Make Time for God

Poppy Smith ..... 

“I have a bad habit I’m trying to break,” Popppy says. “Instead of cozying up to God first thing in the morning, I cozy up to my computer, filling my head with what’s temporary rather than eternal.”

Oh, I (Dawn) sooooo understand this. There are so many "temptations" to keep us from seeking God first, aren't there? I check email early because I work for people "back east" and want to see if there are assignments, but after that, I try to not get distracted and spend time with the Lord. Believe me, it takes intentionality!

Poppy continues . . .

You’d think that King David had his spiritual life all together—but clearly, he didn’t.

 David says, 

"My hearts says of you, 'Seek his face!' Your face, Lord, I will seek" (Psalm 27:8).

He acknowledges his longing for a greater closeness to the Lord, but he also recognized that deliberate choices were needed in order to experience what he desired.

His response to the stirring in his spirit required a decision of his will.

It takes more than inner yearning for us to enjoy God. It takes a conscious decision of our will to follow through on the words, “Your face, Lord, I will seek.” 

For God to work inner transformation and produce a deeper sense of His presence in us takes time and some level of self-discipline. But it is possible. We can discipline our bodies and our time.

I’ve seen the Holy Spirit change me in many ways, but on a recent Sunday I decided more self-discipline was desperately needed. I especially wanted to see if I could break my addiction to checking email. 

Instead of merely not looking at my inbox for the day, I determined to not even turn the computer on.

I’d been responding like Pavlov’s dog every time my email pinged, so I deliberately fasted—I gave up one thing to give time to another.

That’s my definition of fasting, whether it’s food or anything else that has control over me.

As the hours went by I was amazed. By committing my little exercise to the Lord, I discovered that I could control myself and spend more time in His presence. I learned that I don’t have to allow email, or any other habit, to gobble up the hours in my day.

For someone who isn’t naturally self-disciplined, this was a major victory.

How about you? Is there a habit, attitude, or hard-to-break behavior that needs kicking out of your life? It won’t happen by magic, but it can be overcome if you ask God for help and follow through with personal discipline.

Paul urged Timothy to “Discipline yourself for the purpose of godliness” (l Timothy 4:7).

As you gear up for fall, here are ways to respond when your soul echoes David’s cry: “My heart says of you, ‘Seek his face!’ Your face, Lord, I will seek.”

• Pray for Spirit-given discipline to put a higher value on seeking God’s face before other activities.
• Pursue daily intimacy by thinking about how Jesus treated people, spoke to them, noticed and cared for them. And ask that He would live that kind of life through you.
• Practice being alone with the Father to talk to Him, to quietly listen for his direction and correction, as well as encouragement and love. 
• Persevere in the race God has set before you, inviting the Holy Spirit to change your daily choices to what matters most to your best self.

We all have the same amount of time each day. What will you take time from in order to spend it in God’s presence?

Poppy Smith is British, married to an American, and has lived in many countries. A former Bible Study Fellowship teaching leader with a Masters in Spiritual Formation, she is a multi-published author who speaks widely, challenging women to make their lives count by looking at their choices, attitudes, and relationship with God. Find more about Poppy on her website.  

Graphic adapted, Image courtesy of Stuart Miles at FreeDigitalPhotos.net.

Conquer Your 'New School Year' Fears

Doreen Hanna equips and empowers women, and has a special place in her heart for the younger generation. In this Parenting UPGRADE, she helps us face our fears about sending children “off to school.”

“I’m at a loss," Doreen says, "attempting to find an encouraging word to impart to my kids as they start back to school this year!”

I (Dawn) remember those days long ago when I first sent my homeschooled children to a "regular" school. I knew fear is not of God (2 Timothy 1:7), but my mama heart was still concerned they might not remember the values I'd taught them. I wish I'd had Doreen's wise counsel back then.

She continues . . . 

Many moms who are sending their children off to school—be it public, Christian, Montessori, a home-school academy or college—may feel fearful. 

• Fearful … especially after the family watched the evening news together over the summer months and saw some of the horrific occurrences in our own country as well as across the world. 
• Or after they sought to find the least provocative clothing trends for their kids and teens for the new season.
• Or, of most concern to any caring mom, after watching the behavioral changes that seemed to have happened overnight this summer. This confirms in her heart the suspicion of rebellion that is becoming more evident almost daily.

