3 Different Verses About Working for God

            2 "While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, “Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.” 3 So after they had fasted and prayed, they placed their hands on them and sent them off."-Acts 13:2-3
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"I will give thanks to you, Lord, with all my heart;
    I will tell of all your wonderful deeds."-Psalm 9:1

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1 Corinthians 4:2New International Version (NIV)

2 Now it is required that those who have been given a trust must prove faithful.

A Thankful Thanksgiving

        This Thanksgiving was really busy but I was thankful for that. I had 3 Thanksgivings instead of just 1 like in the years past. I got 2 days off without even asking for them off. Something I didn't have to worry about so that was nice and I could relax more. The 3 Thanksgivings were: with the church and community, with all the family, and with just the grown ups in Mt. Vernon and Lockwood. It was strange and different with how I felt this year.
         I could take my time and not worry about work at all or anything for that matter. It was a nice, relaxing, peaceful time. Didn't have to worry about money either because I was at home. I worry a lot, don't I? It shows that I need another human being in my life. Anyways, back to the dinners. The 1st dinner I had was the community Church one. That was on Thanksgiving.
          It was mainly for single people and homeless or low income people. The people that also worked it could eat there so that is how I got to eat it. My parents donated things and helped set it up. My mom sort of got it started because she knew who to get ahold of from one of the churches in town. There were door prizes that I didn't win but that was OK. My mom also had four boxes of books t o give away for free and she only ended up with one box of books at the end of it. My dad also helped with the donations of turkeys that were cooked for the meal.
           The second Thanksgiving was my big family's Thanksgiving down in AR at my brother's house. That was the Thanksgiving to go to if you want to see children. All my nieces and nephews were there but 3 of them. Then one of my cousins and her family was there. Her children were all grown up. It was crazy to see them and hear them all talk. I had a smoked turkey there. I also got the children involved in making cookie turkeys out of Oreos. I also got to hold the little one a lot while I was there. She was totally walking on her own. She is getting so big! :)

          The third Thanksgiving was at my parent's house with a good friend of ours and like a grandma figure to me. It felt really good having that friend over for Thanksgiving because this is the 2nd year that her husband, grandpa like figure to me, passed away so it felt like we were doing something good for her. She was in a good mood and helped us with the dinner a lot. It felt like having my grandma there again and for the same reason but it was closer because she lived closer to us. It was like we had another chance to care for a person close to us again. I'm just now thinking about that as I sit here writing because I didn't have time to think about that yesterday or the day before. This past weekend was just busy but fun. I had a lot of experiences and they were serving and showing me different ways I could be thankful so that was fun to see.

         The 3 ways were: spiritually (community church one), with Family (AR one), and with friends ( home one). It really kept me in the mood of thankfulness for at least 3 or 4 days. I also kept thinking about where I am in life and I will admit another friend helped me to be thankful for some other things too. It has just been a year of growing for me and for being thankful for what I have now and did have because I know it could have been a lot worse in ways. This year has been different for me but in a good way and I wouldn't have it any other way. That was different but in a good way but now I am waiting for Christmas and birthday and New Year to see what those holidays hold and teach me. 

               It is great when you can have 3 Thanksgiving because, like I said, you can see how you a thankful in every way and I know I had different things to be thankful for at all 3 dinners. 

I am More.......

          "More complete, yet only because I’ve been shattered. More surrendered, because I’ve learned how to follow. And I now recognize, more than ever, how much I NEED God in any kind of season."-Ashley Seal


More Loved, yet only because I am hated by so many.

More Safe, because this world is a scary place. 

More Beautiful, because my Father in Heaven made me in His Image.

More Faith, yet only to trust God more. 

More Self-Controlled, because it makes life easier. 

More Seeking, so I can see God's Love for me more and more. 

More Content, so I can be a peace with God. 

More Patience, because I want God's perfect plan for my life, not my plan. 

More Valuable, yet I don't feel like it at times. 

More Listening, because I have learned to sit still. 

More Real, because I know more of who I truly am in God. 

More Clarity, so I can see what God is doing and wanting to do in my life. 


         All of these subjects are very important in a person that has a close relationship with God plus a lot more that can be named. 

