Anyone who would like is welcome to leave a comment about what God has taught them this past year!

Isn’t it wonderful that God promises to make us whiter than snow? Anyone who has watched the crisp cleanness of new snow settling over the dreary brown of fall can understand what a lovely concept that is!

Although, I did hear one time that when people were translating the Bible into a language of people who had never seen snow, they compared it to the inside of a coconut. Having spent time in tropical countries, I understand that as well!

For the past two days my husband and I have been snowed in our little cabin, watching the snow whip past our windows. We ventured out once during the windy part, to check on things in the barn, then snuggled back in until the wind stopped howling.

There is nothing more beautiful than stepping outside after a storm. The air is heavy and quiet. Everywhere you look there is thick whiteness. All sharp edges are rounded and soft looking.

Isn’t that what God does in our hearts? Every time we fall to our knees and let him touch us- allow him to pour himself into us- it’s like a snow storm enters our hearts. It might feel cold or scary or painful even, for a time, but in the end when our hearts are purified by his love- we look like the outdoors after a snow storm.

And I believe that God sits back and looks around and thinks, “There is nothing more beautiful than this.”

Hopefully you’ll all enjoy this parable about God’s redemption and transformation of his daughters.

The Shadow House

The shadows danced across the room as the gray light faded quickly into oblivion. A whimper was heard in the closing darkness and the sound of shuffling feet. After a moment a match was lit and in the glowing light a face could be seen.

The girl holding the match was dirty and unkempt. Her brown curls hung about her face, oily and matted. Her face was covered with a multitude of tiny scars that crossed and covered each other giving her an unearthly look. She seemed to be somewhere between childhood and womanhood but it was hard to tell under the thick layer of dirt and grime. Her eyes might have been blue at one time but some kind of incredible sadness had overtaken them and the murky depths now gave out only a muted gray color.

A howling noise echoed through the house as the wind picked up speed. The slender hand holding the match shook slightly at the sound and the match dropped to the floor. Darkness consumed the room again and the whimpering returned.

“I’m scared.” A voice whispered.
“Me, too.” Another sounded in the dark room.
The girl-woman’s voice wavered, “I have no more matches.”
“Stupid!” A voice growled. “You let the only light we have go out!” The whimpering grew louder as several voices began to angrily debate whose fault it was that there was no more light.

After several minutes of anger, the fear began to set in again. The girl-woman sat down heavily in the midst of the frightened children. The smallest one whose whimpers could still be heard climbed onto her lap.

“I’m s-s-scared.” A voice repeated.
The girl-woman reached out a hand in the pitch black room and felt around until she touched the girl.

“Come, Frightened.” She said as she drew the girl over. Within a few minutes all the children in the room were pressed close together, all reaching to the touch the girl-woman.

Frightened remained curled up next to her side. Hurting, who was still whimpering softly against her chest, was snuggled in her lap. The other children, Angry, Prideful, Outcast, Wounded, Spiteful and Lonely all trying to grab onto her hands, her hair, her skirt, whatever they could reach.

The fear was so thick that one could feel it in the air. After a moment of silence Spiteful whispered in her venomous way, “Why won’t you hum that song that makes us feel better? Huh, No-Name? Do you like it when we’re afraid?”
Hurting whimpered louder and her grip on the girl-woman tightened.
Angry reached out a hand and let her fingers scratch across No-Name’s face. “You’re causing the darkness aren’t you?!” She cried, then jerked her hand back, frightened at the feel of the girl-woman’s blood under her fingers.

No-Name reached up a hand to wipe the blood away that trickled down her cheek. Instead of responding she began to softly hum a song that was etched forever upon her heart. She had heard it once, long ago. The children knew of nothing except the Shadow House but No-Name had a memory, a distant drifting memory of a voice that sounded like water rushing over rocks singing the tune that she was now humming. Although she could hum the song, the words had forever escaped her.

The soft humming caused the children to relax around her. Spiteful and Angry both quieted and snuggled in close to her. Hurting’s whimpers subsided and Frightened slumped next to her as sleep overcame them all.

