Tomorrow

marks 1 year since my dad passed away. The feelings I have felt and the emotions I have gone through are unexplainable. At times, the world is overwhelming and life seems so much more quiet and lonely. But, something is keeping me going. More importantly, someone!! It is definately true...God doesn't give us more than we can handle. He takes our hands and guides us. He walks with us. He shelters us and wipes our tears. And, somehow, He brings sunshine when the darkness becomes unbearable!

"How can we understand the road we travel? It is the Lord who directs our steps."
Proverbs 20:24

Food for thought

I just recently came across some old "Pickaway Picture's", which was the early church newsletters for Pickaway Church of Christ. Pickaway had its first meeting on January 3, 1982. I was 8 years old. It's been an important part of my life and I feel truly blessed and thankful that my wonderful parents dedicated their lives to working at Pickaway and raised our family in a place that, despite ups and downs, has been influential to me and my Christian walk. I don't know where I'd be if I wasn't a part of the Lord's Church.

One of the newsletters I found had a nice little thing that I'd like to pass along. The title describes it nicely...

Food For Thought--For You
What disturbs you the most? A soul on the way to hell or a scratch on your new car?
Missing the church service, or missing a day's work?
Your Bible being unopened, or the daily newspaper going unread?
Your kids being late for Bible Study, or late for public school?
Your work of the church being neglected, or your housework being neglected?

Plug anything you want to into the or part. It all makes you stop and think!

Remember, Our Attitude is being evaluated daily by our Heavenly Father!

A nice reminder

Tonight at Bible study, we had a little discussion on testimony. Our preacher reminded us that we all have a story to tell about our faith and what Jesus has done for us in our lives. Many are amazed at those who have been down and out and completely at rock bottom, but then realize that they need Jesus and their lives are forever changed. However, some of us are born into a Christian environment, and know the Gospel our entire lives. Sometimes, it makes those of us with less "extravagant" stories become less likely to step up and tell others about the saving power of Jesus.

However, we all have a story to tell. Even if it's simply, we read, we studied, we had faith, we believed, we obeyed and Jesus, who died for our sins, has promised us eternal life because of it. But the story doesn't stop there. As a Christian, we are benefiting from God's grace each and every second of the day. He is with us, He intercedes for us, He hears our prayers and answers them. This wouldn't be possible without his death, burial and resurrection and our obedience to His call.

Even if you think you have nothing to tell the lost, you're wrong...you have EVERYTHING to tell them!! :))

Don't let it get the best of you!

I've been writing a lot in this blog about patience and time. Two extremely important things to write about I think. But, I have to switch gears and talk about something I've personally dealt with this week as I'm sure many of you who are reading this has and that is...frustration. If you've read my other blog, you'll know about some of my frustration this week, but there has definately been a lot more to my struggles.

I don't want to go into much detail, because we all know about and have experienced frustration. It's in all aspects of our daily lives. It's in our jobs, our relationships and it's in our homes. And, unfortunately, it's in our Christian lives as well. As a Christian, who hasn't been frustrated by a lack of personal growth, or a lack of Church growth, or problems within the body or with a brother or sister, or with excuses from people who don't want to hear what you have to say?? Frustration is everywhere. Satan wants us to become frustrated. He puts stumbling blocks and doubts in our minds so we will become frustrated and quit.

One thing we have to remember when it comes to frustration is that it is the best time to remain obedient to God. Things might not always seem to happen the way we want them to, but if we let God use our efforts to work things out, we will win the war against our frustrations. Don't become so frustrated by something that you quit it. Too many people lose out on God's blessings by becoming frustrated. You don't quit your family and leave your children just because you get frustrated with them for something they said or did. No, you work through it. So, why is it so easy to give up on God and His Church from some frustration?

God's plan for us is too important for us to let Satan and his imposed frustrations get in our way of that. So, the next time you get frustrated with something, take time to work it out and let God use your efforts for positive things. It can happen. It's been promised!