Encouragement for a WEARY HEART

“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.
Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart,
and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light”
- Matthew 11:28-30

May 22, 2011. A supercell thunderstorm produced an EF-5 tornado over Joplin, Missouri. The sign above was from in front of the Joplin High School. When the tornado struck the J - L - I - N were blown off the sign. Days later someone expressed the sentiment of the town when they added a duct tape H and E. The new sign makes a statement about the attitude of the students and the community. They made a choice in a most difficult time. They chose HOPE!

Last night I was catching up with friends and family on Facebook and I happened to see a post from a friend that said she had lost her job. Another dear friend added to my prayer list of those without jobs. The list just keeps growing – and my heart goes out to them because it wasn’t all that long ago that I had also been on the same “list.” Life circumstances may be out of our control, but one thing is certain – we serve a mighty God who loves us and is IN CONTROL. Just like the person who changed the letters on the Joplin High School sign, we too can choose the way we react, the attitude we have and the source of our strength – even when times are difficult.

Today I would like to share some of my favorite words of HOPE, along with some awesome resources. It is my prayer that these words will offer encouragement and remind those with a “weary heart,” that they are not alone.

SHUT DOORS –– God will sometimes shut doors (even the ones we really want to walk through) in order to guide us in the right direction. We simply have to trust God. He has the power to open every door, and shut the ones we shouldn’t walk hrough. Proverbs 19:21 states: “Many are the plans in a person’s heart, but it is the Lord’s purpose that prevails.”       - Called Magazine  

PROVISION –– Your God will bring supernatural provision for the vision

He has given you. So have faith, and don't doubt! Do you believe He is

able to do it? Then, according to your faith it will be done (Matthew :27-29).

- Called Magazine

 “Don't worry about a thing just let
God's peace flow over you.”
- Philippians 4:7

No test or temptation that comes your way is beyond the course of what
others have had to face. All you need to remember is that God will never
let you down; he'll never let you be pushed past your limit; He'll always be
there to help you come through it."   - 1 Corinthians 10:13 (The Message)

 

"You need Me continually - not only for daily bread and blessings,

but also for the myriad of decisions you must make each day," - Dear Jesus

- from Jesus Calling, by Sarah Young

“A downpour of trials can be a force that destroys and washes

away hope, or it can become a tool God uses to bring healing new life.”

- Excerpt from Rain on Me: Devotions of Hope and Encouragement

for Difficult Times, by Holley Gerth

It’s Friday, Let’s Sparkle ... action required ... Look around and find someone that needs HOPE today.  Offer them a listening ear or an encouraging word.  The message below was posted on Facebookand is worth repeating ...

"Sometimes when I say "I'm okay," I want
someone to look me in the eyes, hug me
tight and say, "I know you are not!" 

What a powerful reminder that there are so many hurting people in our world today.  Let's be the hands & feet of Christ to a hurting world.... one person at a time.If you would like to post a prayer request in the comment section, please do so. While you are at it, why not say a prayer for someone else on the list.  Have a safe and relaxing weekend ... remember to find time to rest in His presence.

God’s Peace, Donna Weaver

RESOURCES:

CALLED Magazine helps Christian women serve better, lead better, and live better– no matter what they’re called to do. Ministry is not for a select few. It's for all of us!  http://calledmagazine.com/

Books by Holley Gerth and Sarah Young
Available at   www.amazon.com   or   www.christianbook.com

Scripture     http://www.biblegateway.com/

DaySpring Cards (REVIEW & GIVEAWAY)

“Encourage one another and build each other up.”

–1 Thessalonians 5:11 NIV

In his book entitled, Short Meditations on the Bible and PEANUTS, author Robert L. Short had this to say about his dear friend, Charles M. Schulz - Cartoonist and Creator of the PEANUTS comic strip...

“As far as I know, he was the first to include actual quotes from the Bible in a comic strip. And Schulz knows the Bible very well – as well as any lay person I know and better than a lot of ministers. The study in his home could be a minister’s study, with its shelves of biblical commentaries.”

Mr. Schulz always considered his work more than a job, it was his calling. He once said, “If you do not say anything in a cartoon, you might as well not draw it at all. Humor which does not say anything is worthless humor. So I contend that a cartoonist must be given a chance to do his own preaching."  In one single comic strip Schulz could give us an overview of a short parable or recap main points of a scripture verse. Take this example where Lucy, in her usual quizzical manner asks: “Why do you think we’re put here on earth, Charlie Brown?” Charlie Brown’s response was, “To make other’s happy.” Their interaction reminded me of the words found in Philemon 1:7, “Your love has given me great joy and encouragement, because you, brother, have refreshed the hearts of the Lord’s people.”