When they awoke, morning had come. It wasn’t a sun-light or moon-light that shown in the morning at the Shadow House but rather a gray-light that kept the darkness from overpowering but did nothing to stop the shadow’s from dancing upon on the walls.

“I hate you!” Spiteful spat from her corner of the room. The words were directed at Outcast who was slumped in the opposite corner. “I wish you’d leave. We don’t need you here.”

No-Name sighed as Angry joined the dispute. Hurting clung to what was left of the girl-woman’s tattered skirt and Wounded sat in another corner with her head in her hands rocking back and forth muttering under her breath, “I’m sorry. I’m sorry.”
No-name sent Frightened and Lonely out to find matches. Usually she sent Angry and Spiteful, just to get them out of the house, but today she didn’t have the energy to force them to go.

The girl-woman wiped a hand across her face then winced. The new scratch marks on her cheek were sure to leave scars. It didn’t matter to her though, for they only covered old scars from other children who had lashed out at her. 
The morning dragged on and the children became restless. No-name went to the door many times to call for Frightened and Lonely to hurry with the matches, but they didn’t come. It was nearing noon-time before she heard the pattering of their bare feet on the path. She hurried out to meet them and give them a good scolding for taking so long but stopped short when her gaze fell upon the two small girls coming toward her.

In their hands were two buckets full of matches, but more than that…they were clean! Lonely was smiling, a huge smile that showed forth white teeth and sparking blue eyes. Her usual downcast expression was gone and replaced by one of pure joy. Never had No-name seen anything like it.
And Frightened, she looked nothing like she usually did. She was walking with such assurance there seemed to be no fear in her.

No-Name’s gaze swung from one smiling child to the other. “Lonely? Frightened?” Perhaps it simply wasn’t them…perhaps it was some other children who had lost their way.

“That’s not my name anymore.” The one who used to be Frightened proclaimed. It was most certainly her voice, but never once had the girl-woman heard her say anything except, “I’m scared.” The child continued to smile as she went on, “I have a new name! It’s Confidence! And Lonely isn’t lonely anymore, she’s Beloved!”

No-Name’s face betrayed her bewilderment. “What…where….how did you get new names?”
“He gave them to us.”
“He? He, who?” No-Name questioned.
“The Deliverer.” Confidence told her. The child’s voice displayed such awe that No-Name began to feel an ache within her heart.
“The Deliverer?” She asked, “Where is this man?”
“He’s coming!” Beloved exclaimed. “He’s coming here, for you! He said he has new names for all of you too!”

No-Name spun around to look at the group of children standing at the doorway of the Shadow House. “New names…” she whispered. If only it would really happen. The dirty unkempt children crept toward her and reached their hands out to touch her as they stared at Confidence and Beloved.

Just then a sound echoed through the yard. It was a strange sound that No-Name recognized from years before. It caused her skin to tingle and the ache in her heart to throb harder. The golden laughter grew louder as the being approached.

“It’s him!” Confidence said as she started jumping up and down in excitement.

A man stepped out of the Shadow woods that bordered the yard. He was different that anyone the children had ever seen. His whole body seemed to glow with a light that didn’t just lessen the shadows but caused them to run far from him.

He walked up until he was standing before No-Name and the little girls that were hidden behind her, their eyes hurting from the light that shone from him. Even the clean girl’s took a step closer to the girl-woman, their scrubbed skin not looking near as clean compared to the Deliverer.
The man’s eyes blazed with a sparkling light as he searched until his gaze fell upon the smallest child. Little Hurting was whimpering and clinging to the girl-woman’s skirt afraid to look at the man who was glowing with light.

He lifted a hand and motioned for her to come. Hurting glanced at him but instead of going, hid further behind the girl-woman’s skirt. No-Name could see the longing in her eyes so she reached down and gave the child a slight push toward the man. As soon as Hurting took one step in his direction the man reached for her and gathered her into his arms. He rocked her back and forth whispering words of love softly in her ear.

