Ruby for Women, February, 2013

Ruby for Women A voice for every Christian woman February, 2013

“ . . . .her worth is far above rubies.”

Proverbs 31:10

Ruby for Women February, 2013 www.rubyforwomen.ning.com

February days remind us that even in the midst of the darkness and chill of winter, that God’s love remains steadfast and sure. It also offers us the opportunity to show love to others through our words and actions. May you all have a month filled with love and joy! We also would like to invite you to visit us in our community of Christian women for fun, friendship, conversation, encouragement, inspiration, and prayer support.

Won’t you join us soon? www.rubyforwomen.ning.com

In This Issue . . .

Page

Title

5

Challenging Choices Nina Newton, Sr. Editor

6

“Hello, Sweetheart” Sharon L. Patterson

7

Encounter at Jacob’s Well Lanette Kissel

9

The Heart of God Deborah McCarragher

11

Chocolate Cheesecake Aileen Stewart

12

Fruit Pizza Aileen Stewart

13

A Love Story Crystal Mary Lindsey

15

Make this Fun Valentine’s Day Dinner!

Heather King

16

Ask Beth Beth Brubaker

17

My Love Letter to God Chari Twitty-Hawkins

18

Have a Heart Gloria Doty

19

A Mother’s Love Lynn Mosher

Page 7

Page 13

Page 7

Page 19

Senior Editor: Nina Newton Assistant Editor: Amanda Johnson Advertising Administrator: Angela Morris Creative Assistant: Katherine Corrigan Family Fun Editor: Beth Brubaker Gardening: Dorothy Kurchak Devotions: Lynn Mosher, Deborah McCarragher Poetry: Keith Wallis

Ruby for Women is an online Christian women’s magazine that offers words of hope, inspiration, and encouragement to women everywhere. Knowing that every woman has a story to tell, we seek to give a “voice to every Christian woman,” from all walks of life, of every age, from all around the world.

Feature Writers: Connie Arnold, Lanette Kissel, Sheila Watson, Theresa Ceniccola, Carin LeRoy, Sally Bruce, Angela Morris, Sharon L. Patterson, Elizabeth Baker, Maxine Young, Gloria Doty, Amy Lignor, Kendra Peterson, Christena Hammes, Rosann Cunningham, Debbie Anne Buchner, Amanda Stephan, Tricia Goyer, Michelle Lazurek, Lisa Simpkins, Kristin Bridgman, Crystal Mary Lindsey, Debra Ann Elliott, Corallie Buchanan, Kathleen Kohler, Heather King, Chari TwittyHawkins, Debbie Luxton, Aileen Stewart

If you would like to share your story with Ruby for Women, please email our Assistant Editor, Amanda Johnson, at ajohnson@rubyforwomen.com Also, please visit our community website at www.rubyforwomen.ning.com where you can connect with other Christian women.

Ruby for Women 2731 W 700 N Columbia City, IN 46725 editor@rubyforwomen.com 1

For advertising inquiries, please contact Nina Newton at editor@rubyforwomen.com

Page 21

25 28

Title Victorian Crazy Patch Pincushion Vintage Mama

Page

Page 21

Loving Others as Jesus Loves Us Debbie Luxton Starting Over: My Parenting is Different because I am Different Tricia Goyer

29

Red Velvet Cupcakes in a Jar

31

“What am I?” Word Puzzle Beth Brubaker

Title

76

Vintage Inspired Valentine’s Day Cards Vintage Image Craft

79

Wounded for Me

by William Gilbert Ovens

81

Love’s Packages Sharon L. Patterson

83

The True Meaning of Love Christena Hammes

85

Heirs of the Kingdom Lanette Kissel

86

Footprints in the Mud: Impossible Physics Beth Brubaker

32

Valentine’s Day Maze Puzzle

33 `

The Long Days of Winter Dorothy Kurchak

87

35

They Heard of Their Faith Christena Hammes

Love is in the Lunchbox Heather King

89

Feeling Guilty about your Prayer and Bible Study Life? Don’t!

Corallie Buchanan

93

Last Minute Super Bowl Snacks Christena Hammes

94

Sudoku Puzzle Beth Brubaker

38

The Love He Sends Sharon L. Patterson

39

What Does True Victory Actually Look Like?

Corallie Buchanan

42

The Return Line Gloria Doty

43

Facets of Flint Poetry Keith Wallis

53

First Things First Heather King

55

The Happy Housewife: Chapter Six “Walk This Way, Please” Elizabeth Baker

67

Get Crafty with these Heart Art Projects

69

Now What?

Michelle Lazurek

72 73

Page 29

Page 39

Success, Failure, and Lessons in Self-Improvement Submitted by Lisa Simpkins

97

Passionate Pursuit Heather King

101

How to Fall (Back) in Love with Your Business Theresa Ceniccola

108

Puzzle Answer Keys Beth Brubaker

110

Ruby for Women Community

111

Crazy Patch Pincushion Heart Templates

112

Meet the Ruby for Women Writers

119

Credits and Copyrights

Page 55

Page 67

Prayer Pillow Ministry Christena Hammes The Valentine Box Gloria Doty

95

Page 73

Page 76

Page 85

Page 86

Page 87

Page 93

Page 97 2

Ruby for Women We want to hear your story, because God has given a voice to every Christian woman.

Let us welcome you into our community of Christian women! * Daily inspirational posts * Featured bloggers * FREE monthly online magazine * Community groups and forums * Crafts, recipes, poetry, and stories

Join us today at www.rubyforwomen.ning.com

3

4

Challenging Choices

by Nina Newton, Sr. Editor

If tomorrow morning I were to awaken in a world in which I had to make a choice between getting up that day and taking my girls to the dentist or . . . . say, robbing a bank . . . . that would probably not be a very difficult choice. Or if I was confronted with a decision concerning whether it was right or wrong to drive my car through my neighbor’s front window, it would probably not be a difficult choice.

Unfortunately, in the real world, many of the choices we face each day are not that obvious.

How many times do we find ourselves agonizing and pleading with God to show us what to do?

Because we sincerely want to do the right thing, but frequently we simply cannot figure out what the “right thing” is.

I was reminded of this reality recently while reading a biography of Dietrich Bonhoeffer who was a pastor in Nazi Germany, and who was persuaded to participate in a plot to assassinate Hitler. As he struggled with his decision to work with the German resistance, he agonized over his responsibility of obedience under such evil conditions.

Of course, he knew it would be “sin” to be involved in the murder of another human being . . . . but he also found himself in a position of remaining silent and by his silence, condoning the ongoing slaughter of millions of other human beings.

This remained a source of contemplation and spiritual struggle for him right to the end of his life, when he was finally convicted of treason for his part in the assassination plot, as well as for being a spy for the resistance.

Dietrich Bonhoeffer was executed by a Nazi firing squad just three weeks before the Allies liberated his country, but his theological writings and the example of his life remain a powerful inspiration to Christians of all ages who hear his story.

It is all too easy to speak and think about “obedience” to God in terms that are rather simplistic – and when it is a simple, obvious choice,

most of us have no trouble identifying the choice that would be honoring to the Lord. One of the songs that I have always taught my children is “Trust and Obey.”

It is a sweet melody with a clear message that we will only be filled with joy and peace in our lives if we but, “trust and obey.” And that is the truth, both revealed in Scripture and observed in everyday life.

But for Dietrich Bonhoeffer, the “right” choice as he determined in his heart to “trust and obey,” was not so clear at all. As I read the words of one of his last (and incomplete at his death) works, Ethics, I was suddenly struck by the depth of insight God had given him in those moments of heart-wrenching agony as he sought to know the mind of God in this matter: “Those who wish even to focus on the problem of a Christian ethic are faced with an outrageous demand – from the outset they must give up, as inappropriate to this topic, the very two questions that led them to deal with the ethical problem: “How can I be good?” and “How can I do something good?” Instead they must ask the wholly other, completely different question: “What is the will of God?”” “Bonhoeffer believed that . . . . it was time for everyone to see (that) the evilness of the Nazis could not be defeated via oldfashioned “ethics,” “rules,” and “principles.” God alone could combat it.”

This was such a profound concept to me; realizing that when we are confronted with choices in which it seems we have no good choices, we must completely trust in His guidance, that we would do His will, even when we can’t figure out exactly what is the “right” course of action. He will not fail to give us wisdom.

Metaxas, Eric. Bonhoeffer: Pastor, Martyr, Prophet, Spy. 470 5

“Hello, Sweetheart!”

by Sharon L. Patterson I was used to my husband's absence and had an abundance of letters and cards to mark every "call to duty". But this time, deployment would take Garry on a historic mission combining Active Duty and Reserve component soldiers under the command of the 49th Armored Division. He served as Chief of Staff of Multinational Division – North, Bosnia-Herzegovina.

I was apprehensive, because I understood that this was not only an important peace-keeping mission but a dangerous one as well. I knew he would do well, and I wanted to do my part to keep the home front and families of the other deployed soldiers doing well, too. It was going to require new skills on my part working with the Family Readiness Support Group.

Prior to his deployment, I always let Garry handle anything that had to do with the computer. I still wrote snail mail as my fear of the computer loomed larger than my desire to learn new technology.

His constant invitation to learn how to e-mail finally captured my attention and ended my excuses...especially when he said we could keep in constant contact that way.

So, two weeks before he deployed, we sat together in front of the computer. "You can do this, Sharon, it is quite simple. Really, you just can't mess up email!" Thus began my short training session.

He left for Bosnia fully confident of his teaching skills success with his not so technical wife. The first emails were indeed a smashing success. I was thrilled to write and receive back messages in such a short time.

He had been in Bosnia a little over three weeks when he received my somewhat hyper, "Honey, you won't believe what happened" message one night. I got his response rather quickly, despite the fact he had just put in 16 hours that day.

"You did WHAT?"...

And this is what I did: I started my "Hello, Sweetheart" that evening just fine. I knew what the subject line was for. Garry had taught me well. What I did not know was what the CC was all about. He had left out that detail, obviously thinking it was not something I would need to know about.

How I hit it and what I entered are still a mystery.

I hit an "s", a "c" and a "u" on the CC line. I did not know how to back out the letters. In frustration, I just left them because I was already into the body of the email. My cursor knowledge was quite vague to say the least!

I did know "send" of course. I hit that and sent my "Hello, Sweetheart" message to Garry. However, my husband was not the only recipient of my loving email. I got back some emails that let me know some other people got it, too.

"You are not my sweetheart!" "Wish you were my sweetheart!" "Why are you writing on this military address?" Thank goodness, I was not waxing particularly romantic in that message.

It seems that my "Hello Sweetheart" had gone to the South Carolina National Guard...every single unit! I know, you are way ahead of me. I had copy furnished South Carolina Universal address book by accident!

It was nice to receive so many emails, however I was embarrassed and my husband had to take back some words, not so prophetically spoken..."really, you just can't mess up email!

Hmmm, guess we’ll have to give me a new slogan, “Oh, yes I can!”

6

Encounter at Jacob’s Well (based on John 4:1 – 42)

by Lanette Kissel

She was a woman with a soiled reputation, and a Samaritan. He was a Jew. Yet He looked at her differently than other men she had encountered. This Man viewed her through the eyes of mercy and grace.

She always tried to avoid the other women.

So she’d waited to venture out until noon.

She must endure their whispers and hateful looks were she to journey to the well too soon.

There was a man waiting beside Jacob’s Well, a Stranger who looked thirsty and weary.

Her past history with men had never been good.

She was beginning to feel just a bit leery.

She did not dare to look Him in the eye.

She was a Samaritan woman. And He was a Jew. She was certain He would not speak to her.

That was something the Man could not do.

She was alone with Him. He was talking to her.

“Woman, may I please have a drink?”

She glanced His way, but did not respond.

She needed to compose herself…to think.

He began to recite the details of her sordid past in a tone not condescending, but kind.

Should she dare to lift her gaze to meet His, what other amazing insights would she find?

7

He had spoken of things He could not have known.

Yet each and every word had been true.

What supernatural powers did the Man possess?

He had to be more than just an ordinary Jew. He told her she could receive the living water.

Then she’d no longer need demean herself with men.

He spoke of water from a well of everlasting life, that it was possible to never thirst again.

She said she knew a Messiah was to come, the Christ who would end all doubt and uncertainty.

He smiled and gently touched her hand, saying, “The One now speaking to You…is He.” She had realized that He was a special Man. He had spoken the truth in a loving way.

She hurried to the village to share her news of her encounter at the well that day.

This Stranger had cleansed her from her sinful past.

She was no longer bound to a future of strife.

A blessed encounter with her Messiah that day had granted her a new lease on life.

Lanette Kissel lives in southern Indiana with her adopted Yorkie-Poo, Benjy. She enjoys singing in her huge choir at Crossroads Christian Church.

She has been a freelance writer of Christian/Inspirational poetry for over ten years.

Recently, she has been writing inspirational articles and essays, as well as devotions.

Her work has appeared in: Mature Living Magazine, Purpose, Live, The War Cry, Inspired Women Magazine, The Lutheran Journal, The Catholic Yearbook, Silver Wings, and others.

8

The Heart of God

by Deborah McCarragher As women, Valentine’s Day is an opportunity to take the extra steps to make sure that your husband, boyfriend, Dad, son, or any other important man in your life is made to feel very special. We are givers by nature, and we put much thought and energy into doing just the right things to show our love for them.

Concerning your husband - there is always the traditional candy, heart-felt greeting card, and favorite meal to appease them. But sometimes we just need to do something a bit more personal.

If you are craft prone, you can create something unique for their office or man-cave. You might get them a gift card to their favorite “big-boys toy store” or let them know you’re taking them out for dinner!

You can offer to go to a movie of their choosing, or buy them a half-hour massage at the local spa. The choices are endless.

All those things are great – but do you know what I bet they would really like?

Okay, we already know what “we think they want”, but that is not all that is on their mind. I honestly believe they would like a straight-from-the-heart acknowledgement of how glad you are that you married them to begin with!

Give them a look in the eye honest thank-you for all that you’ve been through together. Men desire - no, men need our respect and love. Tell them that you’d marry them all over again – that they are just what God designed for you!

Ephesians 5 commands us to walk in love towards one another. In this passage the Apostle Paul is teaching on submitting to one another in the fear of God (verse 21). Husbands are admonished to love their wives just as Christ loved the church.

The great mystery Paul talks about not only has to do with the “leaving and cleaving” in a physical holy union between and man and woman, but also of Christ and His Church. We leave the world and cleave unto Him. We forsake all others for our Husband. We are His alone. Just as Israel played the harlot and was unfaithful to God, we too can become “unfaithful” in our marriage concerning our allegiance.

Our husband is our gift from above – our completer, not our competitor. God wants our focus to be on our spouse and our marriage. That is our highest calling.

9

Paul’s last point in Ephesians 5 is this: “Let each one of you in particular so love his own wife as himself, and let the wife see that she respects her husband.” What is Paul saying here? His point is clear - Women generally have no problem “loving” – but they often have difficulty “respecting” their husbands.

Honor and respect goes a long way in forging a lasting, healthy and biblical relationship.

This applies whether you are both Christians, or if you are spiritually mismatched in your marriage. It simply makes no difference to God. He wills that the wife respect her husband.

Peter lays out God’s perfect plan of submission with regards to women in marriage. I Peter 3 states, “Likewise you wives, be submissive to your own husbands, that even if some do not obey the word, they, without a word, may be won by the conduct of their wives, when they observe your chaste conduct accompanied by fear [respect]."

Trusting God and His character is the key to showing respect to your spouse, even when it’s undeserved. God will honor your heart and motive.

On a personal note – do I always do everything just right? No way, not by any stretch of the imagination. Do my husband and I have ups and downs in our 31+ year marriage? You bet! However, I learned early in my Christian walk to show respect to my husband, even when I felt he didn’t deserve it.

I don’t chide him in public, or belittle him in front of others. Just as a couple walking along the beach, love and respect go hand in hand.

When I first met my husband, he had a little garden area off of his patio at his apartment. He grew a variety of roses varying in color and size. I have always loved roses. That first day – he presented me with a lovely single dark red rose. Throughout the years, I have received roses on occasion (one being the birth of our son), but more often than not – I have received beautiful cards for Valentine’s Day displaying red roses on it.

What has touched my heart more than anything else over the years, has been a consistent handwritten note in the card saying that he loved me, and thanking God for me! This gesture of love comes from a man who has yet to make Jesus Christ the Lord of his life. I’m thankful that he sees the heart of God in me. How very humbling… To God be the Glory!

A Little History Regarding Valentine’s Day Valentine greetings were popular as far back as the Middle Ages (written Valentines didn't begin to appear until after 1400), and the oldest known Valentine card is on display at the British Museum. The first commercial Valentine's Day greeting cards produced in the U.S. were created in the 1840s by Esther A. Howland.

Deborah is the author of a Christian non-fiction book titled “Mission Possible”. It is written for women who love the Lord Jesus, but their spouse doesn’t share their passion. It will encourage and challenge the reader to embrace God’s promises for their spouse and future together.

Visit http://www.spirituallyunevenmarriage.com 10

Chocolate Cheesecake from the kitchen of Aileen Stewart of the Ruby for Women community Looking for the perfect dessert to make for your Valentine’s Day celebration? Here’s one that will delight all of the Valentine’s in your family! This chocolate cheesecake is not only yummy, but it is so pretty that they will all know how very much you love them!

What you need: * 1 bag chocolate chips * 1 bag Oreo cookies * 1/2 stick margarine melted * 1 container whipped topping * 1/2 cup sugar * 2 packages cream cheese Let’s make it!

Use about 1/2 bag of Oreo cookies, ground in food processor. To this you will add melted butter and mix until moist enough to press n the bottom of an 9x13 pan. Set aside. (Note: if it is too moist just add some more cookie crumbs) Soften cream cheese and add sugar. Mix thoroughly and add whipped topping.

In microwave safe bowl or measuring cup melt about 2/3 a bag of chocolate chips (roughly 1 & 1/3 cups). About 1 minute should do the trick.

Mix melted chocolate into cream cheese mixture and beat until smooth.

Spread over crust. Chill for about two hours before serving.

11

Fruit Pizza from the kitchen of Aileen Stewart of the Ruby for Women community This is the perfect pizza for Valentine’s Day! Super simple, colorful and festive, add a touch of whimsy to your Valentine’s Day celebration and your family will want this to be a family tradition.

What you need: * 1 roll premade sugar cookie dough * 1 8oz. package cream cheese softened to room temp. * 1 tsp vanilla * 1/3 cup sugar * Fresh fruit (examples: strawberries, bananas, kiwis, raspberries, blackberries)

Let’s make it!

On a round pizza pan, very lightly greased, spread out cookie dough. (tip: use waxed paper so it doesn't stick to you or the rolling pin.)

Once the dough is evenly spread, bake in a 350 degree oven for about 12 minutes or until lightly golden. Cool completely before next step.

In a small mixing bowl add cream cheese, vanilla, and sugar and beat until smooth. Spread onto cooled crust.

With a pizza cutter, score the pizza until you have sixteen slices.

Finally add sliced fruit alternating fruits for a colorful design.

12

A Love Story

by Sr. Crystal Mary Lindsey She was a beautiful girl and a delight to his ever watchful eyes.

These now roamed over her lithe young body. She was modestly clad in a cream linen robe that enhanced the tawny eyes and rich chestnut platted hair hanging over her shoulder. Catching his look she smiled then lowered her gaze to hide the flush of colour rising to stain both cheeks.

She was new to this town, and prepared as any stranger to be the center of attention. Women watched as she walked by, cupping hands over mouths as they gossiped in wonder.

"How could Naomi dare to bring that Moabite pagan here?"

The man looked on, stroking his beard in contemplation.

His thoughts wandered down a different direction.

"Ah, if only I were a little younger, what a pleasure it would be to ask for her hand....I am a relative of her mother-in-law after all."

His whisper soared Heaven-bound to the ear of the Father. While his watchful eyes scanned sunlit skies.

The Story of Ruth . . . a love story, a Bible story, rich in devotion, loyalty and love.

It may be a little different to the one that I have portrayed here, but one needs an imagination to SEE, the richness of God's beautiful Word.

For instance, how old was Ruth. She was a wife to her first husband for approximately ten years. So perhaps she was about twenty eight.

Boaz we are led to believe was much older, but how old?

I'd like to think he was younger than Ruth's mother-in-law Naomi.

So I place him as perhaps forty five, with Naomi closer to fifty.

Not that old, in this day and age.

He was a man of integrity, upstanding, kind, considerate and gentle.

13

I love this story because it shows true unselfish compassion and consideration.

It also shows God’s reward to those who strive to do what is right.

Against all odds, two lonely women, from different backgrounds, cling together in mutual respect and love.

Because of their loyalty to one another, God blesses them beyond all expectations.

Down through the ages, the lineage of Jesus Christ can be traced back to the woman called Ruth.

Crystal Mary Lindsey is a retired registered nurse with specialties in emergency medicine and mental health. She enjoys sharing her inspirations of walking in faith in order to inspire and encourage others to live their dreams. She is a wife, mother, and grandmother. Crystal lives in Australia.

Crystal’s Say: Always be inspired by what you read. Read that which will build you up and help you to be the person God wants you to be. We all need to dwell on positive affirmation. And God encourages us all the time through His written word. My book, Shadows of Time was written with this in view. No matter what or where you come from, God has a plan for your life and His plan is a good one. Yours is the choice, to follow Him and reap the rewards, or to fulfill your own desires. God’s way is the best way.

