"You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house." Matthew 5:14-15

"Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant looking for fine pearls. When he found one of great value, he went away and sold everything he had and bought it." Matthew 13:45-46

Thursday, February 27, 2014

Tool - Word Nerd Blog Hop


For as the body is one and has many parts, and all the parts of that body, though many, are one body—so also is Christ. For we were all baptized by one Spirit into one body—whether Jews or Greeks, whether slaves or free—and we were all made to drink of one Spirit. So the body is not one part but many. If the foot should say, “Because I’m not a hand, I don’t belong to the body,” in spite of this it still belongs to the body. And if the ear should say, “Because I’m not an eye, I don’t belong to the body,” in spite of this it still belongs to the body. If the whole body were an eye, where would the hearing be? If the whole body were an ear, where would the sense of smell be? But now God has placed each one of the parts in one body just as He wanted. And if they were all the same part, where would the body be?  Now there are many parts, yet one body. 1 Corinthians 12:12-18

There are many tools in a tool box - screwdrivers, hammer, pliers, wrenches, etc. My husband would be much better at identifying all the tools than I am. :) But each of these devices has a particular job that they perform. You wouldn't use a hammer to screw or a pliers to hammer a nail.

In the same way, God has a specific job that only you can do. You are one of the tools in God's toolbox. Each instrument is needed. Neither is better than the other. It takes all of us working together to do the work that He has for us. But you have to get out of the toolbox to do the job that God has given you.

What tool are you? Are you still lying in the toolbox, or are you using the gifts that God gave you to reach others with the Good News of Christ?

Monday, February 24, 2014

A Little Bit of Spice

Last night I browned chicken breasts in the frying pan. I was making chicken fried rice - a box mix. :) As the chicken cooked, it smelled good. But it wasn't until I added just a little bit of spice that a wonderful aroma emanated from the pan.

It made me wonder, how many times do I go through life, just browning in the pan? What would happen if each day I invited the Holy Spirit to add that spice to me and my witness? Is it evident in my life that I've been spending time with the Lord? How am I doing with examining my life to see areas where I need to be changed?

Tenderized meat isn't good until it is beaten and the fibers are broken. How often do I allow the Lord to work in me, ridding the parts that don't edify Him?

When's the last time God poured on a little bit of spice on you?

Thursday, February 20, 2014

Exotic - Word Nerd Blog Hop



I've never lived in an exotic place. Most think of somewhere warm and tropical when you mention the word exotic. The closest I came to exotic was when my husband and I went on a missions trip to Alaska and saw the beauty of this northern state. Another time was when we were stationed in Germany and had the opportunity to visit the Alps in the winter.

I think for me, exotic is the beauty of a fresh snow covering the lawn and branches. Exotic is when the snow glimmers and glistens like a bed of diamonds twinkling.
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What does exotic mean to you?

Thursday, February 13, 2014

When's the Last Time You Allowed God to Clean the Glass? - Word Nerd Blog Hop


Over the weekend we traveled to Virginia to visit my in-laws. On our way back home on Sunday evening, we ran into snow most of the two hour stretch. The roads had been treated and each time moisture splashed onto the windows, they were coated with a thick sludge.

Yesterday when I ran some errands I noticed that the van and windows were still splashed with the grayish-white substance they coat the roads with when they anticipate bad weather. You could see a distinct line on the front windshield where the glass had been cleaned. The side windows were still coated, making it difficult to see out.

As I saw the smeary mess, I couldn't help but think about my own life. How often do I try to clean the windows of my heart by myself and instead end up with a complete mess. What if instead of trying to fix things with my own limited skills, I went to God and allowed Him to make things sparkling and clean again.

What's the condition of the glass in the window of your heart? Is it glistening and gleaming, washed clean, or is it filled with dirt smudges?

Thursday, February 6, 2014

Construction - Word Nerd Blog Hop


I did a quick search of the word 'build' on Biblegateway.com and came up with 226 references. Here are two that are the most significant to me.

Unless the Lord builds a house,
its builders labor over it in vain;
unless the Lord watches over a city,
the watchman stays alert in vain.
In vain you get up early and stay up late,
working hard to have enough food—
yes, He gives sleep to the one He loves.

Psalm 127:1-2

How are you doing with allowing the Lord to build your house?

Every wise woman builds her house,
but a foolish one tears it down with her own hands.

Proverbs 14:1

Are you a wise woman or a foolish one?

How goes the construction of your house? Are you trying to be in charge or are you allowing God to have the reins?