Showing posts with label faith. Show all posts
Showing posts with label faith. Show all posts

Thursday, June 26, 2014

Sunday Funnies........ Enjoy!!

 
 
 
Casey asked her Sunday School teacher a question: “If the people of Israel are Israelites, and the people of Canaan are Canaanites, are the people of Paris called Parasites?”
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A Sunday School teacher was telling her class the story of the Good Samaritan, in which a man was beaten, robbed and left for dead.  She described the situation in vivid detail so her students would catch the drama.  Then she asked the class, “If you saw a person lying on the roadside all wounded and bleeding, what would you do?   A thoughtful little girl broke the hushed silence, “I think I’d throw up!”
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The Sunday School teacher had just told her class the story of Mary, Joseph and Jesus fleeing into Egypt to escape Herod, and then she asked her students to draw a picture about the story.  She came to a little boy’s drawing and was slightly puzzled to see he had drawn a picture of an airplane so she asked him to explain.  Joey responded, “Well, this is the “Flight into Egypt”.  Here in the back of the plane are Mary, Joseph and Jesus.”
 The teacher pointed to the stick figure leaning out of the cockpit of the plane and asked, “Who is this person?”
“Oh,”  Joey responded, “That’s Pontius the Pilot!”
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Three boys are in the school yard bragging about their fathers. The first boy says, "My Dad scribbles a few words on a piece of paper, he calles it a poem, and they give him $25."       The second boy says, "That's nothing. My Dad scribbles a few words on a piece of paper, he calls it a song, and they give him $200."       The third boy says, "I got you both beat. My Dad scribbles a few words on a piece of paper, he calls it a sermon, and it takes eight men to collect all the money!"
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One Sunday morning, the Pastor noticed little Alex was staring up at the large plaque that hung in the foyer of the church.  The plaque was covered with names and small American flags were mounted on either side of it.  The seven-year old had been staring at the plaque for some time, so the Pastor walked up, stood beside the boy, and said quietly, “Good morning, Alex.”
“Good morning, Pastor.” replied the young man, still focused on the plaque.  “Pastor McGhee, what is this?”  Alex asked.
“Well son, it’s a memorial to all the young men and women who died in the service.”
Soberly, they stood together, staring at the large plaque.  Little Alex’s voice was barely audible when he asked, “Which service, the 8:30 or the 11:00?”
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Finding one of her students making faces at others on the playground, Mrs. Smith stopped to gently reprove the child.  Smiling sweetly, the Sunday School teacher said, “Bobby, when I was a child, I was told that if I made ugly faces, it would freeze and I would stay like that.”
Bobby looked up and replied, “Well, Mrs. Smith, you can’t say you weren’t warned.”

Copyright 2008 Bil Keane, Inc -- Dist by King Features Synd. -- www.familycircus.com

 
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A little girl became restless as the preacher’s sermon dragged on and on.  Finally, she leaned over to her mother and whispered, “Mommy, if we give him the money now, will he let us go?”
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A six-year old was overheard reciting the Lord’s Prayer at a church service: “And forgive us our trash passes as we forgive those who passed trash against us.”
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The Sunday School teacher was carefully explaining the story of Elijah the Prophet and the false prophets of Baal.  She explained how Elijah had built the altar, put wood upon it, cut the steer in pieces and laid it upon the altar.  And then Elijah commanded the people of God to fill four barrels of water and pour it over the altar.  He had them do this four times.  “Now,” said the teacher, “can anyone in the class tell me why the Lord would have Elijah pour water over the steer on the altar?”
A little girl raised her hand and replied enthusiastically, “To make gravy!”

 
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A Sunday School teacher asked her preschool class as they were on their way to the church service, “And why is it necessary to be quiet in church?”
One bright little girl replied, “Because people are sleeping.”
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A mother was teaching her three-year old the Lord’s Prayer.  For several evenings at bedtime the little girl repeated the prayer after her mother.  One night she said she was ready to say it by herself.  The mother listened with pride as her child carefully enunciated each word, right up to the end of the prayer, “Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us some E-mail.  Amen.”
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The Sunday School teacher was describing that when Lot's wife looked back at Sodom she turned into a pillar of salt, when Bobby interrupted. "My mommy looked back once while she was driving," he announced, "and she turned into a telephone pole."
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***** Going over our church finances I found a receipt from a local paint store signed by someone named Christian. I wasn't aware of anyone buying paint, so I called the store to point out its mistake.       "I'm sorry," I told the manager, "but there are no Christians here at First Baptist Church." ********

 

Monday, May 12, 2014

Back on Track......

