Month: March 2008

Missions

Contest!!! Yipee!

A. Knight

Sponsored by Art Bookbindery

Calling all writers! Click on the link button above and enter the new writing contest at Christian Women Online Magazine.

Once again, Christian Women Online, in conjunction with Art Bookbindery, is sponsoring the “Her Life Reflected,” writing contest. They are looking for essays that tell us how your mother, or a mother that you know has reflected the heart of our Heavenly Father in her life. The winning essay will be one that is both written well, and of most importance, one that reflects God as being the central focus of one’s life.

THERE IS A CASH PRIZE offered—along with some great books, a new coffee mug, Music! Wow! How can you resist?

Never thought about writing…? Well, give it a shot! Pray about it—write about her! Someone must have inspired you to be who you are! Tell us! Click on the button and find out the details!

I wish I could enter…but I can’t—contest rules and all that stuff—since I am a regular contributor to CWO Internet Cafe…..but if you can….do it! Do it now!

I cannot wait to read what you have written!

Fun

Who are YOU?

A. Knight

I thought this was a neat quiz….pop over and check yourself out!

I am Elinor Dashwood!

Take the Quiz here!

I have seen the movie—enjoyed it very much…have the book…(somewhere!)

Also, a bit of trivia for you…I will be having a “mother’s day give-away”….and from now until then, I will post a “hint” or two settled deeply inside each devotional post….so, you will have to read carefully and when you comment, tell me what you think the “hint” was!

The first one will be easy…***she is a mom***. The next ones may not be as easy.
I think this will be fun! So, join me as we journey to “Mother’s Day”. A day I am thilled to share with my sweet Mother!

Devotion, Hope, Life

I Hope

A. Knight

“Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ: By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God. And not only [so], but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience; And patience, experience; and experience, hope: And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us. For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly.” Romans 5:1-6 KJV

Have you ever heard the phrase, “Don’t get your hopes up” ? I have. I’ve said it many times as well. To myself, to my kids, probably even to my sweet man. Expecting a check? Don’t get your hopes up. Expecting a vacation at a certain time of year…don’t get your hopes up…something always happens…But that is not a good attitude. And I know it. I should be planting hope…not ripping it out of the ground. But I just couldn’t help it. I have had my hopes dashed more times than I want to count. But I realize why. Displaced hope.

Hope in God, never disappoints. Never. Ever. Hope in mankind or your circumstances or position in life? Disappointment. I won’t say always, nor will I say 9 times out of 10…or even 50% of the time . . . but I will say many times.

Hope is a wish or desire accompanied by confident expectation of its fulfillment. That’s the definition given by the American Standard Dictionary.

Hope implies contingency. Or, a “hope-so hope”. You ask a student in high school, “Are you going to graduate with honors?” The answer, “I hope so”. Their answer is contingent upon them putting forth every effort and doing everything possible to make it happen. And then hoping that it turns out the way they have planned. But what if they get side tracked? What if they miss some classes due to some unforeseen circumstances…they can only “hope”.

“Will the surgery be successful?” “I hope so. Barring no complications of infection or problems. I hope so.”

But the Biblical term here in these verses is not the hope-so hope…but rather a “know-so hope”. It is absolute. Concrete. Solid. God is the God of hope.

“We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they are good for us-they help us learn to endure. And endurance develops strength of character in us, and character strengthens our confident expectation of salvation.” Romans 5:3-4 NLT (emphasis mine)

“And this expectation will not disappoint us. For we know how dearly God loves us, because he has given us the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts with his love. When we were utterly helpless, Christ came at just the right time and died for us sinners.” Romans 5:5-6 NLT

How I love the fact that every time I place my hopes in Christ I can be confident that it is secure. It is solidified with the power of the Holy Spirit. Immovable. Unshakable. As long as I keep my hope focused on Christ…and not man. Nor me.

Happy is he that hath the God of Jacob for his help, whose hope is in the LORD his God: Psalm 146:5

The LORD is my portion, saith my soul; therefore will I hope in him. The LORD is good unto them that wait for him, to the soul that seeketh him. Lamentations 3:24-25

My hope is in Him. I have hope. Thank you Father, for the hope in my heart. For the love I feel, even when I am most unloveable. Thank you Lord, for the forgiveness that flowed. From the cross~freely to all who will ask~to all who will believe~to all who will have hope. Thank you Father, for my hope. My hope is in Christ. Thank you for Your nearness. For Your soon coming. Help me Lord to do all I can~help me to hear Your voice. Help me to share that Hope. In Your awesome name I pray~Amen.

