Change doesn't happen because we want it or need it. It happens when we take steps toward it. Take a step. Join the 21 Day Think Challenge.
Because I know prayer changes things, we must pray and keep on praying. Here are some posts that will build your faith and inspire you to persist until you breakthrough to victory.
Refreshed As I look at the many systems that God has put in place for us to be refreshed and rested, and I just couldn’t close this series without mentioning one more. Philemon 1:7 NLT Your love has given me much joy and comfort, my brother, for your kindness has often refreshed the hearts of […]
The hurry up, do more, be more, have more attitude leaves too many of us stretched and stressed. We need more than another Time Management book; we need rest-good rest-refreshing rest. Exodus 33:14 “And he said, My presence shall go with thee, and I will give thee rest.” God wants us to enjoy rest. God planned […]
Check out my cool basket. It came from Sarah’s Cross Stitch. I love, love my basket. I always have stuff to use as visual aids, so as I plan my program, I stuff my basket. Then when I’m ready to speak everything is in one convenient place and easily accessible. It folds flat for easy storage. The embroidery is absolutely beautiful! The basket is light, attractive, durable, and it is so cool to have my name on the basket. And people really like it. Everywhere I go, people ask me where I got it, so I thought maybe you’ll like to have the resource link as well. The link is Sarah’s Cross Stitch (www.scstitch.com).
They do amazing work. I have another bag from Sara’s that has a beautiful hummingbird on it. I keep it with me everywhere I go. I treasure that beautiful bag as well, but it is not a ministry bag. Her bags could be used for gifts for visiting evangelist, special awards, contest prizes or anytime you want something that really shows someone you appreciate their ministry.
Their specialty is embroidery. They embroider shirts, patches and almost anything you need. They have no set up charge and no minimum! Wow! That makes them great for children’s ministries on a tight budget.
The folks at Sarah’s Cross Stitch are amazing believers who love God. Every time I get with them I’m inspired to walk closer to God. They are active in their church teaching a Small Group (not in size or effectiveness – why are they called small groups?) in their home and children’s ministry on Sunday mornings. They are creative puppeteers using visual arts to take their puppetry to higher dimensions. They are good, honest people that are great to do business with. If you have any embroidery needs, I hope you’ll contact them. And tell them Pat Holland sent you!
Sarah’s Cross Stitch – Virginia
10316 Oakton Rd.
Chesterfield, VA 23838
804-748-9254
www.scstitch.com
I love to travel. We have been to some glorious places. We’ve seen the U.S.S. Arizona Memorial in Hawaii, Mt. McKinley in Alaska, the London Bridge in Arizona and the Sequoia’s in California. We don’t go for the touristy places, we want to explore nature, old landmarks or museums. I love meeting people and hearing their stories. But basically, I just love to “go”.
Finally, I got my summer clothes out of the attic and into the dresser drawers only to realize summer is almost over. Where has the summer gone? School supplies wait on shelves for the get-back-to-school rush! That is the bell that says summer recess is over, get back to work! But summer is supposed to be the time for a resting vacation. Maybe your va-cation was a sta-cation that turned into a work-cation. What happened to the rest part?
By the way what is rest? It really looks different to each of us. Rest for my friend Pete is kayaking, which sounds like way too much work me! To me rest is a hammock, assuming I can get into the thing without landing on the ground a dozen times; a big hammock, swaying gently under a shade tree, in a quiet place, beside a stream, birds serenading me, complete with a great book and a tall glass of iced lemonade. Other favorite of mine are: quiet walks through canopied trails and along the seashore; or plopped in a chair on the porch watching sunsets in the mountains; or laughing with my grandchildren. In this mad-dash world that we live in today, it is difficult to find genuine rest. Have you discovered a place of rest?
Rest was God’s idea. Let’s take a look.
1. He established and commanded (not suggested) a day to rest.. (Exodus 20:11)
2. He provides a physical system for rest; sleep.
3. We can believe God for sweet sleep. Proverbs 3:24 KJV
4. We can sleep in peace so our emotions can rest. Psalm 4:8 KJV
5. God established a place of rest that can only be entered by faith and the obedience enabled by faith. (Hebrews 4:1-6) We walk by faith, live by faith and rest because we have faith. Faith in a God that never sleeps, never leaves us and watches over us tenderly.
6. Biblical refreshing…While all these points are vital and viable; there are numerous resources accessible to help you rest better. But often biblical refreshing is overlooked in our quest to rest.
In our quest to rest, we need to be careful that we do not miss the rest that is available in God’s presence. Acts 3:19 (KJV) “Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out , when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord.” It is a place, just as real as your favorite physical location.
I’ve seen children, youth and adults experience that rest in corporate worship; scattered around the room, as they knelt, many laying their faces on the floor resting in the sweet peace of God’s presence.
I’ve moved into a quiet place of rest, in my private worship.
It’s not automatic! That place of refreshing that God has for us can be missed. Isaiah 28:12 “To whom He said, “This is the rest with which you may cause the weary to rest,” And, “This is the refreshing”; Yet they would not hear.”
Need a vacation? Hurry! Summer is almost over, but before you go, unpack your worries, leave them in God’s hands, and rest.
Matthew 11:28 KJV Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden , and I will give you rest.
