Resting at Daddy's Feet

'And the kingdom of Jehoshaphat was at peace, for his God had given him rest on every side.'       2 Chronicles 20:30 

Where is the place that you go to feel safe?  As a child, anywhere my daddy would be was my safe place.  I was afraid of the dark, but I knew if I went to sleep while my daddy was still awake he would be able to keep the bad guys away and I could sleep in peace.  I can remember some nights when I would lay down with my Daddy until my Mom came to bed.  How safe I felt, how peaceful, and how protected.  Now, as an adult, it really isn't appropriate for my to find my rest with my Daddy.  Or is it?

Depends on which Daddy you're referring to.  My Father, my Abba Daddy, is where I can find my peace and rest now.  He is who I run to when I am afraid or I need a Protector.  My Abba Father is the one who's feet I long to sit at, lay my head down, and rest.  He also longs for me to come to Him.  He wants to bear my burdens and hold me up with His righteous hands.  He wants me to gain my strength from Him.

Do you know who Jehoshaphat is?  I didn't until I met him in a Beth Moore Bible Study.  I am by no means an Old Testament scholar, but Jehoshaphat was king of Judah during a tumultuous time for the people of God.  Jehoshaphat was a Godly king and followed the commands of God.  There is an awesome prayer recorded in 2 Chronicles 20 that Jehoshaphat cried out to God on behalf of his people.  My verse came in response to what God did in answer to the cry of Jehoshaphat.  He was surrounded on every side and there seemed to be no rest in sight for his kingdom.  He was desperate for God and his help.  Just like we are at times in our lives.  There seems to be stuff coming at us from all sides and all we want to do is just rest from the battle.

I challenge you to cry out to God like Jehoshaphat did in 2 Chronicles.  Then crawl up to Daddy's feet, lay your head down, and rest...

'And Allison was at peace, for her God had given her rest on every side.'

Intimacy vs. Familiarity

My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me.  John 10:27

Who's your Daddy?  Do you know?  I'm not talking about your earthly one, but your heavenly Father.  I know there are some people who don't know anything about their earthly Dad's for many different reasons, but if you had the opportunity to know them you wouldn't pass that up.  So why in the world would we not want to take the time to get to know our heavenly Father?  He's the reason that we were created in the first place.  To glorify Him is our purpose for living.  How can you glorify someone you do not know?

We started our new bible study Monday night and some of the things that Priscilla brought out were so eye opening.  We wonder why we don't hear the voice of God.  One hindrance she mentioned was whether or not we wanted an intimate relationship with our Father or a familiar one.  Most people are familiar with God.  They know who He is.  The acknowledge that He is there, but the majority of people don't know Him.  They don't get into His word and spend time with Him.  They don't take ten minutes out of their day to seek His presence.  We don't make the effort to get to know Him.  We don't know when we hear His voice because we don't recognize Him talking to us!

I have to confess that I am guilty of this, not seeking Him diligently, but just brushing against intimacy with Him.  That is not how I want to live my Christian life.  I want to know His voice like the sheep know their shepherd.  I want to know He's talking to me because I've spent the time to cultivate a relationship with Him, not just a passing familiarity.  What about you?  Let's take the time to get to Him in an intimate way.   

Can You Hear Him Now?

'The gatekeeper opens the gate for him, and the sheep listen to his voice. He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out.'  John 10:3

Have you ever heard the voice of God?  I'm not sure I'd know it even if He came to me like He did Moses or Samuel.  I wish He'd call me up, text me, or even Facebook would do.  I'd like to think I can hear what He has to say to me, but if I am completely honest about it, I don't remember a time when I've heard Him speak to me.  I hear people say that God spoke to them in this way or they heard His voice just plain as day on that subject, but I've always been skeptical of that.  God doesn't talk to us like that in this day and age.  Or does He?

The verse of scripture above tells me that the sheep listen for His voice.  I'm one of His sheep!  It tells me He calls me by name and leads me out.  But I don't hear Him.  I try my best to follow Him.  Maybe that's the problem.  My best is not good enough.  It has to be His best that I am allowing to work in my life.  His will, not mine.  I'm trying too hard to keep control of my patch of grass instead of letting my Shepherd led me to a greener pasture.

