r e t Sit Still my Daugh
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Summer 2022
learning to be still in a noisy world
Ours to Love
He was a precious gift from God
A Legacy of Faith From Bahai to the Bible
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Founder & Creative Director Sarah Schurman
Editorial Team Caroline Fike
Graphic Designers Jeri Stunkard Sarah Schurman
Cover Photo Adobe Stock
Media Sources Adobe Stock Pexels Pixabay
Our mission is to help women discover who they are in Christ and the difference we can make when we simply allow God to work within us. This requires that we have a relationship with Him and we nurture our relationship by seeking Him, and we seek Him in the quiet place.
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From her desk The older we grow, the greater our need becomes for rest and the harder it is to secure a solid night’s sleep. Sometimes we are hindered by our busy schedules or an illness, but often rest eludes us for a more common reason, a troubled mind. The mind plays a critical part in our ability to sleep, so when it is full of anxiety, fear, or worry, it will be next to impossible to obtain the needed rest. Instead of waking up refreshed and renewed, we are just as fatigued as when we went to bed, only worse, because now we are feeling irritable too. The vicious cycle continues: you go to bed tired only to wake up exhausted and snapping at everyone. How can we overcome these troublesome thoughts that prey on our sleep, so we can have the true rest we require? The Psalmist gives us a clue into what we need to do in chapter 16:9 Therefore my heart is glad, and my glory rejoiceth: my flesh also shall rest in hope. The phrase “rest in hope” can be defined “to dwell confidently in the calm assurance of God’s protection.” This is so powerful and provides us with the solution to gaining the rest our mind and soul lack. What hampers our ability to rest? Dwelling on our troubles and worries. What can enable us to lay them aside so we
can sleep peacefully? Shifting our focus from our problems to His protection. Our God is in control of everything, there is nothing that escapes His eyes or takes place without His permission. He has never once failed to protect His children, so nothing can ever harm us. The key to enjoying a good night’s rest and waking up renewed is focusing on the unchanging, unwavering character of God, trusting in His ability to do as He promises. To do this, however, requires that we really know Him, because resting in the Lord hinges entirely on knowing Him. Our quiet time is crucial because it will set the tone for not just our day but our nights. The more time we spend learning about God, the more we will understand just how secure we are under His protection. Our confidence will grow and we will develop the same calm assurance as the Psalmist did in Psalm 4:8. I will both lay me down in peace, and sleep: for thou, Lord, only makest me dwell in safety. So the next time your head hits the pillow and those feelings of worry, distress, and fear try to plunder your rest, turn your mind to these verses and dwell in the confident assurance of God’s unwavering protection and His everlasting love. Sweet dreams, my friend.
Sarah Schurman Editor
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Inspiration
Table of
8 Legacy of Faith
Her faith extended beyond herself as she created a haven for others.
44 Mission Trips Matter
Are misson trips worth it? They were for one woman and she shares the many blessings that came from taking that step of faith.
20 Drawn Closer to Him
As she prepared to graduate from college, the life she thought awaited her was turned upside down but God used it to draw her closer to Him.
96 A Desire to Help
She saw the value in taking a moment to take care of yourself and desired to help others do the same.
104 From Bahai to the Bible
She thought that religion was the answer to her problems not realizing that it was a relationship with God that was missing.
56 Ours to Love What began as a routine ultrasound turned in a life changing moment as this young mother was told her child seemed to be missing one eye. But even in this God was sovereign.
For the Moms 72 Teach Them Diligently The next generation of believers lies within our hands.
Contents
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Of Interest
52 Mind and Soul
Read a few tips that can help your well-being.
112 Your Quiet Time
A few tools that can help your quiet time plus a three month Bible reading plan.
90 How to Avoid Falling back into Unhealthy Eating Habits Learn some ways to stay on track with your goal to eating healthy.
68 Safe Harbor This non profit is dedicated to helping those who have experienced domestic violence by showing them kindness and much more.
82 What to do When God says No to Your Prayers No is not always an easy word to hear especially when you are praying for a need. Read some helpful things to do when the answer is no.
In the Home 34 By the Slice Sandwiches are a summer favorite with many and Cook2Flourish has plenty to go around.
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My Father's Hands by Elaine Knotts
My Father’s hands have done so much for me, He’s held me up whenever l’ve had a need. His Word has promised me not to fear or be dismayed, for His hand will uphold me in His righteous way. In my Father’s hand I’m safe and sound, for heaven one day I am bound, For no one can pluck me from my Father’s hand. I’m eternally secure, oh what peace, that only God can give, not man. Under my Father’s mighty hand, God said, “To cast all our cares upon Him.” With God’s loving hand of protection why do I fear, when I know my Savior is always near. Even when I cry, He is catching my tears.
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by Sarah Schurman Frequently those whom history remembers never intended to become memorable; they simply did what was needed at the moment. The past is filled with colorful characters who were forever etched in the minds of others because of a deed they performed. Not one of them would ever have thought themselves capable or even worthy of being remembered for something noble. That is the wonder of life, it always surprises you. Tucked inside Jericho, there lived such a woman, one who would forsake her people and plunge wholeheartedly after the God of a people she only had heard about.
Rahab was a woman many would never associate with or even acknowledge because of her indecent profession; she was a harlot. Every day she gave herself to the men who visited her home located on the wall of Jericho, a possible sign that she had prospered in her business. Rahab would be the least likely candidate to make it into the pages of history but God has a different standard of measuring the qualities of someone to be memorialized than we do. Joshua has assumed command of the Israelites who are on the verge of obtaining the promised land, a pledge given to their forefathers. He decides to send two spies on a reconnaissance mission and
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12 Sit still my daughter | Summer 2022 they enter the city of Jericho, selecting Rahab’s establishment as their place of lodging, perhaps thinking they can go undetected. While they were undoubtedly good men they were terrible spies, for their presence was soon known to the king. He sent men directly to Rahab informing her to hand them over immediately. Obviously, she is a clever woman who thinks fast on her feet, choosing to hide the spies on her roof under the flax, she sends the king's men on a wild goose chase, buying these men valuable time. Once they are safe she goes to their hiding place to talk with them, revealing a great deal about her true character, her grasp of the situation and who she longs to become. And she said unto the men, I know that the Lord hath given you the land, and that your terror is fallen upon us, and that all the inhabitants of the land faint because of you. For we have heard how the Lord dried up the water of the Red sea for you, when ye came out of Egypt; and what ye did unto the two kings of the Amorites, that were on the other side Jordan, Sihon and Og, whom ye utterly destroyed. And as soon as we had heard these things, our hearts did melt, neither did there remain any more courage in any man, because of you: for the Lord your God, he is God in heaven above, and in earth beneath. Now therefore, I pray you, swear unto me by the Lord, since I have shewed you kindness, that ye will also shew kindness unto my father's house, and give me a true token: And that ye will save alive my father, and my
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mother, and my brethren, and my sisters, and all that they have, and deliver our lives from death. Joshua 2:9-13 Rahab confesses all that is in her heart and even goes so far as to betray her own people by giving the spies insight into their emotional state. She, a Canaanite woman, doesn’t argue with them about invading their land, her home, but instead validates Israel’s claim to it. Going a step further, she tells them that they are without a doubt, terrified of them. These spies could scarcely have hoped for more valuable information to report to their leader. What a confidence booster, to discover their enemy is already fearful before Joshua’s men have even arrived at their door! What is more incredible is the fact that it is one of the enemies that told them. Rahab shares how they all heard of what had taken place in Egypt, the miracle of the Red Sea, and the destruction of all who attempted to stand in their way. At this point the two spies may have been feeling pretty good until she bursts their
possible swelling ego by pointing out the real reason for her people’s fear, their God. Rahab is convinced that Israel’s God is the One true God, commanding both heaven and earth. This is a crucial part of the story because it communicates an important change that has taken place in her life. This woman, seen as an outcast by most of society, has declared her belief in the One true God, forsaking all others to follow Him. She, who had never tasted manna from heaven, watched quail come in abundance to feed a whole nation, or witnessed the cloud descending onto the tabernacle, yet believed. Rahab was convinced beyond a doubt and was ready to forsake everything she had ever known to follow a God she had never seen. Her bold statement is followed by an equally bold request which also shows a tender, caring heart. In return for her act of kindness to these two spies, she asks that her family be spared. She knows that Jericho is doomed to fall and
14 Sit still my daughter | Summer 2022 longs to ensure the safety of those she loves, which seems to be quite a large group. In the end, Rahab is granted her request, as the wall that everyone thought was invincible crumbles to the ground, with one section remaining, the one with the scarlet cord hanging from an upper window. While she was brave, bold, and benevolent, Rahab would be remembered for one thing in scripture, her faith; it was her legacy. She is one of the few women to be mentioned in Hebrews 11, the Hall of Faith. By faith the harlot Rahab perished not with them that believed not, when she had received the spies with peace. Hebrews 11:31 It is interesting to note that the author of Hebrews points out that she didn’t die with those that
believed not, emphasizing that her escape from death was because she placed her faith in the One true God. James also mentions her to the Jews as an example of what it means to be justified by works. Likewise also was not Rahab the harlot justified by works, when she had received the messengers, and had sent them out another way? James 2:25 She was a woman who acted on her faith; she didn’t just say she had faith. Her choice to forsake her culture and her people was proof of her belief. Rahab’s faith had another interesting aspect, it was not exclusive to just herself. When we think of faith, it is often couched in the singular but it is not meant to just impact the individual. Consider that Rahab’s family was spared even though they did not believe in God nor
Summer 2022 | Sit still my daughter 15 do we know if they ever chose to remain with Israel as Rahab did. Her faith became a haven for the lost, a place of safety for all who lodged within her home during the moment of crisis. One other example of this was Noah; the ark was not exclusive to his family, in fact, it was built with room for more than just the eight souls who boarded. All who wished to enter could have been saved just as Rahab’s family was when they stayed inside her home on the wall. Our faith should extend beyond ourselves and influence those it contacts. How many times, in the midst of a crisis, has one person’s faith been the sole reason everyone was spared from harm? How many missionaries share stories where their prayer on behalf of another was answered? What would happen if we saw our faith as a tool to show the
world the power of our God, that they would honor His name because of our actions? Hebrews 11 is filled with people whose faith-filled lives touched more than just themselves? Abraham’s faith launched a nation and Moses’ life was spared because of his parent’s faith. Is our faith meant to be a safe house, a place where the lost meet Jesus? How many could we reach with the gospel if we truly embraced our faith and lived it out every day? Hebrews 11:6 makes an interesting statement about faith. But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him. We cannot please God unless we have faith; it is the key ingredient to delighting the heart of God.
