Sunday, February 17, 2013

Your Spiritual Gifts and eMinistry

Recently I heard a new term: eMinistry! Now, I have heard of eCommerce (buying and selling online), but this was something new for me. It was something that struck a chord with me. I'm not sure who coined the phrase, where it began, or even if it's something you have ever heard of, but it has put a new light on what I do here on my blog and in my web presence.

What exactly is eMinistry? I first heard this term over at a wonderful website Christian Mommy Blogger. They define it as this: "eMinistry is how we fulfill the Great Commission without having to leave our house." (Oh I love this!) There is more on their definition if you follow the link. Another website explains "using the web to transform your ministry." (link here). eMinistry is taking His message to the internet - to those who may never hear or see it. Wow!

Before we look into your individual eMinistry, lets take a look at your Spiritual Gifts. Then, we'll take a venture into how your Spiritual Gifts & eMinistry are connected.

First, let us discuss your Spiritual Gifts (1 Corinthians 12:4-11). The image below shows this passage in both the New King James Version (NKJV) and The Message (MSG). Both of these translations are vital in understanding your gifts! Note that EVERYONE has ALL these gifts!

What are the Spiritual Gifts? They are:  
- word of wisdom (wise counsel)
- the word of knowledge (clear understanding)
- faith (simple trust)
- gifts of healings (healing the sick)
- working of miracles (miraculous acts)
- prophesy (proclamation)
- discerning of spirits (distinguishing between spirits)
- different kinds of tongues (tongues)
- interpretation of tongues (interpretation of tongues) 
How are your Spiritual Gifts and eMinistry related? Think of your own personal blog or online presence. What is it that you write about more than anything? What topics do you write, draw, or create the most? What topics have you devoted to your blog?   
Now, think of the Spiritual Gifts. Your Spiritual Gifts & eMinistry are related in more ways than you may have thought of. Look at the following examples:
- If you write tutorials or how-to's for others, it is safe to say that you are working within the gift of the word of knowledge (clear understanding).
- Is your blog about family, reconciling marriages, raising children, relationships? I would say that you are working with more than one gift: word of wisdom (wise counsel), word of knowledge (clear understanding), gifts of healings (healing the sick and broken relationships), and even discerning spirits (distinguishing between spirits).
- Do you create Scripture Art, drawings, or other forms of art? This could be several gifts as well (depending on your message) - word of wisdom (wise counsel), faith (simple trust), gifts of healing (healing the sick and broken).
- Are your posts and writings full of encouragement and inspiration? This could be your gifts of faith (simple trust in God), prophesy (proclamation), gifts of healing (healing the sick and broken), and word of knowledge (clear understanding).

You are using your Spiritual Gifts and may have not even known it! Your eMinistry will blossom as you become aware of your mission and use your gifts! Your calling is to spread His good news. You are called to tell others about Him. You are commissioned to love people and heal the broken - and you do that through your words, writings, and art.

Don't lose heart if your blog is not gaining the momentum you had thought it would. Don't be discouraged if your "numbers" are not rising. Lift your chin up... you are called to do more than watch your "numbers" - your calling is greater! If just one of your creations helps just ONE other person, isn't it worth it all? If just one thing you write changes ONE person's life, isn't it worth it? If just one blog post transforms a marriage, isn't it worth it? If you set one captive free, break one person from their chains, heal a broken relationship, show one person their Heavenly Father's love, teach one person the way of truth, encourage just one... isn't it worth it?

You may not be rewarded with a comment, email, "like", "follow", or retweet, but your reward in Heaven will be GREAT! Hold on to that promise!





I'm sharing this at: Monday MeetUp, Monday's Musings, Motivating Monday,  




Friday, February 15, 2013

FREE Printable Scripture Art - Bible Art

It's a FREEBIE! Who doesn't love freebies!? I made a few Scripture Bible Art pieces and would like to share them with you!

I hope they encourage you in your walk!


















Thursday, February 14, 2013

The Truth About Fear!


Allow me to give you a little peek into my life. For years (and I literally mean years) I have been held captive by my own fears. Not just little fears, but debilitating fears. If you can name it, I have dealt with the fear of it. Really. Honest.

Now I am not going to put on a false face and tell you that I still don't have work to do because, God knows, I do! I will tell you that with Him I am learning to overcome my fears. It is a slow process. It may take a while to undo, but I am not on this journey alone - my Heavenly Father is with me and it is on Him that I lean on!

While on this journey to overcoming my fears I have learned a lot about fear and worry! I would like to share a few of the things that I have learned:

1. Fear is based on lies, untruths, or other forms of misinformation. It's true! Think about a fear that you have or something that makes you worry. This is based on an untruth. For example, I have a fear that I will get into a car accident. Sometimes it is overwhelming. Some days I just don't even want to get in my car and drive at all! But, if I examine this fear, it clearly is built on an untruth! In the 25 plus years that I have been driving I have never been in a car accident. I have been in little "fender benders" but no big accidents. Take the time to examine your fears. They really are based on lies, misinformation, or and untruths!

