I Can Do All Things Through Him Who Strengthens Me

By Shelly Burke

"I can do all things through Christ Who strengthens me." Philippians 4:13

~I~ I am the one who has to take responsibility for the things I need to do—no one else can.

~Can Do~   Can. Not “might” or “possibly could” or “can do the easy things” but can take the actions necessary. I might not like it, I might not want to do it, but I can do, with God’s help.

~All Things~ Not “some things” or “most things” or “the easy things;” not just “fun things” or “pretty things” but all things—the ugly things, the things that I never imagined I’d have to do, the sad things, the unfair things—all things that I need to do.

~Through Him~ Not by myself, but through Him, with His help—Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. We—God and I—will do it together. He will be with me every single second. 

~Who Strengthens~ I don’t have to feel strong; I don’t have to be strong. He will do the strengthening that allows and enables me to do what I need to do.

~Me~ He strengthens me when I need it. He cares enough to help me do what I need to do, when I need to do it.

Thank You, Lord, that You care enough about me and what I’m going through to give me the strength to do what I need to do. Thank You that I am not alone in anything I need to do. Amen.

What are you asking the Lord to strengthen you to do today? 

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I'm also blogging at Nebraska Family Times. 

Today's post is based on John 14:6, and gives us the ONLY way to eternal

life with the Lord. 

Health, Small Steps to Improving Yours

If you pay the least bit of attention to the “news” or current magazines, you've realized that health advice abounds, and is different almost every time you turn on the TV or read a newspaper or magazine headline or article. It can be overwhelming to even think about improving your health, especially if your exercise and eating habits aren't the best to begin with!

Whether you’re just considering thinking about maybe taking some steps to improve your health, or already  have pretty good health habits, here are some things you can do to bump it up to the next level. 

Here are a few are simple, proven tips that you can start to use immediately. Choose one—or all!—to begin doing today. Your body and your mind will thank you!

•  Decrease your intake of soda, coffee, or sweets by just one serving/day.
• Drink an extra glass of water every day.
• Eat one more serving of fruits or vegetables every day. If you regularly eat plenty of fruits and veggies try one new fruit or vegetable this month.
• Exercise—even a 10 minute walk around the block or a few stretches are beneficial. If you exercise regularly, challenge yourself to add a few minutes of exercise or try a new DVD or routine.
• If you haven’t seen a doctor for a few years, make an appointment today! If you are a woman between the ages of 40 and 76, check out Every Woman Matters You may qualify for free screening tests, including mammogram and Pap smear.
• If you have a habit that has a negative effect on your health, consider changing it just slightly. If you smoke, challenge yourself to smoke one less cigarette a day. If you eat several servings of junk food every day, limit yourself to just one snack a day. If you frequently eat out, consider going one week without eating out at all (your wallet will thank you too!). Make your servings just a little bit smaller.

 Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body.

1 Corinthians 6:19-20

What is YOUR favorite health tip?

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I’m also blogging the A to Z Challenge at Nebraska Family Times.

 Today’s post is titled “Hope” and based on Romans 15:13

***Remember--comment on any post between now and Saturday

evening and you'll be eligible to win this  gift basket!***  

10 Great Things to Say When You Don’t Know What to Say

No matter what the situation or circumstance, one or more of these statements are the ‘right’ thing to say. 

• “I’m so sorry!”
• “You are in my thoughts and prayers.”
• “What can I do for you?”
• “It’s OK to cry/scream/laugh.”
• “It’s OK to be mad/sad/upset/confused.”
• “There are many people who love and support you.”
• “This is a terrible time for you, but I know you can do what you have to do.”
• “I am here any time you want to talk/e-mail/cry.”
• “I am your friend and I will support you and be here for you no matter what!”
• NOTHING--just give a hug or sit quietly and listen. 

“Do not be anxious about…what you ought to say, for the Holy Spirit will teach you in that very hour what you ought to say.” Luke 12:12

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I'm also blogging at Nebraska Family Times. Click to 

read the post "Gifts", based on 1 Peter 4:10

Financial Sites and Advice, My Favorite

My Favorite Financial Websites

Dave Ramsey  offers practical financial advice from a Biblical point of view. On his website you’ll find many articles, forms, tools and step-by-step advice so you can start getting control of your finances right away! You can also listen to his radio show and get information for classes (offered through many churches) and live events.