16 Sit still my daughter | Summer 2022 Faith is the vital part of knowing God because we must believe He is God. Rahab did and she diligently sought God with all of her heart. Could it be that the real reason those spies were sent into Jericho was not to gain knowledge of their enemy but to retrieve one of God’s own? It is absolutely a possibility. Rahab’s pursuit of God did not end with her salvation from Jericho, it was just the beginning.
only into His people but into the very lineage of the Messiah through her marriage to Salmon of the tribe of Judah. And Salmon begat Boaz, and Boaz begat Obed, And Obed begat Jesse, and Jesse begat David. Ruth 4:21-22
And Joshua saved Rahab the harlot alive, and her father's household, and all that she had; and she dwelleth in Israel even unto this day; because she hid the messengers, which Joshua sent to spy out Jericho. Joshua 6:25
Did Rahab seek to be a woman who would be remembered? No, but her legacy of faith continues to inspire us thousands of years later. God wants to do the same with you. He wants you to live a life of faith where you move with the boldness and confidence of Rahab believing that He is the God of the impossible, the God who loves you deeply and has prepared a place for you.
She had found where she belonged, with the people who called on the name of the Lord and she was never going back to her old life. God would reward her for her diligent search by ensuring that her name was never forgotten and grafting her not
While faith is not eternal, it does play a critical part in our journey homeward. It is faith that will transport us from this temporal body to our eternal home, the place where our faith will at last be made sight.
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“A merry heart doeth good like a medicine:” Prov. 17:22 Wife: There is a problem with the tractor. It has water in the carburetor. Husband: Water in the carburetor? That's ridiculous. Wife: I'm telling you the tractor has water in the carburetor. Husband: You don't even know where the carburetor is. Where's the tractor? Wife: In the pool.
Why is it that no matter what color bubble bath you use the bubbles are always white? Why do we press harder on a remote control when we know the batteries are going out? Why does someone believe you when you say there are four billion stars, but check when you say the paint is wet?
Summer 2022 | Sit still my daughter 21 We'll begin with a box, and the plural is boxes, But the plural of ox becomes oxen, not oxes. One fowl is a goose, but two are called geese, Yet the plural of moose should never be meese. You may find a lone mouse or a nest full of mice, Yet the plural of house is houses, not nice. If the pluralof man is always called men, Why shouldn't the plural of pan be called pen? If I speak of my foot and show you my feet, And I give you a boot, would a pair be called beet? If one is a tooth and a whole set are teeth, Why shouldn't the plural of booth be called beeth? Then one may be that, and three would be those, Yet hat in the plural would never be hose, And the plural of cat is cats, not cose. We speak of a brother and also of brethren, But though we say mother, we never say methren. Then masculine pronouns are he, his, and him, But the plural is not the, this, or thim! Author Unknown
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by Nicole Philbrick
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“And now Lord, what wait I for? My hope is in Thee.” Psalm 39:7 In the fall of 2009, I had the course of my life planned out. I could see the next several years stretching out, with all the major life events happening in the correct order. College graduation was in the spring, then a wedding, then eventually kids and ministry, etc, etc... just like life was “supposed” to happen for a Christian girl. A year later, in the fall of 2010, nothing had gone as planned. I was very single, in a country and ministry I wouldn’t have chosen, with no friends, no purpose, and what seemed like the largest hurdle of all: no prospects. Why God, why?
“Why, God?” became a theme, as He began to draw me to Himself in a way that would never have happened if things had gone my way. I learned to trust, to lean on him, and have faith in His promises. I was fainting, as the Psalmist says, but believing that I would see the goodness of the Lord. I could take courage, knowing that as I waited on the Lord, He was strengthening my heart. (Psalm 27:13-14) I chose hope: over and over, sometimes on a daily basis. Not a “hope-so” hope, but a contentment that God would give me the desires of my heart. Don’t let me fool you into thinking it was easy for me. I had to learn, time and time again, to relinquish my wants and plans to God’s control. As I watched my closest friends get married and have babies. As I grew to love the ministry and people where I lived, only to have the government kick me out of that country.
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previous page: 2020 missions trip to Peru. left: my youngest brother and I. above: Christmas 2020 with nieces and nephews, and little brother. right: pictures from when we were in the "just friends" stage.
Summer 2022 | Sit still my daughter 25 (Yes, literally!) As I was separated from my immediate family and my new baby brother. “Why God? What is your plan?” For in the time of trouble he shall hide me in his pavilion: in the secret of his tabernacle shall he hide me; he shall set me up upon a rock.” Psalm 27:5 God is good. He was good, for 11 long years, as He taught me not to lean on my own understanding, but on His. He surrounded me with family that encouraged me and helped get my feet under me. At one point I made a list of things I thought I needed for life – a job, a car, and a cell phone, just to name a few and over the next few months I watched God supply each of the items on the list through the family and friends around me. Each was a miraculous provision, and none came about in the way I expected – shocker, I know. God works in mysterious, but far better ways!
ket, instead of working three part-time jobs. I became an aunt for the first time. And most importantly, our church took on a new assistant pastor – with eight sons. And you know what happens when you are the single girl and any new males walk into the church! I can be quoted as often saying, “Not going to happen, they are all way too young!” Boy did I end up eating those words! It was the fall of 2017 that I first really started noticing him. Silas was fun, outgoing, and loved to tease – but I also saw humility and a giving, caring attitude that were hard to ignore. “It's really too bad this guy is so young!” I’d tell myself, following it up with, “Stop it Nicole...you are starting to sound like a desperate female!”
Over the next few years we became really close friends, each of us thinking that there was no way the other would ever be interested. We were both involved in our church and had lots of opportunities to serve 2016 was a year of change once again. I took a together. We were involved with the youth group and full-time position as manager of a local natural marhelped take the teens to teen camp and on college
26 Sit still my daughter | Summer 2022 trips. Secretly I was crushing hard, and trying to push down those feelings by telling myself it would “never happen.” But I cried the day he left for college, and was overjoyed a couple years later when the pandemic brought him home for good. I guess I wasn’t pushing those feelings away that well! It was during 2020 that things started shifting in each of our hearts. I started praying differently, realizing that maybe I needed to be more open to the idea of this actually happening. At the same time Silas was finally noticing I was more than just a “good friend.” The Lord had brought my family back to the States, giving them several months to get to know Silas better. Suddenly we were finding more opportunities to be together and for our families to get together. I am so thankful for that time, and that the Lord brought my parents here so they were able to be involved in this process. In January of 2021 Silas and my dad met, and that very night Silas asked me to be his girlfriend. He gave me a diamond ring...a ring he had found years before. His mom had advised him to keep it and give it to his girlfriend one day. And now I had it! After all
upper left: we were officially a couple. left: Silas surprised me completely with his proposal! inset: my beautiful ring! right: our engagement picture.
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28 Sit still my daughter | Summer 2022 those years of waiting, hoping, believing, praying, and crying...God had given me the desire of my heart. We got engaged on February 4th, on top of a mountain during a ski trip. He totally surprised me! We had only been dating for a month at this point... but there was no doubt in our minds that God had led us together. So why wait any longer? I had done enough of that! We were married on July 31st, 2021, surrounded by our family and friends...200 of them! It was a beautiful, sunny day, a gift given straight from God. As we stood at the altar my dad gave me away with these words: “Her mother and I are thrilled to give our daughter to this young man, Silas, and also to gain a son.” And it was then that I knew, this was it. This was what I had been waiting for. This was the goodness of the Lord I had believed I would see.
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From our special day, including a red firetruck!
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above: recent photo of our family, including our sweet and often funny girl! across: I love spending life with this guy!
Summer 2022 | Sit still my daughter 31 To the single gal reading this, let me encourage you not to give up! The wait feels long and hopeless, but know that you are certainly not the first person to feel this way! Surround yourself with Godly friends that support you. Trust your parents and the Godly mentors around you. Be a blessing to others it’s hard to wallow in self-pity for long when you are pouring into other people! But most of all, have faith in God and His promises. Fill your life with practical, tangible things you can come back to when you are discouraged. I once filled a notebook page, front and back, with verses full of hope and the promises of God. I prayed and cried over those verses over and over, often late at night when I couldn’t sleep and loneliness would set in. Things always seem worse when you are tired! I also posted verses and reminders on my mirror or wherever I would see them often. Whatever it takes to remind you that you are not alone. As the saying goes, “God is not all you need until God is all you have”…but friend, when it feels like God is all you have, you will find that He is truly all you need and more! The last written words of hymn writer P.P. Bliss said, “I know not what lies ahead, God kindly veils my eyes.” I can honestly say, I
am glad that in the fall of 2009 I could not see what was lying ahead for me. It is the kindness of God that veiled my eyes. Would I have ever chosen this path, this long, hard road? Absolutely not. But I would never, ever replace the things that God taught me through it, what He showed me about Himself and how I was drawn closer to Him as a result. Looking back, I don’t even recognize the person I was back then; God in His mercy has changed me and continues to make me more like Him. He gave me the desires of my heart, not in the way I thought was best, but in a way so abundantly better than all I could have asked for. It was perfect. And it was absolutely worth the wait.