How do I hear His voice over the noise of everything else in my life?  Once again, in all honesty, I don't know.  This is why I am thankful that starting tonight we are beginning a new study on just this topic!  Priscilla Shirer's Discerning the Voice of God!  Praise Him that He did speak to her and she heard His voice!  My prayer is that I will learn through her sound biblical teaching how to hear the voice of my Shepherd.  That I will give up control of my grass and move on with Him wherever He leads me.  I want to be a good sheep.  If you live in the area, come out and join us!  More info on Bible study

AAAGGGHHHH...Rest

'Yes, my soul, find rest in God; my hope comes from him.'  Psalm 62:5

How can you find emotional rest?  Even if we appear to be cool as a cucumber on the outside, we are most likely an emotional mess on the inside.  Things come at us on all sides:  kids, jobs, spouses, society, the state of the world itself.  There just seems to be no relief in sight.  How can one possibly find emotional rest with all these bombardments?

If you try to find rest, you will not be successful.  It is not something that can be 'found'.  It must be accepted.  Our God offers His rest to us.  It is there for the taking.  Even when the world is falling apart around us, we can reside in His perfect peace.  It is a choice we make, despite what our feelings are telling us. 

Just as we think we've found peace and rest, the enemy is prowling around, trying his best to get a foothold in our mind.  That is why we must put on our armor everyday and make our choice to rest in Him no matter what.  Give that devil the fight he's looking for!  We've got to spend time in the Word, seek His direction for our lives, be with other believers--fill your mind with 'Kingdom thoughts' and not worldly ones.  Emotional rest is not something we can have in our own power, but if we access the power that we have in Him, we can find this elusive place and rest...

The Promise

Almost 8 months later, I picked up the impression that was made of Charlie's hand and foot yesterday.  I had forgotten it was done and had left it sitting in the hospital gift shop.  When I saw the tiny imprints, I was reminded of the goodness of God and His mercy upon me during the time of Charlie's unexpected early arrival.  I wanted to share the Scripture that He gave to me as a sign that things were going to be OK.  All I could do was cry out to Him and beg Him not to take our baby.  To please have mercy on us and let things be alright.  This is what He gave me:

 

Unless the LORD builds the house,

the builders labor in vain.
Unless the LORD watches over the city,
the guards stand watch in vain.
In vain you rise early
and stay up late,
toiling for food to eat—

for he grants sleep to those he loves.

Children are a heritage from the LORD,
offspring a reward from him.
Like arrows in the hands of a warrior
are children born in one’s youth.
Blessed is the man
whose quiver is full of them.
They will not be put to shame
when they contend with their opponents in court.
Psalm 127

Tuesday's Unwrapped: Character

"But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing,"
Matthew 6:3
"so that it will not be obvious to men that you are fasting, but only to your Father, who is unseen; and your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you."  Matthew 6:18

The above verses show ways that we develop and maintain our character as a Christian.  We should not seek to gain attention for ourselves when we do what is right in the eyes of the Lord.  He is the only One we should seek to please...and He knows what we do when no one else does.

I had a 'develop my character' moment one Friday afternoon when I went to the local drugstore to buy tickets for the high school football game.  They lady selling the tickets told me that children 1st grade and older needed a ticket.  I only had my three year old with me, but my six year old would be joining us for game.  My first inclination was to just buy a ticket for myself and my husband because my six year old could pass as four.  No one would know the difference.  Surely they won't ask how old he is at the gate.  Then that small voice whispered in my ear, "Do you not remember the devotions that you read this morning?  What kind of character are you developing if you are deceitful about a football ticket?  What if they do ask your child?  Will you tell him to lie?"

Then that other voice, you know the loud one that tries to get you to do the wrong thing, says, "Oh, who's gonna know?  Something as small as a football ticket isn't gonna make a difference in eternity is it?  You really need the money right now and they are $6!"
"The man of intergrity walks securely, but he who takes crooked paths will be found out."  Proverbs 10:9
Oh what to do?  I wouldn't have thought twice about this a few months ago, but now I really was convicted about a silly football ticket.


Sam's first football game!



