Category Archives: General

Acts of Kindness and Good Deeds

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Acts of Kindness and Good Deeds

We have some new little neighbor kids who just moved here from Phoenix a couple months ago. They’ve been coming to the back of the neighborhood where we live and playing in our creek/ditch. Their mom said it’s their favorite place in the whole neighborhood because of the trees and rocks and creek and such. They come catch tadpoles and frogs and crawfish.

I got an idea for act of kindness that my daughter and I could do for these little ones. I can’t take credit for the idea though. It came from my friend Kim. She and her daughter painted some rocks and put them out on walking paths as a surprise for some little girls in their neighborhood to find on their walks. This was such a great idea that my daughter and I decided to duplicate it for our new neighbors.

We painted some rocks in some fun designs and then set them all out in our creek for the kids to find when they come back to play sometime. The anticipation has been so exciting as we’ve been waiting on them to come back to find their surprises. We’ve even talked about expanding our idea to set little decorated rocks out at the base of some of our neighbors mailboxes as an act of kindness for them too so they might have a little fun surprise when they get their mail. Then we discussed even making more to take to some nature trails to lay out for other families and kids to find out some point, and we talked about making some to put in geocaches we find too.

Good deeds rock painting collage

Good deeds painted rocks collage

Expressing an act of kindness is a fun way to pass time

Doing good deeds and seeing the creative ways that others have done good deeds has been a wonderful way to pass the time recently during the COVID-19 pandemic as so many of us are homebound. We love watching clips lately from Some Good News, or following Good News Movement and Global Positive News on Instagram. It’s also fun to get inspiration from those internet or Pinterest posts tagged “faith in humanity restored”. If you’re ever having a bad day these are all good places to focus on the good, pure, lovely and admirable things.

“And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise.” Philippians 4:8 (NLT)

However, these are also some great places to get some good ideas for some good deeds! Jesus tells us to love our neighbor. (I’ve even written before about loving your actual neighbor.)

“The second is this: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no commandment greater than these.” Mark 12:31 (NIV)

This commandment is only second in importance to loving God with all of our hearts, souls, minds and strength.  I also personally believe that the second command—to love our neighbor—is one way HOW we go about showing our love for God in a tangible, practical way.  We can do this by doing good deeds, loving people, and showing God’s compassion and kindness toward them.  It really does stand out in today’s narcissistic and self-entitled culture where people rarely go out on a limb for another.

They will know we are Christians by our love

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Overview of Christianity

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Overview of Christianity

I’ve recently put together a resource page for “New to Faith?” on my site, to which I will add this post. I sometimes fancy myself a curator of resources, and I wanted a landing place for people who might need a jumping off point as they start (or restart) their walk with God. As I meet new friends, I’m finding that there is also a need for some very basic biblical literacy information for those who are unfamiliar with Christianity and/or the Bible. Thus, the reason for this post. It’s a very, very abbreviated overview of Christianity (with an even more abbreviated video at the end of this post).

My hope and prayer is that this will serve as a helpful resource for those wishing to learn more as well as a resource for others to save and/or share.

Christianity: One true God, our separation from him, and a way back to him

In Christianity, we believe in only one true God, and that He exists as a Trinity: God the Father, the Son Jesus Christ, and the Holy Spirit. We believe that God is the author and creator of all things and is all-powerful, all-knowing, completely loving, and eternal.

We believe that we are eternal beings and that our time on earth is only temporary. After death we will still exist eternally—either with God or forever separated from God. Sin separates us from God, yet none of us are without sin (Romans 3:23). We have ALL sinned. Sin is really just following our own path and doing things our own way instead of God’s way. It’s defining right and wrong on our own instead of relying on God’s definition.

So how then can we reconcile this sin that will eternally separate us from God? There is absolutely nothing that we can do in our own effort to earn this reconciliation or to make up for our sins because we are imperfect and will always mess up. In Christianity we believe that all humans are sinners in need of a Savior. The foundation and story of Christianity is just that…a world in need of rescue, and that rescue comes in the form of a savior, Jesus Christ, the Son of God. He is the only way to be reconciled back to God (John 14:6).

We can see this story of our faith throughout the pages of scripture. We believe that the Bible is true and that it is God’s Word, inspired directly by him, written by holy men (2 Timothy 3:16-17). The Bible is our guide to know about God and to live a life that is pleasing to him. In the Bible you can find the foundational truths of our faith.

The Story

The Bible Project: Biblical Story

Creation

In the beginning God created EVERYTHING, including humans. Everything God made was good (Genesis 1:31). In fact he made humans in the image of God (Genesis 1:26). The first humans were Adam and Eve. God then put humans in charge of the earth, or gave them “dominion”. However, he gave humans (Adam & Eve) some parameters: Eat from ANYTHING you want…EXCEPT this tree, the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil. Notice that they had more freedoms than limits.

