February 8, 2010 by sandrajo
Time-themed Scripture passages scroll across the parchment-paper center clock. It is a beautiful reminder of the importance of the moments in our lives.
“You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly.” Romans 5:6
I started writing this post on December 3 and now is the “right time” to finish writing it. This verse has always caught my interest - because I typically think that God’s timing is late or very wrong. It is only when I review events, once they have occurred, that Ican see the absolute right timing of a perfect God.
I wonder how many people thought Christ’s death on the cross had not come in the “right time”, specifically those who expected Christ to be an earthly King. I am sure that the people who waited for the Messiah to be born between the Old and New Testament thought that the “right time” would have been better in their time. So many Biblical People waited for God’s “right time” for answers to their prayers or for the promises that God made them.
My husband often tells me that we just don’t see time from God’s perspective … how true (thanks for that analytical reminder, Bill 
). As I have pondered this verse over the last 2 months — here are some life events that happened at just the “right time”:
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At just the “right time”, I had the honor to go with a very pregnant (and very dear to me) MOPS Mom to the hospital hoping that her delivery would be that day. Instead, we went home with no baby in her arms and disappointment in our hearts. But in God’s “right time”, she delivered baby Gabe later that week when her Mom could be here from another state.
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At just the “right time” God has brought 3 wonderful guys into our daughter’s lives. It is a blessing to see how God has answered Bill’s and my prayers for these guy’s involvement in our daughter’s lives that came at just the right time.
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At just the “right time”, Bill and I became empty nesters and have enjoyed time together traveling as I spoke this fall, hosting family and friends who needed a comfortable place to stay and time with each other alone. God knew all of this when He surprised us with our first daughter 25 years ago (who came at just the “right time”).
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At just the “right time” each month, Audrianna’s financial needs have been met at Moody. This is a result of God’s goodness through providing a job for her and my parents and our daughter’s kindnesses. Each month, I wonder how it will be met, and God always provides.
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At just the “right time”, my very good friend’s husband got a job. He had been out of work for the past year and many times we talked through how late God timing seemed. But, through it all, God provided for their needs and in December (the “right time”) he got a good job that uses his gifts.
And yet, there are many things I (and others) are waiting for God to reveal His “right time”…
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Bill and I continue to wait for God to reveal His plans for our financial future, and Bill’s calling/jobs.
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For Audrianna’s needs to continually met at for college.
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For a new grandbaby to be born.
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For God to continue to open doors for my Blessings Unlimited Business and Speaking.
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For healing for many of our beloved friends who are dealing with hard life issues
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For friends and family members who do not call the Lord their Savior.
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For many of the MOPS Moms who desire that their marriages would include spiritual aspects
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For the Lord, Jesus to return so that for all those who struggle and suffer (which is all of us) and who know the Lord to be whole in every way.
What experience have you just had that revealed to you God’s “right time”? What “right time” of God are you waiting for? Please share – it is so encouraging to learn how God is working in all our lives at “just the right time.”
Posted in God's faithfulness, Trusting God, Uncategorized | Tagged At just the right time, Blessings Unlimite Passage Clock, Blessings Unlimited products, Faith, God's faithfulness, God's plans, Recognize & Remember, Remember, Romans 5:6, Scripture Clock, Trusting God, waiting | 1 Comment »
January 23, 2010 by sandrajo
January is National Mentoring Month recognized by our President, General Colin Powell and many others. I want to recognize how God has provided mentoring relationships for my daughters as I have mentoring MOPS Moms.
Last year, I taught a workshop at the Hearts at Home National and Regional Conferences titled “The Joy of Mentoring.” Throughout the workshop, I wove my own my stories of mentoring along with what mentoring is and is not. At the end of the workshop, I passionately called upon the women to consider the call of becoming a mentor in the life of a younger woman. I told each group of women, that my middle daughter was a new wife (or would be soon), and would be living across the United States from me and I was praying for a Christian Women to mentor her.
How faithfully God answered this prayer….
Years ago when Alycia went to Penn State, she joined The Navigators and was mentored by a young woman named Erin, who was a junior. Erin spent time with Alycia, helping her to adjust to college life, helping her grow stronger in her relationship with God, and teaching her how to lead. Alycia was with Erin as she prepared for one of her first dates with her husband and later she was a bridesmaid in their wedding. Since they parted, Erin has moved many times with her military husband and is on staff with The Navigators and has stayed connected with Alycia.
In September, Laryssa married a military man and immediately moved to Monterey, California where her husband was finishing school. Before the wedding, Alycia learns that Erin and her husband will soon be stationed at the same base in Monterey and she connects Laryssa and Erin. For the 14 weeks that Laryssa lived in Monterey, Erin mentored her on being a military wife, moving often, encouraging her in her new life.
