Operation Christmas Child and a Light in the Darkness

This afternoon I was finally able to do something I've been waiting years to do.  I finally have a 13 year old, a child old enough to serve at Operation Christmas Child, so I was able to go with her with our homeschool teen group to volunteer.

From 2-6 this afternoon, we inspected boxes.  We checked to make sure that shoe boxes headed for children around the world had the appropriate items in them.  We worked with our teen group and with hundreds of other volunteers from our area and from far away.  It was a life changing experience.

So many things touched my heart today.  And I began to think (always a danger I'm sure).  There is so much darkness in our world.

We've been through a dark, political season.  Christians from both sides of the lines have bashed each other. Policy decisions have been made that are clearly against the cause of Christ.  Sometimes it seems so dark.

Often there is darkness within our churches.  People gossip.  People are hypocritical.  I am sometimes hypocritical.  So often things seem bleak even when we are surrounded by other believers.

There is darkness in our world.  Just recently I watched the video Father of Lights.  In this video, there are several believers who have suffered extreme torture, faced death, just because they are believers in Christ.  The world is dark.

But Christmas is all about the light shining in the darkness. Isaiah 9:2
The people that walked in darkness have seen a great light: they that dwell in the land of the shadow of death, upon them hath the light shined. And a light is shining at Operation Christmas Child.

From the beginning, when we were taken in for our training, the emphasis is on what God can do through these boxes.  Story after story shows the sovereignty of God in having the right box end up with just the right child.

There are hundreds of people working at one time- people from all walks of life: from churches, from businesses, from youth groups.  Sometimes people in the same church can't be in the same room without arguing, but here we were united for one cause.

I was an inspector.  My job was to take unacceptable items from boxes and replace them with box fillers.  The training guide made a point of emphasizing that the integrity of the box should be maintained, that what the sender intended should stay with the box as much as possible.  I'm a control person, and this was difficult.  Obviously I can pack a box much better than the majority of people, right?  So I was constantly consumed with the desire to trade out items, to make the box "better."  But, I had to step back and remember that God has a plan for each of these boxes.  He has guided each person who packed each box.  He doesn't need me to make it "right."  He's got it all under control.

I was also impressed that all ages and abilities had a place as volunteers.  When we took a break time, I saw tables set up where folks were making candy bags for fillers.  There were quite a few older helpers who wouldn't be able to stand for long and disabled helpers who may have had physical or mental limitations.  But all of them could sit and tables and bag candy.  We were all working together.  What an amazing experience!

Toward the end of our shift we paused to hear announcements.  During the announcements, which included the awesome fact that 88.000 boxes had been packed so far today, all volunteers were invited to evaluate their own relationships with Christ and to pray with others in the prayer room if they would like.  I was so excited that even throughout our time of working, the focus was always, always on furthering the Kingdom of God.

After the announcements, we were asked to place our hands on whatever box was in front of us, and together we joined in prayer over our boxes.  Cold chills broke out on me as I realized that one day in the near future a child, a boy, would be holding that very box and opening it and knowing that there was a God Who knows him and loves him; and that there were people far away that loved him enough to pack a box of goodies for him.  Wow!  Just wow!

It was a wonderful afternoon.  I feel as if I am on a spiritual high.  I am still in awe of what God is doing in this place.  From the time we walked in the door to realizing that God was in control of the boxes to seeing all God's people come together to work to being able to hang on physically (which is a big deal for me at this stage in my life), I could see God's hand again and again.

Review of Your Heart's Desire and a GIVEAWAY

The last few weeks, I've been privileged to post articles from guest author Sheri Rose Shepherd.  If you missed them, they were:
Raising a Man of Faith
You Don't Need a Man To Push the Play Button for Your Life To Begin
Building Up the Men in Our Lives
Feeling Unworthy of Love
There Are A Lot of Reasons To Give Up But There Are Greater Reasons To Finish Strong
Desiring a Happily Ever After

I was able to read and review the book Your Heart's Desire by Sheri Rose Shepherd also, and at the end of this post, there is a chance for you to win your own copy.

