Looking Outside Ourselves for the Right Answers by Nina

Just about every magazine and newspaper that came to my home this past year had the message of the need for change in our country. On any given day in 2008, we would wake to to news of economic downturns, loss of jobs, increased gas prices, the condition of our military troops abroad, chaotic weather patterns, and the need for social reform. Thus, when our new President Elect spoke to those in Grant Park on the evening of November 4th, Mr. Obama was not only speaking to the tens of thousands of supporters gathered there, he was also speaking to those of us who stayed awake late enough in our homes. There was great emotion, skill and competence in the speech he made, and although I did not vote for him, I listened with a open heart for now he will be my president in January. He was communicating to those who voted for him as well as those who did not. He expressed his desire to lead all Americans to better times ahead.
How do you share your Christ centered faith, your vision, your reality with those you come into contact with daily? Are you believable? To reach the heart of another, it is not our skill that will persuade. To reach the heart of another, it will be our competence in our faith, a biblical view that must be able to challenge cultural trends, and love that believes, follows, and lives for the Gospel of Christ.
I have friends who hold divergent views about reality. It has taken me time to learn how to express sincere acceptance of these special people without judging them and yet not agreeing with them. I have wrestled with whether to lay out my arguments, try to persuade them or just accept them.
God is continuing to teach me how to live with a biblical view in a world that is secular. It is better to listen much, speak little, and not become angry. (James 1:19) This means that as I lay each circumstance at His feet and ask Him how to handle it, I listen. The answer usually does not come in my timeframe. You know if God is doing a work in you when you must wait. 'Love your neighbor as yourself' is God's call to how we are to reach the hearts of others.
I once heard a pastor define a Christian as one who begins with God and his choice of us. It is based on truth of who Jesus really is. It changes everything about my life. And, then the question of where we seek life's answers begins not within ourselves, because if we look within ourselves, we will always be disappointed because our faith will always seem like it isn't enough. If we look at our heart, we will see our own sinfulness. We must look look outside of ourselves for the answers. We must look to the Lord.
As our nation faces much uncertainty, let us look to Jesus for answers. The bible tells us that the Truth will set us free.

A Guide to List and a List to Live By

The most powerful force in life............................... Love!

The greatest asset.................................................. Faith!

The most powerful channel of communication....... Prayer!

The most important thing in life............................ The Power of God!

The greatest joy..................................................... Giving!

The worst thing to be without................................. Hope!

The most destructive habit..................................... Worry!

The world's most incredible computer.................... The Brain!

The greatest loss.................................................... The loss of Self-Respect!

The greatest natural resource................................. Youth!

The ugliest personality trait................................... Selfishness!

The greatest problem to overcome.......................... Fear!

The most beautiful attire....................................... A Smile!

The most crippling disease.................................... Excuses!

The most dangerous pariah................................... Gossip!

The two most powerful words............................... I Can!

The most worthless emotion.................................. Self-Pity!

The greatest shot in the arm.................................. Encouragement!

The most effective sleeping pill.............................. Peace of Mind!

The most prized possession................................... Integrity!

The most satisfying work...................................... Helping Others!

And the greatest attitude....................................... Gratitude!

I got this excerpt from a magazine and is written by the National Chaplain.  I thought it was quite motivating so I thought I'd share with you. Have a blessed day :)

What To Do With All Those SOCKS!

In my house we have a pile of so called 'extra' socks whose mates were mysteriously lost somewhere in the journey from dirty laundry hamper to clean folded laundry. Do you have extra socks hanging around....or old worn socks? Instead of permanently relocating them to the trash bin, try out some of these creative and practical uses for all those extra socks:

• Use old socks for dusting - they fit nicely over your hand and are easy to wash (*kids socks fit great over their own hands too and make it fun for them to help dust!)
• Keep a couple old socks in your car, tool box, or garage for a make shift glove when you need to change a tire, pick up some smelly trash or a check your oil.
• Make easy hand puppets by glueing/sewing on button eyes, mouth and yarn hair (*keep a hand puppet in the car for a fun when the ride gets boring).
  
