“Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt have lost his savor, wherewith shall
it be salted? It is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men. Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot
be hid. Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house. Let your light so shine before
men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.” —Matthew 5:13–16

“We could really use your help at the children’s ministry next week,” a friend mentioned as we stood on the church sidewalk. “Are you available?”
   
​I had volunteered for this particular conference in the past. However, that summer was one of the busiest of our lives, with various other ministry projects piling up and the three youngest members of the family still in diapers. “I’m sorry I can’t help out this year,” I smiled to my friend, “but, you know, God has given me a ‘children’s ministry’ in our own home right now!” We both laughed.

Do you have a heart for missions? Have you ever wondered how to practically prepare to maybe one day go into the missions field?
  
​One idea that our family has implemented to learn about the nations, pray for laborers to enter His harvest field, and to get a heart for missions is to have a monthly missions night.

Christmas—what a special time of year! For many, it is a favorite holiday. But the meaning goes far beyond cookies, music, and presents. It’s about the risen Christ Who has come to this world to save us from our sins. That is something to be excited about!
  
​Even though most of us are quite aware of this wonderful news, we occasionally take it for granted and do not joyfully share it with others. But Christmas is a time when we have ample opportunity to proclaim Christ’s birth, death, resurrection, and the gospel message. Here I would like to share with you an ideal way to do that.

Are you looking for an inexpensive, nice, fun Christmas gift to make?  Maybe one of these will be just what you’re looking for!  Have fun! :)
 
Soap by Sharon
Buy melt and mold soap base and cut off a small section that will be easy to work with.  Cut into small chunks.  Put the soap chunks into a microwave safe bowl and melt in the microwave for 15 seconds.  Stir and melt 15 seconds again until fully melted.  Add soap coloring of your choice and a scent you like.  Stir.  Pour in to your mold and let cool.  When it is completely set and cool, pop it out of the mold.  Wrap in plastic wrap.  These make wonderful presents.  Grandmothers especially like the wonderful smell and feel of this soap.  Enjoy!!
 
Coat Hangers by Tiffany
Get a wired coat hanger that is not bent. :)  At Wal-Mart on the crafts section you can find a bag of Craft loops by “Create A Craft”.  (The directions may be on the back of the bag.)  Join the loops to make continuous yarn, and then when you have what you think is long enough, wrap it around the coat hanger.  Where the hanging part goes, use one loop to make a bow at the top.  These are so pretty!! 
 
Potholders by Tiffany
At Wal-Mart on the craft aisle you can find a potholder making set.  It has a loom and the craft loops.  Probably the kit will come with nylon loops, but when you are done with those, the cotton loops are much bigger and nicer.  Follow the directions on the box.  Try making a pattern when weaving such as all white across, and then pink and purple across.  Or for Christmas, red intertwined with green.  These make great gifts for moms and grandmothers.  Even younger kids can do them, with the help of a big sister or their mommy. Have fun!! 
 
Creative Gift Ideas by Cheryl

1. Soup or soup mix- “Wishing you a ‘souper’ Christmas!”
2. Wire whisk-(filled with Chocolate kisses) “We WHISK you a Merry KISSmas!”
3. Christmas Tray- “We ‘Tray’sure your friendship.  Merry Christmas!”
4. Measuring Cup- “Wishing you joy beyond measure!”
5. Flowers- “You make friendship bloom all year. Merry Christmas!”
6. Bananas- “If we could chose our friends, and searched the whole world through, we’d go bananas trying to find a better bunch than you!  Merry Christmas!”
7. Candle- “May your days be happy, your heart be light, your Christmas merry and the New Year bright!”
8. Filled Basket- “Wishing you a basket full of Christmas blessings!”

Hello Girls,
  
For my family, hospitality is very important. And I can’t say that we have always done hospitality the same way, which is why I would like to share my stories and some suggestions of hospitality.
  
First of all, hospitality and family boils down to the same thing: to bring glory to God. Then it is clear to see that:
  
​The family is powerful.

My Dear Virtuous Daughters, I would like to tell you a little story. There once was a young girl named Carrie Fisher. She came from a poor family so she had to make a
living by washing dishes in the kitchen of a rich family’s home. One day as she was drying some forks and knives, she began singing a song that encouraged Christians to shine in their corner for Christ. As she sang, she realized that she had the opportunity right where she was to shine in her corner. So she became more diligent at her work and made an effort to make each of those forks and knives to sparkle.

Throughout the passage of II Samuel 9, David’s compassionate care for Mephibosheth paints a beautiful picture of the Christ-like kindness that we all should desire to have for others. Although such kindness is often rare in the world today, the Lord is pleased to see it displayed in the lives of those who follow Him! Let’s consider a few thoughts that find their roots in this passage about David and Mephibosheth.

“Stop!! There's a car coming!” I cried out impulsively, as we started to accelerate after a stop sign at a highway intersection. A car, fast approaching at highway speeds, was less than 120 feet away and headed straight toward our vehicle. In that millisecond, I knew there was scarcely time for our vehicle to stop before we were completely in the lane of the incoming car, and a t-bone collision was inevitable.
  
As I sensed the oncoming wreck, I knew—without a shadow of a doubt—this would be it. We have had close calls in our travels before, from which God had always so mercifully delivered us—but this time, I felt so keenly it was too close to be a “close call”—it would be “the call” for me to go Home.

Liberty is the result of the belief that right is greater than wrong, not equal to it. We have been raised in a culture that believes that right and wrong are equal, opposing forces, and we can try really hard to oppose wrong, but we probably won’t win in the end, because that evil out there is just too strong. This view does not generate liberty, but bondage, because it results in the fear of man, and not of God, and ultimately is humanism. “The fear of man bringeth a snare: but he that trusteth in the Lord shall be exalted” (Proverbs 29:25