You remember the story of Hannah? Barren and despised. Sad and desperate. She goes to the tabernacle and prays to God for a son, promising that if God grants her request that she will give him back to God.
So when God gives Hannah a son, she makes good on her part of the deal and gives him back to God. After dedicating Samuel to God, Hannah returns home. But is her work finished? No. Look at 1 Samuel 2:18-19 (NIV) But Samuel was ministering before the LORD--a boy wearing a linen ephod. Each year his mother made him a little robe and took it to him when she went up with her husband to offer the annual sacrifice.
Think about it. Each year Hannah worked to make Samuel an ephod. She could have easily let Eli take care of the boys clothing. She could have easily taken off a few years off and not worried about the son that she had given up. She could have used the time to make clothes for her family. But why did she take the time to make Samuel an ephod?
She was thankful for what God had done. There’s an old saying that says, “That which we too easily attain, we too lightly esteem.” Hannah was so grateful to God for giving her a son that she continued to give to and love her son even after He had been given away. A grateful heart cannot help but give and give unendingly.
Unlike her rival who had many children, but no love and no peace, Hannah gave out of a heart that was full because of what God had done for her. And year after year she gave and lived for the glory.
One simple consistent act made all the difference in the world.
Friday, January 28, 2011
Friday, January 21, 2011
The Proverbs 31 Woman
Proverbs 31. There’s a lot of doing in this passage. This woman is special. Not only for her inward beauty, but also for her acts of charity and her business sense.
Do you feel sometimes like you can’t measure up? Do you feel like you can never be a perfect Proverbs 31 woman?
The good thing is you don’t have to be. This passage is meant to show us what the noble woman looks like, so that we can imitate her. None of us can be perfect, but we can all strive to be the best that we can.
Why don’t you read over Proverbs 31 again? See if you can find one thing that you could find a trait that you want. Then ask God to help you put it into practice. You never know what will happen.
Proverbs 31:10-31 (NIV)
A wife of noble character who can find? She is worth far more than rubies.
Her husband has full confidence in her and lacks nothing of value.
She brings him good, not harm, all the days of her life.
She selects wool and flax and works with eager hands.
She is like the merchant ships, bringing her food from afar.
She gets up while it is still dark; she provides food for her family and portions for her servant girls.
She considers a field and buys it; out of her earnings she plants a vineyard.
She sets about her work vigorously; her arms are strong for her tasks.
She sees that her trading is profitable, and her lamp does not go out at night.
In her hand she holds the distaff and grasps the spindle with her fingers.
She opens her arms to the poor and extends her hands to the needy.
When it snows, she has no fear for her household; for all of them are clothed in scarlet.
She makes coverings for her bed; she is clothed in fine linen and purple.
Her husband is respected at the city gate, where he takes his seat among the elders of the land.
She makes linen garments and sells them, and supplies the merchants with sashes.
She is clothed with strength and dignity; she can laugh at the days to come.
She speaks with wisdom, and faithful instruction is on her tongue.
She watches over the affairs of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness.
Her children arise and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her:
"Many women do noble things, but you surpass them all."
Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised.
Give her the reward she has earned, and let her works bring her praise at the city gate.
Do you feel sometimes like you can’t measure up? Do you feel like you can never be a perfect Proverbs 31 woman?
The good thing is you don’t have to be. This passage is meant to show us what the noble woman looks like, so that we can imitate her. None of us can be perfect, but we can all strive to be the best that we can.
Why don’t you read over Proverbs 31 again? See if you can find one thing that you could find a trait that you want. Then ask God to help you put it into practice. You never know what will happen.
Proverbs 31:10-31 (NIV)
A wife of noble character who can find? She is worth far more than rubies.
Her husband has full confidence in her and lacks nothing of value.
She brings him good, not harm, all the days of her life.
She selects wool and flax and works with eager hands.
She is like the merchant ships, bringing her food from afar.
She gets up while it is still dark; she provides food for her family and portions for her servant girls.
She considers a field and buys it; out of her earnings she plants a vineyard.
She sets about her work vigorously; her arms are strong for her tasks.
She sees that her trading is profitable, and her lamp does not go out at night.
In her hand she holds the distaff and grasps the spindle with her fingers.
She opens her arms to the poor and extends her hands to the needy.
When it snows, she has no fear for her household; for all of them are clothed in scarlet.
She makes coverings for her bed; she is clothed in fine linen and purple.
Her husband is respected at the city gate, where he takes his seat among the elders of the land.
She makes linen garments and sells them, and supplies the merchants with sashes.
She is clothed with strength and dignity; she can laugh at the days to come.
She speaks with wisdom, and faithful instruction is on her tongue.
She watches over the affairs of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness.
Her children arise and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her:
"Many women do noble things, but you surpass them all."
Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised.
Give her the reward she has earned, and let her works bring her praise at the city gate.
Friday, January 14, 2011
New Ministry!
What to know what the connection between a sleeping bag and a homeless person is?
Check out the ministries to find out what it is.
Check out the ministries to find out what it is.
Friday, January 7, 2011
A Change
Because my life has been really crazy lately for the next few months I’m only going to post every Friday.
Just to let you know.
