Orphans are Gifts from God

James 1:27 Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world.

I know this won't be news to most of you but our God is amazing! He has a perfect timing for everything. Nothing is given to us too soon or too late. So "what" you might ask has God given me? A heart for the orphans. I feel like God woke my husband and myself out of a deep sleep. We both felt completely oblivious to our Christian duty to be involved in some capacity with orphan/widow care. James 1:27 isn't the only verse where God places the responsibilities connected to orphan/widow care on the church.
He is clear,
Get involved.
Do something.
We are all given different gifts. Use your gifts to serve. Not all of us are called to adopt a child but we can support others who do adopt or foster a child.

Please pray about what God would have you do and then do it!

An opportunity to find out more information is coming up in the Triad. Westover Church is hosting a workshop on Saturday, November 20th called
If You were Mine .

Matthew 25:35-36 ...I was hungry, and you gave Me something to eat; I was thirsty, and you gave Me something to drink; I was a stranger, and you invited Me in; naked, and you clothed Me; I was sick, and you visited Me; I was in prison, and you came to Me.

Thankful ("nay new") Heart

Some of you may not know this but I have an adorable 20 month old son. He is a precious gift from God and a delight to be around. He loves to mimmick everything we say. One of our latest phrases is, "thank you" when he's given anything. Now of course when he says it the phrase doesn't sound exactly like that. It comes out sounding more like "nay new" but he usually says it while also doing the sign language for thank you so it is completely precious! The last two days he has been repeating "nay new" at the oddest times, while laying in bed or while we drive in the car. No one has done anything which would make him say it but he continues anyway. I pray that I am like my son. I pray I learn to have a thankful heart and continually say thank you to my Savior for everything that He has done for me. Even saying thank you when others can't see what I could possibly be thankful for.

1 Thessalonians 5:18
Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you who belong to Christ Jesus

Proverbs 31 lady

This month I have had the privilege of reading posts by godly women about the quintessential godly woman. It has been such a blessing to me and I hope you have been blessed by the series as well. Today is the final day of the Proverbs 31 series and I thought I would share what God has impressed upon my heart. I have learned that God wants us to make wise choices with our time. The Proverbs 31 woman was active but not "busy". She was serving the Lord by serving her family and others. She made wise choices about what activities occupied her time and I pray I too can be a wise steward of my time on this earth. Each of us needs to "number our days." We only live for a moment. I pray we all seek Him first and His kingdom!

God's provision

The other day my oldest daughter came to me when she couldn't find any pants to wear. Every new season this seems to happen and every season I find the kids' wardrobes lacking in the proper gear. I either realize my kids need new pants or shorts, new short sleeve shirts or sweatshirts. With fall beginning, it is pants that are in short supply in her dresser. God, however is not unprepared or suprised by our needs. He has been prepared for this day since the beginning of time. His love and provision for our latest need truly made me smile with joy and awe. His Plan-
1st My friend would be a part of a big rummage sale and when said sale was over there would be some clothes that didn't sell.
2nd He ordained that my friend would be allowed to take any clothes home that she wanted.
3rd He designed my friend to be thoughtful and somehow know that we might need a few things.
4th He guided her as she picked out clothes in the exact size that my daughter needed!
She now has a brand new pair of jeans and enough pants to last her through fall and winter. I have heard that God provides AND I have seen it with my own eyes but He still suprises me again and again with His care for my family and for me. He doesn't have to make Himself known to me nor does He have to allow me to see a glimpse of His plan BUT He does!

Matthew 6:28 And why do you worry about clothes? See how the lilies of the field grow. They do not labor or spin.

Proverbs 31

Please check out the guest blog post bless the man on my friend's blog. This entire month Lara, along with a few other women, are writing posts on the Proverbs 31 woman. I hope you enjoy it!

Amazing Story

This video moved me to tears and made me think about my role in this "debate". Please watch this video about Gianna Jessen.

Shocking!

Lately my mind has been consumed with this thought: How great is our God! He is amazing. He can shock me with His awesomeness or His plan. He leaves me astounded and speechless. Sometimes I am overwhelmed with an idea, like this one, and I try hard to put it into words or to come up with an analogy it. Last night an interesting analogy came to me (keep in mind that analogies are not 100% accurate). God is a bit like electricity. He is our source of power and He lights our world. He allows us to tap into His power. We need it for life because we, on our own, cannot produce any light nor do we have any power. When we physically come into contact with electricity we receive a shock just like seeing bits of Him can do to us. I sometimes wish I understood or knew more about God and His plan but humans cannot know Him fully. He protects us from knowing his complete power/plan or we would be completely overwhelmed and unable to function (just like Moses was on the mountain). We cannot handle Him in His fullness.

Lord, thank you for allowing me to know You. Help me to be content with what You have allowed me to know about You and Your plan. Help me to rest in You and let You remain in complete control. You are my source of strength/power. Fill me with more of You. Remind me that I NEED You and cannot live this life on my own.

Great is our Lord and mighty in power... Psalm 147:5