BLOG BLITZ: BATTLE PRAYERS AND A GIVEAWAY

March 23, 2022Leave a comment

Welcome to the Blog Blitz for Battle Prayers by Michael Klassen and Thomas Freiling, hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!

Do the unending obstacles you face make you feel like you’re in a constant spiritual battle? Arm yourself with 100 prayers that will uplift and encourage you during the difficult moments of life.

It can be difficult to find the right words when you’re praying through hard times. In Battle Prayers, find a classic model to lift your prayers to God, not only for yourself, but others.

Each prayer is woven together with Scripture, reminding you that the answers to your struggles can be found in God’s Word and by listening to Him. Battle Prayers:

1. Shows how the power of prayer can lead you to find lasting encouragement

2. Provides inspiration and theological accuracy

3. Offers prayers ideal for helping move the mountains that can sometimes stand in between us and God

Whether a gift or for yourself, this volume of 100 prayers features:

1. Specific Scriptures and cross-references to other prayers in the book for additional encouragement

2. First-person prayers addressed directly to God, ideal for reading aloud during morning, evening, or devotional prayer time

3. A helpful and encouraging Appendix: “The 10 Essential Qualities of an Effective Battle Prayer”

Prayer doesn’t stop with the “Amen,” and is merely the beginning of deeper, daily, more meaningful communication with our Creator. Find peace in stress, healing for broken relationships, and protection for your loved ones in this essential volume of prayers.

PURCHASE LINKS*:Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Book Depository | IndieBound | ChristianBook | BookBub

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EXCERPT

YEARNING FOR MORE OF JESUS

My soul yearns, even faints,

for the courts of the LORD; 

my heart and my flesh cry out 

for the living God.

(Ps. 84:2 NIV)

Dearest Jesus, I bring before You what is both a request and a gift.

A request, because it benefits me. A gift, because it pleases You.

My heart’s desire is for more of You. I readily confess that my ceaseless wanderings have proven that, apart from Your presence, I am spiritually bankrupt. Only in You have I found eternal life and truth (John 14:6). Only in You have I found the way to the Father’s heart (John 14:6), and apart from You I have no good thing (Ps. 16:2).

You were the one whom the psalmist longed for:

Whom have I in heaven but you?

And earth has nothing I desire besides you. My flesh and my heart may fail,

but God is the strength of my heart and my

portion forever.

(Ps. 73:25–26 NIV)

Jesus, I desire only You because you are the strength of my heart and everything I will ever need— forever. My soul cries out for more of You, because only in You do I find true purpose and meaning. You alone fit perfectly the God- shaped hole I so often try to fill with worldly and selfish pursuits.

So, I echo John the Baptist’s words: May You increase, and I decrease (John 3:30). May You grow in me as I become less. And as I become less, live Your life through me. Only in that kind of life am I truly pleasing in Your sight.

Taken from “Battle Prayers” by Michael Klassen and Thomas Freiling. © 2022 Michael Klassen and Thomas Freiling. Derived from material previously published in Prayers to Move Your Mountains  

(ISBN 9780785286523, © 2000). Used with permission from Thomas Nelson. Thomasnelson.com.

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TOUR GIVEAWAY

(1) winner will receive a print copy of Battle Prayers!

Full tour schedule linked below. Giveaway began at midnight March 23, 2022 and will last through 11:59 PM EST on March 30, 2022. Winner will be notified within 2 weeks of close of the giveaway and given 48 hours to respond or risk forfeiture of prize. US only. Void where prohibited by law or logistics.

Giveaway is subject to the policies found here.

ENTER GIVEAWAY HERE

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Follow along at JustRead Tours for a full list of stops!

The Giving Manger Giveaway!

Disclaimer: I received this complimentary product as a member of the Homeschool Review Crew.

Tis the season to be thankful…falalalala As the holidays draw near, I feel like it is so important for us to take a step back from all of the commercialism, all of the worldly stuff that it is so easy to get caught up in and to bless the Lord. The Bible tells us that every good and perfect gift comes from the Father of Lights – We are also told that God loves a cheerful giver. Perhaps now is a good time to revisit what it means and how we can be that cheerful giver. WorthyKids has developed a wonderful way to do just that with The Giving Manger.

So what exactly is The Giving Manger and how does it work? This is a super sweet set that comes with a hardcover book, a manger, straw and a Baby Jesus. We can help our families to shift the focus from getting to giving as we seek out those opportunities to be a blessing to others. For every kind deed that is done, we place a piece of straw into the manger. What a beautiful tradition to begin with your whole family. Maybe even some close friends!

The storybook, written by Allison Hottinger, shares with our children how much joy can be had from giving. Follow Anne and Ben whose family doesn’t have much financially but always enjoyed a special gift each year made by their father. One morning their father announced their new tradition – the gift of giving – developing the heart of a servant. Just like that of Jesus.

While in the beginning this giving manger didn’t seem like such a wonderful thing to Ben and Anne – as we walk with them we see how both begin to learn and grow. As straw filled the manger, eyes were opened to how simple it is to give – folded laundry, a hot meal to eat, a kind note to a sibling. As they begin to give, they experience a joy within that grows them all the more into the image of our loving God.

