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Show Hope

September 15, 2011

I have been anxiously awaiting this post! My husband has had the blessed privilege of helping Show Hope prepare their Facebook giveaway. And it’s not small! Before I tell you about the giveaway here’s a little description of Show Hope from their About page.

Show Hope is a non-profit organization that mobilizes individuals and communities to meet the most pressing needs of orphans in distress by providing 1) homes for waiting children through adoption aid grants, and 2) life-saving medical care for orphans with special needs.

What an amazing service! And this all began with Steven Curtis Chapman and his beautiful wife Mary Beth. They have been blessed to adopt three sweet little ones from China. One, Maria, who has gone to be with the Lord. Their hearts are so pure and they strongly desire to help orphans find forever homes.

Religion that is pure and undefiled before God, the Father, is this: to visit orphans and widows in their affliction, and to keep oneself unstained from the world.
{James 1:27 ESV}

Well, last month Show Hope needed to reach 80,000 ‘Likes’ on Facebook in order to get $70,000 from two anonymous donors. And thanks to all the ‘likers’ they made it! And to say thank you they’re giving away a jaw dropping prize!

Are you ready?

No really. It’s big.

Like huge!

Ok, first, let me say that they are offering 50% off their brand new Show Hope circle logo t-shirt. You get a coupon code just for entering! Ten runners up will receive a Show Hope t-shirt, a wrap bracelet, a sticker and an autographed re:creation cd by Steven Curtis Chapman! Awesome, right? But you haven’t heard the grand prize yet!

An all expense paid trip to China!!!!!

No joke!

You’ll receive the blessing of being able to serve the orphans over in China on a short term mission trip in the summer of 2012! For real!!!!

Now, because my husband had a hand in this I, unfortunately, can not sign up. But you can! Head over to Show Hope on Facebook and click on the Sweepstakes button on the left hand side. Fill out the form and there ya go! Enter for an opportunity of a lifetime! My best to each of you and I can’t wait to hear the story of the winner when they return {I hope it’s you!}

“Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

(Matthew 6:19-21 ESV)

Blessings!

In Blessings, Change the World

Fragrant Offerings

September 15, 2011

Hubba Bubba. Today I was sitting outside watching my little ones run through the sprinkler while reading Romans. And from no where memories came flooding back all because of the phantom nostalgic scent of Hubba Bubba bubblegum in my backyard. To be honest, it nearly brought me to tears. How can it feel like just yesterday I was at my childhood pool playing with my friends and retrieving those wonderful 80’s snacks from the vending machine?

I look across the yard and see my children.

How soon will it be til they are having these same thoughts? What scents will figuratively rush them back through time? Oh how my heart breaks to think of how fleeting these moments are.

As saddened as I am about the passing of seasons I am overjoyed, too. We are anxiously anticipating a cold front in a couple days. Dropping thirty beautiful degrees. And with that I want to offer some memories to my family. A fragrant offering. The scent of cinnamon and citrus to fill the house on these chilly autumn days.

As a child I remember my grandmother doing this exact same thing every autumn/winter. She would place a pot of water on the stove and fill it with all sorts of wonderful autumny goodies. Usually oranges, cinnamon and cloves. Then she’d let it simmer all day long. Clearly it made a big impression on me. I’m hoping my children, too, will be touched by this small act.

I absolutely love that our Lord allows us to enjoy these scents. What a beautiful way to remember. And we should be reminded daily, so thankful, of the most pleasing fragrant offering there ever was. So thankful. So thankful.

Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children.
And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.
{Ephesians 5:1-2 ESV}

Blessings!

In House, Recipes

Hidden In Your Heart

September 13, 2011

A couple weeks ago my older three began the AWANA program at a local church.

Never heard of it? I hadn’t really either. I knew it was something churches did but no clue what it really was. I was beyond thrilled to discover it’s a kind of Bible memory verse training! Even more thrilling was to find out that it’s FREE! Oh so thankful! So thankful for the willing hearts that come together {that volunteer} to help teach these young ones how to memorize. I had tried in the past to do this on my own but there’s something about coming alongside other followers to encourage each other to hide His word in our hearts!