Shadows of Time

by Crystal Mary Lindsey "For with God nothing shall be impossible." Luke 1:37 KJV Twenty-seven-year-old Ariana Ross has not had an easy life. Orphaned at two after her parents are murdered, she is raised by her father’s family in Queensland, Australia. Ariana—who embraces spirituality and refuses to believe life is against her—eventually becomes a physician. Now, as Ariana heads to new beginnings at a medical practice in Gumbirra, Queensland, she hopes to broaden her horizons, tend to her patients with the help of God’s love, and leave her past behind. She has no idea how many surprises await to change her life forever.

After relocating, Ariana encounters Zane Lombardi, a handsome, angry stranger who leaves her heart thumping. It is only after another chance encounter with him that she realizes he is an emotionally scarred man who has lost his trust in women. Even so, the pair are so attracted to each other that it seems destiny dictates the potential for a relationship. As Ariana forges new friendships and heals her patients, Zane must reconcile his past as well as his relationship with God as he looks toward the future.

In this contemporary Christian tale, Ariana finds that her quest for a new beginning seems to be leading her to not only love, but also to an amazing discovery that may bring her inner peace at last.

14

Make Valentine’s Day Special for your Family with this Fun Valentine’s Dinner!

by Heather King

I didn’t know it was part of my husband’s family traditions until we’d been married a year. That’s when my sister-in-law invited us over for the official King-family Valentine’s dinner. She had been initiated years ago while still dating her future husband.

Since then, whether it’s just been us two newlyweds or us with three daughters crowded around the table, my husband and I still celebrate with our special Valentine’s feast.

The idea is simple and can be changed to suit any family’s tastes. Here are some ideas to inspire you: The Drink: We drink strawberry milk and I’ll often find some heartshaped curly straws from the dollar store to go with it.

Alternative ideas: Pink lemonade, red fruit punch.

The main course: Traditionally, our family eats heart-shaped meat loaf. I found a heart-shaped cupcake tin that makes individual-sized meatloaves that I cover with spaghetti sauce and mozzarella cheese to keep with the color theme.

With the help of a few drops of red food coloring, we also make up some pink mashed potatoes, and I serve hot rolls with strawberry jelly.

Apparently, the traditional vegetable for the meal is beets, but I knew that wouldn’t go over well with my kids.

So, we usually eat cauliflower. Last year, I sliced tomatoes, topped them with mozzarella cheese slices, olive oil and some basil. That was a big hit!

Alternative ideas: If you don’t like meatloaf and mashed potatoes, just stick with the colors of red, pink and white---lasagna, ham, or spaghetti are some possibilities.

Dessert: We usually make Valentine’s cupcakes with sprinkles.

Alternative ideas: Strawberry or cherry Jello, strawberry shortcake, Valentine’s candy.

Setting the Table: I keep it simple and make clean-up easy with Valentine’s themed paper plates and napkins.

I usually scatter around some candy hearts and then place Valentines at each daughter’s place from us and their grandparents.

Alternative ideas: If you’d rather go fancy, pull out your lovely china and have the kids dress up for a more formal “tea” or elaborate dinner. Casual or formal, this dinner is meant to be fun, so just enjoy it!

So often, Valentine’s Day is a holiday only for school kids to exchange lollipops and inexpensive cards or for adults to enjoy fine dining and a romantic meal for two.

This meal is fun way to enjoy the holiday as a family and make some memories to pass on to future generations.

15

Ask Beth

by Beth Brubaker

Dear Beth, I really want a small, simple wedding. Money is an issue, and catering companies either charge too much or don't have the food we both like.

Is there any way around this that won't cost us a fortune?

Simply Broke Bride Dear Simply Broke, There are two solutions I can offer you when it comes to small, simple weddings. And both are less expensive than catering!

1. Cater it yourself. Yes, you can do this with the help of friends! For those who can't be bridesmaids, but want to be part of the wedding, ask them to help serve the feast - one you can prepare (at least in part) ahead of time. I did this with my own wedding! We had Italian wedding soup to start, deli meats and cheeses, veggie trays, fruit trays and pepperoni and cheese trays with crackers. A family member made the cake for us as her wedding gift, and that saved a lot of money too!

The soup was simple - I made the meatballs a few weeks ahead of time and froze them. Then all my helpers had to do was boil chicken broth, add pasta, the pre-made meatballs and fresh spinach and Voila! I had my first course! The rest was prepared a day or two before and stored in the fridge. All my helpers had to do was display everything on fancy platters. I supplied everything, including the wedding punch!

2. Make it a potluck wedding. Ask guests if they can bring a dish to a single location the day before the wedding (or the morning of) so helpers can heat them at the reception hall (or house) so they'll be ready in time for the reception feast. Most people will go out of their way to make a favorite of the bride or groom, and often make that special treat they save for the holidays.

Ask for soups or appetizers, main dishes (or you provide a main dish and ask for everyone to bring sides), and desserts if you don't want a wedding cake. Or you can get creative and ask guests to bring cupcakes and provide a tiered stand to set them on!

Don't be afraid to be creative and have fun with it! God bless, and enjoy your wedding!

Beth 16

My Love Letter to God

by Chari TwittyTwitty-Hawkins You are my love My dreams when I wake My eternal guide My loving companion From the beginning you were there for me My backbone when I felt weak My strength when I was in need In my weakness you were made strong You showered me with your grace after all of my wrongs When I depended on others You showed me to depend on me When I inevitably disappointed myself You taught me to depend on Thee You were my breath when I felt I couldn’t breathe When I cried and sobbed so hard it hurt You comforted me When I felt misery would swallow me whole You renewed me mind, body, and soul When I didn’t know what to do You guided me When I wanted to end it all Felt like all I could do was fall You showed me the value of my life When I felt no one understood You smiled at me and said My child to me none of this is new Come follow me When I thought this world would drag me to the depths of hell You sent me earthly angels Who lifted me My support system Though not perfect They make the hard days easier The great days even better And that is why I Love You That is Why...

I am in Love with You © Chari Twitty-Hawkins

17

“Have a Heart”

by Gloria Doty “Have a heart,” he said when I was 6 Handing me a piece of candy With words on it I took it “Have a heart,” he said when I was 10 Making me a card With a heart on it I kept it “Have a heart,” he said when I was 14 Giving me a box of chocolates I savored it.

“Have a heart,” he said when I was 18 Giving me a box With a heart necklace inside I wore it.

“Have a heart,” he said when I was 22 As he went down on one knee “Mine” I accepted it.

18

A Mother’s Love

by Lynn Mosher

“If evolution really works, how come mothers only have two hands?”

So said Milton Berle. Don’t you love that?

But as we all know, a mother can do ten things at once, right? She must do all and be all to her children: nurse, chauffeur, economist, counselor, laundress, chef. As the saying goes, she is chief cook and bottle washer!

But a mother has a surpassing divine mission: to be a godly influence in raising her child. Sarah Josepha Hale said, “No influence is so powerful as that of the mother.”

An unknown author wrote, “The formative period for building character for eternity is in the nursery. The mother is queen of that realm and sways a scepter more potent than that of kings or priests.”

William Ross Wallace understood a mother’s influence when he wrote The Hand That Rocks the Cradle. The third stanza of the poem goes like this...

Woman, how divine your mission Here upon our natal sod!

Keep, oh, keep the young heart open Always to the breath of God! All true trophies of the ages Are from mother-love impearled; For the hand that rocks the cradle Is the hand that rules the world.

A mother influences her child extensively because her heart is filled with an abundance of love. It encompasses every area of her child’s life and occurs as things like sacrificing, caring, hugging and kissing, providing, disciplining, supporting, comforting, understanding, encouraging, teaching, protecting, and enjoying.

A mother’s heart of love shows up . . . *by caring about her child’s physical well-being . . . ~ “Sweater, n.: garment worn by child when its mother is feeling chilly.” ~Ambrose Bierce

19

“Make a memory with your children, spend some time to show you care; toys and trinkets can’t replace those precious moments that you share.” ~Elaine Hardt

~ “One of the oldest human needs is having someone to wonder where you are when you don’t come home at night.” ~Margaret Mead *by encouraging her child... ~ “Mother love is the fuel that enables a normal human being to do the impossible.” ~Marion C. Garretty *by teaching her child right from wrong... ~ “The mother’s heart is the child’s schoolroom.” ~Henry Ward Beecher A mother’s heart of love protects her child. I don’t know who said it but it’s true: the most dangerous place to be is between a mother and her child. A mother will go to great lengths to protect her precious offspring.

You can say what you want about her but don’t you dare speak against her child or dare to do him or her any harm. You will see a perfectly sane woman morph into an erratic and hysterical fighter, exhibiting the courage of a bear and the strength of Hercules.

The greatest two things a mother can do for her child is to bring up that child in the knowledge of the Lord and to pray for that child. Abraham Lincoln said, “I remember my mother’s prayers and they have always followed me. They have clung to me all my life.”

After these two things comes giving of time, time to listen, to play, to laugh, to love.

“Make a memory with your children, spend some time to show you care; toys and trinkets can’t replace those precious moments that you share.” ~Elaine Hardt A mother’s legacy is her love; it lives in her children’s hearts long after she is gone.

Dear mother, may you have a full heart to love your child well.

From my heart to yours . . . Lynn 20

i|vàÉÜ|tÇ VÜtéç ctàv{ c|Çvâá{|ÉÇ uç i|Çàtzx `tÅt Victorian crazy patch piecing has always been one of my favorite forms of needle art. Over the years I’ve tried various techniques, researched the history of crazy patch piecing, and created a variety of projects using crazy patch piecing.

My favorite projects were the journal covers that I made out of scraps and snippets of leftover fabric, ribbons, braids, and vintage buttons and charms. The great fun of this fiber art technique is that there are virtually no rules! You can make it up as you go along (if you like that sort of thing!), and when it comes to color coordinating fabrics and trims, anything goes.

In crazy patch piecing, you can combine velvets and denim, satin and corduroy, gingham and lace with tapestry or upholstery fabric; satin ribbons with gold brain, ruffles and eyelet with vintage buttons and appliqué. Whatever strikes your fancy, you can probably incorporate it into a crazy patch project.

For this month’s Valentine’s Day project, I thought it would be fun to create a heart-shaped pincushion (but as my daughter observed, it would also make a cute pillow for her dollies!), and use up some of the scraps of fabric and trims that I have accumulated over the past few months while I have been working on some other sewing projects.

This could actually be a very elaborate project (which I might do still before Valentine’s Day), or it could be made very simply so that you can make a bunch of them if you have lots of special friends that would treasure this pretty little pincushion on their dresser or in their sewing room.

I made this one from fabric scraps in shades of light and dark blue, red, pink and white, and added light blue rick rack and ruffle trim, white lace, and pink ribbon in two widths. Then I finished the embellishment with a few vintage buttons in shades of blue, white, and red.

I made each side different so that you can see a couple of different ways that this pincushion could be made to give you a bit of inspiration for your own creations! If you’ve got an hour or so to play around with your fabric stash, pull out the supplies and make your own Victorian Crazy Patch Pincushion.

21

What you need: * Various small scraps of different colors / designs of fabric * Various scraps of ribbon, braid, lace, ruffles, or other trims * A few vintage buttons (new ones will work too, but they are not nearly as fun as the old ones!) * Thread that coordinates your color scheme (or just use white on light colored fabrics) * Polyester pillow stuffing * Sewing machine (actually these could be stitched by hand if you want) * Sewing scissors Let’s make it!

STEP #1: Begin with a small scrap of fabric, cut with five sides (this is just the easiest way I’ve found to get the piecing started)

STEP #2: Cut another scrap of fabric so that one side of each patch lines up (approximately) and stitch them together with a ¼” seam. Press seam open (or press to the dark side if one is light and one is dark).

STEP #3: Cut a third scrap of fabric so that one straight side of the third patch covers one of the sides of the new patch so that it covers the first seam. Trim excess fabric from the back, press seam, and add ribbon or other trim if you want. * It is sometimes helpful to add the trims as you go along to be sure that any raw ends will be completely enclosed in a seam. This is especially helpful if you are using rick-rack because the ends fray very easily. Other trims can be added after the patchwork piece is completed by hand stitching in place.

22

STEP #4: Continue this process of adding new patches, covering the seams of previous patches, until you have a patchwork piece approximately 8” – 9” square. Press thoroughly.

STEP #5: Using the template (below on page 111) pin the pattern onto the center of the patchwork piece and cut out the heart shape.

Using the same template, cut out another heart shape from a scrap of fabric for the back of the pincushion.

* If you want to add smaller hearts to the back of the pincushion, cut out two more hearts from different fabrics using the smaller templates.

23

STEP #6: Stitch the larger of the small heart shapes onto the middle of the large heart, using either a straight stitch, an appliqué stitch, or a decorative stitch (or stitch it on by hand). Then stitch the smallest heart shape onto the middle of the medium size heart, again using a machine stitch or hand stitch. Press carefully before the next step.

STEP #7: Place the patchwork pieced heart shape together with the layered heart shape, wrong sides together to create the outside fringed ruffle.

STEP #8: Stitch all around the two heart shaped pieces of fabric, approximately ½” in from the edges, making sure to leave an opening on one of the straight sides (but not right at the point of the heart) where you will put the stuffing into the pincushion.

STEP #9: Double stitch the outside edge and stuff the pincushion as full as you possibly can with polyester fiberfil stuffing. When you have it as full of stuffing as you can get it, hand stitch the opening closed and snip little cuts into the edges to create the fringe all around the outside of the pincushion.

STEP #10: Embellish your crazy patch pincushion with any remaining ribbons, braids, trims, buttons, charms, or anything else you want, and pop in a few beaded stick pins. There you have it! A charming little vintage-inspired gift for your treasured friends and family.

24

Loving Others As Jesus Loves Us ~ Relationship Principles for Deeper, More Authentic Relationships ~

by Debbie Luxton Goals for your relationships: *

*

“Resolve, by the example and power of Jesus Christ, that your relationships will be transformed, as far as it depends on you.”

Recognize relationships are not temporal; they are eternal. * Realize every encounter is a relationship opportunity.

Resolve, by the example and power of Jesus Christ, that your relationships will be transformed; as far as it depends on you.

Relationships at this moment: 1.

2.

3.

4.

Every mother knows whether she is close to her children.

Every wife knows whether she is close to her husband.

Every girlfriend knows if she is close to her friends.

And, you know whether you are close to God.

A Relationship Principle: LOVE It’s about God ~ He’s the foundation required for healthy, “love one another”, relationships.

It’s an action – it isn’t what we feel, it is what we do.

It’s the process of extending yourself to others.

Consistent love can only be expressed one opportunity at a time.

Love is not reciprocal; love is sacrificial.

God wants us to depend on him for the power to love.

Loving one another, regardless of situations or circumstances, must begin with loving God first.

A Relationship Principle: HUMILITY It’s not about denying your strengths; it’s about honestly admitting your weaknesses.

It’s a daily decision to think of others as more important than yourself.

It’s not about putting yourself down; it’s about lifting God up.

It’s about loving your enemies through the power of Christ to love.

You can’t feel humble; you have to act humble.

The comparison trap can ruin even the best of relationships.

Jesus did many great things, but who did he tell the people to praise? The Father!

25

A Relationship Principle: FORGIVENESS It releases us from the bondage of anger and bitterness allowing us to receive the healing we need.

It isn’t pretending you don’t remember the fact that something happened.

It does not mean trusting someone who has hurt who to the extent that they can hurt you again. There is a vast difference between forgiveness and trust. You choose to forgive by the love and power of Jesus Christ. Trust has to be earned and rebuilt over time.

It is not a sign of weakness. On the contrary! It is taking control with Christ-like strength.

If you think you can choose not to forgive someone and not have it affect your relationship with God, you are lying to yourself.

If you are struggling to forgive, resist the temptation to focus on your feelings of guilt about that struggle. Focus instead on God’s grace and mercy in the forgiveness of your sins. Ask him to make you willing to forgive and to magnify his greatness in your eyes.

“In order to grow in our relationships, we must take time to stay connected to God and others.”

Forgiveness is not an emotion. You may not feel like forgiving, but you can choose to forgive anyway.

A Relationship Principle: COMMUNICATION It is always reflective of your heart.

It involves listening with an open mind and heart.

It isn’t simple and it takes courage to speak in truth and love.

It is an art filled with fine lines and shades of meaning.

Take responsibility for helping others hear you.

It is easier to be nice than to be honest.

A Relationship Principle: TIME It requires constant personal reflection to invest it wisely.

It is best used by paying careful attention to the needs of others rather than your “drive” to complete your to-do-list.

In order to grow in our relationships we must take time to stay connected to God and others.

Like Jesus, we should take time to connect with those in our path everyday.

Some wise time investments include: quiet time with God, prayer for others in addition to your own needs, listening to a friend when you’ve got 10 things you think you should be doing, making a meal for someone, running an errand for someone, making a phone call right away to someone whom God has placed on your heart, a hand written note to show someone you are thinking about them.

Excerpts from Loving Others as Jesus Loves Us ~ Relationship Principles for Deeper More Authentic Relationships, a workshop written and delivered by Debbie Luxton. Interested in having this workshop delivered at your next women’s conference? Contact Debbie at deblux@me.com for more information.

“Like Jesus, we should take time to connect with those in our path everyday.”

26

27

Starting Over . . . .

My Parenting is Different Because I’m Different

by Tricia Goyer I have three kids who are grown up and in college (and my son and daughter-in-law have a baby of their own), and I also have a toddler. Often people ask me if my parenting different this second time around. Yes. Yes it is.

Overall I’m far more patient with Alyssa. I know little ones require time and attention—lots of it. I’m more lenient, too. When it’s nap time I snuggle with her on my bed, and we giggle and sing songs until she drifts off to sleep. I know this isn’t the “let her go to sleep by herself” routine I read about in some parenting books and followed with the other kids, but I also know kids grow fast. These years will be gone quickly. I want to enjoy this time with her while I have it.

I’m less stressed about times she seems to want to eat all the time or the times when she is uninterested in food. I understand these cycles and know she’s growing and she’s healthy. What’s to stress about?

I’m less concerned about daily toy messes, too. (My twenty-five-year-old past mommy self is gasping at this.) Toddler toys are a little thing compared to hormonal preteens, teaching multiplication facts, and driver’s education. Just sayin’.

My parenting is different because I’m different. I’m more comfortable with myself and who God made me to be. I’ve lived through a lot, experienced wonderful things, and I’ve seen some of my dreams come to life. I don’t have to strive to prove I’m a good person or a good mom—I’ve accepted I just need to do my best and lean on God a lot.

Kids will always be a challenge, but active parenting for almost twenty-four years has taught me that focusing on the joy of it—rather than the work—doesn’t make things easier, but it does make it definitely more fun.

Visit Tricia on her blog, It’s Real Life, for more information about her books.

28

Look What You Can Make for Valentine’s Day! Red Velvet Cake has been a tradition in our family for a long, long time. At first, it was the favorite cake for every birthday, made from scratch with a cooked frosting (made in two steps so it had to be started the day before or at least very early in the morning of the day of the party!), with four layers and lots of frosting in between each layer.

As time went by, the tradition continued, but eventually it was possible to make Red Velvet Cake from a box mix and a store-bought tub of frosting.

Well, that was only if we were really pressed for time, and the original hand-written recipe is still in my old wooden recipe box.

I have discovered over the past year or so, lots of different variations on the traditional Red Velvet Cake recipe, so it just seemed the perfect time to share some of the fun projects from around the blogosphere. Here are just a few that I’ve found:

Red Velvet Cupcakes in a Jar I’ve tried making these little treasures a couple of different ways, both times using a box cake mix because when I’m experimenting, it just doesn’t seem right to go to all that time and effort of making the cake from scratch just in case it all goes wrong!

One way to make these cute little cupcakes in a jar is to bake the cupcakes ahead of time in a regular cupcake tin, and then take them out of the tin and break them up into the jar, or cut them in two or three slices, depending on how many layers you want in your jar.

Layer broken pieces of the cupcakes with a layer of piped in frosting (or just use a spoon to drop in some frosting and smooth out a bit with the back of the spoon), add another layer of broken cupcake pieces, another layer of frosting, another layer of cupcake pieces, and top with a final layer of frosting.

You can then embellish the top with red sprinkles, pink candy hearts, or any other festive decorations.

There is a wonderful tutorial for this technique that I found through TipJunkie on My Baking Addiction blog.

The other technique involves pouring the cake batter into the jars before baking . . . .you can find the tutorial on how to bake the cakes in the jars without breaking them on My Cakies blog, which was originally posted on the All Recipes website.

Images from TipJunkie, My Baking Addiction, and My Cakies blogs.

29

Mini Cupcakes in a Jar Using the same technique of baking the cakes in the jars, here is a delightful way to give little gifts of Valentine’s Day love to lots of special people! The tutorial for making the Mini Cupcakes in a Jar can be found on the Not Martha blog.

And for a variation on miniature cupcakes, try this adorable recipe and presentation from Simply the Sweet Life where you will find many more inspiring and creative recipes. These tiny cupcakes can be packaged up in a heart-shaped box and tied with a red velvet ribbon for an extra-special presentation. The recipe at Simply the Sweet Life has a rich chocolate batter and a traditional cream cheese butter cream frosting.