Goodness and Love of God

"How has the goodness and love of God sustained you this year?"

           Sorry that I have no written my own story like entry in a long time, since the 9th it seems like. I have just be copying things and writing short lists. I have been really busy this month with Thanksgiving coming up and Vets' Day being this month too. Now I am going to write a long one and a deep one because of what was taught at church last night. It got me thinking about this Holiday Season. I was going to wait and write one like this at the end of Dec. and start of the New Year but I have other ideas for that. This idea is a good Thanksgiving one.
          I love the question that was asked last night at church and it was the one above. They gave us time to think about it at church and had us share if we wanted to but I didn't want to but I thought about this past year and I have a lot to be Thankful for and it all started in Feb. That is when God's Goodness and Love started to touch my life. That is when I gave Him full control of my life and wanted a deeper love relationship with Him. Ever since then He has given me nothing that I deserve but everything that I have wanted. He has restarted my life on the dream path that I have always wanted but always scared to ask for for some reason. 
           I have had a year where I not only need to be thankful but also am thankful for everything that has happened this year. It started off hard with a new job and position that eventually turned out to be only for parents and where I had to fight to keep it if I really wanted it. I also had my faith tested by people at that job and also had my passion looked down upon but that only made me stronger in it and made me want to reach my dream. I was full of anxiety while working at the job. I felt like people were looking at me and judging me as worse as I ever have in my life and I didn't know how to handle it. It was all too much for me and I had to back out but it did brought me closer to God because I had to and did question some of the things that they made fun of me for. 
          I think that did end my job in the daycare/preschool field now and I am not ashamed to say that. During all the changing I had times where I just couldn't take things anymore. I was really stressed out and I felt like I had nowhere to turn. There was a moment where I didn't feel like God was doing anything to help me out. During the summer, I was trying to move apartments and yet I had to stay at my brother's for about 2 weeks because I had no place else to go while trying to get a new job. All that just gave me more and more anxiety that I just couldn't deal with it anymore. I had a night where I just hang out with friends and had new experiences but I will tell you one thing.
          Through all of that experience, I had one friend that kept pushing me through without even knowing it and I am especially this Thanksgiving for that friend above all the other good things that I need up with like my new job that is on my dream path now and my new apartment. Let's just say that while hanging out with my friends that one night, I kept looking at my friend's Facebook page and I just couldn't do certain things because I knew my friend's take on those things and my true takes to if I was honest with myself. Even though, my friend and I had our disagreements too this year and all of them I regret how I responded but I will say it was because of what I was going through at that time. I needed to have someone to share everything with about how I was truly feeling and I know I could just write it out to a friend and that friend could take it. 
           That friend probably doesn't truly know how much that saved my life during the changes in it but I am thankful that that friend was there when needed the most. Now that friend is part of the reason I am started to apply for grad college and going for my dream because that friend made their dream come true recently with trust in God so I'm trying that too and I'm not second thinking it either. It is time that I move on to something bigger and better for me. I am getting at that age where I need to settled down somewhere. Not only was my job hard and moving was hard too but it has been a hard year money was too.
          I think that I am learning how to ask for help and not take that for granted either. I have been lower on money then ever before because of rent and a nice but strange job that I can barely make it on what I make. I get paid every two weeks and not a lot either. One check is all of my rent. I have had to rely more on people this year then ever before while also relying on God to provide me with money and those people. Now God is teaching me how to be a women of God and better ways to make friends. He is making me see the things I need to work on for next year and showing me goals that I need to make and stick to them this coming year so my life can be more changed. That entry is coming in Dec. or Jan. 
         All this to say that I wouldn't be where I am now if it wasn't for God's Goodness and His Love. It sure has sustained in me a lot of ways this year through people (family and friends), giving me a place to live and a great job, bringing me closer to Him, and seeing who I am really in Him too. I am not just a person but I am a women of God that has a purpose on this earth and I need to reach for that purpose and make it come true. 