As the light-man held the child the light began seeping from his hands that were wrapped around her. It traveled into her body and slowly her skin began to change. Patches of light began to show through the dirt then suddenly a glow of light burst out and swirled around them, hiding the two from view. In the midst of the swirling light a voice spoke. It echoed around the Shadow House, loud and commanding yet gentle and loving at the same time. “You shall no longer be called ‘Hurting’, for through me you have overcome your pain and heartache. Therefore, your name shall be ‘Overcoming One’.”

The other children watched in wonder as the light began to settle and the outline of Hurting came into view. To their amazement the little girl, now glowing in light, threw her head back and laughed. It was the same golden laughter than had come from the light-man; a precious sound that caused their hearts to beat faster with longing.

The light-man turned again toward No-Name and the children. He motioned for Outcast to come. The girl looked toward No-Name and at her nod, took a faltering step toward the man, afraid that he would turn her away. Instead he rushed to her and lifted her high in his arms. “My child.” He said in a voice loud enough that all could hear. The transformation began again and the voice in the glow of light proclaimed, “You shall no longer be called, ‘Outcast’ , for I have accepted you. Instead you will be known as ‘Chosen’, for I have chosen you as my own.”

One by one the children slipped from No-Name’s arms and clung to the Deliverer as he transformed them into new children. Angry became Joyfulness. Spiteful turned into Caring. Wounded became Healer.

The last child to come from her hiding place behind the girl-woman was Prideful. She hung back, her eyes longing to run to him, but her stubbornness keeping her there. She refused to move until No-name took her by the arm and marched her over to the light-man. He smiled at the child and embracing her in the swirls of light, he transformed her into Loving.

As the two of them stepped apart, both glittering with sparkles of light, the Deliverer turned his gaze to No-Name’s face. At that moment she felt a greater fear than she ever had before. She realized that while the other children had names that were being changed, she had no name at all.

Two tears welled up in her eyes. She knew that she could not be transformed because she was no one and it made her heart break within her. As the tears slid down her scarred cheeks, a hand reached out and caught them. The Deliverer who had waited for each of the children to come to him, did not wait for No-Name. He reached out and pulled her into his arms.

“What is the matter?” He asked, his mouth close to her ear. The sound had dropped to a musical tone that struck a chord within No-Name’s heart. It reminded her of something…someone from long ago.

She kept her head buried deep in his chest and whispered in complete shame, “I have no name.” She stepped back from him and looked up at his beautiful face. In that moment she remembered her own scars. Horror filled her as the man lifted his hand and gently rubbed his finger across her scarred cheek.

“I have many names.” He said, “I will give you one of mine.”
“What…” She paused as if unsure, then collected her courage and continued, “What are your names?”
“You already know them.” The Deliverer answered. “I wrote them upon your heart long ago, before you chose to come to the Shadow House.”
“I don’t remember any names.” She whispered, sadness filling her. How could she have forgotten this wonderful man’s names?
“I will tell you one. The one I am giving to you.” The light-man held the girl-woman’s face in his hands and smiling into her eyes said, “My name is Beautiful One and your name shall be Beautiful One.” 

The girl-woman’s gaze fell to the ground and great shaking sobs rose within her. “I..” Her shoulders shook, “I cannot…” The light-man lifted her chin so her gaze met his. “I cannot accept that name.” The tears ran in torrents down her scarred cheeks, every one caught in the light-man’s hand that was still under her chin.

“Why not?” The Deliverer questioned.

“Because I am not beautiful.” She told him, trying to look anywhere but at the wonderful man before her. “Can’t you see the scars?”

The light-man smiled. A bright blinding smile. “Yes, I see the scars.” He answered her. “You are not beautiful now, but you will be. Just as Outcast will truly become Chosen and Angry will become Joyfulness and each one of the other children will become what I am making them as well.”
“How is this possible?” No-Name questioned, the tears slowing as her hope began to grow.
“I made you.” The light-man explained, “I can change you into what you long to be.” He paused to make sure her eyes met his, “If you let me.”

