Friday Funnies

It has been said that two of the greatest qualities in life are:

Patience and Wisdom:

Today is Word Filled Wednesday where God's Word is shared through verse and picture.

"Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for Me." Matthew 25:40

So many times it is easy to feel insignificant. In our vast world often those who are seen and heard are the ones who are recognized and can seem important. God's Word gives us the assurance that if we share His love, even in the smallest action, even to the person of the least esteem, we have done it for Jesus. There is no one above or beneath the reach of God's grace and love and yet, He chooses us to show His love to them. What an awesome encouragement that our great God notices the smallest deed that is done. Also what an inspiration to be alert to ways to show God's grace to others and to be diligent to be kind and gracious in every situation. Who greater can these things be done for?

Free Pizza Rolls!

Do you Facebook or Twitter? If you do, or if you become a new member and follow Pizza Hut, you will get free pizza rolls on July4. Here is the message Pizza Hut posted.

At the Well - Sugar and Spice and Not Very Nice

The topic for today At the Well is - Mean Girls. Not a very pleasant topic huh? But this is a very real situation that we have all dealt with at one time or another and one that will continue to come up at times - dealing with girls who are not very nice.

What is a "mean girl"? Is it the girl on the school playground who treats others badly by using unkind words, manipulation or is physically rough if she doesn't get her way? Remember how she seemed to plow through everything and everyone to get her way? Is it the same girl who is so accustomed to getting her own way that all through life, she intimidates others, puts herself first at whatever cost, has no regard for other people's feelings, cuts sharply with her words and charges boldly ahead to the top?

Questions to consider:

• What do we do when we come across a mean girl?
• As a Titus 2 woman, how can we raise our daughters to not be a mean girl?
• Looking back, can you remember a time that you were a victim of a mean girl... how did you overcome?
• Looking back, can you remember a time that you WERE a mean girl... what changed you?

All through my life, "mean girls" have scared me! I am very shy and quiet by nature and if I encounter a brash or bold girl, I instinctively curl up inside and retreat!

Although I only have sons and very little experience with training girls, it is important to me to impart training to think of other's feelings. Training ourselves and children to think of others covers a huge amount of situations in the future. Thinking of how our words, actions and attitudes come out and how will the other person feel before these things come out can be a lifelong challenge, but one that will mark our lives with graciousness and enable us to treat others with love.

"Mean girls" often are sharp in their words. These words can cut deeply. If it is a practice to say a kind or positive word, that often softens and soothes others. "A soft answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger." Proverbs 15:1 Mean girls probably have deep insecurities and deep issues that they are dealing with. If we really take a hard look beyond the tough exterior, we may get a glimpse of some of their pain, if we can listen for the pleas for help through the sharp words we may can hear their desire to be heard and loved. If we search for common ground we can share and extend grace to them. Our ultimate desire for others - good or bad should be to direct them to our Lord. He alone can search the hearts and make the changes that need to be made. His love can change the hardest heart and transform a stony, cold heart into a heart that is filled with the likeness of Christ. I love how II Corinthians 5:17 tells of God's transforming power: "Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new."

Although I don't consider myself a "mean girl", there have certainly been times when I have exhibited the characteristics of a mean girl. Selfishness, bad attitudes, sharp words and prideful motives have and still do pop up occasionally. But I am thankful for the Holy Spirit who guides me and when these things do appear, God's grace is received in my heart and allows me to start afresh and anew. God's grace forgives me when I fail and allows each of us to forgive others and show His love when they are mean.

The best part of grace is that it is to be shared. Grace is what God gives us when we did not deserve it. Grace can flow out of our hearts and enable us to go beyond that first reaction of shunning or reacting sharply to "mean girls" and to go the extra mile to share with them God's kindness and love.

I John 4:12 ~ No one has seen God at any time. If we love one another, God abides in us, and His love has been perfected in us.

Blackberry Jam...

My sister in law Danell and I picked blackberries one day this week. It was a first time endeavor for me!

Here is the bounty of fruit..now, what to do with it?

Let's start by mashing the berries up:

Then adding some sugar and cooking them a while...

Then if we spoon them into a jar..

And boil the jars so the lids seal...

We will have some delicious blackberry jam!

Word Filled Wednesday

The world we live in is all about change. Always seeking to be faster, newer, more efficient and better. Our families continually grow and change, kids mature and go through different stages. Our situations change and circumstances can change at the drop of a hat.

Isn't it refreshing and a solid truth to hold near to the heart that Jesus never changes? He was, He is and He is to come. He has abundant grace, mercy, comfort, strength and wisdom which we can seek and find through Him. What a glorious truth to stand on and rejoice in!

Grace Received

Yesterday's At the Well topic about serving others was enlightening and an encouragement to be on the lookout to serve and show love to others. Little did I know how quickly I would be on the receiving end of great kindness.

My oldest son was playing in a church softball game and had a collision! He is ok, but at first he was very disoriented and weak, so we took him to the emergency room to be checked out.

It was such a blessing to be surrounded by caring friends and family. Team mates, family, friends all gathered around and met every need we had. As we were evaluating his injury and making the decision for his care, we had family that took care of the other boys, the injured son was given water, ice etc., help with loading him up in the car, our belongings taken care of, all within the space of a few hectic minutes.

At the ER, many gathered to check on us and a couple of his friends stayed the entire time (3+hours) in the waiting room to make sure he was ok. The kind acts, the presence of so many, kind words, calls and prayers spoke volumes of love and blessed us so much. Although the injury was minor, the kindness effect was major and will be cherished in our hearts.

What an encouragement that was to be a giver of kindness. No act is too small or too large to be a blessing!