but that never happens. Perhaps the devil has a remote to switch our channels, too. The regular, cable, and movie channels are far less than God glorifying.

A girlfriend and I were chatting about a movie we had both seen the previous night. Our husbands are like two peas in a pod, liking the same things and cannot watch tv without holding the remote tightly in their hand. That must be a guy thing. Is it? This movie though was an older chick flick about a disgruntled divorced man and a woman who was separated from her husband due to his infidelity. As the movie progressed so did a romance between them. The estranged husband repented and asked his wife’s forgiveness. He wanted to come home to her and their children. She was in the middle of a passionate affair and said no, supported by her best friend. What is wrong with this scenario?

My girlfriend and I wanted to cheer for the couple. The guy was a dream. Even her best friend was voting for him. He was good looking, a gentleman, complimented her, danced like they do only in the movies, and held her face as he gazed into her eyes and kissed her, the wife of another man. It was an affair we were watching and encouraging. Instead of being appalled we wanted to condone and celebrate adultery and fornication between the two movie characters. What was our problem? I would have a really big problem if some woman wanted to look longingly into my hubby’s eyes awaiting his kiss.

Then we discussed other movies and shows. How many of those have good examples and morals? Most all of them teach kids that lying is okay, shoplifting is fine, and they will go as far as to show them how. Young girls see sharing their bodies with anyone is no big deal. Marriage is not required before sex on television or movies so why should it be in real life? Outlaws who steal, kidnap, hurt innocents, and even murder become famous. They are protected and encouraged. Think about Butch and Sundance, Jesse and Frank James, or Bonnie and Clyde.

Where did your sympathy and loyalty go when watching movies about those couples above? Were you hoping for them to be caught and justice done? Or were you cheering for the liars, adulterers, fornicators, thieves, and murderers? Harsh words, I know, but true. Strip away the glitz and glamor and that’s what is left. Criminals and sinners.

I am certain that isn’t what God would want. Why would He want us to celebrate sin? What once was taboo is now perfectly fine because of seeing it on the screen or reading it in a book. This is influencing our kids. It’s okay to go on dates or sleep with someone else’s spouse. Sex doesn’t need the sanctification of marriage or God’s blessing. Couples should live together before marriage or at least go on romantic vacations. If you want something, take it. Breaking any one of the Ten Commandments isn’t serious. Oh my, how far we have gone from what God has commanded.

Perhaps it is time, past time, to stop watching those type of things or reading those types of books. Our children need to see examples of Christians living life the way God designed and commanded. They don’t need to watch rebelling against God and living by our own rules is okay. What should we use to decide what to watch? Good question. If you would be comfortable with Jesus watching the show beside you on the couch, it is a good show. Do what the Bible says and think on whatever is true, noble, right, pure, lovely, admirable, excellent or praiseworthy. Teach your kids to concentrate on those, also. It is our job to influence our kids. Don’t feed them to the lion or be lion food yourself.

“Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.” 1 Peter 5:8 NIV

“Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.” Philippians 4:8 NIV

Today I want to talk to you. Really talk about something that has been heavy on my mind and heart. First let me ask you a question that I have been asking myself. Do you trust God completely? This isn’t a trick question. I often say with certainty that I trust God, but when issues and trials abound I pray and offer Him suggestions and advice. How absurd is that?! That would be like a mechanic asking my advice on fixing my car or me asking my husband how to make a perfect soufflé. Both would have disastrous results. Obviously the same way, God is powerful and capable of handling all situations without my input.

Another faulty thing I find myself doing is when iving something over to God to handle. You are probably thinking “that doesn’t sound bad”, and it is not. The bad comes in when I continue to take it back or do not completely let go because I didn’t trust Him enough to handle it. So I pray some more, give it over, only to continue the cycle the next day. Truly I need to work on completely trusting my Maker. When I give something to Him, that’s it. No more taking it back.  No more holding on to it.  Only trust and peace of mind.

How are you doing in the trust department? What is the most important thing you trust Him to handle for you. Not for your spouse, children, or parents, but handle for you? Maybe your answer is your health, your finances, or your marriage. Is it your life in general? Do you trust God to keep you safe and protected? This question gets your mind in motion thinking about all the things you do trust Him with in your life. For me and most likely you, the most important thing I trust our Heavenly Father with is my eternity, where I will live after my life here on Earth is over. Can you think of anything that is more important than that? Well, if God takes care of our everlasting, eternal life because He loves us so much, won’t He take care of everything else? Of course, He will, and He will do it without our micro-managing.

