sweetest day*

“Observed the 3rd Saturday in the month of October, Sweetest Day observance originated in Cleveland in 1922. Herbert Birch Kingston, a philanthropist and candy company employee wanted to bring happiness into the lives of orphans, shut-ins, and others who were forgotten.”*

With the help of friends, he distributed candy and small gifts to those less fortunate.

“On the first Sweetest Day, movie star Ann Pennington presented 2,200 Cleveland newspaper boys with boxes of candy to express gratitude for their service to the public.

Another popular movie star, Theda Bara, distributed 10,000 boxes of candy to people in Cleveland hospitals and also gave candy to all who came to watch her film in a local theater.“* Is that the beginnings of concessions at the movies? I wonder.

What began as a local observation in Ohio has spread to other United States. It, however, has morphed more into almost another Valentine’s Day expressing romantic love or appreciation to friends. I, for one, like its original intent and it makes me wonder if Herbert was a Christian trying to live out the Biblical principles as found in James 1.27 which says: “Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world.”

How about you surprising someone today with a sweet treat? Better yet visit an orphan or a widow or someone else shut in. Regardless, if you have a treat in hand or not, the time you give to someone lonely will be sweet enough in their book.

A hands-on practical way to…

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*info according to https://theromantic.com/sweetestday.htm

God bless you

Have you ever heard someone say in response to ‘God bless you’ – ‘No, God bless you’?

I have even done it myself. But, the better response when someone says ‘God bless you’ is ‘And God bless you, too!’

God is in the business of blessing us and others. Don’t limit Him by the words you say. We all should desire God‘s blessing and seek to live a life pleasing to Him so He will bless. And how can we do that:

By staying in The Word (Hebrews 4.12)

Staying in community with others (Romans 12.5)

Weekly church attendance (Hebrews 10.25)

Small group study (Acts 2.42-47)

Listening to worship music and engaging in worship time in a church service (Psalm 71.8)

Taking constructive criticism well and applying it to be a better human (Proverbs 15.31-31)

Letting “iron sharpen iron” (Proverbs 27.17)

Living out the fruits of the spirit -Love, joy, peace, patience, goodness, kindness, gentleness, faithfulness, and self-control (Galatians 5.22+23)

And the list can go on, but you get the point.

Be blessed, but more importantly be a blessing.

And you know what that means, you will…

be.the.church

Photo credit: congerdesign @ pixabay

the ABCs of truth

We are to stand on truth.

We are to be people of the truth.

We need to speak truth.

What else can we do with truth?

A simple easy (and I would even say entertaining) exercise for yourself, to do with family, or a small group is to see how many words you can use before the word truth.

For example, live truth.

A further challenge is to have one word for every letter in the alphabet. You could even make a race to see who finishes first. Ready! Set! Go!

Here’s my ABC list of truth:

Abide (in) truth

Believe truth

Confess truth

Do truth

Experience truth

Fear truth

Grow (in) truth

Hear truth

Invite truth

Jesus is truth

Keep truth

Love truth

Memorize truth

Need truth

Obey truth

Practice truth

Question truth

Recite truth

Speak truth

Tell the truth

Unite (in) truth

Volunteer truth

Write truth

eXamine truth

Yell truth

Zealous (for) truth

For further fun, find a verse for each one.

Apply the truth of scripture to your life so you others can see you…

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Photo credit: pasj1000 at pixabay

the inner court

We should long to be in the inner court. That is where relationship happens. That is where we grow close to God.

The band Kutless has a song that describes the Old Testament tabernacle and depicts some other stories to show how we need to get past the outer courts and enter in to the inner or holy of holies.

Check it out and may it minister to you in your ‘inner court’ aka core.

In the book of Esther, no one could go in to see the king in the inner court unless they were summed. It was a death wish if you did so as the punishment was indeed death unless the king held out his golden scepter. Of course, we know he did so for Esther and how she went on to do great things because she went into the inner court. Read about it in Esther 4 and 5. Why not read the whole book. It is such a beautiful story.

The point though for us at this moment is we have been asked already by the King of kings and Lord of lords to enter in. He is waiting for us to sit at His feet and bask in His presence.

Take some time today and everyday to enter into the inner court.

