A Christmas Miracle to Encourage You

Today Larry was running errands. He stopped at Gander Mountain to have the scope on his cross-bow sighted in. As he was leaving the store, a young lady approached him and asked if he would help her to raise the hood of her car as her car would not start. Of course Larry couldn't just raise the hood of the car and not help with whatever might be the problem under the hood. It seems that her battery was not fully engaged with the cables, and with a little jingle, jangle Larry has the battery connected and the car running like new.

During the course of his conversation with the young lady, he asked her if she was from Columbus. She said that she was, but that her parents had just moved to Kentucky last week, and this was the first time she'd had to handle car problems on her own (save your commentary about safety issues, this is a story about miracles you know). Larry asked her where her parents had moved to in Kentucky. She said she would tell him the town, but that he probably had never heard of it. Grayson, she said, Grayson, Kentucky. Larry told her that indeed he did know this small town and promptly asked her is her parents had moved there to teach at the college located there. To her surprise she said yes, they had taken jobs at Kentucky Christian University and would begin teaching there the first week of January. Larry said that he knew the college well, since it was the college that our daughter had graduated from!

Here's the miracle part: When her car broke down, the young lady had prayed for someone to help her, hoping they somehow might have a connection to her or her family! Call it a coincidence, call it six-degrees removed, call it whatever you like, but I prefer to call it a Christmas Miracle!

- author, Cindy Daniels

Encouraging Decorations???

Have you decorated your house or church building for Christmas yet? Is this the year, you promised yourself you'd buy a pre-lit tree so that you wouldn't have to untangle all of those pesky little stands of lights? And now, there are LED lights for a "green" Christmas (for those of you who love all things about Christmas lights, click here.)

Where do you stop unloading boxes of decor? Is this enough decoration, or should I add a little more? Should I buy more? Newer, prettier? Artificial or organic? Should I give away some of the stuff I've had for years so I won't feel so guilty when I buy more? Oh my goodness - Stop the Christmas madness!

Why do we go to all of the fuss and muss? Is it for us? Our neighbors? Maybe our friends? No, I've got it, it's all for the little people in our lives! We drum up excuse after excuse, and we wear ourselves out physically, and sometimes spiritually, trying to "do the season right." I know, I've been there!

Every year I have a theme for my mantle. I've had some pretty crazy themes through the years, A Crystal Christmas, Our Town, Babes in Toyland, Simple but Elegant, All Things Greeen, A Christmas Village, etc., etc., etc. I was having a hard time this year deciding on a theme for my mantle. Maybe it's because each year I'm more prone to do less decorating.

So tonight as I put a few simple decorations on my mantle, this years' theme came to me, Back to the Basics. When you look at a portion of my mantle, I hope that you'll be struck as I was that the central focus of Christmas is really all about celebrating the birth of Christ. Anything more is just icing on His birthday cake! Joy to the world the Lord is come!

- author Cindy Daniels

Send some pictures of your Christmas decorations, especially your mantles. It will be fun to share with others their Christmas traditions.

Encouraging Friendships

My goodness, time buzzes by when you're living life! Hope you all had a great Thanksgiving. we sure did! Here are some pictures of our Trash Can turkey and the Master Chef. Don't knock it if you've never eaten it!
I've been thinking a lot lately about the holidays. Doesn't it seems like this is the time of the year when we reflect most on our lives and the past year? I know I cry a little more when I'm watching movie classics like "Christmas Shoes" and "It's a Wonderful Life". I reminisce as I trim the Christmas tree, remembering the year I received certain precious ornaments, as I lovingly place them on our tree. And, I feel the urgency to send just the right card to those who've touched our lives in some special way this past year.

We run ourselves crazy trying to find just the right gift (isn't shopping on line great? For those of you who haven't ventured there yet, it's really not so hard, and a lot easier on the feet!) We bake cookies (for the first time all year), we string tangled lights, we visit in the homes of those we've not visited with all year...

Last year, we decided to break the madding cycle of "doing it all in December". We decided to spread our hospitality throughout the year. With so many new families coming into our church, neighborhood and work these days, we thought we would begin opening our home before the holidays. We invited people over for brunch, went out for pizza, shared an auction experience, barbecued hot dogs and even cooked "Trash Can" Turkey, all the while getting to know folks we didn't know very well. But, you know what, now we know them a lot better. Why, because we invited them to our home so we could spend time with them.

