Encourager of the Month ~ Jan’08

“For I long to see you, that I may impart to you some spiritual gift to strengthen you— that is, that we may be mutually encouraged by each other’s faith, both yours and mine.”
~ Romans 1:11-12 (ESVemphasis mine)

Sting My Heart Award

I haven’t given out the ‘Encourager of the Month’ award for some time now. Last time was July of 2007. I think it is time that I will start again giving out my little award. Of course my award is really nothing special, it is just an award from my heart…

The winner of January’s award is a very dear friend of mine. I can call her if I have a huge burden on my heart…I can email her when ever I need a prayer. She has been a co-author of Laced with Grace from the beginning in 2006 and she is wonderful prayer warrior…not only on my behalf, but on behalf of many women in bloggy-ville.

If you have never had the pleasure to read Lynn’s blog “Spiritually Unequal Marriage”, I encourage you to head on over to her blog. If you need prayers — well, she will storm the throne of grace on your behalf.

Lynn, I hope that you will accept my little award. You are a wonderful friend and an encourager to many in bloggy-ville. I am glad that the Lord saw it fit to cross our paths this side of heaven…

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What a Privilege

“Put on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony.” ~ Colossians 3:12-14 (ESV)

You know, it is a huge privilege to be part of a ever growing Christian blogging community. When I started blogging over 2 1/2 years ago, this was not the case. You had a few women who shared their faith on-line. There were always men blogging about their faith…but not many women. I am not sure what has changed, but I am loving it. If you sit down and really think about of what we are doing, sharing so openly on the world-wide-web, it leaves me speechless.

What truly is amazing to me though, is that we, as women, truly are a community of believers. We are not ‘hanging out’ our labels of denomination, but we are sharing Him, who loved us so much that He even died for us. We share faith, not doctrine. How cool is that? Isn’t that want Jesus would like to see? I think so. His Spirit dwells richly in the Christian women community. I praise Him for that.

Now you are wondering what inspired this Sunday post. An award that was given out to Sting my Heart over the past couple of weeks. Laurel, Elisa, Sharon (SWAW),Sharon (Quit Reflections), and Christian Moms Alliance saw it fit to give Sting my Heart this award:

mathetes award

“Mathetes is the Greek word for disciple, and the role of the disciple (per the Great Commission) is to make more disciples. In the spirit of this award, the rules are simple. Winners of this award must pick five other “Disciples” to pass it on to. As you pass it on, I just ask that you mention and provide links for (1) this post as the originator of the award (Dan King of management by God), (2) the person that awarded it to you, and then (3) name and sites of the five that you believe are fulfilling the role of a disciple of Christ…”

I am very honored to receive this award. I am glad that God is using my writings to encourage, disciple, and hopefully have a closer walk with our Lord and Savior.

Now to giving this award to others. Many of you have already received this award, so let me think…

  • Carol at She Lives — she is for me the Titus women Paul speaks about in his Titus 2 passage. I am glad that Carol is back blogging. Maybe a little lighter than before, but I am happy with anything she shares with us 🙂
  • E-Mom at Chrysalis — she always shares wonderful articles with us. I am thrilled that she has taken over “Marriage Mondays” (created by Christine at Fruit in Season) that will be hosted once a month.
  • Cyndi at One Day More — she is so inspiring to me with home-schooling her children; going on mission trips to share His Word with people around the world.
  • Leigh at Speaking Thru Me — she is someone who always makes me smile when I visit. Her posts are like what cheerleaders do when they ‘fire on’ the team.
  • Ruth at It’s True, sighed roo — she has such a sweet spirit. Some of her post of faith and following Him just blow me away.

There are so many other women out there that inspire me when they share their walk with Him, so I could have kept going…but I guess I have to follow the rules.

Thank you for allowing me to be part of God’s community. Be blessed today and as always…

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From the Bottom of My Heart…

Over the past several weeks, Sting My Heart received award nominations from these very dear ladies: Crystal, Dawn, Crystal, Sharon and Debbie. I didn’t mean to ignore your kindness toward my blog. Between finishing my first ever interview (more about that at the end of this month), working, being wife and mom, administering Laced with Grace, writing devotionals….well, I just haven’t had the time to respond.

I am so thankful that our Lord is using my little place on the Internet to encourage you…So, I want to thank you all from the bottom of my heart for these awards you graced Sting my Heart with:

Crystal (“God is in Control…NOT ME!”):

Thoughtful Award

  • “Iris -well Iris just blesses me every time she stops by which is quite often. I am so thankful for a sweet friend like her, plus she is helping me promote my CD she is such a great friend.”
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    Dawn (“Simplified Life”):

    Schmooze

  • “Here’s what the Power of Schmooze Award is all about: ‘As it goes, schmoozing is the natural ability “to converse casually, especially in order to gain an advantage or make a social connection.” Good schmoozers effortlessly weave their way in and out of the blogosphere, leaving friendly trails and smiles, happily making new friends along the way. They don’t limit their visits to only the rich and successful, but spend some time to say hello to new blogs as well. They are the ones who engage others in meaningful conversations, refusing to let it end at a mere hello – all the while fostering a sense of closeness and friendship.”
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    Crystal (“The Song of my Soul”):

    Inspirational

  • “Iris at Sting My Heart. Iris is another one I found just this year. She has a very inspiring testimony and I am always encouraged by her posts.”
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    Sharon (“Sit with Me Awhile”) & Debbie (“My Spot of Blog”):

    Nice

  • Sharon: “I am going to try and hit all the blogs I hit regularly. There is a reason why the are my regulars -they touch my heart, stir my mind, and they keep me on my toes(sometimes they step on them too).”
  • Debbie: “Iris from Sting My Heart is another most deserving. She gives of her time to encourage us ladies all over the blogosphere. If you’re not a regular reader of her blog, I suggest you go on over and check her out. I think you will agree with me.”
  • Thank you again for you kind words. I pray that God will continue to use Sting my Heart to encourage you…

    Be blessed today and as always…

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    Encourager of the Month ~ July’07

    For I long to visit you so I can bring you some spiritual gift that will help you grow strong in the Lord. When we get together, I want to encourage you in your faith, but I also want to be encouraged by yours. ~ Romans 1:11-12 (NLT)

    Sting My Heart Award

    I am sorry, I am little late this month for giving out my little award…I have been a little preoccupied (I’ll share a little more in my devotion at LWG on Wednesday why I have been busy)…

    This month’s recipient has been a huge encourager to me this past month. She already has gone through what I am going through right now–she has grown kids (didn’t realize how hard it is to let go and let God)…Anyway, she has a beautiful family and already has grandchildren. She has a sweet spirit and her blog is a comfort zone for me and many others…She lives in Texas (maybe that is why her heart is so big 😛 ) with her wonderful husband…

    Linda, thank you so much for encouraging me all.the.time…not only in July. You encouragement on your blog; your testimony that the world will still turn when the kids are out of the house has tremendously helped me over the past month and 1/2. Thank you for being such a blessing to others and especially to me. I hope that you will accept my little “Encourager of the Month” award…

    Blessings to you all — hope to see you all on Thursday…

    Sig Tag