I found that the history of the origins of Red Velvet Cake was quite intriguing. When I first was given the recipe by our Aunt Louise back in the 1970s, the original name on my recipe card was “Waldorf Astoria Red Velvet Cake.” I discovered this tidbit of history on the Brown Eyed Baker blog: “While foods were rationed during war time, bakers used boiled beets to enhance the color of their cakes and to retain moisture.

Red velvet cake was a signature dessert at the Waldorf-Astoria Hotel during the 1920s, and was also well-known in the restaurants and bakeries of the Eaton’s department store chain in Canada during the 1940s and 1950s.

Many attribute the cake’s recent popularity to the film Steel Magnolias, in which the groom’s cake was a red velvet cake in the shape of an armadillo. All red velvet cakes have specific ingredients in common: white vinegar, buttermilk and baking soda; the reaction of the vinegar to the buttermilk is said to better reveal the red in the cocoa powder.”

So, whether you want to try the Red Velvet Cupcakes in a Jar, or the miniature Red Velvet Cupcakes, or the traditional cupcakes or even the original Red Velvet Cake, this is one tradition that is definitely worth starting and continuing with your family.

Our old recipe card is well-worn with bent corners and red food coloring stains, but it is a treasure because it reminds me of so many years of baking those beautiful Red Velvet cakes for the people I love. I hope you will try one of these variations for your family soon – how about for Valentine’s Day? Images from Simply the Sweet Life blog and Brown Eyed Baker blog.

30

What am I? Word Puzzle

by Beth Brubaker

Answer key on page 106

www.katherinescorner.com 31

Valentine’s Day Maze Puzzle

32

The Long Days of Winter

by Dorothy Kurchak

The days do seem to be getting longer, that is; it’s getting light sooner and staying light later. Recently my time has been taken up with helping my older brother as he has been advised not to drive until it is determined if he had a stroke or just a temporary lapse of memory. I’m glad I’m here to help him in any way he may need.

I finally threw out the summer ferns. No matter how lovingly I cared for them, they continued to shed and turn brown. Even with a tray of pebbles under them they turned brown. The asparagus ferns do shed but not as much and they’re small enough to put in the kitchen window.

My favorite house plants are cacti and succulents. Give them enough light and an occasional watering and they’re happy. In the spring two of the cacti bloom. The poinsettia is still looking good and it will go outside this summer. They also do well in semi shade even though they grow in Florida right in the sun.

The cultivars we buy at Christmas may be a different breed. House plants need grooming year round. Those with smooth leaves can be sprayed with water. A cosmetic brush works well with leaves that are hairy and with cacti to remove the dust.

In the summer when we get a gentle rain I place the cacti and succulents outside for a shower. Make sure there is no saucer to retain the water or they will rot.

From an old issue of Birds and Blooms I found the following hints for the birds: Use an old slow cooker or heated dog dish for water for the birds. The water will dissipate so make sure to keep the water level up so the birds can reach it. I would like to use the old dog dish, but I would have a very long extension cord to connect it, which I don’t care to do.

Last summer I pressed a few flowers. Clematis press so well and make good pictures. This large pink one turned light brown and I glued it to some home made paper. The other picture is Kiss Me Over the Garden Gate. The plants can grow up to six feet. They reseed themselves so you will always have them if you let them reseed. I was concerned I was losing them but one plant did come up.

In the spring I’ll watch for the seedlings and make sure they’re in the sun. I obtained the seeds from a friend who had some in the past in her garden but moved to a new house and so lost them. She saw an article in Birds and Blooms of a lady in Iowa who had some so she 33

wrote to her and asked for some seeds! How about that for “love of flowers”? I’m going to make some pictures with Scripture and place flowers around the edges. I think they will make nice gifts for family and friends.

I need a new pruning saw as it’s about time to prune the apple trees. I like to prune. The long handled pruners I have are very handy for higher pruning. I’m thinking of pruning off some of the lowest branches on the apple trees so it will be easier to mow around them. I have to use the push mower around them, which I dread.

I used to have a John Deere gator that had a dump box on the back. I used to put a ladder in the dump box so I could reach higher branches.

But, it had been a gift to my husband and his son asked if I was using it (his way of asking if he could have it) and I let him take it home. He did need it more than I. He has always been kind and generous toward us.

The seed catalogs have started to come. I should plant more of a vegetable garden this summer. My garden for veggies is partly in shade, which isn’t favorable, but I’ll give it a try anyway. Last fall I bought an arbor to put at the entrance of the garden. I needed something tall for a couple of clematis that outgrew the corner trellis on the house.

I’m excited to see how that’s going to look this summer. Also excited to see the new clematis I planted by the house. This time I selected ones that only grow 8-10 feet. The other ones must have grown about 15 feet or so. I’m getting excited about summer!

See you next month,

Aunt Dots

www.theresaceniccola.com 34

They Heard of Their Faith

by Christena Hammes

A Study in Colossians

Let’s take a look at Colossians 1:3-14 and begin by asking,”Why do they always thank God . . . when they pray?”

If you keep reading you will see it’s because ‘they heard of their faith….and of the love they have for all the saints.’

The word for ‘faith’ in the Greek is defined as: Faith (4102/pistis) is always a gift from God and never something that can be produced by people.

For the believer is "God's divine persuasion" – and therefore distinct from human belief (confidence), yet involving it. The Lord continuously births faith in the yielded believer so they can know what He prefers, i.e. the persuasion of His will (1 John 5:4).

So they lived in a way that this gift from God was showing. They were persuaded; they yielded themselves to Him and knew His will.

And they had a love for the saints. I can only assume if they were known for this love it was because they were walking the way of the Lord.

They were a light for Christ, showing and living forgiveness, teaching the Truth in love, seeking God for themselves - yielding themselves to Him so they knew what their next step should be.

They confessed their sins, prayed for each other and so much more (I’m sure you can add to this).

Now let me ask you this question: Are you a light in and outside the church?

Do people see God when they ‘hear’ about the things you are doing? Are you talking bad about a Pastor (the ones who are called to share the Gospel, ones anointed by God).

“Afterward, David was conscience-stricken for having cut off a corner of his robe. He said to his men, ‘The Lord forbid that I should do such a thing to my master, the Lord's anointed, or lift my hand against him; for he is the anointed of the Lord.’

With these words David rebuked his men and did not allow them to attack Saul.” (I Samuel 24:5-7) Did you notice even though Saul was in the wrong, out of God's will and trying to kill David, that David still called Saul 'the Lord's anointed'?

Do you talk about other believers – even nonbelievers (gossip)? Are you full of pride (only doing things so you can buddy up with people you think have 'position')?

Do you have your own little circle and forget you are to be a light in this world? Are you spending time with the Lord so you know His ways or just giving Him a few minutes or an hour a day?

We should be living in a way that will draw others to Christ, wake up the pew-sitters and strengthen us in our walk so we are not ashamed of the Gospel of Christ.

We want people to say this about us, about the church (believers on His vine). They should be thanking God for who He is in us and what He does through us. (Colossians 1:3) Now let’s consider the word ‘fruit’: Fruit 2592 - bring forth, deeds: thus of men who show their knowledge of religion by their conduct - fruit acceptable to Him – our lives, the knowledge we have of God should show in our conduct and it should be acceptable to our Father.

35

Our fruit should continue to grow. If we stop growing, our fruit will begin to rot. We don’t just accept Christ and then stop searching His Word, stop talking, praying and studying His Word alone and with others.

I like what ‘increasing’ means – key to authentic discipleship and it’s continual. We should never think we have all the answers and it’s our way only.

We will have some Truth to share with others, but some Truth will come from others that may have gone through a revelation (a learning experience) that we haven’t.

For example, Joyce Meyer can share the revelation God has given her on being sexually molested because she went through it and walked through her healing and forgiveness using the Word of God. Someone who has not been through this will not have the revelation she has. We are branches on the vine; each of us has something to share and should share about what the Lord has and is doing in our lives.

Increasing - 837 auksánō – properly, grow (increase); become greater in size (maturity, etc.). ("to grow") is key to authentic discipleship. Indeed, the Lord requires non-stop progress (development) in the life of faith.

And they ‘learned’ – You learned - 3129 manthánō (“a disciple") – properly, learning key facts; gaining "fact-knowledge as someone learns from experience, often with the implication of reflection – 'come to realize' "

Endurance 5281 - properly, remaining under, endurance; steadfastness, especially as God enables the believer to "remain (endure) under" the challenges He allots in life.

Then there is patience. We will be tempted to scream at some people or to compromise our values because we don’t want to hurt someone’s feelings. We begin to tell ‘white’ lies. When we go through things like this an improper anger can arise – this will put out your light.

Patience - 3115 makrothymía – properly, longpassion, i.e. waiting sufficient time before expressing anger. This avoids the premature use of force (retribution) that rises out of improper anger (a personal reaction).

I don’t know about you, but I would love for Christ’s Light to shine in me, and because of the way I live my life, to have others thank God and pray for me because they ‘heard of my faith and the love I have for all saints’.

I would be honored to have them pray for God to fill me with the knowledge of His will with spiritual wisdom and understanding so I can live a life worthy of the Lord, to please Him in every way, to bear fruit, grow in the knowledge of God, be strengthened with all power, and have great endurance and patience; joyfully giving give thanks to the Father.

I want to live the life God has for me; one that will draw people to Him no matter how far away they live.

As you read on and see what they are praying for them, you will see endurance, patience and joy. To grow and have people hearing and praying for us will take endurance and patience. We are in a body and have fleshly desires and emotions that can get in the way.

Satan knows how to get our attention on ourselves, to make us selfish and prideful. We need endurance and it comes from God. This is another reason to know Him and who we are in Him.

What about you?

36

Colossians 1:3-14 “We always thank God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, when we pray for you, because we have heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and of the love you have for all the saints— the faith and love that spring from the hope that is stored up for you in heaven and that you have already heard about in the word of truth, the gospel that has come to you.

All over the world this gospel is bearing fruit and growing, just as it has been doing among you since the day you heard it and understood God’s grace in all its truth.

You learned it from Epaphras, our dear fellow servant, who is a faithful minister of Christ on our behalf, and who also told us of your love in the Spirit.’

For this reason, since the day we heard about you, we have not stopped praying for you and asking God to fill you with the knowledge of his will through all spiritual wisdom and understanding.

And we pray this in order that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and may please him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God, being strengthened with all power according to his glorious might so that you may have great endurance and patience, and joyfully giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in the kingdom of light.

For he has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.”

37

THE LOVE HE SENDS

by Sharon L. Patterson The love of God, who can begin to understand?

But He says, “Come here, my child, open your hand.”

“Oh Father, there is nothing there but loneliness and pain, I cannot, possibly, open it again.”

Then, gently, the Father takes another hand so scarred, It is heavily pierced, and deeply marred.

He places it tenderly over my own, Suddenly, understanding is quietly sown.

For now I know His love means caring, It is infinite, so full of sharing.

Outward, now, my hand extends to another, To you…with the love He sends.

38

What Does True Victory Actually Look Like?

by Corallie Buchanan Victory and joy in God. It is something most Christians strive for. But it is also a goal that many never seem to be able to attain.

“Let me suggest to you that true victory does not lie in having all of your problems worked out.

Heaven knows that we all have problems, and will probably have some of those problems until we go to be with Jesus.

So then are we to live the rest of our lives considering ourselves as not living in victory?”

Why is that? Why, when the Christian life is supposed to be one of victory, do we find ourselves so often falling short of that goal?

Is it unreasonable to expect a victorious life? Is it un-Christian to believe we are destined for greatness?

Let me say something that may be a little controversial. Let me suggest that our picture of what we believe Christian victory to look like may not be altogether accurate.

According to prosperity preachers, total victory comes when there are no struggles, no pain, and no hard times. When we are in a place where our physical afflictions and our emotional struggles are gone, then and only then can we consider ourselves as living in true victory.

Prosperity doctrine is one of the most dangerous doctrines out there. By prosperity doctrine, I mean healthy, wealthy, and happy are the marks of a true Christian. Somebody who is following God should have no pain (either in body or soul), no sadness, and no heartache.

You should be prospering financially and have good relationships with everybody. Does that sound like the life Jesus led?

In fact, Jesus was the total opposite. He was not born in a palace. He was not born into riches. He was born in a shed.

He was born to poor parents. His father was a carpenter. He lived in Galilee, a city in Nazareth which was very low down on the social scale (John 1:46).

His ministry comprised three years of sleeping on the road (Matt 8:20). He didn’t have an income, and so He didn’t have any money to pay his taxes (Matt 17:24-27). His friends were fishermen and tax collectors, people considered to be of low social class.

So Jesus was a poor man who lived on very little, and during his ministry most likely went without food for extended periods of time.

39

The leaders of his own people persecuted him and tried to trap him (John 8:1-11). His own hometown rejected him (Luke 4:1430). Later on, one of Jesus’ own disciples betrayed him (Luke 22:1-6, 47-48). He certainly had some relationship issues.

He was whipped within an inch of his life. He was nailed to a cross. He died. Not exactly the picture of the physically prosperous Christian life, is it? Does this look like the kind of victorious life described in the teachings of people like Joel Osteen and other similar prosperity teachers? I would imagine not.

Does this sound like a life of material, emotional, and physical prosperity? In fact, Jesus’ presence on earth caused him no end of trouble. He even made a promise to us. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world. (John 16:33b)

“Jesus’ presence on earth caused him no end of trouble. He even made a promise to us.

In this world you will have trouble.

But take heart! I have overcome the world.”

(John 16:33b)

Let me suggest to you that true victory does not lie in having all of your problems worked out. Heaven knows that we all have problems, and will probably have some of those problems until we go to be with Jesus. So then are we to live the rest of our lives considering ourselves as not living in victory?

Let us also consider the man Job. He has got to be one of the most amazing people in the Bible (apart from Jesus, of course).

When Job’s life fell apart, his attitude towards God’s goodness and faithfulness remained intact.

Job is an example to us of what it truly means to be a person of God living in true victory. God did not take away Job’s affliction.

Job’s inner life thrived despite the condition of his outer life.

True victory in Christ does not occur when your afflictions are dead and buried. The Devil is not so much concerned about your afflictions as he is your attitude towards them.

If he can get you in a position where you have a bad attitude about your problems, then he has already won the battle.

Nothing further needs to be done. If you want to have true joy and victory in Christ, stop trying to make your problems go away.

The absence of struggle is not true victory.

If you really want to make the Devil mad, do the opposite of what he wants. Be determined to have a good attitude despite your afflictions.

Sure, when I look at my own life, it is rather a mess. I had such a traumatic season last year that I almost considered going on anti-depressants. I lost a very vital relationship in my life in a very unexpected and horrible way.

True victory does not lie within the absence of problems, but the ability to praise God and have a right attitude despite those problems.

40

As a result, I am prone to mood swings, depression, anxiety, and anger. I occasionally suffer from symptoms of post traumatic stress disorder. My husband and I have very little to live on, and can barely pay our bills. I go without many physical things that I need.

My birth family is broken and relationships are very strained at best. I have very little connection with any of them. My life is a mess.

But as messy and difficult as it is, I still found it hard to make that list you see above. I consider myself as living a victorious life, for within that affliction, I have found a place where I am able to praise God anyway. I have discovered both a gift for singing and a gift for art that I never knew existed. I have even joined a successful Christian band that ministers to churches in need. I have a wonderful loving husband and beautiful daughter.

From within my pit of despair, I have found a platform of praise.

There is no better place to be than at the bottom of a pit praising God. This is true victory!

“From within my pit of despair, I have found a platform of praise.

There is no better place to be than at the bottom of a pit praising God. This is true victory!”

Yes, Job’s life was still pretty messed up. But he was victorious because he praised God and had the right attitude. I’m not saying I always have the right attitude…but I’m trying.

True victory does not lie within the absence of problems, but the ability to praise God and have a right attitude despite those problems.

You can consider yourself as living in victory right now if you will choose the right attitude. I will not guarantee that your problems are going to go away. But you will be victorious over the enemy when he realizes that no matter what he throws at you, you still praise God. Like a little boy in church once said, when his mother kept telling him to sit down, “I may be sitting on the outside, but I’m standing on the inside.”

Full-time mother and author, Corallie Buchanan, is a woman who writes from her heart. Over the years, she has shared her heart with magazines such as the Queensland Baptist, Christian Woman, Footprints, Mum to Mum, Captivated, Being Women, the Online Bible College student magazine, Deeper Devotions Student Ministries, amidst other magazines and ministries.

Corallie is the author of Watch Out! Godly Women on the Loose, a book which won her the award of Young Australian Christian Writer of the Year in 2007. She lives with husband David and daughter Esther in Brisbane, Australia.

41

The Return Line

by Gloria Doty We have all been there: We’ve received something that either doesn’t fit or we don’t need or we know we won’t use or perhaps we just don’t like it; it doesn’t match our tastes. Now we find ourselves standing in the return line at the store on the day or week after Christmas.

Usually, the line snakes around several of the posts the store has set up in anticipation of the multitudes of people, some of whom become impatient and sometimes rude while they wait.

During the rest of the year, receipts are required to receive your money back or a credit to your credit card, but during the week following Christmas, most of the large chain stores don’t even attempt to track the purchases.

Even if you feel compelled to give them a reason for the return, they really don’t care; they just give you cash and move you on down the line.

Can you imagine the ‘return line’ if we were to take back the gifts that God gives us? Perhaps God would want to hear our reasons for returning His choice of gifts to us.

The dialogue might be something like this: “Well, you know, God, I did ask for a talent that I could use to Your glory, but singing? Come on, I don’t want to stand in front of a bunch of people on Sunday and sing. I need some other talent!”

Or, “This gift of teaching just doesn’t feel right. I think it is too large. That’s it! It’s not the right size. I need something smaller; something that would only require one hour a week. That would be the perfect fit.”

Or maybe: “I really don’t think this is what I wanted. I may have asked for this talent, but now that I see it, I think I would just put it in my closet and never use it, so I want a different one, but this time I want to pick it out myself.”

As sad as it is to think about how often we want to return or exchange God’s gifts to us, we need to accept them, enjoy them, and use them to His glory.

He never makes a mistake when He chooses the gifts that He wants us to have.

We make the mistake when we don’t use them.

42

43

44

45

46

47

48

49

50

51

52

First Things First

by Heather King

A new year means excitement, fireworks and confetti, predictions and optimistic resolutions.

It’s people declaring, “It’s going to be a great year” and others just hoping that “2013 is better than 2012.”

If there’s anyone out there who is a little like me and perhaps just a little honest, maybe a new year also brings pangs of fear.

Just a bit.

I’m not generally comfortable with the unknown so when you survey a fresh calendar with 12 pages left to go and when you start penciling in dates and activities and you consider how many squares will be filled in later, it can be a little overwhelming.

What if something goes wrong? What if 2013 isn’t so great?

On New Year’s Day, I picked up my Bible and read these words: “First this: God created the Heavens and the Earth—all you see, all you don’t see. Earth was a soup of nothingness, a bottomless emptiness, an inky blackness. God’s Spirit brooded like a bird above the watery abyss” (Genesis 1:1-2 MSG).

“First this.” For years, I’ve read this verse in other translations and they all begin this way: “In the beginning.”

Like a blank calendar, the world began “formless and empty” and that’s where fear can reside: in the inky blackness of uncertainty. It’s not so much in “all you see,” but lurking much more definitely in “all you don’t see.”

But God saw. He wasn’t surprised by the light, the waters, the land, the creatures or Adam and Eve. He is the God who designs, plans, forms and creates “all you see, all you don’t see.” When He said, “Let there be light,” surely He expected light!

Indeed, “the Spirit of God was hovering over the waters” (Genesis 1:1, NIV). In the past, I considered this mystical perhaps, a hazy and heavy apparition hovering like a fog just above the unformed mass of earth.

But The Message says “God’s Spirit brooded like a bird above the watery abyss” and this is much more the picture here.

John Snyder wrote: “the Hebrew writer portrayed the Spirit of God as ‘hovering over’ the unformed and unruly mass, much like a mother bird fluttering over her brood.

The picture here is the very careful and loving attention God gives to His creation– protecting, shaping, and guiding its development. In other words, there’s no room for chance or randomness.

Everything is under His control.”

53

So, right here at the start of our year, let’s pause and consider what’s first. What is God doing in our beginning?

God is in charge. That’s the reminder here in the very first words of the Bible. And He’s not an arbitrary ruler or a mysterious mystical force. He’s loving and attentive. He brings order out of chaos and light forth from darkness.

That’s what we can look forward to in 2012. In all of the hectic chaos of our lives, in the disorder of our finances or relationships or jobs, in the shaky ground of ministry or health, in the shadowy uncertainty of all that lies ahead—God is in control, designing a plan for us that isn’t just okay or acceptable.

It’s good.

When God finished off His week of creating, “God saw all that he had made, and it was very good” (Genesis 1:31, NIV).

We should expect nothing less from a Good God who is present and active in our lives, just as He was from the first moments of our world.

Rest in that and dare to enjoy a new year.

Heather King is a wife to a wonderful husband and a mom to three beautiful girls. A former English teacher, she now lives a life of doing dishes, folding laundry, finding lost toys and mending scraped knees.

