General Good Thoughts By Liz Huggins-Thompson

It is never not a good time for applesauce.

A sprinkle of cinnamon makes it a party!

Just sayin'.

You Have to Ask By Liz Huggins-Thompson

How am I supposed to know what you want?

You have to ask.

Does God know what you want or need? Of course!!

But, you have to ask.

"Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you." - Matthew 7:7 (NIV)

He wants us to ask!

I had lost a little business card pouch out of my purse. I looked everywhere for it. I went back to all the places I had been that day. I had gone to the Improv Comedy Club the night before. I called and inquired. They said no, they didn't have anything like what I described in the lost and found. I prayed for it's return.
I prayed, "God, if it is your will, please let my little card case be returned to me."
Now, the thing is, there wasn't anything of real value in there; business cards from other colleagues, customer rewards cards like you get from the grocery store, Jiffy Lube, PetSmart, etc. It also had my library card - easy to replace. The one thing that was in there that I couldn't replace and avoided telling my sister I lost was her Owner's Club Card to a time share resort. She had given me her 2nd copy so I could go into the resort and use their pool and facilities as I live fairly close to the place.
As you can see, nothing crucial, but still, I prayed. "God, please allow my card pouch to find it's way back to me."
And I prayed whenever it crossed my mind, or when i went to the library, or when i had to look up a phone number, or when I went food shopping, or even when I just reached into my purse for something and remembered my blue pouch wasn't in there.
I prayed for a YEAR!!

And then I got a phone call. A young gal, Mary, from the Improv called me. I thought it was one of those sales promo calls. She tells me that she found my name on a card and looked up my phone number. My heart just about stopped when she said the next thing. "We have something of yours here."

I was astounded! I had asked and asked and asked. I had faith that God would provide a way and that somehow, someone, somewhere, would help me get my card pouch back.
I prayed, consistently and faithfully. And still I was amazed that it actually happened!!

"And whatever things you ask in prayer, believing, you will receive.” - Matthew 21:22 (NKJV)

My friend says, "The squeaky wheel gets greased." God was probably saying "Really! Still with this blue pouch? Enough already!!"

I think He delights in that we look to him for help.

"And I say unto you, Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you." - Luke 11:9 (KJV)

I also feel my relationship with God is much like my relationship with my daughter. I love it when she turns to me for help. No matter how old she gets, she still needs me, and I LOVE helping her. It makes me feel like I'm a part of her life.

I know for sure that God wants to feel a part of my life. If I had everything, would I just go on my way? Or would I turn back and acknowledge, "Thank you, Father!"?

You betcha!

The Words You Speak Are the Life You Live By Liz Huggins-Thompson

The words you speak are the life you live.
Are you best representing the person you want to be? 
Is what you are saying coming from the person you want to be?
Think for a minute about how you would like people to talk to you. Are you talking to others that way?
Let's go a bit further and say that what we say and the way we say it, speaks of our base character. These words are coming from our hearts and the attitude or thoughts that are already forming in our minds before we ever speak a word.
Let's govern our thoughts and fill our hearts with the words that please our Lord. If they please Him, think of how lovely you and your life will be.

May these words of my mouth and this meditation of my heart
    be pleasing in your sight,
    Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer.
Psalm 19:14

Raise the Bar by Liz Huggins-Thompson

Create in yourself, a level of being that even you think is above excellent. This is what you want to strive for everyday, and in everything.
Raise the bar for yourself.

Inspirational Words for Distress From Michelle Rocker

For my friends struggling with what life has thrown at them today: Isaiah 63:9: "In all their distress he too was distressed, and the angel of his presence saved them. In his love and mercy he redeemed them; he lifted them up and carried them all the days of old."

Summer Days By Liz Huggins-Thompson

Laugh Louder. Care Deeper. Serve Higher.

When You Need a Love Song By Michelle Rocker

I’m a hopeless romantic.  I always have been.  Sappy wedding proposals, greeting card commercials, romantic chick flicks – I love them!  But what tops the chart in romance is when you have a guy who writes a love song to a girl.  I’ve always wanted that to happen to me.  That would be the ultimate romantic thing ever!

