Good News for those with sisters

Sisters make you happier
I believe, although this was not part of the study, that the younger siblings are probably the happiest for having wonderful sisters to look up to.  But that's just my opinion.  I'm sure if I am wrong I'll get a comment. LOL

Remember, police get their hair done too

Salon hold up gone wrong

This isn't necessarily a good news story at first glance, but if you read it and read about the police officer who is at the center of it, I think some of you will be convinced that God was guiding her bullets - and the thief's as well.  I bet that salon owner is feeling a little safer, maybe this won't happen again now that everyone knows a cop gets her hair done there. :)

Arm Wrestling for God :)

Arm wrestling for God - More kids doing Kingdom work!

I heard about this on the radio.  One thing the article doesn't appear to mention is that at her next competition she's going to hand Bibles out to her competitors.  Love this! 

John 7:52

Reading John 7:52 led me to Isaiah and it gave me so much hope that I felt the need to share.  I know quite a few people that are studying the book of Isaiah right now and their general comments have been how much Isaiah resembles our current state in the world.  After reading this verse alone, I had to agree.

The people who walk in darkness

    will see a great light.

For those who live in a land of deep darkness

    a light will shine.   Isaiah 9:2  NLT

If you turn on the news at any given point during the day, most of what you are going to see is darkness.  I've found it hard to find good news stories to post.  But there is hope because there is Light.  And as TobyMac says, "I want to be in the light, as You are in the light, I want to shine like the stars in the Heavens. Oh Lord be my Light and be my salvation, cause all I want is to be in the light."

John 7:24

It's been a while since I wrote about what I was reading (in the Bible reading plan that are church is doing this year).  But today I found a couple things that really struck me.   Sometimes you can read a Bible several times, re-read a passage and on the third or fourth time you go through it, something pops out at you.  

The scripture that popped out at me this morning was "Look beneath the surface so you can judge correctly."  John 6:24.  Even taken out of context, these are words to live by.  People, myself included, come to judgments about others all the time - sometime without even realizing they are doing it.  But we don't know what's in a person's heart, we don't know the circumstances of their life or even their day.  We need to "look beneath the surface".  Good advice - for anyone, believer or not.

More proof that we need to be like children

Another selfless child
This story is so bittersweet.  If we could just be more like some of the children I've been reading about lately, the world would be a much better place.

This is why God wants all the little children - they have the biggest hearts

8 Year Old running own food drive
Once again, a young child is making a difference.  Is it any wonder that Jesus says, "Let the children come to me.  Don't stop them! For the Kingdom of God belongs to those who are like these children."  Mark 10:14

More on Kids Stepping up to the Plate

5 year old birthday all about charity
I love hearing about kids who are thinking of others more than themselves.  It's amazing what they can do with the right kind of encouragement.

Trouble finding Good News stories...

It's a little depressing to me how hard it is to find good news stories.  Maybe I'm just looking in the wrong places or maybe I'm being a little too particular, but I definitely am having problems.  I just wanted to let you know that I haven't stopped trying.  You know, that silent you out there that I imagine in my brain. LOL 

If anyone, even the voices in my head, have a suggestion, I would be happy to hear it. :)

Review of Outlive Your Life by Max Lucado

This book helps you begin to think about what you can do to impact the world and people around you.  It challenges you to consider how you can make the most of this life helping others, possibly doing things that will last longer than yourself.  I found this book to be very inspirational and encouraging.  Max Lucado has a great writing style, using humor and stories he keeps you interested and makes you think.  I related much of what he was saying directly to my life. 

There are many things that I want to re-read and start applying to my life.  The book actually inspired me to step outside of my comfort zone and take action.  This book almost seemed to be written for me personally.  I am not sure if that was due to Lucado’s writing style, my particular walk in my faith or a combination of both.

This book is one that I know I’m going to end up reading several times.  I am sure that as it is read again new points will stand out and it will continue to help with my spiritual growth.  A great read that I would absolutely recommend.

Fashion Competition Brings People of the Bible to Todays Teenagers

 Fashion Competition Brings People of the Bible to Todays Teenagers

I have to admit, I thought this was a pretty innovative idea.

From another article I found "the Empty Hanger" concept a little more clearly defined. "The five outfits have been designed to show the personalities of five Bible characters who are all members of Jesus’ family tree, but with them there is one Empty Hanger.