So I bought three tickets!  And I felt great!  I knew I had done the right thing and not a soul knew about the thoughts I had.  But God.  God knew exactly what I was thinking and He knew that I had to make a choice.  He was showing me that character doesn't neccesarily develop over big decisions, but it's the small ones that add up.  By no means was this an earth shattering, alert the media-she has made the decision to build up her character!  No, but I knew what had happened. 

I am by far a Ruth or Proverbs 31 woman of character, but I know that with each little victory over the deceitful voice (and we all know him) I am well on my way!

Believing God?

“You are my witnesses,” declares the LORD, “and my servant whom I have chosen, so that you may know and believe me and understand that I am he."  Isaiah 43:10

Do you believe God?  I don't mean believe in God, but really believe Him.  I must confess that this is something that I struggle with.  I believe in God, that He is real and in control of this thing we call life.  But beyond that I can't fathom why He would care about me.  Does He really care about what is going on in my life?  He's got the entire universe to control, why would I seem so significant? 

Nothing stands out about me.  I'm just your average woman trying to live her life to please God.  Just trying to raise my kids in this crazy world.  Trying to be a loving wife.  I'm not that talented in most areas.  I can carry a tune and put some words on paper, but really, I'm not that outstanding.  Why would He care for me?

What I know to be true, if I believe His Word, is that He sent His one and only Son for me.  If I was the only person saved as a result of the Cross, He said it would have been worth it.  He calls me His bride, His treasure...I am His and He is mine.  I just have to believe Him.  When those doubts creep in, and you know they will, I have to grab the Word and get into it.  I have to read and accept that what God says about me is true.  He loves me.  Me.  He has chosen me and given me the honor of believing Him and knowing that He is God.  And He loves you too...

And Then He Rested...

'For in six days the LORD made the heavens and the earth, the sea, and all that is in them, but he rested on the seventh day. Therefore the LORD blessed the Sabbath day and made it holy.'  Exodus 20:11

Ah, rest.  The elusive action of just being still.  Doing nothing.  Rest and I aren't very well acquainted.  Even when I go somewhere to 'rest' I seem to work just as hard as if I was at home.  Vacations with my family are not rest-we camp if that tells you anything!  My days off work are not rest as I am taking care of children and a home.  My Sunday's aren't restful between Praise Team, Kid's Church, and Youth Group-I don't even know which way is up.

 

How do I find the rest that my body craves and my heart desires?  The above verse gives me an excellent model to follow.  My God created this earth and everything in it in six days and then He rested.  Did He need to rest?  Was He tired?  Exhausted?  No, He's God, I don't really think He gets tired.  He rested for us.  He did it to give us an example to follow in our earthly lives.  He wants us to take time out and contemplate what He has done for us.  Time out to worship and praise Him.
 

Does your bible say anywhere that the Sabbath has to be on Sunday?  Mine doesn't.  Sunday is a day that you can choose if you want to, but you aren't commanded to make Sunday your day of rest.  We are given the freedom to choose our Sabbath day of rest.  Whatever day we choose we should focus the majority of our time on Him.  Sure, things with the kids and house will still need to be done, but we have to make the time to enjoy some Jesus-rest!  Get refreshed, refilled, and re-energized for the six days of work ahead.   

     What day are you choosing to get some Jesus-rest?

Who Is Your One?

'Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.'  Matthew 28:19-20 

What does this verse say to you?  Do you really take it as the command it was intended to be?  If I'm not mistaken, it tells me to go into all the nations.  I'm here to tell you my 'nation' is this little corner of SC in which I reside.  I don't think He literately meant for every single one of us to go into a different nation and lead others to Him.  For most of us, our 'nations' are our own backyards.

I'm taking a liberty and using the question our bible study leader used Monday night, "Who is your one?"  If I am a child of Christ, then I have been called to go and make diciples.  It's not a suggestion, but a command.  But I'm not called to hop on a plane and go across the ocean.  Each of us has one person that we come in contact with everyday or at least once a week who needs to know Him.  We need to find this one person and reach out to them. 

We don't have to invite them to church right away.  Get to know them.  Ask them questions.  Then ask them what you can pray about for them.  You'll be surprised at what their response to that question may be.  Exchange email addresses (most people will give those out quicker than a phone number) and follow up.  Look for ministry opportunities.  They are everywhere around us.  People are hurting and afraid.  They need the hope and peace that only Jesus Christ can offer.  They won't know if we don't tell them...

