Thursday SHINE....
Today's Reading: 2 Samuel 2
Happy Thursday, SHINE!
I am so thrilled to have Erin Spinks guest-blog today. She and I had the incredible pleasure of leading a devotional at our Primary School's bible study this past Tuesday morning.
YES! Our teachers have a bible study together every Tuesday morning! We are beyond blessed to have teachers that pray over our children, daily. What a gift!
The topic we spoke about was "Letting Go." She spoke about how Dr. Seuss speaks to her in his books. The very next morning, I received an email devotional from someone that wrote about the exact same thing.
I immediately forwarded Erin the email. The person that sent me the email had changed the words of Green Eggs and Ham as if God were speaking to us. So very cool.
She and I both are just completely blown away by the timing of this email. I KNEW that God wanted Erin to post about this today. Thankfully, she agreed!
Be blessed by my friend.
Dr. Seuss speaks to me--I'm so Simple:
by Erin Spinks
How can I teach the love of God? How can I be used in this world, in my home, with my children? I ask this every morning. I cry out to Jesus for ways that my life can be an example, yet every day I feel more and more simple than the day before.
I think God is using "KEEP IT SIMPLE" in my life for many reasons. I used to THINK that I had to know bible verses, be able to feed the hungry every day, go on mission trips yearly to be able to be truly used. I have always LOVED BIG-always been friendly--always encouraged--always prayed with my children. This was just simple though--simple things that are easy for me to do. Lately, I have realized that God gives us each gifts and simple is just one gift that HE has showered on me.
So, when Jill asked me AGAIN to post for SHINE GIRLS, I cried out again to God to show me direction. What do I have to say? REALLY? Something that has been on my heart all week though is the simple ways Christ shows us love daily. Last week was Dr. Seuss' birthday so me and my children have really been reading a lot of his books and celebrating his stories. It always hits me hard in his books--not sure if it is my emotional heart, the fact that I want to make a difference in my children, or that he really meant for it to make a life changing moment. Just maybe, just maybe. My kids always look at me in certain books--they know it's coming. Tears-heart to heart talks-then prayer over them. It makes me smile because I remember my Granny reading Old Yeller and crying every single time. She taught me BIG TIME about compassion through those tears.
Anyway, I think Dr Seuss has lots of points. In my simple minded ways I want to share. YOU CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE--God is always calling you and ready to use you if you step out in faith.
HORTON HEARS A WHO:
"A person is a person no matter how small" This message is one I want to pass to my children DAILY! Small, in this story, means so many things--different things on different days too when I tell them. I want them to know that SMALL does not define the soul that GOD created.
My first example of this is THEM: God made them for purpose. No matter how "small" they are, HE can use them. Every day I pray for them each to be leaders--to SHINE in this world. They are going to do great things and I cannot wait to see!
My second is the "small" person who may not have what we have in life. People need love, no matter what they look like, dress like, smell like, act like--LOVING the small in them can actually change THEIR world.
My third example that I teach them is that "small" could also be the people we pass daily. Sometimes in life we get so busy that we pass by people like they are ants(small) and we do not even see them. In my life, God has shown me to look at people and smile--everyone fights a battle, we could be the ray of sun in their day. My kids know, because I tell them daily about this guy I passed every.single.day on my run. Every time I would say, hey, but not really notice him. One day, he stopped ME at walmart to chat about our running group. He proceeded to tell me that several years ago he had a stroke and could not move his legs at all. He said, "I told the doctor, if he would help me recover and gain strength, I would never stop moving!" I passed this guy, but now I pass him differently. I shout praises when I see him, he smiles. I teach my children to be like HIM!!! Do not let this life go by without learning
"a person is a person....no matter how small" <3
"The King will reply, 'I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me." Matthew 25:40
OH, THE PLACES YOU WILL GO!:
"You have a brain in your head. You have feet in your shoes. You can steer yourself any direction you choose!"
