List of Groups that Need Volunteers

Are you thinking of volunteering? I found a list of groups that need people to volunteer to help.

1. Project Linus: To make blankets for the needy or ill children.
   
2. United Way: Teach others how to design a website at your local chapter.
3. Animal Shelters: Be a dog walker, provide a foster home for stray animals.
4. Make-A-Wish: Help grant a wish to terminally ill children.
5. Hospice Foundation: Help the terminally ill and their families.

These are just five charitable organizations that need volunteers. They are all fantastic organizations. There are many others.

Teaching Children the Heart of God

Children are tought about God in many ways. They learn in Sunday School, church, their youth group and in other ways. But they get their main teaching in the home. It takes Moms teaching children and Dads teaching children.



We teach them by our actions and our words. We pray for them and with them. Praying with your children throughout the day helps them to see that God is concerned about everything in their lives.



Pray for everyday things and then thank God when He answers those prayers. This encourages children and helps them to see God loves them. It helps them understand that God sees the details of their lives. It also teaches them to be thankful.

Five Easy Toning Exercises You can Do Anywhere

Five Easy Toning Exercises you can Do Anywhere

Exercise is an important part of our lives. Staying in shape is one way to increase your life expectancy. Weight bearing exercises are important also for increasing muscle mass and bone density as you age.

Most of us have learned what to do when it comes to exercising. The problem is where and when to get the job done. With a busy lifestyle, making time for exercise is a challenge.

Weight bearing exercises aren’t just for bodybuilders. As you age, especially once you hit the age of forty, you begin to lose muscle mass. For women especially, bone loss becomes a problem. When the body is in need of calcium it can rob it from your bones. Building muscle not only increases their mass but your strength.

Here are five easy toning exercises that can be done anywhere and whenever you have time. At home, at the office, or on vacation, you can do these easy yet extremely effective exercises.


1. The Bridge Butt Lift – Sounds like a plastic surgery technique but it is an easy way to tone your buttocks. Lay down with feet flat on the floor, legs shoulder width apart. Place your hands, palm side down, on either side of your body. Pushing with your feet, squeeze your gluteal muscles and lift your butt off the floor. Hold the position for a count of five to ten and release down to the floor.

2. Squats – Squats work the butt, the hamstring muscles and the quadriceps. If you aren’t sure of proper form, you can use a chair. Stand with feet shoulder width apart and feet firmly planted. Push your butt back as if you were preparing to sit in a chair. Keep your abs tight and your upper body straight. Once you reach chair level stop and hold the position for a count of two to five and release. At the lowest point, place all of your weight on your heels for balance and maximum toning.

3. Reverse Lunges – Lunges work the quadriceps muscles. They can be hard for people with knee problems. A reverse lunge still tones the right muscle groups but with less pressure on the knee. Stand with feet together and arms at your sides. Take one leg and move it backwards until you are in lunge position: front leg bent at a 90 degree angle and back leg extended until you are on the ball of your foot. From this position lower yourself down until the back knee almost touches the floor. Hold for a count of two and return to starting position.

Alpha and Omega

I hope you enjoy this music video. I am not able to make a regular blog post but I thought this was good. Music always seems to perk me and help me feel better.

A Friend That Stays With You

Do you ever feel that you don't have a friend in the world. Sometimes I do.



There are times when you are feeling blue and lonesome and there seems to be no one to talk to. But we have one friend that is there no matter what. He knows us inside out and still is our friend. He wants us to talk to Him. He wants us to share our problems and aches and pains with Him. His name is Jesus. He is our best friend. Even when we disappoint Him He still cares about us and sticks by us.



"A man who has friends must himself be friendly, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother." Proverbs 16:34

A Gentle and Quiet Spirit

"Do not let your adornment be merely outward--arranging the hair, wearing gold, or putting on fine apparel--rather let it be the hidden person of the heart, with the incorruptible beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is very precious in the sight of God."
I Peter 3:3, 4

God puts value on things in a different way than we do. He says that a gentle and quiet spirit are precious to Him. Maybe this is something we should think about. Maybe we should seek after a gentle, quiet spirit. Kind of like sitting by a quiet stream and listening to the water flow gently by.

Favorite Quotes from Everyday Greatness

I reviewed the book "Everyday Greatness" the other day and I thought I would share some of my favorite quotes from the book. I hope you enjoy them and that they inspire you too.