Just to let you know.
Wednesday, January 5, 2011
What I've Done
Just in case you wonder what I do in the course of a year, here’s a list of all the projects that I completed in 2010.
1 sweater
2 normal baby blanket
3 medium blanket
11 preemie baby blankets
3 large afghan
1 snuggie
3 crocheted basket
6 drawstring bag
5 cross stitch figures
1 large bag
1 coaster
1 preemie baby gown
6 cross stitched cards
1 Baby Doll hat
1 headband
1 belt
2 cross stitched wall hangings
Some embroidery
1 cross stitched perpetual calendar
1 sweater
2 normal baby blanket
3 medium blanket
11 preemie baby blankets
3 large afghan
1 snuggie
3 crocheted basket
6 drawstring bag
5 cross stitch figures
1 large bag
1 coaster
1 preemie baby gown
6 cross stitched cards
1 Baby Doll hat
1 headband
1 belt
2 cross stitched wall hangings
Some embroidery
1 cross stitched perpetual calendar
Saturday, January 1, 2011
Happy New Year!
May God bless you.
About this time we reflect on the previous year and start planning the next one.
Last year at this time I knew exactly what I wanted to do with 2010. I wanted to spend more time with family, I wanted to join a Christian drama group, and I wanted to learn some more sign language. I made my plans and then I tried to implement them.
I was able to spend more time with family and learn some new signs, but no matter how hard I tried I wasn't able to find a drama group. I tried everything, but all my effort turned up nothing. So I kept busy with writing, family, and Bible study, but life seemed somehow stilted. Something didn't seem right. I felt like there was something more that I was supposed to be doing. I felt like life was slowing down, but only to make room for something more. Yet I didn't have the foggiest notion what that was supposed to be.
I did a lot of praying and waiting. I continued to do normal things and wait.
It wasn't until the end of July that God brought three things into my life. 1 I had a friend call me up and ask if I wanted to teach a homemaking class at a local co-op. I was nervous but I agreed. 2 I became a contributor to a blog writing homemaking and book review columns. 3 A friend surprised me with the news that she was engaged and would I help with the wedding.
Literally in one week, God answered all of my prayers. He provided me with things to do and with people to share life with.
The next few months were a whirl of activity and fun. God allowed me to do some amazing things, some of which I've written about of this blog. God gave me not only things to do, but friends.
The only wish that was left unfulfilled of the year was to join a drama group. I thought that dream wouldn't be fulfilled, so I gave up on it. God had different plans. Midway through our co-op semester someone asked me if I wanted to help with a drama group ion the coming year. :) I could hardly believe it. I was even more astonished when they used a play I had written and asked me to play the main character. It was amazing. God gave me what I had been asking for, but in a place I didn't expect.
Why am I telling you all this? If there's one thing I have learned from this year it's that you can make plans, but God is the only one that can make things happen.
If you want to make plans, new years resolutions, set some new goals, do so. But make sure to leave room for God to change them if He needs to.
God knows what He is doing. Let Him make your plans.
In 2011 I don't know all of what God will do. But for now, I can rest that God has all of that under control. All I need to do is wait and see what He does.
About this time we reflect on the previous year and start planning the next one.
Last year at this time I knew exactly what I wanted to do with 2010. I wanted to spend more time with family, I wanted to join a Christian drama group, and I wanted to learn some more sign language. I made my plans and then I tried to implement them.
I was able to spend more time with family and learn some new signs, but no matter how hard I tried I wasn't able to find a drama group. I tried everything, but all my effort turned up nothing. So I kept busy with writing, family, and Bible study, but life seemed somehow stilted. Something didn't seem right. I felt like there was something more that I was supposed to be doing. I felt like life was slowing down, but only to make room for something more. Yet I didn't have the foggiest notion what that was supposed to be.
I did a lot of praying and waiting. I continued to do normal things and wait.
It wasn't until the end of July that God brought three things into my life. 1 I had a friend call me up and ask if I wanted to teach a homemaking class at a local co-op. I was nervous but I agreed. 2 I became a contributor to a blog writing homemaking and book review columns. 3 A friend surprised me with the news that she was engaged and would I help with the wedding.
Literally in one week, God answered all of my prayers. He provided me with things to do and with people to share life with.
The next few months were a whirl of activity and fun. God allowed me to do some amazing things, some of which I've written about of this blog. God gave me not only things to do, but friends.
The only wish that was left unfulfilled of the year was to join a drama group. I thought that dream wouldn't be fulfilled, so I gave up on it. God had different plans. Midway through our co-op semester someone asked me if I wanted to help with a drama group ion the coming year. :) I could hardly believe it. I was even more astonished when they used a play I had written and asked me to play the main character. It was amazing. God gave me what I had been asking for, but in a place I didn't expect.
Why am I telling you all this? If there's one thing I have learned from this year it's that you can make plans, but God is the only one that can make things happen.
If you want to make plans, new years resolutions, set some new goals, do so. But make sure to leave room for God to change them if He needs to.
God knows what He is doing. Let Him make your plans.
In 2011 I don't know all of what God will do. But for now, I can rest that God has all of that under control. All I need to do is wait and see what He does.
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