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#SHHH…

By: Deborah Ard

Recently I dropped my phone. I have dropped my phone many times before but this time when it hit the floor the glass shattered. It was in such brokenness that when I tried to use it a glass chip stuck in my finger. Because my schedule is so jam packed, my husband offered to take my phone to be repaired. As a result, I was without my phone for 2 days. Boy was that an eye opening experience. By the end of the first day I was almost in a state of panic. I had no idea how very much I depend on my phone. I felt so out of touch and disconnected without it.  I couldn’t pick up my phone to send a quick text, make a phone call or look up information.

Let’s pause here for a confession. I must confess that I am a devotion junkie. I thrive on starting my day reading multiple devotionals from various sources. Ok…I will admit…I read a minimum of 8 devotionals each morning. See, I am a junkie.

Now back to the story of life without my phone.

I followed my usual morning routine of getting my cup of coffee and getting comfy in my chair and then I was not sure what to do next. I didn’t have access to the apps and emails I use during my morning devotion. What would I do in its place? How would I hear from God that day?

So I just sat and started thinking of a plan of action. And that is when I hear it NOTHING. Quiet. Solitude. PEACE. And then…God’s voice. Of course it was not an audible, loud, deep voice. But it was a movement of the Holy Spirit telling me to be still and quiet. And so I was. And during that still and quiet time, God revealed to me that this is what I needed right now.

The Lord said, “Go out and stand on the mountain in the presence of the Lord, for the Lord is about to pass by.” 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. After wind there was earthquake, but the Lord was not in the earthquake. After the earthquake came a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire. And after the fire came a gentle whisper.” 1 Kings 19:11-12

God wanted me to slow down from the busyness of trying to fill myself up with devotional after devotional and use this time to sit and listen for His marching orders. While He often speaks to me through the many devotional apps and emails, for now He is speaking to me in a gentle whisper. How about you? Do you need to slow down, be still, and examine your busyness so that God can speak to you? I urge you to. Because in that quiet solitude and peace God just might whisper in your ear too!

#Prayer #HearYourWord

By: Julie Wicker

Father,

As you speak to us we will write down clearly on tablets what you reveal, so that it can be read at a glance Hab 2:2. For your word is sharper than any two-edge sword, piercing through us discerning our thoughts and our hearts intentions Heb 4:12. At times when you are quiet, when we can’t behold your face help us to keep seeking you knowing you are still at work Job 34:29. As we exalt your great name oh Lord, we will be still and know that you are God Ps 46:10. And at times when we need to scale the mountain top through the busyness and noise of life you will appear as a gentle whisper 1 Kings 19: 11-12. Blessed are we who hear your word and keep it Lk 11:28. In the name of Jesus Amen

#Quote

“Don’t confuse activity with productivity” – Christine Cane

#Worship
Word of God Speak by Mercy Me

#microwavemama

We had a disaster occur at our house this week. No one was sick, no one was harmed, but there was a fatality. Our microwave died. It came to its demise as I was cooking supper one evening. I had two pots on the stove, a dish in the oven, and the microwave going too. And all of a sudden it just quit working. No warning at all! Thankfully, the food that was in the microwave was done so we were able to go on with our meal as planned. But what would we do the next night when we had leftovers? My husband brought me out of my state of panic and reminded me that we would just have to reheat the food the old fashioned way with the stove and oven. But I realized that would take more forethought and planning. Who has time for all that? LOL.

So this made me think. When I was in college a man in our church teased that I was going to be a “microwave mama.” Little did I know how prophetic those words were. Truly, our lifestyle is so busy and on the go at times that we rely on the microwave to help rush our cooking, our eating, and ultimately our time together with our family. Is a rushed and hurried pace what I want my children to remember about growing up? Do I really want to be known as a microwave mama?

Our world thrives on fast pace and convenience. But the Bible tells us in Romans 12:2, “Do not conform to the pattern of this world but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is-his good, pleasing and perfect will.” So as I spend a couple weeks without a microwave, I will use this time of reheating food to also “reheat” my family time. I will use this time to involve my children in the cooking and warming of the food. I will use this time to talk with them about the differences in technology from my youth and theirs. I will encourage them to enjoy and cherish our time together as it is fleeting. And with God’s help I will continue to instill in them the importance of a life in Christ by reading the Bible together and discussing ways to apply it to our lives. For Isaiah 40:6-8 says, “All men are like grass and all their glory is like flowers of the field. The grass withers and the flowers fall, because the breath of the Lord blows on them. Surely the people are grass. The grass withers and the flowers fall, but the word of our God stands forever.”

I must say, I miss using a microwave. But for this moment in time I will savor the forethought and planning it takes to reheat our food. And as I do, may God continue to teach me and my family as we grow in His grace together.

