John 13:34-35 "A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another, even as I have loved you, that you also love one another. By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another."

"They'll know we are Christians by our Love" is the song that popped into my head when I read this verse. Is this true for you? Do your outward actions of love show Who your focus is?

When you walk into a store or restaurant, is the person behind the counter just someone who is to serve you or do you see them as someone who Jesus loves just as much as you?

Are you kind and welcoming to new people you meet or are you hard to approach?

Who is in your life that needs to be loved and yet you ignore them?

God is Love - when we show love to others, we show them God

Have a great day as we are servants to all
Christie

Last night at our family Bible study, we were discussing how we need to show God's love to everyone, even people we don't like. I told our children that I realized how difficult it is at school to not do what your friends do and be mean to or ignore those who you don't like. In the Bible, we see Jesus set an example of love, kindness and compassion for those around Him. I watched my daughter as she lowered her head. I knew this was something that she struggled with just like I did at her age. I encouraged her that we all make these mistakes at times and we need to ask for forgiveness and try to do better next time. That convicted heart is a very familiar feeling for me. I knew exactly what she was feeling as she lowered her head. I'm so thankful though, that the Holy Spirit convicts us so that we change to be more like Jesus. No pain, no gain. I want whatever it takes to make my heart more like His.

Have a great day as we are servants to all,
Christie

Good morning all! I have been reading a very good book by Christine Caine titled "Stop Acting Like A Christian, Just Be One". It reminded me today of Jesus' compassion for others. Just "acting" like Christ on the outside isn't enough, we must possess His love and compassion for others in our hearts. In Luke 7:11-17, Jesus has compassion on a widow that was mourning the death of her son by raising him from the dead. We probably won't be raising anyone from the dead, but in order to be Christlike, we must feel the hurt of others and be intentional about helping in any way we can. For us as humans, it is sometimes difficult to love others but because we have God (who is Love) in our lives and hearts, He will shine through us if we let Him. Who do you need to show love and compassion to today?

Have a great day as we are servants to all!
Christie

I thought this was good info for us all
Have a great day
Christie

When You Have Two Good Choices
Ray Pritchard
An email arrived from a friend with a question that came up during a discussion time with some young women--most of them in their early 20s. All the young women are single. Here is the question that came up during the discussion:
"How do you make decisions in life when both roads seem to be good?" We were talking about having a "willing spirit", and I asked them if there was anything God was asking them to do and if their answer would be yes to whatever he was asking of them. Some of them are faced with future decisions and not sure how to come about with making those decisions, especially like I said before that both roads seem good. I think they just don't want to make a "wrong" decision. Thoughts?
This is a nice kind of question compared to a lot of things people ask me. The real answer is that with the Lord, when your heart is truly willing and open, there are no "wrong" decisions. Sometimes we get hung up on doing the "perfect" will of God and being in the "center" of his will. While I understand what those phrases mean, they are not describing a biblical perspective. The truth is, you can't know in advance how your decisions will turn out. Sometimes (often) we choose to go in one direction only to find out later that it didn't work out the way we expected. And sometimes we seem to foul up only to discover that God uses that difficult time to deepen our walk with him and ultimately to get us where he wants us to be.
The only thing God wants from us is an open heart to do his will. And if our hearts are open, when faced with two "good" choices, and when we have prayed, meditated, studied Scripture, considered the circumstances, weighed the pros and cons and sought godly counsel, when all of that is true and both options still seem good to you, well then, just close their eyes, take a deep breath, and then go and do whichever one you prefer. After all, God is perfectly able to lead us forward when we are willing to be led.
Sometimes we waste enormous energy seeking something God never promised. We want a guarantee. We want to know it's all going to work out. We want all the uncertainty taken away. After preaching on this a few years ago, a man came up and said, "What you're saying is, 'We've still got to choose.'" Bingo! We've still got to choose. It's going to be Wisconsin or Washington, dental school or the Army, Georgia Tech or Wheaton, Mike or John Mark, an SUV or a Mini-Cooper, a Mac or a PC, buying a new house or fixing up the one you have. You choose this doctor and that treatment and not some other doctor or some other treatment. And so it goes through all the decisions of life.
Knowing God's will can never remove the uncertainty--nor should it. The uncertainty is good for us because it keeps us trusting and praying, it keeps us from being overly self-confident.
When your heart is right and you are faced with two good choices, take either one you like. And trust God with the result. If the heart is willing, the decisions of life will take care of themselves because God will direct your steps exactly where he wants you to be.
Final word. It all goes back to your view of God.
Is he sovereign?Is he good?Can I trust him?
It's not about your decisions, and it's not about your future, and it's not even about you. It's all about God. When we start from that perspective, we can make our decisions even in times of doubt and uncertainty, and we can sleep well at night knowing that our God will put all the pieces together in exactly the right way.
Dr. Ray Pritchard is the president of Keep Believing Ministries and author of And When You Pray. He has ministered extensively overseas and is a frequent conference speaker and guest on Christian radio and television talk shows. He has authored over 27 books, including Credo, The Healing Power of Forgiveness, An Anchor for the Soul, and Why Did This Happen to Me?

