Sunday Devotion: Kindness

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by Jennifer Duncan

My husband and I started a tradition with our four granddaughters that I am trying to continue today.  Back when their ages ranged from three to seven, we started having “Cousins Camp” in the summer.  It was our chance to get the girls away from their parents, and do everything fun that we could think of!  We wanted to win their hearts, with non-stop energy-depleting activity.  But, most of all, it was our opportunity to really relate to them and observe their unique personalities.

We also learned a lot about how girls respond.  Since we only had two boys, we didn’t know much about the emotional unpredictability of little girls.   We didn’t know that girls can be prone to hurt feelings, and unexplainable moments of sadness.  We didn’t know that their moods could flip from bursts of giggling to bursts of tears, without warning.  We learned quickly.

One day we were headed out on one of our fun outings, and had successfully managed to get everyone fed, dressed, and hair “fixed.”  (We never had to “fix” our boys’ hair, and I wasn’t very skillful or fast at that!)  Everyone piled into the van, settled on who would sit where, and after we heard the click of six seat belts, Granddad took off across the parking lot.  Suddenly, a low hum from the middle seat exploded into a wail of sobbing.  Kate was crying as if her heart would break…with no warning at all!

My husband skidded to a stop and called out, “What!  WHAT!  What happened?!”

Kate struggled to explain her agony.   “My doll!  My doll!  I didn’t have time to  buckle my doll into her seatbelt!”

Crazy girl drama?  No…definitely not.  What we saw was sensitivity….a nurturing heart…love.  In that one funny moment, we saw the first indications of the precious caring that characterizes this child.  She’s going to be a great mom someday, and I guarantee her babies will always be kept safe.  She’ll be a great friend, a conscientious employee, a valuable servant of God, because the most basic of biblical values…kindness…is innate in her.  We saw it that day, even as we puzzled over the value she placed on a doll.

That was many years ago, and now we’ve been through several Cousins’ Camps, as my granddaughters enter the teen years.  But I see in them the same unique personalities they displayed when they were very small.  The last Cousins’ Camp we enjoyed with Granddad occurred just two weeks before his sudden death.  And at that time, it was Kate who wrote a sweet and funny poem about him…the same kind and caring Kate, who showed such concern over the safety of her doll.

“Be kind and compassionate to one another….”Ephesians 4:32

Jennifer is a graduate of Oklahoma Baptist University and Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary.  She is mom to two grown (twin) sons, two wonderful daughters-in-law and four granddaughters.  Her late husband, John, pastored two churches in Barry County, Missouri, and one in Chiang Mai, Thailand.  Jennifer serves in teaching, music and lay counseling through her church, Arnhart Baptist Church, Purdy, Missouri.  She also enjoys leading retreats and Bible studies for women.

 

 

Sunday Devotion: Shoulder Taps

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A couple of weeks ago while scrolling through social media, I noticed my mom shared a video to her Facebook page. I didn’t click on it right away. My mom often shares recipes or a funny cartoon and honestly, I usually just keep scrolling. Unless it is an extra-good looking recipe then I encourage her to make it and invite me over for dinner! =)

A few days later I noticed her video share had a few comments on it, so I took the time to watch it. I am glad I did. Today, I pray that God will use ME. I pray he will tap MY shoulder. Today, I encourage you to take a minute to watch this video and be mindful of how He is tapping your shoulder.

Sunday Devotion: Do you rule with an iron fist?

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By Kelli Artherton

Iron first chisel stony hearts, but graceful hands shape responsive hearts. 

This phrase pulls at my heart strings every time I see it. It seems in days past we would hear the phrase “rule with an iron fist” when learning lessons on parenting. But, if you think about it, what does it really say? What does it say to our children? Does is say we need to be harsh, or cruel or stern?

Yes, we need to discipline our children, but we need to do it in a graceful way. As parents we often forget that our children are immature. We expect them to act and behave a certain way. We expect them to never have bad days. Do you have bad days? Yes, quite often sometimes. So, it should be ok for our children to also have bad days, right?

Well, it seems society expects our children to be perfect and never mis-behave. Yes, they need to know right from wrong, but let’s face it, sometimes our kids are just having a bad day. Even as adults we place unreasonable expectations on ourselves, friends and families.

Often our anger can lead to sinful behaviors of impatience, rudeness, or harsh punishments. I know I don’t respond well to these actions, so why would our children respond well to these behaviors?

I, too, can sometimes lose my temper with my children, but I am often reminded when I see their sweet face, that I need to be slow to anger as it states in James chapter 1 vs 19-20 it says “my dear brothers and sisters, take note of this; be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry because human anger doesn’t produce the righteousness that God desires.” 

Dear Heavely Father, I truly pray to see my children the way you see all your children. I pray to run alongside them and be their biggest cheerleader. I pray to be slow to anger and quick to listen, I pray to replace my anger with mercy and grace. May we all be more like you. In Jesus’ name we pray, amen!

Sunday Devotion: Table Rock Strong

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What a sad few days here in Southwest Missouri. The tragic accident in Branson with the Ride the Ducks attraction is heartbreaking for people in our corner of the state and across the nation.

In honor of the lives lost and the families that are mourning, this week we challenge you to love on your family a little more than usual. Often times in the busyness of life we take our loved ones for granted, this week, let’s not do that. Hug them a little tighter, put down the screens and play a game or have a conversation, and thank our God for the people in your life.

We continue to pray for the families and all those involved in this tradegy.

Sunday Devotion: How to thrive in the midst of trials

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By Kelli Artherton

As you know, our family has moved over to the Joplin area. While we are waiting on our church to open in the Joplin area, we decided to visit Hope City church. Last Sunday’s message was really relevant to what I feel  a lot of us might face sometimes in our life.

Have you ever faced a struggle in your life that has you questioning the presence of God? Do you ever get frustrated at God and ask why isn’t he answering my prayers? Yes! I sure have. Sometimes I have trouble waiting while in the middle of a storm.

We put in the prayers and expect an answer immediately. So when we don’t get the answer we hope for or no answer at all, we think God isn’t listening to us.  We all seem to ask for things to get better in some way, shape or form, but maybe we need to define what better truly is.

1. Difficulties don’t equal Gods Absence. They should invite Gods presence. The presence of the battle doesn’t mean the absence of God in the war.

2. Lack of instant response doesn’t mean Gods not responding. Perseverance prepares us for his response. Let God do what He needs to do. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete. Don’t try to get out of anything prematurely. Let it do it’s work so you may become stronger in faith.

3. Depending on God doesn’t lead to disappointment. Depending on God leads to deepened relationships.

Just remember God is always trying to grow our faith in Him. In the midst of your trial, God is walking right beside you. He will never leave your side.

When God seems distant, we must call to Him and trust in His unfailing love.