Wednesday Word

First I would like to say Happy Veteran's Day to all of you that served our country. You deserve all of our love and respect. 

Ephesians 6:11-17English Standard Version (ESV)

11 Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. 12 For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places.13 Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm. 14 Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, 15 and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace. 16 In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one; 17 and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God,

While we are not soldiers in the American military we are soldiers in the army of the Lord. My sisters, please make sure that you are fully covered with the armor from the Lord. Don't go out uncovered or the fiery darts of the enemy will bring you down. 

Have a restful day and live Blessed

Tuesday Tools

Good morning ladies,

I was introduced to this resource for those of you that are first time home buyers. Check out and see if you can save and have the home of your dreams.

https://www.naca.com/

Have an awesomeTuesday live blessed 

Monday Motivation

Good November morning, 
Wow, the holidays are right on us. I just want to motivate you to not procrastinate. I know, its hard but if you are honest there are many opportunities that you have missed because of procrastination. So as I was reading I came upon these 6 Things Guaranteed to Help You Stop Procrastinating by Jennifer Heeren, 

Action over feelings:  The ultimate answer is to all three of these reasons is not to go by how I feel. I may feel those feelings but I don’t have to and shouldn’t live by them. Waiting and procrastinating equals passive living. I’m waiting for some outside force to move me pass my fear and towards action. Taking action (even one small step) despite my feelings is the only real way to move forward.

Fear is not from God:  If I am feeling fearful, I can remember that God didn’t give me a spirit of fear or timidity. So, any fearful feelings shouldn’t be an excuse to not do something. God did however give me a spirit of power, love, and self-discipline and this gives me every reason to go ahead and try (2 Timothy 1:7).

Learn as I go:  If I’m feeling like I’m not ready, I need to remember that I’ll probably never feel like I’m ready. What I’m actually doing is trying to learn as much about my destination as I can before I take steps forward. It’s okay if I learn a little bit beforehand if it helps me to go forward. But I can’t get stuck in the learning stage. Most learning happens in the midst of doing anyway. By faith, Abraham obeyed when God called him to leave home and go to another land. He went without knowing where he was ultimately going (Hebrews 11:8). Trusting God and learning as I go is the best choice.

My life is a vapor:  If I’m feeling like there simply isn’t enough time to do such-in-such and I can do it later, I’m not remembering thattomorrow isn’t promised to anyone. Life speeds by fast and I don’t know how many tomorrows there will be. Even when tomorrows come, I don’t know what I’ll be dealing with then. I can only really see today (James 4:13-16). Therefore, I need to make the most of today and take as many action steps as possible (even if they’re little ones).

Give it a deadline:  If I want to get something done, the best way to do it is to give it a measurable deadline. I can’t usually find a lot of available time; I have to make myself do the thing. One of the best ways to make sure that I do that is to set a firm deadline. It also helps to tell someone else about my firm deadline because then I feel like I’d be disappointing someone besides me if I don’t get around to it.

Small steps are okay:  I also need to remember that a little each day adds up over time. I may not find hours to work on something but I can usually find twenty to thirty minutes if I try. And… thirty minutes per day is about thirty hours per month and that is a lot of time.

I also need to remember that it is sin to know what I ought to do and then not do it (James 4:17). And that is the definition of procrastination—to know and not do.

My sistah live blessed. 

Friday Findings

As the holidays roll around we need to make sure that we are being mindful of our family, friends and neighbors that might be experiencing difficulty in making ends meet. Below is a way that we can all contribute to causes that help our community. I am a  part of the Samaritan Community that is organizing these efforts and would love for you to be part of these efforts.

Many times as a family or smaller church we would like to contribute to a cause but don't think our small amounts matter. Well, this is a way to contribute to the whole. As a smaller church I can collect one particular item, say cranberry sauce, we collect 200 cans. We put a label on that says The Open Heart Church of Wichita would like to share with you and bless you during this thanksgiving season. I give them my address and service times. When they go to one of the locations below they receive a basket of goods that has labels on items from 15 different church that show them this was one a community effort and two that you now have options of where to worship. The same goes for a family (minus the address), the Big Heart Family would like for you to know that we are praying for you and your family during this holiday season. Now you have been a blessing  to many families and it did not cost you a lot.

If you have questions you can buzz me or Illa Kirkendoll at the bottom. Be a blessing and live blessed.


