Take the time to... THINK OF WHAT IS RIGHT

~Friday for Friends~

This is the tenth post in the Take the Time series. The rest are Take the Time to Listen, Encourage, Talk With Someone, Stop Gossip, Forgive, Calm Down, Plan Ahead, Smile, and Thank God.

Sometimes we just drift around in the current. We don’t take the time to realize that we are making decisions today that we would have thought appalling a year ago, that our thoughts are turning to things that used to have a taboo on them. We need to constantly remind ourselves that, though we may be growing up, some things are not meant to be changed.

"Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things." Philippians 4:8 (NIV)

Our thoughts are important. They should be kept in check as well as our actions.

How about you? Have you drifted away? How do you keep thinking of what is pure?

Wherever we go

~Tuesday Thoughts~

"Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.” Joshua 1:9 (NIV)

""And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”" Matthew 28:20b  (NIV)

"Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said,

“Never will I leave you;
    never will I forsake you.”[a]" Hebrews 13:5 (NIV)

Wherever we go... That can be had to believe, but it's true. Wherever we are, in one country or another,  in one community or another, in our comfort zone or out of it, God is with us.

Amen!!!

He lives

~Monday Movies & Music~

Because He Lives (Amen) is a song by Matt Maher. Here are the lyrics.

"Now there have been many of those priests, since death prevented them from continuing in office; but because Jesus lives forever, he has a permanent priesthood. Therefore he is able to save completely[a] those who come to God through him, because he always lives to intercede for them." Hebrews 7:23-25 (NIV)

Our God is alive and we can be made alive in Him!

"But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved." Ephesians 2:4-5 (NIV)

Hallelujah!!! Who can you share this with today?

My family's moving

Hi!

My family is moving - for a year. I have scheduled the posts for the time we'll be traveling, so please enjoy! I probably won't moderate, publish and answer comments, though. Please comment anyway!!! I'll be glad to catch up with everything later on.

And please pray for us! That would be awesome.

Blessings!

"Come near to God and he will come near to you. Wash your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded." James 4:8 (NIV)

Chokepoint by Jill Williamson

~Saturday Stories~

Typical Spencer: "I’d proven that I could do this spy thing. ... And the baddies? They could just bring it, because I’d be ready."

A couple of months after the Moscow trip, the Mission League people are still keeping an eye on Spencer. Seriously? Nothing's happened, no threats, no kidnappings, nothing. What's the big deal? But starting one-on-one training with Beth- now that's cool. Until it turns out that someone is looking to nap him. And he might have to move.

Chokepoint is an action-packed novella. It also has some truths about God, though not as much as I'd like. Spencer is a great character, who is fun to read about and very relatable. His voice, dripped with boyishness and quick wit and just plain freshness, was one of the best parts of the story.

Chokepoint is the 1.5 book in The Mission League series. The first one is The New Recruit; the others - Project Gemini, Ambushed (novella), Broken Trust, Lockstep (novella), and The Profile Match.

For more on Jill Williamson visit her website and Facebook page. She also blogs regularly at Go Teen Writers.

Take the time to... THANK GOD

~Friday for Friends~

This is the ninth post in the Take the Time series. The rest are Take the Time to Listen, Encourage, Talk With Someone, Stop Gossip, Forgive, Calm Down, Plan Ahead, and Smile.


It’s easy to take things for granted. To think that the way it is – if it’s good – is how it should be. To think the opportunities and blessings we have are a right, not a gift.

We also tend to think about bad stuff in a “God-please-make-it-go-away-very-soon” sort of way. But sometimes bad stuff happens. And yet we still need to be thankful. So, my friends…

"give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus." 1 Thessalonians 5:18 (NIV)

Even when it’s hard going we can be grateful. His love is abundant and He will never fail us.

"Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us be thankful, and so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe," Hebrews 12:28 (NIV)

How about you? What are you grateful for today? Let us lift our voices to heaven!   

He knows us by name

~Tuesday Thoughts

"The gatekeeper opens the gate for him, and the sheep listen to his voice. He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out." John 10:3  (NIV)

God knows us – each and every one of us. He knows your name and my name. He knows how much hair we have. He knows our thoughts. He knows what we’ll say before we say it.

Our God is a personal God, One who knows us.

Amen!!!