We've hear it over and over again - what's the most important gift we can give to others? Well, it really is time. And, at this busy "time" of the year, maybe we can shop a little less, buy our Christmas cookies, instead of baking all of them, and become a minimalist when it comes to holiday decorations. In doing so, I believe you'll gain a lot more holiday spirit. You might even encourage some one's Christian walk by spending your time on them.

Try spreading out the time you spend with others - don't stop with December. Begin now scheduling time in January to meet with friends, or folks you don't know very well. There's no better way to get to know someone than to have them into your home. For those of you who want to spruce up your home before you begin to invite others over - forget it! Your house will never, ever look like HGTV!

And, when you reflect on 2009 at this time next year, you'll be glad you invested in people and not things!

- author, Cindy Daniels

The Encouragement of Prayer

This journey called prayer is a never ending one. It's filled with high places and low places, mountains and valleys. It's a road often vibrant with color and dimly lit with the dawn of a new day. It's a journey covered with streaming tears or hilarious laughter. But, it's a journey worth taking!

If you've been messin' around with your prayer life, let me encourage you to kick it up a notch. For those of you who begin praying and find there isn't enough to pray about, just look around! Who are the people you interface with on a daily basis - coworkers, sales people, teachers, even the mailman. What neighborhoods do you drive through on your way each day? What things touch your heart as you surf the net or remote the TV? And, perhaps most importantly, praying for your brothers and sisters in the church!

God made you the way he has, and placed you where he's placed you so that you can get plugged into the world at your fingertips. Sorry, but the excuse that you don't know who or what to pray for doesn't fly with me today.

Today we have many things to be praying for. I've listed a couple of blogs at the right of this screen to introduce you to two families I'm aware of who are going through tough times. Is there a story or a blog you'd like to share? Send me a note, I'll be glad to post them here.

Jeremiah 33:3 - "Call to me and I will answer you, and show you great and mighty things, which you do not know."

Call on Him, you might just find yourself traveling a new adventure!

- author, Cindy Daniels

Ultimate Encouragement: I Will Answer You!

There's lots of "pieces" on the internet these days - we receive hundreds of emails with jokes and stories each year, many of them repeats from the years before. Even though I've seen this one before, I thought it appropriate to share since so many are crying out to God for the things they need. Maybe you have a house that's being foreclosed on, or maybe you need enough money to fill your gas tank so you can get to work. Either way, God is the God of miracles. All we need to do is reach out to Him - He's just a prayer away!

Enjoy this story written by a doctor who worked in South Africa,

Cindy D.

"One night I had worked hard to help a mother in the labor ward; but in spite of all we could do, she died, leaving us with a tiny, premature baby and a crying two-year-old daughter. We would have difficulty keeping the baby alive; as we had no incubator (we had no electricity to run an incubator). We also had no special feeding facilities. Although we lived on the equator, nights were often chilly with treacherous drafts.

One student midwife went for the box we had for such babies and the cotton wool that the baby would be wrapped in. Another went to stoke up the fire and fill a hot water bottle. She came back shortly in distress to tell me that in filling the bottle, it had burst (rubber perishes easily in tropical climates). "And it is our last hot water bottle!" she exclaimed. As in the West, it is no good crying over spilled milk, so in Central Africa it might be considered no good crying over burst water bottles. They do not grow on trees, and there are no drugstores down forest pathways.

"All right," I said, "put the baby as near the fire as you safely can, and sleep between the baby and the door to keep it free from drafts Your job is to keep the baby warm."

The following noon, as I did most days, I went to have prayers with any of the orphanage children who chose to gather with me. I gave the youngsters various suggestions of things to pray about and told them about the tiny baby. I explained our problem about keeping the baby warm enough, mentioning the hot water bottle, and that the baby could so easily die if it got chills. I also told them of the two-year-old sister, crying because her mother had died. During prayer time, one ten-year-old girl , Ruth, prayed with the usual blunt conciseness of our African children. 'Please, God' she prayed, 'Send us a hot water bottle today. It'll be no good tomorrow, God, as the baby will be dead, so please send it this afternoon.' While I gasped inwardly at the audacity of the prayer, she added, 'And while You are about it, would You please send a dolly for the little girl so she'll know You really love her?'

