Bears or Gators? Believer or Non-Believer? - Melissa Henderson

So God created the great creatures of the sea and every living thing with which the water teems and that moves about in it, according to their kinds, and every winged bird according to its kind. And God saw that it was good. Genesis 1:21 NIV 

“What do you mean there are gators in the neighborhood?” 

Moving from central Virginia to South Carolina's Lowcountry brought new adventures. Learning about alligators, blue skinks, armadillos, and other creatures led to excitement but also a bit of worry. One of the most interesting parts of living in a new state was adapting to the weather and different animals. Would we prefer the bears of Virginia or the gators of the South?

As my husband and I became accustomed to the humidity and scorching heat of the Deep South, we began referring to ourselves as “South Carolinians.” We laughed as we noticed folks wearing long-sleeved shirts and coats when temperatures reached sixty degrees in the Lowcountry. In Virginia, that temperature was great for wearing summer clothes. Our bodies soon acclimated to the climate, and we found ourselves dressing like the locals.

We settled into our new community and learned that alligators were a part of everyday life. Neighbors warned us, “Stay away from the gators, and they will leave you alone.” We didn’t have to be told twice about that. In the mountains of Virginia, bears could be seen crossing highways and looking for food at campgrounds.

In every state we have visited or lived in, we learned about animals. Just as there are bears and gators, there are believers and non-believers of God’s Word. Seeing the bears and gators proves they exist. Reading and studying the Bible deepens our relationship with God. Our hope and trust are found in him.

Although we don’t physically see God yet, as we do animals, we can still know He is real. He is the Creator. His love extends to all His creations. Yes, we believe he exists and will fulfill his promises.

Determine to find comfort in God's promises.

Melissa Henderson writes inspirational messages, sometimes humming them with humor. Melissa is the author of Licky the Lizard and Grumpy the Gator. She is a contributor to many publications. Melissa is an Elder, Deacon, and Stephen Minister. Follow Melissa on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, Instagram, Goodreads, Bookbub, Youtube, Linkedin, and at http://www.melissaghenderson.com.

I invite you to try my newest book, Grits, Grace, and Grands, in eBook or paperback. If you are a grandparent or just want to hear grandparent stories, this book is for you. Click on the title above to order your copy. And thanks to all our faithful followers who share our posts on Facebook, Twitter, and Linkedin.

Good Prayer Posture - Martin Wiles

When Daniel learned that the law had been signed, he went home and knelt down as usual in his upstairs room. Daniel 6:10 NLT

“Clyde, don’t slouch in your desk.”

I was in the third grade when I first became familiar with the definition of posture. Although my teacher, Mrs. Early, didn’t use the actual word, she associated it with the word slouch. So, if I didn’t slump, I would have good posture. Good posture, evidently, meant sitting up straight. But Clyde had a habit of slouching. Mrs. Early didn’t explain why it was important for Clyde to sit up straight. That part of good posture I would learn later in life. For now, it was enough to know I needed to sit up straight. Posture was important.

Posture is also crucial in prayer. The Pharisee who prayed in the temple stood while praying, and God said he went home no better off than when he arrived. The tax collector stood a different way and left with a prayer accepted by God. Daniel knelt while he prayed and found himself in the lion’s den. However, God closed the mouths of the lions.

Lying face down, standing, sitting, and kneeling are prayer postures illustrated in the Bible. Not everyone can do some of them because of health problems or disabilities. But the body’s posture isn’t nearly as important as the heart’s position. Daniel’s outward posture matched his heart’s; the Pharisee’s didn’t. Daniel knelt in his heart and posture. The Pharisee stood before God with his posture but paraded before God in his heart.

Our inward posture should be humility regardless of our outward posture when approaching God’s throne in prayer. We, as mere humans, are approaching the Creator, Controller, and Savior of the universe—the One who has the power to give and take life with a breath from his lips—the One who loved enough to sacrifice his Son for our salvation—the One who loves unconditionally and persistently.

We humbly offer ACTS: adoration, confession, thanksgiving, and supplication. Before our lists, we adore him. Before our lists, we confess our sins and shortcomings. And before our list, we thank him for his goodness, which is beyond our imagination. When we finish those things, our list of wants is typically much shorter.

Think about the posture with which you approach God.

Father, in my heart, I fall before you, the deliverer of all good things and the sustainer of our souls. 

I invite you to try my newest book, Grits, Grace, and Grands, in eBook or paperback. If you are a grandparent or just want to hear grandparent stories, this book is for you. Click on the title above to order your copy. And thanks to all our faithful followers who share our posts on Facebook, Twitter, and Linkedin.

Laying Down Life’s Loads - Christina Wooten

Cast thy burden upon the Lord, and he shall sustain thee. Psalm 55:22 KJV

I grunted in pain as I lifted my backpack onto my shoulders. My back folded like a tortilla under the weight. The bag seemed to get heavier each day. When I’m as hunched as Quasimodo in twenty or thirty years, I’ll know what to blame it on.

