time to eat

"They all ate and were satisfied..." Mark 6:42

Tomorrow is Thanksgiving Day, and i'm sure most of us will be singing a song of fullness and satisfaction.  A wonderful part of Thanksgiving is no matter where people are -- in homes, schools, churches or other community groups -- tremendous effort accomplishes the task of reaching out and feeding all people.  Food nourishes the body, mind and soul... may we persistently continue to join hands in feeding all in need.

There is another feeding we can easily continue... the feeding of the Word.  It also nourishes the mind, body and soul -- and it definitely satisfies.  The best part is it shows and is past on to others.  His Word has the power to show and shine in our words, actions and thoughts.  

Share His Good Word with all around you and watch the smiles spread.  You will be blessed and they will too!

have a thank-filled day!
veneal

a Mighty Word ~ thankful

"Sing and make music in your heart to the LORD, always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ." Ephesians 5:20

Turkeys come is all shapes and sizes... so do our blessings from God.
Thank You, Father.

have a thank-filled day!
veneal

beyond the feathers

"Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus." 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

It's not hard remembering this is Thanksgiving week.  Everywhere i look at school, i am surrounded by turkeys. Teachers use this time to encourage students  to share why they are thankful.  I love reading their responses plastered down the hallways.

Gods tells us to give thanks in all circumstances.  Do you think He means for us to give thanks beyond the feathers... beyond the obvious. 

Father, thank you for Your gift of Jesus, for the beauty of family and friends, and for the many blessings You shower on me.  Thank you too for times of  --

stupidity... as i learned the immense power of words and patience
accidents... as i learned to trust You at all times
mistakes... as i learned You work all things to the good
anger... as i learned the importance of forgiveness
sickness... as i learned the joy of celebrating the moment
pride... as i learn humbleness

Father, i give thanks for times such as these because it builds my relationship with You.  I lean on You for strength, comfort and guidance.  Gratefully, i experience Your unconditional love for me.  How thankful i am to know you are always there for me and with me.  Thank You, Father.

have a thank-filled day!
veneal

staying in the lines

“There is no one like the God of Jeshurun, who rides across the heavens to help you and on the clouds in His majesty." Deuteronomy 33:26

Whoa! Who did you park next to this morning?  Your car is all over the line!"

Actually, i didn't park next to anyone.  The parking lot was practically empty when i got to school. Embarrassed, i flew out to straighten up my car.  But the cars beside me had followed suit, and i couldn't move. My sloppy parking had rubbed off on them.

Boundaries are good.  But like in the parking lot, just knowing and seeing them don't mean we will abide by them.  I definitely need more help.

God and His Word provide boundaries for us in living an abundant, joyful life.  Like with my parking, i need the guidance of an expert driver to help stay within the lines.  I need God in the Driver seat of my life.

Father, i want to be parked right next to You at all times.  Left on my own, i have a tendency to cross the boundaries of love-hate, giving-keeping, joy-anger, sharing-taking, helping-ignoring, fear-trust.  The closer i am to You, the better i am in making strong, good decisions.  Surround me, and keep me straight, Father.  Thank You!

have a joy-filled day!
veneal

a Mighty Word ~ everyone

"The LORD is faithful to all His promises and loving toward all He has made." Psalm 145:13 

No matter what our color, size or shape,
God thinks we are each incredibly great!

Thank You, God, for loving me as i am.

have a thank-filled day!
veneal

it's all about ________

"All a person’s ways seem pure to them, but motives are weighed by the Lord." Proverbs 16:2

"Wait a minute, let me help you across the street."
(And i think... awe, how sweet.)
"You almost got hit yesterday... and that would make me look bad."
(And i think.... hmmm, you look bad -- what about me??)

I couldn't help but laugh about the crossing incident.  The comment truly was meant to be kind, but it contained possible glimmers of self-preservation.  Have you heard or said comments where the underlying motives might deal more with self interest than the interest of others?  
 
Do your best on the test...
Behave well during the assembly...
Keep this room neat...
Be kind to everyone...
Let me do this for you...
Smile when you see her...