As often with children's prayers, I was put on the spot. Could I honestly say 'Amen?' I just did not believe that God could do this. Oh, yes, I know that He can do everything; the Bible says so. But there are limits, aren't there? The only way God could answer this particular prayer would be by sending me a parcel from the homeland. I had been in Africa for almost four years at that time, and I had never, ever, received a parcel from home. Anyway, if anyone did send me a parcel, who would put in a hot water bottle? I lived on the equator!

Halfway through the afternoon, while I was teaching in the nurses' training school, a message was sent that there was a car at my front door. By the time I reached home, the car had gone, but there on the verandah was a large 22-pound parcel. I felt tears pricking my eyes. I could not open the parcel alone, so I sent for the orphanage children. Together we pulled off the string, carefully undoing each knot. We folded the paper, taking care not to tear it unduly Excitement was mounting. Some thirty or forty pairs of eyes were focused on the large cardboard box. From the top, I lifted out brightly-colored, knitted jerseys. Eyes sparkled as I gave them out. Then there were the knitted bandages for the leprosy patien ts, and the children looked a little bored.. Then came a box of mixed raisins and sultanas - that would make a batch of buns for the weekend.

Then, as I put my hand in again, I felt the.....could it really be? I grasped it and pulled it out. Yes, a brand new, rubber hot water bottle. I cried. I had not asked God to send it; I had not truly believed that He could. Ruth was in the front row of the children. She rushed forward, crying out, 'If God has sent the bottle, He must have sent the dolly, too!' Rummaging down to the bottom of the box, she pulled out the small, beautifully-dressed dolly. Her ey es shone! She had never doubted! Looking up at me, she asked, 'Can I go over with you and give this dolly to that little girl, so she'll know that Jesus really loves her?' 'Of course,' I replied!

That parcel had been on the way for five whole months, packed up by my former Sunday school class, whose leader had heard and obeyed God's prompting to send a hot water bottle, even to the equator.' And one of the girls had put in a dolly for an African child - five months before, in answer to the believing prayer of a ten-year-old to bring it that afternoon."

'Before they call, I will answer.' (Isaiah 65:24)

- contributed by, Andrea Green

Riding the Roller Coaster Called Encouragement

Dear Friend in Christ -

What brings tears to your eyes? What makes your heart sing? What makes you laugh hysterically or weep uncontrollably? There are things in all of our lives that take us on the 'roller coaster of emotions ride', aren't there? I'm so glad that I'm finally mature enough to realize that life isn't going to be as I planned it today, or want it to be, but it will be as my Heavenly Father planned it in His great wisdom!

There's a contemporary song entitled You Give and Take Away, written by Matt Redman, inspired by Job 1:21, "And Job said, "Naked I came from my mother's womb, And naked shall I return there. The Lord gave, and the Lord has taken away; Blessed be the name of the Lord." Here are the words of the song:

You Give and Take Away by Matt Redman
“Blessed be your name
When the sun’s shining down on me
When the world’s all as it should be
Blessed be your name
Blessed be your name
On the road marked with suffering
Though there’s pain in the offering
Blessed be your name

You give and take away
You give and take away
My heart will choose to say
Lord, Blessed be your name.”

Everyday we encounter people in our church, neighborhoods, schools and workplaces who are constantly getting on and off the roller coaster of emotions. Sometimes we get on as they are leaving the ride; sometimes we find ourselves sitting next to them, sharing in the same seat of laughter or pain; sometimes they get on the ride just as we've finished ours.

Do you think about those around you who might be experiencing great pain or great joy, or are you currently stuck in the "Valley of Me?" Ask yourself this question, "Where would you be if no one had ever encouraged you on or off of the roller coaster of life, or held your hand when you thought you couldn't take the ride one more time?"

