November 28, 2006 by His Kingdom Herald.

How do you like the new look of our website?

It feels like I’m doing my own episode of “While You Were Out”! (For those of you who don’t get cable television; it’s a show where one room in a person’s house is totally re-vamped while they’re gone for the weekend.) The only difference here is, that I have no way of knowing when any of you are coming home!

We moved into our new “house” here on the internet in early September of this year. Over the past three months I’ve been keeping a slowly-growing list of “home improvements” that need to be made in order to “personalize” the website and turn this internet “house” into a “home”.

But here is the challenge I’ve been faced with. . . I know absolutely NOTHING about ANYTHING related to website design! And believe me, I’ve let God know just how unqualified I am to take on an assignment like this. (Check out my first few blogs if you don’t believe me!).

Moses and Gideon tried to make up a bunch of excuses too, but the scriptures say that the gifts and callings of God are irrevocable; so why fight it?

The learning curve has been HUGE; but God has been faithfully bringing the right people across my path at the right time with the right information and the right resources - so all of the glory goes straight to Him!

This first step has been merely a cosmetic one. Keep your eyes open for some major structural changes in the near future (they’re going to take a little more time to implement).

Has your Heavenly Daddy been trying to take you into some open water for a swim? I remember how tightly my children held onto me the first time I took them swimming. It’s a lot different than splashing around in that bathtub isn’t it ? Your heavenly Daddy’s right there and He’s the best teacher there is - just trust Him!

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November 25, 2006 by His Kingdom Herald.

Do you hear what I hear?

Ahhhh, the sweet sound of SILENCE!

My family is out deer hunting again this weekend. I don’t think I played sick, but I didn’t have to fake the tired part.

Don’t get me wrong, I love my family, truly I do (really!). But contrary to popular belief, I’m an introvert! The best way for me to re-charge my battery is to spend some time alone IN THE QUIET!

It’s not easy for me to find the quiet. There are 5 of us living in a 16×80 three bedroom trailer house. Togetherness is a very real fact of life.

I don’t know if any of you still watch Seventh Heaven. One of my favorite episodes has the oldest daughter playing sick on Halloween night, just so she can stay home BY HERSELF. She cranks up the tunes, sings at the top of her lungs into her hairbrush as she dances down the hallway in her pajamas to the bathroom, where a candle-lit bathtub brimming with steaming hot water and TONS of bubbles awaits her. (Ok, that might not have been an exact description of the scene, but you get the idea).

We all need to set aside some time each week to Celebrate The Sabbath. Ask the Holy Spirit to show you how and when to celebrate yours (and then feel free to share with the rest of us in the comments section!)

SHALOM!

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November 12, 2006 by His Kingdom Herald.

I have been so . . . aaaaaaaaaaaaa!!!!!! since the elections. I feel like one giant itch that just can’t be scratched!

I’m wondering how my heavenly Daddy is viewing the results of the ballot issues here in South Dakota (abortion, the marriage amendment, gambling, among others). He doesn’t have to wait for the “experts” to analyze the data. He already knows if there are precincts, cities and counties where the results reflect His values and the values of His Kingdom.

How deeply have His values impacted the hearts and lives of His people in various parts of our state? Have His children been doing a good job of advancing His kingdom in the hearts of the people around them?

There are times when it would be SO much easier to just not give a rip about things like this.

If I never get my hopes up then I’m never disappointed, right? I’ll just take care of myself and focus on meeting my own needs and wants.

Here’s a definition for you straight out of Webster’s dictionary. . .

Complacent: self-satisfied, self-righteous; see EGOTISTIC;

In chapter 6 of the book of Amos, my heavenly Daddy gave a message to the complacent. . . (Do these verses speak to our response as a state to the gambling issue and those who are addicted to it?).

verses3-7 You put off the evil day and bring near a reign of terror. You lie on beds inlaid with ivory, and lounge on your couches. You dine on choice lambs and fattened calves. You strum away on your harps like David and improvise on musical instruments. You drink wine by the bowlful and use the finest lotions, but you do not grieve over the ruin of Joseph. Therefore you will be among the first to go into exile; your feasting and lounging will end.

IF COMPLACENCY ISN’T THE ANSWER, THEN WHAT IS?

Maybe CONTENTMENT would be a better choice for God’s children. . .

Better a little, with the fear of the Lord than great wealth with turmoil. Proverbs 15:16

But godliness with contentment is great gain. 1Timothy 6:6

Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.” Hebrews 13:5

O Daddy, please help me to find contentment in the midst of my disappointment and to avoid complacency like a plague.

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November 8, 2006 by His Kingdom Herald.

TENACIOUS: holding firmly; persistent; stubborn.

A heart-felt THANK YOU! to all of the prayer warriors who invested not only their time, but their talent and treasure in the battle for LIFE here in South Dakota. Thank You for your encouragement. Thank you for the part you’ve played in training and mobilizing the bride of Christ here.

These election results serve much like a pregnancy test for our state. Just because THIS test result came back negative does NOT mean we’re going to stop trying! The Bride of Christ may be disappointed; she may shed some tears BUT SHE IS NOT GIVING UP!

The eyes of the nation may shift in a different direction once again, but the gifts and callings of God are irrevocable. South Dakota is still a key state in this nation.

The body of Christ is more alert, more intimately and intricately connected and more passionate about the purposes of God than she was before she engaged in this battle.

So take a new grip with your tired hands and stand firm on your shakey legs. Mark out a straight path for your feet. Then those who follow you, though they are weak and lame, will not stumble and fall but will become strong! Hebrews 12: 12 and 13 (NLT)