We Have Been Called to Action

(Picture from Microsoft Office Images)

Ladies, we have been called to action.

Earlier this week I came across a blog written by none other than Beth Moore herself. I have to share with you that it sent chills down my spine - not just because it has a powerful and timely message - but because the topic is one that God seems to be bringing to my attention more and more lately - mentoring. I highly suggest you follow the link under Beth Moore's picture and read her post from July 6, 2012 on the Living Proof Ministries blog before you go any further because there is no way I can tell you what she said any better than she said it herself. Her first sentence is, "I'm really ticked."

(picture from Living Proof
 Ministries Facebook)

Big Sisters and Little Sisters by Beth Moore 

Well, can you relate? I think you can. How do I know? First, because I have been there. I have been that young mother who feels like the bouncy ball Satan keeps slamming up against the wall. I have been that wife and mother who felt like I wanted someone to stop this spinning top and let me off before I go stark raving mad. I have been that "Godly" woman trying so hard to put on a facade of perfection for the world to see, convinced I was the only female in the history of the world to ever feel this out of control. And you know what? This is exactly what Satan wants us to feel - alone, rejected, utter failures, with no hope of ever being successful. Truth be told we have all felt this way at one time or another. And if you haven't, I imagine you will one day in the future. Satan doesn't play fair. In fact, he is downright mean. He is the father of lies, a roaring lion set on tearing us apart. But God is intent on making sure this does not happen. Ladies, we are a part of that plan. Over and over again we are commanded to encourage one another in faith. Titus 2 is founded on the premise of the older women teaching the younger women - mentoring them. 

We have been called to action.

As I write this blog there were over 1200 answers to Beth Moore's call to big sisters and little sisters. I would like to suggest we do the same thing with this post on this blog. Little sisters (anyone 39 and below) write a post and let us know how we can pray for you, how we can encourage you right now in your life. Big sisters (anyone 40 and above) we all know we can use encouragement just as much as the younger women, but let's use this time to minister to them because 

we have been called to action!

Let me encourage you who may not be Valleydale members who may read this blog. You are included in this exercise, also. As you write your comments, please remember they will not appear immediately; however, I will monitor them closely and make sure they get posted as quickly as I can.

Lord, as I close this posting, I want to lift up every woman who will read it. May she KNOW that SHE is fearfully and wonderfully made for YOUR plan - a plan you have specifically designed for HER and no other. May she know that you walk with her every step of every day; that you care about every aspect of her life both large and small; that you are willing to help carry her burdens and rejoice over her victories. May she know that everything she has comes from you; that you love her like no other ever has or ever will; that you desire to give her a peace that passes all understanding. Give her strength when she feels weak, wisdom when she is confused, and courage when she is afraid. Fill her with you Spirit, Lord, so that she can love as you love, see others through your eyes and speak your words. We praise you, Abba Father, for your perfect love that is the same yesterday, today and tomorrow. What an awesome, and powerful, and amazing God we serve! May your perfect will be accomplished in each and every life represented here. Amen, and Amen! 

And may we always remember, whether we are a little sister or a big sister, we are His ambassadors, and 

WE HAVE BEEN CALLED TO ACTION.

Culture - Extra Credit Week 2

DAILY PRAYER:  Lord, change my heart to look more like yours.

Day 1:
Daily Prayer - Lord, change my heart to look more like yours.
Read:  Matthew 7:5 and Luke 6:42

Last week we talked about the fact that we need to resolve ourselves to follow God in our own culture so that we can be a light and Godly to others.

Stop and pray and ask the Lord what planks you need to remove in order to be used by Him in our culture.


Day 2:
Daily Prayer - Lord, change my heart to look more like yours.
Read: Proverbs 18:21

If you have used your words inappropriately, please say a prayer of forgiveness.  How can you use your words for life today?  Is there someone you need to encourage or speak a loving word of truth to?


Day 3:
Daily Prayer - Lord, change my heart to look more like yours.
Read: James 3:1-9

What stands out to you in these verses?


Day 4:
Daily Prayer - Lord, change my heart to look more like yours.

Read: James 3:6

What is the source of the tongue when it is used like fire? _  _  _  _  (One 4 letter word.)

Read  Acts 2:3-4
Where is the source of these tongues of fire?