The girl-woman bit her lip for a moment then said slowly, as if explaining a great hidden secret that she barely dared to speak out loud, “I do so wish to be beautiful.”

“Then I will take your scars upon myself.” He told her.

“No!” No-Name cried out. “You cannot take the scars! You are too perfect.”
“It is because I am perfect that I can take them.” The Deliverer explained to her. “Trust me.” He gripped both of her hands in his. “Will you take my name?”

She looked beyond him for a moment, at the group of children who were watching them, their eyes bright and their bodies washed clean. “I will.” She whispered.

As she spoke a scar appeared on his cheek. She watched in wonder as it marred his perfect skin. She grimaced as he winced slightly from the pain.

A name rose within her heart. She didn’t know where it had come from but it found it’s way to her lips and in a quiet steady voice she proclaimed, “Redeemer.” The scar suddenly vanished.
Another scar came. “Mighty God.” She said, her voice growing stronger. That scar also disappeared.
Another came. “Wonderful Counselor.” It vanished.
One scar after another came and vanished as No-Name spoke the names, her voice growing louder and more lovely with each name. 
 “Everlasting Father.”
 “Prince of Peace.”
 “Author of Life.”
 “Savior.”

 “Jehovah.”
 “I AM.”
 “My Rock.”
 “My Fortress.”
Name after name, scar after scar.

When the scars finally stopped, No-Name stood trembling before the Deliverer and he spoke, “You shall no longer live without a name for I have claimed you. I have taken your scars and now I give you my name.” He paused and smiled. The girl-woman’s eyes began to shimmer and sparkle as the murky gray faded into a brilliant blue. “Beautiful One.”

The children stepped back as a bright light burst from the gray skies and surrounded the two. A beautiful melody began and drifted out from within the swirling light. The golden laughter began again, only this time it was more brilliant, more lovely than it had ever been before. The light seemed to continue forever and soon the laughter faded as a whispered conversation began between the two within the light. Sudden bursts of female giggles were often followed by the light-man’s laughter then the talking would continue. Time stood still as the two danced within the light cloud, oblivious of anything but each other.

Then the light cloud began to fade and the heavens closed. The children gasped when Beautiful One came into view. Her worn tattered dress had been replaced by a gown of pure white, so white it hurt one’s eyes to look at it. Her hair was washed clean and her blue eyes sparkled, sending rays of light onto every place her gaze landed. Her perfect skin was accented by the glow of light that swam around her.

Now there was no doubt in anyone’s mind that she was no longer a child. She was a woman. A beautiful, light-filled woman who was gazing at the man she loved. The man whose name she had taken. 
 

The light-man stepped back from her, smiling. “I have changed you.” He explained, “but it is your choice to stay this way.” He looked at the children who were gathering around Beautiful One, “The children will forget that they have been changed. You must remind them.”
“Why me?” Beautiful One questioned.
“Because, my Beautiful One, they are a part of you.” The Deliverer explained.

Beautiful One looked around at the children who were gathered close to her, smiling and laughing. Her eyes widened as she realized that they each had brown curls and dancing blue eyes, exact replica’s of her own.

“And you are now a part of me.” The light-man told her. His hand lifted to brush her smooth cheek. “I am going away for a time. I am preparing a new house. A light house. Then I will return for you.”

“Don’t leave me.” Beautiful One whispered, her voice barely audible above the sound of the children who were now racing around the yard, laughing and shouting to each other.

“I will always be close to you. I am your light.” The Deliverer smiled then stepped back. 
 

Beautiful One watched as the light-man disappeared back into the Shadow Woods, but the shadows didn’t close in behind him. In fact, everywhere she looked, the shadows ran away.

The children suddenly realized that he had gone away and ran to Beautiful One, reaching for her and asking where the light-man had gone.

Beautiful One smiled as she gathered her girls close to her. “He’ll be back.” She told them, her voice ringing with confidence. He would be back.

