Trading My Sorrows

In a world where it’s easy to get caught up with dissatisfaction, complaining, grumbling, and despair, it’s reassuring to know God has a trade-in policy.  He has his own “cash for clunkers” deal!

If you’re feeling down, troubled, distressed or perplexed, God’s Word says you don’t have to feel despair.  Feeling persecuted?  Don’t…He’s not forsaken you.  Feeling cast down?  Don’t you know the end of the story…HE wins!

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Reminders

God has a gentle way of reminding us that He is in control. Last month in Beaumont, Texas a tornado popped up without any warning. The TV weathermen all tried to figure out how they didn’t see it coming. One of them finally admitted that sometimes things were out of their control.

Sometimes? 

Giving God control of all things…big or little makes life a little less stressful.  When you aren’t in control, your only obligation is to do what you’re told—to obey. Well, that’s exactly how it is with God. People ask “How do I know what God is telling me to do; how do I know what to obey?” When you begin reading God’s Word you become familiar with His voice, His commands, His Words, His direction. It doesn’t mean that you’ll never go another way, but it does mean He will guide you if you give Him control.  Just like the weathermen in Beaumont, don’t be surprised when God pops in and does something unexpected.  It’s just a reminder that in this world of crazy control freaks and manipulators, He really is still in charge of everything!

PRAYER: Thank You Father for Your guiding hand that controls my life.  Help me to submit to those things You allow and to learn from the valleys and the mountaintops.

“Praise ye the LORD. Praise God in his sanctuary: praise him in the firmament of his power,” Psalm 150:1 KJV.

Today’s devotion is by Gina Stinson, wife to Bruce, mom to Savannah and Tucker and publicist assistant for Kathy Carlton Willis Communications.  In her spare time you can find her blogging, gardening and working in her community and church. Check out her blog http://journalinggina.blogspot.com

Living it Up RV Style

My family is in the midst of a move. Our problem isn’t unique. Our previous home hasn’t sold and we aren’t in the position to purchase another home until that happens. Meanwhile God has provided us a wonderful RV for our family to live in during the waiting game.  Going from a modest middle class home to an RV has been easier than I ever imagined.  Albeit small, the home comes equipped with all our necessities. Air conditioning, hot water, refrigerator and other kitchen appliances and even two televisions! Wow…home sweet RV home. We’ve moved a week’s worth of clothing in and our toiletries and a few toys for the kids and we are set to make it for a while.

With all the modern conveniences we thought we had it made. I made advance preparations with groceries and toilet paper. We even waited one day before we moved in with the kids. Last Saturday night was our first night to spend the night. The kids were excited. We took our first showers, ironed clothes for the next day and took care of bedtime routines. Everyone was snuggled in bed.  We all fell asleep, slumbering like babies….until 2:00 a.m. when out of nowhere the loudest train ever made barreled through the city train tracks, located right behind the RV spot.  As you can imagine we were immediately awakened and nearly horrified. None of us had given thought to a train. We hadn’t prepared ourselves for the enormous noise and whistling.

The next night at bedtime, we talked about the train with the kids. We reminded them it would be loud and we assured them that nothing would happen to them. We went to bed prepared and even expecting of what was to come. That night when the train came through, the children slept through the same terrifying noises that woke them the night prior.

Isn’t that so like trusting children? Children who trust their parents, who believe they will be taken care of.  Shouldn’t that be how we are with our Heavenly Father? Shouldn’t we trust his guidance? Shouldn’t we know that He will take care of us? No amount of noise, hardship, disease, pain, divorce or finances can keep us from His care. Thankfully we can sleep easy when we trust in Him.

PRAYER: Thank You Lord for the sweet slumber You offer Your children when we rest in You.  Thank You for protection and peace even in the midst of loud noises and big trains.

“When thou liest down, thou shalt not be afraid: yea, thou shalt lie down, and thy sleep shall be sweet,” Proverbs 3:24 KJV.