Many comments are kind, helpful and well meaning, if said with the right motive.  When we make our life "all about Him", our heart is tendered genuinely towards the best interest of others and our motives clear -- and God is honored. 

have an glory-filled day!
veneal

a Mighty Word~ inside

"The LORD does not look at the things man looks at. Man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart." 1 Samuel 16:7


Caught judging her appearance, and not her heart -- wrong.
At times words are more true than mere looks.


Mistakes made, forgiveness given -- grace.
Thank You, Father, help me be more like You.

have a grace-filled day!
veneal

that's not my color

"You have put joy in my heart." Psalm 4:7

"I'm representing you and cheering for your team!"

She knew i'd miss being with them when i saw the picture and tagged me with the above comment. I loved what she said, but laughed when i saw the picture. Her words did not lineup with her looks or actions.  Clearly dressed in black, the opponent's color and not in my team's orange, was a give-away she did not completely mean what she said. She told me what i wanted to hear, but her ways appeared to belong to the other side.

Words... do you mean what you say?  There are times we want to gain the favor of another, cover up an error, change an outcome or toss out a laugh and we aren't completely honest. Sometimes it happens in fear or anger and sometimes in love or fun. My sweet cousins knew what to say and do to make me feel included and to bring a smile to my face.

Lord, thank you for the joy of laughter and fun.  Life can be hard, and we definitely can use some light moments.  May we remember the importance and power of our words always, and use them in ways to please You... including healthy laughter.

have a smiling-filled day!
veneal

we must dust!

"... all of you, be (Christ)like-minded , be sympathetic, love one another, be compassionate and humble." 1 Peter 3:8

Due to flooding in our basement bedroom, total renovation is necessary from the ceiling to the floor.  After sheet-rocking the room, dust covered the ENTIRE house.  I felt ill and exhausted just thinking about the clean up.  Then i remembered --

The massive flooding in the Philippines...
The 1,000's without homes, electricity, food, water...
The lives lost, families destroyed, friends missing...

Suddenly the irritating dust in my house became minute.  My thoughts turned to my enormous blessings and humbly reminded me of all my riches.  A warm home, fresh food, clean water, comfortable bed, electricity, medical assistance... and the greatest blessings of all -- knowing the whereabouts of my family and friends.

Shifting our eyes off self and onto people around us, can provide a needed reality check. Sometimes a major shake up or disaster can bring us back to our senses -- reminding us what's really important, relationships with God and others.  Thank God now for your numerous blessings, and give your loved ones a big hug. 

Father, dust off my selfish heart to better understand and respond to the hurt and needs of others.  I want your Love to cut through my dusty ways so Your Light can shine through .

have a shine-filled day!
veneal

a Mighty Word ~ nourish

"The lips of the righteous nourish many..." Proverbs 10:21


Thank you for feeding the children with love, patience and goodness.  There's is nothing more satisfying  than a good meal.

have a love-filled day!
veneal

do you know hope and faith?

"Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, and faithful in prayer." Romans 12:12

Sadness, pain, uncertainity, fear... it can suck the life out of us in a split second.  In the past couple of months news of critical health conditions, sickness, death, betrayal, depression has fallen on my ears.  Keeping our spirits up during such times can be difficult -- no matter how strong our walk with God is.  Earlier this week, i again was asked to pray for a fragile situaion... the premature birth of twins at 26 weeks.  Initially, i knew their names were Ansleigh and Bryleigh.  My heart ached for the family and friends, and i prayed.  And then i learned their full names...

Ansleigh Hope and Bryleigh Faith

 

It was then, i saw and remembered the Mighty God we serve. The God who knows all and works all thing to the good to those who love Him.  The God of HOPE and FAITH... their God, our God. Why do we fear? Do we not trust Him to know and care for every tiny detail concerning each and every one of us?

