In the Bible, we are called vessels, clay pots made by the Master and useful for whatever He wants to use us. However, many of us have decided all on our own that we cannot do anything for God. Like Moses, we may say that we can’t speak well. Or like Gideon, we may think that we are too weak. Nevertheless, God says that He can use us, no matter what our strengths and talents are. He has created each of us for a purpose, and we need to seek out that purpose and get busy doing it.

So, how do you become purified? Through God’s word and prayer and setting yourself apart for Him. You are already prepared for every good work! Jesus has made you righteous, so you are purified.

Photo Image from patheos.com

This verse says to do whatever your hand finds to do. I think that means whatever you are capable of doing, with your mind, heart, soul and strength. If you have a talent to sing, then sing for the Lord, with everything that is in you. If you have a passion to build homes, then build them for others. There are so many worthy organizations that can use your talents. If you are like me and can speak two languages or more, use that to reach others with the Gospel. I remember going on a missions trip back in the 90’s. We were a team of medical missionaries going to Guatemala, to a remote village to serve those who had never had the chance to see a doctor. We had an ophthalmologist, a general surgeon and a dentist with us. We also had about a half a dozen nurses. And then there was me and one other lady whom I had convinced to come along because she also spoke Spanish well. I felt woefully inadequate because I did not know medical terminology in Spanish at all! I had been teaching high school Spanish and I can assure you that we did not address vocabulary for viruses or diseases. Once we got on the field, though, my friend and I became well acquainted with using a medical dictionary. We interpreted in a little circle. The people who were our patients were Mayan and spoke a local dialect. Then a local interpreter told one of us in Spanish what their symptoms were. We used our dictionaries frequently and then told the doctor in English what those symptoms were. The doctor told us what had to be done for the patient, and so the the circle continued. It was absolutely heart-breaking to see these natives with diseases like TB that we don’t even see in the United States. By the end of the day, my friend and I were both exhausted. (Our days began before daybreak and ended long after dark, with a break for lunch that the natives provided.). We stayed there for ten days and at the end of that time, I was ready to go back home to civilization, but I also had a greater appreciation for how God was able to use the small ability that I have. For a while at our current church, we had Hispanics attending and I interpreted for them. Once again, I was using my Spanish. Recently, I have been helping a teacher friend who attends our church to pass a test that she has to pass in our state in order to keep her certification. I helped her by explaining what her errors were by relating them to Spanish and showing her how English differs. I continue to look for ways to serve God right where I am and with the abilities that He has given me. Since God is no respecter of persons, He will meet and use you right where you are, too.

What is in your hand? Only seven loaves? That’s okay! In fact, it’s wonderful because in the hand of the Savior, it is more than enough! Whatever you have, God can use it. No matter how small you think that your abilities and talents are, God gave them to you for a reason. Just spend some time asking God to use you. Let Him open your eyes to the needs around you for someone just like you to meet that need. Then, you can know and fulfill your purpose. Blessings!

Put your brain on pause and just think bout the title of my blog today. God, the Creator of you and all of the Universe, is on your side. Do you recall in elementary school being chosen for teams to play kick ball or some other activity on the playground? I vividly recall always being chosen last because I was so bad at running. I would always lose my breath and end up walking around bases, that is, if I could even manage to kick the ball. But now, as an adult, I have been chosen to be on God’s team and He is always fighting for us. Yes, we have trials and tribulations. It’s called L-I-F-E. But even in the midst of whatever we are going through, we have to remember that God is FOR us. He wants us to win. (Hey, guys! Just a hint. Read the end of the Book…WE WIN!). Whatever we are going through is meant to make us stronger, not defeat us. I have been going through three months of trials as I await my upcoming surgery. One member of our church said I just need to pray for healing and then I wouldn’t need surgery. Honestly, he didn’t need to tell me that. I have been praying. But as I pray, I also pray, “Not my will but Yours be done.” So far, no healing has happened. However, I have met a lot of technicians and other medical personnel as I have undergone numerous medical tests. My hope is that I sowed a little of God’s seed in each of their lives. So, if that is part of the reason that I am going through this, I’m wiling to undergo the tests and the imminent surgery.

Some of us, including me, have to remind ourselves of this Scripture and its truth. No one can defeat you ultimately because God is for you. Let that WOW moment sink in! God is for you…no one can defeat you!