That night, when the darkness came there was no whimpering or crying. Instead, a soft glowing light surrounded the children within the house and as they gathered together Beautiful One began to sing the promise that had been sung into her before the beginning of time,
“For the children in the shadows, light has dawned! For the people in the darkness, light has come! Light has come, in the hand of a Savior. Hope is born in the form of a man. And his name forever shall be: Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of peace… and he shall reign forevermore. He shall reign forever more.”

I wish that I could tell you that never again did the children fear, never again was Beautiful One scarred; but I can’t. I can tell you, however, that despite the occasional scar, the days when Angry, Spiteful, Prideful and the others found their way back in, the light never dimmed.
And although it felt like a very long time, the Deliverer did return for his bride. Once again he caught her tears and once again he took her scars and this time… this time he promised that never again would a tear fall and never again would a scar touch her beautiful face. This time, he took her and the children with him and they traveled over time and space to the light house and there they lived happily ever after.

The End

What has God been speaking to you about lately?

I guess that I would say “trust”.  Trusting that God knows me better than I know myself and knows what I need.
He’s also been saying that the process is as much a part of following him as the end result.
I’m at a point in my life right now when there are a lot of new things and a lot of decisions that need to be made. It’s easy to want to just skip right to where the decisions are finished but I know that God is asking me to learn from each day and each decision, as they are being made.

What is something practical that you’ve done lately to strengthen your relationship with God?

Making it a point to specifically pray every single day.

My fiancé and I decided to pray together each day.  It’s been so good for our relationship but it’s also interesting to keep prayer needs at the forefront of your mind. I feel like I’m always talking to God and asking him questions but it’s been neat to be putting other people’s needs and requests before God- not just talking to him in my mind throughout the day but at a specific prayer time.

If you could encourage the girls who read this to do one thing… what would it be?

Memorize scripture.
I try to make it a point to always be memorizing something. I feel like even if I don’t remember every word perfectly, I’m still meditating on it. And, the things that I memorize seem to be ready and waiting in my mind whenever I need them.

 What is a resource (book, CD, DVD, etc…) that you have used to further your walk with the Lord?

Laura Woodley’s worship music.  (Into the Light, by Laura Woodley) (Go Here to purchase CD’s)
I often turn worship music on and try to listen to what the Lord might say to me and write it down. Her music has been some that has ministered to me a lot of times. 

Short Biography:
Delite is twenty-three years old and engaged to be married next summer. She and her fiancé, Jordon, work with youth in South Lewis County. Delite has a calling to connect the church (as a whole) together. She works with many different groups of Christians and is incredibly excited about what God is doing today! She is extremely gifted in music and teaching.

I Run

by Forty Days

I’ve never had a day like this,
when things become so clear and I can feel you here

I’ve never had to pray like this;
it’s all that I can do to see me through the fear

But when my faith begins to fail me,
and I can’t find my way

I run, I fall into the arms of my Father,
into a Love like no other

I walk, I crawl; it doesn’t matter how I get here only that I can be here at all

All that seems to cloud my mind,
is how can be I strong, and how do I move on

But I know You will never fail me,
You will be my way

I run, I fall into the arms of my Father,
into a Love like no other

I walk, I crawl; it doesn’t matter how I get here only that I can be here at all

I will call upon You,
Lord You are worthy to be praised, so shall I be saved

I’ve been thinking a lot lately about adoption. At the beginning, it was just in terms of when I could adopt a child. Looking into the process, trying to come to terms with the cost and trial that such an endeavor would produce… that kind of thing. For now, our adoption plans are at a standstill. We’re trying to walk in His way, above all else.  Still, my mind has been consumed with the idea of adoption, sending my thoughts beyond the journey toward adopting my own child to the journey that I went on to be adopted into God’s family.

Do you ever sit back and truly think about the glory of being called a child of God? I forget to.

I’m in the process right now of re-evaluating the use of my time and energy. It’s been enlightening, to say the least. The foremost thing being: I spend way too much time thinking about how to please people and not enough time thinking about how to please my God.