But sometimes, the weight on my back is even less than the weight I carry in my heart. It’s easy for me to allow worry to creep into my life. I forget to release my anxiety, just as I forget to clear out my backpack. This weight could cause problems that may last the rest of my life. But for whatever reason, I refuse to release my burdens.

The psalmist tells us to lay our burdens on the Lord. However, I don’t always believe God can handle the weight.

When my boyfriend first offered to carry my backpack, I hesitated. What if he drops it? I thought. What if he isn’t careful with my stuff?

These concerns were ridiculous. My boyfriend is stronger than I am and can easily handle my backpack. By questioning his abilities, I demonstrated that I didn’t trust his strength—only my own.

Unfortunately, my backpack is not the only weight I hesitate to lay down. Jesus beckons me to give him my stress and worries, but I don’t trust him sometimes. What if he doesn’t care about my problems? What if my burdens aren’t important to him?

Yet, God is strong enough to handle our difficulties. He takes care of our burdens as though they were his own. God won’t let go of them, just as he won’t let go of us. If we give our troubles to Christ, we show the world that we trust him.

We don’t have to cling to our loads. Instead, we can relinquish them to the One who is stronger than we are. Our burdens may be heavy, but his burden is light.

When you feel you don’t have the strength to stand under the weight of life’s problems, allow the Lord to carry your burdens.

Father, I give my burdens to you.

 

Christina Wooten is a college senior studying Performance and Professional Writing. Her love for language and acting has impassioned her to serve God with her words. In her spare time, she also enjoys singing and crocheting. She hopes to continue to write professionally after graduation.

I invite you to try my newest book, Grits, Grace, and Grands, in eBook or paperback. If you are a grandparent or just want to hear grandparent stories, this book is for you. Click on the title above to order your copy. And thanks to all our faithful followers who share our posts on Facebook, Twitter, and Linkedin.

Sweet Potato Souffle

 

Ingredients

3 LARGE SWEET POTATOES

½ STICK BUTTER

1 CUP BROWN SUGAR

1 CUP WHITE SUGAR

2 EGGS

1 CUP MILK

1 TEASPOON VANILLA

2 CUP CHOPPED PECANS

2 TABLESPOON PLAIN FLOUR

Directions

WASH, PEEL, AND CUT POTATOES INTO CHUNKS. COOK UNTIL TENDER.

IN A BOWL, MASH  THE POTATOES. 

ADD WHITE SUGAR, 1/2 CUP BROWN SUGAR, EGGS, MILK, VANILLA, AND 1/4 STICK OF BUTTER.

MIX WELL AND POUR INTO A GREASED CASSEROLE DISH.

IN A SEPARATE BOWL, MIX THE REST OF THE BUTTER, BROWN SUGAR, FLOUR, AND PECANS. 

PLACE ON TOP OF POTATO MIXTURE.

BAKE AT 350 FOR 35-40 MINUTES.

I invite you to try my newest book, Grits, Grace, and Grands, in eBook or paperback. If you are a grandparent or just want to hear grandparent stories, this book is for you. Click on the title above to order your copy. And thanks to all our faithful followers who share our posts on Facebook, Twitter, and Linkedin.

The Celebration - Lynne Phipps

Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come! All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation: that God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting men's sins against them. And he has committed to us the message of reconciliation. We are therefore Christ's ambassadors. 2 Corinthians 5:17-20 NIV

For many years, my friend Gary ran a fishing charter business on Atlin Lake in British Columbia, Canada. During this time, he was fortunate enough to reel in a huge catch of his own. He not only preserved a catch through his taxidermy skills but also through joyously celebrating the retelling of his story with his clients and friends.

Likewise, the shepherds—to whom the angels had revealed themselves on the first Christmas night after hurrying off and finding Mary, Joseph, and the baby lying in the manger—spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child. All who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. 

The angels' announcement to the shepherds was a life-changing event. A celebration that I am sure they remembered forever and repeatedly retold to any and all who would listen.

The sighting of the star, which guided the Magi from the East to the place where they would find the baby in Bethlehem, was also a life-changing event. They traveled a great distance to follow and find the Christ child and offer him precious gifts fit for a king. They also spoke about this great news to King Herod, which was something to celebrate. 

Herod, however, was incensed by the news and plotted evil after hearing it. The Magi, being warned in a dream not to go back and say anything more to Herod, returned to their country by another route. Though the Scriptures do not give us further insight into the Magi's lives, I have no doubt that this life-changing event was something they, too, kept celebrating by retelling their marvelous story to others.

As we approach Christmas, how will our celebrations reflect the story of the King of Kings? Further, how will our lives continue to celebrate what He has done for those who believe and have accepted Him as Lord and Savior? 

Hopefully, we will celebrate by joyfully telling others about all that Christ has done for us. He has forgiven our sins, reconciled us to God, made us new creations, and given us the great privilege of being His ambassadors. As fishers of people, we can offer the message of reconciliation to all people.

Father God, may my life continue to celebrate the reconciling message of Christ as I share it with others. In Christ's name, amen.

