Are you being sharpened?

I have a great set of kitchen knives thatI got when we got married. They were fantastic for a while. Then the more they were used, the less great they became. They started getting dull, which was really annoying when I was trying to cook dinner and could barely cut a tomato let alone the chicken. Most knife sets come with a sharpening tool, so I used it to try to restore the knives to their original condition. They worked a little better, but still not great.

We had a friend who was very into knives. He had a collection and everything! He also had the tools needed to keep them sharp. One day he took my kitchen knives, fixed them up and brought them back to me razor sharp! Needless to say I handled them very carefully for a while. :0

What does this have to do with anything? Just like those knives, no matter how sharp we start out, after a while we can become a little dull. Sure we can try to sharpen ourselves, but sometimes we need a little help.

I don’t know about you but after spending time with my friends, I always feel so invigorated. I’ve been sharpened. Whether we are talking about our kids, the latest sales at the mall, our struggles with healthy eating and exercise, or the things of God it is always nice to know that there are others who feel like I do, who have experienced what I am currently going through, and who just love me for me.

How about you? Do you feel sharpened by your current circle of friends? If not it may be time to look for some new ones!!

In All My Remembrance of You

In All My Remembrance of You

Philippians 1:3-5 3I thank my God in all my remembrance of you.  4In every prayer of mine I always make my entreaty and petition for you all with joy (delight).  5[I thank my God] for your fellowship (your sympathetic cooperation and contributions and partnership) in advancing the good news (the Gospel) from the first day [you heard it] until now.
We have been talking about giving thanks all week, and I think it’s particularly fitting that on this Thanksgiving Day we discuss this verse. Paul says He thanks God when he thinks about the people in Philippi. It’s good to give thanks for the people in our lives. Today I am going to take a minute to reflect on those that I am thankful for and I encourage you to do the same.
I am thankful for my wonderful husband. He is an amazing man of God, an incredible father to our children, my best friend and the love of my life. He also happens to be my pastor and I am grateful for the way he preaches the unadulterated Word of God. It has changed my life and transformed the way I think and act. Thanks honey for being the blessing you are to me, our family, and so many others. I am thankful for my precious children. They each have their own special talents and abilities. Lo- you are so smart, sweet and loving. You are responsible and make right choices. It is exciting to see the musical gifts being developed in you. I am so proud of you for being exceptional in every way. Lu- my little man. You are full of energy and never stop, but you are also so sweet and loveable. You are smart and funny and keep us laughing all the time. Gi- our little princess. You are such a little girly-girl, sweet but tough at the same time. You know what you want and have a determination and tenacity that will take you far in life. I am thankful for my parents and my mother and father in-law, my grandparents both living and those no longer with us. You have guided, loved, supported encouraged and been there through us in every stage our lives. I am thankful for my brothers and sisters and their families. Even though I don’t get to see them that much I am proud of them and love them very much. My extended family is so big and diverse. I have many aunts, uncles and cousins and I appreciate them for the unique and special individuals they are.  I am thankful for friends. There are too many to mention and I don’t want to leave anyone out. But I am blessed to have amazing people in my life. My dearest friend who although we don’t see each other very often, we can always pick up right where we left off. Those who I am around on a regular basis that enrich my life daily with their friendship.  The old friends that I am having the pleasure of reconnecting with. The members of our congregation who are so precious and dear to us- it is a privilege to be your pastors. Both Pastor Chris and I love and appreciate you so very much. All the people who mentored and guided me throughout my life-Your words did not fall on deaf ears even though it may have seemed like it at times! Remember that the Word will not return void!
I am grateful for so many people and like Paul, I thank God for your fellowship, your partnership, and your contributions in my life. Have a blessed thanksgiving and take the time to be thankful for the people who make your life a little better.