She treks to the grocery store more times a week than she’d like and struggles to keep up with chores, appointments and the to-do list that refreshes itself day after day.

In addition to all that, she’s the worship leader at her church in Virginia, a Bible study teacher and women’s ministry leader.

Somewhere in the middle of the noise, mess, and busyness of life, she takes time to meet with God at her kitchen table with a Bible, a journal and a cup of strong hot tea with lots of sugar.

You can find her blogging about these times with God at her devotional site: Room to Breathe: http://heathercking.wordpress.com/

Becoming the Disciple Whom Jesus Loved

by Michelle Lazurek Becoming the Disciple Whom Jesus Loved: Discover Your Character In God’s Love Story (Winepress Publishing, October, 2011) invites readers to engage with the story God is writing for their lives and discover their role as a character in that story. The book also asks the reader “What’s Your Story?” and provides thought provoking questions at the end of each chapter to allow readers to interact with the material.

The book is available on her website www.michellelazurek.com, www.amazon.com and www.barnesandnoble.com.

54

The Happy Housewife

by Elizabeth Baker

Chapter Six Walk This Way Please When I was a girl in high school, my family was very poor. I thought my clothes were not as nice as other girls wore so I tried to make up for them by walking vey erect. I attempted to think of myself as Cinderella before her prince came. To some degree I must have achieved my goals, for when anyone offered me a compliment it was usually on being graceful.

But this “grace” I was so proud of was built on a false foundation. As time passed it seemed I always had back trouble: a stiff spot here, a catch there, a pain over yonder. Then about six years ago it began to get serious.

At first I only had pain when I used my right arm for extended periods of time, as when sewing or crocheting, but it got worse, and soon it hurt very much to drive or hang out the laundry or hold a portable mixer long enough to beat a cake. At last the pain was almost continuous and often severe.

“That doesn’t matter.” He dismissed my protest with a wave of his hand. “Your foundation is wrong, and that makes all your effort to stand straight useless.

No one would expect to straighten the Leaning Tower of Pisa by pulling the middle into line. They would start at the base.

The effort you spent to pull yourself upright has done little more than give a zigzag effect to your spine.”

I told the base doctor if he didn’t fix me I was going to find someone who could, even if I had to pay for treatment. After much shuffling and testing, I was finally sent to a physical therapist. He treated the shoulder and arm several times with heat and massage, but there was almost no improvement.

Then one day he told me to walk across the room in a normal manner while he studied how I walked. (Now, there is no way on earth to walk normally when you know someone is watching, but I tried.)

“Have you ever noticed how you walk?” he asked.

I thought I walked exceptionally well. What could he possibly find to be critical about?

“You do it all wrong,” he said bluntly. “It starts with your right foot.

You step with the foot slanted outward and hit the ground toe first.

Because your foot is crooked, your hips lean crooked. Because your hips lean crooked, the spine is thrown into a curve. Because your spine is curved, the nerve in your right arm is pinched.”

He was making me sound like a slouch, and I defended myself. “I’ve always tried to walk very straight,” I protested.

“That doesn’t matter.” He dismissed my protest with a wave of his hand. “Your foundation is wrong, and that makes all your effort to stand straight useless. No one would expect to straighten the 55

Leaning Tower of Pisa by pulling the middle into line. They would start at the base. The effort you spent to pull yourself upright has done little more than give a zig-zag effect to your spine.”

Then, beginning at the feet, he taught me bone by bone how things should be aligned. “Can you point your feet straight forward and step out heel first? Can you move your hips to the right and your shoulders to the left but keep them level?”

Each thing he told me to do was very simple in itself, but he gave me little hope. He said that changing one’s walk was very difficult and he doubted I could accomplish it.

I thought him faithless. He had no idea how strong and smart I was.

Few people had my ability to finish what they started . . . or so I reasoned.

In the days to come, I was to learn how difficult a simple thing can become when it must be deliberately practiced every moment, every step. No matter what I was doing—cooking, sweeping, shopping, ironing, folding laundry—one part of my mind had to keep checking up every few minutes to make sure I was holding all my bones in the proper positions. Usually I was not. The wrong way of walking had become natural to me.

My muscles began to rebel at being stretched into positions they had not known for years. Before my shoulder and arm had ached; now everything ached! The only painless part of me left was my ear lobes, and I was beginning to doubt them. It got so I didn’t want to get up out of my chair because I knew that as soon as I stood to my feet I would have to put all my bones in proper order, and that small, simple task loomed like a mountain.

I was almost ready to give up when the pain began to subside!

Slowly, slowly, step by step, the right way of walking became natural to me, and it ceased to take such monumental effort. For the most part I now have good use of both arms. Sometimes the pain will come creeping back, and, when it does, a little self-examination usually reveals I have slipped back into the wrong way of walking.

There are many parallels between changing the physical walk and changing the spiritual walk. Both must be learned step by step, problem by problem.

“Before my shoulder and arm had ached; now everything ached! The only painless part of me left was my ear lobes, and I was beginning to doubt them.

It got so I didn’t want to get up out of my chair because I knew that as soon as I stood to my feet I would have to put all my bones in proper order, and that small, simple task loomed like a mountain.”

We begin our Christian lives with a joyful determination to please God and advance toward the goal. As we recognize sin for what it really is, it seems unthinkable that we could ever return to that way of life. Greed and jealousy, anger and fear become repulsive to us, and we want to follow our Lord.

Then something happens. Perhaps we are faced with a temptation and crumble like dust. Doubts come rushing in and we decide that maybe Jesus didn’t save us after all. If He has saved us, why are we acting this way?

56

Maybe we get unreasonably angry or find ourselves disgusted. The joy and peace we knew at the beginning of our new life in Christ is lost. We tasted of the goodness of God but a taste was all we got.

We plead with Him, “Oh, please forgive me. Just this one more time. I won’t do it again, I promise. I’ll try harder; really I will.”

We pull ourselves up and try again, but fail. After a while, we may even become ashamed to face God with what we have done. Many a Christian has staggered through life, tripping and stumbling, weary with failing but totally unable to do any better. How sad! For God has provided a remedy for this agony.

The Futility of Works “As you have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him.” (Colossians 2:6). The same method, the same attitudes, the same power that was in operation when we became sons of God is to be used to “walk” the Christian life, to progress toward the goal of His likeness.

This brings us to the next question. How did we receive Him? First we had to admit that we were sinners and were totally unable to help ourselves. We had to go to God about it, and we had to believe that God would do as He promised and forgive us.

We had to adopt the attitude, “God, You said that Jesus Christ came down from heaven and took my punishment, died for my sin, and then went back to heaven to live with You. And because he lives and has already taken the punishment I deserved, I can have a place with You in glory if I’ll only claim it. I believe You, dear God, and I thank You.” No one ever did enough good works to merit heaven for himself. A man could try with every ounce of strength to live a moral life, to help his neighbor and do all the things we mortals consider good.

He could struggle every day of his life and on the day he died could stand before God with each one of his works polished and spit shined, but the sentence from the throne would still be the same: “Depart from Me . . . I never knew you.” (See Matthew 7:21-23; Galatians 2:16; Ephesians 2:8-9; Romans 4:4-8) Someone must pay for sin. There is no way around the debt. You can either accept Jesus’ payment for your debt, or you can insist on trying to pay it yourself with good works—and spend eternity in hell. The choice is that simple.

When we received Christ, we knew good works could not save us.

How foolish of us, then, to think we can improve our salvation by using good works to hammer our spirits and minds into the likeness of Jesus. Paul marveled that the Galatians would think that once they were saved they should use works to make them perfect and complete in Christ.

57

He wrote, “O foolish Galatians! Who has bewitched you? . . . This only I want to learn from you: Did you receive the spirit by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith? Are you so foolish? Having begun in the Spirit are you now made perfect by the flesh?” (Galatians 3:1-3) Just as we could never save ourselves, we can never reform ourselves.

In both cases we must depend on an outside power to do for us that thing we cannot do alone.” As you have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him.” That means to renounce faith in our own efforts.

The Foolishness of Covering Up Another dimension of our salvation was the recognition of sin. Sin is not something to wink at. Sin is not a mistake we made accidentally (Galatians 5:19-21). Sin is our greed, our lust, our pride, our cheating, our selfishness. Sin is wronging others; it is our hateful attitudes and excessive anger. Sin is to know the requirements of God and turn our backs on them.

Sin is hurtful (Romans 6:23). It hurts others and it hurts us. It wounds the very heart of God and consigns a person to hell. As sons of Adam we don’t like to admit that such things are in our thoughts and actions. It is much more pleasing to gloss over the ugliness. We put on a mask before other people and even try to fool God by hiding the real person underneath.

Yet, in being saved, we admitted to God that these things are present in us. We faced the reality and admitted that we are people who purposely commit sin.

“Last winter we connected nine water hoses together in order to run water from the well in the yard to the cattle way out in the corral.

Sometimes I turn on the water at the house and walk all the way down to the other end of the line to make sure that the hose outlet is in the tubs. I stand and wait but no water comes.

What is wrong?”

“As you have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him.” We can make real progress in the Christian life only as we are willing to admit our continuing sinful bent before God. When a Christian sins, he should immediately turn his thoughts toward God, recognizing before Him that what he did or said or thought was indeed sin. This often hurts. No one ever found it easy to confess, “I’ve done wrong.”

Each and every sin should be confessed, immediately. Don’t wait until you have time to get on your knees. Prayer is not a physical act; it is spiritual.

Sin does not separate us from the love of God. In fact, it was “while we were yet sinners” that Christ demonstrated His and the Father’s great love for us in and through the cross (Romans 5:8). But sin can and will block the power of the Spirit in our lives.

Last winter we connected nine water hoses together in order to run water from the well in the yard to the cattle way out in the corral. Sometimes I turn on the water at the house and walk all the way down to the other end of the line to make sure that the hose outlet is in the tubs. I stand and wait but no water comes. What is wrong?

58

At least 180 square feet of water is in the well, and more is available where that came from. I know the pump is working and able to give all the power needed to move the water from the well to the tubs. The cattle stand ready to drink; the tubs stand ready to receive; I watch the end of the hose but . . . nothing.

There can be only one reason for the lack of water—a blockage in the hose. I run the hose through my hands and backtrack toward the house. Somewhere along the line I know I’ll find a twisted place, a crimp in the hose. When I straighten the hose and lay it back in place, the water flows freely and the thirsty cattle are satisfied.

Jesus said, “He who believes in Me, as the Scripture has said, out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.” The Holy Spirit is this “living water” (John 7:39). The Spirit produces in our lives the same type of goodness and character Jesus exhibited. This is called the fruit of the Spirit.

“Jesus said that if I believe in Him rivers of this goodness and character will come from me. Imagine! Not a trickle. Not a stream. But rivers! And the word is even plural. If you are like me, the first question you ask is, “I believe in Jesus, so, how come I’m not flowing?”

There is no problem with the supply. God’s resources are inexhaustible. We are at the other end, thirsty and ready to receive. But nothing happens. The flow is blocked. Unconfessed sin has put a crimp in our hose.”

Jesus said that if I believe in Him rivers of this goodness and character will come from me. Imagine! Not a trickle. Not a stream.

But rivers! And the word is even plural. If you are like me, the first question you ask is, “I believe in Jesus, so, how come I’m not flowing?”

There is no problem with the supply. God’s resources are inexhaustible. We are at the other end, thirsty and ready to receive.

But nothing happens. The flow is blocked. Unconfessed sin has put a crimp in our hose.

We could not be saved and accepted as part of God’s family until we were willing to recognize and confess our sins. We cannot move forward in Christ until we will face our sin and confess it. “As you have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him.” The Power of Faith There is one last thing we need for salvation to be complete: true faith. Jesus said, that whoever believed in Him would never perish but have everlasting life (John 3:16). We must believe that Jesus has paid the price for our sin. We must believe that God is willing and able to forgive our sin. Believing is a decision of the mind. It is a conclusion we count on.

I believe there is an Atlantic Ocean. I have never seen it. I have never touched it. But I believe the Atlantic is there anyway. It is a fact that I accept as true and count on.

When I asked God to forgive my sin, I didn’t need to search my conscience to see if I felt forgiven. I just accepted as fact that He did do it because of what He said in His Word. I did not see Jesus die on the cross. I was not there to touch His blood-smeared feet with my 59

fingers. Regardless of that, I still believe. I count on that death to justify me before God. Jesus told doubting Thomas, “Blessed (happy) are those who have not seen and yet have believed.” (John 20:29).

Before we could get into God’s family, we had to believe in Jesus. We had to accept as true that He died for us individually. We had to accept as true that God forgives us and wipes us free of every spot when we ask Him to. “As you have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him.” God’s Discipline When we ask God to forgive us that is exactly what He does. When we, as Christians, have confessed each sin that we know we have committed, we stand before God as pure and as spotless as Jesus Christ Himself because it is His righteousness we wear (I Corinthians 1:29-31; 2 Corinthians 5:21).

We need never go to God as beggars, pleading with Him to forgive us just one more time. He has already provided for our forgiveness; we need only to come to Him and admit our sin and believe—accept as true—the fact that He will be faithful to His word and “cleanse us from all unrighteousness” (I John 1:9). When we confess and believe, we clear the channel of His power, making it available for our daily lives.

God corrects His children but not out of anger or revenge. Even before we became His sons, when we were lost and wicked and covered with the shame of sin, God did not try to “get even” with us. If he wanted to get even, He would have sat on His holy throne and let us every one march straight to hell. God didn’t want revenge. Instead He moved toward us in love and gave the dearest Treasure in heaven to be sin in our place.

Does God’s attitude toward us change for the worse when we become His children? Is He now trying to “get even” with us when He disciplines? Is He angry at us because we sin? No. We may grieve God; He may have to discipline us; but we never step outside His great love. If He was ready and willing to forgive us when we were the devil’s property, how much more is He willing to forgive us now that we are His very own?

“We need never go to God as beggars, pleading with Him to forgive us just one more time.

He has already provided for our forgiveness; we need only to come to Him and admit our sin and believe—accept as true— the fact that He will be faithful to His word and “cleanse us from all unrighteousness” (I John 1:9)”

I have four children. In times past, I would let them get by with murder if I was in a good mood and whip them severely for the same acts when I was in a bad mood. Thank God, I can now say that, to the best of my knowledge, it has been years since I struck a child in anger. I discipline, but not in anger. Often the discipline is simply to talk to the child, showing him how much his actions have hurt another.

One of my little boys is as wiggly and squirmy as a worm on a fishhook, and the discipline he hates most is for me to pull a dining chair into the middle of the floor and make him sit on it for 20 minutes.

60

Another boy kept sneaking off and lighting fires. I tried talking, reasoning, and spanking. Nothing seemed to work. Then I borrowed an idea from a magazine and bought 10 boxes of large kitchen matches. I sat the boy in the middle of the kitchen floor, gave him a bowl to put the burnt matches in, and told him to start striking.

My intention was to make him strike all the matches but after an hour, one empty match box, and enough tears to fill Lake Erie, I let him go.

Never again have I caught him setting fires without permission.

Sometimes the effective discipline is a spanking. This is usually given with a soft belt applied to the seat of learning. I try for two goals: (1) the child knows he has been spanked; (2) he knows why.

I am a frail human mother, often tired, often mistaken. If I have sense enough to try to deal justly and gently with my children, how much more will God deal gently with us? We are His children. We need never beg and plead and tremble at His feet hoping He will forgive us just one more time. We need never fear He will slap us around, angry at what we did.

“I am a frail human mother, often tired, often mistaken. If I have sense enough to try to deal justly and gently with my children, how much more will God deal gently with us? We are His children.

We need never beg and plead and tremble at His feet hoping He will forgive us just one more time. We need never fear He will slap us around, angry at what we did.”

All we need do is come to Him, confess our sins, and accept and claim His forgiveness. He told us in His Word that He would forgive us always. Do we believe him?

Belief was the master key that opened the way to salvation in the first place, and it is the key that opens the path to abundant life. “As you have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him.” We Are Dead When we were “born again” (John 3:1-21), we became different from what we were before. The Bible calls us “new creatures” (2 Corinthians 5:17), “sons of God” (I John 3:2), “saints” (Philippians 1:1), “heirs of God” (Romans 8:17), “a chosen generation, royal priesthood, a holy nation, a peculiar people” (I Peter 2:9).

This is what we are already. This is not a misty destiny we strive toward, not a goal we struggle for but never reach. This is something Jesus has made us by His blood.

One of the things we are asked to believe about our relationship with God is that we are dead. Yes, you read that right. We are taught to believe that we are dead. Sound strange?

Consider the words of Paul, “I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God who loved me and gave Himself for me.” (Galatians 2:20)

61

There is no indication from Scripture that Paul ever even saw Jesus during His life on earth. How could Paul be crucified with Christ? He wasn’t even there when it happened. More amazing, Paul not only says that he was crucified with Jesus but that you and I were crucified with Him also.

When speaking to the entire church at Rome, Paul said, “Knowing this, that our old man was crucified with Him, that the body of sin might be destroyed” (Romans 6:6).

Some Christians spend their lives in valiant struggle. They try with all their might to kill the old man in their heart, to kill his habits, to kill his evil thoughts, kill his envy. They become so battered and bruised they think the Christian life is more painful than to have remained a sinner!

“Some Christians spend their lives in valiant struggle. They try with all their might to kill the old man in their heart, to kill his habits, to kill his evil thoughts, kill his envy.

They become so battered and bruised they think the Christian life is more painful than to have remained a sinner!”

Let me ask one question. Can you kill a corpse?

Of course not! Once something is dead, it is dead. All your struggle cannot kill it.

Our problem is not to struggle harder but to accept the fact that our death with Him is real and final. The Bible says that our old man was crucified with Jesus. Do we believe Him? The Apostle Paul’s old nature surely included a violent temper and total lack of compassion. Yet, after Jesus got hold of him, Paul preached “with all humility and with many tears” (Acts 20:19), and he dealt with those he won to Christ as a father deals with his children.

Paul had learned how to accept the fact that his old nature was dead with Christ on Calvary.

The fact that our old nature has died with Jesus is not a far-out idea.

As Christians we accept the fact that Jesus died for our sins, though He died for them nearly 2,000 years ago before we or our sin existed.

Now, the Bible says my old nature also died with Jesus 2,000 years ago on Calvary.

Not everyone receives the benefits of Jesus’ death for sins because not every man is willing to believe and be saved. Not every Christian receives the benefit of the death of his own old nature at Calvary because not everyone will believe.

If I had refused to believe that Jesus died for my sin, I would never have known freedom from the penalty of sin. If I refuse to believe that my old nature died with Jesus, I will never know freedom from the domination of that nature.

Does someone moan, “My old nature can’t be dead. I fight with it every day”?

“If I had refused to believe that Jesus died for my sin, I would never have known freedom from the penalty of sin. If I refuse to believe that my old nature died with Jesus, I will never know freedom from the domination of that nature.”

62

Let me ask you a question. What weapons are you using? Self-effort or faith? Paul says, “For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God” (2 Corinthians 10:4-5).

God instructs us to do battle with “The sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God” (Ephesians 6:17). What could never be accomplished through effort is brought to reality by faith that His Word is true. And His Word says that our old nature has been crucified on Calvary.

You Are Also Alive

“God instructs us to do battle with “The sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God” (Ephesians 6:17).

After saying our old nature is dead, Paul turns right around and says, “Likewise you also reckon yourselves to be dead indeed to sin, but alive to God in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Romans 6:11).

What could never be accomplished through effort is brought to reality by faith that His Word is true. And His Word says that our old nature has been crucified on Calvary.”

Every time envy or jealousy, lust or fear, hopelessness or anger, or anything else from the old nature pokes into our minds, we need to immediately exercise faith in the written Word of God and say to the old nature, “You have no power over me. You are dead.” This exercise must be repeated daily, hourly, moment by moment, and thought by thought.

The dictionary defines reckon as to count, to depend, to rely on. Paul is not contradicting himself. Our old man is dead; we are made alive to God; but only as we reckon on those facts do they become effective in our daily lives.

At the same time, we need to affirm that we are alive to God. Or as we read in Ephesians 4:24, “Put on the new man which was created according to God, in righteousness and true holiness.” To walk in the spirit, or put on the new man, or reckon we are alive unto God, or to be filled with the Spirit are all statements that approach the same subject from different angles.

Scripture also says, “And do not be drunk with wine wherein is dissipation; but be filled with the Spirit” (Ephesians 5:18). What a perfect comparison is used in this Scripture! When a person gets drunk, his body comes under the control of alcohol. Many people experience a complete personality change when they are “under the influence.” A man who is a tightwad when sober may slap money on the bar and order drinks for everyone in the house when drunk. A normally shy person may laugh and dance. A usually gentle man may become violent.

A drunk man has voluntarily yielded his actions and thoughts to the control of another power: alcohol. We as Christians are to avoid that sort of intoxication but to voluntarily yield our thoughts and actions to the control of another Power, another Person, the Holy Spirit, who already lives within us. When we say no to the old man and count on the fact that he is dead, and then voluntarily yield ourselves to the control of the Spirit, we are “walking” in Christ.

63

This walking is completely different from everything we have known before. It is absolutely contrary to the old nature with which we were born. It will bring total opposition from our enemy, the devil. But it is the road to abundant life and to experience the power of God. Does It Work in the Nitty-Gritty of Life?