2. Fear builds on more fear. Yes, it is true... the more you fear, the more you fear. Seems simple enough, but this can be detrimental! Fears can spiral out of control if you do not stop them. Believe me, I know! What starts out as a little fear (based on lies, untruth, and misinformation) can quickly turn into multiple fears if one is not careful. I can honestly say that little fears can turn into BIG fears over the years. For example, as I child I was afraid of bees. I was allergic to them and the thought of being stung scared me! This later (at age 42) has turned into a fear of any flying insect! Not just bees! I am fearful of ANY flying creature! How does that happen? Know that fear builds on more fear - and we need to keep our fears "in check."

We also, in some instances, take on the fears of others. My good friend (knowing my fear of insects and creepy crawlies) told me that she loves to lay outside, in the grass, on her blanket. One day she was laying there and thought of me (I don't like or want creepy crawlies on me and would never lay in the grass). She said she jumped up because she thought of the creepy crawlies that could possibly be on her. DONT'T TAKE ON THE FEAR OF OTHERS! I feel awful to think that she may have this fear now as well. I would never wish that on my worst enemy! Be careful to not take on the fears of others.

3. Worry & Fear go hand in hand - they are best friends. I have found that worry and fear do indeed go hand in hand! The things that I fear I worry about and, likewise, I worry about those things that I fear. An example of worry based on fears is that I have a teenager. I "worry" about the influences at high school. Thus is due to a "fear" that I have from my own high school days. A different example of how my fear causes me to worry: I live in a small rural area. I grew up in a small town as well. However, I am afraid someone will break into my home (this fear is based on a untruth because the crime rate in my town is near zero). Anyways, the "fear" that someone will break into my home causes me to "worry" about this when I am home alone. I need to rid myself if both worry and fear! They are best friends, but they are NOT my friends!

4. Fear can't exist with Faith - they are exact opposites. Fear and Faith are the opposite. Think of them as light and dark, black and white, or chocolate and vanilla. They are not the same AND they can not be in the same place at the same time. You either have one or the other. A dark room can't hide even the smallest flicker of light! Shine your light of faith on your fears!

5. Your words and thoughts are like wild horses - they need tamed! I watched wild horses the other day on the television and it reminded me how my thoughts (and the way I think) need tamed! Wild horses are strong and fast - like my negative thoughts! I need to fill my words and thoughts with positive thoughts. I need to think on things that are pure, true, and lovely. I don't need to think on things that are dark, untrue, or detrimental - like my fears! Changing my thoughts and words will "tame" my wild horses!






I'm sharing this at: Monday Meet Up / Motivating Monday / Titus 2sday / Teach Me Tuesday / Gratituesday / Tuesday LinkUp / Wise Woman Linkup / Thriving Thursdays / Thoughtful Thursday / Fellowship Fridays /



Wednesday, February 13, 2013

Joy comes in the morning! { Free Printable }

Free Scripture Art Printable!!

"Joy comes in the morning!"

Have a Blessed Day!

Tuesday, February 12, 2013

We are on TWITTER!

We have created a Twitter account and we are so excited!

Take a moment to follow us on our Twitter page: 100daysofpraise

Have a Blessed Day filled with His praises!
~Melissa~

Thursday, February 7, 2013

{Day Seven} Praise Him for His Peace

Ahhh! His Peace! The peace that passes ALL understanding! The peace that all of a sudden, out of nowhere, it covers you. I love when His peace surrounds me. It is so... uhm... peaceful!

Have you felt His peace? Maybe you feel His peace while watching water - a river, the lake, an ocean. Maybe you feel His peace when you are praying. Perhaps when you are holding a small sleeping child.

Is it in the quiet times that you feel His peace the most? For me that is the time I feel His peace. When I calm my mind and focus on Him. When I concentrate on all that He has done in my life. For those few moments I sit in quiet. I try not to worry about the future. I trust Him and know that He knows what is best for me. I simply sit and focus on Him.

Today, Praise Him for His Peace! Take a few moments to sit in quiet and think on Him. Remind yourself of where you were and where you are now. Thank Him for all that He has done in your life. Don't think about the future or what you need to do later today - simply take a few minutes and focus on Him. Feel His peace. Soak in His presence. Surround yourself with His love.

Have a Blessed (and peaceful) day!




I'm sharing this at: Womanhood with Purpose, Fellowship Fridays,



10 Things That Are A Waste of Time!

As I step back and take a look at my life and where I spend my time I find there are activities that I engage in that are perhaps, if I can be blunt, a "complete waste of time!" On the flip side of that, however, there are certain things in my life that I do that are "not a waste of time."