Money Help for Christians is written by Craig Ford, who says on the blog, “Each day I’m searching for new discoveries about debt-free living, frugality, generous giving, and simple living.”  The site contains many Bible-based articles as well as the offer of a FREE download of the book “The Bible and 21^st Century Finances” when you subscribe to receive free e-mail articles. Several other downloadable books are also available.

Bible Money Matters is  a Christian personal finance blog that helps regular people gain control of their finances and live financially free. Peter Anderson writes about finances, faith and family. Sign up to receive articles by e-mail.

My Favorite Advice ( From experience; I do all of these things) 

• Save change in a change jar
• Save dollar bills
• Use the envelopes system (outlined at Dave Ramsey); I label envelopes with categories of spending (groceries, personal items, gifts, clothing, etc.) and place the budgeted amount of cash in the envelopes every month. When the cash is gone, I don’t spend any more in that category. Using cash makes me very conscious of what I spend and if I really need that item.
• Avoid going in the store if at all possible, since I inevitably “have to have” more than just that one item. 
• Shop ahead; I purchase 3-4 deodorants, boxes of cereal, cans of tomato sauce, bags of dog treats, etc. at one time, when I have coupons and they’re on sale. This way I never run out and have to buy when they’re not on sale or I don’t have coupons, and I don’t have to go into the store as often.
• If I do go in a store for “just one or two things” I do not get a cart! When I have to carry everything I’m much more discerning about what I buy.
• Make and use my own dishwasher soap and clothing detergent. It is MUCH cheaper than, and works just as well as the much more expensive chemical-filled products!

What are your favorite financial websites and money-saving tips?

I’m also blogging at Nebraska Family Times .

Today’s post is titled “Fall Down” and based on Ecclesiastes 4:9-10

E-mail…More Productive Things to do than to Check…Yet Again

Sometimes I check my e-mail…for the umpteenth time of the day, out of boredom or just for something to do. I’ve tried to become more conscious of how I spend my time, and I’ve found that when I have “something” in mind to do, rather than a mindless task (like checking e-mail), I’m more likely to spend that time productively.

Here are some things to do besides checking e-mail... yet again.

• Read the chapter of Proverbs that corresponds to the date (today, for example, I’ll read Proverbs 5)
• Clear out the dishwasher and wipe down the counters
• Say a prayer for someone you’re concerned about (I keep a prayer journal so I can easily see who I’m concerned about, and why)
• Clear off the bathroom counter and wipe it down, as well as the mirror
• Find, address and write a note in an encouraging card for a friend going through a hard time
• Call my mom for a quick chat
• Take the dog for a quick walk
• Lift weights or do a quick cardio workout (a few minutes of exercise several times a day has been found to be just as effective as an extended time of exercise)
• Update your monthly or weekly calendar
• Page through a new magazine and enjoy a piece (or two or three!) of chocolate

What will YOU do today instead of checking e-mail…yet again?

I’m also blogging the A to Z Challenge at www.nebraskafamilytimes.blogspot.com. 

Today’s post is titled “Every Thought” and based on 2 Corinthians 10:5b

Deepening Your Relationship with God

Do you want to become closer to God? Do you feel a desire to deepen your faith? The suggestions below will help make your faith an integral part of your life, every day.