With my whole heart I seek you;
let me not wander from your commandments!
I have stored up your word in my heart,
that I might not sin against you.
Blessed are you, O LORD;
teach me your statutes!
With my lips I declare
all the rules of your mouth.
In the way of your testimonies I delight
as much as in all riches.
I will meditate on your precepts
and fix my eyes on your ways.
I will delight in your statutes;
I will not forget your word.
(Psalm 119:10-16 ESV)

So my children have their papers in hand and have begun memorizing! The sound of scripture echoing throughout our house is one of the most beautiful noises I have ever heard. My oldest has taken to using Ann Voskamp’s method of memorizing. She simply takes the first letter of each word and writes it down.

{you can see here that she’s memorizing Romans 3:23. For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God}

Whereas with my four year old we are singing the scriptures. It’s so beautiful. Their pure hearts have encouraged me to go through and memorize James. This first-letter-of-each-word method really is wonderful and easy. {thank you, Ann, for the suggestion}

Since it is the beginning of the year I want to encourage you to seek out a church that is offering this wonderful program. Your children will greatly benefit. And you can not have them only do this on AWANA nights. Be aware every day that we need to be reading His word and sealing it within us. If you homeschool make this part of their daily schedule. If you’re not homeschooling make it part of the afterschool homework. Or even better, memorize the scriptures as a family in the mornings and evenings. Encourage one another to stand firm in faith and in truth.

Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm. Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace. In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one; and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints,
(Ephesians 6:13-18 ESV)

Blessings!

In Encouragement, Homeschool, Parenting, Scripture

Imitate Don’t Intimidate

September 12, 2011

Throughout my years of being a follower of Christ I’ve met many different kinds of believers. Only a handful stick out in my mind as women I have wanted to imitate. Women who have walked so close with the Lord that I see Christ in the forefront of every one of their decisions. I have pursued these women in the hopes of having a mentor. Some responded, others did not, but that did not dampen the desire to imitate their devotion to Him.

Brothers, join in imitating me, and keep your eyes on those who walk according to the example you have in us. For many, of whom I have often told you and now tell you even with tears, walk as enemies of the cross of Christ. Their end is destruction, their god is their belly, and they glory in their shame, with minds set on earthly things. But our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, who will transform our lowly body to be like his glorious body, by the power that enables him even to subject all things to himself.
{Philippians 3:17-21 ESV}

Do you know someone whom you would like to imitate? Someone who has a heart that longs for the Lord? Stalk them. Ask questions. When do they spend time with the Lord? Where did they begin? What books or semons have encouraged them in their walk? However, walk the fine line. You’re not trying to imitate the way they look or how they keep house. Or even how they speak. Your imitation should be solely based on their walk. How they have overcome temptations of the world. Otherwise we deceive ourselves into thinking that our own works will draw us closer to Him. It doesn’t matter how ugly or beautiful you are on the outside. It doesn’t matter how much or how little you own. It doesn’t matter how old or young you are. All you need is yourself to present before the Lord and a desire to know Him more.

In that respect I want to warn you. Once you begin imitating your mentor be careful where your thoughts and actions go. You may begin to think of yourself as ‘holier than thou’. I have walked that road. I thought I had grown so knowledgable in His word that my mind was closing. I’m sure I came across to young believers as very intimidating. In fact, I remember a friend saying “I wish I had the courage you do, but…”. Oh, that was so humbling. She was so intimidated that she gave up before even trying. There was an opportunity to mentor and I lost it. My glory was my shame.

Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, making the best use of the time, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is.
{Ephesians 5:15-17 ESV}

Sisters, this week I want to encourage you to seek out that mentor. Is she somebody at your church? A relative? A neighbor? A blogger? Find her. Talk to her. And recognize that she is. not. perfect. There is a 100% chance she will disappoint you at some point. Let her have faults. Have an abundant amount of grace for her. But continue to admire and imitate her walk while learning from her mistakes.

Blessings!

In Encouragement

Never Forget

September 11, 2011

He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High
will abide in the shadow of the Almighty.
{Psalm 91:1 ESV}

Blessings!

In Scripture