A to Z Blogging Challenge

A is for...All About the A to Z Challenge! 

I'm so excited to be starting the A to Z Blogging Challenge today! I will be blogging every Monday through Saturday in April, with the theme of each entry corresponding with the letter of the day. I'm so excited to blog this month! I love to write but due to "life circumstances" haven't been writing as much the last year or so (read more about me at About Shelly and the "Nebraska Family Times"). 

My theme for the month is "lists"; the main part of each entry will be a list of bullet points. I tend to be wordy in my writing, so this will be a challenge for me! My goal is to give you practical information you can put to use immediately (Favorite Financial Sites and Advice, How to say "NO", Making Sunday a Day of Rest), with a few fun lists thrown in (the letter "Q" will feature a list of my quirks, and I'll ask you to share some of your quirks too!). 

I'm re-writing the book that inspired this blog; I wrote Home is Where the Mom Is; A Christian Mom's Guide to Caring for Herself, Her Family and Her Home several years ago. I've talked to several moms in just the last few days and my conversations with them solidified my decision to make the book into downloadable form. I love being a mom, and now that I'm in a different phase of my life (read more about that by clicking the link above, "About Shelly and the "Nebraska Family Times"") I especially want to encourage moms whose kids are young and at home with them.  

If you want to receive notification of every post by e-mail, sign up in the sidebar, just under the A to Z Blogging Challenge badge. 

This Month My Blogging Entries will Include: 

• Lists that will deepen your faith (Developing a Personal Relationship with God, Making Sunday a Day of Rest)
• Lists that will help moms (Life Skills to Teach Kids, Preparing for Sick Days)
• Lists that will make your life easier (Favorite Financial Sites and Advice, How to Say "NO")
• Lists that will make you laugh (Quirks)
• Giveaways! Comment on selected posts and you'll be in the drawing to receive a selection of devotion books and accessories! Several will be given away so check every day! 

I look forward to blogging (almost) every day--and hope you enjoy reading my posts! 

. 

Review of "Noah"

Have you seen the movie "Noah"? Are you thinking of seeing it? I saw it last night with a friend.

Short review: The movie has very little in common with the Biblical account. However, I think the movie leaves a lot of room for discussion with believers or those weak in their faith. In the review I've given suggestions for preparing to see the movie with your kids, discussion after the movie, and discussing the movie with friends and others. To read the review, click below.

Review of the movie "Noah"

CAUTION: There are a several intense and potentially disturbing scenes in the movie; I wouldn't suggest it for kids under the age of 13!

6 Ways to Strengthen Your Faith in 2014

By Shelly Burke

•             Whether a single verse, a chapter, or more, read God’s Word, the Bible, every single day.  2 Timothy 3:16 tells us, “All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man (and woman!) of God 
  may be competent, equipped for every good work.”  (If you’d like to read through the Bible in a Year, just type “read the Bible in a year” into your search engine. If you’d like to extend that to two years, type in “read the Bible in two years” There are so many different plans available you’re sure to find one that will work for you!
•          Gather your Bible, journal, devotion book, pens, etc. in one place so when it’s time for your personal Bible study and devotions, everything is in one place.

•          Write your favorite Bible verses on notecards and post them where you’ll see and read them frequently—on the bathroom mirror, refrigerator, office, wallet, etc.
•                   Listen to Christian music on the radio, Pandora radio, a TV station, or CD. You’ll be surprised at how listening to positive music affects your day! 
•                   Pray without ceasing (1 Thessalonians 5:17). How? Just talk to God. Any time…all the time.

  

  (Google Images)

  About everything…and anything. Nothing is too big, or too small. Thank Him for the blessings He has given you. Ask Him for guidance. Ask Him to bless those around you. Tell Him your concerns. He cares about all parts of your life. 
•                    Go to church. Yes, hypocrites go to church…and no, you don’t have to go to church to go to heaven. But if you are serious about strengthening your faith, attending church is vital. At church you’ll worship the Lord and thank Him for all He has done for you, you’ll be with other believers, you’ll  learn more about God and you’ll be strengthened through the sacrament of Holy Communion. If you don’t have a church home, search for one.

 “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might.”

