Archives for October 2009

Devotional: Pass It On, Part Two

Devo3Go here to read our introduction for spreading His Word.

What Holds Us Back

We can be pretty selfish.
Have you ever seen a t-shirt or bag that boasted the phrase, “It’s All About ME”? Sometimes we tend to warm up to that idea quickly, don’t we? Did you ever think that one reason we don’t share the gospel with others is for fear that they might actually show interest? We get so wrapped up in the things we want to do and places we want to go, that we don’t like the idea of changing our plans to coincide with His plans. When we become so entwined in ourselves, how can His Spirit work in us? In the passage of Matthew 20:25-28, Jesus says that those who are truly great are those who put themselves last, and serve the needs of others. Do we read anywhere in there that “it’s all about me”? No, of course not; that’s the world’s view, and we can’t love the things in this world! (I John 2:15-17; Romans 12:2) Jesus Himself “did not come to be served, but to serve” (Matthew 20:28). We must follow our Lord, and be willing to lay aside our plans at any time to help someone better understand the gospel, or to help them when they are in need.

We feel we don’t know enough.
We so frequently inhabit this excuse; and yes, it is nothing more than an excuse! Just like Moses in Exodus 3-4, we know the feeling of reluctance, the feeling of low confidence. When it all boils down, it’s easy to spot that these feelings are due to our lack of study, prayer, and meditation on the Scriptures. We’re told to be ready; we can’t say we didn’t know: “But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts, and always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear” (I Peter 3:15). “Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth” (2 Timothy 2:15). If you have a small Bible (or if a larger one will fit), bring it wherever you go in your bag or car. If you don’t have a small Bible, ask for a pocket one for Christmas, so it will easily fit in even a small purse. It’s also a good idea to keep a reference notebook of where to find scriptures concerning certain topics. Be prepared to humbly and carefully explain answers to people who ask questions. Even if you are asked a question you don’t know the answer to at the moment, assure them that you will seek an answer and get back with them. It may help to write the person’s name and their question down in a notebook so you won’t forget to find the answer.

Devo4Whenever your fear of loneliness, tendency of excuses, and feelings of inadequacy plague your thoughts, take a breath, say a prayer, and remember—you have the power of the Holy Spirit to help you. Share the things you know with people, direct them to the Bible with their questions, and God will take care of the rest! (1 Corinthians 3:6-7)

My Duty

Consider deeply the two words that head this paragraph: My Duty. One thing that I am constantly reminding myself of is that if I know of someone who needs to know the gospel, it’s my duty; I am a child of God, a servant of Christ. Also, we realize it’s our duty. In Luke 17:10, Jesus says to His apostles, “So likewise you, when you have done all those things which you are commanded, say, ‘We are unprofitable servants. We have done what was our duty to do.’” After all He’s done for us, it truly is the least that we can do to give our lives completely to Him, and do what He asks of us. We’re not always going to do what He asks of us. We are imperfect servants. But God is so merciful and forgiving, that as long as we are pushing along, giving our best to obey Him, Jesus’ blood continually cleanses us from our shortcomings and sin. (1 John 1:6-9; Romans 7:15-8:4) Study the Scriptures, pray for forgiveness when you fail, and pray for strength and courage to fulfill the great duty He’s given you!

Pass It On

As we close, let us read the words to a devotional song by Kurt Kaiser called “Pass It On.” It is a great reminder of what we have to share with the world:

Devo6It only takes a spark to get a fire going,
And soon all those around can warm up to its glowing;
That’s how it is with God’s Love,
Once you’ve experienced it,
Your spread the love to everyone
You want to pass it on.

What a wondrous time is spring,
When all the tress are budding
The birds begin to sing, the flowers start their blooming;
That’s how it is with God’s love,
Once you’ve experienced it.
You want to sing, it’s fresh like spring,
You want to pass it on.

I wish for you my friend
This happiness that I’ve found;
You can depend on God
It matters not where you’re bound,
I’ll shout it from the mountain tops;
I want the world to know–
The Lord of life has come to me
I want to pass it on.

By Hannah Smith

Fun Fact Friday: Apple-icious

FFFOct30The crabapple (or “winter banana,” as apples were called in colonial times) is the only apple native to North America. Apples are members of the rose family, and most apples are still hand-picked. It takes about two pounds of those hand-picked apples to make one nine-inch apple pie.

Visit urbanext.illinois.edu for more fun facts about apples.