Today, I am looking at the 10 Things in my life that are a Waste of Time.

1. Worry & Anxiety. This is an area of my life that I spend way to much time in! If you can name it, I will come up with 100 reasons why to worry and fret about it! I can even give you a list of tips and techniques on "how" to worry and fret if you want it! It is amazing how much time I spend worrying and fretting about everything! And anxiety? Oh, I am an expert in this field! I am trying to overcome my worry, anxieties, and fears. It truly is a daily struggle - sometimes it is a minute-by-minute struggle! 


2. Holding Grudges. Okay, this one kind of goes without saying! Holding grudges (and holding on to the past) is a big waste of time! I heard someone say "if you walk looking backwards you will surely trip!" That is so true! I can't move forward if I keep looking backwards - I will surely trip, fall, or go the wrong way! Its time for me to let my past go! Time for me to progress forward and not look back! The past is what makes me "me", but I don't have to hold on to it so tightly! Its time for me to release it!


3. Trying to figure everything out! This is a daily struggle for me! Every day I waste precious time trying to figure everything out! I think, ponder, reflect, and analyze everything! If someone says something I will "over-think" (as my husband calls it) every last morsel of their words! What they said. How they said it. What they "really" meant. What they were trying to actually tell me but didn't. This doesn't just happen with words, but with the actions of people and every event that take place in my life. My brain is constantly spinning and this, my friend, is a huge waste of time for me! I need to stop and just let everything flow, but it is so difficult for me.


4. Caring What People Think. This area of my life needs some work as well. At the age of 42 you would think that I have learned to not care what people think, to be content in my own skin, and to just embrace who I am. This is not the case! I still want to please people and will go against the person I was created to be even to accomplish that. I'm not sure why I do it, but believe me when I say this, "it is a complete waste of time!"


5. Checking My Website & Blog Stats. Okay, this one is interesting! Within the last month or so (since I've started my blog, website, facebook page) I have spent countless minutes checking my stats, figuring the entire process out, and changing images, fonts, and the style around. What a waste of time! In the last day or so I have realized that its not the "plate" that makes the meal look good, its the "meat and potatoes!" Sure, it may look good, but does it nourish others? Is it tasty?


6. Mid-day Napping! Oh how I love my mid-day naps! Some days I look forward to them! I ask myself, "why do I take them?" I still haven't figured that out (see #3 above). I just know that I love them and need to refrain from doing them. Do I have small children at home that nap and I nap with them? Nope. Do I get up really early every morning and need them? Nope. I get up at 630am and take my son to school and come back home to work out of my house. Does my body need them? I'm not sure, but it is probably the reason I have trouble falling asleep at night. LOL And, to be honest, it really is a waste of an hour of my day!


7. Checking Social Media. I don't think I am alone in this area! I am constantly checking emails, reading my newsfeed, posting to my facebook page, googling something, playing games, texting, tweeting, taking pictures, posting, and trying to make videos! UGH! My phone, tablet, and laptop are always within reach! Why? I don't know! I guess I'm just afraid I will miss something! I need to stop! It is taking over! My time is too precious for this! And believe me, it is a waste of time in my life! I mean there are times when I need to check and do these things, but it really is taking over and I need to cut down on the time spent in "social media land!" My husband can go days without checking his and I am baffled!


8. Arguing Just To Prove A Point. Oh how much time is spent arguing just to prove a point! Maybe I'm alone in this, but I will argue, argue, argue just to prove I am right! I have even been known to google, check the dictionary, thumb through a thesaurus, and oh so much more just to prove I am right! Why? I have no clue, but the time it takes to argue, research, confirm, and engage are pointless! They really are pointless and a waste of time!


9. Selfishness. Is it really all about me? Am I really the most important? Do my needs really surpass those of others? Is it really a "I'm going to take care of me because no one else will" world? Honestly, no it is not! Imagine a world where everyone was selfish and only cared about themselves! It would be like a room full of toddlers! "Mine, Mine, Mine" That is all we would hear! Its time for me to set my own agenda aside and start thinking of others more. Its time for me to meet the needs of others, encourage others, and help others! Trust me... being selfish is a waste of time!


10. Harboring Unhealthy Thoughts! This time-waster sort of ties into my #3 above ("Trying to Figure Everything Out") but it does need its own spot on my list! I am really struggling in this area! I know the things to "think on" but sometimes my mind and thoughts just journey! They go to places that I know they shouldn't go! They travel over to "Un-Healthy Thought Land!" If I could give you a piece of advice, stop your thoughts before they go here! The Bible says in Phillipians 4:8: "Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things." (NKJV) This is where my thoughts should be.. things that are true, noble, just, pure, lovely, of good report, virtuous, and praiseworthy. This, my friend, is "Healthy Thought Land!" I am working daily to stay here!
 
