Monthly Challenge- Feb 2010

Challenge 49

“A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.”

Proverbs 15:1

Let Go: There is no way around it... moving and adjusting to a new home are stressful. When we are stressed we can often have less energy to bring to the relationships around us. The result is a “short fuse” when it comes to dealing with the people who are closest to us, especially our family.

Start Today: You can set the “tone” in your household with calm, confident, loving responses. Test Proverbs 15:1 and respond gently to those around you. Take note of its effect. Did you see anger diffused as a result?

Move Forward: Not only respond gently, but each day tell each person in your family at least one thing that you appreciate about him or her.

Class Spotlight- Feb 2010

The Rock Church
Castle Rock, CO
Class Leaders: Zonya Hamilton and Leslie Williams

Here is a picture of our newly formed Just Moved! [Moving On After Moving In] Class at The Rock Church in Castle Rock, Colorado. We had such a great group of ladies and loved seeing the transformations take place in their lives! What a blessing this class was! Our church plans to offer the class again in the Fall semester.

Moving Story- Feb 2010

Karen in Kansas

I assumed it would be easy...

(JM - Karen wrote in response to a phone call from a volunteer at Just Moved! after she joined the Just Moved! Community)

Thank you for your phone call today. I realized after we hung up it's God's way of answering my "Where are you?" question and "Do you hear me?" and my accusatory, "I feel like you don't hear me!" statement made over the last several days. I DO have faith that God has a plan for me - it's just not in "my" time.

As you know, it's so hard to relocate and I guess, since I lived here before, I assumed it would be easy - actually a piece of cake! Not so. I haven't "moved on" and gotten better situated after being here two years! It makes me say, "What's wrong with me?" But again, I do know that God does have a plan. Sometimes when you are in a house day in and day out and the kids have their friends and activities and your husband leaves daily and travels to exciting places and is welcomed in the office and eats out with other people, I guess you just lose sight of it.

While I am lonely and I am sad because of it, I have many, many blessings. Maybe this is just a time of intense growth. I'm not discounting the hormones and age either! So, I'll try to be patient, look to God, and wait and praise him for all the many blessings he has given me. After all, he brought me you to help me see this and let me know I'm not alone and I have someone to pray for me.

After talking to you it makes me look at it a little differently and I guess the fact that someone else is praying for me makes me feel better - more confident.

Monthly Devotional- Feb 2010

Keep the bonds of love alive...

Writing love notes is one of the best ways to show you love and care for your spouse. It may seem silly to write a note to someone you see every day, but this kind of romantic gesture helps keep the bonds of love alive. Valentine’s Day is the perfect time to rekindle the flame in your marriage!

Jesus wrote us love letters throughout scripture. His words encourage our hearts, remind us of His great love for us, and reveals how much He cares about the details of our lives. Jesus shows us through His word how we can demonstrate an “observable love” to others. Couldn’t we do the same for the one we love?

Here are a few ideas to get you started that can warm your spouse’s heart and communicate your love in creative ways: (Never underestimate the power of a post note!)

• Stick a note in his briefcase telling him you are thinking of him and praying for him today.
  
• Write across the bathroom mirror, “I love you!”
  
• Send an email message that says, “I can’t wait for you to come home!” or “I can’t wait until we’re together again!”
  
• Buy a romantic card (not just on Valentine’s Day), and write all the reasons you fell in love with him. Put it on top of his pillow, or mail it to his office.

Whether you are writing love notes, or communicating your love in other observable ways, you are making your spouse feel cared for and loved---just as Jesus does for you, every day!

Scripture to Remember: “Therefore encourage one another, and build up one another, just as you also are doing. “ 1 Thessalonians 5:11

Question to Consider: How can I demonstrate an “observable love” to my spouse today?

Prayer: Lord, help me to love my spouse, as you love me. Help me to show my love through my words and actions.

Thought for the Day: Today I will speak or write words that edify and exalt my spouse.

-Susan Miller

Moving Tips- Feb 2010

Keep the bonds of love alive...

Writing love notes is one of the best ways to show you love and care for your spouse. It may seem silly to write a note to someone you see every day, but this kind of romantic gesture helps keep the bonds of love alive. Valentine’s Day is the perfect time to rekindle the flame in your marriage!

Jesus wrote us love letters throughout scripture. His words encourage our hearts, remind us of His great love for us, and reveals how much He cares about the details of our lives. Jesus shows us through His word how we can demonstrate an “observable love” to others. Couldn’t we do the same for the one we love?

Here are a few ideas to get you started that can warm your spouse’s heart and communicate your love in creative ways: (Never underestimate the power of a post note!)

• Stick a note in his briefcase telling him you are thinking of him and praying for him today.
  
• Write across the bathroom mirror, “I love you!”
  
• Send an email message that says, “I can’t wait for you to come home!” or “I can’t wait until we’re together again!”
  
• Buy a romantic card (not just on Valentine’s Day), and write all the reasons you fell in love with him. Put it on top of his pillow, or mail it to his office.

Whether you are writing love notes, or communicating your love in other observable ways, you are making your spouse feel cared for and loved---just as Jesus does for you, every day!

Scripture to Remember: “Therefore encourage one another, and build up one another, just as you also are doing. “ 1 Thessalonians 5:11

Question to Consider: How can I demonstrate an “observable love” to my spouse today?

Prayer: Lord, help me to love my spouse, as you love me. Help me to show my love through my words and actions.

Thought for the Day: Today I will speak or write words that edify and exalt my spouse.

-Susan Miller

Susan's Heart Talk- Feb. 2010

I feel like I’ve been right by your side as you’ve dealt with the impact of relocating from one place to another, faced the task of physically moving, and felt the wave of emotions that comes with being uprooted and having to start all over again. With fourteen moves etched on my belt, I know that conquering the challenges of moving is not always easy. Major change and transition in our lives can often leave us physically worn-out, emotionally spent, and spiritually dry.

I know why I still have such a passion for Just Moved! Ministries after all these years. We pick up where the moving van drops off. Just Moved! encourages and equips women in countless ways to find rest in Jesus, to be emotionally replenished, and to become spiritually nourished.

Sitting on my desk is a framed scripture, handwritten in 1989, by a beloved friend who has been one of my greatest encouragers before and after the inception of Just Moved! Ministries.

“I want to suggest that you finish what you started to do a year ago, for you were not only the first to propose this idea, but the first to begin doing something about it. Having started the ball rolling so enthusiastically, you should carry this project through to completion just as gladly, giving whatever you can out of whatever you have. Let your enthusiastic idea at the start be equaled by your realistic action now.” 2 Corinthians 8: 10-11 (The Living Bible)

This scripture was the springboard for a dream to become a reality. Oh how amazing and awesome is our God. This year, we celebrate fifteen years of His faithfulness to this ministry. To God be the glory, great things He has done!

From My Heart to Yours,

Just Moved! celebrates 15 years! Enjoy a 15% off savings!

Now through Feb. 28
15% off
My Journey
a journal for letting go, starting over, and moving ahead with my life after a move. Go to www.justmoved.org to order today!