Giver of Good Gifts - Guest Blogger

 When I read the latest Compassion Blogger assignment I immediately thought of my dear friend and fellow blogger Katie, from Walking in Unity!  I won't spoil why but read on to find out!


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God Is Good!

                  

Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above......... (James 1:17)

    Please allow me to share a little of what is going on in my life as you are reading this now. I have a husband, two girls, work a full time job and currently entering into my second semester of Nursing School! - Yes a little exhausted! -But God is good!

Romans 8:28 - "And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose."

    Over the years “I” have tried to go to nursing school several times, but life seem to get in the way. But I know now that God opened the door to this opportunity at exactly the right time. His time!

Proverbs 3:6 "In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall direct your paths."

    Being His daughter, I smile after seeing his hand work in my life and so many others around me. I know without a doubt at the age of 33 that I am where God has called me to be. After trying on my own through the years to find my place, my way, I surrendered to God and His timing and although very exhausted, less pay and little time for sleep, He has given peace and strength I have not known before.

    This all being said let now share something special to my heart. One Saturday night, tired and in debate if I really wanted to go, I went ahead and attended our church’s Ladies Auxiliary Christmas party. This is a dinner where we fellowship, have devotion and “Secret Sisters” exchange gifts.

As I opened my gift not knowing who was or is my Secret Sister. I soon realize I know it must be a dear sister that knows my heart. She must know how I love the Lord, have a heart for mission (although God has yet to open that door for me) and my heart to be a nurse, to be able to care and love others, that I may have care and compassion from God to help those hurting and in need. I pray I may help those physically, emotionally and spiritually as God allows me to do so.

So you must be wondering by now what was inside my gift?

A precious homemade gift card.

And As I open it, it says……………..

                                                                          
“In your name………….. 5 kids are protected”

With pictures from Compassion of children receiving medical care.

   

Five children are receiving medical care needed and provided by Compassion International due to a simple $20.00 given as a gift in my name by my precious “Secret Sister."  Not only did my secret sister give to missions for me but she gave to something so very dear to my heart. 5 children that are so loved by my Father will receive care from parasites, will receive protection from Malaria, and will receive care for an illness or an injury.

This is a gift, a good gift, one that is so simple but so powerful, that 5 children can be reached and through those 5 a difference can and will be made!

Mother Teresa once said…….

“I alone cannot change the world, but I can cast a stone across the waters to create many ripples.”

    I pray those 5 children touched by Compassion will be the start of many ripples.

I may not be able to travel across the waters to care for those in need, although my prayer is for God to use me and my nursing skills for His purpose and to someday cross those waters and serve Him by caring for His children. But that will be in His timing too.

 Though this gift I not only have been touched but all those I share this with and those of you that read this, I pray you will be touched and I encourage you to pray for those who give and those who receive the gift. 

1 Peter 4:10 "As each one has received a gift, minister it to one another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God."

    Remember this Christmas what the true gift of Christmas really is! Jesus, He came to love, care, heal, die and save each one us. That is the best Gift!

Acts 20:35 - "I have shown you in every way, by laboring like this, that you must support the weak. And remember the words of the Lord Jesus, that He said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’”

By: Katie Presser

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Please remember the Giver of the perfect gifts this holiday season. Please visit the Compassion catalog to see how you can help make a difference in some body's life.

 

On a mission

Over a year ago when I felt the Lord calling me to the World Race I couldn't make sense of it. Like most things the Lord asks of us, it seemed crazy and most of all didn't fit into what I thought His calling on my life was.

As the race began, I only became more sure of what I already thought my role was going to be in the Kingdom; to be a support to my youth pastor husband and work with the youth. So how did international missions come into all of this? Or maybe I was wrong about what I thought my path would look like? I knew that we are all called to a mission field, but what was God wanting to show me in that specific season?

When had I started preparing for the world race I realized that our small community had a big heart for missions. Over the months of my world race journey I realized there were very few local and affordable options for most people to get involved. During the race, as I witnessed the possibilities of what ministry could look like, (and some of what it isn't) I realized that He was showing me what He wanted me to take back to our small church and community.

Four months into the world race, in Costa Rica, my eyes and heart began to open up to what the Lord was speaking to me. When I told Brett one day on the phone he practically began screaming, God had been speaking to him about the same thing! God wanted us to open a door...

After hearing what sounded like the Lord screaming, GET TO WORK, I returned home, got some business out of the way... :)

and we got straight to work.