There was perfect harmony with God, with creation, and with each other. Perfection and peace didn’t last though.

Enter Satan

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Lessons from Barabbas at Easter

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Learn the symbolism of Barabbas in the Easter story

Lessons from Barabbas at Easter

I’m super excited about this week’s post!  I went all “college professor” on this one doing some extended research, even researching some books and scholarly articles to examine some history and expert opinions. With this being Easter Week or Holy Week, I’d like to share a bit of what I’ve learned about Barabbas.

A few years ago Pastor Brent Troxell, one of the pastors at my church, gave a mini-message of sorts before we took communion together at church. In less than 5 minutes, he spoke something so profound that impacted me as much as an hour long sermon. He shared part of the crucifixion story, specifically about Barabbas, in a way I had never heard before. It made such an impact on me that I made a note to go and study it further on my own, which is what I’ve done to write this post.

Pontius Pilate was convinced of Jesus’ innocence

I want to talk to you about Barabbas, but let’s back up and start with Jesus’ trial.

After Jesus was arrested, questioned, and falsely accused by the Jewish authorities, he was handed over the next day to Pontius Pilate, the Roman Governor of Judea (Matthew 27:1-2, Mark 15:1, Luke 23:1-2, John 18:28-29). Pilate questioned Jesus and was convinced that Jesus was innocent (Matthew 27:23-24, Mark 15:14, Luke 23:4, 13-16, John 18:38).

Paschal Pardon

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Jesus Will Carry Your Burdens

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Jesus Will Carry Your Burdens.

Jesus Will Carry Your Burdens

**This post was one I wrote several years ago, on February 17, 2015 during a sad, heavy-hearted time. While I am not currently sad, or heavy-hearted, I know that many are, and many are carrying extra burdens, extra duties, and extra cares & stresses during this present time in our world. I’d like to revisit this post with reminders for times like these.**

“The Lord is close to the brokenhearted; He rescues those whose spirits are crushed.” Psalm 34:18 (NLT) 

My heart is so heavy, burdened and sad this past week.  I have had to remind and tell myself that “Jesus will carry your burdens.”  I am fine, and I have had no personal loss.  Unfortunately though some of my friends have, which makes me hurt for them.  For some reason I just feel like there’s so much sadness (like I said…my heart feels heavy).  If you know me at all, you know that I’m a person of great empathy.  I hurt when others hurt.

This past week a friend of mine unexpectedly lost her husband.  I can’t even begin to imagine the pain and suffering that she and her children must be enduring.  There’s also a feeling of helplessness because there is absolutely nothing that I can say or do to take away any of their pain.  I absolutely HATE death and the pain that it brings with it.

Sad times

On the same day that I learned about my friend’s husband, I saw that Continue reading →

I Obey Right Away—Slow Obey Is No Obey

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I Obey Right Away—Slow Obey Is No Obey

When my kids were quite a bit younger in church they were taught the lesson “I obey right away”. A friend of mine who taught kindergarten later told me, “We add to that…Slow obey is no obey.” I’ve heard others say “Slow obedience is no obedience.” Personally, I prefer the catchy sing-song rhyme version. I loved both “obey” sayings together, so we’ve adopted them and used them quite a bit in our home. “I obey right away. Slow obey is no obey.” I usually only had to say the first two words of each phrase, and then the kids would finish the remainder, often with a pitiful sigh.

Sometimes it’s hard for kids to recognize these stalling tactics as disobedience. After all, they’re not giving an outright “no”. Therefore it appears less defiant on the surface.

Command: “Go clean your room.” Slow obey: “I will after I finish this video game.”

Command: “Finish your homework.” Slow obey: “I want to get a snack first.”

Command: “Eat your vegetables.” Slow obey: “I’m going to save them for last.”

Regardless though delayed obedience is still disobedience. Stalled obedience is still a form of rebellion. Postponing obedience is disregarding and challenging authority all the same. Thus, slow obey is no obey.

Slow obey…it’s not just kids who do it

It struck me one day that this isn’t just a lesson for kids obeying their parents. Delayed obedience (thus disobedience) is not limited just to kids. Not at all. In fact, adults are just as guilty, myself included. One of the biggest areas we are at fault is avoiding or stalling on instructions from God. We KNOW he’s asked us to do something, but we continue to put it off, sometimes indefinitely.

We, all of us, need to be reminded of this lesson when obeying God.

Why do we postpone obedience? Most of the time it’s because we just flat out don’t want to do whatever it is that has been asked of us. It’s potentially undesirable, or we want to avoid some kind of discomfort or inconvenience. Sometimes, we avoid obeying right away because we don’t understand the reason behind the request or directive. It may not make any sense to us, or it might even seem counterintuitive.