Our tongues can be used for heaven's purposes or hell's.  The tongue is hard to tame as we read yesterday.  We will never be perfect, but we certainly can be better.  Say a prayer of resolve to commit your tongue to the purposes of heaven.



Day 5:
Daily Prayer - Lord, change my heart to look more like yours.
Read: Exodus 14:14


Ask God to help you trust Him enough and His mighty power to do a mighty work while you remain in silent obedience against the spread of evil for the protection of His bride.


If you want a little something more to read, try the book of James.  It is not very long -- just 5 chapters.  I believe you will see lots of relevance and challenges for what we face in our culture today.


submitted by Amy Harris

Making Hubby #2

Originally posted on September 21, 2011

Since my last post detailing Jami Hovey's first lesson on Balance, I have been asked more than once how one successfully makes their husband number 2 in their life when there are so many responsibilities and distractions demanding our attention.  I don't claim to be an expert on the subject by any stretch of the imagination; however, I am going to post my thoughts here, and I want you to feel free to add comments as to how you personally give your husband proper place in your life.

First, you need to know a little background.  My husband and I have been married 31 years and have 4 grown children, 1 fantastic daughter-in-law and 1 perfect grandson.  During that 31 years, Stephen has traveled extensively 26 of those years and still does.  To give you a little perspective, our oldest "child" will be 28 tomorrow.  There have been many, many days that the only interaction I had with my husband was 15 to 30 minutes very late at night when he would call and we would discuss family and household business.  Both of us would be so very exhausted by this time, but I looked forward to it all day.

I think we often equate putting our spouse in a place of priority in our lives with spending a major amount of time with him.  Don't get me wrong.  We need to spend time with our husbands, but I contend making them number 2 is as much or more of an attitude issue as a scheduling issue.  Let me explain.  Remember when you first fell in love?  Whenever anything good or bad happened throughout the day, you just couldn't wait to share it with "him".  Right?  Do you still feel that way?  Remember how you would rather spend time with him than go out with "the girls"?  Do you feel that way now?  We must covet that relationship and make a direct effort on a daily basis to let him know that he is the most important person in our lives whether we get to spend just a few quality minutes with him or a few wonderful hours.

Here are a couple of ideas:

1. Remember to pray for him every day.  Don't hesitate to let him know that.  Let him know you are praying for a specific issue he is dealing with that day, etc.
2. Remember to pray with him.
3. Buy a dry erase marker and write "I love you" or "I respect the way you work so hard to provide for our family" or "Thank you for being such a wonderful dad to our children"  etc on the bathroom mirror.  Don't panic.  It will clean off!
4. Write him a love note and put it in his computer case, lunch box, wallet, etc. so he'll find it during the day.
5. Buy his favorite snack and have it sitting in the car for him to find when he leaves in the morning.
6. Text him a message during the day.
7. Look for ways to brag about him to your kids, friends, etc.  - especially in front of him!

You get the idea.  He needs to know you love, respect and  think he is a man above all men!  Yes, you have to make an effort to spend quality time with him, but you can do things in between during your busy days to let him know that he is number 2 in your book.  Use your imagination and your knowledge of what is important to him.

Oh, and by the way, I asked my husband this question before posting this.  You might be interested to know the male perspective in this household anyway was the same as mine!  Have a good day, ladies, and add your ideas of how you make your husband know he is number 2!

copy right by Robin Kelley

used with express permission

Notes on Encouragement from Amy Harris

 Originally posted September 14, 2011

Below are some notes Amy Harris made on encouragement that you should find helpful as we close out our week on encouragement and begin our study on Balance.  Amy made these notes based on the book A Woman After God's Own Heart by Elizabeth George.

A good word makes the heart glad. Proverbs 12:25

"With every encounter, make it your aim that people are better off for having been in your presence.  Try in every encounter to give something to the other person."

1.  Take Time to Be Filled:  

• We can't give away what we don't possess.

• If you take time to sit at Jesus' feet and be filled by God's Spirit as you study the written Word, if you focus on overcoming internal obstacles to doing God's work, you will never lack for ministry.  God's fullness in you will naturally overflow into the lives of others.
• Corrie ten Boom had a problem with shyness so she took a Dale Carnegie course to learn to talk to people.  She knew if she could talk to people she could tell them about Jesus
• You have more to give to your neighbor if you regularly place yourself before God and let Him grow you, strengthen you and transform you!