The closer I grow to Abba the more I realize how much He loves us and wants to care for us. I pray about everything and do my best to trust Him in all things. From needing a parking place to finding a lost insurance card, the first thing I do when I need something is ask Him and trust He will provide. And He does graciously. God shows that He cares not only about the things in our life but the little ones, too. If something is important to us, it is important to Him.

Yes, God will keep us safe, healthy, and protected. He will watch over our finances, marriage, and total life. We just need to give Him our complete trust and faith. Our days need to start with prayer and it should continue throughout the day. Worry should be tossed out and replaced with faith. Let’s be accountability partners in this. No more worry-warts, only faithful servants helping one another be strong. I will help you. Will you help me?

“Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.” Prov. 3:5-6 NIV

“Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to your life? Since you cannot do this very little thing, why do you worry about the rest?” Luke 12:25-26 NIV

One of the most well known stories in the Bible is that of Noah’s Ark and the flood.  I don’t think there is a child or adult that hasn’t at least once thought what it would be like to live during that epic event.  Me, included.  Sure, I pondered how Mrs. Noah handled being on a closed in ark with snakes, one of every kind, and all of the other scary things.  Obviously God was in total control.

In his book “Imagine. . .The Great Flood” author Matt Koceich feeds not only the imagination of children but their souls as well.  He has written a Christian juvenile fiction book about the Great Flood and a modern day boy.  Sound intriguing?  So is the cover.  This paperback has a picture of a boy’s back as he stands on deck watching raging waters all around him. The sky looks stormy.  Having only 110 pages this is a short adult read and for many children. The author created his “Imagine” series to bring the “Bible to life for curious kids ages 8 to 12, as they ponder what it would be like to live through a monumental event.”

The first page of the book starts “thousands of years ago. In this book action packed book we meet Corey Max, a ten year old boy who has a dog, Molly. He has just moved with his family when Molly gets loose and runs. As Corey goes after her into the woods, he stumbles and hits his head blacking out. That’s when the adventure begins.

The author has done a magnificent job in writing this book. It is packed full of action, mystery, adventure, and things that will keep the interest of readers. Descriptions are good, especially for the target audience. The book is well written and a great mixture of biblical and contemporary stories.

There are lessons for kids to learn in this great book. It talks about things kids will be able to relate to such as moving, making decisions, thinking about others, forgiveness, and knowing God. “…..that made Corey know that God really did forgive sin and selfishness.”

Most kids and adults have wondered what it was like for Noah and his family.  The author has taken young readers there in this adventurous book. I enjoyed it and will be starting my nine year old grandson on this series now. It would be perfect for boys or girls ages eight to twelve. A church library would benefit from this title. This would also make a nice book to start a young readers’ group. I highly recommend it and gladly rate it 5 out of 5 stars. I received a complimentary copy of this book from Barbour Publishing and was under no obligation to post a review

“The animals going in were male and female of every living thing, as God had commanded Noah. Then the Lord shut him in.” Gen. 7:163

Our family has always had a habit of saying grace, offering a blessing, or giving thanks before meals. Does your family? Often one of the children wanted to say it. With a voice barely above a whisper, hands clasped in front, head bowed the prayer would be said: “Thank you for the world so sweet, thank you for the food we eat, for you for the birds that sing, thank you, God, for everything. Amen.” Sometimes they would switch it up with this one: “God is great, God is good, and we thank Him for our food. By His hands we all are fed, Give us Lord our daily bread. Amen.”

I always smiled and my heart warmed to hear a young one pray, especially when it was voluntarily.   Praying out loud is difficult for some people. Many people in fact have trouble with it. Teaching children to pray out loud with others helps them. They learn early that this is not a scary thing. It is just a conversation between God and His children.