SHARING THANKSGIVING BLESSING
With Joy and Thanksgiving… 
Thanksgiving Dinners
Good ideas for Thanksgiving outreach
Congregations, groups, and caring people like to share blessings with neighbors in need. How can we reach those in greatest need – reach more families -- avoid duplicating – and let our neighbors know “we care”?
Let’s support the two best-known Thanksgiving Dinner providers: Depending on donations, Bread of Life will have turkeys for almost 2,000 families and United Methodist Open Door will give turkeys for around 2,400 families.  Let’s give what’s needed to go with the turkeys.
Most needed for family feasts, to supplement other items:
Chicken broth                                                    Marshmallows
Cranberry sauce (jellied or whole)                Dried French onions
Sweet potatoes/yams (canned or fresh)   Cream of mushroom soup
Don’t forget items to roast that turkey: pan, foil, cooking bag.
Checks are especially welcome.               Vegetables are already on hand.
Select one kind of item that your group will collect. How many can you gather in? How about a competition among your groups? Who can build the biggest stack for all to see? Add notes of blessings to give with food. 
Donations of food and funds needed at Bread of Life weekdays, 9 - noon before distribution to families on Nov. 21, at to 1301 E Galena, Wichita, 67216; 316-259-7281(Donna).
Donations of food delivery at United Methodist Open Door, 1611 N. Mosley, 9:00 – 12 noon, 1: 00 – 4:00 p.m. weekdays. Checks to United Methodist Open door, memo: Thanksgiving Donation,” mail: P.O. Box 2756, Wichita, KS 67201-2756; online:umopendoor.org. Turkey donations on Friday, November 20, for U.M. Open Door’s Turkey Drive.  Phone: 316-265-5852.
Partners for Wichita’s “Wichita Food Share” (area food assistance pantries & Kansas Food Bank) offers these ideas to help give Thanksgiving meals where most needed. Together we can make a difference.
For more info: Ila@partnersforwichita.org; 316-263-1389.

Wednesday word

As we move into the holiday season let's explore this idea of thanksgiving. 

A psalm. For giving grateful praise. 1Shout for joy to the Lord, all the earth. 2Worship the Lord with gladness; come before him with joyful songs. 3Know that the Lord Is God. It is he who made us, and we are his; we are his people, the sheep of his pasture. 4Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise; give thanks to him and praise his name. 5For the Lord Is good and his love endures forever; his faithfulness continues through all generations. 

When we really begin to think about how good God is and all that he has done for us, it should make you say thank you. The art of simply saying thank you has been lost among many of our youth of today. They feel entitled to the gifts/blessings they receive from their parents and transfer that to every aspect of their lives. If the simple act of saying thank you goes a long way with your friends and neighbors how much more does your Heavenly Father enjoy hearing it. Thank you.

Shout to the Lord, worship him with gladness, come before him with joyful songs. The great part is none of this requires perfection. I don't have to be in perfect pitch or even know the right words. No matter what I see I have KNOW that the Lord is good. Everything around might look dark but I know he's good. He is my shepherd and I am being guided by him. So often we use this scripture tell people to come into church with a praise on their lifts and I won't argue with that but I will ask us to explore a little deeper. I would as you to explore the idea that every door that you enter should be a place to give God thanks. If I am thankful I don't have time to be negative. I don't have time to talk about people if my mouth is filled with praise. 

Be thankful and live blessed

Tuesday tools

Today is election day in some cities. Are you registered to vote? I know that many of you get dismayed at presidential elections because you believe your vote doesn't count. I can give you that one even though that's not 100% truth. 

But if that is your belief then you should definitely be voting every other election. The link below, is only for ks, but I'm sure they jave the same thing in other states.  It always you to see what area you Live in so you know who you're voting for.

https://myvoteinfo.voteks.org/VoterView/HomeMobile.do

It is responsibility as a citizen to vote for the best interest of your community.  This is no Longer about party loyalty,  or neighbours and family members area being cut off of programs,  that are necessary,  for some of their survival.  Of you dont vote, you can't complain.

I'm out loves, but live blessed.

Monday Messsage

Psalms 27: 4-5
One thing I have desired of the Lord, That will I seek: That I may dwell in the house of the Lord All the days of my life, To behold the beauty of the Lord, And to inquire in His temple. 5  For in the time of trouble he shall hide me in His pavilion; In the secret place of His tabernacle he shall hide me; He shall set me high upon a rock.

Growing up we had a mother in my home church that would quote this scripture with such conviction until you knew this was truly the desire of her heart. She went to be with Lord at 98 years of wisdom. It was a blessing to see that all the way until the Lord called her she truly was in the house of the Lord praising God. In our present generation if it looks like it is going to rain people start blowing up our phone. But she set her mind to seek after the Lord. Not only was she at every church service but a very viable part of the morning prayer team. 

My sisters, we really need to look at this scripture and ask ourselves, What am I seeking after? Is it God, or money, or position; What am I seeking? Then I would ask you to get in a quiet place and let God show you. Because it is only when HE reveals our motives to us that we can truly see all that is in our hearts and minds. It is then that we can move into a place with him that we can begin to appreciate the beauty of the Lord. The more we see his beauty the more we inquire of him. The more we inquire the more we understand how he watches out for us and protects us in this crazy world. 

My sisters live blessed today.