This autumn, in a joint project by Bible Society and the college, youngsters in schools across the country will be invited to design a costume that they think symbolises who they are to put on the Empty Hanger."

I liked one of the quotes in the article I linked:

Walton said, "Empty Hanger will help bring the Bible alive for a generation that largely don’t read it. The stories in the Bible are like a soap opera for all eternity. They tell us about ourselves and we can learn about how to live life today through them."

I really like this idea.

Good News Today - I think today's story is a no-brainer

"I think I had extraordinary luck. I was with God and with the devil. And I reached out for God." - Mario Sepulveda; Rescued Chilean Miner   I don't think there's any question about the good news story for today.

And the update

 If you read my post yesterday Yesterday's Post  you will know that I had a mission today. :)   I thought it was going to be canceled or delayed due to a malfunctioning water heater, but it turns out it didn't slow me down as much as I thought it would.  I was riding the train into the city wondering if talking to this homeless paper vendor was something I was really supposed to be doing or if it was just something that popped into my mind yesterday.  I wasn't really feeling the tug I had felt yesterday, so I started second guessing myself.

And then there is that book I'm reading... "Most of us will someday realize that we didn't [notice the beauty in the midst of busyness] either.  From the perspective of heaven, we'll look back on these days - these busy, cluttered days-and realize, That was Jesus playing the violin [on a street corner]. That was Jesus wearing the ragged clothes...The person needing my help was Jesus. ...  when we love those in need, we are loving Jesus."  italics are the authors - Max Lucado, Outlive Your Life.  

There it was, just as I started to doubt, the encouragement I needed.  I said a prayer for guidance - I say that so often I feel like giving it a number so I can just say - "Father, number 32 please!"   Okay, that makes it sound like take out food way too much, but I digress.   As I turned the corner and checked to see if he was at his normal post I felt the doubt and butterflies kick in.  Not doubt that I was following what I was meant to do, but doubt in myself.   I have to get out of my comfort zone is the thought that went through my mind at that point.  Along with another realization.  Who would try to stop me from telling someone about God?  The next thought that entered my head was Satan stop it!  And the butterflies went away.  Just thinking back on that, it surprises me, although I know it shouldn't, that saying that worked.  But it did.  

So I walked up to the man, told him that God had been speaking to me a lot over the past two days about him and I wanted him to have the few dollars that I had in my hand.  Then I introduced myself, his name is Manuel, and told him it was nice to meet him.  And then I left because he looked terrified. LOLOL  Maybe this interaction wasn't as much for Manuel's benefit as it was for mine.  I've been wanting to challenge myself and I've been asking for God to use me, maybe this was His way of warming me up.  Who knows why?  But even though I may have made Manuel a little nervous - seriously, he kept looking behind me like he was hoping the men with the straight jackets were right behind me - I left the encounter with a big smile on my face and feeling wonderful.

And who knows?  Maybe Manuel's story isn't over yet.

Stay tuned....

Today I was walking down the street and the homeless paper vendor that I pass almost daily popped into my head.  I don't give money to people I see begging on a daily basis.  It's a weird thing with me, but in my mind if they see me every day they may expect me to give them money every day, and I just can't do that.  I also hesitate because in a city this big, you just don't know who really needs help and who is just faking it.  Cynical enough for you? 

But today, when this particular vendor popped into my head, I hadn't even seen him yet.  "You have to give him money" popped into my mind.  "Uh, no." was the response.  I could have still crossed the street at this point to avoid the whole situation.  I could have, technically, there was a street to cross.  But I couldn't do it, didn't even enter my mind.  And as I turned the corner and started reaching into my purse for $2 (price of the paper) I realized that I wasn't in control of this.  So I went with it - I didn't really have much of a choice and at this point I realized who the instructions were coming from and wouldn't have said no anyway.

I made eye contact - I think that's possibly the first time - stopped and gave him the money.  As I walked away I wondered if that was the end of the incident.  Something told me there was more to it.   I'm reading Max Lucado's Out Live Your Life.  Today I was reading the chapter Blast A Few Walls.  It talks about "breaking down barricades that separate God's children from each other."   The passage that caught me was "Do any walls bisect your world?  There you stand on one side.  And on the other?  The person you've learned to disregard, perhaps even disdain."