A mother's prayers

"I prayed for this child and the Lord has granted me what I asked of Him.  So now I give Him to the Lord.  For his whole life he will be given over to the Lord."  1 Samuel 1:27-28

I am the mother of a very special little boy.  To glance at him you'd never know how special he really is.  He can't run and jump like other little boys, but he has the biggest heart you've ever seen.  I asked the Lord for a child and He answered me, not necessarily in the way I would have chosen.  Just like Hannah did.  She prayed for a son and God answered her prayers.  He blessed them with Samuel who went on to become the first of many prophets called by God.  But in order for her to have her son, she vowed to give him over to the service of the Lord.  When the time comes, I pray I can be like Hannah in that I can send my precious son into the world to be used by God. 

I wonder how Hannah must have felt as she gave her son to Eli.  I'm sure she mourned him almost as if he was dead as she wouldn't see him, hold him, or care for him anymore.  As I pondered Hannah, I kept reading in 1 Samuel and God showed me a passage that answered my question.  Because she was faithful and followed through on her promise to give Samuel up to the Lord, He found favor with her and blessed her by allowing her to bear more children.  But she never forgot her firstborn.

"Each year his mother made him a little robe and took it to him when she went up with her husband to offer the annual sacrifice."  1 Samuel 2:19

She only saw her son once a year!  But we know she thought about him daily.  I don't know how long it took to make a robe, but I'd guess it took some time.  I can see Hannah sewing the seams and praying with each stitch for her precious son.  Isn't that so like a mother?  No matter what happens to our children--we never forget them.  We could lose them to unbelief, rebellion, or anything else Satan could devise--but we NEVER forget them.  We pray over them and keep believing in God's plan for them.  Just like Hannah did...and look how God used her son that she placed in His loving care.  I'm thankful His hands are where we've placed our Sam because he has been chosen and is loved by a mighty and soverign God!

Marvelous Monday: Birthday Tribute II

Yes, we are celebrating another birthday in the Morrison household today!  Four years ago, we welcomed our precious Samuel Taylor Morrison into this world.  We had no idea how he would change our lives for the better.  We prayed for a son and God answered us...maybe not in the way we would've chosen, but in the way He had planned for us.
I can never begin to tell you in words what this child has meant to us.  He has taught me patience, compassion, and brought out the 'fighter' mama in me.  For those of you who don't know, Sam has Cerebral Palsy.  Every day is a struggle for him to be a 'normal' four year old boy.  But we know that God has special plans for him and He will sustain us for the journey He has called us to.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY SAM!

I'm blogging over at Devotional Christian today as well as Women's Life Fellowship so hop over and visit!

Finding Rest

Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty.  I will say of the LORD, “He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.”  Psalm 91:1-2

 

All day long I seek to find,

A peace I know can be mine.

He promises me in His word,

How loves me more than the birds.

They soar in the sky so high,

He cares for them, then why not I?

He offers me peace and rest,

He waits patiently for me to pass the test.

The one where I give up my life,

To let Him carry all of my strife.

He bids me to come and sit,

At His feet, in His midst.

He is where I'll find my rest,

'Neath the shadow of Him who knows me best.

                                        -Allison Morrison

Following His Dream

'Take delight in the Lord, and He will give you the desires of your heart.'  Psalm 37:4

What are the desires of your heart?  I used to think that money, a big house, a nice car, a steady job, and many other things were the desires of my heart.  I used to think that if I pray and read the bible, then surely He'll bless me with these desires.  Because I really  needed them.  My life just wouldn't be complete without them.  Surely He knows that...He knows everything, after all.

Then I had kids.  And the desires of my heart changed.  I desired sleep, a clean house, money (because kids are expensive, I know He knows that), a bigger house, a bigger car, and the list went on.  I really needed these things as my life would be incomplete without them.

But then I found Jesus and my life has never been the same.  Now I want to give away the house, the car, the money, the kids (just kidding, I'll keep the house)...No, really, my desires have become His desires for me.  My dream has changed into 'what is His dream for me?'  I delight in Him simply because He is my Daddy.  And any blessing He sees fit to give me is above and beyond what I've already been given.