The first 6 months we were married we spent more time away from home then we were at home. (really we counted it all up!) We had church camps, mission trips, conferences, and many other youth trips that have kept us very busy! However, we have not forgotten what God -not so gently- laid on our hearts. Although Brett's youth ministry is our first priority, we are currently in the process of forming a non-profit organization and we are so excited to lead our first mission trip to Costa Rica in May 2015. (crazy how we are going back to where it became so clear to me what God was trying to show us! Fun Fact: Costa Rica is also where Brett took his first mission trip!) AIN'T GOD GOOD!

We cannot wait to see all the ways God will use this to bless His people and further His kingdom!

Once God convinced me the world race was part of His plan, I thought I knew what 2014 would look like, But He is so good to keep us paying attention. I could not have planned it better myself, isn't that the way it always works!? Our Father in Heaven will always show us that trusting Him and His plan for us is far better than we could ever imagine!

Thank you for all your love & support,

Brett & Kylee Morris

A Hopeless Fool

This weekend I had the opportunity to worship with 4000 other women! It is truly amazing to hear the Lord praised among so many voices! 

In the middle of the service I had the thought, "how do people get through life without the hope freely offered!?"

I immediately was reminded of my own life, before I had hope... My mind was flooded with the grim thoughts and circumstances that once controlled my life.

" we were once foolish, disobedient, led astray, slave to various passions and pleasures, passing my days in malice and envy, hated by others and hating one another..."

I could not be more grateful for the love that found and saved me, I did nothing to deserve or earn it, I only accepted it.

"But when the goodness and loving kindness of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness.."

He paid my debts, and because of his love and desire for me I became a new creation!

"...but according to his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior..."

I now have hope of eternity with the Father and Savior

"...so that being justified by his grace we might become heirs according to the hope of eternal life."  -Titus 3:3-7

Release One?

Im sooooo excited for the opportunity to Release3 this month!!!

Through the month of October, I will be praying for and advocating these 3 precious members of the Lord's kingdom!!! Please consider sponsoring through Compassion International

Amos Sankara, from Burkina Faso, Africa!!!

Nicole Altagracia Reyes, from Dominican Republic

 

 Marvell Andra Setiawan, from Indonesia

Check back for more details about each of these precious little faces! Please contact me for more information about sponsoring and contributing to the future of a child in poverty, and please read about my sponsorship story HERE!

"Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves,
    for the rights of all who are destitute. 

 Speak up and judge fairly;
    defend the rights of the poor and needy."

Proverbs 31:8-9

Nandudu Breanda

The first photo I received of Breanda

The most recent photo of Breanda

Birthdate: 1/17/2006
Schooling
- US School Grade Equivalent: 1
- School Performance: Average
Family Duties
Washing clothes Gardening/Farming Running errands Making beds Cleaning Carries water Kitchen help
Hobbies and Sport
Dolls Group games Play house Walking Hide-and-Seek Running Art/Drawing Jump rope Singing Listening to music Other ball games Breanda lives in the hillside community of Buyobo, home to approximately 9,000 residents. Typical houses are constructed of dirt floors, mud walls and corrugated iron, grass or banana fiber roofs. The regional diet consists of maize, beans, bananas, fish, cassava, rice, potatoes, greens and goat. Common health problems in this area include malaria, intestinal diseases, respiratory infections, HIV/AIDS, skin diseases and high blood pressure. Most adults work as subsistence farmers and earn the equivalent of $6 per month. This community needs tuition assistance, scholastic materials, improved incomes and a recreational center. My sponsorship allows the staff of Buyobo Child Development Center to provide Breanda with Bible lessons, health and dental screenings, immunization, sports, special celebrations, counseling and vocational training. The center staff will also provide meetings, Bible studies and income-generating activities for the parents or guardians of Breanda.
I have been beyond blessed by this opportunity and would love to help you get involved with providing the needs for another child through Compassion International!* Compassion International provides all the information in a booklet like the one in the pictures above and sends updates through email as well as with the letters from your sponsor child! *I receive no compensation or such through this, only the satisfaction of knowing another child's needs are taken care of!

#loveandfaithfulness

5 "Your steadfast love, O Lord, extends to the heavens, your faithfulness to the clouds." 

Psalm 36:5

Batteries & A Sandwich

Where do I even begin!?

The biggest reason I wanted to start this blog was to share with everyone my glorious God and the unconditional love and grace that he has blessed me with!

A few weeks ago the The Bearded One (my husband) and I were headed about an hour out of town to run some errands.  On the way we listened to a podcast; a David Platt sermon on his book Radical. I cant give you the exact theme of the sermon, but it challenged me about being more proactive in my intent to share the Lord's blessings with others.  I began to pray, that throughout the day while we made our various stops God would place people in our path for us to bless.  I asked that He would place extra conviction upon us that we may not pass up opportunities to bless someone in His name.