Slow obey to the prayer team

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Our Soul Longs for God

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Our Soul Longs for God

Recently I received an email from a reader questioning some strong emotions they have been experiencing even though they do not currently have an active relationship with God, nor are they involved in church or prayer. The reader expressed feeling an emotional draw and pull towards church. They communicated that they cry every time they hear a Christian or gospel song, in addition to experiencing overwhelming and even exhausting tears during the couple of times they have attended church as an adult. Their question was to ask how they could be experiencing such emotions and a draw to something with which they are not even that involved. My short answer: Our soul longs for God.

I think the REAL you, the deepest and eternal part of you—your spirit, is drawn to God, to Jesus.

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Deep down in our innermost being, our souls long for God. There are numerous scriptures in the Bible that talk about this.

Scriptures about how our souls long for God

“He has made everything beautiful and appropriate in its time. He has also planted eternity [a sense of divine purpose] in the human heart [a mysterious longing which nothing under the sun can satisfy, except God]—yet man cannot find out (comprehend, grasp) what God has done (His overall plan) from the beginning to the end.” Ecclesiastes 3:11 (AMP)

“Through the night my soul longs for you. Deep from within me my spirit reaches out to you…” Isaiah 26:9a (MSG)

“O God, you are my God, and I long for you. My whole being desires you; like a dry, worn-out, and waterless land, my soul is thirsty for you.” Psalm 63:1 (GNT)

“My soul (my life, my inner self) thirsts for God, for the living God. When will I come and see the face of God?” Psalm 42:2 (AMP)

“My soul (my life, my inner self) longs for and greatly desires the courts of the Lord;

My heart and my flesh sing for joy to the living God.” Psalm 84:2 (AMP)

“I stretch out my hands to You; My soul longs for You, as a parched land. Selah.” Psalm 143:6 (NASB)

“My soul longs for your salvation; I hope in your word.” Psalm 119:81 (ESV)

“My soul longs for the Lord more than watchmen long for the morning; more than watchmen for the morning.” Psalm 130:6 (WEB)

“For God is working in you, giving you the desire and the power to do what pleases him.” Philippians 2:13 (NLT)

“Behold, the days are coming,” says the Lord God, “When I will send hunger over the land, Not hunger for bread or a thirst for water, But rather [a hunger] for hearing the words of the Lord.” Amos 8:11 (AMP)

A hunger and thirst for Jesus

Something is missing without Jesus. Deep down something inside of us feels incomplete without him. Only Jesus can complete us. We have a hunger or thirst for something inside of us, and Jesus is the only one that can satisfy that hunger/thirst. Continue reading →

Top 10 Posts of 2019

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Top 10 Posts of 2019

“Remember the wondrous works that he has done, his miracles, and the judgments he uttered” Psalms 105:5 (ESV)

Happy New Year to you!! Thank you for your patience during my “holiday hiatus”! Eric and I had a wonderful time on our 20 year anniversary trip (I posted a few of our pics on Instagram if you want to peek!–you don’t need an account to browse via the weblink), and we had a great time with our families over Christmas and New Year’s. It was nice and extremely refreshing to have some time off. 🙂

This week I’m sharing the Top 10 Posts of 2019.  I always like to take the first of the year to recount some of the top or most popular posts of the previous year.  I like to share them for a few reasons…

First, there are several new subscribers/followers who may not have seen or read these posts and might find some of them to be helpful.

Secondly, looking back also helps me to remember what God has done and is still doing through this website. I continue to hope and pray that I am making an impact with what I write and share. My hope is that looking back might help and remind you as well.

Lastly, it helps me (and hopefully you too) have ideas of how to pray based on what the current need or demand is, and when I know that I know how to continue to pray for others.  I pray very fervently over this blog, its content, and the readers. What people are frequently searching or clicking on can be an indicator of some of their needs. Whether it’s a need for spiritual growth, leading others to Christ or overcoming personal struggles, I can pray more specifically based on these posts and their popularity.

Take Some Practical Steps:

  • As you look through this list of most popular posts, please stop and take a minute to pray for one or more of the topics that stand out to you.
  • Please click on and read or re-read one or more of the posts from which you feel you may be able to receive some benefit or of which you might need some reminding.
  • Take some time to remember and contemplate what God has done for you in these various areas of your life over this past year or previous years. Remembering what God has done can be an incredible motivator!
  • Pay it forward…if one or more of the following posts has benefited you, please consider sharing the post on your social media channels (sharing links are available at the end of each post). You can also forward posts to specific people you know who might benefit (you might prayerfully consider who to share them with).
  • Lastly, please pray for me this year to #1-continue to help others, #2-for me to have to right words at the right time, and #3-for the right people to be directed to my site for God to help them.

