Let us share in God’s Word together. Take refuge in Him and seek His face.
Colossians 3:17 “…whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus.”
Taken from the 2012 Daily Bible Verse Calendar
Published by Campbell Funeral Home-Carmi, IL
NAWS- National Animal Welfare Society of Mokena, Illinois
This is an incredible organization working with animal welfare. The volunteers at NAWS work hard and with great reward! NAWS offers a low cost animal clinic for well visits and vaccinations. They work as a pet rescue organization in the community.
You can support NAWS through donations from their Wish List, adoptions, or shopping at their resale shop!
Give Back in 2012
Let us share in God’s Word together. Take refuge in Him and seek His face.
Luke 4:4 “….man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word of God.”
Taken from the 2012 Daily Bible Verse Calendar
Published by Campbell Funeral Home-Carmi, IL
Together We Cope is a food pantry located in Tinley Park, Illinois. They provide families in crisis with food, shelter, and clothing. Together We Cope strives to close the gap.
You can help their mission by donating to Together We Cope, volunteering with the food pantry, or shopping at Nu2U Resale Shop.
Give Back in 2012
Let us share in God’s Word together. Take refuge in Him and seek His face.
Proverbs 17:22 “A merry heart doeth good like a medicine; but a broken spirit drieth the bones.”
Taken from the 2012 Daily Bible Verse Calendar
Published by Campbell Funeral Home-Carmi, IL
Ready to give back in the New Year? Not sure where to start?
Here’s a place to start, taking only a moment of your time and great for those with a tight budget.
Check out the Literacy Site. They offer so many opportunities to help others!
Tab across the top offer opportunities to give back in several areas. Click daily to give back! It is that simple!
Click on Hunger:
In 2011=57 million cups of food were donated to the hungry
Clicks=52.9 million cups of food
Click on Literacy:
In 2011=406,051 children’s books were funded
Clicks=389,872 books
There are times in my stepmom journey where I feel like I don’t have much to offer. I am too worn down in my own path and think “what could I possibly have to say on a blog?” I am trying to hear God’s voice myself and want to feel His comfort. There are times when taking care of my family is about all I can offer. In those times, I am reading God’s Word. And really, all I’m sharing on this blog is what I’m learning from Him or what I’m reading.
In these moments, let me share from the Bible and we can all take refuge together.
Isaiah 40:8 “The grass withereth, the flower fadeth; but the word of our God shall stand forever.”
Taken from the 2012 Daily Bible Verse Calendar
Published by Campbell Funeral Home-Carmi, IL
(The Funeral Home is owned by my husband’s family 
It’s getting pretty chilly here. I spotted a few flurries this morning when my dog ran her laps through the yard. Winter is settling in. This afternoon I found myself in between projects, so I pulled out my Bible. A cup of Vanilla Chai tea and a moment finding words of peace sounded like a great afternoon rest. I think I’ve mentioned before that my Bible is worn, full of notes and writing. I adore it.
Today, I noticed some writing in the very front. I’d written a poem I’d found somewhere that had meant something at the time. And today, it returns to bless me again. I am sharing it with you as well, although I’m afraid I do not know where it came from or who wrote it.
May today there be peace within you
May you trust God that you are exactly where you are meant to be
May you not forget the infinite possibilities that are born of faith
May you use those gifts that have been given to you
May you be content knowing that you are a child of God
Let His presence settle into your bones,
and allow your soul the freedom to sing, dance and bask in the sun.
Can you tell which line struck me today? Yep- Let His presence settle into your bones. I just love the imagery of that phrase! Yes, God is with us. But visualize it, really feel it! I love that this poem begins as a blessing. Speak it aloud. Say it as a blessing for your home, for your family. Pray and share it with your God.
Holidays are festive and bright! But reading the stepmom blogs lately, blended families struggle during this time of year. Our usual tensions seem to explode and family situations feel overwhelming. I hear you! God hears you and knows what you are going through.
Take a break from the strain and look outside your world for a moment. It can feel like we are sucked into our own space and see only what is right in front of us, no further than our own hand in the dark. This summer, my blended family when through a horrible experience. We were pulled into the darkness of handling tough decisions and an emotionally distraught child. It felt like our world was consumed by that one situation. I took an hour to leave and drive to the grocery store. Driving through the country, feeling the sunshine and summer breeze was so refreshing. I was reminded that there was a big world out there, just outside my front door. This ugly situation seemed so consuming, but I was reminded to look beyond the present moment. To open my world.
This holiday season, you can look beyond your own fingers in the dark too. Reach out and help someone who is also hurting, teach your children the spirit of giving. World Vision has a gift catalog like no other! Ever give a goat for Christmas? How about helping build a well or making a mark on the food crisis in Africa? I know most of us have a budget for Christmas. But putting a small amount towards a lasting gift will have an amazing impact for you, your family and the children of World Vision.
The blended family lifestlyle is messy. Along the way you are going to take a few punches. It doesn’t matter whether you are the mother or father, issues involving your children are painful. Whether you are dealing with time with a child, feeling involved or the nitty gritty of child support-mothers and fathers feel the strain. We feel bitter and angry over having to deal with any of this, we get upset over the slights.
As a Christian in a stepfamily, I feel called to seek God’s answer to these “punches.” Of course I feel angry when I don’t like something that within my family. It’s natural to get upset! When other people are calling some of the shots in your life, the lack of control is difficult to handle. When it looks like someone is trying to hurt those you love, bitterness can well up inside you. I understand these are relevant emotions. But I refuse to let them take over our life. I want to know what God says about anger and bitterness, what He says about taking the “punches.”
God gives us so much in the Bible. Some people think “oh there’s nothing in the Bible that applies to me” or ” I don’t see anything that God said about stepfamilies.” Ha! I am just laughing. Bitterness and anger can take over the heart and rule the life of people living in a stepfamily. And God knows it. He has some pretty powerful words for it, too.
James 1:19-20 Let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger; for the anger of man does not produce the righteousness of God.
Get a call or email you didn’t like? Was it from your ex or even your child? See what God has to say about it- God says to listen, but be slow to reply. Don’t hit the “reply” button on your email right away….feel free to call someone back after you have a few minutes to digest what they are saying.
Here’s a good follow up verse: Luke 6:31 As you wish that others would do to you, do so unto them.
I know, it hurts. But that does not mean lashing out and fighting back is the answer. Returning hurt for hurt is not what the Bible teaches us. Let God heal your heart. And pause to find the best solution for the situation.
Let me just end with this one verse. We’ve had alot to handle this year, alot of decisions to make. We were presented with some issues where the blended family world would say, “Hey! If you get the chance, this is your obvious answer.” But God led us down a different path. He showed us that the ways of the world, the gut reactions of a blended family, are not always His ways.
Romans 12:2 Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God.