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For the children The Illustrated Little Pilgrim's Progress is a delightful way to introduce young children to the classic allegory tale by John Bunyan. This 300 page book is filled with beautiful illustrations that go along perfectly with the story. (book not pictured) ~a reader
For the young girls With her familiar style and wisdom, Elisabeth Elliott unpacks the beauty of being a woman, what it means to be a woman, and why it is so important to embrace your God given calling. In a time when femininity is almost being frowned up, girls of all ages need to be taught to say, "Let me be a woman". ~a reader
For you
Linda does a wonderful job in "Calm my Anxious Heart" by teaching some valuable lessons on contentment and the truth that when we try to take control of everything we end up anxious and stressed. Real contentment is learned, it is an active choice to let go of our worries by realizing that God is in control and has our best interests in mind. When we focus on the truth found in His Word, we are on our way to becoming content. ~a reader
For inspiration
With beautiful vulnerability, Shelly Hamilton shares her journey with her son Jonathan who suffered with a mental illness for years. Interwoven throughout the story is her strong faith in the unwavering goodness of God who gives hope to His children. She walks you through what it is like as a mother to hear the terrible news that your child has taken their life but also through the many things God does in the midst of heartache. This is a must read for anyone who has been through a similar experience or for those who want to be a good friend to someone going through this season right now. ~a reader
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Summer is the perfect time to enjoy a sandwich since they can be eaten anywhere and anytime by anyone. Discover some healthy substitues that allow you to still eat those delicious sandwiches but with reduced carbs.
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by Robin Cook Cook 2 Flourish Don't forget to visit Robin's website for more recipes and helpful tips: www.cook2flourish.com or follow her on instagram @cook2flourish
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Turkey Avocado 1 sandwich • • • •
2 pieces whole grain or gluten free bread ¼ avocado, sliced or mashed Sliced organic nitrate free turkey Sunflower shoots, broccoli sprouts, alfalfa sprouts etc
Directions: Slice or spread avocado onto your choice of whole-grain or gluten-free bread, then arrange the sliced or shredded turkey meat and top it off with fresh sunflower shoots, broccoli sprouts, alfalfa sprouts or any other sprouts or microgreens. Slice your sandwich diagonally or keep it whole, and enjoy with fresh veggies and hummus or seaweed chips.
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Tomato Basil Chicken Club 1 sandwich • • •
Shredded chicken Tomato basil hummus Basil
Directions: Simply spread the tomato basil hummus on the bread as if it were mayo then layer it with
the leftover shredded or sliced chicken and fresh basil. This could easily be enjoyed as a lettuce wrap by slathering Romaine lettuce or a Swiss chard leaf with the hummus then adding in the chicken and basil.
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Tip: Serve as a sandwich, whole grain gluten free wrap, brown rice tortilla wrap, lettuce wrap or as a dip with vegetables sticks or almond flour crackers. *Want to try garbanzo beans instead of eggs? Use ¾ cup garbanzo beans (drained and rinsed) in place of the eggs. Measure the garbanzo beans whole, and then mash them in a mixing bowl with a fork or potato masher. Leafy Greens make wonderful wraps too! •
Romaine Lettuce
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Swiss Chard Leaves
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Collard Greens (you can lightly steam them to soften them)
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Savoy Cabbage Leaves
Tuna Wrap 4 to 6 servings • • • • • • • • •
2 organic eggs, boiled and chopped* 2 (3 ounce) cans skipjack chunk light tuna in water, drained ¼ cup organic celery, diced 1/2 cup Vegenaise® or Avocado Oil based Mayo 1 teaspoon celery seeds ½ Tablespoon sesame seeds, optional 1 Tablespoon dried onion flakes Dash sea salt Dash black pepper, optional
Directions: 1) Chop the eggs into a mixing bowl that will be big enough to stir all the salad ingredients together. 2) Add the tuna, celery, mayo, celery seeds, sesame seeds (if desired), onion flakes, sea salt, pepper and cayenne pepper (if desired). Stir all together until combined. Refrigerate or serve immediately.
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Tomato Basil Hummus • • • • •
• • • • •
1 ½ Tablespoons lemon juice ¼ cup filtered water 2 ½ Tablespoons olive oil from the sundried tomatoes ¼ cup sundried tomatoes in extra-virgin olive oil, drained 1 (15.5 ounces) can garbanzo beans, drained and rinsed (Organic, BPA free can) 1 Tablespoon tahini sesame seed butter 1 Tablespoon fresh basil 1 teaspoon garlic powder ½ teaspoon sea salt ½ teaspoon ground black pepper, to taste
Directions: Place all ingredients in the order given into a high speed blender or food processor and blend until smooth and creamy!
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Roasted Summer Veggie & Quinoa Bowl
Quinoa is very versatile, and it packs a nutritious punch for lunch alongside roasted or grilled veggies! • •
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½ cup cooked black, red, white or mixed quinoa 1-2 cups roasted or grilled summer veggies (zucchini, yellow squash, onions, bell peppers etc) Sprouted pumpkin seeds or sesame seeds
Directions: 1. For each serving, start with ½ cup cooked quinoa, then add 1-2 cups roasted or grilled summer on top or on the side. 2. To add extra protein and crunch, sprinkle on some sprouted pumpkin seeds. 3. Jazz it up with a drizzle of balsamic vinegar, homemade Italian dressing, tomato basil hummus, fresh basil leaves or a squeeze of lemon juice!
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Veggie Kabobs with Hummus
These raw veggie kabobs are a fun way to serve veggies to kids! Slice up family favorite veggies like cucumbers, yellow squash, rainbow carrots, bell peppers, jicama etc! Enjoy dipping the veggies into the homemade hummus or guacamole!
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By Rebekah Davis
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Growing up in church you become familiar with the term, Mission Trip, and often you are seen as someone who is either very spiritual or very adventurous. For many, their first experience of taking an overseas trip with a group from church begins as a teenager and I was no exception. My primary motivation for these trips grew from a love for children, and the knowledge that God has called me to teach them His Word. My first trip was to New Zealand and American Samoa which was one month long. God allowed me to take four additional missions’ trips with the second and third included time in New York City and the American West. The fourth trip was to Canada. All of these were taken with a group but my fifth would be different because I would be spending seven and half months in the country of Nepal. I was glad that my dad accompanied me there but I was also excited to be taking such a big step out of my comfort zone. During this time I would be assisting a missionary family. There were so many things I learned during the many trips I took and I am grateful that the Lord
opened the doors for me to go and the many prayers that were answered to make it possible for me to go. I was thrilled at the opportunities to serve Him and gain experience in children’s ministries. Although I did enjoy some fun activities and sight-seeing while on these trips, my principal desire and purpose was to serve the Lord and tell people about His love for us all. The sight-seeing was just a bonus! Participating in bringing children to know the Lord as their Savior and the privilege of teaching God’s Word were the best parts of the trips! I have no regrets that I took these trips, however they were not without challenges spiritually, culturally, physically and emotionally. Spiritually speaking, we are always in a battle, whether at home or in another country, and Satan is always looking for someone to attack. The devil especially targets those who desire to serve the Lord. We should always be seeking the Lord and spending time in His Word and prayer, especially in an area that has a lot of idol worship. Believer, make sure that you spend more time with the Lord as a protection against discouragement and oppression.
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50 Sit still my daughter | Summer 2022 Culturally speaking, New York City and Nepal are both crowded, very busy and very noisy! Nepal had a lot of dust and mud. (I would have dirt under my fingernails every day without even going outside my house!) On every trip there were challenges with exotic foods that I had never tasted. No matter the circumstance, I found that the best ways to help with cultural differences are: 1) Pray a lot! Ask God to help you. 2) Remember His grace and strength are always sufficient - even if the situation is simply coping with noise, dirty fingernails, cold showers, extreme heat, no air conditioning, strange food, loneliness, lack of sleep, limited electricity, and bazaar decorations not to your liking. 3) Choose to maintain a good attitude and view the differences as a fun challenge to overcome and an opportunity to grow. 4) Have a servant’s heart and willing spirit to serve the Lord in any way possible. This will be huge in dealing
with cultural differences. 5) Take in and enjoy the beautiful landscapes around you, and let them remind you of God’s faithfulness, mercy, truth and love. God taught me many lessons on these trips. He gave me a love for the people in every place to which I traveled. God is always with me. His grace is sufficient and He gives wisdom and creativity when it’s most needed. God teaches you how to work with others and provides strength and joy beyond human comprehension. For example, while in Canada one week, I experienced a really bad ear infection. One morning at breakfast, I was really hurting, grumpy and NOT smiling. A pastor traveling in our group teased me saying, “Do not smile the rest of the day.” Of course, that made me smile, but inwardly I was mad for a little while; that is until God starting dealing with me and showed me that I needed to be blessing and smile whether I felt physically well or not.
previous page: pictures from my time in New Zeland and Ameican Samoa trip. right: my time in Nepal.
