SAY WHAT!!!

Alright, this one is kind of scary, but one of the most amazing things I think has ever happened to me. Anyways, I was working Thursday. I wasn't having a very good day, so I was kind of looking forward to closing. But five minutes to closing, two big groups of people came in (grr). So instead of sweeping and getting ready to close up, I was back in the kitchen doing dishes. So here I am, totally ticked off, and totally angry at the world. I mean, really angry. That's when a voice, clear as day, and louder than my own thoughts, yelled at me, in the back of my head, and said, "WHY ARE YOU BEING SO NEGATIVE!" That one sent chills down my spine. It was like God had just hit me over the head with the frying pan I was washing. But in that moment, it made me stop (I mean, it literally made me freeze right where I was) and think. That's when I realized that I had so much to be thankful for! And I was sitting there pouting? I had to take a moment to thank God, and apologize. Immediately after that (literally), my day brightened up. I realized how great the day was actually going. By the end of Thursday, I was amazed at how great my day was. I had to thank God again. So I wanted to say, no mater how bad it seems your day is going today, look for the little blessings, and maybe you'll see that they were the big ones. God Bess!
- Taylor*

A Little Bit More Than Smoldering

             My sister and I couldn’t be more opposite when it comes to weather. She loves it cold, and I love it hot. So it would be no surprise that while Casey and Connor were out playing in the snow, I was sitting next to a nice comfy fire… O yes, just me, my fuzzy slippers, a book, in a comfy chair, next to a nice roaring fire.
             Now starting a fire isn’t easy (that’s why we let our dad do it). So once Poppa has it started, we have to keep it going. Periodically throwing a log on it, or fetching firewood from outside (in the nasty cold). If you neglect it, it begins to smolder, die out, and get cold.
             Now here’s my question: What fire are you feeding on the inside? Are you feeding hatred, bitterness, or selfishness? Or do you feed love, forgiveness, kindness? How much time do you take to read God’s word, or pray to Him? It all comes back down to the heart issue. When you read the Bible, you're feeding that fire in your heart. When you neglect your fire, well, it smolders and begins to die. Thankfully God doesn't forget us even when we forget Him, and it just takes one step to get back to Him. I like to think of Him as the one who starts the fire and helps us keep it going. God could have made us like robots, but he didn't! It's our choice to worship Him or not. In other words, we have to step aside (take the time) to let Him throw the log on it. Lets pray that our heavenly Poppa keeps our fire alive! Lets stay in His word, and keep praying.

- Taylor*
               Ephesians 5:13-20 But everything exposed by the light becomes visible, for it is light that makes everything visible. This is why it is said: "Wake up, O sleeper, rise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you." Be very careful, then, how you live - not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord's will is. Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead be filled with the spirit. Speak to one another with psalms, hymns and spiritual songs. Sing and make music in your heart to the Lord, always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.