When I began to consider the need for a book such as this and hoped that the Lord might see fit to let me write it, I knew I could not teach others anything about Christianity that I had not experienced myself.

With that in mind, I began a diary recording some of the problems and questions I faced in being a Christian wife and mother.

The following is taken from the diary and is dated August 31, 1970.

We were then living in a small two-bedroom house on a ranch we had leased. My husband was holding down a full-time shift job while also running the ranch.

The children were aged 9, 4, and 14 months. I should explain that our school bus arrived at 6:50 A.M., so 8:00 P.M. was late for the children. Though I did not realize it at the time, by a careful reading you can note the steps of admission and belief as I progressed from panic to peace.

“This morning went like all days should go; when Jesus seems so close, one can speak to Him as a gentle Friend; when work is smooth, and joy bubbles out in song; when being gentle with the children comes as natural as a loving smile.

“I don’t know what happened to that joy. Perhaps the fact that I was so rushed this afternoon has something to do with it. I had taken Bill to work this morning so I could keep the truck and pick up Lori at school for her doctor’s appointment at 1:30 P.M. After that, I had to pick up a few groceries and rush home for an hour, and then rushed back to town to pick up Bill from work at 4:50 P.M. “He let us off at the house and went on down to his father’s shop to work on some welding. I left the children eating supper and walked all the way to the backside of the lot to get the milk cow and drive her up to the calf in the barn. When I finally got her to the barn, I realized Bill had already done that chore before he left and the calf wasn’t hungry.

“The boys missed their naps and cried almost constantly from 3:00 P.M. to 9:30 P.M. As my sister is so fond of saying, ‘Man, they nearly drove me out of my tree!’

“This morning went like all days should go; when Jesus seems so close, one can speak to Him as a gentle Friend; when work is smooth, and joy bubbles out in song; when being gentle with the children comes as natural as a loving smile.

“I don’t know what happened to that joy . . . .”

“By 7:30 P.M. it was time to put the baby, Wesley, to sleep, several baskets of clothes were waiting to be folded, other odd jobs needed to be done, and I was one bundle of raw nerves.

Wesley was very sleepy, but every time I rocked him to sleep the TV would blare or his brother would scream. He was almost asleep for good when Bill came stomping through the back door and wanted supper ‘on the double’ because he still had to go to the sale barn tonight.

64

“After he left (around 8:15 P.M.), I tried to lie down between the boys and put them to sleep but it did almost no good. They griped, I spanked, they cried. They fought, I spanked, they squalled. When I couldn’t stand it anymore, I got up to fold clothes and left the boys to get up and fight it out between themselves.

“Lori cried and griped because her heating pad wouldn’t stay on her sore knee. The boys cried and fought over the rocking horse. Wesley pulled up the potted plant I had cared for so tenderly. By 8:45 I decided to turn off the TV and put them all to bed. I read them their usual Bible story, but no one got much out of Queen Ester tonight.

“Many times after going through such episodes as this, I have wondered how one goes about laying hold of the power of God. I believe He is sufficient but how do I go about making Him sufficient for me? I try to make my emotions behave. I try to be gentle, but I end up yelling anyway.”

“My nerves were tight as fiddle strings, and the moment I thought the boys were asleep I jumped out of bed. I was in the kitchen for only a moment, but when I returned to the living room, there stood Baby Wesley. Still sniffing and with wet cheeks glistening, he was taking my freshly washed and folded towels and dumping them one by one on the floor in a heap.

“I was so angry! I wanted to shake him and throw him in bed and demand that he stay there. I tried to pick him up gently but my arms grabbed anyway. It was all I could do to keep from spanking him again. The old Adam nature with all its selfishness and temper had full sway.

“Many times after going through such episodes as this, I have wondered how one goes about laying hold of the power of God. I believe He is sufficient but how do I go about making Him sufficient for me? I try to make my emotions behave. I try to be gentle, but I end up yelling anyway.

“I knew Jesus didn’t want me acting like this. I knew He didn’t want me feeling like this. I was ashamed and sorry, but still angry. I rocked Wesley and quoted Scripture only this time I quoted them with personal application. “[Jesus said] ‘My grace is sufficient for you.’ Did I believe Him? “‘Lo, I am with you always.’ I did not feel Him, but He said He had not left me. Did I believe Him? “‘My peace I give unto you.’ Peace! That was what I needed, and He said He had already given it to me. “ ‘Come unto Me all ye that labor and are heavy laden and I will give you rest.’ Rest! I could use some of that too. God said in His Word that these things were mine. I didn’t feel any of them.

“As with so many things in the spiritual realm, you believe first and feel later. But I was not required to feel; I was required to believe.

65

“Within 10 minutes I had calmed down enough to gently rock my baby and enjoy his lovely sleeping baby eyes and golden hair. Within 30 minutes my body was worn out but my spirit was refreshed and at peace.”

Many trials have come and gone since this was recorded but I have proved it true time after time. His grace is sufficient to provide power for living as well as power for dying. It matters little whether the problem is worry, anger, fear, pride, raw nerves, or selfishness. Jesus can and does provide the answers for all those who are willing to seek Him. When a Christian lets the Holy Spirit has control, his life changes. This is not pretense or an act or something tacked on the outside. This is a real change in the Christian himself.

We need never fear this change. We need never be afraid to trust Him with our lives and minds, for our precious Lord is as gentle and kind as He is strong and knowing. He never barges uninvited into any life or into any section of life. This change is something we “let” happen to us, something we voluntarily take part in. God created the personality and, though He may perfect and improve upon His creation, He will never destroy it.

“Many trials have come and gone since this was recorded but I have proved it true time after time. His grace is sufficient to provide power for living as well as power for dying. It matters little whether the problem is worry, anger, fear, pride, raw nerves, or selfishness. Jesus can and does provide the answers for all those who are willing to seek Him.”

When I was a child, my thoughts were different than they are today. My emotions were not the same as those I now experience, but that does not mean I am a different person. I can remember turning wildly in tiny circles with my heart pounding until it almost jumped from my chest because the ice cream man was coming and I couldn’t find my nickel.

Now I have learned to handle disappointments with a little more grace.

Once there was the joy and anticipation of waiting to see if I would get a birthday cake, but I would not exchange that for the present peaceful joy of reaching across the table to touch the scarred thick hand of my dear husband whom I have learned to love so well through the years.

Though I have changed, I am still the same person. I have progressed beyond the point of childhood and have become a woman.

Though a Christian changes, when he lets God have control that does not mean he is a different person. I can look into the past and see so well the pride and arrogance and outright cruelty that once possessed me though I was indeed a born again child of God. I can see how far Jesus and I have walked together, and I would not go back to yesterday. Jesus hasn’t finished changing me yet for I have not reached the goal. The goal He has in mind for me is the same goal He has in mind for you, that we should be as full of peace and joy and kind and unselfish and meek and patient and strong as Jesus Christ Himself (Ephesians 4:13; Romans 8:29).

“As you have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him.”

We received salvation in Jesus by admitting our sins and believing that He had paid for those sins, eliminating their power in our lives. We received by being willing to follow Him. We are now to “walk” in Him by applying the same principles to our lives day by day. “As you have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him.” 66

Get Crafty for Valentine’s Day and make your own Heart Art! Every month we search all over the blogosphere for the best seasonal craft ideas to share with our readers. This month we have found craft and sewing projects that are not only beautiful and will add a special touch of whimsy to your home, but they are also easy to do and inexpensive. That’s the best kind!

We would like to invite you to submit your craft / sewing / quilting / fiber or paper art / home décor project ideas and tutorials for publication in an upcoming issue of the Ruby for Women magazine.

Please visit the Ruby for Women blog and click on our “Submissions” page to read our submission guidelines, and then contact our Assistant Editor, Amanda Johnson at ajohnson@rubyforwomen.com with your submission. We hope to hear from you soon!

This charming Paper Curl Wreath is made from strips of patterned paper wrapped tightly around a pencil to curl. Using a hot-glue gun, attach the curls to a Styrofoam circle form. Spray with clear coating and sprinkle with glitter. Add a Valentine’s Day quote written on a paper badge of matching pattered paper, or a red and white ribbon, or even a couple of red and white heart-shaped lollipops for added sparkle. You can find this and other Valentine’s Day craft projects and tutorials at Better Homes and Gardens.

Another delightful home décor project is this Heart-to-Heart Garland made so quick and easy with layers of fabric hearts fused together with iron-on adhesive, two holes punched in each heart with a ribbon threaded through. That’s it! Lovely draped across a headboard, a mantle, or along the top of a window.

You can find the complete directions for making this Heart-to-Heart garland at Better Homes and Gardens.

There are so many different techniques for crafting and creating artwork, from making heart-shaped Valentine’s Day cards from paper and cardboard to designing and creating a handcrafted Heart Art quilt. When we find ideas that can be created that will bring the joy of any season into your home, that is the kind of project we are looking for here at Ruby for Women!

This whimsical 3-D Heart Art wall hanging was created by Vicki O’Dell and was posted on her blog, The Creative Goddess. She has kindly given us permission to repost the image here along with the link to her blog for complete instructions for making this Heart Art design.

67

So elegant and sophisticated, and yet sweet and adorable, too, these Valentine’s Day LOVE Cubes are made from Styrofoam cubes covered with scrapbook papers, ribbons, chipboard letters, and other embellishments. For complete instructions for creating these charming Valentine’s Day LOVE Cubes, please visit Sharon at her blog, Crafts n’ Coffee.

These Valentine’s Day LOVE Cubes would look lovely on a mantle, stacked as a centerpiece, or on a display shelf in your home. So many options for decorating your home for Valentine’s Day with this and other crafting projects at Crafts n’ Coffee.

After searching all over the blogosphere for the best Valentine’s Day craft projects, I thought that I had seen all of the gorgeous heart art wreaths that could be imagined . . . . but when I came to Crafts n’ Coffee, I discovered a whole collection of gorgeous handcrafted Valentine’s Day wreaths.

There is one for any home décor style, and just about anything that strikes your fancy!

This repurposed sweater Valentine’s Day Wreath is simply stunning! It was created using a Styrofoam wreath form and covering it with sweater fabric; the beautiful dark red roses were created from felt.

It’s amazing what you can come up with when you use your imagination and a stash of upcycled fabrics and trims. You can find the complete tutorial on Sharon’s blog, Crafts n’ Coffee.

And then there are the cute Valentine’s Day Topiaries made by covering Styrofoam cone shapes with scrapbooking paper and embellishing with hearts, pom poms, ribbon, lace and braid. They are then perched on flower pots for added charm.

The complete tutorial for these Valentine’s Day Topiaries, as well as so many more Valentine’s Day crafts, can be found at Crafts n’ Coffee.

Be sure to tell Sharon that you heard about Crafts n’ Coffee from all of us here at Ruby for Women! Happy Crafting and have a “lovely” Valentine’s Day creating your very own “Heart Art.” Images originally posted on the Crafts n’ Coffee blog.

68

Now What?

by Michelle Lazurek I slumped myself down in our usual booth at the local diner, while my friend greeted me sadly with the four sad words no pastor’s wife wants to hear: “I’m leaving the church.”

For the past six months, we had enjoyed laughter, prayer and friendship as an accompaniment to our serving of eggs, and oatmeal with milk. Today, however, our breakfast was served with a side order of sadness and I found my ordinarily sweet oatmeal difficult to swallow.

While my friend explained her reasons for desiring to leave our church body, I listened intently for any deep, spiritual awakening that prompted her decision. I quickly realized her grumblings amounted to nothing more than personal worship preferences instead of spiritual awakening or theological differences.

As the discussion heated up, I paused and asked, “Which concerns God more: our difference of opinion or our strained relationship?”

She pondered the question for a few moments and then said, “I think God cares about both.”

I left the meeting hurt and grief stricken. I asked myself: “So, now what do I do with this relationship that will never be the same”?

When I’m faced with these types of difficult situations, I have a choice to make. I can choose to love and get mad when that love is not reciprocated, or I can merely love out of the love God has shown me.

As a disciple, Jesus calls us to love others simply out of our love for God. Just like he loves me.

No strings attached. No hope that it will benefit us. Normally, I attribute love to something that benefits me.

For example, it is easy to love my children when they are compliant and love me the way I desire to be loved. However, how difficult would it be for me to love that same child whose behavior is not compliant?

The New Testament translates the word love from several different Greek words with two primary ones: • Phileo refers to brotherly love, which is why Philadelphia is referred to as the “city of brotherly love.” This love refers to a fondness of heart and based on our feelings.

• Agape is the selfless, sacrificial love that is completely motivated by the desire to benefit someone else. This love begins in the mind and manifests itself in loving choices and actions towards others, not on feelings.

This is the kind of love God has for us.

“When I’m faced with these types of difficult situations, I have a choice to make. I can choose to love and get mad when that love is not reciprocated, or I can merely love out of the love God has shown me.”

69

We can demonstrate agape love by: Sacrificing my own joy and contentment in order to love others: 1 John 1 says, “That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked at and our hands have touched—this we proclaim concerning the Word of life.

The life appeared; we have seen it and testify to it, and we proclaim to you the eternal life, which was with the Father and has appeared to us. We proclaim to you what we have seen and heard, so that you also may have fellowship with us. And our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son, Jesus Christ. We write this to make our joy complete.” (NIV).

John wrote these letters in the midst of a church split. I can only imagine the pain he felt when members of his own congregation rose up against him, left his church and then convinced others to do the same.

Yet, John loved these people so much he told them he could not experience the fullness of the joy and contentment promised him through his relationship with Jesus until those disgruntled members rejoined his fellowship.

The love he witnessed through Christ’s example transformed his life in such a powerful way, He felt obligated to love others out of that love. If John could extend a hand of forgiveness to his congregation members, then so could I. I learned a tough lesson after that fateful breakfast meeting: in order to experience the joy that salvation has to offer, I need to love her with the same agape love that God has for me.

Lavishing others with my love - 1 John 3:1 says, “See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are!”

(NIV).

The word for “what great” used here is potapen, which means “of what country.” God’s extraordinary love (agape) appears foreign to those who encounter it. If we love others with an extraordinary love, we draw people to Christ.

According to The Athens Review, an atheist named Patrick Greene had fought his local government to remove the Henderson County, Texas Nativity Scene on the courthouse lawn.

He dropped the lawsuit because he discovered he had a detached retina and would not be able to afford expensive surgery.

A member of Sand Springs Baptist Church in Athens read about his story and wanted to help. She asked him in what way could they meet his needs.

The love he witnessed through Christ’s example transformed his life in such a powerful way, He felt obligated to love others out of that love. If John could extend a hand of forgiveness to his congregation members, then so could I. I learned a tough lesson after that fateful breakfast meeting: in order to experience the joy that salvation has to offer, I need to love her with the same agape love that God has for me.

70

He said the family could use money for groceries. He expected $50 to $100. So, when a check came in the mail for $400, he was overwhelmed. “My wife and I have never had a Christian do anything nice for us” Greene stated. Now, he purchased a star put on top of the tree in the Nativity Scene and is writing a book about this story, calling it “The real Christians of Henderson County.” He said, “These people are acting like what the Bible says a Christian does.”

Love manifests itself when it seeks to meet the needs of those the community and throughout the world.

Laying down our lives for others- 1 John 3:16 says “This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers and sisters.” (NIV) As I said goodbye to my friend at the diner, I harbored anger towards my friend and never wanted to speak to her again.

Yet, Jesus calls us to be his witnesses “in Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth” (Acts 1:8).

The love God demonstrated to me, agape love, given freely, without conditions, limits or boundaries.

Agape love sets the captive free, forgives the vilest offense, and even bids a good friend all the best in the midst of grief and loss.

I chose to love my friend with agape love that day. That meant I put aside my anger and hurt and chose to live in peace. I still pray for her and wish her all the best.

Jerome, one of the early church father wrote “John lived to an advanced age in Ephesus. So feeble was he that only with difficulty could his Christian disciples carry him to the church building. He could hardly speak, but when he did he said the same words ‘Little children, love one another.’

Eventually his disciples grew weary of hearing the same phrase, so they asked why he always spoke it. ‘It’s the Lord’s command,’ he replied, ‘and if this alone be done, it is enough.’”

“I chose to love my friend with agape love that day. That meant I put aside my anger and hurt and chose to live in peace.

I still pray for her and wish her all the best.”

Michelle S. Lazurek is a pastor's wife, a mother, an author, and a speaker. Her writing has been published in numerous publications, including www.womensministry.net, and www.christiandevotions.us Please visit her website at www.michellelazurek.com

71

Touching Lives through the Ministry of Prayer Pillows a Ministry of Christena Hammes and Friends Throughout the gospel are many recorded miracles that Jesus did among the people. Today believers in Jesus Christ can believe for the sick to be healed. In Mark 16:17-18 Jesus said that certain signs would follow believers. One of those signs is the laying on of hands for the sick.

One recorded miracle in the Bible is found in Luke 6:19.

People sought to touch Jesus and a virtue went from Jesus and he healed them all. That virtue is the same word for power or dunamis in the Greek.

It was the power of God that healed the people! Jesus said that His followers could be given that same power. (Acts 1:8) Here are several examples of God's virtue or power bringing healing to the sick: Acts 5:15 Insomuch that they brought forth the sick into the streets, and laid them on beds and couches, that at the least the shadow of Peter passing by might overshadow some of them.

2 Kings 13:21 And it came to pass, as they were burying a man, that, behold, they spied a band of men; and they cast the man into the sepulcher of Elisha: and when the man was let down, and touched the bones of Elisha, he revived, and stood up on his feet.

Acts 19:11 And God wrought special miracles by the hands of Paul: So that from his body were brought unto the sick handkerchiefs or aprons, and the diseases departed from them, and the evil spirits went out of them.

Luke 6:19 And the whole multitude sought to touch him: for there went virtue out of him, and healed them all.

LIFE Church in Indianapolis, Indiana provides these pillows so other people may experience the healing power of God. The Bible says in Luke 5:15 that great multitudes of people came to hear and be healed of their infirmities. Pray the scriptures out loud and believe God for your healing.

If you would like to have a personal relationship with Christ the Bible says....

Rom. 10:9 That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.

Pray this prayer. Lord Jesus, I believe you are the Son of God. I believe that you were raised from the dead. Thank you, for being my Lord. If you prayed that prayer, please contact us at www.lcindy.com or 317-786-5460.

72

The Valentine Box

by Gloria Doty

“Oh Mommy, I am so excited,” Emily said as she jumped up and down.

“Can we find a shoebox right now? Miss Mears said we can bring our boxes tomorrow. I want to start decorating it. Please, Mommy, please,” she begged.

“I will check to see if there is one in the basement, Honey,” I assured her. “Do you think you can wait until after supper?”

She danced around the kitchen, impatient to get started on her project. Every few minutes, I would hear, “I’m your Valentine Girl, huh, Mom?” I assured her she was.

When the table was cleared and the box was found, she had already rounded up her markers, glue, and scissors. I found a package of construction paper. She chose the pink, red and white sheets for the hearts she was going to cut out and glue on to the box.

I watched and helped when she needed me. My mind wandered back to my own childhood. I could envision myself setting at the kitchen table with a shoebox that I had covered in pink paper. Mom found a paper doily and I cut a heart shape out of it. I glued it to the side and made sure my name was on it.

I was so proud of my creation and could hardly wait for morning to take it to school. The teacher lined up all the boxes and bags on a table. The only thing left was to bring our valentine cards to school and surreptitiously slide them into the correct recipient’s box. We weren’t allowed to peek into our boxes or shake them to see how many cards were inside.

I would always have the fear that I wouldn’t have very many cards or what if, horror of horrors, my box would be empty on Valentine’s Day? What if no one wanted to be my valentine? Maybe nobody liked me enough to put a card in my box. What would I do?

“Mommy, Can you help me with this glue?” Emily’s voice brought me back to the present.

“Are you crying?” she asked me.

“No, Honey,” I said as I swiped a tear off my cheek. “I was just remembering when I was your age and making my box.”

“Oh, okay,” she said sounding as though she didn’t quite believe me.

73

“Can we buy another box of valentine cards, Mommy? I am going to sign ‘Jesus’ on each one and put one in every box at school. That way, everyone will be sure to have a card and it will tell them that Jesus loves them.”

We worked together and she finished the decorating. I assured her it was beautiful.

Later, as she snuggled on my lap before bedtime prayers, she asked in a quiet voice, “Mommy, what if no one puts a card in my box? What if no one likes me enough to give me a card?”

Remembering my own fears, I assured her there would be cards in her box, just like she was going to put one in each of her classmates’ boxes. I reminded her she had friends in her class and Valentine’s Day was about showing others we cared about them, not just a contest to see who got the most cards..

I told her that our best friend is Jesus and he shows his love to us every day, not just on Valentine’s Day. He fills our boxes with all kinds of good things.

She suddenly sat up and with a huge smile on her face, she said, “I have a great idea.”

“Can we buy another box of valentine cards, Mommy? I am going to sign ‘Jesus’ on each one and put one in every box at school. That way, everyone will be sure to have a card and it will tell them that Jesus loves them.”

I hugged her tightly and silently thanked God for my sweet little Valentine Girl.

