So many of you have called and e-mailed checking on our granddaughter, Grace. We appreciate all of your prayers and concern. She has had a lung infection and was dehydrated. She is doing tremendously better, and should get to go home today. She will still receive breathing treatments for a few days, but her mama can do those at home.
Having the 5 year old grandson here has been a big adjustment, but he is so cute! We're all a bit tired, but doing great!
Thanks again and have a wonderfully blessed weekend!
Laura S.
Friday, August 29, 2008
Monday, August 25, 2008
Victor or Victim?
Do you live in Victory, or do you have a Victim Mentality?
Here are 3 ways to know if you live with a Victim Mentality. 1) Is everything bad that happens to you, always someone else's fault? 2) Are you waiting for something else to go wrong? This is for those that always say "bad things always happen to me". If you have a bumper sticker, or you motto is: "If it weren't for bad luck, I'd have no luck at all", you fall under this category. 3) You blame others for your circumstances, not accepting responsibility for you own actions.
A victim mentality has it's own physical appearance as well. It consists of poor posture, slumping in a chair, not making eye contact with others, mumbling when speaking, and/or walking with eyes downcast. The Victor or Victim mentality shows in the way you carry yourself.
In order to overcome, we must take responsibility for every action in our lives. Although you can't control your circumstances, YOU CAN CONTROL YOUR RESPONSE.
A Victim Mentality is bound by unforgiveness - past hurts, wrongs, choices, or abuse.
We MUST get to the place where our circumstances do not affect our joy.
Every one of our lives should affect and infect other people. We cannot do this with a victim mentality. We have to make a conscious decision, as to whether we are going to be God's worrier or God's warrior. Which do you choose to be?
Forgiveness sets the prisoner FREE!!!! There is nothing but the mercy of a gracious loving God that can set us free from our anguish. God's love is unfailing; His purposes clear; His righteousness unquestionable. When we come to God with our pain or setbacks, we gain a new perspective, when we ask Him.
Each one of us gets to make the choice. Make the choice to rejoice! Lets see how many people we can affect and infect, starting today.
God Bless,
Laura S.
Here are 3 ways to know if you live with a Victim Mentality. 1) Is everything bad that happens to you, always someone else's fault? 2) Are you waiting for something else to go wrong? This is for those that always say "bad things always happen to me". If you have a bumper sticker, or you motto is: "If it weren't for bad luck, I'd have no luck at all", you fall under this category. 3) You blame others for your circumstances, not accepting responsibility for you own actions.
A victim mentality has it's own physical appearance as well. It consists of poor posture, slumping in a chair, not making eye contact with others, mumbling when speaking, and/or walking with eyes downcast. The Victor or Victim mentality shows in the way you carry yourself.
In order to overcome, we must take responsibility for every action in our lives. Although you can't control your circumstances, YOU CAN CONTROL YOUR RESPONSE.
A Victim Mentality is bound by unforgiveness - past hurts, wrongs, choices, or abuse.
We MUST get to the place where our circumstances do not affect our joy.
Every one of our lives should affect and infect other people. We cannot do this with a victim mentality. We have to make a conscious decision, as to whether we are going to be God's worrier or God's warrior. Which do you choose to be?
Forgiveness sets the prisoner FREE!!!! There is nothing but the mercy of a gracious loving God that can set us free from our anguish. God's love is unfailing; His purposes clear; His righteousness unquestionable. When we come to God with our pain or setbacks, we gain a new perspective, when we ask Him.
Each one of us gets to make the choice. Make the choice to rejoice! Lets see how many people we can affect and infect, starting today.
God Bless,
Laura S.
Monday, August 18, 2008
The Other Hand
The cheerful little girl with bouncy golden curls was almost five, waiting with her mother at the checkout stand, when she saw them.....a circle of glistening white pearls in a pink foil box.
"Oh Mommy, please, Mommy, can I have them? Please, Mommy, please?"
Quickly the mother checked the back of the little foil box and then looked back into the pleading blue eyes of her little girl's upturned face.
"A dollar ninety-five. That's almost $2.00. If you really want them, I'll think of some extra chores for you and in no time you can save enough money to buy them for yourself. Your birthday's only a week away and you might get another crisp dollar bill from Grandma." the mother said.
As soon as Jenny got home, she emptied her penny bank and counted out 17 pennies. After dinner, she did more than her share of chores and she went to the neighbor and asked Mrs. James if she could pick dandelions for ten cents. On her birthday, Grandma did give her another new dollar bill and at last she had enough money to buy the necklace.
Jenny loved her pearls. They made her feel dressed up and grown up. She wore them everywhere; Sunday school, kindergarten, even to bed. The only time she took them off was when she went swimming or had a bubble bath, because Mother said if they got wet, they might turn her neck green.