Today my daughter made me aware of a young boy and girl who are riding the roller coaster of sickness and pain - not only them, but their family as well. Their parents have asked Christians everywhere to join them as they sit beside their children in the seat of cancer, praying for a miracle. You will find their story @ http://tammynischan.blogspot.com/2008/08/jericho-march-for-nick-and-natalie.html

Their Jericho march begins Monday, August 18. The concept may sound unusual or even corny at first, I know it did to me, but as I looked deeper and deeper into the idea of such a march, I became aware of things in my own life and family that would benefit greatly from such a focused time of prayer and concentration on God's Word.

As I think about Nick and Natalie's struggle, I'm reminded of a song our kids sang during vacation Bible school this year, called, You Never Let Go:

You Never Let Go by Matt Redman
Even though I walk through the valley
Of the shadow of death,
Your perfect love is casting out fear.
And even when I´m caught in the middle
Of the storms of this life,
I won´t turn back;
I know You are near.

And I will fear no evil,
For my God is with me.
And if my God is with me,
Whom then shall I fear?
Whom then shall I fear?

O no, You never let go,
Through the calm and through the storm
O no, You never let go,
In every high and every low
O no, You never let go,
Lord You never let go of me.

And I can see a light that is coming
for the heart that holds on
A glorious light beyond all compare.
And there will be an end to these troubles,
But until that day comes,
We´ll live to know

You here on the earth.
Yes, I can see a light that is coming
For the heart that holds on,
And there will be an end To these troubles,
But until that day comes,
Still I will praise You,
Still I will praise You. "

In closing, I turned back to the last verse of Job chapter one, which reads: "In all of this, Job did not sin nor charge God with wrong." I'm not really sure what the plot is to all of my ramblings, the scriptures or songs I've chosen to include here, only God, the Son and the Holy Spirit knows who these words are meant for. God is the giver and taker of life. He is the Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end. He gives us grace for our days and strength for our nights. I guess what I'm really trying to say is, "Isn't it time we believe what He says and let him have his way in our lives even if it means riding a roller coaster of emotions today?"

- author, Cindy Daniels

An Encouraging Memory Verse

For God so loved the world that he gave his only son that whoever believes in him will not perish, but have everlasting life - John 3:16.

We learned it as children, some of us learned it as adults, but is it more than a memory verse to you? What does it mean to you when you hear this verse. Are you encouraged? Are you encouraged enough to share this wonderful news with those around you? Let's look at the verse in a little more detail:

For God so loved...God loves me, he loves me so much, he's engaged in all that I do, he cares about my every footstep!

the world...all of it and everyone in it, not just you and me, but others all around the globe.

that he gave...God loves to give good gifts, especially to His children. What good gifts have you received from the Father recently?

his only son...some translations use the word begotten. Do you love your children enough to give them up to a sinful world? God did!

that whoever believes in Him (God's son)...that's all I need to do? But, it seems so simple - where's the catch?

will not perish (die)...think about it, you will never die, but live forever with the Father who gave his most precious gift.

but have everlasting life...I want to live forever, don't you? Can you imagine having all the time you want to sit with your brothers and sisters in Christ and never have to leave their presence until you've literally run out of conversation? Can you imagine praising Jesus at his feet for a thousand years and then another thousand years?!

And, what about the people in your house? The children in your classroom? Your co-workers - Don't you want the same for them?

- author, Cindy Daniels

What has this verse meant to you? Tell us your story.

Hailstone Sized Encouragement

Some people say that God is their co-pilot, Joshua's bumper sticker might say "God is my sniper."

Ever feel like you’re being attacked from all sides? Like the world is against you, or that you are being targeted by overwhelming forces? Ever notice that the devil waits until you have worked all day, and are exhausted before he attacks? That’s what the Gibeonites felt like in Joshua 10:1-15.

The Gibeonites had made peace with Israel, and the Amorites were not happy about it. So instead of attacking Israel, they attacked the Gibeonites. Isn’t that how it is sometimes, people are afraid to attack God directly, so they attack you instead—because you’re weaker? These verses in Joshua, record how the Israelites—led by Joshua—and the five kings of the Amorites and their armies go into battle.

It was an emergency situation, and the Gibeonites had sent word to Joshua that they were being attacked by the Amorites. Joshua and his army marched all night long, and after marching all night long they had to begin the battle. But the Lord had told Joshua that “I have given them into your hand. Not one of them will be able to withstand you.” Then the Lord helped Joshua’s army by throwing the enemy army into confusion, and hurling large hailstones down on them from the sky!