How faithful is our God… it was not consequences that Alycia met Erin her first weekend at college or that Erin was at the same base that Laryssa would be. God knew how Erin would be used in the lives of my daughters. My prayers had been answered when I sent my first-born off to a major university and later when I sent my middle daughter across the United States to begin her married life. God provided Erin to mentor Alycia and Laryssa at different times and in different ways.
Are you praying for a mentors for your children? Are you mentoring others to serve as an example to your children (so they know to look for a mentor and to mentor others). I have always found that you can never out give God – He has blessed my mentoring relationships over the years and provided mentoring relationships for my daughters. How thankful I am…. Blessed be the faithfulness of the Lord.
Erin and Alycia
Erin and Laryssa
Posted in God's faithfulness, MOPS Mentor | Tagged A Mentoring Story, Children off to college, Daughter getting married, Daughters, God's plans, Hearts at Home Workshops, Mentor, Mentoring, Military Wife Mentor, MOPS Mentor, Naigator's mentor, National Mentoring Month | Leave a Comment »
January 19, 2010 by sandrajo
Blessings Unlimited By Grace Alone Sign
http://sjoseph.blessingsdirect.com/Products/Directory/CUST043/ProductDetails.aspx?prodid=806&cid=500
There are so many recognizable moments from the past weekend that I spent at the Blessings Unlimited Leadership Weekend in Arkansas. I plan to post photos and experiences once I get my computer back (it is in the computer hospital). Before I share the actual activities of the weekend, I wanted to share my recognizable thought from the weekend … that it seems that God is starting to bring beauty from ashes just as He promised in Isaiah 61:1 & 3:
The Spirit of the Sovereign LORD is on me,
because the LORD has anointed me
to preach good news to the poor.
He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted …
and provide for those who grieve in Zion—
to bestow on them a crown of beauty
instead of ashes,
the oil of gladness
instead of mourning,
and a garment of praise
instead of a spirit of despair.
They will be called oaks of righteousness,
a planting of the LORD
for the display of his splendor.
I was reminded as I read Life Lessons from The Hiding Place by Pam Rosewell that … ” Corrie Ten Boon, herself recognised the inability of the human mind to conceive or understand the ‘higher ways’ of God’s purposes in fashioning our lives. To illustrate her understanding, Corrie would, when speaking to audiences, show the front side of a beautiful tapestry. Every thread was looped in delicate fashion across the canvas and each colour threaded together to give form to a beautiful picture. Corrie would then turn the needlework over to show them the flipside of this beautiful picture – a tangled web of loose threads, knots and crudely severed ends. This illustration was, she explained, an example of what our lives are like. Sometimes all we can see are the knotted loose threads that have no logical end or beginning, however in time as God’s handiwork is made complete, our picture is turned to the flip side where we see an intricate working of craftsmanship that is perfect and seamless in every way.”
This weekend was an example of God’s beautiful tapestry work in my life. He hs opened the doors for me to minister and work through Blessings Unlimited by DaySpring . I trace God’s hand in His calling of me to Blessings Unlimited after years of only being able to … “see the knotted loose threads that have no logical end or beginning. “
I trust now for God to turn my ashes into beauty through this calling in my life. God redeems all of our pain, struggles and issues for His Glory if we continue on in faith.
Want to learn more about Blessings Unlimited - the mission and ministry? If so, visit my website at http://sjoseph.blessingsdirect.com/Pages/Story.aspx or email me at sandrajoseph@windstream.net
For the display of His glory….
Posted in Blessings Unlimited, Trusting God, Uncategorized | Tagged beauty for ashes, Blessings Unlimited, Blessings Unlimited By Grace Alone Sign, Blessings Unlimited Founding Team Leader, Blessings Unlimited products, Corrie Ten Boom, Corrie ten Boon Tapesty Quote, DaySpring Blessings Unlimited, Trusting God | 2 Comments »
January 12, 2010 by sandrajo
I received this email from a wonderful MOPS Moms in December. Anita is a Mom to 2 sweet daughters and is our MOPS Discussion Group Coordinator. I am so glad to know Anita and am especially glad that she recognized her recent Mother’s Paycheck.
Spelling Appreciate…
by Anita
“I wanted to share with you my paycheck. Every week, my daughter Gina brings home her spelling words sheet. I make sure that it is put up and that we practice the words often. About 2 months ago, the word ‘appreciate’ was on the list – it was the biggest and most intimating word for her up to that point. We made up a song to go along with the letters and she got an A on this test! I was about to throw this sheet in the recycle bin when her message – my paycheck – caught my eye. I’m now not going to throw this one away .”