Then I realized that a love song had been written for me.  God had written one and sang it over me.

“For the Lord your God is living among you. He is a mighty savior. He will take delight in you with gladness. With his love, he will calm all your fears.  He will rejoice over you with joyful songs.” Zephaniah 3:17 (NLT)

He melts my heart.  He is the lover of my soul.  I await breathlessly for His return.  He is my Lord.  He is my Savior.  He loves me.

Squire Squeak

In the Fine Arts Festival full theater production, Kingdom Knights, Squire Squeak is a goofy guy who is lost on exactly where he fits in the kingdom. He is desperate to prove his worth. When he discovers what his gift is, everyone is surprised, except the White Knight, of course. Although he speaks with a squeaky voice, this actor must be able to sing very well. Think Broadway or Opera - very over-the-top. Tunic pattern is included in the program.

Kingdom Knights is a 10 week program that takes your children on a quest to discover their own God-given gift. This medieval journey introduces them to 8 quirky characters who help them realize how special they are to God and how to use their unique gift(s) in God’s kingdom. The program concludes with the children presenting a drama in which they run the entire show! 

Go to P226Productions.com to find out more about this exciting learning tool for children's Christian curriculum.

Nighty Knight

In The Fine Arts Festival full theater production, Kingdom Knights, Nighty Knight is a male child actor who is a miniature version of Common Man/Page Christian. He adds the suffix, "eth" to many of his words. He does not get along very well with Goody Two Too as they perform an interview. His tunic should be blue with a stylized red cross. (Pattern included in program.)

Kingdom Knights is a 10 week program that takes your children on a quest to discover their own God-given gift. This medieval journey introduces them to 8 quirky characters who help them realize how special they are to God and how to use their unique gift(s) in God’s kingdom. The program concludes with the children presenting a drama in which they run the entire show!

Go to P226Productions.com to find out more about this exciting learning tool for children's Christian curriculum.

HELLO? Can you hear me now? By Michelle Rocker

We have all seen the Verizon commercial with the guy going all over the USA asking the question, “Can you hear me now?”  It’s become part of pop culture.  Everyone knows this phrase.  I’ve used it when I have told my kids five hundred times to pick up their shoes out of the middle of the floor.  Okay, well maybe it was more like five times, but it is frustrating when you feel like no one is listening to what you are saying.  You aren’t just talking to hear yourself.  You have a point.  I’m tired of repeating myself.

Have you ever thought that God feels this way?  We have His Word.  He speaks to our spirit and lets us know that He is here for us.  I feel like Isaiah 40:28-31 is like the commercial we know so well.  Isaiah is yelling, “Can you hear me now?”

“Do you not know?  Have you not heard? The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He will not grow tired or weary, and his understanding no one can fathom. He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak.  Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength.  They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.” (NIV)

So, the next time you are tired and worn out, ask yourself how much time you have been spending with the One who gives you your strength.

Harold The Herald

In The Fine Arts Festival full theater production, Kingdom Knights, Harold the Herald, is a lovable character who is hard of hearing, but has an amazing announcer voice. He is confident in his gift and demonstrates to the children that everyone has a job to do. He uses a British accent. This actor needs a booming voice.

Kingdom Knights is a 10 week program that takes your children on a quest to discover their own God-given gift. This medieval journey introduces them to 8 quirky characters who help them realize how special they are to God and how to use their unique gift(s) in God’s kingdom. The program concludes with the children presenting a drama in which they run the entire show!

Go to P226Productions.com to find out more about this exciting learning tool for children's Christian curriculum.

Jestor of Laughs

In the Fine Arts Festival full theater production, Kingdom Knights, the male actor, Jestor of Laughs, serves as the children's host on the journey. Jester loves the White Knight, but makes a bad choice at one point, only to come back and demonstrate how deep the love of Christ is and that no matter what we do, God’s love is unconditional. This character works best as a male but can be modified for a female. Jester is the host of the drama. He needs a huge personality with the ability to do physical comedy as well as stand-up comedy.

