Rose's Idea's Part 1

Birthday Presents

Everyone likes it when people remember their birthday. It’s fun to have someone say, “Happy birthday!” or for somebody to send them a present. We expect that family members will remember our birthday, but isn’t it fun when somebody outside your family remembers your birthday?

I don’t know where I got the idea, but about five years ago I started keeping track of people’s birthdays. When someone’s birthday would roll around, I would prepare a small gift and a card. Normally I would write something along the lines of “Happy Birthday. May God bless you. Rose.”

As for the gifts, I just bought things at thrift stores or I made little things.

You would have been surprised. Sometimes when I gave people presents, you would think that they hadn’t ever gotten a present in their lives. They were thrilled.

This is fun and easy way to bless people. I guarantee you, if you ask people their birthday, they’re not going to hit you over the head. People love to know that someone cares and remembers little things like birthdays.

Book Review: Disability and the Gospel

By Rose H.

I received this audiobook courtesy of Christian Audio for the purpose of writing a review. 

Narrator thoughts – To be honest this guy had a good voice, but he seemed monotone to me. I felt like he could have done a better job on the emphasis and speaking with emotion.

Book thoughts – Overall the book was good. I liked how the author points out how Jesus reached out to the broken, weary, and lost to show His glory. And how we should do the same. Too often we shun the disabled and turn our backs on the broken, instead of loving them for the people that God created them to be. That I think is a very good point.

What I didn’t like so much was mid-way through the book when the author started getting into theology. I felt like I lost track of where he was going and got lost in an answer to a theology question that I had forgotten. Besides I disagreed with some of his thoughts about why suffering happens to us.

It’s not the greatest book on suffering, but I liked some parts of it.  

Book Review: Fasting – Student Edition

By Rose H. 

I received complements of Christian Audio for the purpose of writing a review. 

Narrator thoughts – He had a nice voice. He was very good at enunciation. Some readers trip over big words or say things fast, not this guy. This narrator was very clear and his voice was suited to the subject he was covering. 

Book thoughts – I thought this book was very good. The author makes it very clear that fasting should be a part of our lives, not something we do if we get desperate. I was convicted that I should take some time and fast and pray. It also helped me to realize that I need to start giving God my firsts and not my leftovers. I also appreciated the emphasis he put on examining your heart to make sure that your motives are pure. 

There are only two things that I didn’t like about the book. One I thought that the author came across as thinking that if you would just fast, your life would be perfect. I personally believe fasting can heighten your spiritual awareness and help you to focus on prayer. But only God can bring about miracles. I also didn’t like how he used some verses to make his point. Some verses he used correctly, others he took out of context and cherry picked what he wanted to hear.

Overall it was a very helpful book. If you are someone wanting to start fasting, this would be a good book to read. With helpful solutions to help you get you started on your own fasting journey, this book is a helpful place to start.    

To find out more about this and other books available on Christian Audio, visit http://christianaudio.com/fasting-student-edition-jentezen-franklin 

Ministry Assignment: Blogging

In 2010 I began this little blog of mine. And with a few clicks, I began my blogging adventures. This adventure has taken many twists and turns.

Now over two years later, I have two blogs of my own (plus a play blog), I’m on the MOHL team of writers, I’ve been a contributor for Virtuous Girlhood, and I occasionally write articles for other blogs. It defiantly keeps me busy, but I enjoy it.

I enjoy writing about what God has taught me. I enjoy sharing about my life with others. I enjoy encouraging people in their journey.

Blogging takes a lot of work and thought. It takes time, but it’s worth it. It’s worth it for the people that are touched. So I keep blogging for Him to encourage the saints. 

Leave the Rose

          By Rose H.

          I stopped to smell a rose. The soft petals tickled my cheeks and its sweet fragrance filled my senses.

          “It’s beautiful,” I whispered to God.

          “I put it here just for you.” He answered softly.

           It was so lovely I wanted to pick it and take it with me. I gazed at the flower thinking at how beautiful it was.

Source

           But then I remembered that someone else would probably pass by that same place. If I picked this flower, then they wouldn’t be able to enjoy it. Then what would brighten their day as mine had been?

           So I left the rose, so that all could enjoy it.

           Wherever you go and whatever you do, leave lovely fragrances there. So that those who come behind you can be blessed.  

Friends

     Friend. I love that word. The girls I call my friends have to be the most amazing people in the world. They put up with me and all my strange and crazy moods and still like me! 

     I enjoy being a friend. It's a great two-way street. We both mutually encourage one another and spur one another on in love and good works.

     I've been crazily busy lately and tired. But I have such great friends. They love me and encourage me to keep going even when I'm not feeling well. Sometimes they don't even have to say it, just because they took the time to talk to me was enough to encourage me to go on. Or they just took time to write me a note that brightened my day.

     I know that normally I don't do a lot of personal posts, but I wanted to remind you that being a true friend is a great blessing. Both to you and to your friend. It takes time, love, and an unselfish heart. Many times it takes more than ministry, but it's reward is wonderful. 

     My mom likes to say that there are only two things that we get to take to heaven, friendships and the heavenly treasure that's being laid up for us. I don't know about you, but that makes me want to invest in these kind friends. To invest my time in friends that will be around for eternity. It makes me want to be a Christ-like friend, like they are to me.

     I love you, dear friends. 

New Idea

Anyone want some ideas about how to help edlerly people? Check it out in Roses Idea Corner.