What a great Mother’s Paycheck, thanks Anita. I “appreciate” you sharing your paycheck with us.
Have you received A Mother’s Paycheck recently …if so, please share your story. Feel free to email me your story at sandrajoseph@windstream.net.
Posted in A Mother's Paycheck, MOPS Mentor, Mothering, Remember | Tagged A Mother's Paycheck, A Mother's Paycheck stories, Children's Spelling Words, MOPS Mentor, MOPS Moms, Mothering, Mothering Stories, Recognize & Remember, Spelling Appreciate, Treasured Memories | 3 Comments »
January 6, 2010 by sandrajo
Today I had the honor of being published on the Hearts at Home blog and sharing the same message with my terrific MOPS Steering Team. As always, when God provides a message, it is usually more for me than for those who it is shared with.
At the start of the new year, I like to lead devotions at our MOPS/Moms Meetings with this verse…
“The wise woman builds her house, but with her own hands the foolish one tears hers down.” Proverbs 14:1
I used this verse to encourage the Moms to start over again this new year. To start over again by:
Posted in Family, Grace, MOPS Mentor, Mothering | Tagged Christian family, expectations, Faith, Grace, Hearts at Home Blog, Hearts at home Blog Contributor, legacy, MOPS Devotions, MOPS Mentor, Mothering, New Year's Resolution, slow down | Leave a Comment »
January 5, 2010 by sandrajo
Over the years, I have signed my correspondence with scripture verses. Typically I seek verses that will help me claim the Lord’s promises for my current life situation. Over the past several years, I have picked the following….
1980-1990’s My Early Years of Mothering “He tends his flock like a shepherd: He gathers the lambs in His arms and carries them close to His heart; He gently leads those that have young.” Isaiah 40:11 ~ This verse carried me through the days of mothering young children, days when I was tired, overwhelmed and always had someone who needed me. The thought of God carrying and leading me brought amazing comfort in those busy days.
1996-2004 My Calling to Remember “I will remember the deeds of the LORD; yes, I will remember Your miracles of long ago.” Psalm 77:11 ~ The Lord revealed verse after verse to me about remembering His faithfulness. He then provided me a career in the Scrapbooking Industry to encourage women to remember and record His mighty works. It was an exciting time of clear direction and success.
2004-2007 Reminders of Faith Years “For I am going to do something in your days that you would not believe, even if you were told.” Habukkuk 1:5 ~ As God brought His people and talents together for Reminders of Faith, I was excited at the message of this verse. I was sure that God would bless and use Reminders of Faith … and He did, just not in the ways I had expected or wanted. God was at work during those years doing something unbelievable.
2008 “But as for me, I trust in You, Lord” Psalm 55:23 ~ The Lord revealed this verse to me as Reminders of Faith, the business I co-owned was closing. It was a time when I felt as if I had failed and the Lord had failed me. Each day, It was a constant decision to trust in God as I struggled with disappointment and shame. Each time, I saw this verse – it was a visible reminder me that I was chosing to trust God in unexplainable circumstances.
2009 “The LORD will fulfill His purpose for me…”Psalm 138:8 ~ This verse gave me hope that God still had a purpose, a calling for me to fulfill. That the loss of a business and all that happened as a result of that, did not mean I should give up. God still had plans to use my gifts in His Kingdom work to bring Himself glory. Most of all, I learned more about fulfilling God’s purpose for me instead of my purposee.
2010 “The LORD your God is with you, He is mighty to save. He will take great delight in you, He will quiet you with His love, He will rejoice over you with singing.” Zephaniah 3:17 ~ As I sought for a verse this year, I searched for words such as faithful, remember (always a favorite of mine), trust (again) and then I remembered this very special verse in Zephaniah and the promises these 32 words provide…
- God is always with me
- God’s power saves
- God delights in me
- God’s love brings peace
- God rejoices over me with singing
These 6 promises are exactly what I need to remind myself of each day as I seek to do His will. I pray that this sweet verse will be a reminder to those who read it (and most of all to me) that God loves me so much that He actually sings over me. I remember holding my daughters in my arms , singing to them as I held them close and rejoicing in the amazing love I had for them. And the entire time, God has been holding me close, singing to me and delighting in His daughter, ME!
Do you have a verse for 2010 – I would love to know what it is. Please share the verse and what it will remind you of. If you do not yet have a verse or are unsure of how to seek a verse — go to www.biblegateway.com and search for words that are on your heart. Read through the suggestions and pick the one that claims God’s promises for your current life situation and then share the verse. I am excited to see the verses God will lead you to.
