A to Z Blogging Challenge "Zebras and Other Evidence of God's Love for Us"

“Zebras and Other Evidence of God’s Love for Us”

By Shelly Burke, Author and Editor

WOW—I can’t believe today is the last day of the A to Z Blogging Challenge! It has been a lot of fun! I’ve found some great new blogs and made some new online friends. The Challenge forced me to write and blog every day—on two blogs! After doing it twice a day (except for Sundays) I’m getting very good at posting on the new Blogger format and on Facebook as well. I’m thrilled to have more followers, too! I prayed that the A to Z Challenge would be successful for me and my businesses and it has been. I plan to continue to blog on a regular basis (not every day, but 2-3 times a week) so check back often or sign up for e-mail notifications whenever a new post appears.

This fun (and fake!) photo
is from www.jokeroo.com

The letter “Z” gives me the chance to write some thoughts I’ve had for a long time.

Anyone who has read this blog knows how much I love nature—sunsets, sunrises, the changing of the seasons, animals.

These things make me so grateful to God for His love for us.

Think about it: God could have given us one kind of tree. Instead, we have many different kinds, with different size, color, and shaped leaves.

He could have given us one kind of flower. Instead, we have flowers of many kinds, with different sizes, colors, shapes, and smells.

We could have just one “big” animal to look at, or one breed of dog, or one kind of cow. Instead, we have hundreds of different species.

He could have made the weather the same all over the world, every day of the year. Instead we have hot, warm, cool…rain, sleet, snow. Very dry areas, and tropical rain forests.

He could have made every sunrise and sunset look exactly the same…yet I’ve never seen two that are exactly the same.

We have almost endless variety in almost everything, throughout the world!

To me this is proof (as if I needed more proof!) that God loves us and wants us to enjoy life!

Today, take some time to enjoy the variety of nature…and thank God for loving us enough to give us such beauty and variety.

In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth…And God said, “Let the water teem with living creatures, and let birds fly above the earth across the expanse of the sky…Let the land produce living creatures according to their kinds; livestock, creatures that move along the ground, and wild animals, each according to its kind.” And God saw that it was good. Genesis 1:1, 20, 24

Thank You, Lord, for creating such variety and beauty in our world! Amen.

I’m also blogging today at Home is Where the Mom Is.

Today’s post is titled “Zoo…and Other Ideas for Summer Fun.” 

A to Z Blogging Challenge "You in 6 Words"

“You in Six Words”

How do you describe yourself? Today I challenge you to describe yourself in six words. I thought it would be easy to do so but it was not, at least for me!

I’ve read funny peoples’ funny descriptions of themselves or their life philosophy:

o      * Still fit into high school earrings.

o       *Might as well eat that cookie.

Type “You in six words” into your search engine and you’ll find plenty of examples to get you started.

Here are several I came up with to describe myself. This is a fun exercise--try it!

            Facing the empty nest. Opportunities abound.

           

            Sings loudly…if no one hears!

Love spending time with my daughter! (Morgan and I had a great day together today! The photo at the top is of our pedicures.)

            God’s child. Loved no matter what.

            He knew me before my birth. (Psalm 139:13)

What describes you in six words? Share in the comments.

For You created my inmost being; You knit me together in my mother’s womb. I praise You because I am fearfully and wonderfully made!

Psalm 139:13-14

I’m also blogging at Home is Where the Mom Is.

Today’s post is “You, as a Mom, in Six Words.” 

A to Z Blogging Challenge "Thx, Lord, for Answered Prayers"

“Thx, Lord, for Answered Prayers”

by Shelly Burke, Editor, Nebraska Family Times; To inspire, encourage, and motivate you on your Christian walk.”

It’s FREEBIE FRIDAY! Subscribe to the Nebraska Family Times before Sunday, April 29^th and you will  receive a FREE copy of my book Home is Where the Mom Is; A Christian Mom’s Guide to Caring for Herself, Her Family, and Her Home. For only $20 you’ll receive 12 issues of local, state and national news from a Christian point of view. Click on the button on the right side of this page to subscribe. Please make payment via PayPal to shelly@shellyburke.net, and leave the address to which you’d like your book sent! Home is Where the Mom Is makes the perfect Mother’s Day gift, and all books will be shipped on Monday, April 30^th!

Jenny the beagle, used by God
to help make Morgan's college
decision. 

A few days ago I blogged about my ever-growing prayer list in the post, “"Lifting Up in Prayer". 

Today I looked at the list again and realized that many of my prayers had been answered over the last few weeks. Some are prayers that will continue indefinitely—those for healing for people with cancer, prayers for continued safety for my family and loved ones, prayers for God to lead me in my work.