I've taken a hiatus from the Faith and Fitness world. Well more of the fitness not so much the faith. Due to a move, and well a list of other distractions. I am back on track and ready to go. I've missed my workouts, my healthy living and healthy feeling. I know the majority of you have NOT taken a break and I am sure you look and feeling amazing. In this time I have came to the realization... I am NOT a super mom. No matter how hard I try. I feel like I am being prayerfully directed to incorporate my not so super parenting experience into my faith and fitness. Thus, the name change. My Facebook page also has the same name change. I will be back to blogging, Facebooking, and posting about my faith and fitness as a NOT so super mom. So, Please sit down, pull up a chair and join me on the on again journey to Faith and Fitness with a NOT so super mom. Feel free to share with friends, family and strangers Blessings, Hollie Kate <3

Wednesday, January 8, 2014

Faith over Fear


I am a control freak when it comes to my daily life. This is not a secret to those who truly know me. I like stability, schedules and consistency. I love knowing what time were going to bed and getting up. I even love knowing what nights we will be watching a particular television show. I love knowing at 630 every evening my 12 year old daughter and I will compete solving puzzles on Wheel of fortune. I do not like surprises in any way shape or form. I contribute my almost OCD level of this to my childhood. As a child there was so much chaos, instability and uncertainty in my world. It always left me feeling confused, tired, fearful, unfocused and without peace.   Even now when things get chaotic I get anxious. Something as simple as cutting my hair, having my nails done or uninvited guest cause anxiety attacks. Yes, this is something I've dealt with for years. I've turned it over to God and I've let him or so I thought. I live a peaceful life in Waco far from family. I do have a few select friends here. I have a daily routine and it's the same day in and day out. I love it this way. Well last Friday my boss and owner of the company I was employed at informed me the doors would be closing Monday. Yes, in a brief forty-eight hours. This was completely unexpected. At that moment my peaceful scheduled life was thrown into a downward spiral of chaos. I was in shocked, anxious, nervous and worried. And that is just the tip of the ice berg of emotions.

I had to stop and calm down I vowed I would prayerfully fast and read my bible. Along with applying for position in various cities and states. Appling for unemployment.  I even have gone as far as purchasing a new bible, which I've been wanting for a while. I bought new pens and took out an old empty journal. I've jumped head first into prayer, fasting and studying. I know there are times throughout the day when I feel overwhelmed by the circumstance or fearful of the unknown God has shown me in scriptures he is still here. He has not left me, nor will he. He will not forsake me. I am reminded in Ecclesiastes 3:1  " To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven". I've been sure this is just a season and this too shall pass.

Then this morning I check my email and there is a message stating I don not qualify for unemployment. I didn't make enough. Very frustrated I drove to the Workforce office to inquire about this decision. I was given a paper to apply for appeals. The sweet elderly man who helped me said it may have just been a typo or error entered on either end. So, I asked how long the appeals take. His reply "if all goes well or as planned it'll take five to six weeks".  Another spiral of chaos in my new world of uncertainty. I felt the fear, anxiety, frustration and tears starting to overwhelm me. I called my mother who immediately calmed me down.  As I drove home I was quickly reminded by God the bible says in  Isaiah 42:16 "when God says he will, it's a guarantee he will". I have been faithful to turn to him and his word he is working on my behalf. See a few years ago I would have immediately  look at the situation and reacted out fear. And, yes usually making the worst decision possible. Causing the domino effect to my circumstance. So, I sit here today with uncertainty in my future employment and residence. But I chose to put my faith, hope and trust in God. I chose to not let my circumstance pull me away but drawn me closer to God. No, I am not perfect and I do have those moments in which I stand and say "God I need you to take over". And guess what he does, EVERY TIME!  And I challenge you today. If you are facing uncertainty have faith and let God work for you.

Monday, November 18, 2013

When Satan’s lies can’t get to my heart, God peace fills me up!