I was reading John 11 again this morning and came across a very powerful verse to me. Jesus had asked for the stone to be moved away from Lazarus' tomb and Martha protested because he had been dead for 4 days and was afraid of the stench. Verse 40 Jesus said to her, "Did I not say to you that if you believe, you will see the glory of God?" Sounds simple doesn't it. Just believe and you will see the glory of God. Why when Jesus tells us to "just believe", do we make it to so much more? He tries to make it as simple as possible for us and we still don't obey. I say I want more of God in my life, I want to "see His glory" but yet I still try to trust in myself at times. Today, I will believe and see the glory of my God.

I was contacted last week from a women's group in Kingsman AZ who are trying to choose a speaker for their retreat in September. They are picking one out of a group of 3 women, including myself. Would you pray that the retreat they are planning will glorify God and that He will give them the direction as to who He wants to bring His words.

Have a great day as we are servants to all!
Christie

As I read the 14th chapter of Hosea this morning, it reminded me of how easy God has made it for us to be forgiven. I think that we sometimes wonder if it is too easy. The ease contradicts what the world teaches us which is that you have to work for anything you receive. In my own life, I have accepted that I have been forgiven for the sins I commited before I became a Christian. But sometimes I have a hard time forgiving myself for the sins I have commited after I became a Christian. I know that Jesus' death on cross covered all my sins, but now I know better and my sins frustrate me. Just something else that God is working on in my heart. We'll add it to the very long list. I'm just so glad He never gives up on me!

Have a great day as we are servants to all
Christie

What is God calling you to do today? Maybe it is reconciling with a friend or family member, giving you best to your job, taking time to spend with your kids, sharing a smile or a hug with someone who will need it, coming out of your comfort zone by doing something you are afraid to do, send a note of encouragement, keep a positive attitude, take time for prayer, be less selfish, or anything else. Are you willing to do whatever it is that God asks you to do today? Without questioning or worrying about what others will think? Without thinking about it so long you talk yourself out of it? Today is the day to say "yes" God no matter whether it's big or small. If you can't be obedient with what He asks you to do today, He will not entrust you with more tomorrow.

Have a great day as we are servants to all
Christie

Good morning all! The couple of inches of snow we got last night mixed with the bright sunshine really makes for a beautiful scene outside today. The weather really seems to affect my mood. I have worked harder lately on my moods, especially the bad ones. I have found that when I take inventory of my mood several times a day, I can keep better control of it. I have to take times throughout my day to ask myself if I have the peace of God in me and if the answer is "no" then I stop whatever I am doing to pray and ask God to help me find His peace. This has been very helpful to me in dealing with my daycare children and I'm sure can be helpful to you in whatever situation you are in each day. It is so easy to go over the emotional deep end when many things are piled on you each day, but seeking the joy and peace that only God can give during each one will help you from feeling so overwhelmed.