I will never stop praying these ongoing prayers…but I need to remember that some are answered every single day…and even when I don’t know the final outcome of other prayers, they are being answered on a day-to-day basis; one young man continues to recover from cancer-related surgery, a lady continues her treatment for cancer, friends feel God’s comfort after the death of a loved one.

I have had several specific prayers answered in very obvious ways in the last few weeks. These answers were unmistakable, and although the answers might not have been what I expected, they were answered in a way better than I could have imagined. I am so thankful for the reminder that God listens and He always answers our prayers.

One prayer was answered just yesterday. Morgan, our daughter, will graduate in a few weeks and was having a very hard time deciding on a college. She’s not sure exactly what she wants to major in and after visiting five or six colleges, had her choice narrowed down to two very different colleges—different in size, distance from home, and majors offered.

She’d been accepted to both colleges, and scholarships and financial aid offered were very similar. The choice was a difficult one—and only she could make it. I have been praying for God to give her a very clear sign as to which college to go, and when she talked to my sister a few days ago, Becky suggested she pray for the same thing.

Morgan and Jenny

Yesterday when she was getting ready for school I heard her laughing in her room. She came out with a piece of paper and said, “I got my sign!” She explained to me that her dog, Jenny, had rolled over on her floor to have her tummy rubbed and Morgan noticed a piece of paper under her.  Morgan unfolded it, and inside found…a check for more than the amount she needed for the housing deposit that, at one of the colleges was due! To make the message even clearer, the check was from a cattle show that was sponsored by Colorado State University, one of her choices for college! (Morgan isn’t the neatest person in the world, but she is always very careful with checks she receives—so clearly God put it there on the floor under Jenny!)

Could the message be more obvious? Morgan is relieved and so happy with her decision—and I am so thankful that He answered our prayers in such an unmistakable way.

Thank You, Lord, for answered prayers.

“…Whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it and it will be yours.” Mark 11:23-24

“Truly, truly I say to you, whatever you ask of the Father in My {Jesus’} name, He will give it to you. Ask and you will receive, that your job may be full.”

John 16:23b-24

I’m also blogging at Home is Where the Mom Is.

Today’s post is titled “X Marks the Spot”. 

A to Z Blogging Challenge "Wind"

Wind

By Shelly Burke, Editor and Publisher, Nebraska Family Times and author of Home is Where the Mom is; A Christian Mom's Guide to Caring for Herself, Her Family, and Her Home

“Wind” is a part of living in Nebraska, and today was (and is!) one of those days when the wind just howls across the wide open spaces.

A friend and I were driving back from an errand today, and I had to hold on to the steering wheel with both hands and really concentrate to keep my vehicle in my lane. The road was hilly and curvy, so occasionally the wind would be blocked and let up for a few seconds…only to quickly blast us from the other direction.

The seals around the windows on my vehicle are not tight, so the wind was loud as well as strong! Tracy and I almost had to yell to be heard. When Tracy called her daughter to make sure she’d gotten home from school, she had to plug her other ear with her finger to block out the noise of the wind.

Life is sometimes like that loud, windy ride home. We are blown about by trials and troubles and tribulations. We are pushed and pulled from side to side with the demands of family, friends, work, home…and even church. The “wind” noise of life can be such that we can hardly hear each other—or God.

When Elijah was running for his life from King Ahab, the Lord told him to stand on the mountain and wait for Him to pass. 1 Kings 19:11 tells us, “Then a great and powerful wind tore the  mountains apart and shattered the rocks before the Lord, but the Lord was not in the wind…{then} a still, small voice.” That voice was the Lord, who then gave Elijah instructions to escape to safety.

To hear that still small voice on a “windy life” day, we may have to plug our other ear (or both ears) to block out the noise of the telephone, kids, and dirty laundry--all calling for our attention--so we can hear that “still, small voice.”

Psalm 46:10 tells us to “Be still and know that I am God.”  Rather than continually fight to keep your life in the right lane, take time each day to pull over, take your hands off the wheel, be still, and just listen.

Life will always push and pull you around, and the “winds of life” will interfere with hearing God. Some days will be “windier” than others. But after you’ve been still…and listened for God’s still, small voice…you’ll be better able to navigate the roads of life.

Lord, thank You for being with me through all of the winds of my life. Please help me to remember to be still and listen for Your still, small voice to guide me. Amen.

I’m also blogging at Home is Where the Mom Is

Today’s post is titled “Every Mom is a ‘Working’ Mom.”

A to Z Blogging Challenge "Verse of the Year"

“Verse of the Year”

by Shelly Burke, Editor, Nebraska Family Times

Do you ever get discouraged in your work, whatever it may be?

I get discouraged as a mom when my kids have troubles, don’t listen to what Tim and I say or are having a hard time.

I get discouraged as a “home manager” when (like today) there is laundry to be done, the kitchen is a mess, and clutter threatens to take over (if whatever smells funny in the refrigerator doesn’t take over first!).