"I shall pass through this life but once.
Any good, therefore, that I can do
Or any kindness I can show to any fellow creature,
Let me do it now.
Let me not defer or neglect it,
For I shall not pass this way again."
by Etienne De Grellet

"Of course the highest form of giving attention is to accept and love a person for who they are."
by Stephen R. Covey

"Happiness doesn't depend on outward conditions. It depends on inner conditions."
by Dale Carnegie, How to Win Friends and Influence People

"Good thoughts bear good fruit, bad thoughts bear bad fruit--and man is his own gardener."
by James Allen

Every Day Greatness by Stephen R. Covey: A Book Review

Everyday Greatness, Inspiration for a Meaningful Life, by Stephen R. Covey and Reader's Digest. Compiled by David K. Hatch. This book is one of the most inspirational books I have ever read. It is a compilation of stories from the Reader's Digest. Some are from years ago and some are more recent. Each story is relevant for us today.

The book has 445 pages in it. It is divided into seven sections. The first one is about Searching For Meaning. Mr. Covey asks the question, "How would you choose to spend the next year if you knew it was your last?

Each section talks about a quality that is needed in our life. There are stories of real people in each section. There is a story by Chuck Norris, there is one about Pope John Paul II, and many others.

One of my favorite quotes in the book is, "Courage is being scared to death--and saddling up anyway." By John Wayne.

In the section on respect there is this quote: "Oh, Great Spirit, help me never to judge another until I have walked two weeks in his moccasins." Sioux Indian Prayer



I have thoroughly enjoyed this book. If you get a chance to read it, I believe you will love it as much as I did. I am a Thomas Nelson Blog Reviewer.

Below is a link to the book if you would like to purchase it.


Everyday Greatness: Inspiration for a Meaningful Life - Hardcover

Good Works is a Love Sacrifice

Hello
I have written an article on Ezine articles about good works being a sacrifice to God. The artice is below.

Sacrifice

Good Works Are a Love Sacrifice
By Karen Dobson

Are we doing good works? We do good works when we are willing to serve and to sacrifice for others. It is a love sacrifice.

We will be rewarded for our good works. When we do things for others we instantly are rewarded with the feeling of peace and of doing something honorable, of having helped someone else. But one day we will be rewarded in Heaven because God rewards us for our sacrifices and our good works.

When we do good works, it may not seem to others like we are sacrificing. It may not seem impressive. But you know the sacrifice you have made. You know what it has cost you emotionally or physically to do it.The person you do something for may not thank you and they may not appreciate it. But anytime you do something for someone else, God sees. He appreciates and rewards you for it.

One thing that is a small sacrifice for me is to write notes and cards and send them to people. It is hard for me to write by hand and it is something I have to make myself do. Somebody else may not see it as a sacrifice but I know how hard it is for me.

Sometimes the little things mean a lot. If you are a shy person like me, speaking to a stranger is difficult. But it may be just what the other person needs. That person may need a smile and a kind word. It might just change someone's whole day and make it better.

If you have in your mind that you want to help others, you will see opportunities all around you. Start with your immediate family and then go from there. It may be that helping someone else will be just the medicine you need to feel better yourself.

K.D. Dobson is an observer of family life and has a blog at http://www.grannysperspective.blogspot.com You can reach her by email at karengerald2002@yahoo.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Karen_Dobson
http://EzineArticles.com/?Good-Works-Are-a-Love-Sacrifice&id=2561103

Shop Day Spring for Christian Gifts.

Shop Christian Home Decor from DaySpring if you are looking for gifts or for christian decor for your home. They have christian signs and plaques, picture frames, kitchenware and oodles of other things. I am always looking for items that are inspirational and pretty. It can be hard to find them at department stores. Their store is online so you can look through their selection at home whenever you have the time. There are sale items listed too.

They also have free e-cards to send to friends or family members. Day Spring has been in business for quite a while. They carry quality items. Check them out.

The Law of Recompence

The law of recompence is that you sow first and then you reap. If you have a package of seeds you have to plant them before they grow. After they grow you reap the benefits of planting the seeds.

If you have good intentions in your mind, these good intentions do not bear fruit until they are planted. If you plan to go to the nursing home to see someone there, you have to actually go to reap the benefit. Not only do you reap the benefit of helping someone, but they reap the benefit too. They are comforted by your actions. If you plan to send a letter to someone, you actually have to write the letter, put it in an envelope and mail it. Then you reap the benefit of doing something good for someone else. Then they also reap the benefit of a letter from a loved one.