And what could please him more than spending time meditating on how he saved me?

I was lost and he found me. I was broken and healed me. I was empty and he filled me. I was hungry and he fed me. I was thirsty and he gave me the water of life. I was lonely and he came to me. I was scared and he comforted me. I was falling and he caught me. I was desperate and he soothed me. I was dead and he breathed life into me. I was in need and he fulfilled me. I was condemned to hell and he took my place. I was blind and he opened my eyes. I was lame and he taught me to walk. I was completely and totally sinful and he completely and totally washed my sins away.

That’s the Father that adopted me.

Lord, thank you.

What has God been speaking to you about lately?

 The overall thing he is saying is: “Trust Me.” Which requires a lot of faith. His word says:

  His ways are higher than my ways…His thoughts are higher than my thoughts…
  “Trust in the Lord with all your heart.”
  “Lean not on your own understanding…”

I typically like to put my two cents in. By nature, I’m opinionated. And he’s been challenging me with this. He really doesn’t need me… in a good way! I need to be willing to let go and trust that he will work his will. Even if I think I have the answer, I need learn to keep my opinions to myself and  to trust that he will not forget me or neglect me or allow others to thwart his plans. I am safe in Him.

What is something practical that you’ve done lately to strengthen your relationship with God?

Spend regular time in the Word.  

Many people have excused themselves from having regular time with God by saying that they are avoiding “legalism” but it’s not legalism to have discipline!  We cannot know God unless we know his Word. It’s as simple as that.

Also, continual prayer.  Not necessarily sitting down for periods of time to pray but conversational prayer as I’m going about life. Instead of thinking, “I should pray about that.” Actually doing it! If one of my boys come through and mentions something, taking time, right then to stop and pray with them/over them.

 
If you could encourage the girls who read this to do one thing… what would it be?

Let guys pursue you. Don’t flirt. Don’t initiate. It all ties back to what God has been teaching me… It’s all part of a pattern of trusting him. — Trust that he is able to take care of you, provide for you…

Start now while you are young, to learn this principle. It’s so valuable! It affects every area of life. Trust Him.

 
What is a resource (book, CD, DVD, etc…) that you have used to further your walk with the Lord?

The writings or teaching of:

   Bill Gothard
   Elisabeth Elliot
   Nancy Missler

 

Short Biography:

Cheryl has been married for almost thirty years. She and her husband Bob have a farm in Southern Lewis County where they are raising their three boys.

What has God been speaking to you about lately?

Basically, about love. To love people unconditionally, even if I’m not receiving love back.  God has been telling me to draw love to fill my “need” from him and to keep pouring love out onto others.

Along with that, He has been dealing with me about pride. Helping me see the times where I have let my “gifts” become a place of pride instead of using them to encourage others. There are times when I’ve noticed that I do things better than people and think, “Oh, this is good.” instead of  praying that God will build up those places in their lives! I want to remember to do this.

 

What is something practical that you’ve done to strengthen your relationship with God?

I’ve been thinking lately about the time when we did “soaking” services a lot. (Soaking is basically, taking time to just sit before the Lord, maybe with soft music on, and ask for him to speak to you.) We would do them in a group and then afterwards, take time to share with each other what God said to us. It was so encouraging!
Even by myself, I remember taking the time to just do this. I want to get back into that.

 

If you could encourage the girls who read this to do one thing… what would it be?

Spend time developing friendships with other girls. Especially those who help spur you on in Jesus. I spent a lot of time in high school trying to keep and maintain a relationship with a boyfriend that I now regret.  How much more valuable it would have been to have worked at my relationships with the same gender! I wish that all girls could know the importance of this.
Short Biography:
Shae is in her early twenties. She married her best friend four years ago and is mommy to a beautiful one-year-old girl. She enjoys sewing (which inspired her business, Valerie Ann Designs) and taking care of her family as she follows the Lord.

