M E L C H E E

Grateful Friday

August 28, 2015August 17, 20154 Comments

“Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his love endures forever.” 1 Chronicles‬ ‭16:34‬ ‭NIV‬‬

This month I’m giving thanks for:

Blessings. Sometimes when you’re not looking, God will send a blessing that leaves you in complete awe. I’m so thankful for certain abundance He sent my way which I never saw coming. Then my husband surprised me with the DVD set of The Book of Negroes which became one of my favorite TV movies when it ran earlier this year. Yep, even thankful for that – and him.

She Speaks 2015. I mentioned this conference, hosted by Proverbs 31 Ministries, in earlier posts, and now I can say it was ABSOLUTELY AWESOME. The people, the Word, the worship, and the learning – it all left me changed, charged, and ready to embark on this ministry path. I’ll be highlighting my experience all September here on New Day, so be sure to come back and read all about it!

At She Speaks with Lysa TerKeurst of Proverbs 31 Ministries.

Life. I know that’s a bit general and can cover the two points above and EVERYTHING else, but news of a family member’s illness, or hearing about the sudden passing of a hometown friend will make you stop and think… I am so blessed and I am so thankful for each and every day. It grieves my heart to see people taking life for granted, living recklessly and without heed to wisdom. Friends, only GOD knows the end of our days. You can’t waste time by engaging in foolish behavior. All we have is now. Be thankful, live with purpose, show compassion to others. When you wake up each morning, consider who you want to be rather than what you need to do. How will your worship form today? Will you be in prayer, or will you be in judgement of everyone? Make each NOW count.

Lastly, I’m thankful for you. I appreciate the support of this space and all your helpful feedback. Pressing forward to new things!

What’s on your grateful list?

Why Giving Matters – And How to Do It

August 21, 2015August 13, 20154 Comments

He that hath a bountiful eye shall be blessed; for he giveth of his bread to the poor. Proverbs‬ ‭22:9‬ ‭KJV‬‬

I am blessed to work for an organization with service to the community at the core of its mission. I am grateful to have learned about giving as I witnessed it from childhood – my parents providing for my sisters and me; friends and loved ones supporting each other in times of bereavement; watching my grandmother give of herself when she had little. Even when our nation was attacked on 9-11, I saw people pouring out love and time and money to support our rebuilding. We need more of that…

Why is giving important? Why does it matter? Can’t we just concern ourselves with, well, ourselves? If someone has a need, it’s their fault, right? They can figure out a solution to their own problem. Well… no, that’s not how it’s supposed to work.

Allow me to share a personal story…

A few years ago, my husband and I enjoyed dinner out one night, as we frequently do, not realizing how this particular night would end. We were driving through downtown headed home when we saw something that surprised us both. At the corner, in front of a law firm’s office, we witnessed a man digging through a trash can. My husband stopped the car, opened his window, and yelled to ask the man if he’d been searching for food. The man, whose face was hidden to me in the early dark, turned and shook his head yes. I immediately became angry and totally disgusted. So did my husband, to the point he nearly commanded the man to walk around the corner to a nearby restaurant so we could buy him food.

What an eye-opening experience. I’d never seen anyone rummaging through garbage for food. I tell you, seeing that man made me truly thankful. To this day, I think of that man each time I pass that same corner.

The lesson from that night was an important one. One can’t see something like that and not act. You can’t have, and then not give.

What my husband and I did for that man is not something over which we boast. The point is give. Give of yourself because you are grateful, because you’ve been blessed to do so. That’s why. Give as you’re led, and cheerfully, without looking for a pat on the back. That’s how.

In case you need another example, the ultimate act of giving happened on the cross.

How is God calling you to give?

What’s Love Got To Do With It?

August 14, 2015August 13, 2015Leave a comment

“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son…” John‬ ‭3:16‬ ‭KJV‬‬

It all started with love. God’s creation and His plan for salvation through His Son were due to the pouring out of perfect love by Love Himself. Love will never be displayed in any greater form than through God’s pure and perfect and immeasurable sharing of it to mankind. Don’t know about you, but I’m so undeserving, yet oh so thankful.

As God loves us, so ought we to learn to live in love. How? Bible teacher Joyce Meyer describes the process of living in love this way:

Living in God’s true love is a process. First, God loves us, and by faith, we receive His love. We then love ourselves in a balanced way, give love back to God, and learn to love other people. (Joyce Meyer: Promises for Your Everyday Life – a Daily Devotional)

We love God through intentional and focused worship and by saying yes to His promptings and guidance. We love ourselves by honoring our temple (mind, body, and soul), and being content with and grateful for our blessings. We love others by giving when there’s need, by praying for them, and by sharing His Word. More on giving in next week’s post…

Love is so important in whatever life assignment God has set in us. It means giving up of ourselves so that we can fully serve others. Love must be at the center of our work, it must be our motivation. Without love, there’s no purpose in anything.

Joyce Meyer’s description of how to love is one of my favorites. John 3:16 states the whole point of the Bible. And 1 Corinthians 13, what I call The Love Chapter, is just the sweetest melody of what love is and isn’t:

“Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up, Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil; Beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things.” ‭‭1 Corinthians‬ ‭13:4-5, 7‬ ‭KJV‬‬

Love has everything to do with it. How will you love God, yourself, and others today?