Gloria Doty: I am a mother of 5 and grandmother of 13. I have owned a catering business and a Grade “A” goat dairy. I have managed a restaurant, worked in retail and was Dir. of Children’s’ Ministries for a large church for 10 years. I have been writing since I was in third grade. I currently write 2 blogs about my youngest daughter, Kalisha, and our journey together through the world of mild mental retardation, autism and Aspergers.

One blog is written for www.MOMS.FortWayne.com and is titled “Not Different Enough.” I write freelance articles for magazines and am a contributor to two devotional publications: Living the Gospel Life and Hope-Full Living. I do not believe it is possible to make it through a day without faith and a sense of humor, even in the darkest times and I try to always reflect that in my writing.

Visit Gloria’s blog, Getting it Right . . . Occasionally, at http://www.gettingitright-occasionally.blogspot.com 74

Crafts n’ Coffee Ruby for Women would like to express our gratitude by saying “Thank You!” to Sharon Currier at Crafts n’ Coffee for sharing her beautiful craft tutorials with us.

Please stop by and visit Sharon at her Crafts n’ Coffee blog and tell her Ruby sent you!

A charming book filled with stories for children!

Fern Valley

by Aileen Stewart Follow the adventures of delightful young farm animals who are just like you. Fern Valley is home to a group of wonderful animals who have fun and face some of the same problems children everywhere do.

Roberta and Mildred Cornstalk are creative chickens dealing with the loss of their beloved granny, and they're looking for something to do to cheer them up.

Want to know what adventures they find? Want to know what happens to Roberta and Mildred's brother, Edward, when he goes fishing, what birthday surprise is in store for Betsy Woolrich, or what lesson Kimmy Curlytail learns when she keeps something that isn't hers?

Then follow this endearing cast of characters as they enjoy their time together and learn important lessons.

A perfect addition for any child's personal library and a joy for families to share, Fern Valley is a collection to be treasured for many years to come, and can be purchased on Amazon.

75

Create your own Vintage-Inspired Valentine’s Day Cards with Vintage Image Craft If you’ve never stopped be the Vintage Image Craft website, you definitely have a treat waiting for you there!

New craft project tutorials are available every season, along with craft challenges, as well as these beautiful FREE vintage images that you can use for all of your crafting projects.

All of the images here are also available on the Vintage Image Craft website, and have been used by permission of Vintage Image Craft.

Print out a few of these charming vintage Valentine’s Day images on cardstock and make your own personalized Valentine’s Day cards. And be sure to visit Vintage Image Craft for even more ideas for creating beautiful craft projects with their tutorials and images.

76

"A hundred hearts would be too few to carry all my love for you."

"A bell is no bell 'til you ring it, A song is no song 'til you sing it, And love in your heart Wasn't put there to stay Love isn't love love 'Til you give it away."

77

"My heart to you is given; Oh, do give yours to me; We'll lock them up together, And throw away the key."

Oh, if it be to choose and call thee mine, love, thou art every day my Valentine!

78

Wounded for Me

by William Gilbert Ovens Done For Me Two Bible verses almost seem to contradict one another. One says, “Bear one another’s burdens” (Gal. 6:2); the other, “Each one shall bear his own load” (Gal. 6:5). But the seeming conflict is only apparent, not real.

In practice we know there are certain responsibilities individuals face that cannot be relinquished to another. Yet perhaps we can assist and encourage the burden bearer, thus making the load lighter. A husband in the delivery room with his wife understands that. Only she could carry that little life for nine months, and only she can give birth. Yet her partner can support her, to render the birthing process more bearable.

The ultimate act of burden bearing is a supremely costly one. Sometimes in trying to help or rescue another individual, the person sacrifices his own life. When this is done not accidentally, but intentionally, we admire the deliverer as a hero. Jesus says, “Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down his life for his friends” (Jn. 15:13).

Every day our police officers and fire fighters risk their lives for us. They deserve our sincere commendation. In time of war, many give their lives in the defense of freedom. Again, they ought to be highly honored for doing so.

One day in the years following the First World War, William Gilbert Ovens (1870-1945) saw a wounded veteran limping past on the street and was impressed by the thought that, in a sense, the young man had taken that wound for him.

W. G. Ovens was a man with a single purpose in life. It was said of him “the consuming passion of his life was Jesus Christ – to know Him, to love Him, to serve Him, to share with others the joy he found in Him, to lead others to Him, and to draw still others nearer to Him.” And one observed, “There was no shadow of compromise with him. He had no time for half-heartedness or lukewarmness.”

“WGO,” as his friends called him, was involved for over thirty years in children’s ministry. He conducted programs for boys and girls in Northern Ireland, pointing multitudes of them to faith in the Saviour. He also authored books and pamphlets. But it was his leadership at prayer meetings that co-workers spoke of in afteryears with warmth and gratitude.

“W. G. Ovens was a man with a single purpose in life.

It was said of him “the consuming passion of his life was Jesus Christ – to know Him, to love Him, to serve Him, to share with others the joy he found in Him, to lead others to Him, and to draw still others nearer to Him.” 79

He would seat himself at a little organ and take requests for choruses, interspersing these with comments and times of prayer. Participants testified to the powerful sense of God’s presence during those special occasions. A number of the songs they sang William Ovens had written himself.

One of these had its birth in the moments after that limping soldier passed by. The thought crossed Ovens’ mind, “He was wounded for me.” And instantly he drew a parallel to the Lord Jesus Christ, whom the Bible says was “wounded for our transgressions” (Isa. 53:5).

The Lord Jesus Himself declared, “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd gives His live for the sheep” (Jn. 10:11). “By this we know love,” says John, “because He laid down His life for us” (I Jn. 3:16).

In doing this He became a peerless Burden Bearer. The good news is that “Christ died for our sins” (I Cor. 15:3). He took the punishment we deserve upon Himself, so that we, through faith in His sufficient sacrifice, might be forgiven, and be saved eternally (Jn. 3:15).

With these thoughts in mind, W. G. Ovens wrote a little chorus that says, “Wounded for me, wounded for me, / There on the cross He was wounded for me; / Gone my transgressions and now I am free, / All because Jesus was wounded for me.” Later the chorus was expanded into a hymn. Gladys Watkin Roberts (1888-?) added four more stanzas that complete the picture of Jesus dying for me, risen for me, living for me, finally ending with, “O how I praise Him–He’s coming for me.”

Wounded for MeSource:

by William Gilbert Ovens Wounded for me, wounded for me, There on the cross He was wounded for me; Gone my transgressions, and now I am free, All because Jesus was wounded for me.

Dying for me, dying for me, There on the cross He was dying for me; Now in His death my redemption I see, All because Jesus was dying for me.

Risen for me, risen for me, Up from the grave He has risen for me; Now evermore from death’s sting I am free, All because Jesus has risen for me.

Living for me, living for me, Up in the skies He is living for me; Daily He’s pleading and praying for me, All because Jesus is living for me.

Coming for me, coming for me, Soon in the air He is coming for me; Then with what joy His dear face I shall see, Oh, how I praise Him! He’s coming for me.

Source: http://www.hymnal.net/hymn.php/h/338#ixzz2JfuLkMbJ

80

Love’s Packages

by Sharon L. Patterson

Love comes in packages large and small; sometimes all at once, sometimes when not expected at all.

It’s tied with the tiniest of strings as with birth’s first cry, or held by strongest ropes lowered at the grave’s last sigh.

Perhaps it’s wrapped in colors of brilliant hue, as when after dark-filled days, bursts of light break through; Maybe it’s packaged by Dad’s approving nod, or received when Momma points her finger as a firm prod.

There are the moments it actually comes on appointed days, like Christmas or Valentines when love is decorated many ways.

Oh yes, love can come when expected or arrive when all giving has been neglected.

It can be delivered unseen by a silent hand, or affirmed by applause from an ovation’s stand.

Now and then it’s hard, other times soft as a cloud.

It’s felt by the heart, heard through the soul, and pronounced by lips out loud.

81

It is reflected in youth’s resplendent glory, or shines brighter than gold from an old man’s story; it cuddles inside the innocent first kiss in teen’s age, and unfolds itself when a life well lived turns its last page.

Love will never come disguised as hate, It may come early, but can never be too late.

Among love’s packages, there is one greater than any ever given For it transcends the ages and came straight from heaven.

It was tied with the chords of God’s heart and put on a cross, It comes to us freely though at the greatest cost Not to us, but to a Father Whose love is like no other.

His love is packaged best of all It began with a baby placed in a manger stall, Who grew in perfect love surrendered to a plan That led to sacrifice for the salvation of every man.

Yes, love comes in packages great and small But God’s gift of Jesus surpasses them all.

82

The True Meaning of Love

by Christena Hammes Do you understand this part of Scripture or do you gloss over it?

I can tell you I have in the past and still, at times, would like to gloss over it.

I’m supposed to love as God loves (in the Greek it means actively doing what the Lord prefers, with Him—by His power and direction).

God loves everyone; He died on the cross and was raised for everyone…..no exceptions! If we are to love like that it will take His power and direction, at least for me!

“But I tell you who hear me: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you.”

Did you notice it says ‘who hear me’?

That means we are to listen to Him, to hear God’s voice which prompts Him to birth faith within.

Then He goes on to say it’s our ‘enemies’ we are to love and do well to. We are to do good to those that hate us, bless those that curse us and pray for those that mistreat us.

So let me see if I’m loving as I’m supposed to…..someone tells awful lies about me, my husband or my daughter; someone may murder one of my loved ones; someone may steal from me; someone may make advances towards my husband; the list can go on and on . . .

Then He goes on to say – If someone strikes you on one cheek, turn to him the other also. If someone takes your cloak, do not stop him from taking your tunic. Give to everyone who asks you, and if anyone takes what belongs to you, do not demand it back. Do to others as you would have them do to you.

If they strike us we turn the other cheek, they steal we give them more and while they do wrong to us we are to do to them as we wish they were doing to us.

In the worldly way of thinking this is asinine. Why should I do this to someone so obviously evil and mean? We rationalize and say they deserve everything I do back to them. I can make my lies bigger than theirs, I can reverse it and flirt with their boyfriend/husband, and I can kill for revenge . . . stop right there!!

83

That is truly the world’s way of thinking, acting in the flesh and not the Spirit. That does not make things better for anyone. It does not give you or anyone else a chance to see the truth of God’s Word and His ways.

It will not increase your faith in Him. You see God has His reasons for telling us how we are to respond because it is His desire that all be saved – ALL. “If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? Even ‘sinners’ love those who love them.

And if you do good to those who are good to you, what credit is that to you?

Even ‘sinners’ do that. And if you lend to those from whom you expect repayment, what credit is that to you?

Even ‘sinners’ lend to ‘sinners,’ expecting to be repaid in full. But love your enemies, do good to them, and lend to them without expecting to get anything back.

Then your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High, because he is kind to the ungrateful and wicked. Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful. Luke 6:27-36 Love like He loves and you will be amazed!

Has Breath Publishing, LLC Christena and Rob Hammes Seeking to publish music and books that glorify the Lord!

Introducing: Rob Hammes and Benjamin Mosier Faith Has A Voice “Let everything that has breath praise the LORD. Praise the LORD.” Psalm 150:6 84

Heirs of the Kingdom

by Lanette Kissel Romans 8:38-39 NIV, “For I am convinced that neither death nor life…will be able to separate us from the love of God…” When my husband was dying from complications of cancer, he didn’t appear to suffer or to be in pain. His passing was quiet and peaceful. I have heard many such reports from others who tell of similar experiences with loved ones and friends who have passed from this life to the next.

For my husband, his tentative hold on life was the only thing standing in the way, the only thing keeping Him from standing in the presence of His Lord. Death was simply the portal to his wonderful new life with the Father who created him and loves him as I never could.

Nothing and no one can separate us from God’s love. What a wonderfully comforting thought that is. Chapter 8 of Romans often refers to believers as the children of God, another comforting thought. The parent-child bond is an especially strong one. It is a bond that begins at birth and only grows stronger with the passage of time. In our Christian experience, our bond with the Father begins with our acceptance of Christ as Savior and only gets stronger as we continue our walk with Christ.

God is our loving and protective Father whose loving arms will encircle us and keep us safe and close. He guides us through our daily walk upon this earth. He supplies those who will enrich our lives… our families, spouses, and friends. He helps us find the church where we feel at home and accepted, where we discover we have another spiritual family who will help us find our way, and hold us accountable.

He supplies what we need to walk through this earthly life with grace, and allows us to find some happiness along the way. And when our name is called up yonder, He tenderly gathers us in His loving arms to ease our passage from this world to the next. And since we are His children and His heirs, we are welcomed into His kingdom of light and life, where wonders beyond our wildest dreams await us.

85

Footprints in the Mud

by Beth Brubaker

Impossible Physics They say physics don't lie, but can those physicists possibly explain these wonders of matter called children?

Why is it that: * A baby's fingers have the grip of a C-clamp that can not be physically removed by an adult? * A child with legs one-third the size of my own can outrun me when he's in trouble? * A two-and-a-half year old can take over my entire bed and yet leave me no room? * He can make his eyes appear twice as large when he wants something? * A child can reach something that is clearly two feet farther than his own arm span can reach? * A single, inappropriate word blurted by a toddler can silence a room of two-hundred people? * A five year-old can take apart something with their bare hands, yet I need a torque wrench to put it back together? * A child who can't sit still and be quiet in church doesn't move or make a peep for hours when I'm looking for him? * Figure those things out my physics friends, and you will rule the world!

Be sure to visit Beth at her blog, Footprints in the Mud, for more inspirational and humorous articles www.footprintsinthemudblog.blogspot.com 86

Love is in the Lunch Box

by Heather King Sandwich, fruit, snack, drink, napkin.

Check, check, check, check and check, Two Hershey kisses and a note saying, “Kisses from me to you. Love, Mom.” Check!

Whether we packed the lunch bag or sent in money for the lunch line, wrote a note or didn’t, enclosed a fancy napkin or a folded paper towel, somehow we moms probably made a plan for our child’s lunch today.

It’s a simple act, hardly worth a moment’s notice.

Yet, as much as we tell our loved ones, our children, grandchildren, aging parents and friends that we love them, our words don’t mean much without acts of love to accompany them.

It’s the fact that we’ve provided for their lunch. It’s being there to meet the bus at the end of the day.

It’s sitting at the table and patiently working through math problems.

And so much more. * It’s smoothing back hair and bringing juice to a sick child. * It’s reading a book by a nursing home bed. * It’s holding a hand in a hospital room * It’s toting a meal to a recovering neighbor. * It’s washing bed linens soiled by sickness. * It’s writing a note to a friend.

In our everyday lives, our love doesn’t matter much if it’s expressed in words, but never in deed. God’s love would be a bunch of meaningless words on a page, too, if He didn’t lavish us with grace every day.

There in His Word, He tells us that He loves us. We most likely read it or say it or hear it every day and twice on Sundays.

As adults, though, it’s so easy to become blasé and apathetic about God’s love for us. It’s a children’s concept. A Sunday School theme. We define God’s love by nursery songs like “Jesus loves me, this I know for the Bible tells me so.”

87

And so over time, it seems we picture God as loving us, but not passionately loving us. It’s more of an unemotional general concern for our well-being and maybe more for the condition of the planet rather than for us personally.

We’ve even confined one of the most powerful Scriptures in the Bible to a kid’s memory verse and little more: “For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son that whoever believes in Him will not perish and have eternal life” (John 3:16).

But did you see that in this verse His love has legs? He didn’t just say, “Those people I made, they sure are great! I like them a whole lot and care about them a bunch.”

Oh no.

He put His great love into action.

He loved the world. Not just the human population, but you and me and each child on a school bus and each person on your street, individually, uniquely and passionately enough to sacrifice His own Son for our eternal destination.

He wants to spend eternity with you.

Now that’s over-the-top passion.

Why do we sometimes picture God sitting relaxed on His throne, watching impassively as life bombards us with strife? Why do we acknowledge that He sacrificed His Son for us and then treat that as “no big deal?” Or perhaps we fail to recognize the millions of ways He sends gifts of love and grace to us every single day.

In Psalm 136, the worship leader engaged his congregation in responsive praise. He sang out what God has done for them and the people answer in return, “His love endures forever.”

Twenty-three times they sing back the refrain, declaring that God loves them and always will.

Why? Just because He said the words, “I love you”?

No, because He “made the heavens” and “set the earth upon the waters.” He brought Israel out from slavery in Egypt and “divided the Red Sea asunder and brought Israel through the midst of it, but swept Pharaoh and his army into the Red Sea.” He struck down enemy kings and gave the Hebrew nation the Promised Land.

It’s a litany of God’s love. “His love endures forever” and we know it because of all He has done for us.

There at the bottom of the long list of reasons to give thanks: “He gives food to every creature” (Psalm 136:25).

Oh, yes, He packs our lunch.

To read more devotional thoughts from Heather King, check out her blog here: http://heathercking.wordpress.com/ 88

Feeling guilty about your prayer and Bible study life? Don’t!

by Corallie Buchanan

You know, I think sometimes that there’s just too much guilt floating around the place. I truly believe the enemy loves to make us feel guilty about things which really shouldn’t feel guilty about. How many people do I know who feel guilty about their prayer life?

Personally I think there’s no hard and fast rule when it comes to praying and spending time with God. Many of you know that I am a mother of a young toddler. I often find it very difficult to spend much time with God first thing in the morning.

At one stage, I actually felt quite guilty about this. But then I realized that everyone is in a different state of life and I didn’t need to feel guilty because God could see my heart. I have decided that it is much more beneficial (and a lot easier) to spend time with God when my baby is having her morning nap.

The devil tries to make me feel guilty for not having my quiet time first thing in the morning. I told him off this morning because I said I don’t need to feel guilty about it. Why should I feel guilty? I haven’t done anything wrong by spending my time with God at a different time of the day. I have simply figured out that I can give God much better quality time when I know there is not going to be any interruptions.

I could try to do my quiet time first thing in the morning, but I know without a doubt that my toddler will want my attention during that time.

Why should I fight it? I’m okay with having a quiet time at a different time of the day.

But I do have to fight those feelings of guilt, because the enemy loves to make me feel guilty. He knows it is a weakness of mine, and he loves to exploit it.

Don’t feel guilty about it if you are in the same circumstances I am. If you struggle with having your quiet time first thing in the morning, find another time that works for you. I don’t believe God is so concerned that you have your quiet time first thing in the morning, as long as you spend time with him at some point during the day.

I certainly don’t think he will strike you down with a lightning bolt if you even dare to have it at another time of the day. God is after your heart, not your legalism.

Too many mums feel guilty, and that stops right now. Free yourself from the guilt concerning your quiet time and realize that God loves you. If in your heart you are dedicating your day to him every morning, and making sure to spend some time with him during the day, be blessed.

You are a good woman of God. Be encouraged. http://coralliebuchanan.wordpress.com/2012/06/05/feeling-guilty-about-your-prayer-and-bible-study-life-dont/

89

Suggestions My Parents Made . . .

That I’m Glad I Followed!

by Sharon L. Patterson

It was the class which terrified me most…the one Mother insisted I take.

It must have been the timed tests that bothered me so much. Anyway, typing is part of my life as an author. Good advice for sure, Mom! My father’s suggestion that I hold back my amateurish aspirations to become a dancing-archaeologistmissionary-singer-stewardess in favor of a down to earth profession was also wise.

His fear? That his daughter might one day, of necessity, need to support a family. And so, I became a teacher . . . thirteen years and two children later, the unsolicited divorce came. I was the sole support of my children. My father’s suggestion was not only good, it was expert. I continued to be an educator for over twenty five years.

The reluctance to accept my choice of a life’s mate hurt me at first until I could see what Dad saw from the beginning. He always could read true character between the cracks. I wish I had listened to his concerns the first time . . . but still his advice paid off. I remembered it the second time around. I just celebrated 31 years this past December.

Mother had a philosophy of life that she summed up best in one of her favorite sayings: “Pass out flowers to the living to enjoy.” She must have known she would not be here long. She passed away in 1971 when I was just twenty-four. To this day, I continue to pass out flowers to the living, type skillfully (though not so quickly), and look for character between the cracks.

Sharon Patterson, retired educator, career military wife, and leader in women's ministry, has written inspirational encouragement in various forms from greeting cards to short stories, poetry, and Bible studies for over thirty years.

She has authored three books: A Soldier's Strength from the Psalms (2007); Healing for the Holes in Our Souls (2008); and Where Is Happy? (2011).

She is a contributing author for Chicken Soup for the Soul: A Book of Miracles and Chicken Soup for the Soul: Answered Prayer; also Gettin' Old Ain't for Wimps (Karen O'Connor, 2004) and Special Strength for Special Parents (Nina Fuller, 2006).

She and her husband Garry live in Round Rock, Texas. They have three sons and five grandchildren.

90

Be sure to stop by and visit Shar’s Graphic Haven and Chit Chat Group in the Ruby for Women Community!

Shar’s Graphic Haven and Chit Chat in the Ruby for Women Community

91

Lonely Hearts

by Amanda Stephan Award winning, bestselling Christian author Amanda Stephan is just a normal, everyday country girl. Amanda resides in Middle Tennessee with her husband and children, who closely resemble several of the seven dwarfs (Sleepy, Sneezy, Grumpy / Happy), three cats (only because hubby refuses to get one of his own), one dog, and multiple roosters that love to roost under their bedroom windows.