It help you grow more like Christ so the world can see what it means to…

be.the.church

*Shout out to photographer. Well done, photographer*, well done. This was an image on the pixabay app. It has not been working like it used to for me though. I used to be able to search easily but since we changed to a different WiFi it rarely lets me and will say no images found which makes no sense since there are millions to be searched through. Anyone have a suggestion. I have tried deleting the app and reinstalling, turning phone off,etc to no avail.

Anyway, the photographer demetrisvetsikas1969 has 26 editor choice photos and almost 5 million downloads. Well done, well done!

the rainbow after the storm

We all go through trials and difficulties in life. Some are more tragic than others but I believe all have a silver lining if we are willing to seek it. Sometimes it just takes time to see it or find it just like looking for the rainbow after the storm.

For those of us who have an angel baby (loss of a child due to an untimely death), the storm of loss is a little lighter knowing that baby lives on in the presence of God and if you have had a rainbow baby (another child born soon after that loss) what a true sense of what the word rainbow encompasses – hope, love, new beginnings. One storm has passed and a rainbow appears.

Miscarriage, stillbirths, and infant loss all have at the core a heartache you can’t understand unless you have been through it before.

But God!

There is a hope and assurance knowing those babies live on in the eternal arms of a Heavenly Father who knows them by name. Even parents who grieve over abortions can be reassured that their offspring are safe in the arms of Jesus and the fact that they add being loved so well. Greater than any earthly love we could offer. Hard to believe that, but it is true.

Today is Pregnancy and Infant Loss Remembrance Day.

Aug 22 was Rainbow Baby Day https://bethechurch.home.blog/2019/08/21/complete-healing-to-the-hurt-2/

If you or someone you know may have a rainbow story of your own to share, please tell it so others can be comforted and reassured that there is hope and healing to be had after a devastating loss.

Regardless, we all know someone who has suffered a loss. Today, make every effort to lighten the burden of another’s soul. Remind those who hurt that there is a God in heaven who desires to help carry those burdens. He has said in His Word in both the old and new testaments.

In the old:

“Cast all your cares on the Lord and He will sustain you.“ Psalm 55:22

And the new:

“Cast all your anxiety on Him because He cares for you.” 1 Peter‬ ‭5:7‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Take heed when the Bible repeats the same message. In this case, may we do as it says and give those cares, those burdens, anything that causes anxiety within us to the Lord knowing we do not have to bear it alone. Then, look for the rainbow He will send to help see you through.

For when the rainbow is seen after the storm, it is that much more enjoyed after weathering through that trial.

I don’t know about you, but when I see a double rainbow it is even more exciting.

Whatever you may be going through today, know God is just a prayer away.

I urge you to cast all your cares on Him for He really does care for you.

You are a living, breathing miracle.

https://bethechurch.home.blog/2019/09/22/you-are-a-miracle/

Keep seeking the rainbow after the storm and in doing so, others will see you…

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Connect to you are a miracle sept 22

love should not be silent

Growing up the ‘I love you’s’ were just not heard in our house. Years later when asked about it, my mother said: “How can you say you didn’t know you were loved?” And I thought: you can’t know for sure if the words are never spoken.

So, what’s the point today?

Love should not be silent.

In The Word of God, He tells us over and over of His love. In fact, more than 300 times and 11 of those times are in the New Testament* where He tells us to love one another just as He loves us.

“A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another.” John 13.34

If we are commanded to do so, how can we be silent?

“By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.” John 13.35

If others are to know we are disciples, how can we be silent?

“This is My commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you.” John 15.12

Again, a command and again; how can we be silent?

“These things I command you, that you love one another.” John 15:17

The point is if anything is repeated in the Bible, we should take heed and follow its instruction.

If we are commanded to love than that love should not be silent!

How can we…

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if it is?

Something to think about for sure!

Don’t let your love be silent or those in your life may wonder if you really do love them.

Just love and let that love never be silent. People will know us by our love.

It is far from the day of love, but I say take today the 14th of this month and every 14th and treat them like the traditional Valentine’s Day of sorts by you telling someone of your love for them. Make that call or send that text and if you do, tell us about it.

Do not let your love be silent!

Another thing love does is forgive. Look back at this post: https://bethechurch.home.blog/2019/09/15/dont-forget/

*https://www.funtrivia.com/askft/Question112529.html

life’s most persistent and urgent question is…

“What are you doing for others?” MLK

Be a blessing.

“Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult. On the contrary, repay evil with blessing, because to this you were called so that you may inherit a blessing.” I Peter 3.9 NIV

Turn the other cheek!

“You have heard that it was said, ‘Eye for eye, and tooth for tooth.’ But I tell you, do not resist an evil person. If anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to them the other cheek also. And if anyone wants to sue you and take your shirt, hand over your coat as well. If anyone forces you to go one mile, go with them two miles. Give to the one who asks you, and do not turn away from the one who wants to borrow from you.” Matthew 5.38-42

Matthew 25 tells of the separation of the sheep and goats.

Be a sheep!

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Follow the ‘golden’ rule!

“Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.” (Luke 6.31)

And personalize that quote and ask yourself often: “What am I doing for others?”

weight discrimination

Why do some go to great lengths to say they are not prejudice yet joke easily about someone who is over weight even themselves?

God wants us to take care of our bodies, but more importantly He wants us to see ourselves and others as His beloved creation.

Don’t belittle anyone (including yourself)!

Say encouraging things about all.

In today’s fast paced world where everything is shared too quickly on social media, it makes it easier to gossip and make non-encouraging, belittling comments about others mostly when they are not even present to defend themselves.

Make it a rule not to talk about someone behind their back.

So, if they are not present, mums the word. And when they are present, kindness is key.

And for the love of Pete, don’t discriminate against someone just because they have a little more cushion than another.

According to Forbes: “Research indicates that obese individuals experience prejudice and weight discrimination with one study finding evidence that obese individuals are perceived as lazy, emotionally unstable, lacking self-discipline, and being less competent. The same study found that obese individuals experienced lower wages and were less likely to be promoted, with some obese employees citing termination and suspension because of their weight.” Why is it that weight discrimination has become a socially acceptable injustice?

Well, as Christians we should not accept that stinkin’ thinkin’. Be an outlier by not engaging in such rude, hurtful practices.

God desires us to be His image image-bearers. We are not when we speak unkindly.

Step up and say something if need be. Stick up for the underdog or overweight. Cover the world with kindness by your non-discriminatory ways.

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by loving all God puts in your path: big or small, red and yellow, black or white – they are all precious in His sight. If God loves all, so should we.

be a reflection

This picture is what we should be – a perfect reflection of how God created us to be – to stand tall in the midst of a storm not wavering when troubles strike. I could say more but I ask you: what do you see?

Here’s some verses to contemplate as you think about being a reflection:

“As in water face reflects face, so the heart of man reflects the man.” Proverbs 27.19

“For now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I have been fully known.” 1 Corinthians 13.12

Here’s some more. Be introspective and reflective as you read:

“Examine yourselves to see whether you are in the faith; test yourselves. Do you not realise that Christ Jesus is in you—unless, of course, you fail the test?” 2 Corinthians 13.5

“Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like someone who looks at his face in a mirror and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like.” James 1.22-24

“Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother’s eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye? How can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ when all the time there is a plank in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye.” Matthew 7.3-5

“Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.” Romans 12.2

And if need be: “Let us examine our ways and test them, and let us return to the Lord.” Lamentations 3.40

Then, we can be a better reflection of the Lord as we strive to…

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do you know what today is?

Today, October 10, is World Mental Health Day and it is a day for global mental health education, awareness, and advocacy against social stigmas about mental health.

This day, each October, thousands of supporters come to celebrate this annual awareness program to bring attention to mental illness and its major effects on peoples’ life worldwide.

The best way to make sure your mental health is cared for is by giving your brain a break, spending time with the Lord, and talking to others if need be.

To give your brain a break, do something out of the ordinary. For example, when studying or researching, every hour take 10/15 minutes to engage in something different. Go for a brisk walk, take a short nap, do something creative. I used to skip rope on my breaks from language learning. Taking a break will actually help you be more focused when you return to studying as your brain actually gets a much needed rest.

Feeling alone or down, grab your Bible and spend time in The Word. It will uplift your spirits, remind you who you are, and whose you belong to.

Talk to God and tell Him of your woes. Let Him lead and guide you. Let Him help you through any mental health issues as He is the great healer and restorer. Let Him work on you and you will be a living, breathing, walking, talking example of one who is able to…

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“I have said these things to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have trouble. But take heart; I have overcome the world.” John 16.32

Photo credit: Chuotanhis @ pixabay