THE STORMS OF LIFE

December 26th, 2012 | By admin

by Katt Anderson

We were never assured life would be easy. Bad things happen to good people constantly. Review the last 48 hours in the South. The tornadoes, the blizzard, the snow. These can all turn into bad things, and it happens to good people as well as bad. We have no control, but it’s how we accept the bad that’s important.

As this year ends, we are reminded of a lot of sadness. I’m sure a lot of us have lost loved ones this year. How are you coping? I hope you are accepting the sorrow and looking to the future.

God did not promise us a bed of roses. If you do get that rose bed, it has thorns. The way we deal with sorrow and loss is what is more important to us. When Jesus’ friend Lazarus died, He wept, John 11:35. He knew he would raise Lazarus to life.

Through Jesus’ teaching we see compassion for others. Today we need compassion for others to help them through their storms in life. We will all have storms, but it is so much easier when we have people around who love us and care for us.

During the holidays we see people caring for others more than any time of the year. Why does it have to end on December 26? Why can’t we care about others all year long? Houses burn down, people are homeless, people lose jobs, they have difficulties. Do we care for them all year long? We should. We should be helping others during their storms all year long.

Since this is written for teen girls, what can you do to help? You are our encouragement. At this time in your life, you care for others and have a gentle spirit. Let that shine for the older folks to see. Be the first to encourage someone when they are hurt. Smile for the older people. A smile can show you care for those in need. It can lift someone up who is in sorrow. We think we have to say something clever, but we don’t. A smile can help so much.

We never know who is watching us. Be kind. Jesus was so kind to so many in the Bible. Read the Gospels to learn how to be kind as Jesus was. Live your life as an example to others. Show how much you care for those in need in this world. Be a light in the middle of a storm.

DEFEATING DISCOURAGEMENT: WHEN ENCOURAGEMENT DOESN’T COME

July 20th, 2012 | By admin

This is an article via Paul Holland. We all need encouragement. 

            We all need to hear encouraging words. What happens if the encouraging words do not come? What if people – even family or Christians – do not encourage us when we need it? It can be discouraging and hurtful. What do we do?

NEGATIVE REACTIONS

            Pretend we don’t need them. But that’s a lie – it is self-deception. It creates in us a “martyr complex”. We start feeling like a victim. It may help us feel good for a while, but it will have devastating results on our inter-personal relationships if we continue in that mentality.

            “Toot our own horns.” Have you heard it said, “If you don’t toot your own horn, no one else will”? Proverbs 27:2.

            “I’ll show them! I’ll do even more where they have to notice me!” But that usually backfires. Paul was not praised for preaching without pay. He was criticized for it – 1 Corinthians 9. The Pharisees did not commend Jesus for His miracles – they tried to kill Him for them. Plus, again, if done very much or for very long, it leads us to do things to be seen of men, which is what Jesus condemned in Matthew 6 – three times.

            “Nobody appreciates me. I won’t be hurt again. I’ll just quit!” Quitting is not an option. Consider God’s promise in Galatians 6:9 and Colossians 3:23-24. We are His workmanship – Ephesians 2:10. We can’t quit being who we are in Christ.

POSITIVE REACTIONS

            What if people – even family or Christians – do not encourage us when we need it? It can be discouraging and hurtful. What do we do?

            1. Remember God does not forget what we do. Hebrews 6:10. Jesus is right now, preparing a place for those who serve Him – John 14:1-4. The day of judgment will be a day of great reward.

            2. We should examine our own hearts and our own motives. Luke 17:5-10. We do not serve God for the praise of men. God does not owe us any praise.

            3. We can encourage ourselves in the Lord. 1 Samuel 30:6. How? Prayer – 1 Samuel 30:8. Remembering God’s good deeds from the past. Sang psalms.

            4. Work to prevent the absence of encouragement. 1 Samuel 23:16. These were friends. No doubt Jonathan felt this way about David because David felt that way about Jonathan. Proverbs 18:24. We need a Jonathan in our lives. Christian friends are the best.

            5. We can invite encouragement by being encouragers. Galatians 6:7-8.

From Bill Bagents’ chapter “When Good Words Don’t Come” in the book Easing Life’s Hurts, written by Bagents and Jack Wilhelm.

WORTHLESS

July 25th, 2011 | By admin

by Katt Anderson

Last night, Sunday, the area congregations in Western Kentucky and Southern Illinois began an area wide gospel meeting. The speaker is Allan Webster and he is a marvelous speaker. There were 1,506 souls in attendance last night. Singing is a cappella, and that many voices were amazing. If you are in the area of Paducah, KY, come to the Carson Center Monday, July 25 and Tuesday, July 26 at 6:15 for a time of song, and at 7: p.m. for worship.

Last night Allan’s lesson was about worthlessness. As I listened, I thought about how worthless I felt as a teen. I am sure a lot of the teens today feel the same way. By reading the newspaper and listening to the news on television, it seems to be the same today. You can see the expressions on the faces of many teens and know this is true.

One thing to remember is that you are loved by God. He made you in his likeness. In Psalm 139:14-15, the psalmist says, “I will praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; Marvelous are your works, and that my soul know very well.” That gives me encouragement. (more…)

BLOOM ANYWAY

June 1st, 2011 | By admin

Our 54 year old cactus was a gift to my mother-in-law years before my husband was born. It came from Arizona when it was only a couple inches tall and now reaches to a height of seven feet and weighs upwards of 150 lbs.

That tough, old cactus with spines sharper than needles, has one of the most beautiful and fragrant flowers to bloom. However, one might never know considering it only does so in the dead of night. By sunrise, the blossom and stem have fallen to the ground.

There are several examples in the Bible of people who bloomed during the darkest circumstances. When faced with the annihilation of her people, and despite her fear, Esther took a critical risk ( Esther 5).

When thrown in the dungeon, Joseph remained faithful ( Genesis 41ff). In the belly of the whale, alone and terrified, Jonah prayed (Jonah 2). When confronted with an approaching storm, Noah worked ( Genesis 6:22).

When people doubted, Joshua and Caleb believed ( Numbers 14:6-9). In the agony of grief, Job worshiped ( Job 1:20). When others turned from God, Jeremiah proclaimed God’s greatness ( Jeremiah 7). When his death loomed near, the Son of God served ( John 13:5ff). In prison, Paul and Silas sang (Acts 16:25).

That Arizona cactus shouldn’t be blooming in my Western Kentucky backyard, but it does, almost every year. And just like it, I know children of God who shouldn’t be where they are today. However, due to their unyielding faith and deep love for their Savior, they refuse to let their circumstances define them.

Seek refuge in the Scriptures and know that others have been where you are. Be courageous, face your dark and trying times, and bloom anyway.

Paula Harrington worships with the Calvert City, KY Church of Christ. She is a columnist for Forthright.net and compiler of the books, A Sunday Afternoon with the Preachers’ Wives and  A Common Bond. Her work has appeared in Christian Woman magazine and the Christian Chronicle newspaper. A mother of five, she enjoys teaching children and speaking at ladies’ events. More of her material may be found at www.paulaharrington71.blogspot.com or www.forthright.net/encouraging_word (more…)