Posted in Christian Speaker, Faith, Remember | Tagged Bible, Faith, life, Life verses, New Year, Remembering God's Faithfulness, scripture for New Year, scriptures, Theme verses | 3 Comments »
December 29, 2009 by sandrajo
Today on the Hearts at Home Blog, my daughter, Laryssa wrote the blog post “How to be the Best Babysitting Family Ever.” She wrote this article for our MOPS group several years ago. It is full of good advice for families who use babysitters (and every family with children should leave their children some times for an evening out — it is good for you, your husband, your marriage and your children).
Posted in Family, MOPS Mentor, Mothering, Uncategorized | Tagged Babysitting Advice for Families, Babysitting Advice for Moms, Christian family, Family, MOPS, MOPS Mentor, MOPS Moms, Mothering, Parenting, Raising children | Leave a Comment »
December 27, 2009 by sandrajo
“All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet: The virgin will be child and will give birth to a son and they will call Him Immanuel – which means “God with us.” Isaiah 7:14 Matthew 1:22 & 23
God with us – God with me
Although Christmas Day is past, I have been writing this post in my mind. Since I have been blogging, I have taken time to record the recognizable moments of how I experienced God with me on Christmas Day. This is the 3rd in a series titled Ways Immanuel,God was with me, on Christmas Day.
I immediately experienced God with me as I awoke on Christmas Day and thought of how every bed (and some floor space) was occupied. Our family, including my parents, were all here and this year we also had a son-in-law and 2 boyfriends. It was wonderful to walk through our hallway, and see every bedroom door closed after our first empty nest experience. I experienced God with me as I prayed with my husband and then with Alycia before we headed downstairs – Bill and I thanking God for the gift of our family and Alycia and I thanking God that behind one of the closed doors was a wonderful young man who is dating her.
I experienced God with me as Audrianna continued to manage the kitchen and food duties. She carried the responsibility of the food since I am still so tired from a low blood level. How thankful I am for her leadership in the kitchen over Christmas as we had a big meal on Christmas Eve and on Christmas Day.
God was with me as our family spend much time opening gifts — each gift was recognized and enjoyed and that takes a long time! (and all the guys hung in throughout the entire experience which was several hours). Bill experienced God with him as he enjoyed the fun of having guys in the room who threw balls of wrapping paper around the room ( a first for the Joseph family — our girls didn’t do those things ). How thankful I was for each gift that was picked out just for me, this means so much to me and is an example of God’s gift to me at Christmas time.
I experienced God with me as I viewed Laryssa, the new bride who is now carrying my grandbaby (yes, you read that right!!!!). I recognized the gift of God in this new unborn life that is being knit together in my daughter’s womb and am amazed that next year my daughter will be a mommy like me! In the morning, Bill and I prayed for our grandchild to come to the Lord at an early age and serve Him all of his/her life.
I, once again experienced God with me as I enjoyed my parent’s presence with me. We have never spent a Christmas apart and I am well aware that many of my friends no longer have their parents with them. I am thankful for each moment we have together.
God was with me as He provided an afternoon nap, a visit from Bill’s Dad and wife, Bill’s favorite game played with Josiah and Laryssa, and a fun movie to watch in the evening.
Most of all I experienced God with me in the fact that we were even able to celebrate Christmas in the manner we did. God provided through His people and their many monetary and tangible gifts that allowed us to give special gifts, enjoy great food and most of all, recognize that God always provides. He provides for our immediate needs and most of all He provides our needs for a Savior to cover our sins.
God was with me – today on Christmas as He always is. When Jesus came as a baby – He came as Immanuel, God with us. And ever since, He hasn’t left…
He is with us – He is with me.
IMMANUEL
How did you recognize that God was with you on Christmas Day – please share.
** This is a 3rd annual post on Ways Immanuel, God was with me, on Christmas day –
2008 post can be read http://sandrajo.wordpress.com/2008/12/26/ways-immanuel-god-was-with-me-on-christmas-2/
2007 post can be read http://sandrajo.wordpress.com/2007/12/26/ways-immanuel-god-was-with-me-on-christmas/
Posted in Faith, Family, Memories | Tagged Christian family, Daughters, God always provides, God's faithfulness, I am going to be a Grandmother, Immanuel, Mothering, Recognizable moments of Christmas, Recognize & Record, Recognize & Remember, Remembering God's Faithfulness, Treasured Memories | 5 Comments »
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You’ve found the perfect sitter – these tips will help you keep her!In nearly a decade of babysitting, I have been employed by countless numbers of families. There are families that I enjoy babysitting for and some that I would never babysit for again. But every once in awhile, I have a favorite baby-sitting family – one that makes the whole experience of babysitting enjoyable. For this family – I will bend over backwards to try to accommodate them. When they call, I will make myself available.Read the rest of the article here….
