Things that Make Me Smile

Yesterday God blessed our family with a new GE oven. It was something I wanted, but I didn't expect. It is another tool to make things easier and more fun in the kitchen.

So last night Elisabeth and I broke it in by making My Granny's Chocolate Cobbler from the Tasty Kitchen website.

My new Oven

My Granny's Chocolate Cobbler

An oven window with a bright light:)

A serving of the delicious cobbler. Notice the thick chocolate sauce. Yummy!!!

Witnessing in My Neighborhood, Part 2

Another aspect of the Sunday morning messages that has been on my heart, is the fact that God has specifically put people in my life that I only have access to.

Here is an example:

We have a gentleman in our church who owns his own construction company, he has many men who work for him. This last week he was able to share the gospel with some of the men. He invited four of them to come to church and two came.

Our Pastor pointed out that he was faithful with what God had given him. Our Pastor or anybody else in our congregation couldn't have walked on the job site and started witnessing to these men because they didn't know them. But this business owner knows these men and more importantly they know him and watch him. So he was able to share the gospel with them.

There will be people like that in my life, people who God has intended me to witness to. Maybe the checker at the market, or the teller at the bank or maybe one of my physical neighbors. If I am not obedient, the Gospel will not be presented to them (at least not by me). And to be quite honest that is shameful for me. We are not talking about saying nice things or flattering somebody, we are talking about sharing the truth so they will not spend eternity in hell.

Witnessing in My Neighborhood

Where is my neighborhood? I guess I would say the area of homes all around me. But I am often in my car going to the store, bank, Sam's or even church. Do these count as my neighborhood too? Why am I having this whole conversation you wonder.

The last two weeks in church the message has been on evangelizing the lost. Now, to be very honest these messages were not the "fluffy and you make me feel happy" messages. As a matter of fact, I joked with someone in our church that the Pastor was smiling but I think he was smacking me upside the head at the same time. I truly welcomed these messages because they help to me think and evaluate my life according to God's word.

Am I broken over the people I meet each day who might be going to hell because they have not accepted Jesus as their Lord and Savior? Honestly, I would have to say no. I am usually just trying to complete all the tasks on my list and make sure I still have four little girls with me.

I have been praying that God would open my eyes and heart to see all the lost people around me as an opportunity to share God's amazing love. Also, that He would give me boldness to share in any situation.

Here is a quote from Sunday that still is causing me to ponder how I live my life:

"It is easier to die for Christ than to live for Him"

I want to live my life daily for Christ not just die for Him.  That means I need to come out of my comfort zone and be obedient to share the gospel with the lost.

I am ME

Isn't the bloggy world great. You can learn how to do anything you want from the comfort of your couch. Here is my biggest pitfall. I want to do everything and I want it to be perfect, just like all the beautiful pictures. On any given day I will visit the following sites:

Money Saving Mom- She can save us all a lot of money. She runs a successful home business that helps her family financially.

Like Merchant Ships- She has an amazing sense of style and an eye for treasures at yard sales and thrift stores. She makes me want to redecorate (actually, just decorate) my home.

Tammy's Recipes- Her food looks amazing. I use many of her recipes each week.

Girl Talk- They inspire me to live and love my girls, not to just get through my day. Also, to read more books. As a bonus, Janelle is so creative with the camera.

Happy to be Called Mommy- She is a truly gifted artist. She even makes her children's drawings into stuffed animals.

As I look at any blog, I need to keep myself in check and remember I am not that person. I am ME. God made me for His purpose, to glorify Him and enjoy Him forever. So I need to flourish with the gifts and talents God gave me, not the gifts He gave to someone else.
I am thankful that God has made us all different, this world would be bland if we all had the same gifts. Thank you Crystal, Meredith, Tammy, Carolyn, Nicole, Kristin, Janelle and Bethany for sharing your gifts with us on your blogs. You truly inspire us.
Thank you God for loving us so much to make us each different and unique.

I Praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made.
Wonderful are your works;
my soul knows it very well.
-Psalm 139:14

God has a plan for me

God seems to be working on me about using my time more efficiently for Him. Sometimes, I get so overwhelmed "I just try to get through today." But is that really living for Him? I would have to say no, I am not growing in endurance, I am not growing closer to God. I am just "living" for me, I don't like to suffer or constantly be tired, but this is what God has for me today. I need to not only smile on the outside, but on the inside as I serve my Lord and Savior.
I do not know God's plans for me, just like Job. But I do know God is good.
I need to get busy and use each opportunity for Him, whether I am making a meal for my beautiful family, teaching my girls in school, cleaning behind the toilet, or cleaning my floor, I need to do it for the glory of God.