Serious About Faith. Light-Hearted About Life.
We’ve all been there. Yeah, in that boat of experiencing too much of a good thing.
It could be that we ate too much at the buffet. Or that our “general connection” with people on Facebook (or technology in general) has taken a priority over our time with the Lord. Or our intention of working out is now borderline unhealthy.
There are so many good things in this world. But these good things have to be kept on a leash, lest the good things usurp our God things. [Read more…]
Welcome to Wilco Wednesday! If you are a new around these parts, “Wilco” is Army-speak for “Will Comply.” Think of it as saying “Roger, God. Got it. Will do.” So that is what Wednesday here at 7 Days Time is all about– exploring his decrees and seeking guidance for what complying with Him looks like in everyday life. The best part? He loves us for who we are, not what we do. Remember: He doesn’t want perfection, just obedience. Share. Enjoy. Interact. Welcome a very Godly, loving woman, my friend Bobbie.
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“He who gathers crops in summer is prudent, but he who sleeps during harvest is a disgrace.”
~Proverbs 10:5
What would compel a farmer to “sleep” during harvest time? Given serious consideration, one may be able to discover a few reasons. Sickness, depression over a recent loss, commitment to an urgent need elsewhere, or inadequate help or resources.
These reasons are serious and heartrending and don’t seem to capture the Scripture’s assessment of the one who sleeps. The person who has not made provision for crops to be brought in can be characterized as foolish, unwise, a poor steward, excessively wasteful, even contemptuous in her own plenty. Looked at another way, that sleeper is unaware, uninvolved, detached from the important matters at hand, lacking in foresight, and simply inattentive. [Read more…]
When I first started blogging nearly four years ago (WHAT?!? 4 years already!?) I really didn’t know what I was getting into.
I thought I would just be sharing a few Jesus-y thoughts and encouraging others.
Which I do. And for that I am grateful. But this online ministry gig is so much more.
See friends, it is a ministry to myself.
Not only do reading my words at a later date realign my heart focus and challenge me to find Jesus in my everyday, but I have also met some incredible friends here. [Read more…]
Welcome to Wilco Wednesday! If you are a new around these parts, “Wilco” is Army-speak for “Will Comply.” Think of it as saying “Roger, God. Got it. Will do.” So that is what Wednesday here at 7 Days Time is all about– exploring his decrees and seeking guidance for what complying with Him looks like in everyday life. The best part? He loves us for who we are, not what we do. Remember: He doesn’t want perfection, just obedience. Share. Enjoy. Interact. Welcome a very Godly, loving woman, my friend Bobbie.
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Last week seemed bleak and hopeless in the lives of several women and marriages I care about. Another several women I know were dealing with life-altering or threatening health issues and others with the darkness of depression.
Hope is the lifeline for women in each of these situations, but in what is our hope placed? If we are hoping for a miraculous turn-around for our marriages, or a healing that confounds the doctors, or an enlightened truth that frees us from sad feelings and dark thoughts- for many that lifeline is tenuous and unstable. It cannot be depended on.
The hope that stabilizes and cements us is founded in the unchanging, all-powerful Maker of the universe and Lover of our souls.
He declares who He is, so that we can be calm in the middle of every storm. “The Lord your God is in your midst – a warrior bringing victory. He will create calm with his love; he will rejoice over you with singing.” Zephaniah 3:17 CEB
He declares who we are, so we can know where we stand despite the hardship or storm. “God destined us to be his adopted children through Jesus Christ because of his love.” Ephesians 1:5 CEB
He declares what is coming, so we don’t get stuck believing that life and death hinge on this moment in time. “So we’re not giving up. How could we! Even though on the outside it often looks like things are falling apart on us, on the inside, where God is making new life, not a day goes by without His unfolding grace. These hard times are small potatoes compared to the coming good times, the lavish celebration prepared for us. There is far more than meets the eye. The things we see now are here today, gone tomorrow. But the things we can’t see now will last forever.” 2 Corinthians4:16-18, The Message
This week I visited with several of the ladies I referenced earlier, and I found some guarded optimism, a bit of light at the end of the tunnel, and even unbridled hope. God is at work in the lives of his children, but what do we do while we wait for the breakthrough? The answers are as varied as the obstacles we face, but we begin by redirecting our focus away from the problem and toward our loving Lord.
Consider these:
If what I’m looking at or listening to terrifies me, I close my eyes and listen to the Father’s words: Beloved, Mighty Warrior, Daughter, Chosen One…
If my husband does not show me love the way I desire – I remember the first ring I wore. Christ is my husband. Rehearse his vows to me: I love you with an everlasting love. I will never forsake you…
Replay key victories in my life, the lives of those I know, or the lives of Bible figures. David slew Goliath. Five loaves and two fish fed 5,000… Declare victory again. Write it out.
Call on your solid, praying, faith-filled friends (one, two or 10). Ecc 4:12 and James 5:13-16
Put on the whole armor of God in the morning (Ephesians 6:10-18). Check it at noon. Look again at evening.
In this world God’s daughters will face many trials, but we don’t have to let the fight consume our lives. While we wait, we must live fully each day regardless of our circumstances. While we wait for God to move the mountain – we love, laugh, serve others, give, give more, and hope. This is what God wants: Completely surrender yourself into His capable, gentle care. You know who He is. You know who you are. You know what awaits you. Get Ready to Celebrate!
So friends… what are your thoughts? Join the conversation and leave a comment. http://wp.me/p2bz2E-1ye
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Writer, Editor, Consultant, and Conference Speaker, Bobbie Simpson is a seasoned high school English teacher, women’s Bible study teacher, parent of three adult children and grandparent of three.