For an easy way to make your house smell deliciously fall-like, try making homemade applesauce. We just use apples, sugar, and water in our applesauce. It can sit on the stove for a couple of hours, or in a crock-pot all day (and it’s delicious warm!).

What’s your favorite apple craft or recipe?

– Davonne Parks

Just for Today: Websites we love

Since we will no longer be posting new articles on Pierce My Heart after this month (see details here), we would like to direct you to a few websites we think you may enjoy.

JFT1Cling to Good is a devotional-type blog written and maintained by our very own Hannah Smith! Hannah is a very talented and thought provoking writer, so be sure to check out her site.

The Homespun Heart is written by a mother of three young children, who focuses on crafts, homeschooling, simplicity, and serving the Lord.

The Money Saving Mom is written by a frugal zealot who posts often about all areas of frugal living, including freebies, couponing, cooking at home, great deals, and budgeting.

Tammy’s Recipes is dedicated to recipes and kitchen tips. She only posts tried and true recipes, so it’s easy to trust her recipes.

Recipezaar allows the browser to search for a recipe and choose from several options. Recipes are rated on a 5-star scale, so look for the high ratings, and you’re sure to find something that works!

Plugged In Online reviews mainstream media from a Christian perspective, allowing the potential viewers to make informed decisions before watching or listening to the contemplated media.

Apologetics Press focuses on Christian Evidences, and is great for personal reference or teaching purposes.

Bible Gateway is a great resource – it has several Bible versions, and will show every verse that contains whichever keyword you enter.

Focus on the Family is a great site to read articles about topics from a Christian viewpoint. You can also listen to podcasts of radio talks and sermons—great to do while dishwashing or cooking dinner!

HeaderPlease don’t forget to check out our monthly issues to read more about several topics you may be interested in.

As always, please remember that the views of the writers on other websites are not necessarily in agreement with the views of Pierce My Heart. Please read all articles and websites with discretion, and always use the Bible as your guide for standards and beliefs.

We hope that all will be discerning with the time we spend online, and use our minutes wisely, being careful to not allow the Internet, or anything else, to slowly steal our hours away. Instead, let’s strive to look first to God for fulfillment, so that we may quietly and joyfully serve our families in the real world, instead of just reading about it in a virtual world.

– Lisa and Davonne

Style Sense: My Favorite Necklace – SPECIAL OFFER

SS1I have always been a fairly simple person when it comes to jewelry. I’ve recently had more fun with accessorizing in this department (maybe because I have three boys and don’t get to accessorize much with them!). But I still can’t get away from my preference for a simple pair of earrings and a necklace. And after years of jumping back and forth among necklaces, I have found the perfect one for a casual mom!

Suzanne Myers is an artist in Nashville, Tennessee, who creates jewelry. Her designs are simple and beautiful. And after seeing her necklace on one of my friends, I knew that I had found one that would last me years. Her name charm necklace is a casual, modern take on the classic “charm bracelet.” However, unlike most “kids on my necklace” necklaces, this one is very simple and subtle.

Suzanne lets you choose between two styles of chains, and several different charm designs, each charm with your child’s name on it. The cable chain (which I have) is more casual, while the bar-link chain has a very slightly more delicate appearance. Each necklace also comes with two stones, which you also get to select. And don’t worry if you have to add another name later. Just send your necklace back to her (after emailing her to let her know it’s on its way), and she’ll add whatever charm you want for only $10.

SuzanneMyersNecklaceI am all about getting good deals, and I have to admit, this necklace is more than I would usually spend on a necklace, or any piece of jewelry. However, I wear this necklace almost every day, and I think this is something to consider. I’ve easily spent the amount of this necklace on many other pieces of jewelry combined that are now resting quietly (and dustily) at the bottom of my jewelry box. I consider this necklace to be well worth what I paid. It is one-of-a-kind, created by a local artist, and is very well made.

With Christmas quickly approaching, now might be a great time to check out her site (and just happen to leave it up for your husband!). If you are like me and you prefer the casual, simple approach to accessorizing, consider one of Suzanne’s necklaces—I don’t think you’ll be disappointed!

Special offer to Pierce My Heart readers!

Suzanne has offered to give a $10 off, with free shipping, discount to anyone who orders a name necklace (great Christmas gift!) by November 30 and mentions that they read this review on Pierce My Heart.

Lisa Grimenstein

Health and Fitness: Stress

HaF1Stress is such a big part of our day-to-day lives. No matter what stage of life you are in, there is often some type of stress that you deal with. Stress can build up, leaving us to worry about how we are going to get everything done that we need to get done. We begin making lists of things that need done, and then the list spills over into tomorrow, adding anxiety and guilt over what could not be accomplished and what still needs done. Jesus tells us in Matthew 6:34, “Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble” (NKJV). So what can we do in order to live like Jesus has instructed us? We must learn to manage that stress in a godly way!

Stress

Stress can be simply defined as the effects of outside forces on an individual. This is what you are feeling when you have to handle more than you are used to. Stress can be a good thing and can cause your body to react when in danger. Stress can come from external factors, such as your relationships with others, your job, the environment, and from expectations and situations that you experience every day. Stress also comes from internal factors, such as how you react to outside stressors, your nutritional and fitness status, your emotional well-being, and how much rest your body receives. We can become so stressed that it starts to manifest itself mentally, emotionally, and physically. People under severe stress can suffer sleep disturbances, muscle tension, headaches, gastrointestinal disturbances, fatigue, nervousness, anxiety, loss of enthusiasm or energy, moodiness, a decreased immune system, and a change in eating habits.

How To Manage Stress

Knowing what is causing you to feel stressed will allow you to manage your stress. Once you know what is causing you stress, look for ways that you can relieve the stress. Ask someone for help if you need it. Organize your schedule and do the most important tasks first, instead of waiting until later or taking on too much. For some, it may be as simple as better organizing your time. Look at the ways you have currently been coping with stress. Are they effective and healthy? Look for better ways to relieve your stress if you don’t feel as though yours are working. Make sure you get plenty of rest, eat healthy foods, and exercise regularly. Surround yourself with people who are a good support system for you. Sometimes just talking through a situation will make things clearer and your tasks may seem more manageable. Most importantly, don’t forget to pray and ask God for help!

Stress Relief

HaF3You will feel so much better if you can find ways to de-stress. You can come up with your own, or use some from the list below. Think about what makes you feel better and what you enjoy doing. Different things work for different people. No matter what you choose, make sure you try out a few things to see what works best for you. As always, consult your doctor before beginning a new exercise regimen.  WebMD.com has a few suggestions for managing stress:

  • Exercise: regular exercise is one of the best ways to manage stress.
  • Write: writing can help you get thoughts down on paper and out of your mind, to deal with more efficiently.
  • Let your feelings out: talk, laugh, and cry when you need to with someone that you trust.
  • Do something that you enjoy: a hobby can help you to relax.
  • Learn ways to relax your body: this can include breathing exercises, muscle relaxation exercises, massage, aromatherapy, or yoga.
  • Listen to relaxing music, light candles, and take a bubble bath, read, or laugh.

Stress is part of our everyday lives. How you choose to manage it can determine your health. Let us make sure that we are always looking to God for help and instruction on how He wants us to live. “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.”(Philippians 4:6-7, NKJV).

By Sherri Houmard

Dating: Liking Older Guys

Extra14Is it ok I like older guys, as in 2-3 years older, while I’m 14? I have always liked older guys and it seems older guys are the one’s that notice me, (no, I don’t ask them to notice me). Is this ok?
– EMMMeRs

It’s natural for girls to like older boys – it’s exciting to think that we’re mature enough for someone a couple of years older to be interested! And, once we’re adults, the two to three years isn’t such a big deal. But, for now, I suggest proceeding with extreme caution. Think about the age you ideally want to be when you get married – if you want to get married when you’re 24, then you have ten years before your wedding day. If you start dating right now, that’s ten years of temptation in your face before you say “I Do.” It is extremely difficult to date for an extended period of time and remain pure.

In addition to that, we change and grow so much from the time we’re 14 until we’re 20. We’ll continue to change throughout our entire lives, but our teens and early 20s are a time we’re really learning who we are and what we want out of life. Chances are, the person you want to date now is not the person you’re going to want to date when you’re in your 20s and ready to get married, because you’ll both be completely different people than you are today. This means that dating now will likely lead to heart- ache, because you’ll eventually break up. Even if you don’t break up, you’re setting yourself for unnecessary temptation. If you wait a few years to date each other, you’ll both have had time to nurture a good friendship together without the sexual temptation that comes in a dating relationship.

At 14, you’re likely just coming out of middle school, while a 17-year-old boy can drive and is thinking about graduation. Even if you think you’re on the same maturity level, he has more life experiences, and often when an older boy wants to date a younger girl (until adulthood is reached), his intentions are not pure, whether he’ll admit it or not.

Even though you don’t verbally ask older boys to notice you, think about your attitude. Are you seeking them out and flirting a little, hoping they’ll notice you? Are you dressing older than your age, trying to get their attention? Even if you don’t go up to an older guy and say, “Hey, will you notice me?” your attitude and dress may very well be demanding their attention!

dating2Dating at a young age may be the cool thing to do, but it’s generally not the most godly, whether dating someone a few years older or the exact same age. Why set yourself up for temptation when you could be having carefree fun with your friends instead, without the heartache?

I hope that before entering any relationship, and throughout the entire relationship, you strongly seek God’s guidance by studying His Word and praying. It’s tempting to want a relationship in order to find happiness, but remember that there is “Glory in His holy name; Let the heart of those who seek the LORD be glad” (1 Chronicles 16:10). Seek Him first, and your heart will be glad, whether there’s another guy in your life or not.

– Davonne Parks

Style Sense: Jewelry and Modesty

SS1Proverbs 27:19: “As water reflects a face, so a man’s heart reflects the man.”

We Christians are to be “in the world but not of the world.” People say it’s okay to be stylish, and personally, I really like to be in fashion. But if we dress in the latest styles (including the showy jewelry), even if modest, we look like the rest of the world. Aren’t we supposed to be set apart? We don’t want to be of the world… and doesn’t that include looking like the world? Where do we draw the line then?
– Anonymous

Great question!

I believe the two verses you are referencing are Romans 12:2 “And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect.” And, 1 Timothy 2:9: “in like manner also, that the women adorn themselves in modest apparel, with propriety and moderation, not with braided hair or gold or pearls or costly clothing.”

I agree that if we are saved, and the Spirit of God lives in us, we should not have the “appearance” of unbelievers. Matthew 7:16 tells us that Christians are recognized by their fruit. I believe our fruits are the primary way we either look like the world or not (Galatians 5:22-23). Yes, it is important that we are following God’s word regarding our outward appearance and dress (1 Tim. 2:9). However, sin is as deep as our hearts (Prov. 20:9), and our heart is the most important place where we as believers should not reflect the world, but our Father’s glory (2 Cor. 3:18).

I believe that there are often bigger, heart issues when someone dresses immodestly or showy. It is not just a matter of what they are wearing, but what they are trying to communicate. Are they prideful of the money or body they have? Do they want attention from others—men or women? Do they have the attitude that God’s word is outdated and inapplicable? Then, yes, they are reflecting the world’s values with their appearance.

SS2However, we need to remember that even some of the most modestly dressed women have deep sin in their hearts, and pride that they are doing it “right.” They tend to feel judgment toward others who are not dressing “appropriately” by their standards, when they should instead be lovingly teaching others through word and example.

Even when dressed modestly, we may still reflect the world with our attitudes. We look like the world when we complain about our chores or the price of groceries. We reflect the world’s attitudes when we justify staying angry with our families or traffic or the waitress (Ephesians 4:26). We need to prayerfully resist these sinful attitudes and instead make sure we’re continually striving to reflect God’s love by always having the fruits of the spirit at heart (Galatians 5:22-23).

2 Corinthians 3:18: And we, who with unveiled faces all reflect the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into his likeness with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit.

– Lisa Grimenstein

Fun Fact Friday: Women Voters

FFFOct23On October 23, 1915, twenty-five thousand women marched in New York City demanding the right to vote. Women came from every state and 24 countries to attend this event.

Let’s thank God that now, 94 years later, we don’t have to fight for our voices to be heard, and let’s strive to use that privilege to glorify Him.

What privilege are you the most thankful to have?

– Davonne Parks

In the World: Halloween Thoughts

friends4Many people have differing views about Halloween. We have a few articles about this holiday, including one on the history of Halloween (Bible verses are included), and an article full of ideas of fun fall costumes to wear. We also have articles just for celebrating autumn with instructions on painting pumpkins and recipes for movie night treats.

While we hope the article links above are helpful, we encourage you to think, pray, and study His Word when choosing what to believe and how to celebrate any holiday.

– Davonne Parks

Fun Fact Friday: World’s Largest Pumpkin

FFFOct16The world’s largest pumpkin weighed 1,689 pounds!

And the largest pumpkin pie weighed 2,020 pounds, and had to be baked in a custom-made oven for five hours. (Go here for more details.)

For fun ideas on how to use a pumpkin (including turning it into a vase!), read this article.

What is your favorite pumpkin craft or recipe?

– Davonne Parks