Only what is helpful

~Tuesday Thoughts~ 

"Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen." Ephesians 4:29 (NIV)

This can be very hard to do. But it is worth doing.

God, help us keep our mouths shut when we should and help us open them when we can help others with our words.

Everyone is busy

~Friday for Friends~

We're having finals next week. It's really easy to start comparing my workload with someone else's and start complaining. However, one of my friends told our community group this week, "Everyone is busy. It might not look it, but everyone is busy this week. We should remember that." And we should strive to remember that, as we struggle, others are probably also struggling. 

That is not to say that we cannot unload ourselves on our friends and let them help us in our struggles. However, we should also be ready to do that for others. 

"Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ." Galatians 6:2 (NIV)

Walk in love

~Friday for Friends~

"And now, dear lady, I am not writing you a new command but one we have had from the beginning. I ask that we love one another. And this is love: that we walk in obedience to his commands. As you have heard from the beginning, his command is that you walk in love." 2 John 5-6 (NIV)

How can YOU "walk in love" today? Who can you help? Who can you encourage? Who can you tell about your Savior? 

And/or 

Has somebody loved on you lately? Have you been encouraged? Have you been reminded of our Father's love? 

"That's how the peace of God works" and more quotes

~Saturday Stories~

“That’s how the peace of God works. Calm in the midst of trials.” ~ Thomas, Worth the Time

"You can ask for a willing spirit and opportunities, but don’t just sit around and wait to feel like serving because that’s not going to happen. You have to just do it.” ~ Heather, Me, Just Different

"He has created a way for you to come back home and be in relationship again. Nothing you have done can separate you from his goodness. And the best news of all, he has already made the way. You just have to ask.” ~ Pastor Bill, Like Moonlight at Low Tide

What about you? Did any of the quotes touch your heart? Have you asked God to give you words in your conversations? Have you tried serving even if you didn't want to? Have you experienced His peace?

Have you come back home?

Two are better than one

~Friday for Friends~

"Two are better than one,

    because they have a good return for their labor:

 If either of them falls down,

    one can help the other up.

But pity anyone who falls

    and has no one to help them up." Ecclesiastes 4:9-10 (NIV)

Having and being a friend like that can be amazing! But ,what's even greater, even if we don't have a friend nearby or at all we can always have God. Hallelujah!

How about you? Do you have good friends? Are you a friend to others? When was a time God comforted you?

Escape into the Night by Lois Walfrid Johnson

~Saturday Stories~

At the shore of the river, Libby stepped down, expecting to find ice. Instead, cold water rose around her feet. Suddenly she yelped. “Hush!” came the quick warning from above. Libby leaped from the water to a foothold in the bank. Just then a voice cried out. “Over here!” a man shouted. “Get him!” called another. The slave catchers!  Like the cold water, terror washed over Libby.

Twelve-year-old Libby Norstad lives on a steamboat, where her father is the captain. There is only one other kid her age: Caleb, the cabin boy. As much as Libby wants to be friends, Caleb always seems to be hiding something. When a fugitive slave comes aboard, Libby starts guessing what Caleb is keeping back. Should she tell on him? Should she help him?

Genre: historical, adventure. For those 14 and under. Issues dealt with: slavery, equal treatment, helping others.

Escape into the Night mentions God only about 3-5 times. The characters say that they do what they do because of what they believe. This story will certainly not help strengthen your relationship with God, although it will entertain. This is book 1 of The Freedom Seekers series. The other books are Race for Freedom, Midnight Rescue, The Swindler's Treasure, Mysterious Signal, and The Fiddler's Secret.

"Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says." James 1:22 (NIV)

For more on Lois Walfrid Johnson visit her website and Facebook page.