Lynne Phipps and her family live on a small hobby farm in the heart of Alberta, Canada’s farming country. She has been writing devotions for forty years and never tires of the spiritual correlation the Holy Spirit blesses her with. He uses normal everyday events and the behaviors of the multitude of glorious creatures He has brought across her path to point her to the truths of God. Lynne is a devotion writer for VineWords: Devotions and More.

I invite you to try my newest book, Grits, Grace, and Grands, in eBook or paperback. If you are a grandparent or just want to hear grandparent stories, this book is for you. Click on the title above to order your copy. And thanks to all our faithful followers who share our posts on Facebook, Twitter, and Linkedin.

Under God's Wings - Summer Griffin

He shall cover thee with his feathers, and under his wings shalt thou trust: his truth shall be thy shield and buckler. Psalm 91:4 KJV

The smell of coffee didn’t soothe me like usual. I only had twenty minutes left of my free hour and needed at least fifteen of those minutes to drive back to campus from my favorite coffee shop. Why was the barista taking so long? Couldn't she see that I was in a rush?

“C’mon. C’mon,” I mumbled as I checked my phone for the umpteenth time and tried to stop tapping my foot.

A blanket of clouds loomed overhead with the promise of rain. After weeks of nothing, not even a light sprinkling, why did the weather forecast rain during my break? I hate driving in the rain when I can only see a few feet in front of me and have to blindly trust other drivers not to wreck my shoebox of a car. In a college town right next to the beach, finding safe drivers often seems like an impossible task. 

I whispered a prayer. “Lord, please let me get back safely.” But the clouds continued to darken, turning a shade of gray like dove feathers. 

The psalmist doesn’t say what he was hiding from when he ran to God, but his trust in God reminds us that we can always run to God no matter our circumstances.

When we are under God’s wings of protection, we can’t see what storm He shelters us from. But we rely on the promise that He will guide us through all our circumstances. God will cover us with His love and safety; we must trust that truth. How foolish to worry about the rain outside while standing inside His shelter. No storm lasts forever, and when we rest in the shelter of God’s wings, He will carry us to a new and brighter day.

Lord, guide my heart to see Your love and protection in my daily walk with You.

Summer Griffin is a senior college student pursuing a B.A. in Professional Writing. She has taught in children’s Sunday School and Toddler Church. A North Carolina native, she has a deep love for writing, reading, fishing, swimming, and all things family. When she isn’t working or studying, she can be found cheering her brothers on in sports and martial arts.

I invite you to try my newest book, Grits, Grace, and Grands, in eBook or paperback. If you are a grandparent or just want to hear grandparent stories, this book is for you. Click on the title above to order your copy. And thanks to all our faithful followers who share our posts on Facebook, Twitter, and Linkedin.

Sin’s Fallout - Martin Wiles

I punish the children for the sins of their parents to the third and fourth generations. Exodus 34:7 NLT

My wife and I pass a particular church’s parking lot on the way to our church. We were once affiliated with this church and remember when the parking lot and most of the seats inside were full. The music was awesome, and the preaching was vivacious. New members joined regularly, and excitement filled the air.

Then, things changed. Attendance declined to half as much, and an air of despondency filled the sanctuary—not because of anything the current members had done, but because of sin’s fallout effect. A leader—and a few members—chose to delve into sin, and the entire church felt the effect.

I once thought this verse was confusing . . . even unfair. Why should children and their children suffer for something they didn’t do? Then I discovered a better interpretation. God isn’t saying they are responsible for their relatives’ sins but that they will feel the fallout from them.

Though I’m responsible for my personal sins, rarely do they only affect me. Thousands of children suffer physical and emotional ailments because their moms chose to use dangerous substances while they were pregnant or because their parents chose to berate them with emotionally damaging messages. Numerous spouses experience irreparably ruined credit records due to poor decisions by an ex-spouse. And many reputations suffer when the person themselves has no control over a bad situation.

Since we’re involved with others in some fashion, our closest associates will feel the effects of our decisions. Choosing to sin is never just about us. Our sinful choices will take us where we really don’t want to go—even though we think we might. Additionally, we’ll carry others with us who don’t want to go but who are carried along by association. And we’ll then keep them and ourselves longer than we want to stay. Further, the cost can be astronomical. 

While confessing sin is crucial, it rarely removes the consequences of poor decisions. Consequences are God’s reminders. Better yet is making a commitment to live a pure life and walk in the power of the new nature God has given. When we do this, we’ll experience less of sin’s fallout effect—and so will others close to us.

Think of ways to prevent sin’s fallout effect in your life.

Father, remind me that my body is a temple of your Spirit and that I should present it to you as a pure and holy sacrifice. 

I invite you to try my newest book, Grits, Grace, and Grands, in eBook or paperback. If you are a grandparent or just want to hear grandparent stories, this book is for you. Click on the title above to order your copy. And thanks to all our faithful followers who share our posts on Facebook, Twitter, and Linkedin.