May you be filled with God's peace this day
Christie

Good morning all! School is back in session and with only 8 children today, I feel like I'm on vacation! Do you realize that other people don't see in themselves what you see in them? Do you realize that other people see that you are capable of doing things that you never thought you could do? I think we need to make an effort to encourage those people that we come in contact with. Let the people around you know what positive things you see in them. I know for myself, I wasn't willing to step out of my comfort zone until I had a great friend that was willing to tell me what he saw in me. He didn't give up when I disagreed and now I have learned to not give up when encouraging others. I want you to know that God has a great plan and purpose for you! He can accomplish His will through you, but you have to be willing to say "yes" to stepping out of your comfort zone. Even if you may not have met the person yet that encourages you, you can be the person to encourage others - don't keep your positive feelings about others to yourself, it just may be the confidence booster they need to say "yes" to God.

Good morning all! Today has already been a little hairy. There is no school today due to President's day which means that I have a house full of children. Not only do I have a full house, but I also started a new baby today. I don't have much time to write, but I do have one thought for the day: no matter how crazy life gets, God is always faithful to give you peace if you only ask and rely on Him.

Have a great day as we are servants to all
Christie

Good morning all! I hope you enjoyed your Valentine's Day. I was reading this morning in John 11:1-37 about Lazarus dying and Jesus coming to Martha and Mary. I am so inspired by the faithfulness of Martha. We know her best for being too busy to sit with Jesus in Luke 10:38-42 but her faithfulness shows through in her statments to Jesus in verses 21&22. Martha said to Jesus, "Lord, if You had been here, my brother would not have died. Even now I know that whatever You ask of God, God will give You." She was disappointed that her brother had died, but she wasn't disappointed in Jesus. She knew of and believed in His power to do the impossible. Can we say the same? I find my self sometimes knowing in my head but not truly believing in my heart.

I am so thankful for the many examples in the Bible of men and women who believed in the God they believed in. Does that make sense to you? I think it is so easy for us to have alot of knowledge about God, but not be living a life that requires much faith. Does the life you live require much faith?

Have a great day as we are servants to all
Christie

Happy Valentine's Day!! Love is in the air! It is so cool how God speaks. I prayed last week about how I want to feel and show more love to others. Why I'm surprised, I don't know because God is always faithful, but everyday since I prayed that prayer God has spoke very clearly to me about love. He has spoke to me through blogs I've read, magazine articles, a book and also His Word. I get so excited and yet humbled when God speaks so clearly. He is so good.

Something else I'm excited about - I spoke with the scholarship person at Proverbs 31 this week and she informed me that money has been coming in for me to attend She Speaks. I just want to say THANK YOU!! Words cannot express how much I appreciate your generosity. I am so excited to attend She Speaks again, it will be a life changing experience.

Don't forget, the new website will be coming soon. Pray that the information it contains will awaken and impact hearts for Christ.

Have a great day as we are servants to all
Christie

Tongue Test

Here's a test that I took yesterday and was not pleased with my results. I've got alot of work to do on taming my tongue. Let me know how you do.

Place the number that best reflects your response to the statement in the space provided.
*Your number is the sum of all of the items that apply to you.

____1. I have a challenge controlling my tongue:
5=never; 4=very seldom; 3=seldom; 2=sometimes; 1=usually; 0=regularly

____2. After an argument, I usually feel I was most hurt by:
2=the issues that were involved; 1=the words that were said

____3. In relation to gossip, I believe that I am:
4=never guilty; 3=seldom guilty; 2=sometimes guilty; 1=frequently guilty

____4. During this past week I chose to use my tongue constructively to:
* 1=comfort a friend; 1=express love to my parents; 1=encourage someone in leadership; 1=express sympathy or concern; 1=witness for Christ

____5. Generally, I believe I talk:
3=the right amount; 2=too little; 1=too much

____6. The misuses of the tongue that I have under control include:
* 1=too talkative; 1=complaining; 1=gossiping; 1=lying; 1=exaggerating; 1=boastful; 1=too loud

____7. The qualities of the biblical use of the tongue that I have cultivated are:
* 1=kind; 1=affirming; 1=contented

____8. I have an appreciative tongue:
4=frequently; 3=sometimes; 2=seldom; 1=never

____9. I practice the Ecclesiastes "a time to" passage and know when to keep silent and when to speak:
4=frequently; 3=sometimes; 2=seldom; 1=never

____10. I am prone to nagging:
4=never; 3=seldom; 2=sometimes; 1=frequently

____TOTAL





47-37 You have a maturing, appreciative, quiet, affirming, contented tongue.