Jenny had a very loving daddy and every night when she was ready for bed, he would stop whatever he was doing and come upstairs to read her a story. One night as he finished the story, he asked Jenny, "Do you love me?" "Oh yes, daddy. You know that I love you."
"Then give me your pearls."
"Oh, daddy, not my pearls. But you can have Princess, the white horse from my collection, the one with the pink tail. Remember, daddy? The one you gave me. She's my very favorite."
"That's okay, Honey, daddy loves you. Good night." And he brushed her cheek with a kiss.
About a week later, after the story time, Jenny's daddy asked again, "Do you love me?" "Daddy, you know I love you."
"Then give me your pearls."
"Oh Daddy, not my pearls. But you can have my baby doll. The brand new one I got for my birthday. She is beautiful and you can have the yellow blanket that matches her sleeper."
"That's okay. Sleep well. God bless you, little one. Daddy loves you." And as always, he brushed her cheek with a gentle kiss. A few nights later when her daddy came in, Jenny was sitting on her bed with her legs crossed Indian style. As he came close, he noticed her chin was trembling and one silent tear rolled down her cheek. "What is it, Jenny? What's the matter?" Jenny didn't say anything but lifted her little hand up to her daddy. And when she opened it, there was her little pearl
necklace. With a little quiver, she finally said, "Here, daddy, this is for you."
With tears gathering in his own eyes, Jenny's daddy reached out with one hand to take the dime store necklace, and with the other hand he reached into his pocket and pulled out a blue velvet case with a strand of genuine pearls and gave them to Jenny. He had them all the time. He was just waiting for her to give up the dime-store stuff so he could give her the genuine treasure.
So it is, with our Heavenly Father. He is waiting for us to give up the cheap things in our lives so that he can give us beautiful treasures. Isn't God good? Are you holding onto things that God wants you to let go of? Are you holding on to harmful or unnecessary partners, relationships, habits and activities that you have come so attached to that it seems impossible to let go? Sometimes it is so hard to see what is in the other hand....but.....do believe this one thing ....
God will never take away something without giving you something better in its place.
Have a blessed week!
Laura S.
"Oh Mommy, please, Mommy, can I have them? Please, Mommy, please?"
Quickly the mother checked the back of the little foil box and then looked back into the pleading blue eyes of her little girl's upturned face.
"A dollar ninety-five. That's almost $2.00. If you really want them, I'll think of some extra chores for you and in no time you can save enough money to buy them for yourself. Your birthday's only a week away and you might get another crisp dollar bill from Grandma." the mother said.
As soon as Jenny got home, she emptied her penny bank and counted out 17 pennies. After dinner, she did more than her share of chores and she went to the neighbor and asked Mrs. James if she could pick dandelions for ten cents. On her birthday, Grandma did give her another new dollar bill and at last she had enough money to buy the necklace.
Jenny loved her pearls. They made her feel dressed up and grown up. She wore them everywhere; Sunday school, kindergarten, even to bed. The only time she took them off was when she went swimming or had a bubble bath, because Mother said if they got wet, they might turn her neck green.
Jenny had a very loving daddy and every night when she was ready for bed, he would stop whatever he was doing and come upstairs to read her a story. One night as he finished the story, he asked Jenny, "Do you love me?" "Oh yes, daddy. You know that I love you."
"Then give me your pearls."
"Oh, daddy, not my pearls. But you can have Princess, the white horse from my collection, the one with the pink tail. Remember, daddy? The one you gave me. She's my very favorite."
"That's okay, Honey, daddy loves you. Good night." And he brushed her cheek with a kiss.
About a week later, after the story time, Jenny's daddy asked again, "Do you love me?" "Daddy, you know I love you."
"Then give me your pearls."
"Oh Daddy, not my pearls. But you can have my baby doll. The brand new one I got for my birthday. She is beautiful and you can have the yellow blanket that matches her sleeper."
"That's okay. Sleep well. God bless you, little one. Daddy loves you." And as always, he brushed her cheek with a gentle kiss. A few nights later when her daddy came in, Jenny was sitting on her bed with her legs crossed Indian style. As he came close, he noticed her chin was trembling and one silent tear rolled down her cheek. "What is it, Jenny? What's the matter?" Jenny didn't say anything but lifted her little hand up to her daddy. And when she opened it, there was her little pearl
necklace. With a little quiver, she finally said, "Here, daddy, this is for you."
With tears gathering in his own eyes, Jenny's daddy reached out with one hand to take the dime store necklace, and with the other hand he reached into his pocket and pulled out a blue velvet case with a strand of genuine pearls and gave them to Jenny. He had them all the time. He was just waiting for her to give up the dime-store stuff so he could give her the genuine treasure.