You have Jesus to fill you up each day. Fill you with strength. Fill you with wisdom. Fill you with love. If we choose to wake up and ask for these things, He is there. He will come over us and shower us with those great things. WE decide the day we will have. Obstacles and distractions do not make up our day. We can overcome those things and have an awesome day. God wants our lives to be full of JOY! Make your mind up that today is a gift and it is beautiful! Steer yourself to a great day. Each day is full of new mercies and new beginnings.
"Today is your day. You are off to Great Places!"Dr Seuss
"Those who trust in the Lord will find their strength. They will soar high on wings like eagles. They will run and not grow weary. They will walk and not grow faint." Isaiah 40:31
GREEN EGGS & HAM:
"I do like them! I like them a lot!"
You are forever growing and changing! "Taste and see that the Lord is good" Psalm 34:8 Keep encouraging! Keep inspiring! Keep ministering! Keep pursuing! --Those who do not like the (WORD, God, BIBLE STUDY, etc) will grow. They will change. They will seek. Just like Sam I am, you can make a difference--as small as tasting something that looks different or sounds different. Keep strong in the goodness of the Lord:)
**Yesterday morning, Jill forwarded me an email from someone. The person that sent her the email (Sylvia Gunter) wrote about how if Jesus would have come today, a different time, how he would have communicated with His children. The email goes on to explain how she feels that the God, lover of her soul and Dr. Seuss, the lover of simple things could come together to teach us. I loved it--goes right along with my simple mind: enjoy!
Green Eggs and I AM:
"My name? I am. I am I AM, I AM I am. I AM here, I AM there, I AM everywhere.
Father, Son, and Spirit are we.
WE are one, but we are three.
I AM here, I AM there, I am I AM everywhere.
One in Three, and Three in One,
Jesus is God, Jesus is Son.
Spirit's Power, Father's Plan,
Nail scares in the Son's pierced hands.
"what", you exclaim, "how can that be
Shhh, my child, just rest in me.
I will not be put in a box. I will not let you worship an ox.
I created it all-the family, the mountain-the tree
We created it all, so you could grasp the "WE"
I will call you here and there, and I will go with you everywhere.
I AM here, I AM there, I am I AM everywhere.
Confused, uncertain, and having doubt? Give up now, you won't figure it out.
Father, Son, and Spirit are we. WE are one, but we are three.
Adonai, Yahweh, Savior, Friend-the aspects of me never end.
I will not be defined by just one name, But I will love you just the same.
So what should you do? How should you react? Learn enough truth to guard against attack.
Then let go of the questions like WHY? And raise your voice in praise toward the sky.
Never to leave is my promise to you. Stay focused, listen to me, and follow through.
Wherever I lead, wherever you go, I'll be there too, just continue to grow.
I am IAM, IAM I am.
ON a train, in the rain, in a box, with a fox, on a boat, with a goat.
Anywhere, everywhere you may go. I am I AM is all you need to know!"
Whew!!! What a simple lesson to learn! I know God was speaking to me saying, "My child, you are made simple for my perfect plan for your life. Keep telling the truth. Keep spreading the word. Yes, I speak to you-ERIN through Dr. Seuss, because right now that is where YOU are with your 4 little ones."
It is so refreshing to know God loves me just the way I am. "Today is your day! Your mountain is waiting...so, get on your way". ~Dr. Seuss
Tell of HIS great love, no matter how simple you feel. Others will see, they will hear. They will grow! We all have differences. We all have battles. We all fight struggles. We are all a little weird---but we come together and make a lovely world when we except these differences and choose to LOVE instead.
“We are all a little weird and life’s a little weird, and when we find someone whose weirdness is compatible with ours, we join up with them and fall in mutual weirdness and call it love.” – Dr. Seuss
“...Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. “ 2 Corinthians 2:9
May your day become a little more simple filled with the GREATEST love of all, Jesus <3
love,
Erin Spinks
Happy Thursday, SHINE!