Through much prayer and seeking His direction, I'm beginning to see His dream for me involves writing.  Using the gift of encouragement He has given me to help other women (and men, Phil) is a delight to Him.  A very exciting opportunity for me to learn more about using my gift and following His will for me is attending the She Speaks conference held by Proverbs 31 Ministries this July.  I've stepped out in faith and registered because I know this is His will for me.

Please be in prayer for me as I seek to raise my own funds (learning His will is not cheap sometimes) to attend the conference.  Also pray for me as I continue to follow His dream for my life.  What about you?  Are you following your dreams or His?

Tuesday's Unwrapped: Birthday Tribute

Seven years ago today a miracle was born.  Seven years ago today one mother made the decision of her life.  She gave birth to a 9 pound 3 ounce baby boy and then handed him over to another.  I wonder if she held him, counted his fingers and toes, fed him at her breast?  Or did she just hand him over to a stranger?  Did she keep him a few days and agonize over what she was about to do?  Several thousand miles away, another mother waited anxiously for this child she'd never seen or heard of yet.  But He knew...

Seven years ago today, hope was born.  The life of a small family in South Carolina would forever be changed and made complete by this sweet boy born in a foreign land.  Today I would like to take time out to wish Zachary Carlos Morrison

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!! 



Mommy and Daddy love you and are so proud to call you their son.  You bring light to our days and most of all, you are a child of the King.  If we were blessed to be your parents for no more than that, we are grateful we had the chance to lead you to your true forever home in eternity.

Marvelous Monday: Whatever is Pure

Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.  Philippians 4:8

I love to read.  When I was little, all I wanted was books.  I'd tell my mom that I could be doing worse things and she'd fall for it every time and buy me another book.  As an adult, I read whenever I can find the time.  I read labels, cereal boxes, signs, you name it and I read it.  I used to read only secular fiction.  I became convicted several years ago that if I was going to read it needed to be something pleasing to Him.  I imagined God watching my life and the disappointment He felt with what I was doing with my time.

So, I moved to reading only Christian fiction.  Next, I was convicted that I if I was going to spend all of this time reading, even if it was Christian books, I should probably be reading some non-fiction books that would teach me more about Him.  That is where my journey into bible study began.  I never really knew how much information was out there to get me in the Scripture.  Excellent and praise worthy reading that would help me in my walk with Him.

I've recently found a book that I want to recommend to you all.  It's called Deeper into the Word by Keri Wyatt Kent.  I love this book.  I am by no means a bible scholar, but I love to hear the Greek or Hebrew meanings of a word that I come across in the Word.  Sometimes that determines what the Scripture is telling us and how to apply it in the here and now.  Keri goes in depth on 100 words from the New Testament covering everything from Afraid to Yoke.  You can use the book in conjunction with your daily bible reading, a bible study you're currently doing, or as a daily devotion.  Love it!  It's a great book to add to your resource collection (or use it to start one).

I'm thankful that I heard the Spirit nudging me all those years ago and that I obeyed His call to read only things that are pure, right, noble, lovely,  and admirable.  I can enjoy my favorite past time without feeling guilty.  I can leave my books out for my kids to see.  I don't have to hide them in the cabinet because the front cover is so shameful.  What a relief that is.  Think about what you read and how it affects your walk with Him.  If it's not excellent or praiseworthy, should you be reading it?

I was sent a copy of this book for review by the Publisher.

I Put My Coffee In the Cabinet...Again!

'Yes, my soul, find rest in God; my hope comes from him.'  Psalm 62:5


Rest?  What is that?  I am the mother of three small boys and one big husband!  I don't know what rest is!  Do you?  I get up by 5am on the days I have to work my other 'real' job and do not stop until after the boys are in bed after 8pm.  The time in between is filled with work, shuttling kids, homework, dinner, dishes, soccer, baths, stories, and a little play mixed in there.  I find I live a lot of my life in a sheer state of exhaustion.  Case in point, I couldn't find my coffee at work this morning.  One of my co-workers pointed out to me that I had put it in the cabinet...again!  Nope, not the first time I've done it!