My 2016 Thanksgiving Prayer: 

Dear Daddy, Thank you for everything that you have given me this year. Even though, it was my hardest year yet, it was my best year with You. I have never felt closer to You then this year. You have provided in more ways then one and through a lot of different ways too. You have kept giving me things even when I didn't deserve them. I have came closer to having a loving relationship with You and that is something to really be THANKFUL for and I never want to take that for granted. Help me to look back on this year when I need to be reminded of Your Faithfulness, Love, Goodness and Provision.

In Christ't name,

Amen 

The Single Gift-A Poem

         I found this poem in the book "Lady in Waiting" and I just thought it was a great reminded for me and how it might be to other girls. Here it is:

         The Single Gift

How blessed you are, you single one,

Don't talk of cares and woes.

You've got too much to be thankful for, 

Oh what, you'd like to know. 

It's no mistake, no misdirection

Of God's perfect plan 

That you've not found your special lady

Or you, that certain man.

God loves you so and has much more

to give than you've ever received.

That He's giving His best to you right now,

You really must believe.

His best is Himself, do you have it in full

or only a bit on the side.

No man can meet your needs like God,

Nor can a lovely bride.

IF your life's not complete, you know that Jesus is

and your life He will fill

If you'll only put Him first each day

and live to do His will. 

He's gifted your for undistracted

Devotion to the Lord. 

There should be nothing that can interfere

With Him and prayer and the Word.

Unless you let your guard down of your heart

And let others take His place,

Then you'll lack joy and peace and hope

And not Experience His Grace. 

So give your heart right back to God,

Let Him keep it safe for you.

And when it's better than His best, 

He'll make your one into two.

Written By: Donna L. Mihura

Be Blessed!-Matthew 5:1-16

Matthew 5The Message (MSG)

You’re Blessed

5 1-2 When Jesus saw his ministry drawing huge crowds, he climbed a hillside. Those who were apprenticed to him, the committed, climbed with him. Arriving at a quiet place, he sat down and taught his climbing companions. This is what he said:

3 “You’re blessed when you’re at the end of your rope. With less of you there is more of God and his rule.

4 “You’re blessed when you feel you’ve lost what is most dear to you. Only then can you be embraced by the One most dear to you.

5 “You’re blessed when you’re content with just who you are—no more, no less. That’s the moment you find yourselves proud owners of everything that can’t be bought.

6 “You’re blessed when you’ve worked up a good appetite for God. He’s food and drink in the best meal you’ll ever eat.

7 “You’re blessed when you care. At the moment of being ‘care-full,’ you find yourselves cared for.

8 “You’re blessed when you get your inside world—your mind and heart—put right. Then you can see God in the outside world.

9 “You’re blessed when you can show people how to cooperate instead of compete or fight. That’s when you discover who you really are, and your place in God’s family.

10 “You’re blessed when your commitment to God provokes persecution. The persecution drives you even deeper into God’s kingdom.

11-12 “Not only that—count yourselves blessed every time people put you down or throw you out or speak lies about you to discredit me. What it means is that the truth is too close for comfort and they are uncomfortable. You can be glad when that happens—give a cheer, even!—for though they don’t like it, I do! And all heaven applauds. And know that you are in good company. My prophets and witnesses have always gotten into this kind of trouble.

Salt and Light

13 “Let me tell you why you are here. You’re here to be salt-seasoning that brings out the God-flavors of this earth. If you lose your saltiness, how will people taste godliness? You’ve lost your usefulness and will end up in the garbage.

14-16 “Here’s another way to put it: You’re here to be light, bringing out the God-colors in the world. God is not a secret to be kept. We’re going public with this, as public as a city on a hill. If I make you light-bearers, you don’t think I’m going to hide you under a bucket, do you? I’m putting you on a light stand. Now that I’ve put you there on a hilltop, on a light stand—shine! Keep open house; be generous with your lives. By opening up to others, you’ll prompt people to open up with God, this generous Father in heaven.

The Results of the Election of 2016

           

         My heart is being pulled at in all directions because I can see every bit of people's worries and sides. It really does upset me and just makes me sad. I think that I have learned a lot in this election then all the other years combine. Prayers still need to be going up for our nation and people really need to care and learn about what is going on in the world. Leaving in a cultural city really doesn't help either because I have friends and friends of friends that this election can have an impact on. I've just never been as worried or sad with an election then I am this year. Not to mention I think a lot about my future and the children I will have, God willing, in the years to come. When I think about that, I don't want to have children in the next 4 years either way. I could put other thoughts on here but that is getting too political for me. 