36-33 You have a commitment to an appreciative, quiet, affirming, contented tongue

32-29 You have an understanding of what constitutes an appreciative, quiet, affirming, contented tongue

28-25 You have a minimal commitment to an appreciative, quiet, affirming, contented tongue

24-0 A tongue transplant is needed

Let's just say, I need to set up an appointment for surgery!

Hope this makes you think - it sure did for me
Christie

Good morning all! Hope your day is going great! Our pastor preached on Song of Solomon Sunday and then we discussed it again at Bible study last night - good stuff! I had avoided it because it was somewhat hard to understand because the wording of that culture is so different than ours, but the instruction on marriage never changes. Marriage at one time or another is a struggle for us all so it's something that we can always be working on.

I also was preparing for our study tonight in which we are reading the Purpose Driven Life and we are studying how to protect your church. God's wants us as Christians to be unified. He wants us to be able to overlook our differences so that we can focus on the one thing that we will always have in common - God. Honestly ask yourself if you are helping to unify your church or are you aiding in its division? Make any changes that you need to build up the other Christians around you.

Have a great day as we are servants to all
Christie

If you haven't already, read the last post. It is something that still is convicting me this morning. I read it again over the weekend and realized that I really need to make changes in the way I interact with others. My personality is to be "tough"- instead of being loving and nuturting, I'll give you a good kick in the pants to keep you motivated. I know that's what I need many times, so I guess I just assume that it's what everybody else needs too. I pray that the Lord helps me to show Jesus' love to others, by showing less of my "tough" side and more of my soft-hearted, sympathetic side (yes, I know your wondering if I even have one). Now, don't get me wrong - I think we all need a little "tough love" every now and then. But I think that there are other ways that I can better show my and God's love to others.

Lord, help me not to only desire my way. Help me to see through your eyes what each and every person I come in contact with, needs from me. Keep me humble and patient as you change, shape and mold my heart.
In Jesus Name, Amen

Please read what was posted on my pastor's blog today. It is so true and very convicting to me.

I like this paraphrase of 1 Corinthians 13 from Mikey’s Funnies…
If I talk a lot about God and the Bible and the Church, but I fail to ask about your needs and then help you, I’m simply making a lot of empty religious noise.

If I graduate from theological seminary and know all the answers to questions you’ll never even think of asking, and if I have all the degrees to prove it and if I say I believe in God with all my heart, and soul and strength, and claim to have incredible answers to my prayers to show it, but I fail to take the time to find out where you’re at and what makes you laugh and why you cry, I’m nothing.

If I sell an extra car and some of my books to raise money for some poor starving kids somewhere, and if I give my life for God’s service and burn out after pouring everything I have into the work, but do it all without ever once thinking about the people, the real hurting people-the moms and dads and sons and daughters and orphans and widows and the lonely and hurting-if I pour my life into the Kingdom but forget to make it relevant to those here on earth, my energy is wasted, and so is my life.

Here is what love is like--genuine love. God’s kind of love. It’s patient. It can wait. It helps others, even if they never find out who did it. Love doesn’t look for greener pastures or dream of how things could be better if I just got rid of all my current commitments. Love doesn’t boast. It doesn’t try to build itself up to be something it isn’t. Love doesn’t act in a loose, immoral way. It doesn’t seek to take, but it willingly gives. Love doesn’t lose its cool. It doesn’t turn on and off. Love doesn’t think about how bad the other person is, and certainly doesn’t think of how it could get back at someone. Love is grieved deeply (as God is) over the evil in this world, but it rejoices over truth.