Kingdom Knights is a 10 week program that takes your children on a quest to discover their own God-given gift. This medieval journey introduces them to 8 quirky characters who help them realize how special they are to God and how to use their unique gift(s) in God’s kingdom. The program concludes with the children presenting a drama in which they run the entire show! 

Go to P226Producions.com to find out more about this exciting learning tool for children's Christian curriculum.

Stepping Out of Your Comfort Zone By Michelle Rocker

Why? Why is it when I am comfortable does God feel the need to push me out of my comfort zone?

I hate being in front of people. I get such major anxiety, it is ridiculous. Most people have no idea I feel this way, but I do. I’ve learned to push through and ignore it and shove the nausea back down my throat. I’m a piano player. I’m a singer. I’ve been on stages and platforms and worship teams since I was thirteen. However, something always comes over me when I truly worship. I have peace and I forget about all the people. I feel God’s presence and I’m okay.

Last year, I was enjoying all my kids being in school and getting some time back to myself. But nope...that was comfortable. Without going into great detail, it became obvious that God was asking me to home school two of my children. I panicked. I didn’t want to. But I knew if it was God’s idea and not mine. He would get me through it, and He has. It has been the biggest blessing.

So, why does God put me in uncomfortable situations? Here are some verses that may answer that question.

Psalm 23:4: Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.

Psalm 119:76: May your unfailing love be my comfort, according to your promise to your servant.

Isaiah 51:12: “I, even I, am he who comforts you. Who are you that you fear mere mortals, human beings who are but grass,

2 Corinthians 1:3-7: Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God. For just as we share abundantly in the sufferings of Christ, so also our comfort abounds through Christ. If we are distressed, it is for your comfort and salvation; if we are comforted, it is for your comfort, which produces in you patient endurance of the same sufferings we suffer. And our hope for you is firm, because we know that just as you share in our sufferings, so also you share in our comfort.

Revelation 3:16: So, because you are lukewarm—neither hot nor cold—I am about to spit you out of my mouth.

John 14:3

Jeremiah 29:11

Hope flourishes even during the rocky times in life.

The Risks We Take By Liz Huggins-Thompson

I stood on the top step of the ladder. On the very top it read DANGER. DO NOT STAND OR SIT. I stretched to reach the tree branches with my pruning shears. That one branch was just out of reach. I looked at the message again.  Maybe if I hooked my arm over this sturdy limb... As the bark dug into my bare skin, I was suddenly reminded of a time when we were kids.

We were at a family picnic. My parents warned us not to go into the woods. Not that we were so rebellious, but my sister, Rosie, and I were the adventurous sort. There were some great rocks for climbing. I reasoned that if we stayed near the edge of the tree line, we weren't really IN the woods. So, up the cliff we climbed.
What a view from the top! Thrilling.

It wasn't but a few minutes into our adventure, Rosie spotted a frog. Chasing after it, she slipped and grabbed onto a small sapling just in time before going over the edge. In doing so, one of the small branches poked right into her bicep. Somehow, she managed to keep a hold of that frog, but wow, there was a lot of blood from her arm. I ran back down to get some napkins. It wasn't long before the truth came out, though.

I looked at the message on the top of the ladder again. I would have to climb back down the ladder, reposition it, climb back up, and try again for that pesky branch.

God gives us guidelines and His law to live by. Why do we think we have a better way, or that we can ease the rules a bit to suit our wants?

"He guides the humble in what is right and teaches them his way." Psalm 25:9.

I didn't prune the elusive branch, but we named that frog Freddy. He lived a good life in a terrarium we made from a huge peanut butter jar.

Common Man

In the Fine Arts Festival full theater production, Kingdom Knights, the male actor, Common Man, represents the everyday man. He begins his journey by pledging his heart to the White Knight. He moves through the ranks of the kingdom by becoming Page Christian, Squire Christian, and finally Knight Christian. He takes everything very seriously and adds the suffix “eth” to most words.

Kingdom Knights is a 10 week program that takes your children on a quest to discover their own God-given gift. This medieval journey introduces them to 8 quirky characters who help them realize how special they are to God and how to use their unique gift(s) in God’s kingdom. The program concludes with the children presenting a drama in which they run the entire show! 

Go to P226Productions.com to find out more about this exciting learning tool for children's Christian curriculum.