Summer 2022 | Sit still my daughter 51 At the end of the week, a mom of one of the children in the Vacation Bible School gave me a note. In it she said, “I had no idea that you were sick.” After reading that note I realized that it was God Who gave me the strength and help that I needed physically and the joy that I needed spiritually and emotionally to continue to serve Him that week.
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Here are some suggestions for those considering taking a missions’ trip: 1. Try to go with a group especially if it is your first one. Examine your motivation: if you are going just to sight-see and have fun, you may need rethink your plans. 2. Go only if God is clearly leading you to serve Him. (I waited a year before going on the Western US trip for this very reason.) Knowing God wants you on the trip will help you to better deal with the cultural differences, discouragement and any challenges that occur. 3. Strive to maintain a good attitude. 4. Keep a journal of everything! (Devotions, what God teaches you, fun times, cultural differences and how God helped you with them, ways you
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were able to serve the Lord). Take lots of pictures! If you go to a country that speaks a different language, try to learn words and a few phases such as “please” and “Thank you,” “How are you?” You may even attempt to learn some Bible verses or how to count to ten! Most people love when you take this kind of interest in them and their culture. Learn to laugh at your mistakes, because you will make them, and most likely they will laugh at your mistakes. Be humble And most importantly, rely on the Lord for your strength, joy, help and peace.
I am so glad I followed the Lord’s leading and went on these mission trips. I have learned so much and have a greater appreciation for missionaries plus know how to better pray for them. To those who are considering a trip but are being held back by fears or wondering if it is really as life changing as they hear I say do it. You will never regret taking a step of faith outside of your comfort zone and you don’t know how God will use that experience in your life. Don’t ever be afraid to follow the Lord, His path will always be the best.
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Your Mind...
Thy word have I hid in mine heart... Psalm 119:11
What we choose to memorize is ours forever, no one can ever take it away. To hide God's Word in our hearts ensures that we have access to His truth whenever we need it. Over the course of the next three months try to memorize the verses below. We will only be able to defeat our enemy by holding fast to the truths found in the Word of God about our God. In moments of temptation, the Holy Spirit will bring the verses we need to mind that will aid us in being victorious.
This then is the message which we have heard of him, and declare unto you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all. If we say that we have fellowship with him, and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not the truth: But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin. If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 1 John 1:5-9
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& Your Soul
Be still, and know that I am God... Psalm 46:10
Our body is the temple of the Lord and entrusted into our care. Self-care is not selfish when it is done to rest the body and renew the spirit so we are ready to serve God with our best. Taking a moment to care for yourself does not need to be a huge thing but can be a few simple things.
The next time you run an errand, take a different route and enjoy seeing new things. Take time to move around for at least 30 minutes each day. Start the day with a pleasant thought or have something you look forward to like a cup of coffee or tea.
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But let it be the hidden man of the heart, in that which is not corruptible, even the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit, which is in the sight of God of great price. 1 Peter 3:4
• A lady respects other people's time whether at the office or at home. • A lady never points out the imperfections of her spouse to others. • If a lady must excuse herself from the dinner table, she simply says, "Excuse me." No further explanation is necessary. • A lady never compliments one person when she is in a group setting. She chooses a moment when the two of them are alone to offer her compliment. taken from the book: How to Be a Lady by Candace Simpson-Giles
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By Bethany Beazley
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It was dark in the ultrasound room. I lay on the
table, stunned and speechless as I listened to the doctor’s words. “Your baby is missing his left eye.” I had come to the ultrasound appointment with eager anticipation of seeing my baby, fully confident that there would be no complications. I even brought his two-year-old big brother along, since I didn’t have a babysitter that day, and my husband Jon had to be at work. This was just a routine follow up ultrasound. No big deal. So, I just lay there feeling the flood of words crashing against me. “More tests.” “Possible genetic defects.” “Hard to tell much at this point.” The next few months were filled with desperate prayers. That God would heal our baby. That he would give us a miracle. That his power would be evident in the birth of a perfectly healthy, whole child. Jon and I knew God had called us to serve him as church planters in Seattle, WA, and we thought, “Surely it makes sense for God to heal
our child! We could serve him more effectively if he did!” We prayed with faith and fervency for our miracle. But with every ultrasound, our request was denied. Still no eye. On July 6, five and a half weeks early, William Cole came flying into the world. And his disability was even more complex than we had anticipated. He was missing his left eye, yes, but his left ear was also missing. His breathing was incredibly labored, giving him a weak, strangled cry. I was able to hold him for about a minute before the intensive care team rushed him to the neonatal ICU. That night, as I sat empty-handed in my recovery room, the neonatologist called me with a laundry list of concerns for Will. Again, her words hit me like the breaking of a dam, so torrential that I couldn’t absorb them. All I could feel was despair. I had not been prepared for this. The next morning, before the sun was even up, I hobbled down to the NICU, and took my place next to Will's crib. His nurse entered his bed space quietly, and said in a voice just above a whisper, "Would you like to try some kangaroo care?" "Can I do that?" I'm sure my eyes showed the
60 Sit still my daughter | Summer 2022 desperate hunger I felt to hold my baby. "Oh sure!" she said, smiling. "It's the best thing you could do for him!" The nurses worked together to lift William carefully from his crib, holding all the tubes and wires that were connected to him, moving slowly so that nothing would tangle or snag. They placed him against my chest, tucked his little head to one side, and quietly left our bed space, closing the curtains behind them. And for the first time since he was born, I breathed a deep sigh of relief. I leaned my cheek against his tiny head, my tears falling into his plentiful dark hair. My baby. This was my baby. Will was in the NICU for over three months, and his life hung in the balance many times. For weeks we couldn’t hold him, because he had a breathing tube in his throat, and would crash hard if that tube was dislodged. To give him the feeling of being cradled, I would drape my upper body over the side of his crib, encircling him in my arms, and sing for hours. I’ll never forget the sweet expression in his eye as he gazed up at me. I was his mommy. He knew me, even in such a strange place. I am also grateful for my family and the support they were to us during this turbulent beginning. While William was still in NICU, both my parents and Jon’s stepped in to help care for our older son. Adrian went to grandparents’ houses every weekend, so that Jon and I could spend quality time together, as well as concentrated time at the hospital with Will. One of my brothers drove all the way to South Carolina from Philadelphia, just so he could
visit me and William in the hospital, and encourage my heavy heart. Little Adrian didn’t understand too much of why William wasn’t coming home, just that he wasn’t ready yet, but he tried to be patient and brave. He didn’t like the hospital — it was dimly lit and quiet, and hard for a three-year-old to sit quietly during a visit. But when William came home, he instantly dove into big brother mode. He did everything he could to help — fetching diapers, offering Will’s pacifier, entertaining and keeping his baby brother company. He learned how to explain Will’s condition to his friends, and became one of Will’s biggest advocates. He’s one of William’s favorite people. While it was wonderful to finally have William home it meant we faced a whole new set of challenges. He had a tracheostomy, a feeding tube, and a pile of other life sustaining gear that we squeezed into our tiny apartment. We felt so overwhelmed by the sheer amount of cords that stretched from his bed to the nearest outlet, or from the equipment to his little body, twisting around
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previous page: shortly after Will was born. above: the moment I held him was so precious. right: such a sweet boy.
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each other until it seemed a hopeless tangle of electrical spaghetti. The nights were long. Alarms sounded at all hours, jolting us out of sleep to jump up to care for Will. We frequently dealt with emergencies that left us with racing hearts and tear-filled eyes. We prayed so often, “God, please give us a good night with Will. We need rest!” only to have another night filled with waking. Our faith felt very weak. So many times, in a moment of anguish, I crumpled to the ground, weeping and cradling my very sick little boy, asking God “Why?” The pain of watching my baby struggle and suffer, with no end in sight, was more than I could bear. I found myself full of anger, resentment, and anxiety. "All things work together for good"? How could God make this good? Why would he let this happen to my baby? We had prayed for healing, but God hadn’t answered our prayers. In fact, he had given us a situation that was even more severe than we expected. The realization made me furious.
But, instead of pushing me away because of my hurt, God pulled me close. Every time I brought Him my pain, He responded with grace. He almost never fixed the situation, but He always held my heart, filled me with courage, and enabled me to press on. At times, the change within me was so immediate I was shocked at how quickly my heart went from despair to calm, from desperation to peace. At other times, the change would come slowly, eventually, as I stepped forward by grace, through faith. Every day, that sustaining grace was there. Every moment, whether I felt it or not, God was holding me up. William is almost five years old now. He has come so far, and overcome so much. The emergencies and fear and anxiety are less present in our daily lives. But God has not magically fixed our situation. It’s still hard. And I still struggle. But the one thing I have learned on this journey is this: God is always working. In even the most painful times, He
is working out His good purpose. We have seen His goodness in countless ways, from the kindness of a nurse in the ICU, to provision for medical bills, to simple courage for the next day. More than anything, though, we see God’s kindness in William himself. He is such an amazing child. He is kind, affectionate, funny, determined, cheerful, and brave. His disability is a lot to carry, yes, but that doesn’t make him a burden. His joyful presence in our home is such a gift. This morning as I was writing this article, I struggled with the memories that surfaced after all these years. Deep trauma rose from the depths of my mind, and my pounding heart, sweating palms, and racing thoughts made it difficult to continue typing. So, I took a break and went to sit with my kids. William climbed into my lap and smiled, then laughed, pulling me into the game he wanted to play with a few ASL signs and a lot of humor. I was reminded again that Will is just a normal little boy who happens to be disabled and medically complex. He has all the same desires and joys as any little boy would. He loves music, cartoons and crayons. He loves his family with his whole heart (and is loved fiercely by them in return). He loves adventure and he loves coming back home.
bottom right: Will with his older brother and new baby brother.