In an article from the San Francisco Chronicle entitled, Saying Goodbye, writer Pamela Podger said, “Peanuts' lively cast of characters -- with their tales of small woes, triumphs and resolve -- touched nerves and reached intimate spaces. Schulz often said all his fears, insecurities and experiences were reflected in those four boxes.”

Emotions such as fear, insecurity, pain, sadness, as well as triumphs, joy, and happiness are part of our everyday life.  Scripture tells us that in such times as these, we need to encourage one another (1 Thessalonians 5:11), and what better way to do just that than with a greeting card.  I don’t know about you but sometimes I struggle to find the perfect words to say.  Never fear, DaySpring has a card for any occasion, and any sentiment you may want to express.  They have even taken the mixture of Schulz’s comics and faith, and used it to create their new Peanuts – Encouragement & Friendship line.  
   

This assortment of ten premium greeting cards features inspiring messages, along with your favorite Peanuts characters.  I’ve already sent out several cards because as soon as I opened the package and read the messages, a list of special friends came to mind.  That happens to me a lot when I’m shopping for cards, especially when they are created by DaySpring.  So if you happen to be strolling down the card aisle of your favorite store and see someone in tears or laughing out loud, it’s either me or another “card lover.”  Give them a smile and a nod – they will understand!

Charles Schulz left us with a PEANUTS archive of nearly 20,000 comic strips ... his inspiration is endless. Other assortments in the DaySpring Peanuts line include: birthday, get well, thank-you, congratulations, all occasion assortment and holidays such as Valentine’s Day and Christmas. Check out the DaySpring website for the cards mentioned in this post or to view many of their other products.

As part of this product review I am hosting a GIVEAWAY ...

Want a chance to win a $20 credit to the DaySpring Online Store?

Leave a comment below and tell me why card writing matters to you.

Giveaway ends midnight MDT Thursday, January 19, 2012.

The winner’s name will be draw at random

and announced January 20th right here on this site.

Charles Schulz died on February 12, 2000. His comics encouraged us to encourage each other and laugh a lot. With the upcoming anniversary of his death, I would like to dedicate this product review to his memory.

God’s Peace, Donna Weaver

If you enjoyed this blog post, you might also enjoy my post entitled “It only takes a stamp.” http://peace2sparkle.blogspot.com/2011/02/it-only-takes-stamp.html

*Disclaimer: The product reviewed in this post was made available free by DaySpring in exchange for my honest opinion. My post will be part of their January (In)Spired Deals Review on the (In)Courage website. All comments stated are my own and no other compensation was provided *

Kidz Topic ... ENCOURAGEMENT

This is a new segment of my blog where I will be sharing a variety of thoughts, scripture verses, and “sparkle” ideas just for kids. Feel free to pass them on to your children, grandchildren, or any other young people that God has put in your life.

KIDZ ☮ PEACE ... The Bible tells us that we need to encourage one another and build each other up. It doesn’t matter whether you are a kid or an adult, everyone needs encouragement! How do you feel when your teacher tells you that you did a good job? What about when your parents cheer you on at a sports game? How about when your best friend says they are glad you are friends? Do you like it when you get an unexpected card or note in the mail? These are all examples of ways that people encourage each other.

1. Who are some of the people in your life that might need encouragement?

How about ... your brothers and sisters, mom & dad, grandparents, pastor, Sunday school teacher, neighbors, friends, teammates & coaches, teacher and others at school like the lunch room workers, janitors, office staff, principal.

2. What are some of the ways you could make a different in the lives of others, to encourage them and give them hope?

• Say “thank you” or “well done”
• Offer a hug, or a “high five”
• Show interest in something they are doing
• When someone is sad or hurt, ask how you can help
• Write a note and tell someone how much they mean to you
• Do something unexpected for someone
• Offer to lend a hand
• Tell people how they have encouraged you

3. What does God’s Word tell us?  When we go to God in prayer, He will help us find the right words to encourage others. And when we read our Bible we can find words that tell us how important it is to encourage each other. Check out these verses: 1 Thessalonians 5:11, Ecclesiastes 4:10,12, Proverbs 12:25, 1 John 3:18, Philippians 2:4

Paul and Timothy were friends in the Bible. Paul was much older than Timothy, and he was not only his friend, but a teacher and a mentor. Do you know what the word “mentor” means? A mentor is someone who cares about you – someone who is wise and trusted, and is willing to teach and encourage you. Paul wrote these encouraging words to Timothy, “Don’t let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith and in purity.” You can find them in your Bible, just look up – 1 Timothy 4:12.

Kidz Thought for the Week: "Kind words can be short and easy to speak but their echoes are truly endless."  - from Mother Teresa

Keeping you in my prayers.   'til next week.... be an encourager!
God's Peace, Donna