Can you imagine what it would be like to have God as your sniper? To be in the midst of battle, back to back and elbow to elbow with your brother soldiers, all the while large hail stones are whizzing by your head and killing the enemy right in front of you!
Between the confusion and the hailstones, Israel had the Amorite armies on the run. Joshua chapter 10, verse 11 says “As they fled before Israel on the road down from Beth Horon to Azekah, the Lord hurled large hailstones down on them from the sky, and more of them died from the hailstones than were killed by the swords of the Israelites.” And boy is God a good shot! Joshua 10:15 says that “Joshua returned with all Israel to the camp at Gilgal.” God’s aim was so good that none of the Israelite soldiers were killed by hail – only the enemy soldiers.

God cares about us just as much. When I feel like I’m being attacked on every side, or that life is being especially unfair, I remember that God’s aim is just as good today as it was in Joshua’s day. I can move confidently through my battles because I know that no matter how much hail I hear whizzing by my head, it is the sound of God at my defense.

Know what else is amazing about this event? Joshua was around 80 years old at the time.

- author, Leanne Sanderson

Share with us a time when God went to battle for you.

Five A.M. Encouragement

Yes, brother, let me have joy from you in the Lord; refresh my heart in the Lord. Having confidence in your obedience, I write you, knowing that you will do even more than I say. But, meanwhile, also prepare a guest room for me, for I trust that through your prayers I shall be granted to you. - Philemon vs. 20-22 (Paul's encourages Philemon to obedience)

Almost 20 years ago I met a preacher's wife at a women's conference I attended. At the time we met, she and her husband were going through a tough time with the church Jim was ministering to. I made a pledge to Margaret that for the next year I would be available as a sounding board as they worked through the problems in their church. I promised to answer her emails with a return email. I remembered her birthdays and other special occasions. I called her from time to time to chat and make sure she was doing okay. Our friendship did not stop after that first year.

This weekend was supposed to be filled with chores such as catching up on laundry and getting the house in order. This Thursday we're heading south on a short vacation, to visit friends and attend a wedding. Instead it became yet another opportunity for us to open our home (we had two sets of guests last week.) At 7:30 a.m. Saturday morning our phone rang - it was Margaret. Her brother has passed away in Missouri, and she needed to take an early plane out of Columbus on Sunday morning. She wanted to know if she could spend the night with us.

Have you ever noticed that encouraging others doesn't always come in a neat little package, tied up with a shiny bow? Instead our opportunities to encourage sometimes come at inopportune moments, or when we just don't feel like encouraging! But, I've found that these are God's little nudges to remind us that others have refreshed our faith and spirit along the way. Others have often sacrificed time and money to keep our faith in Christ strong.

Five a.m. came early this morning. Margaret is now on the plane heading to Missouri. From beginning to end, she was here less than 12 hours. Will God give me back the time I lost (or thought I lost) doing the things still on my agenda? Absoultely! He's already given it back to me this morning, with a beautiful sunrise that I would have missed had I still been in bed. The cool of the morning that is currently drifting through my patio door has deposted a sparkling "dew on the roses." As I sit here writing this, the birds sing their happy tunes, and all is well with my world! And, my laundry? It'll get done before we leave Thursday...

- author, Cindy Daniels

Do you have a special place in your home where guests can stay on a moments notice? It could be a guest room, a futon, a pull out couch or a sleeping bag! Tell me a story of when you opened your home but hadn't planned to.

Encourage Me, a book by Chuck Swindoll

Today, I'd like to spotlight Chuck Swindoll's book, Encourage Me, Caring Words for Heavy Hearts. This book was my inspiration for beginning an encouragement ministry over fifteen years ago. It's a great book to have on your bookshelf, because no matter when you pick it up, it's as fresh as the day you bought it. I believe that's because Chuck uses God's word and His concepts to refresh us. I've included excerpts from an internet promotional of Chuck's book. I could not have summarized his book any better. Feeling discouraged? Know someone who's discouraged? Here's a great book - I guarantee its words will begin the healing process you and others so desperately seek.

