Vanity, Vanity, All Is Vanity
October 11, 2024 by Jane Thornton
Filed under Family Focus
On a muggy summer morning a few months ago, a creak and rustle disturbed my deep vacation slumber. I slit one eye open to see my teenaged daughter creeping toward my bathroom. My bleary gaze rolled to the clock: seven a.m. “What are you doing up so early?” My voice was thick and groggy. Remember this happened in the summer, and my daughter is a teenager. Normal rousing time for her would be eleven.
Longing For Tomorrow
October 10, 2024 by Laurie Hilliard
Filed under Daily Devotions, Family
“I can’t wait till this weekend,” I heard myself telling my friend. “My husband and I are finally going on a date. And boy, do I need it!” The problem was it was only Monday. I had to make it through a whole week until the much-needed break would arrive.
How would I survive the week? Would my children hear me wish for the weekend every time they spilled their juice, argued with each other, or came crying that they were “hurt” again? I was so focused on the upcoming weekend to bring contentment and happiness that I found myself being very discontent with the happenings of the current day. I was impatient, distracted, and irritable.
Time Out!
October 9, 2024 by Kathy Carlton Willis
Filed under Daily Devotions
“Mister, I need to GO,” whined Jimmy as he tugged on the ref’s pant-leg. “Okay, go tell your coach to call a time out for your team,” said the referee. “No, Mister, I need to go NOW!” pleaded Jimmy. What could the ref do, but send Jimmy to the restroom, while calling a time out. They were only second grade, don’t you know!
There are times when we all need to take a time out. Sometimes, it is a gradual building up of pressure that screams we need a break. Other times, it’s an urgent warning that we need to stop everything right NOW and take a time out!
A story is told of a man and woman who challenged each other to split wood for eight hours, and at the end of the time, see who had the largest woodpile. Every hour the woman took a break. The man went nonstop, thinking the extra time would amount to a larger woodpile. To him, it meant easy victory. At eight hours, there was only one obvious winner. The woman’s woodpile was much larger. The man asked, “How can this be? I worked the entire time, while you took a break every hour.” The woman responded, “I used that time to sharpen the ax!”
We each need to take time to sharpen our proverbial axes. What should we do, when we take a break from our everyday busyness? First, think of the word break spelled as BRAKE. Stop what you are doing; put the brakes on. When we slow down the inner quietness allows us to hear God’s still small voice more clearly. Through Him we find the peace that we can’t seem to find anywhere else. We relax, allowing our physical and emotional wellbeing to rejuvenate and reenergize. As one commercial so aptly put it, “Calgon take me away!”
The Bible sets up a time for spiritual renewal. In the Old Testament that time was called the Sabbath. Many New Testament Christians set aside time for the Lord the first day of the week. Unfortunately, because of our busy workweeks, Sunday becomes the only day to complete chores and errands, and it is no longer a day of rest.
AUTHOR QUOTE: Are you feeling an urgent need to leave the playing field of Life for a break? Just ask for a time out. It’s not just for ballgames or errant children. It can be ours today!
“And he said, My presence shall go with thee, and I will give thee rest,” Exodus 33:14.
Today’s devotion is by Kathy Carlton Willis, wife to Russ, pastor’s wife to many, author, editor, publicist, and speaker. Kathy Carlton Willis Communications encompasses her many passions. Learn more at: http://kcwcomm.blogspot.com/ or http://www.kathycarltonwillis.com/.
Present Your Body
October 8, 2024 by Laurette Willis
Filed under Health and Fitness
Here’s a sobering question: Do you think we’ll be required to give an accounting to the Lord for the stewardship of our bodies and how well we’ve taken care of them?
While exercise was not a priority in Biblical times, in Romans 12:1 Paul answers that question when he says, “I beseech you, therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your body a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service.”
Each of us is advised to take care of our body since it is the temple of the Holy Spirit. That’s a frightening thought for most of us when we really stop to think about it! “You are not your own,” Paul writes in 1 Corinthians 6:19-20, “For you were bought at a price” (the shed blood of Jesus Christ).
Could that mean your body is not yours, but the Lord’s? How well are we caring for the Lord’s property?
The good news is that since your body belongs to the Lord, He has a vested interest in helping you care for it. Your body is not only the temple of His Holy Spirit, it’s what you need to be able to walk around on this earth and spread the good news that Jesus is Lord.
