Restoring All Things Girls

Happy Thanksgiving   This year at my home we are not doing the traditional Thanksgiving dinner.   My family and I decided to do the traditional dinner for Christmas and make it spectacular.   With Mom getting up in years, almost 80 years old, we felt it would be too strenuous for her, the back to back cooking (Thanksgiving and Christmas).   Although my sister and I are in the kitchen cooking with her, Mom never takes a break.   And Mom will not allow my sister and I to prepare the Thanksgiving meal without her.  When Mom was presented with option of not preparing the traditional dinner for Thanksgiving and cooking for Christmas, she was happy.   If Mom would have said, “No we are going to have the traditional dinner”, we would be serving turkey today.   Instead, we are having stuffed shells, meat balls, string beans, garlic toast and homemade cakes for dessert.   Needless to say, we are sooo looking forward to Christmas.   The h...

A Beautiful Day to Have a little talk with Jesus Picture by: Greg Olsen

Nehemiah 8:10 New International Version (NIV) Nehemiah said, “Go and enjoy choice food and sweet drinks, and send some to those who have nothing  prepared. This day is holy to our Lord. Do not grieve, for the joy  of the  Lord  is your strength.”

2 Kings 4:8 - 37 The Shunammite woman was a wealthy and well respected person in the society. This is how the Bible described her. In Deborah we saw a leader, in Hannah a prayerful woman, in Abigail an intelligent woman and the Shunammite a wealthy and well respected person in the society. This gives us a true picture of how the Bible views woman. The Shunammite woman had a kind heart. Keeping your heart right, full of love and empty of bitterness is the secret of receiving from God. The Shunammite woman used her kindness and wealth to entertain a prophet (2 Kings 4:8-10). She got blessed with a child because of her kindness. This was inline with God's promise (Matthew 10:41). The Shu nammite woman had three qualities that are essential in every woman of God. Contentment  A kind heart (compassion)  Persistence The Shunammite woman's life teaches us important lessons about these three essential qualities. Contentment (1 Timothy 6:1- 10) When Elisha asked t...

The  End It Movement , a coalition of organizations fighting to end human slavery, led by Pastor Louie Giglio of Passion City Church in Atlanta, has posted a powerful new video showcasing a group of sex slaves being driven around a transparent bus, prompting shocked reactions from onlookers. “We are here to shine a light on slavery. No more bondage. No more sex trafficking. No more child laborers. No more, starting now,” the End It movement says. “Slavery still exists. We want every man, woman and child to know that there are 27 million men, women and children, just like them, living in the shadows, working as slaves, in 161 countries, including our own.” Slavery is Wrong. You know it. We know it. As a country, we’ve officially known it since 1863. But here’s something you might not know — Slavery still exists. We want every man, woman and child to know that there are 27 million men, women and children, just like them, living in the shadows. In brothels. In factories. In ...

Acts 8:5-8 King James Version (KJV) Then Philip went down to the city of Samaria, and preached Christ unto them. And the people with one accord gave heed unto those things which Philip spake, hearing and seeing the miracles which he did. For unclean spirits, crying with loud voice, came out of many that were possessed with them: and many taken with palsies, and that were lame, were healed. And there was great joy in that city.

There was once a time when saying the words “God bless America” would get you honor and commendation.  But that day might be behind us. A retired veteran who is employed by a hospital in California was punished for having the words “God bless America” in his email signature.  The veteran says that he was asked to remove the words from his email signature, which he initially refused to do.  He then said that he wanted to speak to his attorneys. At that point, Boots Hawks says that he was put on leave. The Pacific Justice Institute (PJI) is reporting that the man was called into the supervisor’s office, which is where he was confronted about the “inappropriate” email signature.  That’s when the Dameron Hospital employee says that he wanted to speak to his attorney. Hawks says that he was punished for “insubordination” and came to work to find out that his computer password had been changed.   He’d once been named “Employee of the Year” and served 20 y...

1 Samuel  Chapters 1 - 2 Elkanah had two wives - Hannah and Peninnah. Peninnah had children but Hannah did not (1 Samuel 1:1-8). Hannah's name means 'woman of grace' or 'gracious woman'. She eventually gave birth to Samuel after endeavoring years of cruel mocking and taunts from Peninnah for being childless. A Raw Deal Hannah had what many would call 'a raw deal in life'. She was childless in a society that considered not having a child the ultimate failure. A longing of the heart denied can cause much pain. Rather than allow her pain to cause bitterness towards God Hannah used the pain in her heart as a catalyst to pray. (1 Samuel 1:12-20). Hannah developed a more intimate relationship with the God of Israel than the priest of Israel had. Eli was a man who watched lips instead of perceiving hearts (1 Samuel 1:12-24). How often today do we applaud those who 'talk the talk' at the expense of those who are quietly 'walking the walk'...