I am so thrilled to have Erin Spinks guest-blog today. She and I had the incredible pleasure of leading a devotional at our Primary School's bible study this past Tuesday morning.
YES! Our teachers have a bible study together every Tuesday morning! We are beyond blessed to have teachers that pray over our children, daily. What a gift!
The topic we spoke about was "Letting Go." She spoke about how Dr. Seuss speaks to her in his books. The very next morning, I received an email devotional from someone that wrote about the exact same thing.
I immediately forwarded Erin the email. The person that sent me the email had changed the words of Green Eggs and Ham as if God were speaking to us. So very cool.
She and I both are just completely blown away by the timing of this email. I KNEW that God wanted Erin to post about this today. Thankfully, she agreed!
Be blessed by my friend.
Dr. Seuss speaks to me--I'm so Simple:
by Erin Spinks
How can I teach the love of God? How can I be used in this world, in my home, with my children? I ask this every morning. I cry out to Jesus for ways that my life can be an example, yet every day I feel more and more simple than the day before.
I think God is using "KEEP IT SIMPLE" in my life for many reasons. I used to THINK that I had to know bible verses, be able to feed the hungry every day, go on mission trips yearly to be able to be truly used. I have always LOVED BIG-always been friendly--always encouraged--always prayed with my children. This was just simple though--simple things that are easy for me to do. Lately, I have realized that God gives us each gifts and simple is just one gift that HE has showered on me.
So, when Jill asked me AGAIN to post for SHINE GIRLS, I cried out again to God to show me direction. What do I have to say? REALLY? Something that has been on my heart all week though is the simple ways Christ shows us love daily. Last week was Dr. Seuss' birthday so me and my children have really been reading a lot of his books and celebrating his stories. It always hits me hard in his books--not sure if it is my emotional heart, the fact that I want to make a difference in my children, or that he really meant for it to make a life changing moment. Just maybe, just maybe. My kids always look at me in certain books--they know it's coming. Tears-heart to heart talks-then prayer over them. It makes me smile because I remember my Granny reading Old Yeller and crying every single time. She taught me BIG TIME about compassion through those tears.
Anyway, I think Dr Seuss has lots of points. In my simple minded ways I want to share. YOU CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE--God is always calling you and ready to use you if you step out in faith.
HORTON HEARS A WHO:
"A person is a person no matter how small" This message is one I want to pass to my children DAILY! Small, in this story, means so many things--different things on different days too when I tell them. I want them to know that SMALL does not define the soul that GOD created.
My first example of this is THEM: God made them for purpose. No matter how "small" they are, HE can use them. Every day I pray for them each to be leaders--to SHINE in this world. They are going to do great things and I cannot wait to see!
My second is the "small" person who may not have what we have in life. People need love, no matter what they look like, dress like, smell like, act like--LOVING the small in them can actually change THEIR world.
My third example that I teach them is that "small" could also be the people we pass daily. Sometimes in life we get so busy that we pass by people like they are ants(small) and we do not even see them. In my life, God has shown me to look at people and smile--everyone fights a battle, we could be the ray of sun in their day. My kids know, because I tell them daily about this guy I passed every.single.day on my run. Every time I would say, hey, but not really notice him. One day, he stopped ME at walmart to chat about our running group. He proceeded to tell me that several years ago he had a stroke and could not move his legs at all. He said, "I told the doctor, if he would help me recover and gain strength, I would never stop moving!" I passed this guy, but now I pass him differently. I shout praises when I see him, he smiles. I teach my children to be like HIM!!! Do not let this life go by without learning
"a person is a person....no matter how small" <3
"The King will reply, 'I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me." Matthew 25:40
OH, THE PLACES YOU WILL GO!:
"You have a brain in your head. You have feet in your shoes. You can steer yourself any direction you choose!"