I will begin by saying I'm not always a big fan of "self-help" books.  Often Christian books like this are either full of sappy, sentimental stories that seem unrealistic; or they are filled with psycho babble that most people won't understand.  Your Heart's Desire was different from the beginning.

Shepherd writes as a mom to her daughters.  The chapters are filled with stories from her own brokeness or from the lives of others who are not perfect people.  They don't all have a sappy, sentimental feel.  They are not all too good to be true.  They are real life stories from real life people that Shepherd uses to encourage and inspire us.

The writing is practical and understandable, not high and lofty.  But at the same time, Shepherd gives a reassurance that she knows what she's talking about, and she speaks with the voice of experience.

I especially liked that the book is filled with Scripture.  It is difficult for me to read a book that is supposed to strengthen my Christian walk but that has no Scriptural emphasis.  Each section of Your Heart's Desire is filled with Scripture.

I also liked the way that the book was set up.  The beginning of each chapter had a Scripture and an article by Sheri Rose Shepherd.  Most of the time, the article featured a story from Shepherd's own life or a real life story from another marriage.  After the article is a Love Coaching section filled with practical tips.  The tips in the Love Coaching section were also prefaced with Scripture.  In closing, each chapter has a prayer, a letter from God, and some questions that could be used in a small group setting.

The style of the book makes it very versatile.  It could be read through personally (as I did), used as a personal Bible study, or used with a small group.

I really enjoyed this one.  I think it would be good for single women or for married women at any stage of their marriage.  I've seen so many marriages of people that I know personally suffer or fail, I think this is a real problem in the Christian community.  We as Christian women need to fight for our marriages.  We need to prepare our sons and our daughters for marriage.  I think Your Heart's Desire can be a valuable resource.

I give this one 5 stars and a PG for content.

I received a free copy of this book from the publisher for review purposes.  All opinions expressed are entirely my own.

And now for the GIVEAWAY.

You can enter below through Rafflecopter to win a copy of Your Heart's Desire.  The contest will be open through Sunday, November 25, and I will post a winner on Monday, November 26.  You can like my new Facebook page- I'm Livin' My Dream for extra entries.


a Rafflecopter giveaway

Raising a Man of Faith By Sheri Rose Shepherd

This may be my favorite article so far from Sheri Rose Shepherd.  As the mother of a boy, I understand that I am raising a man who may be a future husband one day.