As a mom of two girls, now in their early 40s, I can still remember those lazy summer days. I loved those “don’t have to get up early and get them out the door” days. I enjoyed spending more casual time with them, their friends, and their friends’ moms.

Conversely, I had a reality check one summer, enabling me to see who my girls were choosing to spend time with and what their parents were like. 

Fear gripped my heart, because I saw the power of peer influence like I’d never seen it before.

However, I seized the opportunities and found this was a great way to observe and quietly evaluate everyone without pulling out my Personality Profile test or a Relationship Questionnaire! 

Children playing together reveal so much about who they are. 

And how we parents react when a conflict or crisis transpires between our children reveals so much about us.

To be honest, as moms we are very concerned when see our children not picking the best quality of friends. Or when we see that the parents of their friends are careless about their own children’s behavior, except when it reflects upon them.

The basis of every mom’s greatest concern is really not about the school, it is about the relationships they develop. Peer pressure can trump just about anything if our relationship with our children isn’t one of open communication. 

We often fear WHO is speaking into our children’s lives more than WHAT is being taught! This validates the popular quote, “More is caught than taught.”

Our children can sense or observe our fear. Therefore, as we seek to be faith-believing moms, we need to embrace the words God has given us to live out before our children: 

“He has not been given us a spirit of fear, but of power, love and a sound mind” (2 Timothy 1:7, NKJV).

Repeating that regularly helped me greatly back in those days, and still does today in moments when I tend to lean toward fear. Remember …

Our children need to see us as the nurturing queen mother, yet standing boldly as a princess warrior. 

Will you accept the challenge today to memorize 2 Timothy 1:7, enabling you to walk in authority that is filled with love and gives you peace of mind?

Doreen Hanna is the Founder & President of Modern Day Princess. She delights in every opportunity to equip and empower women of all ages, and is the co-author ofRaising a Modern Day Princess. Visit her website for more information about Modern Day Princess.

Graphic adapted, Image courtesy of stockimages at Freedigital.net.

Keeping First Things First in Ministry

Melissa Mashburn’s effectiveness in ministry is founded in the words “keep it real.” In this Ministry UPGRADE, she reminds us to consider our focus and priorities.

“Ministry can become all consuming, but it’s important to remember to keep first things first and that’s making your own family a priority,” Melissa says. “Every day you are given a gift—your family. Yes, you have a call to do more, serve more and love the people in your community more, but ultimately, your family is your first ministry.”

I (Dawn) observed firsthand how the enemy destroys children with parents in ministry. “Family” must be a priority!

Melissa continues . . .  

There are so many things to love about ministry, like being able to be a part of someone else’s faith journey, using your gifts and skills for the Kingdom, and doing something with your life that is far beyond anything you could do on your own.

Unfortunately the “job” can become overwhelming. You can find yourself stuck in a never-ending cycle of trying to catch up. 

After fifteen years in full time ministry at a local church in South Florida, I finally realize a few things about ministry:

1. You will never get it all done. There will always be room for improvement or one more thing on your ministry task list.
2. It’s not all up to me. You are there to do your part, but the whole thing doesn’t rest on your shoulders. If it’s God’s will, He will make it happen— with or without you.
3. Your family is your first ministry. If you are married and have children, they need to see they are number one in your life, not your job or ministry.

Ministry is fun, challenging, and it makes a difference; and the great thing is, whether we are in full-time ministry or not, each one of us is called to ministry. Whether you’re just starting out or you’ve been doing ministry a while, it’s important to learn how to keep first things first.

I almost lost my oldest son ten years ago when he was airlifted to the local children’s hospital where he spent 51 days in the PICU. Even now I shudder to think how close we came to losing him. By some miracle he walked out of that hospital.

That left a mark on our family. It changed us—some things good, some bad—and it certainly helped us rethink what’s important. 

We took our eyes off what was most important, and let our ministry take first priority instead of our family. That’s hard to admit, but it’s true. 

Since then, one of my new favorite sayings is “Family First.” Here’s what it means: We need you to do what you do at the church, in the schools, at your jobs, for sure, but your husband and child(ren) come first. If ever there is an emergency or something you need to tend to—be there. Be fully and completely there.