Today’s devotion is by Gina Stinson, wife to Bruce, mom to Savannah and Tucker and publicist assistant for Kathy Carlton Willis Communications. In her spare time you can find her blogging, gardening and working in her community and church. Check out her blog http://journalinggina.blogspot.com

Because Moms Matter

By Gina Stinson –

Moms matter. For all those days you find yourself wondering if what you do really makes a difference, consider this your personal pat on the back and be assured. It does.

Whether you’re a good mom or a bad mom, what you do counts. The influence we have on the lives God trusts us with on earth is immeasurable. In fact, it’s a little frightening. The words I speak over my children on a daily basis help form their own thoughts about the world, God, their self-worth, their family and more. Let’s face it my parenting skills—good or bad—are going to be mirrored in my kids. Lord help us.

Seriously, Lord help us! In a world that is screaming out to kids about their weight, their athletic ability and their grade point average, I’m suppose to be screaming (in a good way) about the love of God, how much they are valued in God’s eyes, while at the same time instilling a Christian world-view. It’s a daunting task. Somebody’s gotta do it. Someone will.

Good parenting isn’t for the lazy. God’s Word tells me I am to be instilling God-things in my children from sunup to sundown. I have so much to do and so little time. Eighteen to twenty-two years hardly seems like enough time to get it all in. Thankfully God is on my side, helping, guiding, and giving opportunities to guide my children through this life. Christian parents don’t walk alone. With our guidebook, the Bible, and the Holy Spirit, we can make a difference in this generation. Lord help us.

PRAYER:  Father thank You for trusting me to take care of the children You gave me. They are Yours. Use them, guide them, help them, protect them. Help me to do my part to proclaim Your name and to etch Your character on our home.

“Teach them to your children, talking about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up” (Deuteronomy 11:19 NIV).

This devotion was written by Gina Stinson, a minister’s wife and mother of two. Gina writes from a mom’s perspective on life issues, the home, and the church. There’s never a dull moment on her blog, http://journalinggina.blogspot.com , where you can always be sure to catch a word of encouragement or a thought to ponder.

Everyone Needs Compassion

By Gina Stinson –

According to the dictionary, compassion is a deep awareness of the suffering of another coupled with the wish to relieve it.

Over the last few years, God has really been working on softening my heart. I’ve been a pretty cut-and-dry kind of girl most of my life, but when I get into God’s Word I notice that Jesus handled so many situations very personally. He connected differently with the woman at the well, the leper, Nicodemus and even His own mother. No two interactions were the same. But, His goal was the same: to draw them closer to Himself. He was compassionate.

A few years ago, I had the opportunity to be part of a non-profit and my eyes and heart were opened to the many situations in which people find themselves needing help. Whether it was a physical, spiritual or emotional need, some of these people where just looking for compassion. More recently, I spent a few moments with a young mother who just buried her twenty-week premature baby and, I assure you, she needs compassion. An elderly widow who I’ve had the honor of getting to know this summer also reminds me that she needs compassion.

Because this attitude only comes from the Lord, I’m so blessed to know He’s working on me. It’s a little uncomfortable sometimes. I find myself making sure I have tissues in my purse in case I need them—or someone else does. But more than tissues, I find myself needing to be equipped with God’s Word, so that in that moment, when God allows, I can speak His words of compassion over a friend, young mother, widow, needy, overwhelmed one that God places in my path.

In the last few years, Laura Story penned the words to the now well-known song, Mighty to Save. The first line says, “Everyone needs compassion, a love that’s never failing, let mercy fall on me.” I love nothing better than to hear my kids singing this loudly as we drive down the road. I think that’s how God must feel when He sees us demonstrating compassion to this hurting world.

PRAYER: Heavenly Father, thank You so much for demonstrating the greatest compassion for mankind by sending Your Son to die for the world. Help me imitate Your nature as I walk in this harsh world. Help me be more like You.

“Finally, all of you, live in harmony with one another; be sympathetic, love as brothers, be compassionate and humble” (1 Peter 3:8 NIV).

This devotion was written by Gina Stinson, a minister’s wife and mother of two. Gina writes from a mom’s perspective on life issues, the home, and the church. There’s never a dull moment on her blog, http://journalinggina.blogspot.com , where you can always be sure to catch a word of encouragement or a thought to ponder.

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