“Start children off on the way they should go, and even when they are old they will not turn from it.” Proverbs 22:6

-Deborah Ard-

#Prayer  #Leftovers
Lord,
This is the day that you have made, I will rejoice and be glad in it Psa 118:24. Thank you for this season in my life, as there is a time for everything. I will use this time to plant the seed of your word in my children and uproot the weeds this world has left behind Ecc 3:1-2. I want to be faithful, though I may fail your word will endure forever Is 40:6-8. Reheat my passion so that I will serve my family without grumbling. Help me to use my gifts so that I will be a good steward of your grace. I want to use your words and not my own. Help me to lean on your strength so that I’m not relying on my leftovers of love and my leftovers of time but rather your provisions so that I will glorify you in all I do 1 Pet 4:9-10. And then at that point my children can see the way they should go and I pray they will never turn from it Prov 22:6.
In the name of Jesus Amen

-Julie Wicker-

#macandcheese

My mom, Dorothy Thompson Phelps, is the best cook I know! I have such fond memories of her cooking delicious meals for us and sharing her love through the food she cooked. Her grandchildren call her GranDottie and their favorite dish of hers is macaroni and cheese. Because I am the “microwave mama” I usually make crockpot macaroni, but in honor of GranDottie I will have my children help make her macaroni and create memories of our own. Perhaps with a little work I can earn the name change from microwave mama to the best cook my children know.

GranDottie’s Macaroni and Cheese

¾ cup elbow macaroni noodles

8 oz sharp cheese grated (the old fashioned way, lol)

1 egg

1 ¼ cups milk

Cook noodles according to package directions. Layer noodles and cheese. Beat egg and mix with milk. Season with salt. Pour milk mixture over cheese and noodles. Sprinkle with pepper. Bake at 400 degrees for 25 minutes. Let it set for 10 minutes before serving.

-Deborah Ard-

#meatloaf

My Gigi, Elaine Reid’s Meatloaf Recipe is a family favorite and it is Julie proof lol. Recently I made a Wicker family cook book. I wanted to be able to pass on family recipes to my children. Both my grandmothers live out of state, one in Florida and one in California so I do not have very many memories in the kitchen with them. By having some of their favorite recipes to cook for my family helps me feel connected to them.

Gigi’s Meatloaf

2lb. ground beef

1pkg. Chicken Stove Top stuffing mix

1 1/4 cup of water

2 eggs

Mix & shape. Spray pan or line with foil. Heat oven to 400 degrees, cook 45min – 1hour.

-Julie Wicker-

#shineforHim

“You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.” Matthew 5:14-16

I am the mother of a seven year old girl and eleven year old boy. They are very different from each other. One breezes through academically while the other has to work harder to succeed at school. One goes with the flow while the other pushes the limits. The list could go on and on about their differences which make them unique. My goal as a parent is to mesh those differences into a loving Christian family. Some days I am successful and some days are a complete flop. Usually I flop because I am doing my own thing and not asking God for guidance. Thankfully on those days that I flop, I can ask God to help me straighten it out and when I listen He will lead me.

Each morning as we get into the car to go to school, my children and I read a devotion together in the driveway. Some mornings we are rushed and our moods are negative, but we still read our devotion together because those are the days we need it most. It seems we always read just the right words for that day. I then lead my children in a prayer for our day. I always include in the prayer, “Lord, help us to be more like Jesus in the ways we speak to and treat others. Help us be an example so others will want to learn more about you.”

I try to instill in my children that others are always watching how we act and react to others and our actions and words can be a light that shines for Jesus. Likewise, I am an example in my home. My actions and reactions show my family how I am allowing Christ to shape me. It has occurred to me that often, inside my home, I lash out at my family and act most un-Christlike. My home is the place God has planted me to grow other Christians first hand. It is my responsibility to truly shine for Him at home; not just in the outside world.

This week, my goal as a mom is to be ever mindful of my actions and reactions with my family. May all that I say and do be a reflection of Christ’s work in me. Being a parent is no easy job. Being a Christian parent is not easier, but praise God I am not alone on my journey. Christ is by my side. I must look to Him daily for guidance and direction. He will lead the way…I just have to follow. As I follow His path this week, may I shine for Him so that my family may see His presence and want to learn more about Him.

– Deborah Ard –

#Prayer #Salt

Dear Heavenly Father,

Thank you for choosing us, your creation to be Holy and blameless in your sight Eph 1:4.

You say we are the salt of the earth, but to keep our saltiness we must continually seek you.

You say we are the light of the world, a city that cannot be hid, but we must let that light shine for others to see

your good works in us that you will be glorified Mat 5:13-16.

I desire more of you and less of me Jn 3:30.

I desire your wisdom in my daily challenges my world presents so that I may make the most of every

opportunity as a mother and your disciple.

Let my conversation always be full of grace, seasoned with salt,

so that I may know how to answer everyone Col 4:5-6.

Show me your ways and teach me your paths Psa 25:4.

When I am weak your strength and power are made perfect in my weakness 2 Cor 12:9.

In the name of Jesus Amen

-Julie Wicker-

Worship with us, click here to hear Salt & Light by Lauren Daigle