Broken By Michelle Rocker

I am broken...but not destroyed. 

I am broken...yet I live. 

I am broken...He binds up my wounds. 

I am broken...by His stripes, I am healed.

I am broken...I am redeemed. 

Through my brokenness, His light shines. 

May I always be...broken.

The Black Knight

In The Fine Arts Festival full theater production, Kingdom Knights, the Black Knight represents Satan. Find the biggest guy you know for this role. His size should be intimidating. For a tall man, you could add some padding to create bulk. He never speaks. Also, It’s important that he is always seen with his hood and mask on so that the children never know who plays the part of Satan.

Kingdom Knights is a 10 week program that takes your children on a quest to discover their own God-given gift. This medieval journey introduces them to 8 quirky characters who help them realize how special they are to God and how to use their unique gift(s) in God’s kingdom. The program concludes with the children presenting a drama in which they run the entire show!

Go to P226Productions.com to find out more about this exciting learning tool for children's Christian curriculum.

The White Knight

In the Fine Arts Festival full theater production, Kingdom Knights, the male actor, White Knight, represents Jesus Christ. This performer should be a larger man, physically fit and well spoken. The role is more serious, but he has a slight sense of humor to be able to put up with the other characters.

Kingdom Knights is a 10 week program that takes your children on a quest to discover their own God-given gift. This medieval journey introduces them to 8 quirky characters who help them realize how special they are to God and how to use their unique gift(s) in God’s kingdom. The program concludes with the children presenting a drama in which they run the entire show! 

Go to P226Productions.com to find out more about this exciting learning tool for children's Christian curriculum.

To Tweet or Not To Tweet By Michelle Rocker

Before the social media craze, I was a people watcher. Sitting in the mall was great fun watching the people go by and wondering what was going on in their life. Why were they happy? Why were they sad? Now, I have social media that is “people watching” at its best. I know what they are thinking now. I know. I sound creepy and stalker-ish. However, I know most of you do it too. How often do you scroll through Facebook or Twitter but never comment or “like” or retweet? You might comment to your spouse or friends with, “Did you see...?” I am curious about what people are willing to offer up, and if there is an especially spicy squabble, I have scrolled through and read the comments as well, after all they did offer it up. I have even at times commented, but primarily, I’m the creeper.

Recently, I have noticed that social media has become an outlet for bashing others. Some bash in the name of their religion, others their morals, and I have even seen family squabbles played out. It breaks my heart. Oh, I have been tempted to air things out when I feel I’ve been wronged, hoping my friends would sympathize or post a dig when someone has done something I don’t feel is right. The news (both the right and left sides) seem to enjoy picking “hot topics” and watch us bicker and fight about why it is right or wrong.

So, how do I bite my tongue when I want to respond?

John 13:34-35: “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”

I run what I want to say through this filter. Is what I am about to say going to show Jesus’ love to this individual? If my answer is no, then I cannot post it. I am far from perfect and anyone who knows me, knows I have a big mouth and I have stuck my foot in it more times than I care to count. However, this is something I have been “commanded” to do. I know why I believe what I believe. I have no problem sharing my faith. I stand by my convictions. But will getting in a social media battle and climbing on my soap box bring them any closer to the Savior? That is the question. And the answer is: “Love one another...as I have loved you.”

God’s Motivation By Michelle Rocker

Did you know that God is not motivated by fear? What motivates God? What moves the heart of God?

I was sitting in a service listening to a preacher and when he stated, “God is not motivated by fear.” I got distracted after that thinking about what motivates God. Verses from the Bible began to come to me.

1 John 4:18: There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love.

Romans 8:38-39: For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

1 John 3:1a: See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are!

Ephesians 2:4-5: But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved.

John 3:16: For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.

My conclusion? God is motivated by LOVE. John 3:16, is the ultimate proof of my conclusion. God was moved/motivated by love that he GAVE us his Son to die for our sins. The idea that my Creator, the God of the entire universe, loves me to this extent....wow! I am humbled, grateful, and overwhelmed.

Bloom By Liz Huggins-Thompson

Bloom
where
you
are
planted.