1. Praying a Hedge of Thorns

Praying a Hedge of Thorns

Praying a Hedge of Thorns

This type of prayer could be prayed on behalf of a person that might be wandering off track or pursuing things or people that may not be good for them. This post contains a few examples when this prayer might be helpful in addition to a prayer that you can pray based on scripture.

2. Why Would God Leave the Ninety-Nine?

Why Would God Leave the Ninety-Nine?

Why Would God Leave the Ninety-Nine?

This post shares some insight I had one day after thinking about the lyrics in Cory Asbury’s “Reckless Love” in addition to the parable of the Lost Sheep, both of which talk about God leaving the ninety-nine to go after the one who is lost. To me this was slightly offensive and a little unfair to the ones who didn’t get lost. I actually prayed about it one day and asked God why He would leave the ninety-nine. This post contains the answer I received from God.

3. How to Pray for Unsaved Loved Ones

Reaching the Lost - Prayers for Unsaved Loved Ones

Prayers for Unsaved Loved Ones

We are instructed to pray for our unsaved loved ones. Sometimes it’s hard to know how/what to pray. This post will give you some specific things to pray and give you an idea of what to expect when you start praying.

4. I Cry During Praise and Worship

I Cry During Praise and Worship

OK, I cry during praise and worship. Truthfully, sometimes it does make me a bit self-conscious! In this post, I share some of the reasons why we might get emotional during praise, and why that’s okay.

5. Name Meanings: How Is Your Name Prophetic?

Name Meanings: How Is Your Name Prophetic?

Your name and its meanings might have more to do with your life than you think.  Your name meanings might actually describe some of your character traits and/or the traits that God will use in you to accomplish His will for your future.  This post discusses how your name might be prophetic.

6. How to Lead Someone to Christ

How to Lead Someone to Christ steps

How to Lead Someone to Christ

Knowing how to lead someone to Christ may seem nerve-wracking.  It’s not as hard as you might think.  This post includes 4 easy steps to follow to lead someone to Christ with links to follow-up posts about the next steps they need to take to further their walk with God.

7. A Prayer for Caregivers

A Prayer for Caregivers

Caregivers have a higher risk of stress and medical problems, in addition to emotional and mental turmoil. I’ve seen many of them suffering silently (and some not so silently!) as they care for ailing loved ones and deal with so many mixed emotions in the process. This post was written for and contains a prayer for caregivers.

8. 9 Common Causes of Insecurity

9 Common Causes of Insecurity

9 Common Causes of Insecurity

Most people deal with insecurity in one form or another.  This post addresses 9 common causes of insecurity with examples of each in scripture.  I share some of my personal struggles with insecurity.

9. The Importance of Writing Things Down

The Importance of Writing Things Down...Learn some of the benefits and advantages of taking notes during quiet times and sermons.

The Importance of Writing Things Down

Many people know that taking notes or writing things down is helpful and that it’s probably a good idea (much like reading the bible on a regular basis), but they still neglect to do it merely for the hassle or inconvenience of it.  I’d like to discuss why the benefits of writing things down, such as journaling or taking notes during quiet times or sermons, might outweigh the disadvantages and hassle of it.

10. Biblical Examples of Waiting

Biblical Examples of Waiting

Biblical Examples of Waiting

Unfortunately throughout our lives, and often on a number of occasions, we will find ourselves waiting. Waiting can be an extremely difficult and sometimes painful process. There are several examples in the Bible of people who had to practice waiting for various things. This post contains some relatable examples from which we can learn and gain encouragement during the frustrating periods of waiting.

Thank you for all of your support and encouragement in 2019!  Praying for you to be very Happy, Healthy & Prosperous in 2020 and all the years to come!

“Dear friend, I pray that you may prosper in every way and be in good health physically just as you are spiritually.” 3 John 1:2 (HCSB) 

P.S.  If you are not currently subscribed and liked any of these posts, you might enjoy receiving new posts delivered right to your inbox each week!  Sign up here. 

Also, if you have benefited from any of these posts or if you know anyone that could benefit from them, please pay it forward and share them via the sharing links below! “Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God.” 2 Corinthians 1:3-4 (NIV) 

Funny Friday: Mark’s Birthday by Michael Jr

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Funny Friday: Mark’s Birthday by Michael Jr

Comedian Michael Jr did this video about 5 years ago. I thought it was appropriate for the season. Probably a little more serious than funny but a good reminder to remember who and what we are really celebrating this Christmas!

“But I have this [one charge to make] against you: that you have left (abandoned) the love that you had at first [you have deserted Me, your first love].” Revelation 2:4 (AMPC)