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Date: Thu, 15 Jul 2010 11:38:37 +0000
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- -- Thursday, 7/15/10 -- DON'T MAKE EXCUSES -- Judges 4:1-5 [1 Update]
http://groups.google.com/group/takeaminute/t/db05daccee6c057d
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Topic: -- Thursday, 7/15/10 -- DON'T MAKE EXCUSES -- Judges 4:1-5
Url: http://groups.google.com/group/takeaminute/t/db05daccee6c057d
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From: "J.R. & Bonnie Ricks" <j-r-and-bonnie@dogwoodministries.org>
Date: Jul 14 04:52PM -0500
Url: http://groups.google.com/group/takeaminute/msg/428c43685c772337
Take a Minute is a daily devotional ministry of
Dogwood Ministries, Inc.
If you need prayer. contact our partners in ministry.
SJ Ministries - Ministry of Prayer <http://sjministries.co.uk/>
Or simply send your request to SJMinistries@aol.com
All other requests, please see the end of the devotional
for Dogwood Ministries addresses
Dear Friends,
Since my heart attack last year, I have not been able to return to my small
fabricating business at all. It looks like - because I cannot tolerate the
heat involved - that I may not be able to do it again ever. I dedicated the
money that I made from this small business to supporting the ministry for
the last several years. I'm not sure exactly what I will be able to find
that I can physically do to make up for this loss.
I am writing to you today to tell you that Bonnie has restarted a small
business that she had a few years ago, and I would like to tell you more
about it.
At one time, Bonnie was a very talented sculptor. Unfortunately, she was
misdiagnosed for several years, and then found that she had carpal tunnel
syndrome in both hands. By the time it was correctly diagnosed, she had lost
50% of the neurological function and strength in both hands. This has made
sculpting impossible. However, she started making costume jewelry as sort
of a "therapy" after her surgeries. It became fairly popular among our
local folks, and she sold quite a bit at the local craft shows. She gave it
up when we decided to tackle the writing project with which we've been
involved for the last couple of years.
Now that the writing project is completed, she has decided to start making
jewelry again. She is so talented, and this gives her an outlet to express
her talents. Her jewelry is available on a website which address I'll give
you at the end of this note. She has decided to do this and dedicate the
income from it to help make up the shortfall that we have experienced in the
ministry support. We're both of the belief that all of our talents and what
they produce should be used to serve the Lord and, hopefully, this endeavor
will allow us to continue the ministry's programs in full force. I've always
been of the belief that when God closes one door, He always opens another.
So, in faith, we will step through this door and see how God has planned to
use it.
If you'd like to see some of Bonnie's creations, you can go to either of
these addresses: http://www.shophandmade.com/store/bonniesbaubles/ OR
http://bonniesbaubles.shophandmade.com and take a look. She has 79 pieces
and/or sets uploaded to the store right now and will be adding things from
time to time. If you like the things that you see, please be sure and share
this site with your friends. We look forward to seeing how God will use this
new endeavor for His Kingdom.
I would like to also take this opportunity to thank all of our dedicated
supporters who make this ministry possible with your prayers and your
financial support.
God bless you all. and thank you.
J.R.
DON'T MAKE EXCUSES -- Judges 4:1-5 NIV
After Ehud died, the Israelites once again did evil in the eyes of the
LORD. So the LORD sold them into the hands of Jabin, a king of Canaan, who
reigned in Hazor. The commander of his army was Sisera, who lived in
Harosheth Haggoyim. Because he had nine hundred iron chariots and had
cruelly oppressed the Israelites for twenty years, they cried to the LORD
for help.
Deborah, a prophetess, the wife of Lappidoth, was leading Israel at that
time. She held court under the Palm of Deborah between Ramah and Bethel in
the hill country of Ephraim, and the Israelites came to her to have their
disputes decided.
Deborah was unique. She was, first of all, a woman in a man's world. She
was a female in a patriarchal society. And she was a Hebrew. With two big
strikes against her, she could have just thrown in the towel without even
trying. After all, no one would have faulted her if she'd just stayed at
home and taken care of her normal business. She might have raised a few
children, tended the goats, kept the tent tidy and had a little
fabric-dyeing business on the side. She could have led a nice, normal,
stress-free life.
But God had other plans for Deborah. First, He made her a prophetess. Then
He made her a judge. Then He put her in charge of the armies of Israel,
allowing her not only to lead the people to victory, but to lead Israel back
to God. Deborah could have made excuses for her situation. She could have
looked at herself and her circumstances and said, "I'm just a woman. I
can't do this. Go find someone else." But she didn't.
The other thing Deborah didn't do was deny her position as a woman and a
wife. She didn't walk away from her family and her responsibilities. She
didn't divorce Lappidoth so she could join the army and be President.
Instead, she lived up to all the responsibilities that God gave her, both
private and public.
And she didn't make excuses. For anything.
Whether you are a man or a woman, take an example from Deborah on how to
live a life that is pleasing to God. Don't deny the responsibilities God
has given you in order to take on others. And don't make excuses when God
tells you to do something. He knows your circumstances. He knows what's
going on. He knows who you are. He knows your limitations. What you need
to remember is that He doesn't have any limitations, so keep your focus on
Him and watch in awe at what He can do with your life.
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General correspondence or to subscribe to Take a Minute:
J-R-and-Bonnie@dogwoodministries.org
Donations to Dogwood Ministries: http://www.dogwoodministries.org
<http://www.dogwoodministries.org/>
Personal correspondence to Bonnie Ricks: bonnie@dogwoodministries.org
Personal correspondence to J.R. Ricks: j-r@dogwoodministries.org
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