I get discouraged as a business owner when I’m behind on updating files, my computer is sllloowwwww and the checks are not coming in (but the bills, of course, are!).  

I get discouraged as a child of God when I know I haven’t acted as His child should.

As always, when discouraged, the best place to look for encouragement is the Bible. Colossians 3:23-24 has always been one of my favorites, and I decided to make it the “verse of the year” personally, and I’ve challenged Nebraska Family Times readers to do the same. Tracy, who does the graphic art for the paper, laid out the verse so it can be cut out and hung on bulletin boards, the refrigerator, or even your bathroom mirror—and I’ve put it all three places!

Colossians 3:23-24 reads, “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men, since you know that you will receive an inheritance for the Lord as your reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.”

The verse always encourages me. I ask the Lord to guide me in whatever I am doing and I pray every day that He will walk with me in whatever I do—as a mom, home manager, business owner and most importantly, child of God. I listen for His “still, small voice” to guide me, and I look to His word for direction. I know that I do not always follow and do His will and I imagine that there are many times He is rolling His eyes at me and my actions.

But…I know that He is walking with me and guiding me…I just need to listen. I know that He forgives me for not doing what He wants me to do, and for doing what He does not want me to do.

I know that I am working for Him, and that kids’ actions, the state of mess in my home, and the other frustrations are just part of living here on earth. I can be sure that when I am working for Him, everything will work out. Maybe not today, maybe not tomorrow…and maybe not while I live on this earth. But when I believe in Him, believe that He sent His Son to forgive my sins, the little discouragements in my life just do not seem important. They are part of doing His work and serving Him. I will receive an inheritance from Him—and eternal inheritance--and that is what matters.

And then I resolve to work with all my heart at being a mom, home manager, women, business owner, and child of God, because in whatever I do—even the seemingly insignificant tasks like cleaning the refrigerator—I am serving the Lord.

Thank You, Lord, for the encouragement that You give through Your Word. Please lead and guide me as I strive to do Your will. Amen.

I’m also blogging at Home is Where the Mom Is.

Today’s post gives suggestions for “Instilling Values in Your Kids.”

Below  is the graphic of the verse of the year; cut it out and put it where you’ll be able to see it when you are discouraged!

A to Z Blogging Challenge "Lifting Up in Prayer"

Lifting Up in Prayer

By Shelly Burke, Editor and Publisher, Nebraska Family Times

As I read through my prayer list this morning, I noticed how long the list has gotten over the last few months. It’s just one of those times in life where it seems I know a lot of people who are experiencing heartache, stress, or sorrow of one kind or another. Whether I know them personally or not, I feel sadness for their circumstances and what they are experiencing. 

My prayers are for a wide variety of people—some I’ve known for years and some I have never met but know of their need for healing through others. They include:

An 11 month-old with leukemia who just had a stem-cell transplant.

A 7^th grader, diagnosed in November with bone cancer, who is facing an extensive surgery to remove the tumor from his leg, and then a long recovery.

The brother of a friend, who, after four years fighting cancer, recently had a stem-cell transplant.

One of our pastors who has been unable to work for several months due to various health issues.

A friend’s daughter, whose progressive disease is taking more and more of her abilities from her.

A lady who is facing the death of her mother, and a couple facing the loss of their son.

Another friend whose father is experiencing many health problems.

My elderly grandparents, who, after many years of good health, have experienced broken bones, surgeries, and other serious health issues in the last year.

And then I looked at my list of those for whom I pray God’s peace and comfort. Their situations are all very different…yet they are all grieving.

A friend whose daughter was killed in an accident just a few months after her mother died.

Another friend whose husband was killed in an accident.  

Two more friends whose husbands died very unexpectedly.

A friend whose sister and grandmother died within just a few months of each other.

The families of my private-duty nursing patients. My patients were both very disabled and died within days of each other a year ago this month.

Several families who experienced the death of a loved one recently, after long battles with various diseases.

A family who, within a few days, lost two loved ones; one death was expected and one was very sudden and unexpected. One friend lost his brother and his wife.

Some on my list will experience the full restoration of their health, through God’s grace and healing. Although I am confident God can provide full healing to anyone, according to His will, it seems that some I pray for are nearing the end of their earthly lives, and will only be healed in heaven.

Several of those who have experienced the death of a loved one have shared how God has comforted them; some are comforted in knowing that their loved ones are out of pain and in the presence of God now. But the loss of a loved one leaves a hole in many lives no matter what the circumstances.

I have been praying with a feeling of sadness for those on my list who are facing long recoveries or will not be healed and for those who are learning to live without a loved one and facing other challenges and heartaches.  

