Friends

For starters, look at the word FRIEND, and think of the true meaning and those you have close in your life. Honestly if you stare at the word long enough, it looks misspelled. Ha!
We are currently doing a bible study with our small group about Community. It brings me back to the simple word ~ friend.
What do you consider a true friend? Who do you consider a good friend? When tragedy or stress hits, I believe a true friend is one that reaches out to check on you. A true friend just knows you and your deeper self (not the outer mosts of us), but they can pick up that, "hey I need to reach out and check on her."

I believe friendship is easier in our earlier years b/c we don't have the daily stress of family, children, bills, and the crazy life that goes with it. For me it is stopping my crazy life and welcoming a friend to lunch or coffee. Just chosing to pick the phone up and call my friend that lives out of town. Then I can honestly feel better about myself and the stress I thought I had. Friends are awesome. Friends should be like our 1st baseman - ready to help us go the rest of the way in life! We can't be like that garage door and hide behind our door and not share our life from our friends. We have to be open, honest, and raw.. The word "raw" has come up alot in my life today.. to be totally true to who you are.. share the best, the worst, and the stuff that we want to hold deepest to ourselves..

Here is to us praying that God brings the friends into our lives that we can partner up with and do life together!!

A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for a time of adversity.Proverbs 17:17

Hospitality ~ How Often Do You Welcome Someone?

Fall is a great time! We look forward to the holidays, and everyone is a tad bit nicer than the earlier part of the year. Also, let's face it.. Life is BUSY! September chewed me up and spit me out! Once October arrived and a sermon on Stress.Less, I said hello fall! You won't get me down! One of my favorite bloggers does this October challenge to focus on family and prayer, I love it. I always bring my candle out on week 1. I'm pretty sure the blog link is tied to a picture on this blog. I simply love it and looking forward to time where everyone will look forward to spending extra family time!

Last night my pastor preached on a subject that is dear to my heart. Hospitality. To him it wasn't his favorite point and thought it was something everyone needed to hear but might not light a fire on some. I love it b/c it is something I focus on really just my personality.

Here are some of his points:
Hospitality is receiving and treating guests and strangers in a warm, friendly, and generous way. The word literally means "love of strangers."
Biblical hospitality is about making God look good, not ourselves. So don't let a messy house keep you from welcoming someone!

We are to show it not only to friends and family... but strangers.. fellow believers.. and the forgotten .. He even added those that suck the energy out of you.. You need to love even those.

We are to open our hearts, our lives, our homes, emulate the love of Christ, serve Christ by serving others, and bring glory to God.

1 Peter 4: 9 Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling. 10 Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms. 11 If anyone speaks, they should do so as one who speaks the very words of God. If anyone serves, they should do so with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory and the power for ever and ever. Amen.

Hebrews 13: Keep on loving one another as brothers and sisters. 2 Do not forget to show hospitality to strangers, for by so doing some people have shown hospitality to angels without knowing it. 3 Continue to remember those in prison as if you were together with them in prison, and those who are mistreated as if you yourselves were suffering.

We all understand that this world is a dangerous place, but you never know what someone is going through. they might just need a smile, an offer to help, or a simple act of kindness. At the beginning of the year, I made a goal to try to cook a meal with a friend and have them over. Offer my home for a visit, even if my kids had destroyed it. I was an OCD person, but really if you have kids.. you survive and laugh at the mess. May we all find a way to help someone, show kindness to those people that society shrugs a shoulder at, show God's love.. there are so many lost souls out there. And from showing God's love, my we show our children to do the same!

Jesus Always Embracing Joy in His Presence

This given description is: "Sarah Young’s first 365-day devotional since Jesus Calling.

With scripture and new personal reflections, the #1 New York Times bestselling author Sarah Young, brings Jesus’ message of joy—for today and every day. Experience true joy—now and always.

Life today is full of difficulties—loss, sadness, fear. In the midst of these challenges, joy often feels impossible or out of reach. But Jesus has more for His followers than a life of striving, pain, and discontent. He offers life abundant, life to the fullest, life brimming with joy! Jesus Always, the new 365-day devotional from bestselling author Sarah Young, was written as part of Sarah Young’s exploration of the promises of joy in scripture. Written as if Jesus Himself is speaking directly to the reader, Jesus Always invites you into a new way of living—a life of joy.

Reaching out with joy-filled reminders from the Word of God, these devotions will intimately and gently connect you with Jesus—the One who meets you where you are. Draw near to Him in Jesus Always."