You CAN be a FIT witness for Christ. The more fit and healthy you are, the greater the probability is that you will be around longer to carry out His will for your life.
The enemy wants you to fail at your task–to fail horribly and leave the earth before your time. He doesn’t really care that you’re going to heaven; he just doesn’t want you to take anyone else with you! If your body is out of shape and lacking energy, it’s difficult to do all the Lord is calling you to do. But you and the Lord–working together–can change that!
“What?!” you ask. “The Lord needs MY help? But He’s omnipotent, all-powerful and in control!” Well, yes–and no. He is all-powerful, but He will not wrestle the cake fork out of your hand or pick up the strings, like a grand marionette master, and animate your body to take a brisk walk. We are the ones who have to exercise our will to exercise our body and “choose life.”
You don’t have to wait to do that! You can start right now by doing something small. Would you be willing to choose to do at least one new thing for your health and fitness today? Here are some ideas: take a brisk walk, eat a raw vegetable salad before dinner, have an apple for dessert or snack instead of a sugar-laden treat, pray for God to help you make healthy choices before you eat, write your goals for a healthier lifestyle in a prayer journal.
When you feel tempted to overeat, turn to the Lord in prayer and praise, and yield to the fruit of the Holy Spirit within you. Galatians 5:23 says that one of those fruit is self-control!
Ask the Lord to help you become the person He has called you to be. You are not alone. Remember, He loves you more than you can possibly imagine, and wants you to succeed in every way. In Philippians 4:13, under the influence of the Holy Spirit, Paul says that we can do all things through Christ who strengthens us. That includes having a healthier lifestyle!
Christian Fitness Expert and author Laurette Willis is the Director of PraiseMoves® Fitness Ministry, offering fitness programs, DVDs, books and instructor training for those interested in a Christian ALTERNATIVE to yoga, plus fitness for spirit, soul, and body at http://praisemoves.com. To follow Laurette on Twitter, please visit http://twitter.com/Fit4Christ, and Facebook at http://facebook.com/people/Laurette-Willis/661158603 ©2009
Passion
October 7, 2024 by admin
Filed under Faith Articles
By John McNeal
How many people do you know who are very passionate about something? Just look around. It’s October, and the football season is just getting started. Hockey season is on the way, while baseball and NASCAR racing are finishing up. Thanksgiving and Christmas are just around the bend. As for myself, I have a small passion for hunting this time of year.
In today’s society many people dish out a lot of money and time to enjoy their passion. They pay big dollars to sit in a crowded cold stadium with people they don’t know, giving them high-fives when their team scores a touchdown. They buy the biggest televisions that they can’t afford in order to get a better glimpse of the action. People purchase clothing, big foam hands and cheese hats, letting everyone know what they are passionate about.
Passionate sports fans know the stats of their favorite team and they can quote the roster by heart. If a person is rooting for a rival team or individual, they might have swift words with someone if they blaspheme the team at hand. Sometimes people even get physical in order to prove their point. I always know when it is race season or football season; my neighbor yells passionately for his favorites.
Several years ago, my pastor stood on stage and told a story how he met Faith Hill while traveling back from a Christian conference. He said that she would be in Atlanta for a day or two and that she was at our church that day to give her testimony. After he gave her an introduction, he asked us to welcome her to Chestnut Mountain Church. Over 95% of the Church stood, whistled, clapped and cheered as if she were about to give us a private concert. The stage door swung open and nobody came through the door.
Pastor Jeff’s point was well taken that day, at least by me. We stand up, clap, and cheer for our favorite team or celebrity, and we pay all kinds of money to support our passions. When is the last time you were passionate about going to church? What about singing the hymns or worshipping with your whole heart? What about giving money in the name of the One who gave up everything to die for you? If Jesus is really our passion, why do we cheer harder, clap louder, and spend more money on other pursuits than we do at church?
Pastor Jeff turned to us after he walked up and closed the door. “Would you have cheered as hard if it was for Jesus?” Now can you imagine if your pastor did this and was introducing someone of importance, and that person did not come through the door? Faith Hill wasn’t at our church that day. But Jesus was there.
‘“Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?” Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and all your soul and with all your mind.’ Matt 22:36-73(NIV)
