A Tiara Kind of Day

“The king loves your beauty.” 

[Ps 45:11a NCV]

She pulled it out of the basket, hidden safe beneath the seat of her walker.


She always has it on her . . . but she doesn’t always wear it.


Every once-in-awhile she places it high atop her head and sports it like she owns it.


It’s a tiara.


I wonder what provokes this occasional crowning. Is it a confidence in her royalty? Is it defensive—when doubt plagues? Is it a battle strategy to lift her assaulted spirit? Is it the escape of fantasy or just plain fun? Whatever the prompt or circumstance, cause or need, it suits her—for she is a daughter of the King. A beautiful, beloved princess with a rich inheritance.


As are YOU!

“Listen, my dear brothers and sisters!

God chose the poor in the world to be rich with faith

and to receive the kingdom God promised to those who love him.”
 [Jms 2:5 NCV]

Do you see yourself through that lens?


What if you did?

Wouldn't owning that truth change your perspective? In a good way?


Won’t it help us to better realize the worth of His children? God has made this truth known, knowing it would make a difference—effecting change in both our attitude and conduct accordingly. That it might encourage the low-esteemed, down-troddened. That it would empower us to act as royalty and hopefully treat others in the same regard.


Wearing that tiara is knowing you are loved.


And . You . Are!


You are loved by God, rescued by God, romanced by God, redeemed of God into the kingdom of His Son, the King.


Esther comes to mind—reluctantly crowned as the king’s bride for the sake of her people. She wore her tiara with strength, courage and wisdom.


Your tiara? It’s the radiance of joy and the gleam of hope of your salvation; the peace and contentment of your faith. It’s wearing the banner of the Name of Jesus, your crowning glory, in a noticeable way.

Wearing that tiara is knowing Whose you are.


So, c’mon ladies, don those crowns and let the world know you are the prized daughter of the King. Release the princess in you!


Everyday can be a tiara-kinda-day.

Lessons from James

I recently finished a month of studying the book of James. It is a wonderful book and I always love reading it. I once memorized and quoted the whole book at one sitting for a couple for Lads to Leaders. It has lots of good lessons and I will be sharing somethings that I have gleaned from my recent studies over the next few weeks. 

From James 1: ¹⁹ My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, ²⁰ because human anger does not produce the righteousness that God desires. ²¹ Therefore, get rid of all moral filth and the evil that is so prevalent and humbly accept the word planted in you, which can save you.

²² Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. ²³ Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like someone who looks at his face in a mirror ²⁴ and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like. ²⁵ But whoever looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues in it—not forgetting what they have heard, but doing it—they will be blessed in what they do.

²⁶ Those who consider themselves religious and yet do not keep a tight rein on their tongues deceive themselves, and their religion is worthless. ²⁷ Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world.

Well, that is a mouthful. First of all, who of us is actually quick to listen? I know that for myself I am much more quick to answer than to listen. I am always working on this but I fail many times.

How about anger? I am one who likes to get it off my chest right away and be done with it. What about you? Do you like to simmer and dwell on it until it festers into an absess. Move on and forgive...forgiveness frees you not them!

We have all heard that sitting in a hen house does not make us a hen...so what about hearing the word of God and not doing it. Is that what a Christian should do? NO! We must hear it an do it...keep on keeping on.

Finally, our tongues. Oh my, James will talk about this one later too. I guess having a tongue problem is not just new to us today. But if we want our religion to be pure and faultless...we must keep ourselves from being polluted by the world. Let's make the Bible our standard as we decide on movies, laws, relationships etc...

How Much is Too Much?

Leadership Training for Christ

Well, if you missed the recent LTC displays and performances you missed a really good thing. These children ages 5 - 13 work for months doing art, teaching classes, learning to use puppets, and making speeches as well as learning to read the scripture to an audience and all their training comes to fruition on Easter weekend with a huge gathering of kids and churches all over the US meeting in different areas for a showcase of talents.

My own children have outgrown this event but participated during their years when our church did Lads to Leaders, the same basic outline. These are great programs to help teach young people to be ready to lead our churches. We know from scripture that Jesus was reading scripture in the temple and astounding the leaders at a very young age, about 12 years old. And, as we know, he had not been baptized yet. I am always so happy to see children get the opportunity to serve while they are young and I can really tell the ones who have been trained in classes like these.

Thank you to all the men and women who donate their time and energy to make this program work and thank you to all the families and children who make this kind of training a priority. We are very proud of all of you. Keep the faith.

A Sure Thing

“I am watching, and I will certainly carry out all my plans.” [Jer 1:12 NLT]

Don’t you just love that verse?!


I sure do.


It speaks two assuring words to me;

• God is watching.
• God is winning.

God’s plan will be accomplished and He is watching to be sure it does.


This world certainly needs a sure thing. And a sure thing can only be counted on when it’s a God thing.


God is watching to see that His word is fulfilled.


He is
     Watchful
          Faithful
               Ever-Present.


God sent word through Jeremiah, the prophet, when Israel had fallen their farthest and were at their worst.


He didn’t wait for them to straighten up and behave before He extended promise.


As sure as His words to them of coming judgment, and as sure as His promise of restoration, was His watchful presence.


And just as certain His presence is His Plan.


Opposition has not hindered it.

     Darkness has never extinguished it.

          Lack of faith has not stopped it.

               And ordinary, sinful man have not curtailed

                    the purposes of God.


Thought we could all use that good word for today.

by Debbra Stephens

PLANS

PLANS - Purposefully Acknowledging and Accepting our Need for a Savior

This is the theme for our 2014 Women's Retreat and we have been working since our retreat to get this all together. We have a committee and we have broken down our jobs and things are rolling. So, begin praying and mark you calendars for the 1st or 2nd weekend in March. Start saving your money now so you will be ready in September to register.

Speaking of money, please sign up for our Financial Fitness brunch on May 19th from 9 - 11. It will be beneficial for everyone, whether you have it all together or could still use a little help here and there. The cost is only $5 and it includes your breakfast and babysitting (if needed).

Jeremiah 29:11-13

New International Version (NIV)

¹¹ For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. ¹² Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. ¹³ You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.

From the Inside Out

While Plutarch may not be a great theologian...certainly not a Christian his quote is quite good. I feel sure that he got it from the then current thinking of the wisest man to ever live,  the one and only King Solomon. Solomon expressed it like this: "As a man thinks in his heart, so is he." Proverbs 23:7.

Solomon's dad, King David, put it like this: "Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me." Psalm 51:10

Our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ put it like this: "Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.. Matthew 5:8.

No matter how you put it...our attitude will totally affect our reality!