"Are you discouraged? Do your shoulders ache with the weight of carrying your problems alone? Do you wish you could find someone who understands, someone who won't condemn you for your failures or ridicule you for your mistakes? Let Chuck Swindoll put a friendly arm around your shoulders and show you how the burdens can be lifted from your heart. Encourage Me offers tender insight into the needs of the human heart and how God wants to meet those needs through the gift of encouragement. Swindoll says, "Encouragement is awesome. Think about it: It has the capacity to lift a man's or a woman's shoulders. To breathe fresh air into the fading embers of a smoldering dream. To actually change the course of another human being's day . . . or week . . . or life." This classic devotional is a treasury of thoughts on finding the encouragement you need -- and learning to share that encouragement with others."

- author, Cindy Daniels

What do you read when you're feeling discouraged?

The Encouragement of a Friend

Some days are just plain hard. Your day starts with a missed wake-up alarm, because your electric went out during the midnight storm; a traffic jam slows traffic on the highway to work; you miss an important deadline. Or, maybe a child gets sick at the worst possible moment and keeps you home from something you'd been looking forward to. Then, there are the days when we hear the worst possible news: cancer, death, unemployment, foreclosure.

No matter what kind of day you are having today, there is hope. Proverbs 18:24 tells us "a man who has friends must himself be friendly, but there is a friend that sticks closer than a brother. " Do you have such a friend? Someone you can call even in the middle of the night? There are many I can call in my church or community that will respond quickly to my need. If you don't have such a friend, you'll want to reach outside of your comfort zone to develop new relationships. Be the kind of friend you want others to be and you'll soon discover you're never without a friend. And, don't be afraid to make friends of all ages, races and career levels - it will give you a much broader outlook.

For the ultimate friendship, turn to John 15:13. This passage tells us "Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends." Jesus is that kind of friend! He knows when we are having a bad day or a good day. He knows when your family is going through hard times. And, most of all He layed down his life for us. Nothing we do deserves the gift of His precious life. We cannot repay Him for the free gift of salvation any more than you can pay back a friend for a gift they have given to you.

Joseph Scriven, an Irishman wrote the hymn "What a Friend We Have in Jesus" The words are as follows:

What a friend we have in Jesus,
All our sins and griefs to bear!
What a privilege to carry
Everything to God in prayer!

So, next time you're having a bad day, call on Jesus. His cell phone is never busy, He's available 24/7, His services cost nothing, and well, the gifts He gives us are priceless!

- author, Cindy Daniels

What traits or qualities do you look for in a friend?

Encouraging the Children in Our Lives

It's that time of the summer when our church holds their week of Vacation Bible School. It's the time of year when we get the chance to spiritually influence our kids every day for an entire week. It's a time of fond memories for me - cookies and Koolaid; silly songs and games; scissors, paint and glue; Bible stories; and of course loving, caring teachers who made a difference in my spiritual walk.

VBS teachers take care of your child's spiritual needs for one week, and perhaps a family vacation in natural surroundings takes care of teaching our children about God's creation for a second week. But, what are your plans for teaching God and Jesus and the Holy Spirit to your children the other 50 weeks of the year?

Cheri Fuller in her book The Fragrance of Kindness gives us some creative ways to encourage our children with words:

• Tuck notes of encouragement and relevant scripture in lunch bags
• Write a love letter to your child and push it under their door.
• Write an "I'm sorry I lost my cool" note, decorate it with stickers and colored markers.
• Show up at a sporting event, school play, or other important day in your child's life and say, "I'm proud of you!"
• Pray with your child when they struggle with direction in his/her life.

The Bible give us clear direction on speaking important and timely words to your children in Deuteronomy 6:6-9:

"And these words which I command you today shall be in your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, when you walk by the way, when you lie down, and when you rise up...You shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates"

- author, Cindy Daniels

What are some ways you plan to spirtually encourage the children in your life?

What Are You In Fact Doing to Encourage?

I Thessalonians 5:11 states, "Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing." Verse 12 goes on to say, "Now we ask you, brothers, to respect those who work hard among you, who are over you in the Lord and who admonish you."

