I Am Special?

This week at The Gate we are having Bible School for the younger children. Instead of the typical Bible School material we have taken Max Lucado's children's book "You Are Special" and "Splash" and created our lessons for the week.
What a strong lesson in this little story about Wimmicks. The Wimmicks are created by Eli. Eli portrays who God is to us as our creator. You see Punchinello learns that if he goes to Eli everyday then the stickers(some get stars,some get dots) that people put on him will fall off. It doesn't matter what they think only what Eli (God) thinks.
A children's story sure, but what a great lesson for us big kids too. Don't we tend to worry more about what others think of us, and allow that to shape who we are,or if we are accepted, rather than remember that we ARE who God created us to be? He loves us. No matter how great our hair is or isn't, if we are short or tall, skinny or chunky, in stylish clothes or hand-me-downs. I am so guilty of this, I am certain I am the only one right? Its my heart that matters, and honestly most days I spend more time working on how I am going to appear to everyone I see that day than I do working on my heart which is what God is going to see and cares about the most. You know what? Everyone sees my heart. When they do will it be a heart like his or not so much.
Today we will share the story of The Woman at the Well. I feel so sorry for this woman. She is condemned and judged by others because of her past mistakes (her dots), but how amazing a transformation when she realizes that she is talking to Jesus, he forgives her, she will receive a spiritual drink of living water and my friends her dots fall off too!
"Whoever drinks the water I give him will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give him will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life." John 4:14
The whole "dot" thing will make much more sense if you read Max's book "You Are Special". If you have children or grandchildren its definitely one that you will want to get and read to them over and over. Lauren is 21 and Spencer Margaret is 17 and I read it to them, they loved it! You can listen to it on You Tube by clicking here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Scj3A1cLVzY .
God's love is amazing friends. I hope you will feel that love today.
Sweet Blessings,
Margaret

one of THOSE days

Do you ever have one of those days? You know the kind. Its still early in the morning, did I mention Monday morning, and you think okay I can tell I am going to need a little extra strength for this day, maybe this week!
After a nice weekend with some time to enjoy the beautiful sunshine, and much needed time alone with my husband that's where I found myself this morning. I mean lets just be honest here for a bit, don't we all have those days where we just want to crawl back in bed and cover our heads, or we think I don't want all of these responsibilities today? As I was getting the last one out the door this morning I thought, "I need some extra time alone with Jesus". Is this always my response when I feel this way? Honestly, no. But, this morning it was thank goodness. This is the scripture that God gave me on my way upstairs to get my Bible:
"Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart." Hebrews 12:1-3 (NIV)
We can't look down, we can't look back, we can't even crawl back under the covers, or we will always fall. We have to look up. We have to look to the author of our life. He knows what we are going to face today, and He knows we need him to help us through it. He wants to help us, and He just loves when we call on him.
The old hymn "Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus" just came to my mind. Perhaps if you are having a tough start to the week you could sing a chorus or two of that.
Love to you and and hope you have a great week.

Sweet Blessings,
Margaret

The Best Boo Boo Medicine

Greg and I were talking this morning about an event that one of the girls had in the not too distant past, and I could not remember it at all. However, I have another incident that happend many years ago and I remember it like it was yesterday. Just me or do all women over 40 have minds that work like this? Be nice!

It was a beautiful afternoon in the early summer. Lauren, who was five years old, was riding her bike in the cul-de-sac with her friend Elizabeth. Moments later Elizabeth's mom was yelling for me. Lauren had fallen off her bike. With Daniel and Spencer in tow, then three and one years old, we ran over to check on her. There stood Lauren with a paper towel on her forehead full of blood. Before even having the time to look at it and evaluate how bad it was Daniel said "Mommy Lauren needs a Band-Aid!" She needed much more than a Band-Aid, she need for the cut to be cleaned well so she would not get an infection, and she ended up needing a few stitches.

We tend to do this with our sins or perhaps our past hurts don't we? We think we can put a Band-Aid on them so to speak, and they will be covered up and no one will know. But, just as Lauren ran the risk of infection or even a scar if her forehead had not been properly cared for, the same can happen to our hearts, our lives. Our sins need to be washed clean by asking Gods forgiveness, and in turn they will be washed away. If we do'nt do this they can fester and grow. They can grow into more sins while trying to cover past sins. They can cause insecurities and doubt. They leave us with scars. My friend unforgiveness for our sins or unforgiveness you hold towards yourself or another person can ruin your life.

If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. 1 John 1:9 (NIV)

Humble yourselves, therefore, under God's mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time.Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you. 1 Peter 5:6-7 (NIV)

What sins are you covering up? What pain or past hurt are you attempting to bandage yourself? Give them to our sweet and merciful God. He has a healing power no ointment or Band-Aid can clean or cover.

Sweet Blessings,
Margaret

The Beauty in the Ordinary

How often do we go through an entire day not seeing the good that God gives us. There is so much beauty in the ordinary every day. Yet, we miss it. Do we not even recognize it? Perhaps we take it for granted? If this is the case we certainly fail to thank Him for it don't we. This is where I find the ordinary every day beauty:
In a young child's smile, in a babies coo, the birds chirping, the sun shining, the breeze blowing, the ocean roaring, the flowers blooming, the rain falling. The list is immeasurable. Perhaps this is where we start, right here today. Lets be more intentional to see the good, maybe then the bad will not overwhelm us so much. Don't forget when you see it to thank our amazing God for it.

“You will go out in joy and be led forth in peace; the mountains and hills will burst into song before you,and all the trees of the field will clap their hands.” (Isaiah 55:12)

Happy Summer to you.

Sweet Blessings,
Margaret