This Scripture is my prayer as I face surgery and whatever other trials may come my way. I want to continue to be able to delight in the Lord and to join Him in Heaven one day.

God is leading us, much as He led the Hebrews in the wilderness. He is a pillar of a cloud and a burning fire showing us the way. But where is it, you may ask. Inside you! You are being guided by His Holy Spirit and wherever He leads you, He will also lead you through it or out of it. God is truly on your side. He chose you to be on His team and He will never leave you.

And so we go through this life, comforted by God for the express purpose of being able to use our troubles that we survived or thrived during in order to comfort others. Our experiences are for a reason…we may never understand the reason, but I, for one, am always looking for the next person who needs an encouraging word. That is what a teammate does, after all…encourage someone to achieve victory. Are you encouraging someone today, or do you need encouragement yourself? God is for you…cheering you on with all of the Heavenly Host until one day He will welcome you to your eternal home and say to you, “Well done!” I hope that this post will encourage you to keep on keeping on…God is the captain of your team and He knows that you can do it because He has empowered you. Blessings!

Our God by Chris Tomlin

This is an amazing book that mixes fiction with Biblical truth. Jill Eileen Smith is noted for her fiction books about Old Testament women. In her latest book, she combines the stories that she imagines twelve women in the Bible lived and applies the lessons that they learned to our lives. I was particularly impressed with how real these twelve women became to me; the author indeed quickened their spirits to me as she wrote about the choices that they faced and their dreams that they had lost. The theme of the book is one of redemption and hope, knowing that we can trust our God to either fulfill our dreams or give us a better one. In her foray into non-fiction, the author has combined what she does best with true research from the Bible and produced a book that can be an inspiration to everyone looking for answers for a life that isn’t what you expected.

Disclaimer

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a complimentary copy of this book from Revell. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255, “Guides Concerning the Use of Testimonials and Endorsements in Advertising.”

Available TODAY from your local bookseller!

This book was extremely hard to put down and very well-written. Since it was the first book I have read by this author and part of a series, I was pleasantly surprised that it can be read as a stand alone. I was totally caught up in the story of Tim and Carla and their attempts to have a healthy baby. I could feel Carla’s pain and depression from her miscarriages and relate to her loss of hope in a future. After a devastating loss, she receives journals written by Tim and finds out many secrets that would have changed their lives together had she known. The secrets are revealed slowly so that I was drawn into the story of this couple more and more. I liked that the chapters were short and the action and feelings of each character were very believable. When Carla returns from the hospital and just can’t deal any longer with the tragedies in her life, she take two painkillers. Her attempt to escape reality had me sympathizing with her and her desperate plight. I was pulling for her throughout the rest of the book and really enjoyed the conclusion and how everything worked out. The author has written a book of fiction, but it is also a commentary on depression and how real it is and how it needs to be accepted and treated as a real illness. Readers of psychological suspense will enjoy this book. I know that I look forward to reading other books by this talented and empathetic author!

Disclaimer

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher via Netgalley. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255,”Guides Concerning the Use of Testimonials and Endorsements in Advertising.”

This book was absolutely one of the best thrillers that I have read in a long time! The author knew just when to increase the suspense and then how to keep the reader waiting and wanting more. When the story begins, Paige is suffering from a broken heart, caused by none other than her conniving cousin Heather. Joan, Paige’s mother, is feeling old and at loose ends, after being a widow for a few years. Chloe, Paige’s best friend, is suffering a crisis of her own when she finds out that her husband Matt may have been unfaithful. At first, it seemed like a lot of characters to keep up with, but actually, they all had some strong personalities that the book took on a life of its own, like a really engrossing movie. The final character worth mentioning in a review is Mr. Right Now, Paige’s contact on a dating site who may or may not be what she is hoping for. The story is so fast-paced that it’s like a whirlwind of drama or a high-speed locomotive. I enjoyed the relationships between the characters and I particularly liked that the protagonist, Paige, was easy to like. I found myself almost holding my breath when Paige’s life was in imminent danger, again and again. Of course, the reader is not meant to like Heather because she is extremely obnoxious, so I didn’t like her at all, although I did kind of pity her for her shallow life. This book has it all: love gained and lost, love for a lifetime, a parent’s neglect, unemployment, and a serial killer. Put it all together and it all adds up to one fantastic book!