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64 Sit still my daughter | Summer 2022 He is a whole person, created in God’s image, with intrinsic value.
Ways to encourage families with special needs Get to know their child. It means more than you know to have someone truly care about your child as a person, not just out of curiosity over their condition. This could look like talking with genuine interest about things the child enjoys, waiting patiently for an answer when you ask the child a question, or even simply greeting the child by name. One friend of our family made up a secret handshake that he shared with just William, and it was so fun to watch Will’s face light up every time he saw that friend. Offer tangible help. Medical families face real financial and logistical problems. Some of the ways we’ve been helped are through gift cards for coffee or the hospital cafeteria during long hospital stays, food drop offs, balloons or coloring books for Will and his siblings, and babysitting offers to free us up to spend time in the hospital. Listen without judgment or platitudes. This is easily the hardest one. Medical families go through serious trauma, and often, they need someone who is willing to simply listen to every detail, no matter how hard it is to hear. They need someone who will listen to their feelings about whatever it is they’re facing, without trying to “fix” them or the situation. A friend who will simply be there for support, without trying to be a hero, is more valuable than you could imagine.
It can be hard for some people to see William’s value when they meet him. The obvious differences can be distracting. The medical gear is intimidating. There’s a language barrier for most people too, since William uses sign language to communicate. The people who take the time to learn about him, though, start to see what an incredible little guy he is. When Will was still in the NICU, recovering from his tracheostomy surgery, a seasoned doctor sat down with my husband and me. We had a long conversation about all the different complications William was facing, and all the possible interventions and treatments we could consider. Then, without warning, she stopped the conversation and looked me in the eye. “I need to tell you something very important,” she said. “Will has many, many needs. He is very complex. You have many things to learn about how to care for him. But I want you to remember that he is still, first and foremost, your baby. He still needs to be held, snuggled, and rocked to sleep. He still needs books read to him. He still needs to eat. He still needs your love. If you can give him that, then you will do just fine.” Those words were such a comfort to me. Someone saw William as a person, not a patient, not a problem. And even now, when I find myself worried or overwhelmed with Will’s future, if I can take some time to slow down and see him – really see him – as a child who needs love and nurturing, the anxieties shrink back to their proper size, and I can enjoy just being his mom. William has completely changed our lives, and not just because of his disability, though that has made things interesting, for sure! But Will is a gift. He has refocused our hearts on our need for God in a way that nothing else has. He has opened our eyes to the beauty that God forms even in the darkest circumstances. William has filled our home with unimaginable joy and we are grateful that he is ours to love.
recent family photo
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Daddy's empty chair author unknown
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Prayer is just a simple matter of having a conversation with Jesus A man’s daughter had asked a local pastor to come and pray with her father. When the pastor arrived, he found the man lying in bed with his head propped up on two pillows. An empty chair sat beside his bed. The pastor assumed that the old fellow had been informed of his visit. “I guess you were expecting me,” he said. “No, who are you?” said the father. The pastor told him his name and then remarked, “I saw the empty chair and I assumed you knew I was going to show up.” “Oh yes, the chair,” said the bedridden man, “Would you mind closing the door?” Puzzled, the pastor closed the door. “I have never told anyone this, not even my daughter,” said the man “but all of my life I have never known how to pray. At church I used to hear the pastor talk about prayer, but it went right over my head.” “I abandoned any attempt at prayer,” the old man continued, “until one day four years ago, my best friend said to me, ‘Johnny, prayer is just a simple matter of having a conversation with Jesus. Here is what I suggest: sit down in a chair; place an empty one in front of you and in faith see Jesus in the chair.
It’s not spooky because He promised I will be with you always, then just speak to Him in the same way you’re doing with me right now.’” “So I tried it and I’ve liked it so much that I do it a couple of hours every day. I’m careful though, if my daughter saw me talking to an empty chair, she’d either have a nervous breakdown or send me off to the funny farm.” The pastor was deeply moved by the story and encouraged the old man to continue with this habit. Then he prayed with him and left. Two nights later the daughter called to tell the pastor that her daddy had died that afternoon. “Did he die in peace?” he asked. “Yes, when I left the house about two o’clock, he called me over to his bedside, told me he loved me and kissed me on the cheek. When I returned from the store an hour later, I found him. But there was something strange about his death. Apparently, just before daddy died, he leaned over and rested his head on the chair beside his bed. What do you make of that?” The pastor wiped a tear from his eye and said, “I wish we could all go like that.”
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Safe Harbor is a private 501(c)3 non-profit organization that offers a continuum of services for survivors of domestic violence and their children in Greenville, Anderson, Pickens and Oconee Counties. Our services include a 24/7 help line, safe emergency shelters, counseling for survivors and their children, case management, assistance with filing for an Order of Protection, transitional housing, domestic violence education and parenting classes, and group support.
To learn more about them and how you can become involved simply visit www.safeharborsc.org
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Our vision is to influence a culture in which all people feel safe and valued in their relationships.
Our mission is to provide a continuum of services to victims of domestic violence and their children. To eliminate cultural acceptance of domestic violence through a coordinated community response, education, and prevention.
Safe Harbor is committed to providing programs and services that are designed with an understanding of the impact of trauma on individuals and families, as well as a recognition of a survivor’s resiliency and ability to heal. We use a trauma-informed approach to services and community work that aims to support and empower survivors, to respect and honor each individual’s experience and to avoid re-traumatization.
Together, we make a difference for victims of domestic violence and their children by providing them with safety and resources, helping them to heal, and giving them the support they need to start new lives.
At Safe Harbor, we believe everyone has the right to be safe and valued in their homes and most intimate relationships.
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by Sarah Schurman
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In this passage Moses is speaking to the nation of Israel, reminding them of the importance of loving the Lord their God with all that was within them; after all it is the greatest commandment. Something else was stressed in the verses that follow his admonition, i.e. the necessity of teaching it to the next generation. As parents it is our job to ensure that our children not only know the Word of God but understand it. To do so they must be taught diligently. To be diligent is to be focused and intentional. Such diligence requires serious effort and planning by the individual to accomplish the goal. Moses, under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, was providing Israel with the perfect formula for teaching their children to love the Lord and weave His Word into their daily life. Look at the descriptive language he uses, “when you sit in your house, when you walk by the way, when you lie down, when you rise up. Bind them for a sign on your hand, let them be as frontlets (ornaments worn on the forehead) between your eyes, write them on the posts of your house and on your gates.” God’s Word is meant to be evident
everywhere you go and demonstrated in whatever you do. We teach our children to love the Lord by incorporating the truth of who He is and what He commands into every movement. Our children will learn more by observing our daily behavior than by hearing what we say to them in a lifetime. Summer is an opportune time to devote a little extra effort to digging into the Word of God and learning more about Him with your children. The following pages are meant to be a fun and interactive way for the whole family to learn more about the Bible. Make it a game night by breaking up into teams or competing individually to see who knows more. The greatest gift you can ever give your child is teaching them about God and instilling a love for Him in their heart. Men like Samuel, Moses, and Timothy would not have made the impact they did if it had not been for their mothers investing time in teaching them God’s Word. The spiritual welfare of the next generation of believers rests within our grasp and depends on the lessons we impart to their souls.
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Bible Zigzags 1. The pioneer from Ur. These are the names 2. The law giver. of Biblical persons. 3. The boy who was brought up in a church. Each name begins 4. The doctor who wrote a gospel. 5. The prophet who disappeared in a chariot of fire. with the last letter of 6. Samuel's mother. the preceding word. 7. The king who tried to kill baby Jesus. 8. A woman of Joppa who sewed for the poor. 9. The strong man. 10. Ruth's mother-in-law 11. Jacob's father. 12. The high priest at the trial of Jesus. 13. The first king of Israel. 14. The man whom Jesus raised from the dead. 15. Builder of the first Temple. 16. A Pharisee who went to Jesus by night. 17. The disciple Jesus called Peter. 18. The Syrian whose leprosy Elisha healed. 19. The mighty hunter of Genesis. 20. "The sweet singer of Israel." 21. A famous woman judge. 22. The prophet who suffered because of an unfaithful wife. 23. Moses' brother. 24. One of the minor prophets. 25. Author of the second gospel. 26. One of Job's daughters. 27. King of Tyre who helped Solomon build the Temple. 28. Sister of Lazarus and Mary. 29. The Bible liar. 30. His wife.
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Prophets 1. What prophet anointed Saul king? 2. Where did Elijah hear the "still small voice"? 3. Who inherited the mantle of Elijah? 4. What prophet had an unfaithful wife? 5. What was her name? 6. Who told David the story of the one ewe lamb? 7. Who established the synagogue system? 8. Who was a herdsman of Tekoa? 9. Who said "What doth the Lord require of thee"? 10. Which prophet had a secretary to preserve his sermons? 11. What was the secretary's name. 12. What prophet told Ahab and Jehosophat not to fight against Syria? 13. Who name his daughter No-Mercy? 14. What prophet was the son of a priest? 15. Who smashed an earthen vessel before the crowd as a sign of the destruction of Jerusalem? 16. Whose lips were cleansed in his vision by a coal from the altar? 17. What prophet said that doom was coming to the Jews like a plague of locusts? 18. What prophet did the children call "Bald Head"? 19. Who was put in a cistern of slimy water? 20. Who told about the valley of dry bones? 21. What prophet had a vision of four horsemen? 22. Who said, "The just shall live by faith"? 23. Who wrote the shortest book of the Old Testament?
