Over this past month we have been talking about the importance of leaving a legacy of service to our children. Today we have the privilege of reading the testimony of Kristin from Ponderings. In today's post she will be sharing her story of working with the homeless, and what a difference serving others in Jesus name really means. "The place God calls you to is the place where your deep gladness and the world's deep hunger meet." Fredrick Buchner I would have never thought it four years ago. . .before the birth of the Blanket Ministry. But now I look out over the bridge, especially underneath the bridge, where dirty mattresses lay, crushed cans, cigarette butts laying on the four foot slab of concrete, the only place to sit and lay. . .the graffiti on the walls, ... read more
Time With Jesus and a Link Up
Friends, my original post was going to be about teaching our children the importance of service, but I'm going to change paths, and instead talking about the importance of spending time with Jesus. Today at the doctor's office I received news that my cancer had returned to four spots on the bones. Three on my sternum and one on the upper part of my spine. Through all of this I still proclaim His goodness and glory. I know that He is in charge and He is Lord of all. It's times like these, the hard, gritty, in your face, wish you could turn around and run times, where true lessons are learned. Through all of this I want my children to see my walk with God grow closer than ever. I want them to know in their hearts that the most important way they can spend their time is with God. The ... read more
A Prayer and a Link Up
As we continue to focus on leaving a legacy of service for our children, we need to keep in mind that we also need to teach them that their actions can have a ripple effect that will last for generations. Even though they may not see the immediate results of their work, they need to know that what their doing makes a difference and that in the future their work will take root and blossom and mature. We as parents also need to keep this in mind as we train our children in the ways of the Lord. The following poem, describes this perfectly. Oscar Romero Prayer It helps, now and then, to step back and take the long view. The kingdom is not only beyond our efforts, it is beyond our vision. We accomplish in our lifetime only a tiny fraction of the magnificent enterprise that is God’s ... read more
A Legacy of Service – Part 2 and a Link Up
Please take a moment to click HERE to enter our "For Instructions in Righteousness Giveaway". It's a wonderful book that is a MUST HAVE for all parents. Last week we discussed a legacy of service inside the home. This week we will discuss a legacy of service within the community. One of the most important legacies I want my children to inherit from me is a legacy of service to others. Many years ago, God gave me a heart to help the poor and underprivileged. I spent 11 years of my life working as a social worker to help the homeless community. These individuals could easily be you or me, depending upon a change of circumstances within our lives.As I looked for a picture to go along with this post, I found the one above. My spirit breaks for people in this situation. The caption below this ... read more
A Legacy of Service and a Link Up
One of the most valuable characteristics we can pass down to our children is a legacy of service. The way children are going to learn how to serve is by the example that we set for them. Having our hearts right with the Lord and following the instructions in God's word is the best place to start."If therefore there is any encouragement in Christ, if there is any consolation of love, if there is any fellowship of the Spirit, if any affection and compassion, make my joy complete by being of the same mind, maintaining the same love, united in spirit, intent on one purpose. Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind let each of you regard one another as more important than himself; do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests ... read more
Unknown Legacies in Hidden Treasures and a Link Up
This is one of my favorite pictures. The man to the far left was my Daddy. This was taken with his fellow soldiers, while they were in Germany after World War II. I love looking at the details in black and white pictures. It's as if you can look into their eyes and travel back in time to where they were, and know their every thought, and feel their joys and hardships. I wish I would have taken more time to ask my Dad about this picture when he was still alive. I would have liked to known the full story behind it. When I was spending time at my Mom's this week, I found more hidden treasures from days gone by. My Dad's dog tags, as well as a pocket watch.To me, these items are more than just things. There is a story behind them. I would have liked to known who held that watch in his hands. ... read more
Footprints of Hope
Please join me in welcoming July's featured blogger, Eileen. I have never met Eileen, but I consider her a dear friend. She has a way of taking words and stringing them into beautiful pieces of art that touch the soul. She makes you laugh with her wit, and draws you closer to God with her heart for the Lord. Please take a moment to visit her at her blogging home, The Scenic Route. You'll be so glad you did! It's interesting to me how the longer we live without a loved one in our life the more precious the memories become to us. My mom passed away when I was 18 after a five-year battle with breast cancer. Since that time, the memories I have of who she was and how she lived her life continue to shape and impact my life today.Almost a year after my mom's death, I remember how I ... read more
I Want a Do Over and a Link Up
Photo Credit The pout started to form across her quivering lips and tears began to swell in her eyes as she cried out "I want a do over! This ride just wasn't long enough! It's not fair!" The blue eyed, blond haired, little girl wanted her own way, and she wanted it NOW.Fast forward almost forty years, the now grown woman paces back and forth on the carpeted floors of her living room floor. The hour is late, the clock strikes midnight, and the sound of the grandfather clock reverberates across the house where most have gone to sleep. To continue with the rest of the story please join me at Denis in Bloom, where I have the privilege of guest posting at her wonderful blog today. Now it's time for a link up party ! The purpose of Leaving A Legacy is three fold. It's mission is to ... read more
Walking in Your Footsteps and a Link Up
They're following in your footsteps.. Walking right where you've gone... Do you want them to go where you've been? Will you be proud if they see the things you've seen? Think about your actions.... Think about your words..... They will model everything you do... Put Jesus first in your life.... Walk in His ways... Lead them towards the Son. Now it's time for a link up party ! The purpose of Leaving A Legacy is three fold. It's mission is to challenge it's readers to work on leaving Godly legacies for their children, to be a place of encouragement for its readers, as well as sharing my journey as a cancer survivor. You can link up your posts that deal with leaving a legacy and ones that offer encouragement to the community.This link up will be happening every Thursday at Leaving ... read more
A Cord of Three Strands
"Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken." Ecclesiastes 4:12As I begin to count the things I am thankful for this week, God has placed one thing on my heart that I am especially grateful for, my husband. He is my best friend, my biggest fan, my supporter when I don't think I am able to go on, a shoulder to cry on, my partner to laugh with, the keeper of my dreams, the love of my life. There is nothing I would want to do to hurt my relationship with my husband.Friends be on the lookout for things that can slowly erode away at the relationship with your mate. Society puts so many things in our way that can turn our hearts away from what really matters. They may seem as if they are little things, like they are no big deal. But ... read more