Disclaimer

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher via Netgalley. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255, “Guides Concerning the Use of Testimonials and Endorsements in Advertising.”

Stu from Something to Stu Over nominated me for this unique award and opportunity to answer some really intriguing questions. Thank you, Stu for the honor! You should check out Stu’s answers to Kristian’s questions. He has some great insight on life and its challenges.

The Award was created by Dear Kitty in 2004 with the concept of connecting worldwide blogs and bloggers to award their efforts and work within their written works.

Here are the guidelines:

1. Put the award logo on your blog.

2. Answer 7 questions asked by the person who nominated you.

3. Thank the person who nominated you, linking to their blog(s).

4. Nominate any number of bloggers you like, linking to their blog.

5. Let them know that you nominated them (by commenting on their blog, etc.)

6. Ask 7 questions for those you choose to participate.

Here are the questions posed by Stu:

1, What is the weirdest dream that you have ever had?

Unfortunately, I am one of those people who does not remember much of my dreams. I do recall part of a dream in which I was having a conversation with my mother and she was listening to me and hugged me. That was a weird dream because I was one of five kids in my household and my mom had very little time for me as she seemed to consider me a nuisance. I guess somewhere in there was some love for me.

2. If money were no object, where would your dream vacation be?

Spain! I have only been to Europe once (in 2007) and I toured Madrid and southern Spain. I would really like to see the northern part of Spain, especially Barcelona and Santiago de Compostela. I taught Spanish for almost four decades so my interest in the culture is a part of my heart.

3. How do you envision Heaven to be?

More wonderful than I could ever imagine! I will not have any pain or sorrow and I will get to see the prophets and apostles about whom I have read for years. It will sound funny to everyone, but I am looking forward to being totally whole, and for the first time in my life, I will be able to run! I was born with asthma which has limited my physical activity for my entire life. I want to run into the arms of our Savior and just bask in His love and acceptance!

4. Do you feel women are more spiritual than men? Why?

I do not feel that one gender is more spiritual than another. However, I do believe that some people demonstrate their “spirituality” more openly than others. For example, my husband and I were both baptized in the Holy Spirit shortly after our salvation. While I pray frequently in tongues and also have used spiritual gifts openly in the church, my husband prays quietly in his prayer language. His gift is as a leader, not necessarily one who speaks out in church. That does not make me more spiritual than he is; it makes us different. Both of us, I feel, are fulfilling our places in the church and in the body of Christ. Like the Bible says, not everyone can be the head or the hands; some of us have to be the big toe or the pinkie finger. No matter what we do in the Body of Christ in which God has placed us, we are important to that body and need to complete the function for which God put us there. God gives various gifts: teacher, apostle, prophets, gifts, etc. (I Corinthians 12:28). I don’t think gender is the deciding factor for spirituality; it is openness to God and being ready and able to be used by Him whenever He wants to use us.

5. If Jesus came back today to walk among us for a few months, how would the world treat Him?

Probably worse than He was treated during Biblical times because the sin is so rampant and He would not be able to tolerate it or be “politically correct” about it. I can imagine His being interviewed by all of the talk shows and being condemned much more quickly than the Crucifixion took place. I believe with all my heart that Jesus came to earth at just the right time and in just the right place.

6. What’s your least favorite thing about adulting?

Paying my bills and balancing my checking account.

7. When shopping and walking around with your head up, do you at least smile to those who are walking around you?

I try very hard to keep a smile on my face and to say encouraging words to others when I am out and about.

I am passing on this award to the following extraordinary bloggers. I hope that you will check out and consider following their blogs.

Not So Modern Girl

Riverside Peace

Bible Blogger Girl

Sunshiny SA Site

Parallax

Jackie

Sojourners On Earth

Here are my questions:

1. If you could time travel to any period in history, to where would you want to travel and why?

2. What is the one book that you have read that has most influenced your life?

3. What is one thing in your life that you would do differently if you could?

4. Who is the person who will miss you the most if you pass away?

5. Do you think that you have a purpose in your life? Have you discovered what it is and are you fulfilling it?

6. What is the most beautiful thing (not a person) that you have ever seen? Can you share a photo of it?

7. If you could be the leader of one country in the world, what country would you choose and why?

I hope that you have enjoyed this blog post and the award that it represents. Thanks again to Stu for the nomination! Blessings!