• Pray that the Lord would cause you to thirst to learn more about Him, to want to read His Word. 
• Read the Bible. There are many translations available;consider a study Bible, which has notes that will help you better understand the readings. Start in Genesis, and read straight through. Or start in Matthew, and read the New Testament first. Or read the chapter of Proverbs that corresponds to the date; read Proverbs 4 today, and Proverbs 5 tomorrow, for example. A Chronological Bible will allow you to read through the events in the order in which they happened. Whatever you read will increase your knowledge of God and His will, and what He wants from us. "Thy Word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path." Psalm 119:105
• After you've chosen a Bible, make daily personal Bible study an absolute priority. You cannot develop a relationship without the Lord without spending time with Him! Write in your Bible, or use a notebook to journal what you learned and your observations and questions during your Bible study. 
• Begin your day with prayer. Thank Him for the blessings He has given you and ask Him to bless your day. Philippians 4:16 says, "Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God."   1 Thessalonians 5:17 commands us to "Pray without ceasing." 
• If you haven't already, find a church home. Talk with friends, or local pastors or priests, about the beliefs of their church, and choose one to attend. Ask questions so you know what the beliefs of that denomination are. If you have a church home but haven't been regularly attending, attend church every week. Yes, you can be a believer without attending church, but worshiping with other believers strengthens your faith, teaches you about your faith and your Lord, and encourages you in your daily walk. 
• Become more involved with your church by attending Bible class, teaching Sunday school, or volunteering where needed. Being with other believers will deepen your faith. 
• Take sermon notes. It will help you remain focused during the service and give you a study reference. 
• Keep a prayer journal. List what you are thankful for as well as your requests for yourself and others. Date your list and record God's answers so that you can look back and see how He answered your prayers.
• Listen to Christian music. The encouraging messages and uplifting music will put a positive spin on your day, no matter what is happening. 
• Post Bible verses, written on notecards or sticky notes, around your home (on your bathroom mirror, on your refrigerator, and so on), so you'll read them several times a day. 
• Proceed with caution in choosing devotion books, websites, TV shows to watch, or programs to listen to. Many "Christian" authors and speakers seem to use the right buzzwords, but be very discerning--test everything you read or hear against the only Authority--the Bible. Subscribe to the Nebraska Family Times and you will receive a truly Christian newspaper in your mailbox every month!  

How do you make time with the Lord a priority? How have you deepened your relationship with the Lord? What's your favorite way to study the Bible? 

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This entry is adapted from the book "Home is Where the Mom Is; A Christian Mom's Guide to Caring for Herself, Her Family, and Her Home", by Shelly Burke. To read more about "Home is Where the Mom Is" click the "Table of Contents" tab at the top of this page; to order, see the sidebar of this page. 

Chapters--my Favorite in the Bible
by Shelly Burke

Yesterday I shared my favorite verses in the Bible, and today I'm sharing my favorite chapters of the Bible. Many verses in the Bible are "stand alone", but it's also important to take them in the context of the verses around them. When reading these chapters throughout the years, I've gradually underlined more and more of them. I often put the date by my daily Bible readings and jot down my thoughts about the reading as well as what's going on in my life. As I shared yesterday, I'm awed by the way Bible readings, written thousands of years ago, apply to the happenings in my life. 

• Genesis 6-9 (OK, I know that's more than one chapter!) The narrative (our pastor calls them "narratives" because "story" implies fiction, and the Bible is not fiction!) of Noah takes my emotions from sadness (that the earth has so quickly become so corrupt), to fear (for the unbelievers who will die, and for Noah and his family, living through the flood), to joy (in God's promise, symbolized by the rainbow). To read my review of the movie "Noah", click here Review of "Noah."
• Genesis 45 In this chapter Joseph forgives his brothers for selling him into slavery many years earlier, and he cries as he forgives them and promises to provide for them and their families.
• Joshua 1 God's words to Joshua, as he prepares to lead the Israelites into the promised land after Moses' death, give me courage when I am facing something that seems too much for me (and if God gave Joshua the ability to lead 2 or 3 million people into an unknown land, I think He can equip me to do almost anything He calls me to do!)
• Proverbs 4 Full of "wise instruction" in almost every area of life. 
• Luke 2 This most-read narrative of the Nativity never fails to bring tears to my eyes! 
• John 3 Along with the beautiful words of John 3:16, read the other words of Jesus in this chapter, along with the unmistakable promise of eternal life for all who believe. 
• Romans 8 Comforting, encouraging, inspiring words about life in the Holy Spirit. 

Read one of these chapters and let me know what you think! What is YOUR favorite chapter of the Bible? 

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I'm also blogging at Nebraska Family Times.  Today's entry, "Comfort".