         I'm not trying to get all political here but if you know me, you know my heart. Just seeing the comments and things on my Facebook feed at 5:30 in the morning hurts my heart. I do care about the people around me, my family, and others. Just because I did vote doesn't mean I hate certain races of people, I can't. I have every ethic group in my family and I care and love each one of them so don't judge me like that. I was and still am thinking about my family and how Blessed I am to have 2 different nations present and even different beliefs present too. I get to have all of the experience some hard and some not so hard. Again, it goes back to something like, yes, for myself, I want to marry a county man but I love my brothers in law and nephews and nieces just as much. They will come before my future husband. He will either have to like them or be nice to them. Get what I am saying? 

        I hate seeing the divide all over Facebook already. It is just depressing and makes my heart sad. If it is a divide over Facebook, think about what it will be like in the years to come. We live for the freedom and people who fought for us, not for who is in office now. Canada might be better but just think how much we are blessed here. Just think that even if it does go down, it will be like any other nation in the world. Poor, heartless, people having to survive on very little and so on. 

       I am having anxiety about this election today. That is why I had to keep sleeping this morning. After writing this, I couldn't take it anymore. I let my feelings out on here, then I went to sleep. I get up from my nap again and see the same old thing of my Facebook page. I'll be glad when I am at work taking care of children for four hours. That is sure a break for me. It feels like I am trapped right now and can't share what I'm feeling like everything I else in my life. I'm still having this tug at my heart when I read everything, good and bad. Like now, I am starting to shake just thinking and writing about it. I have never felt like this during any other election in my life. 

       We are blessed rather we realize it or not right now! Just to let people know I would say this any other way with the election. I've been scared and still am of this election. This is the worse one to talk about so knowing me and conflict I stayed away from it for a long time but now I am saying something about it because folks we need to get real here and now. We need to pray for this country because as of now we all know the devil can get ahold of it easily with everything going on and it isn't the president's fault whether Tump or Obama or Hilary. It more I think of the things that we got so use to much less I am writing on one now but still. Look around where is the Love when our little children are playing anything they want on their phones and iPads without their parents watching them. Some children don't have any parents at all and don't even get me started on that. That is a whole other subject for me. 

       Love needs to look past who we vote for and really get into seeing how blessed we are no matter our races or differences. Love needs to be more talked about then anything in this world right now. Along with respect, responablity, and all of the above. As a nation, we have lost the personality things that really matter. It won't have to have the right person in office if we don't have anything else in place either. To me, if you really love the people around you, it won't change you love for them because you have known and been with them longer then any president and will be with them long after they leave office. It is not the president that has all of the control it is God and His People that can change the world. Why do we put so much hope in one single and sinful human being like the rest of us? Yes, I am taking a Biblical stand on these 3 things and I know there is more but I don't have time to write them all down. These are the three things I think are the most important right now. Here are just some thoughts to leave you with for today: 

         1. We are called to love. Regardless of faith, race, gender, political leanings, or how others treat us; we are to respect their views, respect their choices, and respect them as a human being. John 13:34-35

         2. God is in control. He is sovereign over the whole universe. We may never know why Donald Trump was elected president, but I know this: God's plans are perfect - even if they don't seem to be. No matter what the next 4 years hold, God is still on His throne. As believers, we need to trust Him. We need to call on His name in fervent prayer. We need to acknowledge His grace and mercies in our everyday lives. We need to pray for each other. Psalm 47:8-9, Hebrews 13

         3. Donald Trump is a sinful human being who is in need of God's grace just as much as the rest of us. This does not excuse his words and actions by any means, but it does mean we are to pray for him and to love him. He is the leader of our country and to give him respect as a leader. 1 Timothy 2:1-7

        I found this quote yesterday on Pinterest and kept it for me because of a personal situation I am going through right now and have been for awhile but it goes with the election too. It is: "If you are praying about it, God is working on it."