Amanda loves to laugh and have a good time, and loves to read a good book. She finds writing to be an opportunity to share God’s love for others in a fun and entertaining way. Her first novel, The Price of Trust, was published in May of 2010; her second novel, Lonely Hearts, was released at the end of October, 2011, and she is currently working on a Christian paranormal entitled The Haunting of Maddie Branson as well as a three book family saga series.

You can connect with Amanda by visiting her on her Facebook author page at http://www.facebook.com/creativehomemomma and follow her on Twitter at http://www.twitter.com/amandastephan Her website is at http://www.booksbyamanda.com and you can find out more about her writing at http://www.thepriceoftrust.com You can also connect with Amanda in the Ruby for Women community on her personal page or in the Ruby Book Club and Reviews Group in the Ruby for Women community.

www.booksbyamanda.com 92

Last Minute Super Bowl Snacks Submitted by Christena Hammes Blue Cheese Walnut Spread What you need: 8 ounces cream cheese, softened 4 ounces crumbled blue cheese 1/2 cup sour cream 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce 2/3 cup chopped walnuts 2 tablespoons fresh chives Let’s make it!

In a mixing bowl, blend together cream cheese, blue cheese, sour cream, and Worcestershire sauce until well-blended. Stir in walnuts and chives. Spoon into serving bowl. Garnish with extra chives, if desired. Chill at least 1 hour to blend flavors. Serve with crackers or celery.

Find this and other great winter recipes at www.food.com

Winter Day Ham and Potato Soup What you need: 3 1/2 cups peeled and diced potatoes 1/3 cup diced celery 1/3 cup finely chopped onion 3/4 cup diced cooked ham 3 1/4 cups water 2 tablespoons chicken bouillon granules 1/2 teaspoon salt, or to taste 1 teaspoon ground white or black pepper 5 tablespoons butter 5 tablespoons all-purpose flour 2 cups milk Let’s make it!

Combine the potatoes, celery, onion, ham and water in a stockpot. Bring to a boil, then cook over medium heat until potatoes are tender, about 10 to 15 minutes. Stir in the chicken bouillon, salt and pepper.

In a separate saucepan, melt butter over medium-low heat. Whisk in flour with a fork, and cook, stirring constantly until thick, about 1 minute. Slowly stir in milk as not to allow lumps to form until all of the milk has been added. Continue stirring over medium-low heat until thick, 4 to 5 minutes.

Stir the milk mixture into the stockpot, and cook soup until heated through. Serve immediately.

ALL RIGHTS RESERVED © 2012 Allrecipes.com Printed from Allrecipes.com 12/28/2012 You can find this recipe and other great soups at www.allrecipes.com

93

Sudoku Puzzle

by Beth Brubaker Answer Key on page 106

www.katherinescorner.com 94

Success, Failure, and Lessons in Self-Improvement

by Shannon Panzo Submitted by Lisa Simpkins “Wherever you are, that is where you are meant to be, experiencing the things you were meant to experience.”

A client recently contacted me asking about test taking.

His main concern was that he did not want to fail a certain test. During the conversation, I gave him strategies as to how to go about taking tests without getting stressed out. This would give him the upper hand in taking any tests.

Failure and Lessons We got back to the main issue of not failing. He asked, “But what if I fail?” I answered him, “You are likely to learn more out of anything that you fail than learn from passing.” It makes sense. You will learn many lessons when you fail at something. But if you pass that event, you have no reason to look for your lessons.

Everything that happens to us happens for a purpose. And sometimes, one thing leads to another.

Instead of locking yourself up in your cage of fears and crying over past heartaches, embarrassment and failures treat them as your teachers and they will become your tools in both self improvement and success.

Patch Adams I remember watching “Patch Adams” – a movie. It really shows you something about improving yourself. Hunter “Patch” Adams is a medical student who failed to make it through the board exams.

After months of suffering in melancholy, depression and suicidal attempts – he decided to seek medical attention and voluntarily admitted himself in a psychiatric ward.

His months of stay in the hospital led him to meeting different kinds of people; sick people for that matter. He met a catatonic, a mentally handicapped person, a schizophrenic and so on. Patch found ways of treating his own ailment and finally realized he has to get back on track. He woke up one morning realizing that after all the failure and pains he has gone through, he still want to become a doctor.

His positive attitude brought him self-improvement and success. He didn’t only improve himself, but also the life of the people around him and their quality of life. Did he succeed? Needless to say, as the story goes, he became the best doctor America has ever known.

So, when does self improvement become synonymous with success? Where do we start? Here are some tips: *Stop thinking and feeling as if you’re a failure, because you’re not. How can others accept you if YOU can’t accept YOU? 95

*When you see hunks and models on TV, think more on self improvement, not self pitying. Those people were selected to project a certain image. Self acceptance is not just about having nice slender legs, or great abs. Concentrate on inner beauty. *When people feel so down and low about themselves, help them move up. Don’t go down with them.

They’ll pull you down further and both of you will end up feeling inferior. *The world is a large room for lessons, not mistakes. Don’t feel stupid and doomed forever just because you failed on a science quiz. There’s always a next time. Make room for self improvement. *Take things one at a time. You don’t expect a black sheep to become goody-two-shoes in just a snap of a finger. Self improvement is a one day at a time process. *Self improvement results in inner stability, personality development and SUCCESS. It comes from self confidence, self appreciation and self esteem. * Set meaningful and achievable goals. Self improvement doesn’t turn you to be the exact replica of Cameron Diaz or Ralph Fiennes. It aims at achieving results to an improved and better YOU. *Appreciate others. Little things are BIG to other people. Sometimes, we don’t realize that the little things that we do like a pat on the back, saying “hi” or “hello”, greeting someone “good day” or telling Mr. Smith something like “hey, I love your tie!” are simple things that mean so much to other people.

When we are being appreciative about beautiful things around us and other people, we also become beautiful to them. *When you are willing to accept change and go through the process of self improvement, it doesn’t mean that everyone else is. The world is a place where people have different values and attitudes.

Sometimes, even if you think you and your best friend always like to do the same thing together at the same time, she would most likely decline an invitation for self improvement. (Be careful with this one.

The other person may think you value them less unless they participate. This can precipitate many undesired results.)

Appreciate Where You are in Life Very few people can be truly labeled as ‘over-night successes’. Either, they are just lucky, or they have been leading up to that moment with often years of working in the same area. It’s a wonderful feeling to hold on to the things that you already have now, realizing that those are just one of the things you once wished for.

A very nice quote says, “When the student is ready, the teacher will appear.” We are all here to learn our lessons. Our parents, school teachers, friends, colleagues, officemates, neighbors, etc… they are our teachers. When we open our doors for self improvement, we increase our opportunities for success.

“There really are no failures in life; only lessons to be learned.”

You can connect with Lisa on her personal page in the Ruby for Women community, or visit her website at Zoxpro.com

96

Passionate Pursuit

by Heather King The other night, I poured myself a cup of hot tea, kicked off my shoes, picked up my knitting and settled deep into the sofa to relax with a movie. So, I put in the DVD of one of my favorites, the sequel to Anne of Green Gable, and watched one of my most-loved stories play out on my television once again.

As I sipped my tea, I realized that what seems so romantically endearing and compelling about her love story with the straight-talking Gilbert Blythe is his willingness to pursue her. He may have fallen in love with her in grade school when she broke her slate over his head after he called her “Carrots,” yet he waited for her.

And waited.

And waited.

He cheered her on and encouraged her success, asked her to marry him, was rejected, waited some more, got sick and nearly died, and asked again.

And even while part of me wants to scream at Anne through the television to drop all of her “high-falutin’ mumbo jumbo” and just realize already that love is right there in front of her, part of me is entranced.

It’s true in all my favorite stories, every book I own with its cover falling off and the pages worn from me turning down the corners for want of a bookmark: Anne of Green Gables, Pride and Prejudice, Emma In each story, the theme is the same. The girl remains comfortably clueless that a man is in love with her, but he is captivated by her beauty and strength of character, her wit, her capacity to change and grow . . . and he pursues her relentlessly until she finally discovers she loves him in return. In her book Captivating, Stasi Eldredge says: “We desire to possess a beauty that is worth pursuing, worth fighting for, a beauty that is core to who we truly are. We want beauty that can be seen; beauty that can be felt; beauty that affects others; a beauty all our own to unveil.”

Perhaps many of us do long for a beauty that captivates—-a beauty worth pursuing. Like Anne or Elizabeth or Emma, we want to know that we are worth noticing, worth waiting for, worth sacrificing for, worth fighting for . . . just worthy.

97

So that when the world beats us down with reminders of standards we can’t meet and the girl next door makes us feel ugly and clumsy with her model-like beauty and when we’re run-down from dishes and laundry and carpools and mess . . .we still feel deep down that we are captivating and we are loved.

Yet, no matter how lovely we may be, with the God-beauty of our character inside where it counts or with sparkling, headturning physical beauty, we aren’t always pursued. We don’t, after all, live in a historical romance novel or in Jane Austen’s world of matchmaking and marriages.

It just doesn’t always turn out that way. Pursuit, however, is always part of our Great Romance.

Psalm 45:11 says: Let the king be enthralled by your beauty; honor him, for he is your lord.

God doesn’t have to romance or woo us. He could remain distant and unmoved. Surely the beauty He sees in us isn’t really so worthy of His attention and He could toss out a marriage proposal that ends with, “take it or leave it.”

Yet, He bends low and tenderly calls. He watches as we trample after worldly enticements and then calls us back time after time.

Like Hosea relentlessly chasing after his wife, the wayward Gomer, God says: “Therefore I am now going to allure her; her" (Hosea 2:14 NIV).

I will lead her into the wilderness

and speak tenderly to

And more than any of that, God Himself laid aside the glories of heaven to walk among us, to live for us, to die for us, and to make a way for us to spend eternity with Him. That’s love. That’s pursuit in the most wildly passionate and extravagant way, more than any bouquet of flowers or poetic marriage proposal.

Remember today that, while you may not be perfect or totally worthy, still God loves you and is enthralled with the beauty He created in you.

www.etsy.com/shop/CICinspireme 98

www.mamaslittletreasures.com

Debbie Luxton is a Christian Life & Leadership Coach, Author, Teacher, Speaker, Retreat and Workshop Leader for Executive and Professional Woman.

Debbie helps her clients challenge their leader within to: ~ stop the cycle of "having it all together on the outside, while falling a part on the inside" and ~ live to their authentic priorities while deepening relationships with those they love most.

Debbie has years of experience in helping women expose the junk that binds their hearts; causing them to put on the mask(s) of “having it all together�. She offers individual life coaching programs, individual and group leadership programs and two annual women's retreats.

Pick up your FREE "Stress to Serenity" Breakthrough Kit at http://debbieluxton.com/welcome Debbie is a founding partner and certified coach with The John Maxwell Team, small business owner, Celebrate Recovery Ministry leader, serves on the Missouri Recovery Network Board of Directors and is retired from a 30 year corporate career. Debbie is also an independent consultant with Blessings Unlimited offering inspirational decor and gifts.

Connect with Debbie: Facebook - http://facebook.com/truthforlifesjourney Twitter - http://twitter.com/CoachDebLuxton LinkedIN - http://linkedIN.com/CoachDebLuxton Debbie Luxton Coaching ~ 314.578.3003 ~ http://debbieluxton.com ~ deblux@me.com http://about.me/debbieluxton http://myblessingsunlimited.net/debbieluxton 99

Ruby Pearls February, 2013 Winter exercising tip: When out in freezing weather, make sure to dress in layers. This will allow you to retain body heat as you start exercising, and as you warm up, keep you insulated from wind and cold that could cause muscle cramps. Remember to drink plenty of water before to start out because breathing out of your mouth in cold dry weather can cause mild dehydration.

You should refrain from outdoor exercises if you have any bronchial issues - the cold, dry air can make symptoms worse!

February 20 is Love Your Pet Day! Spend part of your day with your fuzzy, scaly, or feathered friend!

If I'm infected with the Spirit,and a germ was the Word, If Belief in God is a disease - I don't want to be cured!

-Beth Brubaker

The Happy Housewife

by Elizabeth Baker Elizabeth's classic best seller from 1979 is brought back to life for a new generation. Humorous, honest, Bible based and compelling, this ageless primer on the joys and traumas of dealing with kids, husbands, and dirty dishes will have you laughing and bring you to tears. Her practical advice provides realistic solutions to problems that never change.

Join her in an exploration that is a fresh and ageless as motherlove. Elizabeth tackles issues that are modern in every respect while her home-spun style makes the readers feel as though they are having coffee with a wise friend.

100

How to Fall (Back) in Love with Your Business

by Theresa Ceniccola, The Christian Mompreneur Remember when you first launched your business? When you applied for your business license and opened a bank account, bought your first business cards and started to feel like a “real” business owner? When you took that leap of faith and claimed your spot among the self-employed and entrepreneurs of the planet? Maybe that day was recent for you, or maybe it happened long ago.

I remember the day clearly. It was 1994 and I had just moved to Virginia as an unemployed new bride. I was keeping myself busy experimenting with the pasta maker and bread machine we received as wedding gifts while I was searching for a J-O-B. In my spare time (when I should have been working out because of all those carbs!), I was freelance writing for a previous employer in Washington, DC. After two months of job hunting, I picked up three new freelance clients and a few unappealing job offers. So I opened my heart to the sign from above and became the president of my very own, small but splendid little company.

I set up an office in the second bedroom of our apartment and set my hours around my husband’s shift at the Naval Shipyard. It was a beautiful life – sleeping in late, spending time with my husband during the day (which was much appreciated after 5 years in a commuter courtship) and writing all evening. And the best part – somebody was actually paying me to do this work! It was dreamy!

When The Passion Fades in Your Business Somewhere along the line, the passion fizzled. Not in my marriage – in my business! I no longer became excited about every new client (or the challenge of meeting new clients). I found myself greeting the day with boredom (and sometimes resentment) rather than enthusiasm and creativity.

The deadlines were piling up and I was missing out on sleep and family fun in order to deliver on time. I was overwhelmed by the bookkeeping, invoicing and paperwork…not to mention the constantly changing technology. But I told myself I was lucky to have the work. That I didn’t have to be happy every minute of the day. That there was a reason it was called “work.”

101

Then one day I called it quits. Not the business – but the miserable attitude. I decided that if I wasn’t happy in my business, then I had to make some changes. And guess what – that’s the beauty of owning your own business – you GET to make changes when you want to! Now these changes didn’t happen all at once. They materialized over time, with the help of a few inspirational coaches and a lot of spiritual journal writing. But they led me back into a blissful love affair with my business. I’d like to share some of my best strategies with you, in case you’ve lost that loving feeling about your business.

Five Ways to Love Your Business 1. Work Only with Clients who Appreciate You. This sounds like a no-brainer, but when it comes to “letting go” of a client, most service-based solopreneurs admit that they struggle with this. When we are treated poorly, unappreciated and even abused by clients, there’s still something that keeps us coming back for more. Maybe we’re afraid there won’t be another client to fill the spot. Or maybe we don’t want to hurt their feelings.

Perhaps we’re worried about what others would think if we fired a client. Whatever the reason, and no matter how noble our intentions, the truth is that we are not being of service to others when we are in toxic client relationship. The same holds true for business partners, vendors and even mentors. If it doesn’t “feel right,” then honor that intuition and know that when you let go, you will open up the space for a more nurturing and mutually beneficial relationship.

2. Create a Drama-Free Policy in Your Business.

Most entrepreneurs establish their businesses after escaping the corporate world. They have negative memories of office politics and gossip. You know what I’m talking about – the hour-long complaint sessions and childish finger pointing.

Once we remove those evils from our daily work environment, we become ridiculously productive and indescribably cheerful.

So why do we allow them back into our lives and our businesses?

If we permit clients, employees, contractors, vendors or even ourselves to complain, gossip, criticize and whine, then we are creating that same destructive energy we worked so hard to avoid. But, as the business owner, you get to decide the policies, which mean you can prohibit that kind of drama. So the next time you witness (or cause!) drama in your business, refer to your Drama-Free Policy and remind everyone: “We don’t do that here.”

3. Set Realistic Expectations.

If you’re a people-pleaser, you’re going to need this strategy. One of the things Mompreneurs and most sole proprietors struggle with is time management. That’s because our businesses are set up to react to the demands and schedules of our clients. This is especially true for service providers. We take on more work than we can handle and we don’t communicate well when we fall behind schedule.

102

We do this out of fear – fear that our clients will go elsewhere if we can’t fit them in. One of the greatest gifts we can give ourselves (and our clients) is a reasonable schedule – one that includes white space for the inevitable last minute crisis. This allows us to communicate honestly with clients, which ultimately serves them better. And it gives us the ability to surprise them when we under promise and over deliver.

4. Automate. Delegate. Eliminate.

If you’re a mom and an entrepreneur, you’re probably used to doing it all yourself. Sometimes it’s just easier to do something ourselves than to explain it to someone else who will probably not do it the way we want anyway. But just as we need to teach our children to tie their own shoes so they will someday be responsible and independent, we also need to let our business grow up.

Part of the “growing pain” in your business is the challenge of letting go of tasks and being comfortable with the results. What can you let go of today? Try automating a system in your business by investing in technology. Or delegate customer service tasks to a virtual assistant.

Better yet, maybe there is something you can eliminate entirely – something you do because you’ve always done it….something that truly doesn’t need to be done at all!

5. Live Your Purpose - Now. Remember why you started your business? Was it because you were passionate about the work you do and the people you serve? Did you fall in love with the lifestyle of an entrepreneur?

Whatever sparked your interest in becoming a mompreneur is probably something that brings a smile to your face. So make it a part of your daily work life. Otherwise, it’s too easy to forget why you chose your business to begin with.

I started my business so I could earn a good living, doing what I love, sharing my gifts with others and still being fully present and available for my family.

Sometimes I forget that my purpose is not a destination, but rather a journey. And that I have the ability to do all of these things right now. So each time I find myself ignoring my kids while I’m on the computer, I remind myself of my purpose and realign with my priorities.

Are you in love with your business? Share your tips for keeping the passion alive in your business! www.theresaceniccola.com 103

The National Association of Christian Women Entrepreneurs was born out of a passion to connect women who are ready to create, collaborate, and contribute to changing the world. We gather people and ideas together through online content, tele-courses, individual/group coaching and retreats. Our desire is to unite under a common goal of helping one another to succeed and thrive in business. We are blessed to share in a common faith in Jesus Christ and yet know that we might each choose to worship in a different way.

The National Association of Christian Women Entrepreneurs (NACWE) invites you to join our family as a Member!

Join NACWE today!

• • •

Get connected to Christian Women Entrepreneurs throughout the United States and Canada for networking, business building, and prayer support Start creating new ideas, plans, programs and products with valuable monthly training calls and webinars Begin collaborating with women who can walk beside you on the journey with love and not competition PLUS, NOW YOU CAN JOIN US FOR JUST $27 a month!!

NACWE Membership & Benefits Membership is open to women entrepreneurs, small business owners, and others who have to desire to launch their entrepreneurial venture. We also serve women business owners who are ready to add new marketing success tools, gain access to other like-minded women through networking, and increase their online presence.

Claim your FREE copy of 10 Marketing Secrets to help you Generate Leads, Increase Revenue, and Build a thriving community! www.nacwe.org

104

You are invited to join us every week for

Inspire Me Monday at

Create with Joy This is a great opportunity for you to connect with other women who share your passion for creativity and inspiration!

Please join us for Inspire Me Monday

A River of Small Stones

by Keith Wallis A beautiful and inspirational book of poetry, perfect for gift-giving all year long!

Poems written as “small stones,” polished moments of paying proper attention to life Available at www.ariverofstones.blogspot.com

Be sure to visit

Ruby’s Ruby’s Reading Corner when you are shopping for books!

Every purchase you make from Ruby’s Reading Corner helps support the ongoing ministry here at Ruby for Women. The next time you are planning to purchase a book for yourself, for a friend, or for a family member, please consider shopping at Ruby’s Reading Corner.

105

What am I? Word Puzzle Answer Key

by Beth Brubaker

Sudoku Puzzle Answer Key

by Beth Brubaker

\

106

Let Gossamer Wings Publications transform your writing into a beautiful digital document to post on your blog or website!

Are you a writer, poet, author of devotional or inspirational articles, children's author, writer of short stories, or motivational books? We have been creating eBooks and digital publications since 2006, and we are now offering our publishing services to you at Gossamer Wings Publications.

Since 2010, we have published Ruby for Women, a monthly online Christian women's magazine which features family-friendly articles on home making, cooking, arts and crafts, poetry, devotionals, inspirational articles and stories, short stories, quilting tutorials, puzzles, kids' crafts, book reviews, gardening and frugal family living articles.

In addition, Ruby for Women has published ebooks for poets and writers of short stories and devotionals, as well as ebook tutorials and patterns for sewing and crafts for mamas*little*treasures which are currently sold on numerous websites, including You Can Make This at www.youcanmakethis.com Beginning in 2012, all of our publications will be produced, published, and promoted by Gossamer Wings Publications, and we are now offering our publishing services to you. We will publish your writing, poetry, sewing and craft books, devotional and inspirational articles, short stories, and any other family-friendly projects that you've been working on.

You've been waiting for the opportunity to get YOUR ideas out to the world, but you just haven't known where to start!