I love the book Jesus Calling. Friends will share certain days of it online and it just speaks to my soul. This book is doing the same! We need simple daily reminders that our focus should be on Christ. Our daily life becomes stressful and busy and it isn't what God intended. This small hard yet soft backed book is great to keep on my desk. Each day is given with the month and date, so if I do get behind, I find it simple to find one that is for today. Yet you know you can go back and read whatever you would like. I love how simple the message is and how there is a given verse that you can reference her wording. This would be an awesome gift book to someone to help inspire or encourage. I do recommend this book to everyone. Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookLook Bloggers book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255

One Small Donkey (Kid's book)

The book's given description is "Little ones can do big things for God!Your family will love this heartwarming Christmas story told from an unlikely perspective: a donkey carrying Mary to Bethlehem. Though the donkey wasn’t the biggest, fastest, or strongest of all the animals, he had an important job all the same. Adults and children alike will love the message about how God has big plans for little ones."
Dandi Daley Mackall did a good job writing a kid's book from the angle of the donkey. It does show that the donkey didn't have to be big, God had chosen him for a special task, and with God's help he did a great big thing!" I love the end with the donkey sitting in the manger scene. It is a fun rhyming book for children. Mine always love Christmas books, and I have read this one already a few times. It's always good to have a good Children's book that is about Jesus and Christmas. This is a hardback book with thin pages. I would recommend this book! Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookLook Bloggers book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255

The Berenstain Bears' Holiday Cookbook

The Berenstain Bears' Holiday Cookbook
Cub-Friendly Cooking With an Adult
By Mike Berenstain

This is a square hardback book. Each section of the book is separated by holidays. There is a short bear story with a verse about the holiday with the recipes following. They are really easy recipes that the kids can make with you. Honestly there are only around 1 or 2 recipes that my crew will try per holiday since they are of the picky nature. I love this idea b/c my kids love cooking and now they are excited to have their "Own" Cookbook!

The books description gives an idea of some of the recipes: "Be part of the fun and join Mama, Papa, Brother, Sister, and Honey Bear as they cook up holiday favorites and some unique eats for friends and family with the all-new The Berenstain Bears Holiday Cookbook. Filled with traditional holiday favorites like Frosted Sugar Cookies, Pumpkin Pie, Hot Apple Cider Punch, Cranberry Stuffing, and some unique and fun recipes like Papa Bear’s Paw-Licking Good Chicken Wings, this kid-friendly cookbook will help Bear Country families, and families and friends everywhere, have the most wonderful year of eating ever!"

I believe we will be trying the sugar cookies and pumpkin pie! I would recommend this book for all the little chefs in the making. Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookLook Bloggers book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255

Find Your Brave : Courage to Stand Strong When the Waves Crash in by Holly Wagner

I heard Holly speak years ago. She held tight to the Word of God during her fight with breast cancer. I loved her spirit and her fun personality. So I jumped at the chance to read this book. This is a book that I have underlined passages, highlighted areas, shared parts of it with friends, and I plan on posting some of the scripture that she has given in this book. If you find yourself wanting to sink with life.. remember we are not made to go through life alone! Find friends in the faith to help you fight your battle! I would highly recommend this book to all my friends! It is a good size hard back book. The cover is what you see, but once removed it is a simple light blue book with an offwhite spine. It looks simple. I really wish the cover picture was on the hardback, but that is only minor. Holly truely inspires. I love this book! I received this book for free from Blogging for Books for this review.

One Big Turkey

"Count your blessings! Join one big turkey and his forest friends as they celebrate the harvest season.

Children will count along with big turkey, squirrel, and their forest friends all the reasons they have to be grateful. Sweet, rhyming text will help children count everything they have to be thankful for, including food, friends, full tummies, and most of all, God! This board book presents parents with an adorable and simple way to teach their children about giving thanks.

With sweet rhyming verse, lots of fun images to count, and warm, charming artwork, this book will surely be a favorite every holiday season!

No turkeys were harmed in the telling of this story." I thought the main description of this book was too cute not to share. This is a cute hardback, thick board book that is fun for kids. Each page gives a number to where they can join in the fun and count. The words all rhyme and to me that makes it fun to read! At the end they give thanks to God! I think this would be a fun book to consider getting for your toddler for remembering to be thankful.
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookLook Bloggers book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255