So it is, with our Heavenly Father. He is waiting for us to give up the cheap things in our lives so that he can give us beautiful treasures. Isn't God good? Are you holding onto things that God wants you to let go of? Are you holding on to harmful or unnecessary partners, relationships, habits and activities that you have come so attached to that it seems impossible to let go? Sometimes it is so hard to see what is in the other hand....but.....do believe this one thing ....
God will never take away something without giving you something better in its place.
Have a blessed week!
Laura S.
Friday, August 15, 2008
Block Party
This is yet another awesome outreach! Be sure to invite your friends and relatives. The kids will all receive a free bike helmet. If you want to help in serving our community, there's still time to sign up. We'll have the Rock Climbing Wall, Inflatables, Music, Food, and a great time of fellowship. The fun begins at 6 p.m.
See you there!
God Bless,
Laura S.
See you there!
God Bless,
Laura S.
Monday, August 11, 2008
Stay in the Jeep!
As each of us face trials in our lives, this is a great lesson to keep in mind. I feel very fortunate to have different mentors that sow into my life. This is one of the awesome 'lessons' I received recently.
"I heard a horrible story of a family who traveled to Africa to take a safari together. The husband sitting in the passenger side of the jeep, was so fascinated with being able to come within mere feet of wild lions he lost perspective. Lions do not like the sound, smell or feel of a jeep and when they look at the jeep they don't see people sitting in the jeep. They see one big vehicle so they are neither threatened nor are they motivated to attack. The man grew too confident where he was and without the guide realizing what he was doing, he stepped out of the jeep just for a second, to take a picture. A lion attacked and ate him right in front of his wife and children.
The vehicle is Christ. the enemy is "like" a roaring lion. You stay in Christ and you are completely safe. The lion's roar can sometimes be so loud we want to jump from the jeep and run but if you will hold still and remain confident the lion will leave and you will continue your tour through this world in complete safety - continuing to get others in the jeep."
After reading this, I found great comfort as I was reminded the enemy is "like" a roaring lion. 1 Peter 5:8 Be self controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. The very next verse tells us to resist him, standing firm in our faith. As we keep reading, vs 10 tells us "And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm, and steadfast." What a relief to know it isn't a battle I have to fight, but one that has already been won!
Blessings,
Laura S.
"I heard a horrible story of a family who traveled to Africa to take a safari together. The husband sitting in the passenger side of the jeep, was so fascinated with being able to come within mere feet of wild lions he lost perspective. Lions do not like the sound, smell or feel of a jeep and when they look at the jeep they don't see people sitting in the jeep. They see one big vehicle so they are neither threatened nor are they motivated to attack. The man grew too confident where he was and without the guide realizing what he was doing, he stepped out of the jeep just for a second, to take a picture. A lion attacked and ate him right in front of his wife and children.
The vehicle is Christ. the enemy is "like" a roaring lion. You stay in Christ and you are completely safe. The lion's roar can sometimes be so loud we want to jump from the jeep and run but if you will hold still and remain confident the lion will leave and you will continue your tour through this world in complete safety - continuing to get others in the jeep."
After reading this, I found great comfort as I was reminded the enemy is "like" a roaring lion. 1 Peter 5:8 Be self controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. The very next verse tells us to resist him, standing firm in our faith. As we keep reading, vs 10 tells us "And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm, and steadfast." What a relief to know it isn't a battle I have to fight, but one that has already been won!
Blessings,
Laura S.
Saturday, August 09, 2008
A Process
What a memorable weekend this is for me. 6 years ago, I walked into Enid First Assembly, not having any idea what to expect. God had stepped into the middle of my world and turned it around. My brother knew I was looking for a church, and he suggested Enid First. I sat alone taking everything in. Unsure what these people were going to think when they found out about the junk of my past; if I would be accepted. I was met with love and kindness I had never expected. I came in uncertain and afraid and left having signed up to bake cookies, joining a Bible Study, and even more hungry for God. It was an awesome experience that will always stay with me. It doesn't seem like 6 years have gone by. It's been a process as I've learned about God's Word, learning the things of God, and how to draw closer. It's been full of ups and downs! Over time, I learned to ride out the ups and downs, leaning on God and not to my own understanding. I don't know why some things happen, probably never will, but what a freedom to learn I didn't have to lean to my own understanding! It took the roller coaster ride I had been on during those ups and downs and made it much easier to handle. As I was reading last night, I came across this paragraph about a process. I found it in the book Joseph, by Charles Swindoll. Thought I would share it, as it might help you also, as we go through the process:
"There is no hurry up process for finding and shaping gold. The process of discovering, processing, purifying, and shaping gold is a lengthy painstaking process. Affliction is gold in the making for the child of God, and God is the one who determines how long the process takes. He alone is the Refiner."
Job 23:10 says "But he knows the way that I take; when he has tested me, I will come forth as gold."
Blessings,
Laura S.