	Raising a Man of Faith
	By Sheri Rose Shepherd Bestselling Author and Bible Life Coach
	learn more ▶
	She made this vow: "O LORD of Heaven's Armies, if you will look upon my sorrow and answer my prayer and give me a son, then I will give him back to you. He will be yours for his entire lifetime." 1 Samuel 1:11 I was invited to write a book for mothers of sons titled Preparing Him for the Other Woman: A Mother's Guide to Raising Her Son to Love a Wife and Lead a Family. To be honest, this topic intimidated me on many levels. I had my own insecurities and fears of failing as a mom, and I grew up in such a messed-up family that I couldn’t see how I would ever be qualified to write a book on this subject. As I always do before I write any book, I put this message to the test. I gathered a group of young men ages twelve to twenty and asked them if they felt they would be good husbands when they grew up. Sadly, their comments reflected their fear of women; in fact, they felt marriage was something to be avoided. Many talked as if marriage were a death sentence that caused a lifetime of pain. Others asked why they should get married since marriage usually ends in heartbreak, adultery, or divorce. My mother's heart broke for these boys and all our sons, and their answers were enough for me to fight my fears and write that book for the sake of the next generation of marriages. As I began writing, I reflected on one of my favorite “mommy memories.” It took place on a gorgeous summer evening on a California beach with my husband, Steve, and our son, Jake, when he was three. As my husband tended the campfire, Jake and I snuggled together under a blanket and watched the sun set over the sea. A young couple walked past us hand in hand, with eyes only for each other. My little boy watched them for a couple of minutes before turning his sweet face toward mine and asking, "Mommy, will you marry me when I grow up?" I gently explained that mommies can't marry their sons. I'll never forget the ache I felt as I saw tears well up in his big blue eyes and roll slowly down his cheeks. In that moment it hit me: not only was I raising a son, but I was raising someone's future husband. I decided that day to dedicate my time with Jake to helping him become a good husband when he grew up. I knew I needed to stop focusing on my fears that I would fail him and begin to focus on the fact that God appointed me as the first lady in his life, his mother. Later that night I got down on my knees and prayerfully committed my son's life to God once again. I felt a new sense of peace about being a mom as I realized that Jake ultimately belonged to the Lord and that my faithful God would cover my son where I could not. Years later, just a few weeks before my son would marry his beautiful Southern bride, Amanda, I found myself in a reflective mood. On the one hand, I felt as if I'd done everything I could to encourage him to keep following Christ and to prepare him to be a good husband. I knew I needed to officially release Jake to his new life with his bride-to-be. On the other hand, I wondered, Have I done enough? I feared the years my husband and I struggled in our own marriage might affect Jake's marriage. In my inward battle to believe I had done a good job raising him, God gave me the desire to write Jacob a very personal letter the week before his wedding. With his permission and in my hope to bring some relief to your momma's heart, I want to share it with you now: To my son, Jake, This morning as tears fill my eyes, I reflect on the past twenty years of life with you, from Winnie the Pooh, goody plates, and snuggles to late-night talks when you were a teen. I remember when I first heard your heartbeat in the doctor's office and the doctor saying, "You are going to have a son." Joy and fear flooded my heart at that moment. What kind of mom would I be, coming from a broken home with no foundation? And could I take on the task of raising a son in this perverse world? I was so afraid of failing you, and I became desperate for God, which kept me in a constant state of prayer for you, knowing that our God would cover you where I could not and cover me where I failed. What I did not know is that I was not just raising a son; I was raising a warrior and a world changer! Today I look at your fearful heart for your future, and I see a man who seeks God's face with humility, knowing your God is faithful. I see a man who is passionate to do something great for God's Kingdom. I see a hope in your heart that screams, "I will not settle for less than God has for me!" Jacob, in all my imperfections and insecurities, I am honored God chose me to raise a mighty warrior like you. I know you don't know how your story will be written, and it seems unclear how you will fulfill your calling. Remember, you are not the author of your own life; therefore rest in Him. . . . He is writing your life right now. Any and everything you are about to walk through, good or hard, will prepare you for His ultimate plan. So as I wipe the tears from my eyes and say good-bye as "Mommy," once responsible for your care, I now give you away to care for your bride. And say hello as a friend. I will always hold the memories of my little son as a hidden treasure in my heart. I pray that all you have seen and heard these past twenty years, "good and bad," will become building blocks, as you will now lay the foundation of faith and life for your new family. Jacob, you will fight the good fight, you will finish your race, and your faith will be passed down to many generations long after you’re gone. I love you, Son. Mom For more teaching videos from Sheri Rose, go to www.biblelifecoaching.com. Watch the trailer:

You Don’t Need a Man to Push the Play Button for Your Life to Begin By Sheri Rose Shepherd

I have two more articles from Sheri Rose Shepherd to post this week.  Then I'll be reviewing her book Your Heart's Desire with a giveaway!