A God who is big enough to know all things, is big enough to know perfectly what to do. Thank you for joining me in prayer for Hope and Faith.  Let's pray in the confidence of knowing God hears our cries and is faithful beyond our understanding. Thank You, Father!

have a joy-filled day!
veneal

a Mighty Word ~ integrity

"And (your name) shepherded them with integrity of heart; with skillful hands (s)he led them." Psalm 78:72

Integrity... you can't sell it, you can't buy it.  We can only honor God, our Father, by doing it.

have a truth-filled day!
veneal

Let us never forget!!!

"You have put joy in my heart." Psalm 4:7

I received the following true story from my cousin a couple of  months ago, and saved it to share with you today, Veterans Day.  May you be as humbly touched by it as me as we honor all service men and women.

Thank You, Father, for the many who sacrifice for the sake of my freedom and others.  And let us remember too, the One who made the greatest sacrifice of all so we may have eternal life.  Thank You, Jesus! 

have a thank-filled day!

veneal

 

Desks

Every school district needs at least one teacher like this. Maybe there wouldn't be so much of an entitlement attitude going around with today's generation of kids.

SHE IS . A TEACHER!!!
Back in September of 2005, on the first day of school, Martha Cothren, a Military History teacher at Robinson High School in Little Rock , did something not to be forgotten.

On the first day of school, with the permission of the school
superintendent, the principal and the building supervisor, she removed all of the desks in her classroom.
When the first period kids entered the room they discovered that there were no desks.

'Ms. Cothren, where are our desks?' She replied, 'You can't have a desk until you tell me how you earn the right to sit at a desk.'

They thought, 'Well, maybe it's our grades.' 'No,' she said.

'Maybe it's our behavior.'

She told them, 'No, it's not even your behavior.'

And so, they came and went, the first period, second period, third period. Still no desks in the classroom. Kids called their parents to tell them what was happening and by early  afternoon television news crews had started gathering at the school to
report about this crazy teacher who had taken all the desks out of her room.

The final period of the day came and as the puzzled students found seats on the floor of the desk-less classroom, Martha Cothren said, 'Throughout the day no one has been able to tell me just what he or she has done to earn the right to sit at the desks that are ordinarily found in this classroom. Now I am going to tell you.'

At this point, Martha Cothren went over to the door of her classroom and opened it. Twenty-seven (27) U.S. Veterans, all in uniform, walked into that classroom, each one carrying a school desk. The Vets began placing the school desks in rows, and then they would walk over and stand alongside the wall. By the time the last soldier had set the final desk in place those kids started to understand, perhaps for the first time in their lives, just how the right to sit at those desks had been earned.

Martha said, 'You didn't earn the right to sit at these desks. These heroes did it for you. They placed the desks here for you. They went halfway around the world, giving up their education and interrupting their careers and families so you could have the freedom you have. Now, it's up to you to sit in them. It is your responsibility to learn, to be good students, to be good citizens. 
They paid the price so that you could have the freedom to get an education. Don't ever forget it.'

By the way, this is a true story. And this teacher was awarded Veterans of Foreign Wars Teacher of the Year for the State of Arkansas in 2006. She is the daughter of a WWII POW.

*Please consider passing this along so others won't forget either that the freedoms we have in this great country were earned by U. S. Veterans. Always remember them and the rights they have won for us. Blessings abound in the USA!*

Yes, this is a true story; http://www.snopes.com/glurge/nodesks.asp

dress up time

"Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience." Colossians 3:12

"I need to check out your closet."
For most people, this comment would signal someone considers their closet to house many great finds.  This is true about my closet, but not like you might think. When my friend said this to me, i knew it meant she needed "dress-up" clothes -- not the fine dress-up clothes you adore, but the ones used for playtime.  Dressing her up as a story-book character for school was a cinch with my regular wear.

Where do you go when you need help to dress up? No matter what the occasion or location, time with God clothes us with what we need in life.

In the midst of a battle ... He provides wisdom and humility.
Surrounded by weariness and doubt... He provides strength and discernment.
In need of direction... He provides guidance and patience.
Living among the hurt and lonely... He provides kindness and gentleness.