Our first stop would be a quick one and the most painful; we had to buy a new battery for the truck, and it wasn't going to be cheap!  We had actually chose this specific location knowing it would cost us slightly more, but willing to pay the extra cost for a better quality battery and because we like knowing our money is going into a Christian owned business.  While paying for the truck battery we were talking to the salesman/owner about a recent loss we knew his family had been through and offering what little condolence we could.  When he told us the total we realized he had given us a discount on the battery.  (*Note- making it cheaper than had we of just went and got the cheap battery)  We thanked him for the unexpected bonus of a discount and started making our way to the door.  I noticed a small flashlight my husband had been wanting was about 65% off, the owner complimented the quality of the product and my husband decided on the light as well.  Once again, at checkout, the owner blessed us, by putting a free package of batteries for the light in the bag!

Now I know to most this doesn't seem that "divine," but by the time I got back in our truck I was nearly in tears.  I had spent the last 30+ min asking God to let US bless someone else, and here we were, our day barley started and we were abundantly blessed by the generosity of a small business owner we barely knew.

I meant to share this story shortly after I officially started this blog, but I never did put it to words.
Today, a very similar situation reminded me to share!

My prayer this morning...

"Therefore lift your drooping hands and strengthen your weak knees, and make straight paths for your feet, so that what is lame may not be put out of joint but rather be healed. Strive for peace with everyone, and for the holiness without which no one will see the Lord. See to it that no one fails to obtain the grace of God" Hebrews 12:12-15

Lord give me your holiness today so that others may see You! Strengthen me so that I may keep my feet on straight paths.

This was at the very beginning of an early 12 hr shift after only 3 hours of sleep.  I knew I needed what only the Lord could give if I was going to peacefully make it through this these 12 hours in the middle of a holiday weekend.  Even more so I didn't want to just "get through" the day, I wanted others to see the Lord  and obtain the grace of God.  

The morning had passed fairly quickly and I had an opportunity for lunch.  I didn't have time to pack a lunch before I left, so I had just grabbed a snack hoping that would hold me over til I got home that evening.  However, noon came in with a (belly) roar and I wanted more!  I headed to the cafeteria and decided to splurge on Subway, after all, it had been awhile since I had delighted myself. (*So long I had forgotten how to order my sandwich)

I briefly spoke to the doctor in front of me. (mostly him laughing because my sandwich ordering skills were a little dusty) 

Once again, most unexpectedly, God sent blessings to me.  At the end of the line, despite my opposition, Dr insisted he buy my lunch.  I thanked him and told him he had no idea how special that made me feel.

My God has once again turned my request for grace and an opportunity to share it with someone else, into showers of blessings for me.  Again, I know what your thinking, a $5 lunch can't possibly make you feel that special.  But Oh it does! 

 "One who is faithful in a very little is also faithful in much" Luke 16:10

This verse applies to our God as well!  He is showing us through the "little" that we can trust Him with much!!!  We need not worry about our needs; only strive to show others who our grace giving Savior is, and He will know doubt show himself to us!

I hope you know how much He loves you and want to show you His faithfulness in the little and much; even when you least expect it!

The golden rule... FAIL

I recently had to attend another mandatory "forum" or such at work; this one on customer excellence.  

A couple times throughout the speakers we heard the "golden rule" - "do unto others as you want done to you"

I REALLY started to contemplate if I myself embodied this general "rule."  I consider myself, for the most part, to be pleasant, joyful, caring, and kind.
But am I ALWAYS that way? I can honestly say I WANT to genuinely love others with my actions and words.  So why do I struggle with my reactions and attitude? 

During our first break of the morning I opened one of my daily devotion readings to find what?...none other than Matt 7:12: "So whatever you wish that others would do to you, do also to them, for this is the Law and the Prophets"

The devotion was entitled "What do you wish?"

"What if we enacted the Golden Rule in our churches, neighborhoods, and homes? What if we really and truly treated others the way we wished to be treated? What if we thought more of them than we did ourselves? Wouldn’t it take an earth-shifting change of thought and action?"- She Reads Truth

-Is this easy for us? 

-Do our failures in this area reflect a desire to treat other maliciously? Or a struggle beyond mortal flesh?

-Is the real question about how we respond to others, or how we respond to God?

- What Do we wish?