Our spiritual leaders, elders, deacons, pastors, and teachers, many times have a tough go of it. They're instructed in Thessalonians to maintain a positive spirit and always be praying while warning the unruly, comforting those who are weak, and encouraging the timid (verses 14-18) in all of life's circumstances!

I don't know about you, but just reading the responsibilities our leaders are expected by God to carry out, gives me a whole new appreciation for the position of spiritual leader! Which brings me to my next point - when was the last time you encouraged someone who has spiritually influenced your life or the life of your church? I'm afraid we've become a generation of people who expect our leaders to do all of the work while we continue to sit back and criticize what we think they should be doing. The scriptures tell us in various passages that we are all ministers and teachers, not just those elected by the church.

No wonder our leaders often get weary in serving us! No wonder they don't do all of the things we think they should do! What in fact are you doing to encourage them? May I offer a few suggestions?

• Pray for them, their families and the people they serve, praying that they will remain strong and courageous in the Lord
• Give them a hug and tell them personally how much you appreciate their service
• Invite them and their families to dinner, a cookout or outing your family is going on
• Talk directly to them when you have a concern or disagree with a policy or program, don't speak unkindly about them - this is their number one discouragement
• Walk beside them - go with them when they visit new members or the sick
• Offer to teach a class, babysit in the nursery, go on a mission trip, or finacially back a camper or youth program

Make it a point this week to encourage a spiritual leader. You'll be glad you did!

- author, Cindy Daniels

What are some other ways we can encourage our spiritual leaders?

Encouragement Comes in Threes

This past week I had the joyous opportunity to spend time with all three of my granddaughters. All are under the age of three, and quite active! What a joy it was for me to play and talk and walk with them as they discover so much newness in God's world.

As I watch them and study their developing personalities, it's clear that all three are distinctly different in the way they approach life. They are also distinctly different in the way they encourage. Yes, I said encourage. (It seems I never noticed it at this age in my own children, but they say that grandparents are much more perceptive in the second round of child-rearing - I sure hope "they" are right!)

Here's a quick overview of the way my granddaughters encouraged me this week. Miss A. is all smiles. When you walk into the room, she flashes the cutest, cuddliest smile in your direction. Miss B. wants to engage in activities that are important to the person she's spending time with. And Miss C. looks you right in the eye, reads your mood, and then lovingly pats you on the shoulder or face.

So, what's the point of all this talk about my granddaughters (I know, you thought I'd never get on with it!) I believe the point is that God has gifted each one of us with a personality that is distinct to the way we encourage. Some of us are great at hospitality, while others are wonderful at picking up the tab for a dinner out. Some of us have great penmanship and love to write letters. For others of us, it's a chore to pick up a card, sign our name, stamp it, and get it to the mailbox! Others have the gift of mercy and compassion, and often visit those in the hospitals or nursing homes. Others have the gift of gab and love to pick up the phone and check in with those in their circle of friends. Still others are great at hugs and pats on the back, and spending time with friends engaging in activities they love.

The apostle Paul understood that all of us are different. In Ephesians 4:11-13 he writes: And He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers, for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ, till we all come to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a perfect man, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ;

I guess I told you my story and shared Paul's words to point out that each of you is gifted in the way you encourage. Don't allow yourself to be pressed into the world's expectations, but to listen to the Holy Spirit - let Him tell you the best way to encourage. You'll be a lot happier because you'll be doing it the way God intended, not according to another's rules or methods.

I hope there is a little person in your life to encourage you - their innocence will keep you honest to your own calling.

- author, Cindy Daniels

How has God equipped you to encourage?

Today I will Speak Words of Encouragement

There are so many hurts that circumstances and the world inflict upon us, we need the constant reinforcement of encouragement. - Billy Graham

Encouragement can actually inflate a deflated attitude because it fills us with hope. - Barbara Johnson

What words will you speak today? What words have you already spoken that you wish you hadn't? Each new hour is an opportunity for taking inventory around the words that we say. Maybe it's a tone, a word, or a look that we need to keep in check. What was the intended message? Willfully hurtful or encouraging? Pleasant or ugly?

Do I have it all figured out? Do I still speak hurtful words that I'll never get back? Absolutely! I'm not yet the person I'd like to be, but I spend each day asking God to mold me into the insturment He'd like me to be.