2.  Memorize Scriptures of Encouragement

• "let your speech always be with grace, seasoned with salt" Col 4:6
• If you are faithful to commit to memory selected gems from God's Word, you'll suddenly find them adding real substance to your conversations.

3.  Ways to Encourage:

Phone Calls - She calls them "sunshine calls"

• Tips - If you have young children at home, tell them you need to make a phone call and ask if they need anything before you call.  It shows your children that they are your primary concern but what you are doing is important so they are not to interrupt.
• Ask the person you are calling, "Is this a good time to talk or would you like me to call you back?"
• If they don't answer, leave a cheerful message and let them know you are thinking about them and will call them back.
• She usually makes her calls around 5:30 pm and says, "I know you're about to eat and so are we but I haven't seen you lately, and I just had to give you a quick call and make sure you're all right."  If there is a difficulty, I make an appointment to call back at a time when we can have a more lengthy and meaningful conversation.

Notes of Encouragement

• This works for handwritten notes or email but there is a much more personal element to a handwritten note.
• Tips - set aside a slot time in your week for the express purpose of writing notes.
• Basic How To: 3 sentences........

1. Sentence #1 - conveys I miss you, I appreciate you, or I'm thinking of you
2. Sentence #2 - let the reader know they are special to you and why
3. Sentence #3 - says I'm praying for you and includes a verse you are praying for them

• You can keep a folder with you with note cards, stamps, etc. to write notes as you are in carpool line, waiting at the Dr. offce etc.

Spiritual Gifts to Encourage Others

• Serving, mercy and giving - each is a specific spiritual gift, but each is also commanded of us as Christians.  And each was carried out and modeled for us by our dear Savior, in whose steps we are to follow.

Live It Out:

• Everything we do or don't do teaches.
• Others can watch you and be encouraged in their own quest to follow God.

What's Your Ratio?

Originally posted on September 10, 2011

"Whoever refreshes others will be refreshed."  
                                                     Proverbs 25:11b

When our kids were growing up, we had a rule about calling each other names, cutting each other down or making fun of each other  The offenders had to sit down and say two nice things about the sibling(s) they had offended for every one rude thing.  Recently, I found out that this 2 to 1 ratio was probably not nearly enough - though they did seem to learn from it.  A few weeks ago I was listening to a sermon by Jeff Henderson in a series called Life Apps through North Point Baptist Church in Atlanta entitled Life App #5: Encouragement.  He opened his sermon by referring to a recent study by the Gottman Institute that made such a huge impact on me I hope I never forget it.  It is my prayer that I make a concerted effort to be the exception to this "rule".  They said that in the daily conversations of the average person they receive 6 comments of criticisms for every 1 word of encouragement.  Let that soak in for a second.  What a sad commentary on our society!  If this is true, the toxic conversations that course through our relationships aren't reflecting the love of Jesus that we as Women of God are called to portray. In fact, the total opposite is too often the case!  On the flip side, the potential for showering the love of God onto every person we come in contact with is powerful!

I believe our first human response when we hear about this study is to think about the conversations that we receive - that affect us - but in Proverbs 11:25b  Solomon reminds us of a very exciting precept God has built into all of us.  We generally receive as much or more of a blessing when we do for others as they do.  Isn't God great?  But this means we will have to go against our human nature.  When the poisonous chatter around us gets us down, I think we are being challenged to ask God to open our eyes to the people He is putting in our path THAT day so we can change their criticism:encouragement ratio.  This encouragement doesn't have to be a great oratorical  but sincere words spoken from our heart.  From our husbands to our children, from our coworkers to the cashier at the store, from the waitress at lunch to the teacher after school - the ministry of encouragement is limitless!  God knows who they are and exactly what they need to hear, and He will let us in on the secret if we only ask!!

I can't help but wonder what a difference it would make to our homes, our country, our entire society if we as Representatives of God's love and mercy took His challenge to completely reverse this ratio so that the people around us hear one criticism for every 6 or more words of encouragement!  Let's face it, ladies, we all have the gift of gab!  Let's turn it over to God and watch the magnificent ways He uses our words to touch the lives of the people around us!!!!

Oh, and by the way, have I told you how nice you look today?

copyright by Robin Kelley, all rights reserved, used here with express written consent