• Use socks to wrap fragile knick knacks (like christmas ornaments, or thin candles) - they are much more durable that tissue paper and can be reused forever.
• Use socks when packing your suitcase, slip shoes into them to keep your other clothing clean or use to keep your brush, comb and hair supplies together.
• Put kids socks on the bottom of frozen icepops, so kids can hold and eat the pop without freezing their hands (the sock also helps catch drips too).
• Use socks for containers for game pieces or small toys that you want to keep together.
• Put an old sock over your child's cold sippy cup before placing in your bag - the sock will soak up any condensation or drips.
• Use a really colorful or fashionable sock for an ipod holder.
• Use baby socks as a quick cover for a pacifier before throwing it in your bag!
  

These are just a few uses for all those extra socks. Do you have any creative uses for your old and extra socks? If so, please share them with us!!

99 Balloons

After watching an amazing video about a baby named Eliot Mooney who lived only 99 days I was touched and immediately aware of how much I have to be grateful for, especially the blessing of two healthy, thriving children.
Little Eliot beat the odds by even being born, his parents lavished love and prayer on him, prayed God for him, and celebrated every day he was alive....no, in reality they celebrated his every moment. Every moment that God gave them with him was a miracle and a joy and they knew it. In the midst of what would be for most a heartbreaking tragedy, the Mooney family found the presence of God strengthening, comforting, and guiding them.
This story reminded me not only to seek God to be able to endure struggles in my life and let His glory shine through, but to cherish every moment He has given me with my children, my husband, and my family. Each moment truly is a gift and I do not want to take those moments for granted. Whether my children are sleeping peacefully, laughing at each other hysterically or crying and screaming to get their way God has given me each moment with them and I am grateful for each one.

At Eliot Mooney's funeral, 99 balloons were released into the air.....one to celebrate every day of his life. What are you doing to celebrate every day of life God has given you and your family?

I hope you can be inspired by watching the Mooney's story at : http://www.ignitermedia.com/products/iv/singles/570/99-Balloons

Spontaneous Praise

Very recently, my 15 month old daughter has started to have occasional "Mommy-dependence" again. She has gone through separation anxiety in the past, but this is a little different. She is now able to talk. So if she is upset, she cries out, "Mommy! Mommy!" to me in this pitiful voice that makes my heart ache with both sadness and happiness. You see, I'm sad to hear her sound upset, but I'm also so moved by how much she wants me, and (I'd like to think) how much she loves me.

Another recent development with my daughter is her ability to give good hugs. Sometimes while in the middle of playing with some toys, she'll just come over and climb up into my lap or reach up for me (sometimes saying "up! up!"). Then, when I pick her up she wraps her arms around my neck and rests her head on my shoulder. This usually doesn't last very long, and she's soon squirming and saying, "down! down!" and going back to her toys, but I treasure each one of these spontaneous outbursts of affection.

It made me think, though, about my relationship with my Father in Heaven, and how I show my affection to Him. I'm certainly like my daughter in that, when I am upset and struggling with a situation, I am quick to call out to God for help and support. I reach out for Him in prayer, earnestly and repeatedly, calling out to my "Daddy" for help and comfort. But I realized that I'm not very good at showing the Lord spontaneous bursts of affection everyday, like my daughter has just started to do with her hugs.

His Word says, "I will give thanks to the Lord because of His righteousness and will sing praise to the name of the Lord Most High." - Psalm 7:16. This is only one of the many verses that talks about thanking and praising God. And I really like what 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 says, "Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus." I pray everyday, but how often do I simply praise God and thank Him whole-heartedly for all of His blessings? How often do I say, "I appreciate that you are taking such good care of me," and "I love you for all that you are."? Rather than throw up a dozen quick "thank-you's" during the day that are not truly heartfelt, I need to start to show earnest appreciation and love for God that is spontaneous and sincere.