Enjoy this latest article:

You Don’t Need a Man to Push the Play Button for Your Life to Begin  By Sheri Rose Shepherd Bestselling Author and Bible Life Coach learn more ▶ I'm not sure what you've walked through or who holds the key to your heart, but if you will hand that key to the Lord, you will find the safe place you're longing for. Your security will no longer be based on others' actions. Even those who love you the most don't know how to love you the way your Lord does. Just listen to His promise in Revelation 21:4: "He will wipe every tear from their eyes, and there will be no more death or sorrow or crying or pain. All these things are gone forever." If you're married . . . I know it's hard to say "I do" and "I will" when you have stood in the gap for your marriage and believed God for restoration—and it hasn't happened. The truth is, you are a beautiful chosen bride of Christ, and in this life there will be trouble. But you have a real Prince. His name is Jesus, and He has felt every pain you've ever experienced. He endured rejection and crucifixion so you would have the power to finish your life on earth and have everlasting life with Him in heaven. Yes, we want to pray for our men, and we want to empower them with our words, our actions, our influence, and our prayers. But we cannot allow any man on this earth to keep us from the ultimate relationship with our Lord. There is such security for our hearts when we fall for the One who gave His life for ours. Please know that I am not in any way encouraging you to divorce your husband to follow Christ. But you don’t have to wait for your husband to change before you begin changing the world around you. For more teaching videos from Sheri Rose, go to www.biblelifecoaching.com. Watch the trailer:

Bible in 90 Days: The Conclusion

Revelation 21:6 “It is done. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End."

And I have finished the Bible in 90 days!  Once again, I am blessed by a consistent reading of the Bible.  I am encouraged, knowing that people all over the world read with us.  And I am inspired to read again next time.

Revelation 21:²⁰ He who testifies to these things says, “Yes, I am coming soon.”

Amen. Come, Lord Jesus.

Bible in 90 Days: The Final Week

I have almost completed my 6th time reading through the Bible in 90 days.  This week is the final week of reading.  As I've read through chronologically, I've enjoyed seeing how the books of the Bible fit together.

The Gospels were interesting, although a little difficult to read in this way.  I was reading the same story over and over, but I was reading from a different perspective.  The epistles have been interesting to read in this way because they are inserted into the reading of Acts when Paul and the other writers would have written them.

I am excited to be finishing again.  Kathryne is finishing her 3rd time reading through.  I'm very glad that she's chosen to do this at an young age.  She's have the habit of reading the Bible, and she'll always remember what she's read.

"Building Up the Men In Our Lives" by Sheri Rose Shepherd

Today's article from Sheri Rose Shepherd is one that is near and dear to my heart.  I am by nature a very critical person.  Early in my marriage this was detrimental.  I nagged.  I criticized.  Thankfully God worked in heart to show me that I needed to repent and to nurture and encourage my husband.  I make a sincere effort now to never criticize him to anyone.  Instead I seek always to build him up by sharing with others and especially our children about things he does well.

Building Up the Men in Our Lives He who covers over an offense promotes love, but whoever repeats the matter separates close friends. (Proverbs 17:9, NIV)