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1. How many books are in the Bible? 2. How many in the Old Testament? 3. How many in the New Testament? 4. What is the longest book in the Bible? 5. What is the shortest? 6. What is the shortest verse in the Bible? 7. Where is the longest verse in the Bible? 8. What book is a census report? 9. What book contains the priestly laws of the Hebrews? 10. Where do we find the story of Moses? 11. What two books of the Bible do not mention the name of God? 12. What two books of the Bible end with a question? 13. What book is full of wise sayings? 14. Where do we find the Ten Commandments? 15. Where do we find the Beatitudes? 16. Which gospel contains the most parables? 17. Where do we find stories of the early Christian church? 18. What does "Gospel" mean? 19. What is the greatest sermon ever preached? 20. What is the love story of the Bible?
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1. Why did Adam and Eve leave the garden of Eden? 2. Why did Joseph's brothers go to Egypt? 3. Why did Ruth go to Bethlehem? 4. Why did Saul go to the Witch of Endor? 5. Why did Hannah go with Little Samuel to Eli? 6. Why did Esther go before the king of Persia? 7. Why did Elijah go into the wilderness after the contest on Mt. Carmel? 8. Why did the Wise Men go to Jerusalem? 9. Why did they go home another way? 10. Why did Joseph and Mary take Jesus to Egypt? 11. Why did Jesus go to Cana? 12. Why did Nicodemus go to see Jesus by night? 13. Why did Jesus often go to Bethany? 14. Why did Jesus and the disciples go to Jerusalem the last week of His life? 15. Why did Paul go to Philippi? 16. Why did John go to the island of Patmost? 17. Why did Jonah try to go to Tarshish?
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A moment in Psalms Have you ever felt like asking God these questions? How long wilt thou forget me, O Lord? for ever? how long wilt thou hide thy face from me? How long shall I take counsel in my soul, having sorrow in my heart daily? how long shall mine enemy be exalted over me? Psalm 13:1-2 We all have had a desire, during a difficult season, to enquire the same of the Lord but we usually hesitant to pray with such boldness. David, however, has no problem being abruptly honest with the Lord, after all, He knows our thoughts already. Perhaps the reason we need to ask these questions out loud is not so God can answer them but that we can get them out of our mind in order to move forward. As you read the remaining verses, notice that David starts to advance by asking God to consider and hear him, remembering that God sees and hears His children. Then David shifts his focus once more on the truths of God and his responsibility to God. But I have trusted in thy mercy; my heart shall rejoice in thy salvation. I will sing unto the Lord, because he hath dealt bountifully with me. Psalm 13:5-6 See the contrast? At the beginning David mentions having sorrow in his heart daily but now he says his heart will “rejoice in thy salvation”. What an amazing transformation has taken place, all because there was a change in focus. David goes a step farther by saying that he will sing to the Lord “because He hath dealt bountifully with me”. This is the same man who, just a few verses prior, was asking if God had forgotten about him and hid His face from him. We, like David, can work through our doubts and fears when we focus once more on Who God is and what He has already done for us. Take a moment to write down all the wonderful answers to prayer you have witnessed or received from the Lord and go back to them in those times when you feel forsaken. You will be amazed at what happens.
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Desperately, I looked up from our empty bank
account to the calendar on the wall. It was the first of the month, rent was due, and we had no means to pay it. “Jon, what are we going to do?” I asked. We’d been praying about the upcoming payment, unsure how to handle the situation. We’d just moved across the state for a new job that fell through days after we’d
relocated. We were now stranded in a new area with a new baby and no employment. And we were terrified. “I’m going for a walk to pray and clear my head,” Jon told me. He headed out the door to check the mail, not really sure what else to do as he contemplated our situation. A few moments later, he returned, an incred-
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by Julie Varner ulous look on his face. “Look! Our deposit check came! And it's enough to cover rent this month and a week of groceries.” We had known we’d get part of our deposit back from our previous landlord, but we’d been told that it wouldn’t arrive for several weeks. But there it was, on the exact day we so desperately needed it. We couldn’t ignore the fact that the Lord had answered
our prayers in a very unexpected way. We were completely humbled, grateful, and in awe. Eight years later, we were facing the unimaginable. Jon and I were sitting in the emergency room with our young son who had just been diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes. Doctors and nurses were working over him, trying to get IVs started. He was screaming, begging us to make the jabbing needles stop.
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But we couldn’t stop. The very thing he needed most was the thing he wanted least. The pain of needles repeatedly puncturing his skin was what was going to save his life, both right then and for the rest of his life. He needed to suffer in order to survive and grow. I pleaded for God to give us another. After the miracle of the money right when we needed it, I knew beyond a shadow of a doubt that God was capable of healing my little boy. I NEEDED God to heal him. I begged for healing. Instead of a miracle of healing, however, the Lord in His gentleness and mercy gave me the miracle of His peace. He whispered to my agonizing heart, “My grace is sufficient for you; My strength is made perfect in weakness” (see 2 Corinthians 12:9).
It can be disappointing (understatement) when God doesn’t answer our prayers the way we expect, and it can be devastating when it feels like He hasn’t answered our pleas at all. Doesn’t He say in His Word that He is good, that He will give us good things, and that He will supply all of our needs (Philippians 4:19)? Why, then, would He allow us to suffer? Why would He not give us something good, like the healing of disease, the income so many of us desperately need, or the friendships we long for? Aren’t all of those good things? Aren’t they needed things? When it feels like God has said no to something that we think is a need, it can derail our faith. We begin to wonder if He’s actually as good as He claims (at least, I do). What to do When God Says No Stop to pray The very first thing every Christian should do, no
Summer 2022 | Sit still my daughter 87 matter what the situation, is to pray. And it’s no different when we feel like God has said no to our prayers. God says in His Word to pray about ALL things (1 Thess. 5:17)! So tell the Lord how you feel. Thank Him for saying no, realizing that He has something else, something better, in store, even if right then His no answer feels devastating. Ask Him for wisdom regarding the situation. Praise Him for knowing what is best. Ask yourself this important question: When I’m facing a tough situation, my instinct is to fret and worry over it. But AJ once asked me a question, one that every believer needs to ask when God says no to a much-requested prayer: “Are you going to trust that God is good even when your circumstances want you to believe the opposite?”
that comes with trusting. So, when God says no to the thing you want most dearly, ask yourself if you’re going to trust or if you’re going to fuss. Choose to take God at His Word and believe that He is giving you what is best, even if it doesn’t feel that way at first. Realize that your greatest need might not be what you think it is.Recently, my church fellowship was studying this very topic – why God might say no to a desperate need. And my pastor shared something that’s stayed with me ever since.
“Sometimes,” he explained, “our greatest need is not what you think it is. Sometimes, as hard as this might be to accept, our greatest need Instantly, she stopped my anxiety in its tracks. is to suffer so that we can grow in our faith.” I had a choice to make – either I would trust that God Having gone through the things I have, I can atknew what was best, or I would not. Worrying was test that this is true. I thought I needed the Lord my way of choosing the latter, and unless I made a to heal my son from diabetes, but my greater conscious choice to set the fretting aside, I was essenneed was to see how He was going to carry me tially refusing to trust Him and was missing the peace through that very dark season. While I still pray
It can be disappointing when God doesn’t answer our prayers the way we expect, and it can be devastating when it feels like He hasn’t answered our pleas at all.
88 Sit still my daughter | Summer 2022 for healing, I am now content if He chooses not to.
need is actually to walk through that trial and grow in your faith.
The spiritual growth I experienced as a result of having a chronically ill child far outweighs the struggles of his illness. If I could choose to give back diabetes and with it the blessings and lessons that came with it, I’m not sure I would. It was through that devastating trial that I learned so much about the amazing God we serve.
Step forward in faith It’s not easy to move forward when God has said no to our prayers. But He doesn’t leave us on our own. He walks with us through every situation in life, including those difficult seasons that bring such tremendous spiritual growth. When God says no, we can step forward in faith, trusting that He has something else prepared for us. And we do that by continuing to study Scripture, meeting with our local church fellowship, and
When hardship hits and God doesn’t remove it, consider whether or not your greatest
Summer 2022 | Sit still my daughter 89 spending time in prayer. When God says no to our prayers, it can shake our faith at first. It may even seem like He is being unkind or unloving. But just as I knew that the best thing for my little boy was to hurt him with injections and IVs, so too our loving Heavenly Father knows that sometimes, suffering is what’s best. While it’s not pleasant at the time, it’s often in those difficult seasons when we grow the most in our faith. We will be able to look back and say, “Thank You, Lord, for saying no.”
Julie Varner is wife to Jon and mama to their five spark plugs, the oldest of whom has Type 1 Diabetes. When not homeschooling the kids, she blogs at The Hallway Initiative, where she seeks to offer Biblical encouragement to Christian women in seasons of struggle. She also is a guest blogger for www.arabahjoy.com which is a wonderful resource as well.
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When it comes to eating, we develop habits that usually start in our childhood. Some of these habits are good and some are not so good. I have heard from so many people who grew up being told, “you can’t have dessert until you finish all the food on your plate”. I know parents don't mean any harm in this but this way of thinking has stuck with many of us and created mind set issues in the way we look at food and dessert. Discover these seven helpful tips to keep you from falling into unhealthy eating habits and a Reflect, Reinforce and Replace plan that will help you dive deeper into this. The more aware we are of our behavior and what triggers that behavior the easier it is to make long lasting changes!
7 Tips To Keep You From Falling Into Unhealthy Eating Habits 1. Get rid of the unhealthy food in your home. I know what you may be thinking, “I can't get rid of all the unhealthy food because ________ " (fill in the blank with what your reason may be - ”I need to have it in case a neighbor stops by, my kids need to have junk food in the house, my husband loves sweets”….) In reality, you don't have to keep unhealthy food in your home for any reason. If you want to eat less sweets don't have sweets in your home, if you want to avoid eating Doritos, don't have them in your home. Now is a perfect time to purge your home of all the unhealthy foods that are causing you to fall into unhealthy eating habits. 2. Be aware that food packaging is designed to get you to buy the food. Food marketing experts use specific wording so that you will buy their food. Words like “lite”, “only 100 calories”, “zero grams sugar” make it sound healthy even when it isn't. Don't fall for these buzz words. The 2 most important things to look at on a food label are the added sugars and the ingredient list. You want to keep your daily added sugar to under 24 grams / day so make sure what you're eating is low in added sugars. The next thing to check in the ingredients. I want to encourage you to only eat foods that you actually know what all the ingredients are. If the list is full of words you don't know - don't buy it. 3. Ask God for help. I Peter 5:7 lets us know that God cares about all parts of our life. If you worry or care about something God does too. God also tells us throughout the Bible to come to Him and ASK for help. If you struggle to make healthy eating choices ask God to give you self control. 4. Ask others to help you. Let people know you want to make healthy
changes and ask for their support. My family and friends know that I like to eat healthy so when they invite me over for a meal they will cook healthier foods. No one ever buys me sweets because I've make it clear that I am choosing to eat healthy. You will be amazed at how much easier it is to continue to make healthy eating choices when you ask others to help you. 5. Meal Prep so you have healthy foods ready to go. The great thing about doing your own meal prepping is that you can control the amount of added sugar and use real foods that are packed with immune boosting nutrients and good for your body. 6. Exercise daily. When we do something good for our body it inspires us to make other healthy choices throughout the day. I can't stress enough how important it is to stick to an exercise routine. Don't fall into
a mindset that it's coming up on the holidays and you will “get back to it January 1st”. Believe me, it's so much harder to get going when you have fallen out of a routine than it is to just stick with it and stay consistent. It's great to mix up your exercise. We have so many different types of workout videos! Invite a friend to join you in a workout it's more fun with a friend and you can hold each other accountable. It's so important to just KEEP MOVING. 7. Know what obstacles have gotten in your way in the past and be prepared so you can defeat the temptations. I hope you will sit this week and write down what has caused you to fall into unhealthy eating in the past and then write down what you can do so it doesn't happen again. I know that is a lot of information but please do
96 Sit still my daughter | Summer 2022 not feel overwhelmed. Small changes over time lead to big results and the good news is that it’s never too late to make changes that will improve your eating habits. While change can be difficult, it is possible when you have a plan that will set you up for long term success! It’s a simple approach called Reflect, Replace and Reinforce. Reflect: 1. Create a list of your eating habits. This will give you valuable insight. For example, you might discover that you rely on a soda to get you through the mid-afternoon energy slump or that when you skip a meal you overeat at the next meal. 2. It’s important to make note of how you are feeling. Are you eating when you aren’t really hungry? Are you feeling stressed out or tired? 3. Highlight the habits that are not healthy and spend time on the triggers that cause you to engage in those habits. Be sure to acknowledge the healthy habits you are getting right. Recognizing your successes is important in inspiring you to make more changes. 4. Create a list of “triggers” by reviewing what typically causes you to turn to unhealthy food. Common triggers for eating when not hungry are: Seeing food Boredom Not drinking enough water Watching television Before or after a stressful situation No meal plan Someone offers it to you Seeing your favorite drive-through every morning. Feeling tired and believing food will offer a pick-me-up. (add any other triggers not listed here) Replace: Now that you are aware of your unhealthy habits and the cues that trigger them, you can work to replace unhealthy habits with new, healthier ones. For example, could you make an on the go healthy snack to avoid the fast food drive thru? Have a water jug you fill every
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morning with a goal to drink it before the end of the day? Not keeping unhealthy foods in your house and definitely not keeping it out where you can see it? When you find yourself eating when you are experiencing an emotion besides hunger, such as boredom or anxiety, try to find a non-eating activity to do instead like a quick walk or phone call with a friend. Meal plan ahead of time to ensure that you aren’t skipping meals, have something healthy to pull out of the fridge and are eating a healthy well-balanced meal instead of grazing on junk. Reinforce: Reinforce your new, healthy habits by celebrating. Each time you say “No” to something unhealthy and say “Yes” to a healthy option you need to acknowledge it. Yes, give yourself a pat on the back and then thank God for His help. Be patient with yourself. Habits take time to stick and don’t happen overnight. When you do find yourself engaging in an unhealthy habit, stop and quickly ask yourself: Why do I do this? What chang-
es do I need to make so I can replace an unhealthy habit with a healthier one in this situation? Be careful not to shame or beat yourself. One mistake doesn’t blow a whole day’s worth of healthy habits. You can do this by taking it one day and one healthy choice at a time!
The online Christian fitness community What we believe: Physical and spiritual health are not separate, they are both very important! Why we exist: Here at Faithful Workouts, you can live with strength, energy, joy, peace & purpose, all while getting a great workout in. Learn more at www.faithfulworkouts.com
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by Nancy Hillman
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In today’s times, it seems that “self-care” has
become a major buzzword. Surely everyone has heard about the importance of self-care. It’s spoken about frequently in relation to stress, anxiety, and depression; however, many still fail to make it a priority, until something serious happens. That’s what led to my realization that self-care isn’t selfish, and neither is it optional. In 2020, right at the onset of the COVID-19 global pandemic, I found myself in an unimaginable situation. In only 11 short years, I had survived a stroke, battled breast cancer three times, lost my mother, lost my husband, lost my job, lost my primary source of income, lost my self-esteem and lost my self-worth. After working in the human services industry for over 25 years, advocating for others, providing resources to people, and simply being there for others, I found myself in need of those same services. I was left feeling lost and alone. Though surrounded by my
loving family and good friends, my identity had been tied to my accomplishments, and I eventually forgot who I truly was. Having been raised in church, I knew to turn to God for strength, hope and spiritual healing. But I also reached out to a therapist to help cope with the depression, grief and anxiety I was experiencing daily, though no one really knew what I was facing. When I could no longer afford the therapist, I sought another outlet. I began writing down my thoughts, my emotions, my fears, and my memories, good and bad. Clearing out my mind helped me to de-stress, and fight the depression, grief, and anxiety. I was able to be brutally honest with God about all
my feelings, and He was a big enough God to handle it all. When I realized that being in the mainstream of a typical 9 to 5 job was no longer a safe or viable option for me, I prayed to God to reveal my true gift to me. I was impressed to begin designing and printing notebooks in my home. I can’t describe the peace and joy I felt in working on the books. I began finding myself again and tapping into a creative side I never knew I had. When the books began to sell at local vendor events, the smiles that I saw on women’s faces when they connected with a book, truly helped my self-esteem, my self-confidence, and my self-worth. Through prayer, faith, and a lot of YouTube
Summer 2022 | Sit still my daughter 101 videos, God allowed me to form an actual printing business and expand my creations to planners and journals as well. My next goal is to offer personal development-related workbooks, training and courses to other business owners or busy women, who identify with feeling overwhelmed or under-supported in their pursuit, to become all that God has called them to be. It was only recently that I discovered the many benefits of regular journaling. Research shows that it can help one achieve goals and track personal progress or growth over time, increase self-confidence, improve writing and communication skills, reduce stress and anxiety, find inspiration, and strengthen memory. And although these reasons are great, that’s not really what keeps me going. This entire business adventure has been a little uncomfortable. Every day I’m tempted to go back to something familiar, something consistent, something safe. Stepping out on faith is not easy. But I must remember my life isn’t about how I feel, or what I think. It’s all about obedience in fulfilling God’s purpose for me. It’s a faith walk for me, but faith without the work required to achieve goals, is insufficient. So, I may stay afraid, but I still stand by my “yes” to God and move forward, afraid but trusting.
previous page: me and my sweet daughter who has been my encourager during this whole journey. left: a cover from one of my journals. right: cover and inside look at another journal option. To see the full collection visit: www.bfwnotebooks.com
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Sometimes the days seem overwhelming with thick clouds blocking out any hint of sunshine. One day I asked the Lord to provide a little ray of sunshine, something to push through all the clouds that surrounded me. That week an unexpected letter arrived from a friend with a special note of encouragement. I am so grateful that God cares about the little things, even sending a ray of sunshine.
I love seeing how the Lord works in the everyday, the seemingly little things in life such as safety, sustaining me as a new mother and the peace He gives when I learn to trust Him fully.
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by Karen Ellis Clarke
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Church attendance was very important in our home.
We went to church at least three times each week. I attended Christian camps, sang in the choir, and was involved in a missions group at church. My family history included a great, great aunt and two of brothers who had served as missionaries to China. With such a rich Christian heritage, most people would think that I would automatically choose to travel the straight and narrow way, but this was definitely not the case. When I was nine, my mother told me it was time for me to “walk the aisle” in church. My older sister and brother had done this, and now it was my turn. I was baptized shortly thereafter and joined the church, but I did not know Jesus Christ as my personal Saviour. In high school, I went on a particular date that ended up as a pot party. At that time the students
who did drugs were the minority. But before I knew it, I had joined that crowd. We gradually went from pot and alcohol to harder drugs. All the while, our rock’n roll music served to accompany our wicked lifestyle. As time progressed, my rebellion against my parents only increased! Once, after receiving a visit from some investigators, my parents seriously discussed sending me away to school for “problem teenagers.” My life had become a living nightmare for them. My sister suggested that I should see a psychiatrist, and that was the path they chose. During one of my visits, the psychiatrist noticed the peace sign I was wearing around my neck, and he asked if I had peace. I said, “yes,” but in fact, I had no peace at all. He told my mother that this was just a stage, and that I should be allowed to do whatever I wanted. At that time, I sincerely thought I was free, yet in reality I was in deep bondage.
