Big steps to follow

My daughter did a presentation from when she went to Africa on a mission trip at a church in our community that practices foot-washing. She did a good job, of course! They had communion and a foot washing service. They only do those (communion and foot washing) once a year and it happened to be the Sunday we were there.  We could have left as some people did that didn't want to participate, but my daughter and I decided to stay.  We participated in communion, but not the foot washing portion of the service.  I had never been to a foot washing service before. The pastor did a really good job explaining about foot washing. I knew it was about being a servant, but it is about more than that. It is about showing love and care to the fellow members of your church. The women do it for each other on one side of the church and the men do it for each other on the other side. It inspired me. God has commanded us to love each other. Of course, I knew that, but do we show it to each other? Do we genuinely feel love towards our brothers and sisters in Christ in our church? I know that I don't near as much as I should! This also comes at a time when I am praying for a better attitude with my church members and my attitude towards church. What if there was someone that a person didn't really care for or had negative thoughts about across from them and they had to wash their feet?  I believe that God would humble the person and work on the person to fix the relationship.  God really spoke to me through this.  I never realized before how much God would speak through that type of serviceable how God would use it to humble me.  

Beloved, if God so loved us, we ought also to love one another. (1 John 4:11 KJV)

As the Father hath loved me, so have I loved you: continue ye in my love. (John 15:9 KJV)

That is a big command....to love as He loved us.  Do we really fully understand the depth of that love?  Do we even fully understand how to love as He loved? 

I am somebody......in God! ❤️

Are not five sparrows sold for two copper coins?  And not one of them is forgotten by God.  But the very hairs of your head are numbered.  Do not fear therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows.  Luke 12:6-7

Last summer I did a study on Proverbs 31....the virtuous woman.  There were several times that I thought, "wow! I don't know if I can do this!"   I tend to get overwhelmed with all there is to do with so little time.....or I feel like I don't know how.  I am sure there are many women out there who can relate with me on this!  Well, this summer I am doing a study on the women of the Bible.  This week it is about the virtuous woman.  One of the first thing the writer talks about is that after reading And studying Proverbs 31, a woman can almost feel overwhelmed.....feeling guilty that she isn't measuring up to this "perfect" woman.  But, the writer of the study pointed out something very profound to me.  He said, "the virtuous woman is not the yardstick by which all women are measured, but the goal toward which all women should be moving."  So....am I expected to already BE a Proverbs 31 woman? No!  Am I expected to work towards that as a goal in my life? Yes!  It is a process, just like my growth as a Christian.  I have not arrived.....it is something I always have to work on.

So.....wen I get discouraged and overwhelmed, I must remember......it is a process AND.....I am worth more than many sparrows to God.....and He does not forget the sparrows, so he will not forget me!

Think Happy! :-D

Phillipians 4:8 is a verse I ponder often.  It says,  "Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things."  

Women often have a tendency to gossip.  It is easy to get caught up in it.  Being involved in gossip is not positive.  Whenever I think of this verse, it tells me to think on positive things.  Whenever I think of gossip, it is usually really taking joy in someone else's sorrow.  I wouldn't want someone else taking joy from my sorrow, so why would I want to do it to someone else?  So....my lesson??  Think (and talk about) things that are true and good.  :-)

Trying again!

I can't believe that I allowed a year and a half to pass before I typed on this blog again.  Wellll.....here I go again!!  This time I am going to try to keep up with it on at least a weekly basis.  

I do have to say that I believe that I have been blessed over the past year and a half.  When I say "October 2012", it seems so much longer ago than just a year and a half in some respects, but in other ways, it seems not very long ago, even though a lot has happened since then.  

Today, Helen, Annie and I took 11 teenagers to youth camp in Van Buren.  Helen is staying, but Annie and I just visited for awhile.  We will go back tomorrow and possibly Wednesday.  When we used to go to children's camp, it was such a blessing.  Many seeds are planted and some are reaped.  It is always a good thing when the Word of God is shared with others! :-)  

This is new to me!

This is my first time doing a blog.  I would like to use it to share God Sightings, insights from devotions and my weight-loss journey.  I guess I will be sharing parts of my life with those who choose to follow my blog. :-)

 Today was Annie's dad's memorial service.  There were several pastors there that knew Bill and spoke.  They were so encouraging and inspiring.  After the service, I came up with the idea of starting this blog.  

It is amazing how God paints our Earth.  The leaves on the trees were just beautiful today as I drove to Richland and back.  These were taken on Highway 72.  I think the prettier ones were closer to Richland.  The last two were taken outside my house.