Today, I have a new opportunity to consciously think about what I'm about to say. Today, I will go out of my way to say something kind or complimentary. Today, I will bite my tongue before I spew ugly words. Then, today will become tomorow, and tomorrow will become next week, and next week the rest of my life. Gotta start somewhere, right!

Let your speech be always with grace, seasoned with salt. - Colossians 4:6

- author, Cindy Daniels

What things do you do to keep your words gracious?

God's Personal Picture of Encouragement

Is there anything more encouraging than seeing God's hand-painted landscape? There's just something about the springtime with its lush green trees and their smatterings of colorful blossoms. Spring in the Midwest this year has been especially chilly and colorful. The cool temperatures have allowed the trees, bushes and plant blooms to linger in beauty and fragrance (sorry for those of you suffering with pesky spring allergies.)

God in all of his wisdom knew to place refreshing creations all around us. He knew that the daily grind would at times discourage us. Being the loving Father that He is, He lavishes us with beautiful things. And, these marvelous creations don't cost us a dime!

Take a moment today to breathe in what God has placed in your pathway. Take five minutes from your labor to walk around your yard, your neighborhood or a park observing His personal touch, yes, even if it's raining! Take time to thank Him for this quiet moment of recreation. If you had been the only person he ever created, he still would have painted His masterpieces.

Luke 12:27 - Consider how the lilies grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you, not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these.

Here is a picture of some beautiful flowers God has placed in our garden. I'm especially thankful for my husband who lovingly oversees the watering and weeding of the flower gardens!

- author, Cindy Daniels

What have you recently witnessed in God's creation that encouraged you personally?

Everything I Ever Learned About Encouragement, I Learned From a Woodchuck?

I recently spent a couple of days with my coworkers at a State Park. For those of you who enjoy state park facilities, I highly recommend them for team events. The purpose of the off-site was for corporate team building. After a couple of days of intense team activity, I was ready to hide away in my room to decompress. As I rested in my private room trying to sort out the events of the day, I stepped outside onto my small balcony. The weather was very hot and humid. I was about to return into the coolness of my room, when my eye caught several woodchucks merrily walking between the banks of the lake and my small porch. To say the least, I was surprised by their boldness. These guys were as tame as animals I have seen while visiting a children's petting zoo. One of these little critters seemed to be their leader. He would pace back and forth waiting for the next morsel of food to drop from the balconies above. However, he would not scurry to be the first one to partake. There seemed to be some kind of pecking order among the troops. Each took his turn. It was fascinating to watch.

Though it may sound simplistic, I learned a lesson from those woodchucks. I began to think about their thoughtfulness as they shared the morsels of food the sky provided them. They had no idea when the next goldfish cracker would fall from the sky, yet they seemed content to let the next little guy in line enjoy his feast. I began to wonder how many times I demand my own way because I believe I deserve the good thing falling on me? After all, I've worked hard to be a good citizen, looked out for others, worked hard on the job, and been faithful to my Lord. Then I wondered, do any of us stop long enough to allow others their turn before hogging all of it for ourselves? Scripture tells us that we ought not to think more highly of ourselves than of others. But, do we ever step away from our blessing long enough to put God's words into action?

Well, those darling little woodchucks continued to challenge my thinking. What good thing could I give up this week so that someone else might have his or her turn? Or, maybe what can I provide for someone else, from my balcony, when someone I know needs a morsel from my already abundantly blessed plate? Those little fellers certainly made me think about how many times I look up toward the sky waiting for my next morsel. Maybe the next time I should step aside and let someone else benefit from the fallout.

It's good to get away every once in a while, cause if we don't,we might just miss learning the things a woodchuck might teach us. And, as for my coworkers? They taught me valuable lessons too about how to be a better team player. All in all, my few days away from the norm refreshed me. Maybe it's time you stepped out of your norm and listened to someone or something other than yourself. Goldfish crackers fall from the balconies above us every day. It's up to us to look up every once in a while, step back, and let the next guy have his turn. Doing so will refresh you!

- author, Cindy Daniels

When was the last last time goldfish crackers (metaphor for blessings) fell from a balcony above you? How did you use it (them) to encourage someone else?