~Finding that someone

No one can help everyone,

But everyone can help someone.

So stop focusing on the everyone,

And start looking for the someone!

I’m sure we’ve all felt that way at one point or another. God is just so great and you feel that you HAVE to share it, take it to the people and have it make a big impact!
  Don’t get me wrong. By all means share it! And I do believe that some people are called to share the gospel and God’s love in a “big” way, but for most of us that isn’t His plan. I’m not telling you to downgrade your focus but to place it where God intends it to be. To bloom where you are planted!
  Step back and look at your life. Think about those you come into contact with ever day. Friends…siblings (just for starters) they are your ministry right now! Especially for us single girls, they are the people we are to share God’s love with. There is not a person you come into contact with who you couldn’t encourage in some way. Maybe a word of encouragement, an act of love, or something as simple as a sincere smile or greeting.
  Just remember, Godly encouragement will always point back to God. That is ultimately what it is for. To bring glory and honor to Him. And in that way (Yeah to us it may feel small and insignificant, but we never know what lasting impact it may make on someone’s life.) we are doing exactly what God has called us to do: be bearers of His light!

You can only make a difference in others’ lives if you have allowed God to work in yours. Have you?

~The War for Mansoul-book review

“A John Bunyan classic as told by Ethel Barrett”

“It’s not just a story to read-it’s an experience. And when you’ve read it, you will be filled with wonder-at how little you love God-and how much He loves you…” 
                                                                                            -Ethel Barrett
The Main Characters

• King Shaddai, who is God
• Prince Emmanuel, who is Christ
• The Lord High Secretary, who is the Holy Spirit
• Diabolus, who is Satan
• Mansoul, who is YOU  

 I think I mentioned it before but I’ll say it again “I love allegories!” I love how Characters in a story can represent spiritual aspects from our lives. (I also love stories with castles and kings and dragons!)
  “The War for Mansoul” is kind of a simple looking book published by Christian Light Publications.
  Come with me now as I show you a glimpse of the town of Mansoul.
  It’s a beautiful place. So very cheery and…peaceful. The streets are full of happy people who have no fear. For Mansoul is the very delight of King Shaddai, who created it simply for His pleasure and glory.
  To lead the town, King Shaddai has established five leaders: Lord Mayor Understanding, Lord Willbewill (Will), Mr. Conscience, Captain Resistance, and Lord Innocency.

Also right off in the beginning you enter the lair, the pit of doom, the residency and headquarters of the evil Diabolus who is once again plotting the overthrow of Shaddai. But I’ll stop there so as not to give away anything. 

  I find it so fascinating the play on words they use for all the names (You always know the villains because their names give them away!) such as: Captain Conviction, Mr. Justice, Mr. False Peace, Mr. Carnal Security, and the list goes on! It put a whole new light on things for me.

  One person stood out in particular: Lord Willbewill. He could be one Mansoul’s greatest leaders or worst enemy. Will had the choice to please his flesh or his King. And that is so true! I want to please God. I want to love and serve Him with all my heart, but then I also want what I want. You can’t have both and that is very evident as the story goes on. Oh yes, Will thinks he is serving Shaddai, but he is really only serving his flesh. He loved to think “I am the master of my own fate!” And speak it too. Diabolus just loved it. Mansoul only needed to believe one lie and they had given Diabolus the key to overthrowing their entire town.

  As I’m sure we all know, the story doesn’t end there, for Prince Emmanuel pays the price to redeem the town and restore it to His Father. 

  And no, it’s still not over because Satan never gives up, he just waits for a time when they let their guard down. So the story continues as the town officials learn to rely on the Lord High Secretary and guard against Diabolus and his evil henchmen.

  Yes, it’s suspenseful and dramatic, but also very eye opening. I pray that as you read it, you would allow God to show you areas of your life where you have let in Diabolonians without knowing and root them out with all diligence!   

~Friends with a purpose

Today I wanted to challenge you with the thought of “What kind of friend are you and what kind of friend does God want you to be?”
  To the world a good friend is someone who is there for you, who’ll listen to you, who’ll agree with you, and maybe even encourage you.
  You, you, you. As Christians we need to be focusing on THEM. Denying our own flesh and work at pointing them to Christ. We need to be able to listen and encourage and draw them to Christ. To care about their hearts.
  We need to be friends that see the pain in their eyes when others see the smile on their face. But remember, we can give them nothing (of lasting importance) apart from God. Everything else is worthless in the end.

(Can you tell I'm having fun with our Willow Tree dolls?)