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

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."

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.

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.

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

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.

Bloom By Liz Huggins-Thompson

Bloom
where
you
are
planted.

Another Shiny New Day By Liz Huggins-Thompson

We are greeted each morning with a shiny new day.

We proceed to tarnish it with our acts of sin.

The Lord polishes it up while we sleep

And presents us with a bright new hope.

Thank you, Lord, for your faith in me.

I pray that I am worthy of it.

New Year, New Challenges By Liz Huggins-Thompson

Now that the holidays are over and we send the kids back to classes, we approach our schedule with renewed vigor. At least, that’s what I do. I wonder about the children returning to school, though. Are they excited to share their news of the presents they received, the stories of traveling adventures, or show off that new outfit they got from grandma? Whatever their incentive for going back out into the world, we must, as parents, continue to prepare them. For me, my daughter won’t be going back to class as she graduated summa cum laude the week before Thanksgiving. She’s had the whole hectic, crazy, busy holiday from Thanksgiving to New Years to enjoy being with family and answer loads of questions about her future plans. I know one thing she is grateful for and that is the huge relief of being out from under the heavy and intense college workload. The one thing that I am grateful for is that I know I have lead her in the direction the Bible wants us to go; in the path Jesus Christ has set for us. I see evidence of this in the grace she approaches her life with, the compassion she shows others, and the involvement she enjoys with the church she attends in her college town.

Her New Year Challenges will be going after that great job her degree will afford her. I’m grateful to know that she has the tools she needs to accomplish anything she puts her time, energy, and mind to.

My New Year Challenges will be to continue spreading the Good Word to all the children who need to hear it. Through P22:6 Productions, Inc., I’m so excited to have this opportunity to share it in fun, new ways. The programs we have lined up for 2014 are fresh, original, and of course, full of the Good Word!!

"Train up a child in the way he should go,

And when he is old he will not depart from it."

Proverbs 22:6 NKJV

Can I Get A Witness? By Michelle Rocker

My cousin, Casi, agreed to watch my children for me one day while I went to a lunch meeting.  To thank her, I went by Starbucks to get her a drink.  She doesn't normally like coffee, so I ordered a caramel, apple cider.  I pulled up to the window, and the cashier informed me that they were out of apple cider. I said that it was okay, and changed my order to a hot chocolate.  As I handed my credit card to the cashier, she handed me a coupon.

“This is good for a free drink on us, any time you want it.  You would not believe how many people have yelled at us today.”

“Really?” I asked in complete shock at how rude people can be.

The manager told me how awful customers had been, and how much they appreciated my willingness to accept the problem of the lack of apple cider, as well as what a nice person I was.  I will admit that I left Starbucks with a giant smile on my face.  I even puffed my chest out because of my astounding Christian testimony.  What is that verse? Proverbs 16:18:  “Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall.”

A few days later, I went to the bank.  There was only one other car in the drive-thru in the farthest lane from the teller.  I pulled right up to the spot next to the window.  The teller never even looked up. 

I thought, “Surely she can see me”, but she just continued to count her money. I watched the other car leave, and another car pull up. 

I sighed and thought, “Any minute now.” That car left, and I began to feel inpatient hives starting to break out on my neck. 

Finally, she looked up and said, “Oh, I’m sorry.  I didn’t see you.”

“Yeah, uh huh, sure,” I thought. She opened the tray, and I placed my deposit in the tray, and she pulled it back in.  My jaw sagged open as I watched her walk away from the window without my deposit.  The third car drove away, replaced by the fourth car.  My inpatient hives had taken over my entire body.  I swear you could have seen smoke coming out of my ears.  She came back to the window, and still did not take my deposit out of the tray!  She proceeded to count some more money.  By then the other teller, servicing her FIFTH car, looked at me quizzically.  I cannot repeat the thoughts that then filled my brain.  With huge willpower, I clamped my lips together.

After ten minutes, she finally took my deposit.  As she deposited my receipt into the tray, I had reached my boiling point.  I violently grabbed the receipt out of the tray squishing it into a wad, as if it was her head, and hit the gas of my minivan as hard as I could.  Apparently not just muscle cars can do burn outs.

A few days later after my minivan burn-out, I had a rough day with my kids.  The perfect cure for a stressful day:  my free well-deserved drink at Starbucks.  I ordered my favorite:  a venti, non-fat, peppermint mocha, with whip cream.  (I know that the whip cream cancels out the non-fat part, but it makes me feel skinnier.)  As I pulled up to the window, I handed the cashier my little gift card.

She said, “Oh, that’s nice.”

I smiled, and explained how I had earned the gift certificate by my startling display of politeness. 

The manager peeked her head out, and said, “Oh, I remember this lady.  She was so sweet. We had run out of apple cider, and she said it was not a big deal and changed her order.  We had been yelled at all day.”

I flashed my dazzling white smile, and nodded my head like a queen.  Yes, I was a walking example of Christianity.  As I pulled out from the drive thru, I proceeded to choke on my venti, non-fat, peppermint mocha with whip cream when God whispered to me, “Too bad they didn’t see you at the drive thru at the bank the other day.”

My free mocha didn’t taste as good anymore.  I bowed my head and repented. We witness every day whether we mean to or not.  Some days I am successful, other days, not so much.  But I am a work in progress, and am happy to report no burn-outs in my minivan for the past year.

Whine by Michelle Rocker

Do you serve whine when things don't go your way?

Or do you serve it when things are okay?

Maybe aged whine is more your style.

You have years worth stored in your vile.

Soured properly, years passed from the plucked vine,

At just the right time, you pop the cork of whine.

Gallons served without an ounce of tenderness,

A long-winded sermon fueled by bitterness.

No one wishes to dine on this whine,

Sour and bitter, the worst moonshine.

So, all you who serve whine pay attention!

Whine is quite an addicting addiction.

Zip those lips when you wish to complain,

And as for the whine, you should abstain.