Missions

And the Winner Is….

A. Knight

Do you remember this line? “Wouldn’t it be a hoot if you won both give-aways?” This line is from the “give-away” post. Now girls, I tried about a dozen different ways to paste the actual page from the number generator that I always use on this page…nothing worked. Maybe you have a way to copy and paste and it turn out just right….but I just could not make it work!
So I copy pasted what I could…the pictures would not paste… 😦 But the rest did…so—without further ado…..

This program will generate a random number between two numbers of your choice.

Enter a lower limit: 1
Enter an upper limit: 45
Random Number: 5



I am excited to announce….that Darnelle….you must be wearing your lucky shirt today!—“Wouldn’t it be a hoot if you won both give-aways?” Congratulations girl! It amazed me…and I laughed out loud when I counted down the list of names to number 5!

Well, that’s it for today! I have a special “Mother’s Day” give-away already lined up. But I have to learn about Mr. Linky first (how to install and use)—it will be a great give-away…and I already have it—purchased from “LifeWay” two weeks ago with “Mother’s Day” in mind. So, stay tuned…you never know when a clue to the give-away might appear (hint…you will see **** surrounding a word clue)!

Missions

GIVE-AWAY

A. Knight

This is a sticky post and will remain at the top until the drawing…


Several years ago I met an author. Max Lucado. No, I didn’t shake his hand…and I really didn’t meet him face to face…but I met him through the pages of his books.
(Much like we—bloggity buddies—meet and fellowship with one another.)

I do not have him on a pedestal . . . that is wrong to do. But I have found great comfort and reality in the words he writes. He writes with such clarity…that even I can understand. I have found great joy in giving. So, I want to share some Easter joy with someone. I will be having a give-away on Monday, March 24.
All three hardback books will go to someone….special! Maybe it is you!

Simply leave me a comment that you would like to be entered, and post about the give-away…and enter you I will! Also, on the Sisters of Faith blog, my sister, Aimee, and I are having a T-Shirt give-away! Time is running out on that one! So hope over there…and enter that one too! Wouldn’t it be a hoot if you won both give-aways?

Have a blessed day!

Update…Entries have closed! Thank you all for participating….check back this afternoon for the winner! (Name will be up by 3:00 p.m. CST) The T-Shirt winner on Sisters of Faith was “Darnelle”! Congratulations Darnelle!

Thank you

You’ve Made My Day!

A. Knight

First…I must thank Chelle` over at “The World of Chelle`”—girl—you brought tears to my eyes! I deserve no awards….all awards go directly to My FATHER! He has done great things—in my life—and I am nothing. But He is EVERYTHING!

When I saw this award—I new instantly who I would love to give this to.

This year has been filled with emotional ups and downs. From finding out we were going to be grandparents again (Yipee!), to losing one of my two best friends—my sister, Wanda. My daily calls with my baby sister, Aimee fills me with much joy among the tears that we share. Thank you Lord…for this blessed gift of a sister/best friend/confidante.

Now, to the award. This special friend has blessed me every.single.day. with an e-mail of encouragement and kindness. On weekends I don’t usually get on the computer at all…but when Monday rolls around, I have a full inbox of sweet surprises from this sweet soul. I have many sweet friends to give this to—but Denise—you are constantly amazing me with your goodness to others. In every difficult thing that has come your way, you choose to be a victor—and not a victim. You choose to become better—instead of bitter. You choose Christ—and girl —He shines forth from your heart in everything you do like the noon-day sun! I love you sweet Denise–you amaze me. You are a blessing to HIM. And every life you touch.

So, without further ado….Denise—I applaud you—-for being the light for the lost….the reaching arm for those of us that have felt in pain. You have brought comfort to my heart and and much joy to my soul! God bless you Denise! Thank you sweet friend!

Life Issues

Sisters…two here…one There

A. Knight

So….here we are.
Angie and Aimee. The oldest girl and the baby girl.

Our picture is forever altered. For there was a face that fit right in the middle. Wanda’s.

We carry on. In Faith. Forever Trusting. Always believing….in Him. After all, we do have a job to do. Share His truth. With everyone we can. All who will recieve.

“And He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature.” Mark 16:15

We will be her voice. We will share the love of Christ with others. We will carry on.

I feel that both Aimee and myself have a new found determination to do more. Go further. Carry more. Tell more. Be more for Christ, Who was all for us.

