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

For Lauren

We always knew she was very smart
she was showing signs from the very start
she loved Big Bird and the rest of the crew
very quickly her vocabulary grew

On to kindergarten she couldn't wait to go
along with Nikki at Memorial Baptist they would grow.
reading very quickly she made us so proud
loved an audience or to her dolls she would read aloud
the year quickly ended and across the stage she did walk
how beautiful and smart this graduate was the talk

From first through the fifth grade she gave it her all
never letting a circumstance cause her to fall
the teachers they loved her thought she was sweet
impressed by her hard work to teach her a treat.


On to middle school her next mission
learning to play the violin with a great rendition
eighth grade brought a move and new school
I believed she used this as a tool
new friends and hard work here she also would thrive
leave it to her to do more than just survive
once again across the stage she did glide
for this mother her pride she could not hide.


The next step so big mom was afraid
how could my baby be in ninth grade
was it not just yesterday it was k-five
now this girl was getting ready to drive
four years how fast they did fly
and soon to colleges we would apply


Peace College we did decide
accepting the presidential scholarship she took pride
how did she get this you may ask
honor roll every year was part of the task
boasting NC Scholar award and top 10% of her class
ECU next and even here she succeeds
a service sorority and own apartment proceed


Time again to walk the stage
this time a different story when we turn the page
she is all grown up and we can’t believe it
what God will use Lauren for we cannot even perceive it.

A Very Proud Mom

My oldest daughter graduated from college this weekend. I cannot believe how fast time goes. I am so proud of her. She worked so hard all the way through school and college. I have never seen anyone study so hard. She will be very successful in life. The poem above is what I wrote for her graduation party invite.

There's a peace I've come to know
Though my heart and flesh may fail
There's an anchor for my soul
I can say "It is well"

Jesus has overcome
And the grave is overwhelmed
The victory is won
He is risen from the dead

And I will rise when He calls my name
No more sorrow, no more pain
I will rise on eagles' wings
Before my God fall on my knees
And rise
I will rise

There's a day that's drawing near
When this darkness breaks to light
And the shadows disappear
And my faith shall be my eyes

Jesus has overcome
And the grave is overwhelmed
The victory is won
He is risen from the dead

And I will rise when He calls my name
No more sorrow, no more pain
I will rise on eagles' wings
Before my God fall on my knees
And rise
I will rise

And I hear the voice of many angels sing,
"Worthy is the Lamb"
And I hear the cry of every longing heart,
"Worthy is the Lamb"

"I Will Rise" by Chris Tomlin

I hope you all had an amazing day just to know He loved you that much.

Sweet Blessings,
Margaret

What Gift Can You Give?

Our hearts ache for those in need, but we don’t give. We feel sorry for those who cannot read well, but we don’t help them learn. We want children in a bad family situation, or lack of family to change their course in life, but we don’t mentor. We talk about our love for Christ, but we aren’t passing it on. Do we have a right then to talk about how bad things are? Didn’t God call us for such a time as this? Where is your heart? Perhaps its time we search and find where it is God wants to use us for HIS glory.
As we celebrate Easter and his gift to us is it possible that we ask him to show us what gift we can offer to others? It doesn’t have to be money, time is a very valuable gift!

Happy Easter my Sweet Friends,
Margaret