Now you can have a beautifully formatted eBook created for you at a price you can afford, and we will even help you promote your publication. At Gossamer Wings Publications, we will work with you to design your ebook to reflect your personality and express the words and ideas that God has put in your heart and mind.

Email today for your FREE consultation and to set-up your very first publication with Gossamer Wings Publications! gossamerwingspublishing@hotmail.com 107

Avoid a Collision with a Positive Vision

by Glenda Staten Glenda Staten is the owner of Positivity 4 Ever. Positivity 4 Ever promotes positivity by providing helpful resources to enrich everyone's life. She created "Avoid a Collision with a Positive Vision", a basic guide used to help young adults make positive decisions and live a responsible life while accomplishing their goals. High school students, college students, young adults, parents, and numerous organizations will benefit from the helpful information in the guide.

The guide focuses on "knowing yourself", "being open to change", "setting goals", friendship and bullying. Preview the guide at avoidacollision.com. Glenda also created the Positivity 4 Ever mini magazine to promote positivity, and to share positive conversations from entertainers, authors, and entrepreneurs. The magazines are available at shop.positivity4ever.com.

Glenda joined the military after graduating from Albany Junior College in Albany Georgia. While in the military, she worked for numerous organizations in the United States and abroad before retiring in 2004.

She worked at The National Defense University in Washington, DC where she performed duties as the senior enlisted leader of the organization.

Glenda worked on the National Defense University's Security Team during a visit from the President of the United States, and she was commended for her service.

Glenda was selected to be the Senior Noncommissioned Officer in Charge for the Vice Chief of Staff of the Army at the Pentagon. She completed her military career while assigned to the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Personnel Administration and Services Division.

Glenda received her Master's Degree in Management from City University of Seattle in Bellevue, Washington before she retired.

Glenda's military experience enriched her life, and provided the necessary insight needed to help her focus on positivity.

For more information or to purchase your copy of Avoid a Collision with a Positive Vision, please visit her website, Avoid a Collision, at www.avoidacollision.com You can also find Glenda’s magazine, Positivity 4 Ever, at www.shop.positivity4ever.com

108

Becoming the Disciple Whom Jesus Loved

by Michelle Lazurek Becoming the Disciple Whom Jesus Loved: Discover Your Character In God’s Love Story (Winepress Publishing, October, 2011) invites readers to engage with the story God is writing for their lives and discover their role as a character in that story. The book also asks the reader “What’s Your Story?” and provides thought provoking questions at the end of each chapter to allow readers to interact with the material.

The book is available on her website www.michellelazurek.com, www.amazon.com and www.barnesandnoble.com.

Tatters to Treasures Where new beauty arises from the ashes of yesterday in reconstruction garments, shoes, and accessories www.tatterstotreasures.etsy.com

www.tatterstotreasures.etsy.com

This Space for Sale!

If you would like to advertise in the Ruby for Women magazine, please contact us at editor@rubyforwomen.com or visit the Ruby for Women blog at www.rubyforwomen.com/advertise 109

The Ruby for Women community is a great place to meet new friends, share prayer requests, chat about your favorite books, recipes and crafts!

Are you one of our artsy / crafty members? If you are working on any special artistic or craft project, we would love to have you share them with us! Please stop by the Ruby Craft Projects group in the Ruby for Women community and join the conversation.

Stop by the Ruby for Women Café anytime and connect with other members of the community to talk about your family, friends, your blog or other writing projects, kids, pets, or anything else that’s on your mind. Come on over and share your day with us!

Read any good books lately? Think some of them might be a good read for our fellow Ruby for Women members? Come share with us what is on your reading list and tell us about your literary journey. Stop by soon and visit us in Ruby’s Book Club and Reviews group in the Ruby for Women community.

Would you like to be one of the featured members in the Ruby for Women community? It’s easy! All you have to do is post your name and link to your personal page in the Ruby for Women community and you will be one of Our Treasured Rubies! We will be featuring our members here in the community, on the Ruby blog, in the Ruby for Women magazine, on the Ruby Facebook page, and on our Google+ page.

And please be sure to stop by the Ruby for Women blog at www.rubyforwomen.com

110

Victorian Crazy Patch Pincushion Heart Templates 111

Meet the Ruby for Women Writers Aunt Dots, Master Gardener Aunt Dots has been writing for Ruby for Women since the very beginning.

Her love for gardening started early in her life: “I believe I got my love for growing flowers from my mother. She had a large flower garden with annuals and dahlias. I had my first flower garden after I married and we lived in a garden apartment.” She now has perennial gardens, rose gardens, grape vines, asparagus, currants, gooseberries, walnut trees, apple trees, and hazelnut trees. In the winter months, Aunt Dots sews, making quilts that she has donated to a Mennonite Relief auction.

Beth Brubaker, Footprints in the Mud and Ask Beth Beth is the “Family Fun” editor here in the Ruby for Women community. She is a mother of two very active kids whose antics are sprinkled liberally in her columns. She has been married for 13 years to her Knight in Shining Armor, and she is delighted to share with us that they still hold hands in public! Her day job is working as a fabric artist, a homemaker, and a writer.

Beth will be writing humorous articles about life in general, puzzles, and an advice column that is based on readers’ questions, as well as sharing hints and tips for everyday life that she comes across in her travels between her laundry room, living room, and kitchen. Don’t miss Beth’s columns in every issue of Ruby for Women! You can read more of Beth’s posts on her blog, “Footprints in the Mud” at www.footprintsinthemudblog.blogspot.com or email her at bethatruby@aol.com

Lanette Kissel lives in southern Indiana with her adopted Yorkie-Poo, Benjy. She enjoys singing in her huge choir at Crossroads Christian Church. She has been a freelance writer of Christian/Inspirational poetry for twelve years. Recently, she has been writing Inspirational articles and essays, as well as devotions.

Her work has appeared in: Mature Living Magazine, Purpose, Live, The War Cry, The Lutheran Journal, The Catholic Yearbook, Silver Wings, Inspired Women Magazine, and others. .

I'm Christena Hammes, married to my best-friend. We met at the Outside Inn so God could change us from the Inside Out!! We have two beautiful daughters (Lena and Amanda), two sons-in-law (Cameron and Justin) and one amazing granddaughter (Savannah Jo). I never knew what the Father's love was all about until I had children of my own. They really do hold your heart and forgiveness comes easy. http://www.reverbnation.com/robhammes

112

Lynn Mosher, Devotions

Since the year 2000, Lynn Mosher has lived with fibromyalgia and other physical conditions. During this time, the Lord placed the desire in her heart to write for Him. Now, armed with God’s purpose for her life and a new passion, she reaches out to others to encourage and comfort them through her writing, giving God all the glory. She lives with her husband in their empty nest in Kentucky. On occasion, their three offspring, who have flown the coop, come to visit, accompanied by a son-in-law and three granddaughters. Visit Lynn at her blog, at http://lynnmosher.com

Katherine Corrigan, Recipes and Crafts Katherine is a blogger at Katherine’s Corner, an artist, designer, tea drinker and hug giver. She has been a contributor to Ruby for Women for three years. She is originally from England. But she has lived in the USA since 1975. She holds a rare dual citizenship with the UK and the USA and is a proud citizen of both. She greets each day with grace, dignity and gratitude.

Thanking God for her strength as she continues to encourage others and moves forward despite her physical challenges. She is happily married and has five grandchildren.

After 30 years of working in the medical field and managing other people’s businesses Katherine has her own online shop and graphics business. She never hesitates to contribute to Ruby for Women. She says, “Being part of Ruby for Women is like getting a big hug every day.”

Blog http://KatherinesCorner.com Blog Graphics at http://BlogArtByKatherine.com Shop http://KeepsakesByKatherine.etsy.com

Theresa Ceniccola is The Christian Mompreneur, a Mentor to Moms Who are Running a Business that Supports Faith and Family. She empowers entrepreneurial moms to build profitable businesses with wisdom and grace through the Christian Mompreneur Mastermind program and her professional Marketing services, which include copywriting, marketing and strategy consulting and private coaching. www.theresaceniccola.com.

Heather King is a wife to a wonderful husband and a mom to three beautiful girls. A former English teacher, she now lives a life of doing dishes, folding laundry, finding lost toys and mending scraped knees. She treks to the grocery store more times a week than she’d like and struggles to keep up with chores, appointments and the to-do list that refreshes itself day after day. In addition to all that, she’s the worship leader at her church in Virginia, a Bible study teacher and women’s ministry leader.

Somewhere in the middle of the noise, mess, and busyness of life, she takes time to meet with God at her kitchen table with a Bible, a journal and a cup of strong hot tea with lots of sugar. You can find her blogging about these times with God at her devotional site: Room To Breathe: http://heathercking.wordpress.com/ 113

Donna McBroom-Theriot, Writer. Book Reviewer. Southern Lady.

My life is like an episode of "I love Lucy!" I'm a writer, book reviewer, and a Southern Lady who loves her Sweet Tea. My blog: My Life. One Story at a Time.

I've been writing since 2009. As luck would have it, the very first short story I wrote was published within months of my writing it. This quote pretty much sums me up: "Deep in my heart, I know there’s no promise I’ll be free from trouble in this life. In fact, I’m usually either getting out of trouble, currently in trouble, or about to meet trouble around the next corner." Well, you know the saying, "The road to Hell is paved with good intentions" – that’s usually mine! Join me. It's bound to be a bumpy ride!

Kathleen Kohler writes for magazines and anthologies from her real life experiences that offer hope. She and her husband of thirty-four years live in the Pacific Northwest, and have three children and seven grandchildren. Visit www.kathleenkohler.com to read more of her published work.

"He's solid rock under my feet, breathing room for my soul" Psalm 62:1-2 (MSG).

Sharmelle “Shar” of Sharmelle’s Graphic Haven, Graphic Design I am passionate about graphic design and photography, and I spend a great deal of time developing my talents. Like many, I had set my career aside for a few years while working on other projects, but I found that I missed working with others and feel that many people need support and encouragement to follow their dreams.

I have recently resumed the art of design and photography, and I have trained myself in the modern tools of today’s visual artists, using the computer. I’m sure that if, when I was a child, I could have had a computer, I might not ever have gone to school at all! You can find my graphic designs for use on blogs and websites in the Ruby for Women community at Sharmelle’s Graphic Haven. http://rubyforwomen.ning.com/group/sharmelle-s-graphic-haven

Connie Arnold, Poetry lives in North Carolina, is married and has two children and three grandchildren. In coping with lupus, fibromyalgia and other difficulties, she has turned to the Lord for inspiration and offers her inspirational poetry to offer encouragement, comfort and hope to others who are suffering.

She is the author of Beautiful Moments of Joy and Peace, Abiding Hope and Love, and Abundant Comfort and Grace plus a new 2012 inspirational calendar, Glimpses of Grace. She also writes for children and is the author of Animal Sound Mix-up and has two other children’s books under contract. You can visit Connie at www.conniearnold.webs.com or her blog, www.conniearnold.blogspot.com Full time mother and author, Corallie Buchanan, is a woman who writes from her heart. Over the years, she has shared her heart with magazines such as the Queensland Baptist, Christian Woman, Footprints, Mum to Mum, Captivated, Being Women, the Online Bible College student magazine, Deeper Devotions Student Ministries, amidst other magazines and ministries. Corallie is the author of Watch Out! Godly Women on the Loose, a book which won her the award of Young Australian Christian Writer of the Year in 2007. She lives with husband David and daughter Esther in Brisbane, Australia.

114

Sheila Watson, Guest Writer, DoveQuill Publishers Sheila is the author of several books, including “Nana’s Great BIG Storybook,” and “A Mission for Leedle Burro,” as well as a cookbook filled with her “sassy recipe” articles. Sheila is also the owner of DoveQuill Publishing Company. www.dove-quill-publishing.com

Deborah McCarragher, Devotional Contributor Deborah is the author of a Christian inspirational book for women titled “Mission Possible”. The book addresses living in a spiritually-uneven household. You can visit her website at www.AlabasterBoxPublishing.com for more information about her book. http://www.Twitter.com/unequalmarriage

Gloria Doty: I am a mother of 5 and grandmother of 13. I have owned a catering business, and a Grade A goat dairy. I have managed a restaurant, worked in retail and was Dir. of Children’s’ Ministries for a large church for 10 years. I have been writing since I was in third grade. I currently write 2 blogs about my youngest daughter, Kalisha, and our journey together through the world of mild mental retardation, autism and Aspergers.

One blog is written for www.MOMS.FortWayne.com and is titled “Not Different Enough”. The other blog is www.gettingitright-occasionally.blogspot.com I write freelance articles for magazines and am a contributor to two devotional publications: Living the Gospel Life and Hope-Full Living. I do not believe it is possible to make it through a day without faith and a sense of humor, even in the darkest times and I try to always reflect that in my writing.

My name is Lisa Simpkins and I have been working online for 15 years now.

I have gained enough knowledge over the years to work in many different fields in online business. My specialty: Social Networking and Administration: Content provider, database, public relations, reputation management, member recruitment, marketing manager, link marketing, blog creation & branding/rank and community management.

Other areas of interest: Blogging, advertising, business branding/personal branding, mentoring, training one-on-one, SEO, product creation, RSS and web site creation.

Kristin Bridgman I’ve been married to a very sweet, patient, loving man for 29 years. I’ve been a mom to two sons I love with all my heart for 22 years. I’ve been a born again Christian loving the Lord for 36 years. I home schooled for 14 years. I’m just an ordinary woman who lives for an extraordinary God. http://www.ponderingsbykris.blogspot.com

115

Elizabeth Baker is an author and retired counselor drawing on thirty-five years of experience helping individuals apply biblical principles to real-life situations. She currently lives in Pittsburg, Texas where she concentrates on her writing. A widow since her mid 30's, Elizabeth has four grown children, fifteen grandchildren, and six great-grands. You can find Elizabeth’s books at her website at www.elizabethbakerbooks.com

Amanda Stephan is a multi-published Christian romance author who loves sharing God’s love with others. A homeschooling mother and stay at wife, she finds pleasure in many things from sewing, to baseball and karate, to writing.

She is currently working on a three book Christian romantic suspense series and resides in Columbia, TN, with her real-life hero husband of 8 years and two children. You can find Amanda at her website http://www.BooksByAmanda.com Her collaborative blog - http://www.thepriceoftrust.com Twitter - http://www.twitter.com/amandastephan and Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/creativehomemomma

Sharon Patterson, retired educator, career military wife, and leader in women's ministry, has written inspirational encouragement in various forms from greeting cards to short stories, poetry, and Bible studies for over thirty years. She has authored three books: A Soldier's Strength from the Psalms (2007); Healing for the Holes in Our Souls(2008); and Where Is Happy?(2011). She is a contributing author for Chicken Soup for the Soul: A Book of Miracles and Chicken Soup for the Soul: Answered Prayer; also Gettin' Old Ain't for Wimps (Karen O'Connor,2004) and Special Strength for Special Parents (Nina Fuller, 2006). She and her husband Garry live in Round Rock, Texas. They have three sons and five grandchildren.

Debra Ann Eliot is a Southern granny who loves to cook. She is the author of several works, including two poetry books. Debra devotes herself to maintaining several blogs, but the one that is most dear to her heart is Granny’s Down Home Southern Cooking. http://www.grannyssoutherncooking.blogspot.com/ Debra Elliott anngrayelliott1960@gmail.com

Tricia Goyer is an acclaimed and prolific writer, publishing hundreds of articles in national magazines including Today’s Christian Woman and Focus on the Family while authoring more than twenty-five fiction and nonfiction books combined. Among those are 3:16 Teen Edition with Max Lucado and the American Christian Fiction Writers’ Book of the Year Award winners Night Song and Dawn of a Thousand Nights. She has also written books on marriage and parenting and contributed notes to the Women of Faith Study Bible. Tricia lives with her husband and four children in Arkansas. Connect with Tricia at www.triciagoyer.com

116

Michelle S. Lazurek has been a pastor's wife for over twelve years. Whether it is through writing counseling material, organizing ladies retreats or mentoring women in her church, Michelle considers each day an opportunity to find her place in God's story. In 2007, Michelle and her husband Joe planted Praxis Church. Michelle holds a Master's degree in Counseling and Human Relations from Liberty University. She has two beautiful children: Caleb and Leah. Michelle provides tips for busy writers on her blog The Writers’ Tapestry: Where Writing and Life Intertwine (www.mslazurek.wordpress.com).

Keith Wallis, Poetry Keith Wallis is an English poet. He is a senior part of the leadership team of Houghton Regis Baptist church. An engineering designer by trade, he brings an eye for detail as well as faith into his poetry. As well as being ‘poet in residence’ at Ruby ezine, he is a moderator at ChristianWriters.com. His blog of ekphrasic poetry is: http://wordsculptures-keith.blogspot.com/ where you’ll also find links to his books and his other blogs.

Married to Val in 1970, he has two sons and three grandsons. The eldest grandson is disabled and cannot communicate verbally. Though not an ‘academic’ (school was a disaster!) he was always fond of writing. He began submitting work for publication in the 1980’s after being encouraged by a community writer in residence.

Crystal Mary Lindsey is a retired registered nurse with specialties in emergency medicine and mental health. She enjoys sharing her inspirations of walking in faith in order to inspire and encourage others to live their dreams. She is a wife, mother, and grandmother. Crystal lives in Australia.

Chari Twitty-Hawkins is the CEO and Artistic Creator at Chari T’s Inspirational Creations where her creative vision is to “Inspire Ourselves and Others, One Accessory at a Time!” You can connect with Chari on her inspirational blog, ChariT’s Inspirational Creations, and you can also find her beautiful jewelry designs in her online Etsy shop, ChariT’s Inspirational Creations.

Aileen Stewart is “just your average mom. A gum chewing, bubble blowing, shower singing, flower planting, cookie baking, craft making, photo taking, reading, WRITING, kind of mom who loves the Lord, her husband, soon to be eight year old daughter, and crazy cat Max. I have many interests and hobbies, but the two I'm most passionate about are writing and photography. I am a published award winning author of the book Fern Valley - A Collection of Short Stories and an award winning amateur photographer who was just blessed with a brand new Nikon 3100D. I'm super excited to start taking fabulous pictures with my dream camera.

117

Amanda Johnson, Assistant Editor Amanda has been writing for Ruby for Women for the three years, and she has been a free-lance writer for several years, beginning her writing career as a young teen-ager. She also worked for Love Unveiled, a ministry to women in undeveloped countries around the world. Amanda brings experience as well as a passion for ministry to the work of Ruby for Women, and she has a heart for reaching out and touching the hearts and lives of women everywhere. Amanda will be working with all of our writers on their submissions, as well as assisting in keeping the Ruby for Women blog and website up-to-date with new information daily.

Nina Newton, Sr. Editor When all of my four older children were in school, I returned to college as a “nontraditional student.� Eventually, I earned degrees in Classics and Philosophy, and a graduate degree in Medieval Studies: History of Theology.

After teaching at a small community college in Michigan for seven years, my husband and I were blessed with the adoption of our two beautiful daughters, Gracie and Annie. Gracie is 12 years old and Annie is 10. They were both born in China, and we were able to travel to China two times to bring our daughters home. We live in northern Indiana in a small farming community where I work on Ruby for Women in my home office.

I also work at Huntington University, Huntington, Indiana as the Curriculum Assistant for the Graduate and Professional Programs. My personal blog is at www.mamaslittletreasures.com where I frequently post tutorials and patterns for crafts and other sewing projects, as well as weekly reflections on life as a woman, wife, mother, and daughter of the King.

Introducing the Ruby for Women Administrative Team Over the past three years, the ministry of Ruby for Women has grown into a full-time ministry for several women here in the Ruby community. We have been blessed to be able to partner with women from all over the United States in the work of Ruby for Women, and we are currently in the process of adding four new administrators to our team. If you would be interested in joining the Ruby for Women administrative team, please email our assistant editor, Amanda Johnson, at ajohnson@rubyforwomen.com Here are the current members of the Ruby for Women Administrative team:

Sr. Editor, Nina Newton Assistant Editor, Amanda Johnson Administrative Assistant, Beth Brubaker Website Administrator, Ann Marie Weaver Creative Consultant and Graphic Designer, Katherine Corrigan Publications Assistants: Ugochi Jolomi, Donna McBroom-Theriot, Anne B., Jackie McMullen, Christena Hammes

118

Credits and Copyrights All stories and articles are copyright by the authors.

All pictures and images are copyright by the authors and / or have been purchased, used by permission or are in the public domain. If any pictures or images have been used inadvertently, and they do not belong in this publication, please email us and we will immediately remove them.

Nothing in this issue of Ruby for Women may be reproduced, copied, or shared without the permission of the author.

Advertising information is available at www.rubyforwomen.com/advertise Questions? Email Nina @ editor@rubyforwomen.com or Amanda @ ajohnson@rubyforwomen.com Ruby for Women is published by rubyforwomen.com All submission inquiries should be directed to Nina Newton, Sr. Editor Ruby for Women editor@rubyforwomen.com or Amanda Johnson, Assistant Editor ajohnson@rubyforwomen.com Advertising inquiries should be directed to editor@rubyforwomen.com Website Administrator, Ann Marie Weaver Creative Consultant, Katherine Corrigan of Made It For You www.madeitforyou.com Please visit our community website at www.rubyforwomen.ning.com to see how you can help support the ministry of Ruby for Women.

119