What has God been speaking to you about lately?

 
It is a verse that I’ve had memorized since I was in high school – but it is the one that has been ever present in my mind over the past year or so. Micah 6:8 says, “He has showed you, O man, what is good. And what does the LORD require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.” As I’ve sought ways to live out that command in my life God led me to a career change and a move across the country. I spent three years teaching and often found myself frustrated that I didn’t feel like my lectures on the development of the English language or the symbolism of The Great Gatsby actually made a difference. God led me to a new job as a houseparent in a home filled with teenagers and I feel like my gifts, talents, and skills can make a meaningful difference here. I’ve marveled at how God has given me an opportunity to do something I love that is also a daily life lesson in how to embody Micah 6:8.

 

What is something practical that you’ve done lately to strengthen your relationship with God?

 
Memorizing Bible verses has never been a strong point for me. However, I do recognize their importance in my life and in being in my mind. I taped a number of index cards with Bible verses on them on a wall in my closet to that I can see them every morning as I get dressed. Sometimes I just read one or two. Sometimes I’ll stand there for a while reading a number of them. The verses offer encouragement or instruction for areas in which I know I struggle – the verses I need to hear the most.

If you could encourage the girls who read this to do one thing… what would it be? 

 
I would encourage them to try a practice that has been a significant spiritual tool in my life. At the end of every day write down where you saw God that day. A paper journal, a document on your computer, send yourself an e-mail, write in a blog. But take a few minutes at the end of every day to acknowledge where you saw God. Hopefully you’ll find that you’ll start looking for God throughout the day – and when you look for God – He is found.
What is a resource (book, CD, DVD, etc…) that you have used to further your walk with the Lord?

Most recently – Selah’s latest album, You Deliver Me. Selah’s music has always had the ability to really speak to me. Their lyrics are powerful and the music is beautiful. It never fails to put me into a reflective state where I think about my life and how it lines up with what I believe is the way I am called to live.
And, if you can call this a resource – Lake Michigan. I just moved and God blessed me by putting me a short walk away from this beautiful lake. We’re told in scripture that nature is a testament to God and I certainly find this to be true. Looking at the lake gives me time to simply reflect on who God is.

 

Short Biography:

Nicole is a 26 year old woman living in Chicago. Her days are full with her busy life as a house parent to a group of teenagers. You can find her blogging at http://mashenahope.blogspot.com

What has God been speaking to you about lately?

The prayer on my lips is that my family in this generation will remain faithful. I think we will be coming into some very hard times. We need to cling to his faithfulness!

I’ve also been thinking a lot lately about my thought life and words. I recently read a book by Joyce Meyers,  called Reduce Me to Love.  In it, she talks about watching the negative things that can fill your mind and heart. It’s so easy to build offenses against people. Even the ones you’re trying to minister to! I have to remind myself that whatever I am doing, I must do as to the Lord. It doesn’t matter if people appreciate me. It only matters that I am serving Christ.

 

What is something practical that you’ve done lately to strengthen your relationship with God?

Serving others. Most definitely. One time I took a pie to somebody and then later I had gone to pick up the tin. When I arrived back home, I set the pie tin on the table and right then the Lord said, “Now, that was worship.” I was so shocked. He sees that as worship? He does. Anything that’s done for his glory and honor, is worship.
If you could encourage the girls who read this to do one thing… what would it be?

Get your mind off yourself and serve others.
What is a resource (book, CD, DVD, etc…) that you have used to further your walk with the Lord?

Oh, I have so many. I love books. I go to conventions. I watch Christian TV.

I guess a few, in particular, that have been ministering to me lately… 

Grace Walk by Steve McVey- An excellent book! God is teaching me so much through this.

When God Winks at You by Squire Rushnell – All little stories about how God makes his presence known through what we might term “coincidence” .

 

Short Biography:

Norma will have been married for 50 years on October 17th,  she and Mel have four children, 20 grandchildren and 1 great-grandchild. She enjoys reading, helping care for her grandchildren and serving others.