Have a Blessed Day!


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My post was featured at Thriving Thursdays!
Thank you so much! Words can't express my
gratitude! You are amazing!



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I'm sharing this at: Teach Me Tuesday, Wise Woman Linkup, Works for Me WednesdayThriving Thursdays, Thoughtful Thursday, Almost Friday, Womanhood with Purpose, Fellowship Fridays

Wednesday, February 6, 2013

The Bible - What is your favorite version?


Sometimes I am asked what version of the Bible do I use? Which is my favorite?

The majority of the references to scripture that I use are from the King James Version (KJV). The reason behind that is due to the fact that most people recognize these scriptures and the wording in this version of the Bible. Remember back to those "memory verses" as a child from Sunday School class? I would guess to say that the majority are from the King James Version of the Bible.

I really like the Amplified Bible (AMP) and the New Living Translation (NLT) as well. These two versions are similar to me. They both give "real life" ways to apply the Bible and scriptures to your daily life. They both give detailed descriptions of the scripture. Some of the verses can be quite lengthy though and they are compounded together frequently.

My absolute favorite version of The Bible is The Message (MSG). Whoa! This is a good one! This version displays the scripture in a easy to read manner. It is in plain English - which is a plus for me!

Here is a popular verse that the majority of people will know. It is Psalm 23. I have added it in different versions to give you an example. These are taken from one of my favorite Bible reference websites (Bible Gateway).

King James Version (KJV)
The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. (Psalm 23:1)

New King James Version (NKJV)
The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. (Psalm 23:1)

New Living Translation (NLT)
The Lord is my shepherd; I have all that I need. (Psalm 23:1)

Amplified Bible (AMP)
The Lord is my Shepherd [to feed, guide, and shield me], I shall not lack. (Psalm 23:1)

The Message (MSG)
God, my shepherd! I don’t need a thing. (Psalm 23:1)

English Standard Version (ESV)
The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. (Psalm 23:1)


As you can see there are a lot of versions of The Bible. Each one is a little different in the translation, but yet they are all the same. If you look around and sample different versions and translations, you will find one that you like the best!

What is YOUR favorite version or translation of The Bible?


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A NOTE ON BIBLE GATEWAY's WEBSITE:
This is an amazing website that is loaded with helpful information! They have a verse of the day, many different versions of The Bible, and a lot of Bible reference information. They even have an app! I just love this site!

Tuesday, February 5, 2013

You are in complete control of your happiness!

Oh how I love this quote by Joel Osteen! I read this today and for some reason it just spoke to me!

"You are in complete control of your happiness"
{Joel Osteen}

Today's Faith Quotes and Pictures

Beautiful quotes and pictures I found around the internet today! I hope you enjoy them!

Praise Him for The Little Things {Day Six}

Today I praise Him for the little things! I've heard it said before that "the little things make up the big things" and it's true! So today I am looking at the little things in my life and I praise Him for them!

The time I found a parking spot right by the door in the rain. Little thing... Praise Him!

Sunday, February 3, 2013

Today I praise Him for Humor (Day FIVE)

Today I praise Him for humor! I love to laugh! I love to make other people laugh! My favorite kind of laughter is children! Laughter is contagious! I love it!

So, while on the topic of laughter I would LOVE to share with you some funny Church sign pictures I've found! Some of these just crack me up!

I hope you enjoy them!


Saturday, February 2, 2013

Free Scripture Printables

Today as I was navigating around the internet I came across some really inspiring Free Scripture Printables! I put together a few of my favorites for you!

If you are not familiar with these Scripture Printables they can be used in several ways.

- You can save them as the Wallpaper on your desktop
- Print them out and frame them
- Use your graphics program and shrink them down, print them out, and give them away!
- Anything you think of, you can do!

So now onto my findings for today:

Afraid - {Five Minute Friday}

It is time for Five Minute Friday. This is a writing exercise every Friday with a lot of great bloggers participating!

This week's prompt is: Afraid

Ready? Set! Go...

Praise Him for His Word {Day Four}

Today I praise Him for His Word!

"Thy Word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path." (Psalm 119:105)

The Bible is so much more than a book! It is so much more than just words on paper.

The Bible is life!

It is hope!

It is peace!

Friday, February 1, 2013

Praise Him for His Still Small Voice {Day Three}

How do you know when God is talking to you? Is it loud? Is it audible? For me, it is not! It is in the quiet and calm when I hear Him the most!

What is prompting this post? Last night while watching a popular television show I saw a woman auditioning for a "singing" competition - you may know which show I am referring to. Anyways, I was bothered by the way that they portrayed this woman and how she "heard from God." They portrayed Him speaking to her as a mighty rush of wind, repetitive sayings, a great beam of light from heaven, and angels humming.