"There is no hurry up process for finding and shaping gold. The process of discovering, processing, purifying, and shaping gold is a lengthy painstaking process. Affliction is gold in the making for the child of God, and God is the one who determines how long the process takes. He alone is the Refiner."
Job 23:10 says "But he knows the way that I take; when he has tested me, I will come forth as gold."
Blessings,
Laura S.
Tuesday, August 05, 2008
Cell Phone vs Bible
I wonder what would happen if we treated our Bible like we treat
our cell phones?
What if we carried it around in our purses or pockets?
What if we turned back to go get it if we for got it?
What if we flipped through it several times a day?
What if we used it to receive messages from the text?
What if we treated it like we couldn't live without it?
What if we gave it to kids as gifts?
What if we used it as we traveled?
What if we used it in case of an emergency?
What if we upgraded it to get the latest version?
This is something to make you go...hmmm...where is my Bible?
Oh, and one more thing. Unlike our cell phone, we don't ever have to
worry about our bible being disconnected because Jesus already paid the bill.
author unknown
What am impact it would make on our lives, if we placed as much emphasis on our bibles as we do our cell phones. I see people on their cell phones every where I go. Rarely do I see someone reading/carrying their bible, wherever I go. If you haven't been in your Bible lately, I encourage you to go there; ask God what He has for you.
Begin prayerfully, and ask Him for revelation. You just might be surprised at the answers you find!
Have an awesome day!
Laura S.
our cell phones?
What if we carried it around in our purses or pockets?
What if we turned back to go get it if we for got it?
What if we flipped through it several times a day?
What if we used it to receive messages from the text?
What if we treated it like we couldn't live without it?
What if we gave it to kids as gifts?
What if we used it as we traveled?
What if we used it in case of an emergency?
What if we upgraded it to get the latest version?
This is something to make you go...hmmm...where is my Bible?
Oh, and one more thing. Unlike our cell phone, we don't ever have to
worry about our bible being disconnected because Jesus already paid the bill.
author unknown
What am impact it would make on our lives, if we placed as much emphasis on our bibles as we do our cell phones. I see people on their cell phones every where I go. Rarely do I see someone reading/carrying their bible, wherever I go. If you haven't been in your Bible lately, I encourage you to go there; ask God what He has for you.
Begin prayerfully, and ask Him for revelation. You just might be surprised at the answers you find!
Have an awesome day!
Laura S.
Friday, August 01, 2008
Inspiration
Currently, I'm studying in the book of Romans, and using the Life Lessons book by Max Lucado. My hearts desire is for people to come to know Christ and develop a personal relationship with Him. Throughout the Life Lessons book there are various pages titled Inspiration, and I wanted to share this one with you.
Inspiration: I've wondered at times what kind of man Judas was. What he looked like, how he acted, who his friends were...But for all the things we don't know about Judas, there is one thing we know for sure: he had no relationship with the Master. He had seen Jesus, but he did not know him. He had heard Jesus, but he did not understand him. He had religion, but no relationship.
As Satan worked his way around the table in the Upper Room, he needed a special kind of man to betray our Lord. He needed a man who had seen Jesus, but did not know him. He needed a man who knew the actions of Jesus, but had missed out on the mission of Jesus. Judas was this man. He knew the empire but had never known the Man.
We learn this timeless lesson from the betrayer. Satan's best tools of destruction are not from outside the church, they are from within the church. A church will never die from the immorality in Hollywood or the corruption in Washington. But it will die from the corrosion within - from those who bear the name of Jesus but have never met him, and from those who have religion, but no relationship.
Judas bore the cloak of religion, but he never knew the heart of Christ. Let's make it our goal to know him....deeply. (From Shaped by God by Max Lucado.
God Bless,
Laura S.
Inspiration: I've wondered at times what kind of man Judas was. What he looked like, how he acted, who his friends were...But for all the things we don't know about Judas, there is one thing we know for sure: he had no relationship with the Master. He had seen Jesus, but he did not know him. He had heard Jesus, but he did not understand him. He had religion, but no relationship.
As Satan worked his way around the table in the Upper Room, he needed a special kind of man to betray our Lord. He needed a man who had seen Jesus, but did not know him. He needed a man who knew the actions of Jesus, but had missed out on the mission of Jesus. Judas was this man. He knew the empire but had never known the Man.
We learn this timeless lesson from the betrayer. Satan's best tools of destruction are not from outside the church, they are from within the church. A church will never die from the immorality in Hollywood or the corruption in Washington. But it will die from the corrosion within - from those who bear the name of Jesus but have never met him, and from those who have religion, but no relationship.
Judas bore the cloak of religion, but he never knew the heart of Christ. Let's make it our goal to know him....deeply. (From Shaped by God by Max Lucado.
God Bless,
Laura S.
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