Deuteronomy 6:5-6

8 Verses to Guide You in 2014

(Google Images) 

• Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him and He will make straight your paths. Proverbs 3:5-6
• Do not grow weary in doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up. So then, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to those who are of the household of faith.Galatians 6:9-10
• Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ. Colossians 3:23-24
• Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances, for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.                                                  1 Thessalonians 5:23
• Finally, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. Philippians 4:8
• Remember not the former things, nor consider the things of old. Behold, I am doing a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it? I will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert. Isaiah 43:18-19 (Read more of my reflections on this verse in "New Beginnings")

New Beginnings

By Shelly Burke

“Remember not the former things,

nor consider the things of old.

Behold, I am doing a new thing;

now it springs forth, do you not perceive it?

I will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert.”

Isaiah 43:18-19

On this final day of 2013, what do you want to “remember not”?

·         Unkind words—said by you or to you

·        A broken relationship

·         Bad decisions

·         Persistent sins

·         Regrets

In these verses God assures us that He can do a “new thing” in us. My Bible study notes say that we should not forget the “former things” but instead focus on the future. We cannot (and should not) ignore the “things of old”—many, if not most of those things can teach us valuable lessons. However, we cannot perceive the “new thing” God is doing unless we change our focus to what is ahead.

No matter what you have done, God will forgive—all you have to do is ask. He removes our sin “as far as the east is from the west.” (Psalm 103:12).

And no matter what you are facing—an illness, financial stress, relationship troubles, a crisis of faith—even when there appears to be no possible path through it—God can “make a way in the wilderness.” He can do the seemingly impossible—like make a river in the dessert. Nothing is impossible with Him.

And most importantly remember that no matter how difficult the path, He is always, always with you (Matthew 28:20) and will never, ever leave you (Hebrews 13:5b). 

What “new thing” is ahead for you in 2014? 

FREE 2014 Verse Card, "God's Promises to You" with gift subscription

A subscription to the "Nebraska Family Times" is the perfect gift for anyone who appreciates traditional values the old-fashioned way--in their mailbox! The mission of the "Nebraska Family Times" is "to inspire, encourage and motivate readers in their Christian walk." We cover local, state and national news from a Christian point of view, and every issue also includes devotional articles, Bible Study and much more! 

In the past year we've covered:

• National news from a Christian point of view--including Miley Cyrus's behavior, the suicide of Arial Castro in prison (he was the man who held three women prisoners in his home for a decade), and the Boston Marathon bombing
• Nebraska news--what the legislature did, what Common Core Educational Standards are and why they are damaging to kids; Nebraska is one of a handful of states who are fighting against adopting the standards
• Local stories--Bruce Wall, the new director of Camp Luther in Schuyler, NE; Grace Knuth, a Lincoln resident, and her story of adopting a child with Down Syndrome from Bulgaria; Befriend Mentoring Program in Norfolk, Fremont and Columbus; the Global Passion Ministries-Nebraska team's fifth mission trip to Nicaragua coming up in February of 2014, and much more! 

A gift subscription to the "Nebraska Family Times" is perfect for anyone on your list including: 

• Someone who is shut-in and appreciates reading Christian news
• A Sunday-School or school teacher
• A mom of young children who needs encouragement and only has a few minutes at a time to read 
• Day care provider
• Elderly friend or relative 
• Anyone who enjoys reading a "real" newspaper made of paper--not pixels on the internet! 

A one-year, 12-issue subscription is only $20 and with every subscription the recipient (and the gift-giver, if it's a gift subscription) will receive our 2014 verses card, "God's Promises to You." 

To order, go to Nebraska Family Times and click "Subscribe to the Nebraska Family Times" in the right hand column, send $20 to PayPal, shelly@shellyburke.net or mail your check to Nebraska Family Times, 209 27th St. #13, Columbus, NE 68601. Questions? E-mail me at shelly@shellyburke.net. 

Give a gift of encouragement that will last all year! 

I will be at the Scotus Craft Botique in Columbus, NE, tomorrow! Stop by if you are there--I love to meet readers and if you don't receive the "Nebraska Family Times" pick up a free copy at the craft fair! 

Hungry for God: Daylight Savings Time is Presumptuous

What do you think of daylight savings time? Here's an interesting perspective.

Hungry for God: Daylight Savings Time is Presumptuous