My older grandson has been taught this lesson and it is ingrained in him. He is unable to eat without first giving thanks to God for providing it.  Meal or snack, it doesn’t matter if he is at home, in a restaurant, or in their van getting fast food at a drive-thru, my sweet grandboy will not take one bite until a prayer is said.   Don’t ask him to silently pray to himself. (“If anyone causes one of these little ones–those who believe in me–to stumble, it would be better for them to have a large millstone hung around their neck and to be drowned in the depths of the sea.” Matt. 18:6). He will be very offended and sad for God. The day after a recent family reunion we all met for lunch after church. The total number of family members at the Mexican restaurant was somewhere between forty and fifty, closer to the later. When the food came I thought the cousin sitting next to me, a pastor, would say grace. Not so. My grandson wanted to say it. He not only wanted to ask for God’s blessing on our food but also for my father, his great-grandfather, since it was Dad’s birthday. Another proud grandmother moment.

We give thanks to Abba because He gives us everything we have. The Bible instructs us to do this in Ephesians 5:20 “always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.” Jesus thanked Him before meals: “And when he had said these things, he took bread, and giving thanks to God in the presence of all he broke it and began to eat.” (Acts 27:35). “Then he ordered the crowds to sit down on the grass, and taking the five loaves and the two fish, he looked up to heaven and said a blessing.” Matt. 14:19

Meals are a great time to spend together with family. They are the perfect time to talk to our Heavenly Father and thank Him for the many things we have. Unlike some in the world, we are fortunate to eat without worry of if there will be food for another meal. My family is blessed and has much for which to be thankful. One of which is a sweet, kind hearted grandson that loves God and is not ashamed or too intimidated to pray out in public.  Another is his parents for their teaching this to him.

“Whoever acknowledges me before others, I will also acknowledge before my Father in heaven.” Matt. 10:32

 

Were you ever a Scout? I had the privilege of being a Brownie and Girl Scout when I was a young girl. It is a great organization. If you were or maybe even weren’t, you might happen know the Scout song “Make new friend but keep the old. The new are silver and the old are gold.”? The words ring true to me now that I am older more than ever. Friends are a true treasure. Verse one says: “Make new friends, but keep the old. The new is silver, and the old is gold. A circle is round, it has no end. That’s how long, I will be your friend.” Comforting, isn’t it? Friendship without an end.

Well, that is certainly true. I am still friends with some of my old Scout girls, neighborhood friends, Sunday School classmates, and school friends. Thanks to Facebook I have been able to reconnect and keep up with classmates from elementary school to college. Those childhood friendships are deeply imbedded in my heart. It had been years since I had seen some of my old classmates but when I did it was as if time had stood still. The friendship was still there. When we wrote “friends forever” in yearbooks little did I realize that we really did mean it. Those people are still my friends.

The next verse in the song says: “A fire burns bright, it warms the heart. We’ve been friends, from the very start.” True. Some people are immediate friends a. That verse encompasses not only the old friends but the friends I have since made. Some people I just have a connection with instantly. Don’t you? We just “click” right away and become close friends, like two peas in a pod.  God orchestrates those relationships. They might not have been as long as the childhood ones, but they are very, very strong. The reason for the strength is that God is in the center of these relationships. He gives us the friends we need, when we need them. Through my years of owning a Christian Bookstore I met many wonderful people. Many of the authors still maintain a friendship with me. In other areas of my life I have met people that have become like family because our friendship is so deep. The next verse says: “Silver is precious, Gold is too. I am precious, and so are you. You help me, and I’ll help you and together we will see it through.”

How true! We often get through things leaning on friends. Friends help friends when they ask and even when they don’t. Friends have a way of knowing when another friend needs help. Sometimes it might just be a card or a hug. Other times it might be a conversation. Whatever it is, friends help friends. Even if I haven’t spoken to a friend in years, I will be there for them if they need me. Whether a new or old friend is in need, don’t you want to help?

What kind of friend are you? Do you think you would be friends with yourself? Do you like the way you treat your friends? The Bible says in Luke 6:31 “And as you wish that others would do to you, do so to them.” We should all be the type of friend to others that we want to have ourselves. One of the best things you can do for your friend is pray. Lift your friends up to God. Your old and new ones. Ones you have had since you were little and ones you have just made. Friendship is a precious gift.

Yes, we all need friends and can never have too many. Like the song says our friends are like silver and gold. Precious. The song closes with: “Across the land, Across the sea, Friends forever, We will always be.” Ahhh, such a nice sentiment. No matter if close by, still in the same town, or far away in another state or country, solid friendships last. Call a friend today. Check on them. Say hello. Don’t take your friends for granted. Take them for coffee!

“Let us be concerned for one another, to help one another to show love and to do good.” Hebrews 10:24