You have Jesus to fill you up each day. Fill you with strength. Fill you with wisdom. Fill you with love. If we choose to wake up and ask for these things, He is there. He will come over us and shower us with those great things. WE decide the day we will have. Obstacles and distractions do not make up our day. We can overcome those things and have an awesome day. God wants our lives to be full of JOY! Make your mind up that today is a gift and it is beautiful! Steer yourself to a great day. Each day is full of new mercies and new beginnings.
"Today is your day. You are off to Great Places!"Dr Seuss
"Those who trust in the Lord will find their strength. They will soar high on wings like eagles. They will run and not grow weary. They will walk and not grow faint." Isaiah 40:31
GREEN EGGS & HAM:
"I do like them! I like them a lot!"
You are forever growing and changing! "Taste and see that the Lord is good" Psalm 34:8 Keep encouraging! Keep inspiring! Keep ministering! Keep pursuing! --Those who do not like the (WORD, God, BIBLE STUDY, etc) will grow. They will change. They will seek. Just like Sam I am, you can make a difference--as small as tasting something that looks different or sounds different. Keep strong in the goodness of the Lord:)
**Yesterday morning, Jill forwarded me an email from someone. The person that sent her the email (Sylvia Gunter) wrote about how if Jesus would have come today, a different time, how he would have communicated with His children. The email goes on to explain how she feels that the God, lover of her soul and Dr. Seuss, the lover of simple things could come together to teach us. I loved it--goes right along with my simple mind: enjoy!
Green Eggs and I AM:
"My name? I am. I am I AM, I AM I am. I AM here, I AM there, I AM everywhere.
Father, Son, and Spirit are we.
WE are one, but we are three.
I AM here, I AM there, I am I AM everywhere.
One in Three, and Three in One,
Jesus is God, Jesus is Son.
Spirit's Power, Father's Plan,
Nail scares in the Son's pierced hands.
"what", you exclaim, "how can that be
Shhh, my child, just rest in me.
I will not be put in a box. I will not let you worship an ox.
I created it all-the family, the mountain-the tree
We created it all, so you could grasp the "WE"
I will call you here and there, and I will go with you everywhere.
I AM here, I AM there, I am I AM everywhere.
Confused, uncertain, and having doubt? Give up now, you won't figure it out.
Father, Son, and Spirit are we. WE are one, but we are three.
Adonai, Yahweh, Savior, Friend-the aspects of me never end.
I will not be defined by just one name, But I will love you just the same.
So what should you do? How should you react? Learn enough truth to guard against attack.
Then let go of the questions like WHY? And raise your voice in praise toward the sky.
Never to leave is my promise to you. Stay focused, listen to me, and follow through.
Wherever I lead, wherever you go, I'll be there too, just continue to grow.
I am IAM, IAM I am.
ON a train, in the rain, in a box, with a fox, on a boat, with a goat.
Anywhere, everywhere you may go. I am I AM is all you need to know!"
Whew!!! What a simple lesson to learn! I know God was speaking to me saying, "My child, you are made simple for my perfect plan for your life. Keep telling the truth. Keep spreading the word. Yes, I speak to you-ERIN through Dr. Seuss, because right now that is where YOU are with your 4 little ones."
It is so refreshing to know God loves me just the way I am. "Today is your day! Your mountain is waiting...so, get on your way". ~Dr. Seuss
Tell of HIS great love, no matter how simple you feel. Others will see, they will hear. They will grow! We all have differences. We all have battles. We all fight struggles. We are all a little weird---but we come together and make a lovely world when we except these differences and choose to LOVE instead.
“We are all a little weird and life’s a little weird, and when we find someone whose weirdness is compatible with ours, we join up with them and fall in mutual weirdness and call it love.” – Dr. Seuss
“...Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. “ 2 Corinthians 2:9
May your day become a little more simple filled with the GREATEST love of all, Jesus <3
love,
Erin Spinks
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| Erin! :-) |