We begin with the T-Shirts. They speak a message.

Sisters we are….faith we have…Christ we share.

And the verse? “Wait on the Lord. “Wait on the LORD: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the LORD.” Psalm 27:14

I can’t tell you what she saw when she took His hand and entered in….but I can tell you what I felt. I felt the glory of God as I have never experienced it before. I felt—more than saw….a glimmer of His Presence as the heavens parted for her to make her entrance as He extended His hand. As a conductor lifts his arm and leads an emotional piece of music….and then moves it upward, reaching higher for the highest note to be heard…I felt her move in spirit to the “higher places” with the Father. The beginning of the most beautiful song heard imaginable.

Sisters of faith…and sisters that have not yet decided to accept His love….Accept Him. Accepts His love. Accept His Gift. Christ Jesus’ life. His sacrifice. Accept Him on this glorious Easter weekend…the first Easter Wanda can be with the One that gave everything for a sinner such as I.

I intend to hear that song for myself. Her song as well as mine. For we each have one you know. At least it’s what I believe. Whatever I need to change…I will change. Whatever He chooses for me….I accept. He is my all. My Savior. My Father and soon coming King.

If Wanda could tell us something this morning…it might be:

“Sisters, the cross will be heavy at times, but you will never have to carry it alone. The Lord will be your guide…as He was mine. Remember the past victories and rejoice! Remember the countless blessings and take heart! There truly is joy in the morning!

Within myself, I had no strength, but through the power and strength of trusting in God—He gave me what I needed. Everytime. You can make it to the end! You can finish the race!

Keeping the faith,

The Sisters

Thankful Thursdays

The Posture of a Thankful Heart

A. Knight

I feel as if I am coming out of a fog…thick swirling smokey haze…and then the light! When you’ve had the cold/flu symptoms—it takes a while to get back to normal…but what was normal? Remind me?

I am blessed to have so much in my life. Friends, family…but most of all—GOD. Without Him, I can do nothing.

I am blessed to be able to read. Wow! I love to read. It is obvious by my shelves…it is also obvious by my love for Barnes & Noble and LifeWay Christian Supply. (No Jeff, I have not been in LifeWay since the last time) *grin* ….But my vehicle mysteriously drove itself to B&N today at lunch and I had no choice but to get out and go in! It was nice and peaceful…and the smell…mmm…starbucks coffee and books….next to the smell of a freshly washed baby…that tops all scents! Almost. I like to smell bread baking….speaking of which, I am blessed to be “able to smell” again…after not being able to during sickness!

I am blessed with a wonderful church family. A great group of believers that love one another and enjoy good times of fellowship! I am so blessed to be a part of such an awesome Women’s Bible Study group! Next week we begin a study “One Month to Live”….I pray now that it has an impact on my life….and every-single-person-taking the course. The whole church is involved in this one!

I am proud of my sweet man, who was recently elected as a deacon in the church. Whether he knows it or not….he makes me proud to be his wife. Whether he is cooking a cake ….or repairing something that is broken….or in the middle of a painting project…and continually saying…”did I tell you how much I hate painting?”…still proud of you honey-pie…because you never quit on anything….even the things that you don’t like to do!


But this…is something that we love to do! Loving on the many blessings the Lord has graciously provided! And fortunately for us…they love–loving on us!

I am blessed that the Lord lives and reigns in my life. I have been blessed to celebrate 46 Easter’s. Through the adventure of egg hunts, where I hunted…and then the years when I was the egg decorator!

I am blessed with an experience at the cross….in a posture of prayer…repentant heart, thankful heart, loving heart. Thank you Lord, for the Easter centuries ago, when You took Your place back on Your throne and invited us to join You. Thank You Lord for Your sacrifice…that no matter how many movies are made and watched…we still cannot comprehend. The full sacrifice of heaven. He has risen indeed! He’s alive and living in ME!!

“And for fear of him the guards trembled and became like dead men. But the angel said to the women, ‘Do not be afraid, for I know that you seek Jesus who was crucified. He is not here, for he has risen, as he said. Come, see the place where he lay. Then go quickly and tell his disciples that he has risen from the dead, and behold, he is going before you to Galilee; there you will see him. See, I have told you.’” ~ Matthew 28:4-7 (ESV)

For more thankful hearts this Thursday before Easter, go see Iris—she is incredible at keeping us reminded of all that we each have to be thankful for!

Thank you sweet friend!