Love comes and sits with you when you’re feeling down and finds out what is wrong. It empathizes with you and believes in you. Love knows you’ll come through just as God planned, and love sticks right beside you all the way. Love doesn’t give up, or quit, or diminish or go home. Love keeps on keeping on, even when everything goes wrong and the feelings leave and the other person doesn’t seem as special anymore. Love succeeds 100 percent of the time. That, my friend, is what real love is!
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Brian Bill on 02/08 at 08:01 AM • (0) Comments
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Alright, I cannot believe that I didn't have anyone make a comment yesterday about how crazy I was being over a computer. I was telling my girlfriend about it this morning and I was lamenting over how I wasn't going to be able to get any writing done and I have several projects going right now. She said something that I just couldn't believe - she suggested that I write with pen and paper! Can you believe that she could suggest such a thing!? She thought that my separation from my laptop would be a good thing and that it would get me back to basics. I told her to stop talking so rationally.
OK, OK I'll get over myself and get back to focusing on the important things in life.

Have a great day and a great weekend as we are servants to all
Christie

Good morning all! OK, I have something to admit to you. I realized that I am addicted to my laptop. I love to spend time with it. Yesterday, I couldn't get online and I started to panic. I worked on the router but nothing changed. I called the technical service and spent an hour trying different things - they even had me take the back off of my computer and work on it! You can officially call me an HP computer tech now! Nothing worked, so they want me to ship it to them to be worked on. Ouch! I can't let it go. They said it will be gone for 7-10 days and I'm so sad. Yes, I know - I'm pathetic. Luckily I can still get online on my daughters computer but it's just not the same. So please be understanding as I will be depressed for the next week. My husband is hoping the withdrawl symptoms won't be affecting him.

See, I've always told you that I am more messed up than you!

Have a great day as we are a servant to all
Christie

Good morning all! I had a friend tell me that she hated to disappoint me. She said that she knows when she is disobedient to God, she disappoints me so she tries not to. She is one of my accountability partners but I wanted her to be obedient for God, not me and I told her so. My husband was there and explained how when we were dating, he started out going to church because I wanted him to and to impress my parents. After we were married, he went to make me happy. But doing it for someone else, got him there and then after he was there God started working on his heart until he started going for himself and God. So sometimes going to church for another reason can lead into a relationship with God. Hmmm, I hadn't ever thought of it that way.

This morning God showed me John 10:22-42. Some religious leaders are questioning Jesus and in verse 25 Jesus says "I told you, and you do not believe; the works that I do in My Father's name, these testify of me." and in verse 37 He says "If I do not do the works of My Father, do not believe me;" Jesus knew that it would take more than His words to get people to believe in His Father. His miracles were to help people take notice of Him and then to listen to Him and then to believe in Him.

Instead of being hurt that she does things to keep me from being disappointed, I should praise God that I can have a part in her obedience.

Let me know what you think
Have a great day being a servant to all
Christie

Good morning all! I am finishing up a packet today to send to Hearts at Home. I am applying to be listed in their speaker database. The Hearts at Home Conference has greatly impacted my life and I want to share it with other women. Please be praying that God's will be done in their decision.

Speaking of praying, I was reading a message yesterday on prayer. I agreed that sometimes my prayers can be pretty general ("bless this, protection for this") even lax at times. God calls us to a powerful prayer life. Prayer is the key that unlocks faith in our lives and shows our reliance on God. It should never be something we do to check off our list, but something we desire to do to connect with God. I want to work harder at keeping a very focused prayer life - a prayer life that is very specific and bold because God is listening.

Have a great day being a servant to all
Christie

Good morning all! First things first, I did not win the scholarship contest, but the person who God wanted to win did. Congratulations to her! You can check out the winner at www.lysaterkeurst.blogspot.com. She hasn't been to She Speaks and I'm so glad she'll get to go. It's an amazing experience of God.

Secondly, I'm so excited! Our friend Troy is working on a new website design for Awaken the Heart Ministries. I just can't wait for you to see it. It will be coming soon.