You only get one chance to be the wife or mom you can be. Someone else can be the room mom, the PTA president or do your job at work. But NO ONE can take your place when it comes to family.

Through that season we learned, slowed down and start reprioritizing family in the face of ministry; but, to be honest, “Family First” continues to be a constant challenge for us.

Friend, don’t miss out on the incredible blessing right in front of you.

Are you going to be perfect? “No one is perfect, not even one” (Romans 3:11 ESV).

Does that mean we don’t try?  No, it just means we pick ourselves up, dust ourselves off, and do the very best we can with each and every day.

Whether at work, in the car line, at the PTA meeting, in the church or wherever ministry might take you, you are in the mission field. Your family needs you before you head out to serve others.

"She watches over the affairs of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness. Her children arise and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her" (Proverbs 31:27-28 NIV).

Oh yes, our friend The Proverbs 31 Woman is an overachiever, but guess what, her family is her first ministry. She does what she needs to do for her family, and then she sets out to do other things.

By taking care of first things first, we have room to do the other things God brings our way. 

What are some ways you can start today to reprioritize your day so you can make your family your first ministry? Who do you need to talk to help you as you shift things around to make your family your ministry?

Melissa Mashburn passionately pursues God every day by taking her everyday, ordinary life and placing it as her offering to Him. She is an author, speaker, mom, pastor’s wife, and trained communicator through CLASSeminars. With her extensive background in ministry at the local church, Melissa leads women to “keep it real” in their lives and ministries. She is married to her best friend, Matt (22 years), and is the proud mama to two adult sons. You can find her on her site, Melissa Mashburn: Real Women, Real Life, Real Faith.

Photo Credit: Image ID : 27065415 - http://www.123rf.com/photo_27065415_happy-young-family-with-child-resting-outdoors-in-summer-park.html

Smart Smartphone Connections with Teens

I’ve been intrigued by Peggy Leslie’s intentionality to keep in touch with her grandchildren, especially after she told me about her method for praying for their needs. In this Grandparenting UPGRADE, she shares how technology gives her a creative edge.

“‘Hi, Grandma!’ Quick hug. ‘Where's PaPa?’

“I heard that greeting again and again when my 12 grandchildren—now ages 9 to 27—were small,” Peggy says. “I still cherish that special bond they had with their grandfather.”

Grandchildren are truly a blessing, and I (Dawn) appreciate Peggy’s insight into seven cutting-edge ways to stay in touch.

She continues . . .

Gratefully, my grandchildren all lived in San Diego County, so we saw them often those days. Then they began to reach the busy teen years, and I realized I needed to be creative to keep in touch with them, not just because I love them, but because God gives grandparents a special role and unique influence in their grandchildren's lives.

Of all things, my smart phone saved the day!

It began when they were slow to respond to telephone calls or check their voice mail. That's when I began using my phone to . . .

1. Email

That worked a little better, but sometimes they didn't check their email.

Email did come in handy when one grandson spent a school year in Venice, and I didn't have international texting. So I emailed him once a week on his "SPD" – Special Prayer Day, the day of the week my husband Gene and I concentrate on him and his family for prayer.  I also send the grands ecards on their birthdays.

From emailing, I began to . . .

2.  Text

Voilá! They nearly always responded quickly. In addition to occasional notes or questions, I text them on their SPD.  

Often their replies go, "Nothing today, Grandma." But I always look forward to when they share deep needs in their lives. What a blessing!

Sometimes instead of regular texting, I use . . .

3. Words with Friends

My oldest grandson introduced me to this “app.” It's a game similar to Scrabble, with the option to drop a note to your opponent. This way, my teen and I are not only "chatting," but playing together.

Everybody knows about . . .

4. Facebook

Occasionally, I check out the "wall" for the grandchildren who have them. Once one grandson posted a need for a certain book for a school assignment. As our church librarian, I knew we had that book, and posted a comment to let him know.

Facebook is fine. Trouble is, most of the young folks have moved on to . . .

5. Instagram

The app is designed to share pictures or videos. Upload the photo or video to Instagram from the smart phone, then add a message or caption if desired. Often the photo itself tells the story.

6. Facetime (or Skype)

With this one, I can video-chat, real time, with my teens. It's wonderful to see their faces no matter where they are! I'm new at this one, but getting there.