Do you think God wants us to be this hurried and rushed?  Or do you think He wants us to rest?  I think there are two possible answers to these questions.  I don't believe that He wants us to live such busy lives that we are leaving our coffee in cabinets.  We spend all of our energy running after things on this earth instead of focusing on the things that really matter.  Things like bible study, prayer, missions, or raising our kid's to love Him.  I also don't think He wants us to sit around on the couch all day long watching soap operas and eating Girl Scout cookies.

What we should have instead is a balance of work and rest.  Work that glorifies Him.  Sure, we have to work our jobs and raise our kids, but we don't have to add a bunch of extra stuff in there.  We have to leave time for the Word, prayer, and doing things that further the kingdom.  As far as rest goes, we should find that in Him.  He is our Sabbath-rest.  When He came to earth, He fulfilled the law of the Sabbath in every way.  We should observe the day chosen for our Sabbath and rest in it.  Lay our burdens down and let Him have them.

Rest is something we could use more of.  Especially the kind of rest that only He can offer to us.  Make it a point to carve out some time for a little Jesus-rest in your day.  Get in the Word.  Pray.  Serve someone.  And rest!  Don't find yourself putting your coffee in the cabinet...or the ice cream in the fridge!



Wrestling Woman

'For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.'  Ephesians 6:12

Did you know that you are a wrestler?  Yep, you...and me to.  We just finished Breaking Free by Beth Moore and in the last video session she makes this statement:

'I heard someone say at some time that when we have to wrestle our crown from the enemy, then we have the muscle to show for it.'

I love that, don't you?  And what truth there is in that statement!  We are in the fight of our life.  Our fight isn't with flesh and blood, but with the evil one!  He is an adversary in a league of his own.  We can't see him.  We can't grab him by his red tail, horn, or pitchfork and toss him out of our way.  But we must fight him with all we have.  With all that He has to give us.  How?

By putting on our armor, one piece at a time, everyday and battling it out.  God has equipped us to deal with Satan.  We just have to use what He has given us.  We have the training manual of all training manuals at our fingertips.  We have a direct line to the ultimate trainer.  But do we use them?  Most of the time, no.  We try to do it on our own.  I don't know about you, but my way gets me nowhere but down on the mat waiting for the referee to count to three.

The next time Satan gets in my face to pick a fight I will be ready!  I will be training everyday and I will be in shape and ready.  Because he is ready for a fight and I intend to give him one.  But he will not win, because in Christ, I am guaranteed the victory!

Highlights and Gas

“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”  John 16:33

Not that kind of gas!  Just had to clarify that right off the bat!  Do you go to the beauty shop (or barber)?  Is yours a place where people gather to 'discuss' the goings on in the community and world around you?  Mine is.  I had my boys in for a long overdue cut and another customer came in.  One of the first things that she said was, "Well, gas has gone up 15 cents overnight."  No comment about the beautiful weather we've been having.  Nope, just an immediate jump into the negative.

Yes, gas prices are up and will continue to go up as long as we are driving vehicles and the oil folks can make money.  But Jesus tells us that this world will continue to disintergrate as we draw closer to the end.  But He also tells us to take heart, not to be afraid, to trust in Him, and continue to be faithful to Him who called us according to His purpose.  What does this have to do with gas prices?  Our response to them.

What if we join in with everybody else and theorize what will happen if gas is $5.00 or if the economy fails again or if the Middle East implodes upon itself?  What does that say about our relationship with our Father?  That we don't trust Him.  That we think He doesn't have everything under His control.  Do you think He's surprised that gas went up?  No, I don't think so.  He knows what is ahead.  We don't.

What we should do instead is be a voice of encouragement to those who are anxious.  We should be reminding (gently) His followers that He is in control and isn't taken by surprise.  We should be an example to those non-believers in our circle.  We should have a peace and calmness that is so evident they just have to ask why we aren't shaken.  And then we have the opportunity to share about our God.  We can show Jesus to those around us without even having to say a word.

Next time you're in the beauty shop or at the water cooler and the talk turns to all the negative stuff going on around us, think about how you should react.  Feed the fear and uncertainty or offer Truth from the Word?  If we want to be an ambassador for Christ, then we have to be His voice to the world.  An encouraging word can go far in giving someone else a glimpse of Him in a uncertain world.