Now, something for you to chew on. Our pastor gave us alot to think about yesterday in his sermon on avoiding folly (www.pontiacbible.org) but there was one specific thing I wanted to share with you today. When we allow our children to only do a task half-way, we are teaching them that disobedience is ok. Partial obedience is not sin. If you ask your child to clear the table and put the dishes in the dishwasher and your child clears the table and puts some of the dishes in the dishwasher and then leaves, he is being disobedient. If you finish up what he was asked to do, you are encouraging disobedience. I have to say that I do this alot! Sometimes it's easier for me to do it than to argue with my child. Easier does not make it better! My husband and I discussed this yesterday and decided that we both need to work harder at this. We want our children to learn at an early age that disobedience is never acceptable.
Have a great day and keep your eyes focused on Jesus!

Ok, ok - so I was wrong! We got many inches of snow last night and it's still coming. Everyone around here is excited. Anyway, this is my post for the "She Speaks" Contest. Happy reading!

Going to “She Speaks” was one of the first ways I said “yes” to God after He called me to speak publicly about what He had done in my life. I am not a traveler and worried about how I would come up with the money and how I would get there, but because it was God’s will, I was there. I had thought about the conference for months and it was finally happening. Not knowing what to expect, I went to register early and then entered the main conference room. I was greeted by the few women who were also early and felt myself relax as we chatted. When the room was full and the conference began, I was overwhelmed at the presence of God. I never knew that I could feel connected with 400 women at the same time.
The conference was wonderful and I returned home with excellent information and a renewed heart and soul. In fact, the things I learned helped me to kick start what God had called me to do for years. But I was impacted the most by the women that surrounded me. Encouragement and inspiration flowed from the Proverbs 31 team, the instructors and each attendee I met. I was well worth the 13 hour drive.
Let me share just one (there were many) Godcidence that happened while I was there: As God continue to strip the ungodly parts of me, I went into the prayer room to pray. As I prayed, I heard someone else enter the room. When I was finished, I glanced over to see a woman sitting alone. As I walked out the door, God told me to go back and pray with that woman. I stood there arguing with God, telling Him that I would look like an idiot – I just walked out and He wanted me to go back in, besides I didn’t even know this woman. Once again God laid it on my heart even stronger to go back and pray with the woman. I entered the room and laid my hand on her shoulder. As she looked up at me, she began to cry. When I asked her what was wrong, she explained to me that she had just asked God to send someone to pray with her. We then, both began to cry. She told me that she needed someone who would understand what she was going through. She felt overwhelmed by the way God was working in her and by Him asking her to step out of her comfort zone. God had sent the right person – I also was overwhelmed and could really understand her struggles. I had recently been broke down to nothing so that I could learn to only rely on God. I always had people to rely on, but I had to be taught to be content with only having God. He also was showing me to love others and regain my old soft heart that had become hard over the past few years. We talked, cried, laughed and prayed together. Before leaving the prayer room, we exchanged information and made the decision to keep in touch and keep each other accountable. During our talk, she shared with me the following story:
There was a little girl that loved her plastic pearl necklace. She wore it everywhere she went, even to bed. One night as her daddy tucked her into bed, he asked her if she loved him more than her plastic pearl necklace. She assured him that she did. He preceeded to ask her to then to give him the necklace. She couldn’t do it. The next night, her daddy asked her again if she loved him more than the plastic pearl necklace. She told him that she did, but she couldn’t give him the necklace. On the third night, they had the same conversation and her daddy went to bed. He later was awakened by the breath of his daughter above him. When he opened his eyes, he saw her holding out her hand to him with the plastic pearl necklace inside. As she gave up her most prized possession to her daddy, he smiled and handed her a beautiful genuine pearl necklace in return. If we stop holding on to what we love and give it fully to God, He will bless us with so much more than anything we could of expected. Give up what you are holding on to and trust in your Daddy.
This is an experience that I will never forget and it was all because the time I spent at the conference was centered on God. The Proverbs 31 team is a group of godly women who want you to experience God. Every aspect of the conference is precisely thought out and prayed over.
Taking the speakers track was a blessing to me and I was able to apply the instruction over my last year of speaking. This year, the writers track is where I’ll be headed. I want to take every opportunity that God gives me to inspire others to say “yes” to God. By writing and speaking I will be able to touch more people for Christ.
I am so excited to be a part of it again.