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For my twelfth grade year, I went to the North Carolina School of the Arts in Winston-Salem. The first day there, my roommate lit up a cigarette and said, “Ah, freedom at last!” She too was glad to be away from her parents, and through her influence, I went from bad to worse. The wild parties on the weekends only left me feeling more and more depressed. I knew I needed something, but I just didn’t know what. I had rebelled against Christianity, mainly because it was the religion of my parents. Another friend of mine invited me to a meeting of the Bahai Faith. This Eastern religion is a cult whose leader is called Baha’u’llah. I was glad when I found out I could join the group without having to admit I was a sinner who was on my way to Hell. I signed a card saying I would live my life by the teachings of Baha’u’llah. Thus I became religious. I helped a blind lady cross the road, I would fast and pray in the woods, and I thought all of this would surely please God. I had become a good girl, yet inwardly, I was still empty. After art school, I attended a state university
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in Richmond, Virginia. My involvement in the Bahai Faith continued for two and a half years. There, while I was in college, I received a letter from a close friend who wrote to say, “I know you are going to think this is crazy, but I have become a Christian.” I was shocked! How could this be? This was the same person who had led me into the Bahai Faith. She and I used to mock the old hymns. In fact, Christianity was our favorite joke. This news left me whirling in confusion, and I made a point, the next time I was on a college break, to speak to her. In our conversation she said, “If I'm right, and you’re wrong, then you will be left behind.” Her words troubled me deeply, and I began thinking about where I would spend eternity.
pictures of me growing up. above: a photo from my time in college shortly before I was saved. next page: a recent photo of my husband and I as we served the Lord on a short term missions tour.
At Christmas, she gave me a book that was specifically written to challenge young people in my situation. At first, I was offended that she had given me a Christian book, but out of curiosity, I read it three times. Finally, I was beginning to understand what it meant to know Jesus as Saviour and Lord. One night, after I had stopped going to the Bahai meetings, my roommate hugged my neck, cry-
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ing, and begged me to return. I had been responsible for winning her over to the Bahai Faith. I told her if I checked out any religion, it was going to be Chrisitanity. I was starting to think my parents were right. I began attending church again for the first time in years. Whenever I went, my need for Christ was clearly preached. I heard I was a sinner, who was “dead in trespasses and sins.” Ephesians 2:1. I would sit in the back of the church hoping to avoid the people. I wanted to be the last one to arrive, and the first one to leave. Christians scared me, and I didn’t want them to get too close. They seemed far too friendly, and shaking hands after the service only encouraged me to get out of there … fast! My search for answers led me to the Bible. I came across the words, “Beware of false prophets which come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves” Matthew 7:15. It was as if I had a magnifying glass when I saw this verse. I knew I was guilty of worshiping a false prophet. The more I read, the more I realized I was going to hell. In my confusion, I began praying to Baha’u’llah and to Jesus Christ. They both claimed to be the Sent One from God. I prayed that they would show me who the true Messiah really was. One day, while working on an art project, I looked to see a cross that was not an intended part of the painting. All of these events helped me to realize Christ had actually died in my place, and Baha’u’llah had not! Jesus showed me through His Word that He is “the way, the truth and the life” John 14:6. So in 1974, in a high rise dorm in Richmond, Virginia, I got on my knees and asked God to forgive me for worshiping a false prophet. I asked Jesus Christ to come into my life and to change it. To my shock, I experienced peace for the very first time! Shortly after that, I was baptized in obedience to God’s Word, and again, I was flooded with joy. If you are trapped in a life of drugs and alcohol, there is hope. If you are trapped in a religious life, there is hope. If you are a regular church goer who does not know Jesus as Saviour and Lord, there is hope for you as well. It is found in the One who gave His life to die in your place!
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Would you like to trust Jesus Christ today? “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.” ~Ephesians 2:8-9 KJV
“ For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God...” ~ROMANS 3:23 KJV
“For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.” ~ROMANS 6:23 KJV
“But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.” ~ROMANS 5:8 KJV
“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.” ~ROMANS 10:9-10 KJV
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Bible Study Color Coding
underlining
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armor of God
PUT ON THE
J U L Y
R E A D I N G
P L A N
1. Ephesians 6:10-20
2. Whole Armor of God: Ephesians 6:10-13 3. Belt of Truth & Breastplate of Righteousness: Ephesians 6:14 4. Shoes of Peace: Ephesians 6:15 5. Shield of Faith: Ephesians 6:16 6. Helmet of Salvation & Sword of the Spirit: Ephesians 6:17 7. Watch with Perseverance: Ephesians 6:17 20. John 8:44 8. Hebrews 4:12 9. Isaiah 59:17
21. John 17:17
10. Isaiah 11:5
22. John 10:10
11. Isaiah 52:7
23. Luke 4:1-13
12. Romans 10:15
24. 1 Thessalonians 5:8
13. 1 Timothy 6:12
25. Corinthians 6:7
14. 2 Corinthians 10:3-5
26. Isaiah 49:2
15. Romans 13:12-14
27. Job 29:14
16. 1 Peter 3:15
28. 1 Peter 1:13
17. Mark 13:33
29. 2 Timothy 2:3-4
18. Romans 12:2
30. Exodus 28:29
19. Proverbs 30:5
31. 2 Corinthians 2:11
"Put on the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to
stand against the wiles of the devil."
Ephesians 6:11 KJV
journaling prompt What does "putting on the armor of God" mean to you? Break down the meaning of each piece of the armor from Ephesians 6:10-20.
READING THE ARMOR OF GOD WWW.SITSTILLMYDAUGHTER.COM
fear
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DO NOT
A U G U S T
1. Genesis 50:21
R E A D I N G
P L A N
17. Ezekiel 3:9
2. Exodus 14:13
18. Daniel 10:12
3. Numbers 21:34
19. Zephaniah 3:16
4. Deuteronomy 1:17
20. Haggai 2:5
5. Joshua 10:25
21. Zechariah 8:13
6. Judges 4:18
22. Malachi 3:5
7. I Samuel 28:13
23. Matthew 1:20
8. II Samuel 9:7
24. Mark 16:6
9. I Chronicles 28:20
25. Luke 1:13
"And when I saw him, I fell at his feet as dead. And he laid his right
hand upon me, saying unto
10. Job 21:9
26. John 14:27
11. Psalm 3:6
27. Acts 18:9
12. II Chronicles 15:8
28. Philippians 1:28
13. Proverbs 3:25
29. Hebrews 13:6
14. Isaiah 7:4
30. I Peter 3:6
15. Jeremiah 51:46
31. I John 4:18
16. Lamentations 3:57
me, Fear not; I am the first and the last:"
journaling prompt
Revelation 1:17 KJV
Fear is one of the strongest emotions. It can stop us from trying something new, loving those hard to love, keep us from living our fullest life, and cripple our thoughts. When looking fear dead in the face, it's important to ask yourself a few questions: Where is this fear coming from? Is it fear imposed by me or others. Is it based on fact or fiction? Is it rational or irrational? Will it cause me harm? What can I do to diminish the fear? And, lastly, have I prayed over the fear? Have I turned to Scripture to see what it says about fear? Use these verses to turn to in your time of fear. Journal what is making you fearful and hand it over to God today.
READING DO NOT FEAR WWW.SITSTILLMYDAUGHTER.COM
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1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12. 13. 14. 15. 16. 17. 18. 19. 20. 21. 22. 23.
Samuel Mt. Horeb Elisha Hosea Gomer Nathan Ezekiel Amos Micah Jeremiah Baruch Micaiah Hosea Jeremiah Jeremiah Isaiah Joel Elisha Jeremiah Ezekiel Zechariah Habakkuk Obadiah
1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12. 13. 14. 15. 16. 17. 18. 19. 20.
66 39 27 Psalms II John "Jesus Wept" (John 11:35 Esther 8:9 Numbers Levicticus Exodus Esther and Song of Solomon Jonah and Nahum Proverbs Exodus 20 Matthew 5 Luke Acts Good News The Sermon on the Mount Ruth
Why did they go?
Abraham Moses Samuel Luke Elijah Hannah Herod Dorcas Samson Naomi Isaac Caiaphus Saul Lazarus Solomon Nicodemus Simon Naaman Nimrod David Deborah Hosea Aaron Nahum Mark Keren-happuch Hiram Martha Ananias Sapphira
Facts about the Bible
1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12. 13. 14. 15. 16. 17. 18. 19. 20. 21. 22. 23. 24. 25. 26. 27. 28. 29. 30.
Prophets
Bible Zigzag
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1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12. 13. 14. 15. 16. 17.
As punishment for their sins To buy grain during a famine To be with Naomi For advice To fulfill her vow that the child should be dedicated to the church To plead for her people, the Jews Because Queen Jezebel threatened to kill him To find the newborn King of the Jews They were warned in a dream not to go back to Herod To save Jesus from the wrath of Herod To attend a wedding He did not want his friends to know that he believed any of Jesus' teachings To visit His friends, Mary, Martha and Lazarus To keep the passover In answer to the plea, "Come over into Macedonia and help us" He was exiled To escape from God
. Unlove & Unwanted: In an instant her life was turned upside down with no
one to care.
. Quet Time for Toddlers: Quiet time is important for toddlers and will help them
establish a healthy habit later in life.
. 5 Ways to Stregthen your Marriage: Discover some helpful tools that will ensure
your marriage stays strong and healthy. and much more ...
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