As I was reading all this what popped into my mind is I have to go tomorrow, I have to give him a couple more dollars, but this time I have to tell him that God is leading me to him and find out what his name is.  Why finding out what his name is seemed important I don't know, but it did.   I stopped reading and prayed for guidance.  If he's there tomorrow (there are days he's not) obviously I won't be able to carry this out.  If he is, well I guess stay tuned.   :)

I considered not posting this until I knew what I was going to do, but that seemed like cheating and not giving God the glory He is due.  And then there's that other double edged sword - accountability.  :)

Boy born without ears gets gift of sound

Deaf boy gets help to hear
Praise God for the doctors that helped him and for bringing him to their attention.

It's amazing what kids can do

Teenager with a Mission
I love reading stories of how kids are inspired for greatness and find their niche serving others.  This service started when Jacob was 10 years old.  Just goes to show that you can never be too young to make a difference.

Maybe not Good news but I want to see a zebra walking down the street

Zebra runaway
I love that this Zebra "was known as a vagabond".  I think I've heard stories of a dog that he may get along with...

Chilean Miners almost out

Chilean miners breakthrough in rescue
I can't imagine what the families of these miners have been going through during the long wait for rescue of their loved ones.  And, being somewhat claustrophobic, I don't even try to imagine what the miners themselves have been going through. 

My prayers are with them and I hope that the delivery of Bibles that they received a while ago have helped them to endure this ordeal.

Pastor Stops Gunmen

80 Yr Old Pastor Stops Gunmen

Present day good samaritan

Samaritan rescues girl and gives God glory
I saw this the other day on the news, but I hadn't had a chance to actually watch it.  This is a great current time Good Samaritan story.

Highschool cheerleaders standing up for modesty

High School Cheerleaders Complain About Skimpy Outfits

I have to applaud these girls standing up for themselves.  They should be an inspiration to their peers.

Moms In Touch International

I just want to tell you about Moms In Touch International.  It is a group of women who get together either in person or on the phone to pray for our children, our schools, our teachers... you get the drift right?  Here is their purpose from their website at www.momsintouch.org:

The Purpose of Moms In Touch International
To pray that our children will receive Jesus as Lord and Savior, then stand boldly in their faith.

To pray for teachers and staff.

To pray that teachers, administrative staff, and students would come to faith in Jesus Christ.

To provide support and encouragement to moms who carry heavy burdens for their children.

To pray that our schools will be directed by biblical values and high moral standards

To be an encouragement and a positive support to our schools


I am the only mother signed up for Sutherland Elementary, and as much as I would like to find someone from that school, I would also like to encourage anyone in the Chicagoland area to join voices with these women.  You can go to their website and look for your school to see if there is already a prayer group there, if there isn't you can sign up as a single mom prayer by herself for that school and they will contact you to pray in the monthly conference calls.  I just sat in on my first conference call today and met two wonderful women.  I have trouble finding words when I'm praying out loud, but you don't have to talk, you can just listen.  But if you're like me, the pull to  join in the prayer may be too great to overcome.

Please consider joining this organization, our kids can use all the prayer they can get.

Family trip changes lives - home and across the world

Family trip to Africa leads to life change

I love when I hear stories of how people see a need and then act on it.  I want to be more like that - something to strive for.

Inspiring story

Being blink helps minister really see

I found a few stories today, but this one I thought inspiring.  

Chocolate can make you look younger?

Eating Chocolate Can Make You Look Younger

This isn't actually a new story, but I saw it for the first time yesterday.  I've been saying for years that chocolate is good for you.  That's why it's a food group!  What?  Really?  I could have sworn....  oh well.  It's still good for you. :)

Good News - the real stuff

Since I am once again not finding that much good news on the internet, I decided to go back to the true Good News today.

Ephesians 2:8-10

God saved you by his grace when you believed. And you can't take credit for this; it is a gift from God.  Salvation is not a reward for the good things we have done, so none of us can boast about it.  For we are God's masterpiece.  He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago.

Romans 8:1

So now there is no condemnation for those who belong to Christ Jesus.

Romans 5:8

But God showed his great love for us by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners.

That, at least, is some good news I can bank on.

Five Year Old Raises Money for Well in Africa

A different type of life giving water
Very inspiring story - and a reminder that kids can contribute in all sorts of ways.