As I walk along the shore and look out at the ocean- I am free. No longer daunted by the past - the stress - pain and heartache are behind me. No longer hiding behind the gates of shame-I ARISE New beginnings before me - new horizons surround me - endless possibilities awaken in me as deep and wide as the ocean.  The sound of the ocean refreshes me and I smile. It makes me feel like running and so I do. I run until the sand slows me down and the sandals come off my feet. I am as carefree as a child running along the shore, stopping to stick my feet in the water. A warm gentle breeze is blowing and I feel the warmth of the son on my face.   My heart praises God and my spirit rejoices. In my running I realize I was not running away from something, but rather embracing life - Zoe life.   God wants you to have life more abundant - to come out of the shadow of shame. If you want to experience all that God has for you be willing to be free...

Last week I was dropping my daughter off for a birthday party. As I was leaving, a man stopped me asking for direction.  He was standing with one of my daughter’s school friends. Immediately recognizing her, I put my hand out and introduced myself, explaining that our daughters sit together at lunch often.   His reaction was sarcastic as he gave his daughter a sideways glance. I didn’t fully catch what he said, but whatever it was it didn’t honor his daughter in any way. Looking at her, I could tell this was not abnormal behavior. I’ll be honest: I wanted to punch him. It’s challenging to articulate the influence a father has on a little girl—how much of his attitude and actions toward her can determine her future relationships. I remember how much stock I placed in what my dad thought of me. I remember how much I wanted him to be proud of me. To affirm me. To show me my value. I remember how he would brag about me on the sidelines of the soccer field....

All you have to do is listen to people comment as they walk around the mall. So many have a negative view of self. Everything from, “I feel fat today” to “I hate the way I look” can be heard. Have you embraced a distorted view of yourself? Have you used the cultural standards of beauty and success to judge your worth? God invites you to a personal relationship in which you can find ultimate acceptance. With His help, you can break free from a negative self-image. Review these points in order to correct your image. 1. Have a proper understanding of what self-image is.  A self-image is based on your own ideas of acceptance and accomplishment. A God-image is built on the inherent dignity and worth you have as His child. Nothing you do or accomplish impacts your worth. 2. God esteems you when people do not.  God cares about your heart and looks at things that have eternal significance.  Scripture reminds us that we are accepted, secure and significant because w...

I saw this picture on my facebook page and had to share.  This adorable young lady with the cutest smile confessing her love for Jesus.

For God and Country God Bless our Veterans and all those who serve in the armed forces Thank you for your sacrifice

As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord. Joshua 24:15 Don't worry, Dad is coming soon - Amen!

Jesus Reinstates Peter John 21:15-20 New International Version (NIV) When they had finished eating, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon son of John, do you love me more than these?” “Yes, Lord,” he said, “you know that I love you.” Jesus said,  “Feed my lambs.” Again Jesus said,  “Simon son of John, do you love me?” He answered, “Yes, Lord, you know that I love you.” Jesus said,  “Take care of my sheep.” The third time he said to him,  “Simon son of John, do you love me?” Peter was hurt because Jesus asked him the third time,  “Do you love me?”  He said, “Lord, you know all things;  you know that I love you.” Jesus said,  “Feed my sheep.     Very truly I tell you, when you were younger you dressed yourself and went where you wanted; but when you are old you will stretch out your hands, and someone else will dress you and lead you where you do not want to go.”   Jesus said this to indicate the kind of death ...

I can remember wearing white frilly socks and black patent leather shoes as a little girl.  My mother would make matching outfits for me and my sister, a dress and jacket ensemble.  On Sunday's for church we  would wear white gloves and mother would give us a handkerchief to carry in our little purse.  Oh how times have changed.  It is a rare find to see little girls dressed like little girls.  From infancy and up little girls are dressed in pants, name brand sweat suits, sneakers with a pink ribbon around the head.  I never understood the logic of this.  Little girls are are no longer groomed to be dainty and feminine. Young women of this generation are taught it is a man's world and in order to compete you must lay aside  your femininity. What a tragedy.  It is a beautiful thing to see a little girl with her hair neatly comb, ribbon in hair, frilly socks and a dress.  Her countenance reflects the way she looks, responds and co...

"Is there something you are waiting for, something you are trusting God to do, to perform, to fulfill and He hasn't done it yet? You are probably waiting longer than you thought you would have to wait. But that does not mean God's provision has been canceled, it just mean His promise is delayed. Our timetable is different from His, and on occasion He will say "Wait". I repeat the delay doesn't mean He has canceled it, it simply means He is building our character through the process of waiting." -Chuck Swindoll I waited patiently for the Lord and He inclined to me and heard my cry. - Psalms 40:1

Matthew 25:1-13 New International Version (NIV) “At that time the kingdom of heaven will be like  ten virgins who took their lamps  and went out to meet the bridegroom.   Five of them were foolish and five were wise.   The foolish ones took their lamps but did not take any oil with them.     The wise ones, however, took oil in jars along with their lamps.     The bridegroom was a long time in coming, and they all became drowsy and fell asleep. “At midnight the cry rang out: ‘Here’s the bridegroom! Come out to meet him!’   “Then all the virgins woke up and trimmed their lamps.   The foolish ones said to the wise, ‘Give us some of your oil; our lamps are going out.’   “‘No,’ they replied, ‘there may not be enough for both us and you. Instead, go to those who sell oil and buy some for yourselves.’   “But while they were on their way to buy the oil, the bridegroom arrived. The virgins who were ready went in with him t...