By Sheri Rose Shepherd Bestselling Author and Bible Life Coach

learn more ▶

When our husbands let us down, it's hard not to voice our anger and disappointment. We don't do it to hurt or embarrass our husbands. We are women, and we're wired to share our hearts with another person. We definitely need one another to become the women we want to be, but we need to be careful not to cripple our men by uncovering their weaknesses to everyone. Obviously we all need someone to help us sort through our feelings. I think it is best to find one or two trustworthy people who are in favor of our marriages and won't repeat our conversation to others. I have two best friends to whom I tell everything because they help me see things from my husband's perspective and help me fight for my marriage by praying and sharing wisdom from the Word. I am careful, even with them, not to overshare in a way that would humiliate my husband, Steve. Think about how we would feel if our husbands talked about our weaknesses at their workplaces. Let's commit to covering our men and not exposing them, and let's pray for them to grow as leaders. Don't Enable . . . For husbands, this means love your wives, just as Christ loved the church. He gave up his life for her. (Ephesians 5:25) Because we women are so good at leading, many times we leave our men in the dust or allow them to become weak leaders. How are they ever supposed to learn to lead if we do everything for them? We are not their mothers; we are their wives. Christ asked them to love, lead, and take care of us the way He loves the church. It's important that we not try to do things that are our husbands' responsibility unless they are absolutely necessary. Even if we can do their job better than they can, we're not helping them become the men they long to be; we are enabling them. They will see us as their mothers and not their wives, which will make us bitter toward them and produce the fruit of self-hate in their lives. Do What You Can to Empower Him . . . Sarah obeyed her husband, Abraham, and called him her master. You are her daughters when you do what is right without fear of what your husbands might do. (1 Peter 3:6) I used to think it was strange that Sarah called her husband "master." I thought maybe she was even putting her husband before God. But today I realize she was a wise woman. She was empowering her husband to find his place as her leader. We can also help our husbands become godly leaders for us. Even if they do not rise up right away, we shouldn't give up on them. We can keep praying and empowering them. Whatever they do, big or small, let's encourage them. Let's be like Sarah and do whatever it takes to empower our men to be great. For more teaching from the Your Heart's Desire book and Bible study, visitwww.biblelifecoaching.com. Watch the trailer:

"Feeling Unworthy of Love" by Sheri Rose Shepherd

This is the third article from guest poster Sheri Rose Shepherd.  I'll be reviewing her book Your Heart's Desire next week her on my blog.

	Feeling Unworthy of Love May you experience the love of Christ, though it is too great to understand fully. Then you will be made complete with all the fullness of life and power that comes from God. (Ephesians 3:19)
	By Sheri Rose Shepherd Bestselling Author and Bible Life Coach
	learn more ▶
	There is a battle within most women's hearts to believe they are worthy of love. If we believe the lie that we do not deserve love and are hiding behind feelings of unworthiness, even the most loving man in the world will not be able to break down the wall around our hearts. Can you imagine if every night when you went to tuck your children into bed they refused to let you hug them or express your love because they did not feel they deserved it? As a parent, you would embrace them every time you could to prove to them they were indeed worthy of your love. If they refused to receive it because of how they felt, it would break your heart. I believe that is how our heavenly Father feels when we refuse to let Him love us. But there's so much more at stake when we feel unworthy of love. When we are locked up inside, we cannot become the women we want to be in our men's and children's lives. If we do not love ourselves and do not let God lavish His love on us, it will hinder us and hurt others. There are many reasons we may fight feelings of unworthiness. Some of us had fathers who never expressed how much they loved us, and others had mothers who did not feel they deserved love and did not know how to show love, so we began to see our worth through their eyes and not through God's. We may have been abused verbally, emotionally, or physically. Maybe our first love made us feel we were worthless. Some of us had all the love in the world from our families, but we felt rejected by our peers. The list of things we women believe when it comes to love is endless. But the truth is, how we feel will never change how loved we are by the Lord. And nothing that we have done or that has been done to us can keep God from loving us. The question is, will we open our hearts and let His love in? I believe if God wrote us a love letter, it might read like this . . . My Beloved Daughter, I love you with an unconditional, everlasting love so you can be free to love. My precious daughter, don't allow those who have hurt you to keep you from experiencing the joy of loving others. I know giving a piece of your heart away involves risk, but I am here to heal your heart when someone hurts you. I want you to choose wisely whom you allow in your heart, and I also want you to give those you love the freedom to fail. Remember that no one else can love you as perfectly and completely as I do. Don't look for a perfect love in people, or you will always find disappointment and heartache. If you allow your soul to settle into Mine and become one with Me, you will never doubt that I am forever and always devoted to you. Your Prince Jesus, who can't stop loving you May you have the power to understand, as all God's people should, how wide, how long, how high, and how deep his love is. (Ephesians 3:18) For more teaching from the Your Heart's Desire book and Bible study, visitwww.biblelifecoaching.com. Watch the trailer: