It's My Life by Melody Carlson

~Saturday Stories~ 

 

I have had the great privilege of having this book review posted on Rayleigh Gray's Literature Approved blog. Please head over to her amazing website to read my review of Melody Carlson's It's My Life.

Open rebuke

~Friday for Friends~

 "Better is open rebuke

   than hidden love.

 Wounds from a friend can be trusted,

   but an enemy multiplies kisses." Proverbs 27:5-6 (NIV)

How can you apply this verse today?

Terrifying yet vital

~Tuesday Thoughts~

"But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect," 1 Peter 3:15 (NIV)

This is a terrifying verse. I'm on a mission trip at the moment, and this is one of the verses that we were supposed to really apply to our lives in preparation and during the trip. 

I (think) I am getting better at briefly mentioning that I am a Christian. For example, people ask me where I'm from and I say, "My parents are missionaries in [country]." Or to "What did you do this weekend?," I can answer, "I did homework, worked, spent time with a friend or two, went to church." When asked where I work, I say that one of my jobs is in the nursery at church. All of these are true, and I love bringing up Christianity in this nonchalant way. 

However, openly discussing the good news of Christ and why we need His love - that seems terrifying to me. But it is such a vital skill to learn. I am hoping that, throughout this week, I get better and better at doing this. Something that has been encouraging is that the leaders say that even for them this was hard at first. But you get used to it with practice. Not that they're perfect at this business, but that it really takes practice to get better, to feel less awkward, to get bolder*. 

And it for sure takes God's strength.

How about you guys? Are you scared by the idea of sharing God's Word with others or do you feel more comfortable with it? Do you have any stories of you sharing it that you'd like to share?

*I am speaking of the good kind of bold. I am NOT encouraging being bold and coming off as rude and obnoxious to anyone you pass.

Pray

~Monday Movies & Music~

Manafest has a great song, "Pray." Here are the lyrics.

"Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you." 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 (ESV)

Do you have a story of answered prayer? Is there someone in your life who you can pray for consistently? 

Special to God

~Saturday Stories~

"You’re special to God, aren’t you? So you’re special to me." -Aleesha, Found in Translation

"He'd tell me I have so much potential and so much to look forward to because God has incredible plans in store for my life." - Unwritten Melody

"You are special in so many ways. You are kind. And you're so sweet with our children. You always put others first. ... But the most important reason is that God made you special, and he loves you so much." -Gloria, The Fight

How about you? Is it easy for you to forget that you are special to God and that He has great plans for you? Can you encourage someone with this truth today? 

New ideas, anyone?

~Friday for Friends~

"And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching." Hebrews 10:24-25 (NIV)

I used to get quite annoyed with bloggers who randomly stopped writing and then randomly started again. And then I did that same thing. Do you guys ever find that after you disapprove of someone's behavior you notice, quite soon, that you do it yourself? Yeah...  

So, I'm sorry. With God's strength, I plan to go about blogging at roughly the same pace I did before this hectic month and a half. If you have ideas for this blog - what I could do differently or more/less of - please share them! I really do want to encourage you as Hebrews 10 mentions.

How have you guys been doing? What has been happening in your lives?