Married 36 years to her husband Larry, a 27 year Air Force Officer , she credits the success of her marriage to the “cord of three, which is not easily broken.” Faith in Jesus Christ is the foundation that drives her passion for marriages that thrive, singleness with satisfaction, and parenting with purpose.
For the past seven years Bobbie has written and facilitated spouses’ and couples’ conferences for Spiritually Smart Family Conferences, a ministry that she and her husband founded under the auspices of Officer’s Christian Fellowship. Bobbie is ardent about the health and success of military marriages and homes.
Linking up today with my friend Kristin over at Three-word Wednesday and having a little Coffee for your Heart with Holley. Oh! And be sure to join our #EverydayJesus link-up community right here at 7 Days Time every Thursday!
I have always loved to learn. I was that little kid who would beg my mom NOT to keep me home from school. “Please, Mama! It is just a small fever. And I haven’t puked for 20 minutes! PLEASE LET ME GO TO SCHOOL! ”
Yeah, I was THAT kid. #NerdAlert
Like most elementary school children, I had a favorite subject. And no, it wasn’t recess.
I loved science. Elementary school science was the best because it was MY kind of science. That science was basic biology before they made it all complicated by adding numbers and junk to it.
Anything living always piqued my interest. I especially loved the hands-on experiments. [Read more…]
Welcome to Wilco Wednesday! If you are a new around these parts, “Wilco” is Army-speak for “Will Comply.” Think of it as saying “Roger, God. Got it. Will do.” So that is what Wednesday here at 7 Days Time is all about– exploring his decrees and seeking guidance for what complying with Him looks like in everyday life. The best part? He loves us for who we are, not what we do. Remember: He doesn’t want perfection, just obedience. Share. Enjoy. Interact. Welcome a very humble, wise woman, our Titus II advisor, Sharon Bridwell as she shares Part 2 of a great piece of Scripture. (To get caught up on Part 1, click here.)
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“You learned it from Epaphras, our dear fellow servant, who is a faithful minister of Christ on our behalf, and who also told us of your love in the Spirit. For this reason, since the day we heard about you, we have not stopped praying for you. We continually ask God to fill you with the knowledge of his will through all the wisdom and understanding that the Spirit gives, so that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and please him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God…” ~Colossians 1:7-10
In Colossians 1:7-8, we find exciting truths about how we all need to share our faith in Christ and pray for each other. As Paul mentions the faithful work of Epaphras for the cause of Christ, I remember all those people who encouraged me to make Christ my Lord and Savior, which I did at 13. Yet, I didn’t fully understand Lordship until I was in college. Why the gap? Where was my pointed little head? Maybe I just didn’t understand my need to be daily in the Word, seeking discernment from the Holy Spirit.
By the time I was 18 or 19, something just clicked and I wanted all of God all the time, not just some of Him when it was convenient. Lots of people were praying for me back home in my little church, and I am so thankful for their faithfulness on my part. [Read more…]
Ever have one of those days where all you really can do is stare at the ceiling and say, “Seriously, Lord!?!”
I do. Rather frequently, in fact.
These “Seriously, Lord” days are not exceptionally bad. Or tragic. Or earth shattering. But they generally fall into the category of frustrating and the only thing left is for us to just take a deep breath as we let it go.
I had one of these days a few weeks ago. [Read more…]
I think most of us have a certain “color” we just look good in. You know what I am talking about. That color that just makes our eyes pop, our hair gleam, our hips look like we didn’t eat that entire bag of Dove chocolate in the bathtub last night.
And no, it isn’t black.
My color is green. This revelation was rather odd to me, because green really isn’t my favorite color. (Infantry blue, baby! #America)
But for some odd reason, green just works on me. [Read more…]
Welcome to Wilco Wednesday! If you are a new around these parts, “Wilco” is Army-speak for “Will Comply.” Think of it as saying “Roger, God. Got it. Will do.” So that is what Wednesday here at 7 Days Time is all about– exploring his decrees and seeking guidance for what complying with Him looks like in everyday life. The best part? He loves us for who we are, not what we do. Remember: He doesn’t want perfection, just obedience. Share. Enjoy. Interact. And welcome this dynamic, authentic sister in the Lord, Karen as she shares her heart with us today.
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“Don’t settle.”
It’s something I’ve taught my children for years when talking about relationships. Know what you’re looking for in a mate: the moral character (integrity, humbleness, etc), the personality (one of my daughter’s requirements is funny and sarcastic, but not in a demeaning or hurtful way), how you’d spend your free time (hiking, shopping, sporting events, dancing), dream vacations – (mine are centered around water and my husband’s on mountains, a challenge to this day), how they treat their momma, etc. When we know what we’re looking for before we begin, we have a much smaller chance of ending up with the wrong person. [Read more…]
I have never liked scary movies. Ever.
Maybe you are a theatrical thrill seeker and nothing makes you happier than a racing pulse as you watch a movie from your couch.
You can go ahead and invite me over to your house for a movie night, but just know that I will be in the kitchen raiding your fridge and eating all the popcorn reading a book.
I guess I just don’t understand the excitement of scary movies. Because their level of realism is about zero. “Oh hey, let me walk into this dark house by myself. Pay no attention to the crescendo of intense music in the background. And is that a trail of blood on the ground? I think I will follow it. Only good things can come from this, right?” [Read more…]
It's been awhile since we have posted a fresh Factor of 7 here at 7 Days Time. We've done a few small ones over the last several months, but we wanted to share one of most recent random acts of kindness with you. Because it was fun. And hey, who … Interested? Read on...
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