 
 
 This being November 18th it makes me realize I only have one month until I am 36. I started to think. Did I accomplish everything I set out to or hoped I would accomplish in my 35th year of life? Did I do everything I could to further his kingdom? However shameful it is, it is very simple. No, I didn’t!  The shameful part is, I cannot blame it on anyone other than myself. And there is only one reason I did not. It is the reason most of us don’t accomplish all we can for his kingdom. Not for lack of funds, not for lack of support, not for lack of knowledge, but the simplest of things F-E-A-R. A small four letter word that controls so much of us.  I am always telling my children when they are fearful remember and say out loud “For God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love and of self-discipline” (2 Timothy 1:7). Yes, it is easier to direct my children in this than to apply it to my own life.  The easier said than done concept. And then there is the part of Psalm 23 that we all have known since preschool. “Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me” Psalm 23:4. I don’t care if you are Baptist, AOG, Pentecostal, apostolic, catholic or Methodist. This is a scripture we ALL know. And we have all known since we started memorizing scriptures as toddlers. Why do we fear? Why do we fear only when it applies to religion, church or our relationship with Christ? We can make a toast at weddings, at birthday and anniversary parties. We can even get up in a room full of strangers and sing karaoke. But, when it comes to praying aloud, singing or publicly speaking about his grace, his love and his mercy. Even sharing our testimonies we crumble like a brittle cookie.  That huge ball of fear, takes over and we stutter, were tongued tied, we sweat, and we cannot bring ourselves to say it. A few reasons we fear…

1.       Fear of not sounding as eloquent as the person before or after us. (even if they’ve been doing it for years)

2.       Someone may laugh at us.

3.       We are sure someone in the crowd is judging us. (people we’ve never met and may never meet)

4.       If people hear or testimony or our view on Christ, then we will have to change the way we act outside of church. (talk, jokes, actions and sometimes attire)

5.       If I give my testimony then people will know all dirty secrets from my past.

6.       Fear of no longer being accepted by non-believers. ( I have dear friends who are non-believers)

7.       Oh man, then we have to start listening to Christian music. Or we can’t see the rated “R” movie.

8.       What if we make mistakes people will judge us.

 



I know all these things have gone through minds of Christian people everywhere. I know they have all at some point they’ve gone through my mind. Sometimes one at a time. Other times my mind if flooded with all eight. It is not a shame or a sin to think these things. The shame and sin in it is to let it consume you and live in fear. God never intended for his people to live in fear.  Our freedom comes in and through Christ.

 Romans 6:22

But now that you have been set free from sin and have become slaves of God, the benefit you reap leads to holiness, and the result is eternal life.

2 Corinthians 3:17  

 Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.

Galatians 5:1

 It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.

1 Peter 2:16  Live as free people, but do not use your freedom as a cover-up for evil; live as God's slaves.

 

I am not saying if you are a Christian you will never make mistakes. You will never fear, you will make fall and to think you won’t you are only fooling yourself and giving Satan an open do to help you fear, fall and make mistakes. Once you repent and ask God to take over your life that does not mean it will be easier. Sometimes it is harder. Yes… I said it the dreaded word “harder.” You then become a threat to Satan. And he only attacks those who threaten his dark kingdom. In John 10:10 is says it all “The thief cometh not, but that he may steal, and kill, and destroy: I came that they may have life, and may have [it] abundantly”.

Christ not only wants, but requires us to set aside our fear and embrace our freedom. That freedom we can only find in him.  Give that testimony, sing that song and give the lesson, say that prayer. Sometimes this is better than a hallelujah. Remember when you fear to move forward in God’s will for your life you are robbing yourself of Joy, peace, happiness and opportunities.  I don’t care if it’s speaking, teaching, singing or serving don’t let fear take hold. Try first tell Satan out loud to “leave me alone, in the name of Jesus.  Tell Satan “you have no place around me” (Telling him out loud is important because he can’t read our minds) Then pray to God, asking for the blood of Jesus to cover your mind, heart and spirit. Glynnis says it best “I’ve asked God to cover my heart, mind, my pulse, my thoughts, my family, and my home, everything I can think of, with the blood of Jesus.  When Satan’s lies can’t get to my heart, God peace fills me up” - Glynnis Whitwer

 

Revelation 12:11, “They triumphed over him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony; they did not love their lives so much as to shrink from death.”

 

And remember when you are not sure what or how to pray. Pray the word of God. Pull out your Bible and just pray start with Psalm 23. If you do not have a bible email me. I will mail you one, today!! God does not require your prayers, speech, teachings or songs to be eloquent only sincere.  I pray that this may bless someone. Help them to overcome their fear and move forward in God’s will for their life.

 

Remember life is short, God is good and coffee is your friend,

 

Hollie Kate.