This morning, though, I realized that none of us will ever experience full health, or total happiness, while here on earth. From the moment sin entered the world, the perfection of God’s creation was gone. As Romans 6:23 tells us, “The wages of sin is death.” As sad and hopeless as that sounds, the verse goes on to say, “but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

What a blessing! What reassurance! Anyone who accepts God’s offer of eternal life—including every single person on my prayer list who has accepted His offer of forgiveness—will experience full healing, complete health, and total comfort from every heartache when they get to heaven!

In Philippians, Paul tells us, “Our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ, Who, by the power that enables Him to bring everything under his control, will transform our lowly bodies so that they will be like His glorious body.” (Phil. 3:20-21). So even if the ones we pray for are not healed on earth, they will be transformed in heaven!

And Revelation tells us that in heaven, God “will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain…” (Rev. 21:4) With our glorious, perfect bodies, we will also be completely filled with joy!

What wonderful reassurance that is, to all of us who believe—especially those who are sick, or mourning or in pain. Here on earth we will never be free of all illness or sorrow…but we know that in heaven each and every one of us will be free from all illness, pain and sorrow.

Lord, I continue to pray for healing and comfort for those I know who are sick or suffering in body, mind, or spirit. I thank You so much for Your reassurance of the joy and perfection that awaits us in heaven, and pray that You will remind everyone – on my prayer list, and on every prayer list! – of Your love and promises!

I’m also blogging at Home is Where the Mom Is

Today my post is titled “Family Shorthand—How R U?”

A to Z Blogging Challenge "Talents and Tasks"

“Talents and Tasks”

By Shelly Burke, Nebraska Family Times Publisher and Editor

“Bezalel and Oholiab and every craftsman in whom the Lord has put skill and intelligence to know how to do any work in the construction of the sanctuary shall work in accordance with what the Lord has commanded. And Moses called Bezalel and Oholiab and every craftsman in whose mind the Lord had put skill, everyone whose heart stirred him up to come to do the work.” Exodus 36:1-2

“Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit; and there are varieties of service, but the same Lord; and there are varieties of activities, but it is the same God Who empowers them all in everyone…for just as the body is one and has many members, and all the members of the body, tough many are one body, so it is with Christ.” 1 Corin. 12:4-6, 12

A few months ago our LWML circle met to make the final arrangements for our church’s annual salad luncheon. As the chairwoman went through the list of tasks that needed to be done the last few days before the luncheon and on that day, I heard the following comments:

“I have nerve damage in my fingers so I can’t carry anything; I can move them in hot water so I can wash dishes.”

“It’s hard for me to walk but I can sit and pour coffee.”

“I have to leave by noon so I can watch my kids at the track meet, but I will come early and set up.”

“I used to work as a clerk so don’t mind taking money.”

“I like to see all the people who come; I’ll help them find a place at the tables and carry their food for them.”

“I’m free all day—let me know when you need help.”

I said, “This is my first year helping, so I’ll be here and you tell me what needs to be done!”

Several things struck me:

• People didn’t focus on their limitations, but looked beyond them to the tasks they could do.
• Everyone at the meeting had different skills and abilities, different things they preferred to do, different things they didn’t like to do—and there was a task that fit every preference.
• By the end of the evening all of the tasks, down to who would bring empty containers for leftover salads, were filled.
• Every single task was necessary to making the event a success.

The task of bringing containers for leftovers after the salad luncheon was as important as the task of setting up the tables, which was as important and making phone calls to remind people to bring the salads and actually making salads! Without all of the tasks being done and all of the people involved using their talents (despite their limitations), it would not have been a success.

In the verses at the beginning of this devotion the task was to build the tabernacle, the ark of the covenant, the altar for burnt offerings, and everything the Israelites would use for worship and sacrifice. The specifications for these items takes several chapters. There must have been hundreds if not thousands of people working, and they all had their own gifts and talents and worked according to their own specific gifts and talents.

We don’t have to worship in a tabernacle or sacrifice animals any more, thanks to God sending Jesus as a sacrifice to die for us and take away all of our sins.  But God still wants us to be a part of building his “church”—the body of those who believe in Him.

Just as the human body is made up of many parts, all of which (ideally) function together,  the church body is made up of many parts, all necessary for the church body to function in spreading God’s love and His Word and message of sin, grace, and forgiveness. He calls us to, instead of focusing on our shortcomings and limitations, focus on our sills and the things we can do.

"Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God's grace in its various forms." 1 Peter 4:10

God calls all of us to use the skills and talents He has given us. Romans 14:12 tells us that we each will be called to give an account of what we did here on earth, to God. I want to tell Him that I made use of my gifts, despite my limitations. Don’t you want to say the same thing?

What gifts and talents can you use for God?

Lord, thank you for the unique gifts and talents You have given to me. Please lead and guide me and give me opportunities to use my gifts for Your glory. Amen. 

(I'm also blogging at Home is Where the Mom Iscom. 

Click to read today's post, "Time for Yourself; Finding It!")