November 25, 2009
--We are living Life on Purpose for thirty days, to start at day one, click here.
Last month I purchased three balls of yarn with the intent of making a beautiful scarf for the winter. One ball and several hand cramps later, it ended up on my dresser as a welcome addition to a few other unfinished projects. Though intentions were good, I didn’t realize that crocheting is a series of repetitive loops and my long fingers needed a break. I am planning to finish once the holidays have past and the bitter cold days of January and February kick in.
Venturing to create the scarf wasn’t by accident. Because I homeschool my children, we create all the time. Children love to create. I couldn’t believe how they would take an egg carton, a pack of chop sticks, a roll of scotch tape, and come up with a amazing looking contraption. It seems creativity is an intrinsic attribute to us all, and with the delicious dinner I plan on making tomorrow, it only seemed appropriate today to create…on purpose.
Written for You by
Pamela
November 24, 2009
--We are living Life on Purpose for thirty days, to start at day one, click here.
Well, the holiday season has landed. We’re officially two days from Thanksgiving, the beginning of the festive holiday season with Christmas and New Year’s to follow. It wasn’t until the past few days that I embraced the fact that winter is right around the corner because the chaos of consumerism that begins the day after Thanksgiving is not on my look-forward-to list.
I purposefully considered alleviating the consumerism that consumes our nation. I have spoken with many friends who also intend to forego the consumption of goods and focus on the important gifts and blessings this season, like family, warm fellowship, and love. So today, we will endeavor to give…on purpose.
One of the most unforgettable verses in all scripture:
“'It is more blessed to give than to receive.” Acts 20:35
Written for You by
Pamela
November 23, 2009
--We are living Life on Purpose for thirty days, to start at day one, click here.
This past weekend was awe-inspiring. We had a wonderful anniversary to kick it off on Saturday. Reminiscing through a decade of life’s joys and trials and finding joy, celebration, and refinement through the journey was so emotional. On Sunday, our ministry celebrated a record number of baptisms after an inspiring, power-packed, and biblically-focused discourse on New Testament evidences of redemption for the lost.
My heart was so full; it felt as though it would burst.
As we were helping those who had decided to follow Jesus, a young woman with two small children walked by. She had tears in her eyes, and could hardly speak. I reassured her of God’s love. I gave her a great big hug, offered to help her with the children, and witnessed her journey to be clothed in Christ, holding her hand the whole way. I was still holding her hand with her baby on my hip while she was submerged in the waters of baptism. As she walked out of the water, with tear-filled eyes, I wrapped my arms around her. I didn’t know her story, but tears came to my own eyes, right there, soaking wet, with her baby on my hip, and her elder son at our side.
Written for You by
Pamela
November 22, 2009
--We are living Life on Purpose for thirty days, to start at day one, click here.
As a child, I don’t remember learning the Ten Commandments. I attended worship three times a week, and I learned a lot about God, Jesus, and serving others. It wasn’t until my tween years that I remember learning God’s commandments given to Moses. Now, that doesn’t mean my parents didn’t teach them to me. I just don't remember the Ten Commandments penetrating my heart as commands from God until I was 11 or 12.
I believe the commandments were noticeable to me at this age because the “Thou shalt’s” implied that I needed to act in a particular manner so that I would not be condemned to hell. Regardless, the first command seemed like an unwritten rule. Still, God had to declare:
“I am the LORD your God, who brought you out of Egypt, out of the land of slavery. You shall have no other gods before me.” Exodus 20:1
Today’s journey focuses our heart to worship…on purpose.
Written for You by
Pamela
November 21, 2009
--We are living Life on Purpose for thirty days, to start at day one, click here.
Today is a wonderful occasion for my husband and me. On this day 11 years ago, we stood before God and over 300 witnesses and vowed to live the rest of our lives together.
It was a spectacular day. To most everyone in the crowd, I was the blushing bride. Little did most of our guests know, I had a double tonsil infection and had completely lost my voice. I felt horrible! But despite my sore throat, and the chilly November day, I was determined, without a doubt, to celebrate…on purpose.
Eleven years later, we have seen highs, lows, in-the-middles, oh boy. We’ve been around nearly every corner I can think of, and still, I look at my husband, and he is my knight in shining armor.
We’ve gone from having nothing materially to having abundant wealth and back to having nothing. We’ve taken great leaps of faith and made simple routine choices together. We’ve soared on amazing spiritual highs and persevered through what's felt like the valleys of the shadow of death together. There’s one thing I know for certain: he has been my best of best friends.
I still remember our wedding day. I still remember his vows:
Written for You by
Pamela
November 20, 2009
--We are living Life on Purpose for thirty days, to start at day one, click here.
The salute is referenced as one of the most common gestures of respect, honor, and obeisance shown to another individual. The origins of the salute are unknown, but when it is seen, predominantly from our military forces, we recognize that honor is being made known to a person for all to witness.
Honor is usually garnered through an act of courage, heroism, or sacrifice. I will never forget the first time I watched a documentary of President John F. Kennedy’s funeral. The most notable moment was when his then three year-old son, John F. Kennedy, Jr., salute his father’s casket as it passed by. The respect of the toddler has been duly remembered in every narration of his father ever since.
In the United States, we now commemorate holidays on which to honor certain people. Mother’s Day, Father’s Day, Veteran’s Day, and the like. And rightly so. Thus today, we will honor…on purpose.
Written for You by
Pamela
November 19, 2009
--We are living Life on Purpose for thirty days, to start at day one, click here.
Men have fought and died for it. Women have endured hours of painstaking labor for it. Teens have defied all reason and responsibility in the name of it. Even God, has given his One and Only Son because of it. We all know it. We’ve all at some point felt it.
Love.
For some, love is a painful topic. For others, love is a taboo word never spoken. For the believer, love is everything, and without it, the life we profess is nothing. This power-packed emotion that ranges from mere fondness to unbridled passion has a lot to say these days. And for our steadfast journey, we cannot grasp the adventure to new heights or comprehend the road that Christ walked unless we love…on purpose.
Written for You by
Pamela
