Encouragement of the Day

Morning,

1 Peter 3:15-16

15But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect, 16keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander.

As Christians, (and I am learning this over and over again lately) we have a hope that those who do not know Jesus do not have. And if the way we live displays the hope we have (and it should), people are likely to eventually ask you what is different about you. And if, when we answer them, we are respectful and gentle in our response, anyone who thinks it's stupid or decides to make an enemy of us will see that we aren't daunted by people and their rude or nasty actions towards us. They may feel ashamed for their behavior. And our reaction to their behavior can show even more that we are different. It's a pretty cool cycle.

There's a song about this, most of you probably know it :)

Shine-Newsboys

dull as dirt

you can´t assert the kind of light

that might persuade

a strict dictator to retire

fire the army

teach the poor origami

the truth is in

the proof is when

you hear your heart start asking,

"What´s my motivation?"

and try as you may, there isn´t a way

to explain the kind of change

that would make an Eskimo renounce fur

that would make a vegetarian barbecue hamster

unless you can trace this about-face

to a certain sign...

Chorus

shine

make ´em wonder what you´ve got

make ´em wish that they were not

on the outside looking bored

shine

let it shine before all men

let´em see good works, and then

let ´em glorify the Lord

out of the shaker and onto the plate

it isn´t Karma

it sure ain´t fate

that would make a Deadhead sell his van

that would make a schizophrenic turn in his crayons

Oprah freaks

and science seeks a rationale

that shall excuse

this strange behavior

when you let it shine

you will inspire

the kind of entire turnaround

that would make a bouncer take ballet

(even bouncers who aren't happy)

but out of the glare

with nowhere to turn

you ain´t gonna learn it on "What´s My Line?"

shine

make ´em wonder what you´ve got

make ´em wish that they were not

on the outside looking bored

shine

let it shine before all men

let´em see good works, and then

let ´em glorify the Lord

shine

shine

shine

make ´em wonder what you´ve got

make ´em wish that they were not

on the outside looking bored

shine

let it shine before all men

let´em see good works, and then

let ´em glorify the Lord

shine

make ´em wonder what you´ve got

make ´em wish that they were not

on the outside looking bored

shine

let it shine before all men

let´em see good works, and then

let ´em glorify the Lord

shine

Have a great day! Don't forget to shine!

Love

Katie

Encouragement of the Day

I thought I'd start doing this here too :)

Morning

Last night I was reading my bible and sort of stumbled across this verse:

But first, there are so many times in Proverbs that it talks about how good things are actually good for your physical body. Pretty interesting eh? But it's true isn't it? When we see someone who has been vocally abused, or had their dreams torn down over and over again, their physical body takes a toll as well as their spirit. Many people who have been abused forsake personal higene (I don't know how to spell it). Women especially, if they have been abused, told their ugly, ect, if they don't start an eating disorder, will actually do whatever they can to become less attractive so that they don't attract attention. There is so totally more to saying nice and encouraging things to people than to just lift them up. They will literally feel something physically change within them. I know that from experience :)

Proverbs 15:13 A happy heart makes the face cheerful; but heartache crushes the spirit.

Proverbs 15:30 A cheerful look brings joy to the heart, and good news gives health to the bones.

Proverbs 16:24:Pleasant words are a honeycomb, sweet to the soul and healing ot the bones.

Proverbs 17:22 A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones.

Proverbs 18:21 The tongue has the power of live and death, and those who love it will eat its fruit.

Proverbs 25:15 Through patience a ruler can be persuaded, and a gentle tongue can break a bone.

There are others as well, but these are my favorites :)

So as you go into today, remember how wonderful it is to recieve encouragement from someon you love, you'll feel just as encouraged by encouraging and lifting up others ;)

Even smile helps. I remember once in a store, there was this woman from either France or Quebec sitting there and she looked rather glum and/or frustrated and I smiled at her, and then she smiled like "O my gosh! Someone is a friend!" and it made me feel so amazing that my smile grew and I was so happy the rest of that day.

It's amazing!

Have a great day, u guys are awesome!

Love

Katie