Once we have sown something, we can never unsow it. It is done. You will reap either the benefit or consequence of your action. So will someone else. Either they will be helped by it or hurt by it. We will live with the outcome. Sometimes it takes years before you see the results of your actions.

Plant the good seeds. Plant the good deeds. Take the time. Make your harvest better and the life of someone else a little sweeter.

Happy Grandparent's Day!

Have a great day. May God Bless.

Remembering 9/11

One of the saddest days in American history is 9/11. It is hard to believe it has been eight years. So many people were killed and so many were hurt. There were so many casualties. I don't think Americans will feel the same since of safety that we used to.

I hope that we never forget those who willingly gave their lives to try to save others. The firemen and all the other people that ran to help. They were true heroes.

Their families still remember their loved ones. They still hurt inside.

For more information on 9/11 Click here.

GOD BLESS AMERICA!

Thats God!

Hello
I saw a typo and thought I would repost this. I think it's interesting.

I found this writing and thought it was good. The author is unknown.

Have you ever been just sitting there and all of a sudden you feel like doing something nice for someone you care for?
That's God!
He talks to you through the Holy Spirit.

Have you ever been down and out and nobody seems to be around for you to talk too?
That's God!
He wants you to talk to Him.

Have you ever received something wonderful that you didn't even ask for?
That's God!
He know the desires of your heart.

Have you ever been in a situation and you have no clue how it is going to get better, but now you look Back on it?
That's god!
He passes us through tribulation to see a brighter day.

In all we do if we remember to give total thanks to God, our blessings will continue to be multiplied.

Thinking of you and hope this brightens your day!

Christian One Liners

I got a cute email from my sister the other day. It is called "Christian One Liners".

Don't let your worries get the best of you; Remember, Moses started out as a basket case.
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Some people are kind, polite, and sweet-spirited Until you try to sit in their pews.
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Many folks want to serve God, But only as advisers.
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It is easier to preach ten sermons Than it is to live one.
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When you get to your wit's end, You'll find God lives there.
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People are funny; they want the front of the bus, Middle of the road, and back of the church.
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Opportunity may knock once, But temptation bangs on the front door forever.
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If a church wants a better pastor, It only needs to pray for the one it has.
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God Himself doesn't propose to judge a man until he is dead. So why should you?
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Stop, Drop, and Roll won't work in Hell.
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The best mathematical equation I have ever seen:
1 cross + 3 nails = 4 given.

Labor Day

Hello
I hope everyone has a great Labor Day! The first Labor Day Parade is said to have been in New York City in 1892. Back then the workers were fighting for their rights. It was a momentous day. We have come so far from that time. We have a lot to be thankful for.

Many people have lost their jobs lately. It is a difficult situation for them. If this is where you are right now, don't give up. Keep the faith. Our lives are in the hands of the Heavenly Father. He cares for you.

Giving Comfort to Others Helps to Comfort Us

So many people are hurting right now. There are so many different heartaches. You may think there is no hope but there is. We can have hope in God's promises. He said He would never leave us or forsake us.

I know it is hard to remember when you are hurting from surgery or an accident or an illness. It is hard to be optimistic when the pain rolls over you like a wave. Or maybe your loved one is hurting and you have to watch in helplessness.

I think the greatest pain in my heart is because of family issues. It just doesn't seem to go away. But even though the pain does not go away, God is still with me. I might not be able to feel His presence but I know that He keeps His promises. I can count on that.

If you are going through a tough time, it can help to think of someone else that could use some encouragement or a kindness. A phone call or a card or maybe a meal might help that other person and help you at the same time.

Being Content

What do you have? What is most important to you? What can you live without? God says godliness with contentment is great gain. Are you content?





If we are being good or doing righteousness, we will have the contentment that comes from these things. If we eat foods that are on our diets we feel contentment from that. If we do good deeds for others we have contentment from that. There is a certain peace that comes from doing good things for ourselves and others.





Are you being content with what God has given you? What are the things that are most important to you? I believe it would be the things that money can't buy. It would be your family, your church, peace, happiness. If you lost your car you would find a way to go on. If you lost your home you would find a way to go on.





It would be harder if you lost your family or your friends or your church family. You would still go on but it would be difficult.





Give thanks for all that you have. Make a list of your blessings. Do you have food to eat? Do you have electricity? Do you have a warm bed to sleep in? Do you have someone that cares for you? Is there someone that looks up to you? Thank God. There are a lot of people who don't have what you have.





Godliness with contentment equals peace.