Whatever is going on in your life or in the life of people around you, God-wear is always right, always fits, and always a blessing.

have a good-filled day!
veneal

a Mighty Word ~ remember

"'For My thought are not your thoughts, neither are your ways My ways,' declares the LORD. 'As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways and My thoughts than your thoughts.'" Isaiah 55:8-9


What a refreshing reminder... especially when chaos strikes and life takes an unexpected turn.  God is not caught off guard or surprised.  His plan for us is perfect and His Will will be done.

have a trust-filled day!
veneal

need a pick-me-up?

"Now to Him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to His power that is at work within us, to Him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen." Ephesians 3:20-21

The darkening of the sky only increased my weariness. It had been a long emotional day, and i still had over an hour drive to get home. I desperately needed a pick-me-up.  Then on the horizon i spotted the beautiful glowing orange-pink sign.  I wheeled in for coffee and a donut... well, maybe two... or 6... or a dozen... but wait! They were offering a SUPER special on 2 dozens.  But who needs 2 dozens??

As i examined the varieties, i quickly rattled off my desires... 4 maple frosted, 4 blueberry cakes, 2 chocolate all the way, 2 custard filled, 2 sour cream.  Yikes! 14 donuts.  Common sense said, "put 2 back, a dozen is sufficient."  BUT, there were exciting new flavors and a 2 dozen special.  hmmm...  So, 4 pumpkin spice, 4 red velvet, and 2 chocolate covered (can never have too much chocolate) -- i left the donut store a little dazed and a lot glazed.  I never imagined my pick-me-up would be so sweet.

Can you use a pick-me-up?  Although the donuts were good and sweet, they don't have staying power (except on the hips).  God is our best and surest pick-me-up.  And like the donut shop what He has to offer us is far greater than we can ever imagine.  When we stop and turn to Him for peace, we also find safety, guidance, wisdom, discernment, hope, joy, acceptance, life, satisfaction and more. His benefits possess no end for those who are His treasured possessions... us, His children.

Unlike donuts, we can never, never have too much of God.  The more of God we have, the more satisfied we become.  He picks us up for the good... for good.

Thank You, Father!

have a sweet-filled day!
veneal

a Mighty Word ~ Choose

The Lord said...

"...if my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land." 2 Chronicles 7:14


Election Day... pray, seek and ask God for guidance --
praying for a turning to Him for healing.

have a truth-filled day!
veneal

rainbow mom

And God said,
"I have set my rainbow in the clouds, and it will be the sign of the covenant between Me and the earth... never again will the waters become a flood to destroy all life." Genesis 9:13,15

I promise to do my homework.
I promise to be home on time.
I promise not to yell any more.
I promise not to talk bad about others (gossip).
I promise...
How are you in keeping your promises to others?  to God?

God's Word... we can depend on it, every time.  What He says, He means.  What He promises, He delivers.  As God's people, we want to be found  trustworthy in our promises too. Yet, in the heat of a moment... in anger, in need, in fear, in desperation, in weakness... we sometimes make promises we can't keep. May God give us the patience, courage and guidance needed to say and deliver promises we can make.  It's better to be silent than it is to make promises we can't keep.  Faith and respect can't grow in promise breakers.

Father, i want my words to reflect peace,trust, honor and truth like your rainbow.  Help grow me into a faithful Rainbow mom, not a feisty Rambo mom. 

have a promise-filled day!
veneal

are you falling?

"... be careful that you don’t fall!  No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it." 1 Corinthians 10:12-13

Cool, crisp air, roasted marshmallows and the crunching of fallen leaves under the feet... don't you just love Fall?  One of my favorite childhood memories is raking up fallen leaves as high as possible and jumping in them.  But not all things that fall are good.

Life is filled with temptations.  When weary or busy, falling away from our faith and trust in God is possible.  The crushing of our spirit and coldness of heart can leave us feeling forsaken and panicky.  This is not what our Father intends for us.

When faced with temptations and hard times, God provides many ways to cushion the fall and to help restore our faith.  Through prayer, worship, music, reading His Magnificent Word, or talking with a fellow believer, God equips us with the tools to stay strong in leaning on Him.  

Thank You, Father, for giving me what i need.  Thank You for catching me when i fall.

have a strong-filled day!
veneal