This is my confession... I most definitely do not always find that loving attitude so easy accessible inside myself. We hear and talk about the temptations and failures of the "big sins," but what about the sin seedlings in our hearts that will eventually take root?  I find the bitterness within me is also often the most damaging! Why? Because it's sneaky. it's quick. it's often disguised. I feel like no matter how hard I "try" I still find myself in the aftermath of the "evil inside me."
Paul said it better than I ever could...

"For we know that the law is spiritual, but I am of the flesh, sold under sin. For I do not understand my own actions. For I do not do what I want, but I do the very thing I hate. Now if I do what I do not want, I agree with the law, that it is good. So now it is no longer I who do it, but sin that dwells within me. For I know that nothing good dwells in me, that is, in my flesh. For I have the desire to do what is right, but not the ability to carry it out. For I do not do the good I want, but the evil I do not want is what I keep on doing. Now if I do what I do not want, it is no longer I who do it, but sin that dwells within me.

So I find it to be a law that when I want to do right, evil lies close at hand. For I delight in the law of God, in my inner being, but I see in my members another law waging war against the law of my mind and making me captive to the law of sin that dwells in my members. Wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this body of death?" Romans 7:14-24

I still remember the first time I read this passage! A few years ago I was crying out to God, apologizing for the filth I felt beyond skin deep.  I was trying to convince Him with my words that it was a struggle I was trapped in, not some conscious attempt to rebel, but something I didn't have the power to fight against. In His always astounding wonder and grace, He simply said "I know," and brought my eyes and heart to the very words He inspired Paul with some 2000 years ago!

And in true Creator & Savior fashion, He didn't just listen, He responded...

"Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord! So then, I myself serve the law of God with my mind, but with my flesh I serve the law of sin. There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. For the law of the Spirit of life has set you free in Christ Jesus from the law of sin and death" Romans 7:25-8:2

The She Reads Truth devotion I read that morning addressed the idea that we tend to not love others well, because we love ourselves instead. I think that's true in the sense that we are (possibly even unconsciously) responding to the fleshly calling from with in ourselves rather than the spiritual calling from our Lord.  We haven't yet fully died to ourselves.

It is only by the love of God that we are able to TRULY love anyone else. God isn't giving us a free pass to say "the devil made me do it (or say it)," but He has given us the free gift of grace and forgiveness.  He is giving us the power of Himself to overcome the flesh of sin and death! 

"Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice. Let your reasonableness be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand; do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me—practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you." Philippians 4:6-9

While reading Lysa Terkeurst's book "Unglued" I wrote down this statement from her writing..."Because God made our bodies, and all the emotions, hormones, and chemical responses they contain, His word provides the wisdom on how to manage it all."  I think Philippians 4 is a great place to start; keeping our hearts and minds on all virtue and praise!

For me this isn't a one and done deal.  My flesh struggles daily with the "law of sin," but I choose to battle with my mind on the "law of God." It often comes through a gentle reminder from one of His children, but it's no doubt through the power and grace of God!

"For to set the mind on the flesh is death, but to set the mind on the Spirit is life and peace." Romans 8:6

This is how we are able to treat others how we wish to be treated, despite none of us deserving it!

Please pray for me as I allow God to mold me.

His Brightness is like the light

"His brightness was like the light; rays flashed from his hand; and there he veiled his power" Habakkuk 3:4 #HisCreation

Inspired by Your Love

Stirred by Your people

Awakened by Your calling

Prompted by Your voice

Galvanized by Your commission

Energized by Your promises

Moved by Your presence

Influenced by Your example

Encouraged by Your Word

Motivated by Your sacrifice

Inspired by Your LOVE

Free Books

Everyone loves free stuff! I especially love FREE BOOKS!!!

Revolution in World Missions by K.P. Yohannan  Get it HERE

No Longer a Slumdog by K.P. Yohannan Get it HERE

Tortured for Christ by Richard Wurmbrand  Get it HERE

Look What God is Doing by Dick Eastman Get it HERE

All John Piper books available as PDF downloads for FREE HERE

Truth for Youth free BIBLE to anyone age 13-18 to hand out at school! HERE


I always said I would not get a kindle because holding a book and flipping through the pages is half the experience! But I soon learned that free books were just too temping!  Scroll through Amazons free books for endless options!

Sign up with HERE with David C Cook ebooks for a FREE book every week!


*Comment below if you know of a free book not listed on this page!!!

Country Spotlight: Pray for Uganda

Pearl of Africa - A Nation of Children

Why Pray for Uganda?...

 - 24.5% of the population is below the poverty level

 - 25.2% of the population has unimproved drinking water

 - 48.7% of the population is less than 15 years old 

 - Home to 2.5 million orphans

 - 63,300 AIDS deaths each year (6th in the world)

 - 9% of the country is unreached

 - "The Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA) spreads terror and has committed countless atrocities, having evolved over 20 years into little better than an occult-powered militia group. Its predation displaced nearly two million people and has taken more than 120,000 lives."

Sources: Operation World , UNICEF , CIA.gov

Ministries in Uganda:

 

My favorite Bible Study Apps

I  (like most) pretty much ALWAYS have my phone with me!  It is my own personal office on the go, which means at times it is the quickest option for bible study and very convenient for 'on the go' encouragement & study!  Here are some of my favorite aps...

You-version Holy Bible  - FREE

Perhaps the most popular bible app YouVersion is easy to navigate and with constant improvements currently offers reading plans, small self-studys, verse of the day, and more!

iTalk to God - FREE - $0.99

For a quick reference based on how you are feeling this is the go to app! Available in many different versions, there is a free version or get even more emotions and verses for just 99 cents!

KJV+ Strong's Concordance -$.99

Best 99 cents I have spent! I cant get enough of this app!  I love to dig deeper into TheWord one word at a time, and this app is perfect! An entire Strong's in the palm of your hand, you can search by the English word or by the Strong's reference number!  Just click on the word in the text to see the Greek or Hebrew and go to similar scripture with just a finger tap!

She Reads Truth - FREE

A fairly new app, but I am loving it!  After following SheReadsTruth on instagram I learned they came out with an app!  It includes some free bible studies as well as some available for purchase!  Each daily reading includes scripture, devotion, and discussion forum!









I hope you enjoy these as much as I do!
Do you have a favorite not listed here!? Tell us about it and comment below!

Thank you

He prepares rain for the Earth

I just had to share this picture I took from a couple of weeks ago! 

He covers the heavens with clouds;

    he prepares rain for the earth;

    he makes grass grow on the hills. 

-Psalm 147:8 ESV

#Heissogood #Hiswordistruth

Recklessly Chosen

When we think of "reckless," what do we think?...

A book I have recently read, The Prodigal God, made me take a second look at the definition of "reckless."  The author, Timothy Keller, first brings up reckless when he refers to God as "prodigal."  Again, not my choice of words for our never moving, ever present father in heaven, however, he points out that the definition of prodigal is, "recklessly spendthrift."  Now that I think rings a little truer of a God who gave up His only son, just so we could return to Him for eternity!  Seeing Him as "reckless" took a little more thought...

The definition of "reckless" is... "marked by lack of proper caution : careless of consequences."

Is my God reckless?...  Of course He is!

He did not need to take caution or worry of the consequences because He ALREADY KNEW what the consequences were!  He knew what He would loose and what we would gain, and He did it anyways!  

The more I thought about it, I couldn't help but think..."Would any god who was "playing it safe" or "weighing the consequences" have ever saved ME?

Absolutely not!

Keller ends the intro with this...

"Jesus is showing us the God of Great Expenditure, who is nothing if not prodigal toward us, his children.  God's reckless grace is our greatest hope and a life changing experience."

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You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit and that your fruit should abide, so that whatever you ask the Father in my name, he may give it to you. - John 15:16

My God Recklessly Chose me, and I hope to share with you the grace and hope He bestows upon me daily!

New Adventures

God calls us to some pretty crazy things!
Selling all your things and leaving your friends and family for a year long mission trip to 11 countries! - Most people thought I must be crazy! But I had comfort knowing it was what God had for me! I had faith that His plan was for good and not harm if I would just obey.

The last 4 months have been a mixture of unexpected experiences! God has shown me what ministry is, and isn't! God calls us ALL to ministry, and it looks different for each one of us.

God has really been speaking to me and stirring my heart, even in some surprising ways! But as I chose to take yet another step in the direction of letting God lead, and fully trusting in Him, I soon realized that God had made my desires, HIS desires, and He was telling me it was time; time to accept some of the most important callings He has placed on my life!

At the end of April, I chose to leave the World Race and let God continue to unfold the plans He has for me!!! My time on the "World Race" is over, but MY race is far from over!!!

I have tried for weeks to put what God is doing into words for you! But the truth is I can't, every time I turn around I am blown away and amazed at His ways, His timing, His plans, and His overwhelming love for us...

"US" as in my husband and I!!!

April 30th Brett and I became one! The last couple weeks have been crazy busy with ministry at the church, and working out some things God has laid on our hearts! We have so much to share and I hope you will continue to pray with and for us!

Read about the last 4 months HERE

Much love, Brett & Kylee Morris