7. Twitter

This app allows 140-character messages called "Tweets." My grandchildren don't use it, but if your teens do, go for it.

Proverbs 17:6 says, "Children's children are a crown to the aged....!" They’re a blessing!

Grandparents can bless the younger generation too (Genesis 48:8-9), and can point them to the Lord (Psalm 145:4) and influence them to grow in faith (2 Timothy 1:3-7).

This grandma is no techie, but she wants to keep in touch with the grandchildren she loves so dearly and to fulfill her God-given role in their lives. So she has bitten the bullet – or hit the Internet – with her smart phone.

It has been a smart – fun! – move.

Are you ready to "get smart" in order to keep in touch with the grandchildren God blessed you with?

Peggy Leslie is a long-time Bible teacher and international speaker. She and her husband Gene, married 51 years, are the parents of five grown children. They love to spend time with their 12 grandchildren and are blessed to have all of them living in San Diego County. She and co-author Donna Jeremiah have published two Christian mystery novels: Storm over Coronado and Intrigue in Coronado.

Graphic adapted, photo by Joas Silas, StockSnap.io.

Grace Comes in XXL

Rhonda Rhea combines humor with biblical truth for a blend that zings right to the heart. In this Spiritual Growth UPGRADE, she enlarges our concept of God's grace.

“Veni, vidi, venti”—maybe that’s not how everyone says it," Rhonda says, "but I’m pretty sure it means:  “I came, I saw, I ordered a large coffee.”

Coffee? What's that got to do with grace, I (Dawn) ask? Hold on. As usual, Rhonda has an important point to make.

She continues . . . 

Some days the coffee just doesn’t seem large enough.

Or maybe it’s simply that however big it is, the to-do list seems bigger.

But God’s grace? It’s always bigger than enough. And in 1 Peter 1:13 we’re told to stay just-had-a-large-coffee kind of alert to His grace.

“So brace up your minds; be sober…morally alert; set your hope wholly and unchangeably on the grace (divine favor) that is coming to you” (AMP).

Just think about God’s saving grace, His seasoning grace, and His sustaining grace.

His grace:

1. It Saves Us! We can’t earn grace or it’s no longer grace.

“For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—not by works, so that no one can boast” (Ephesians 2:8-9).

If you have given your life to Christ, your sin has been thoroughly erased through the gift of His grace.

2. It Seasons Us! Then once we’re saved, we continue to live in that grace.

It’s His grace that changes us, grows us, seasons us. It doesn’t add duties so that we can live up to our salvation. It’s a change of purpose because of a change of heart. He transforms our desires, our thoughts, our words and our actions. That’s more of His grace at work.

“He has saved us and called us to a holy life—not because of anything we have done but because of his own purpose and grace. This grace was given us in Christ Jesus before the beginning of time” (2 Timothy 1:9).

3. It Sustains Us! He also gives us comforting grace for trials we face.

It’s the kind of grace that holds us up when circumstances are difficult and when life is painful.

When Paul was in pain, the Lord told him, “My grace is sufficient for you” (2 Corinthians 12:9).

There it is again—the “enough-ness” of His grace. It’s everything we need.

Just when you think there couldn’t possibly be more, there’s more grace still.

“For from his fullness we have all received, grace upon grace” (John 1:16, ESV).

So I’m thinking about the grace of God today and His great love for me. I’m thinking about that grace upon grace, my heart overflowing with gratitude.

You can bask in that grace too. Know that it’s yours.

Do you want a stronger faith? Second Timothy 2:1 says to “be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus.” If you’re searching for strength, look toward His grace.

So are you ready to let staying alert to God’s amazing grace be the “venti-est” part of your to-do list today?

Rhonda Rhea is a humor columnist, radio personality, speaker and author of 10 books, including How Many Lightbulbs Does It Take to Change a Person?, Espresso Your Faith - 30 Shots of God's Word to Wake You Up, and a book designed to encourage Pastor's Wives (P-Dubs): Join the Insanity. Rhonda,a sunny pastor's wife, lives near St. Louis and is "Mom" to five grown children. Find out more atwww.RhondaRhea.com. 

Blog post adapted from Espresso Your Faith—30 Shots of God’s Word to Keep You Focused on Christ.