Every day beginning on the first of December, look of opportunities to do a kind deed or look more closely for your children’s kind deeds being done to others. Keep the manager in an open space, a reminder of the heart off the Lord, finding ways to bless others wherever you may be. Not sure how to give? In the back of the book explore Manger Moments. This is an amazing list full of ideas that can really help our kids (adults too) to get those giving juices flowing. 🙂

Matthew 25:40 says, “Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.”

Having grown up in a home which service work was simply a part of what we did, I know how powerful those experiences can be. To take time, to go out of our way some days, to be a help to someone in need. Certainly this has become much more challenging in our current political climate however, this is the time that it means so much more to offer someone your time and your service. Thinking outside of the box, we can be sure to find many ways to reach out to others, showing the love of Jesus.

We have read and continue to read this book together! I love how much my youngest daughter especially enjoys this story and the lovely, simple illustrations in the book. One example is a recent connection with made with the director of From Home To Heroes, a small but love filled project to give to our service men and women. We are working with our little hygge group to become involved in this one!

But it doesn’t always have to be about the “stuff”. With so many distractions, we must be intentional about how we spend our time and our money. For the Kingdom of God is not meat and drink but righteousness and joy and peace. There are simple, powerful ways that we can share that every day. Without a doubt materials like this can be enjoyed all year round. We may even keep this out as a vivid reminder, all year long, that to give is better than to receive. ❤

Colossians 3:17 Whatever you do, in word or in deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus,

WorthyKids is eager to bless others with a giveaway of The Giving Manger kit to one of my blessed readers! Click on the link below to enter! Open to those in the United States Only!  

Don’t forget to click on the banner below to read reviews from other members of the Review Crew who had the chance to use this wonderful set.

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Disclaimer- I received this complimentary product through the Homeschool Review Crew.

Everyone who knows me, knows how much I love a good book. Through the years, I have been carefully cultivating a small library within our home that my family can enjoy through the years. While I long ago ran out of room, I still dream and create places here and there for the books that we so love. One of those that really excited me was,  Everybody, Always for Kids by Bob Goff and Lindsey Goff Viducich from Tommy Nelson Publishing. Along with this study hardcover book, we also received a PDF Everybody Always, For Kids Five Day Lesson Plan to help take action. While this is recommended for ages 6-10, I feel this is something every age can enjoy. In this season, with its many challenges, it is good to strive to grow a heart that seeks to love everybody always. At every age and stage of life.

My girls were especially excited when this one arrived; look at this cover. It is just so FUN and so very colorful! Who doesn’t love paint and derby cars and big smiles? The colors along, so bright, catch your eye and invite you in!

I stumbled onto Bob Goff’s Everybody, Always and just loved his honest and encouraging stories that invite us in and remind us of the value of kindness and the power of loving one another authentically. I had planned to get my hands on his book, Love Does for kids and while I still plan to do so, this is definitely inviting and engaging for all of us, from my 6 year old to my 15 year old.

There are forty stories in this precious book and each one is both beautifully written and illustrated. Every page is a place for discussion and exploration. Add in lesson plans that help to make the stories more alive and tangible for each age.

We read about cake pops – did you know you can love everybody through something as simple as a cake pop? And skydiving – how is that for a lesson in fearlessness?

My son was fascinated to find as we read that scuba divers will take big, empty balloons and tie them to whatever heavy things are on the bottom of the ocean – what an amazing thing that those balloons, filed with air while underwater, can life some pretty heavy stuff all the way to the surface. The lesson in this? Jesus loves those who are hurting and those who did the hurting. He is always looking to bring us up!

There are so many powerful stories just like that in the pages of this book. Stories that remind us of the love that God has for us and for everyone else. We are encouraged to grow in His word, to go out and show love to others – planting seeds – faith, hope and love. The greatest of these is love.

My kids fight. A lot. We have really been struggling with taming our tongue, showing kindness and love. Being quick to forgive. I do believe that is through real life stories, examples for our children to hear and see, that we learn those powerful lessons. But we cannot stop there. We must be wiling to have eyes that see the needs of those around us, even those unspoken needs; we must have feet that are quick to go to those who are within our reach. Love them like Jesus. It doesn’t have to be hard, or costly – We can just love them with all we have and when we know that Jesus is all we need, it will be enough.

Tommy Nelson Publishing on Social Media:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/tommynelsonbooks
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rootedfamily/
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/rootedfamily/_created/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC8czPXeM9a-OULnyks60How

This was a blessing to many other members of the Review Crew; click on the banner below to read about their experiences and thoughts with this book and the lesson plans too! ❤

Caught or Taught?

There are many times that we have students in our home who come to study through international exchange programs. This year is no different. We have a sweet young lady from France who recently arrived. She is soft spoken, gentle, curious about all these new things she is being introduced to. Church, food, children, home learning….It is all so new and exciting for her! (and us too truth be told)

 

 

Today, to celebrate two of our children’s birthdays we headed to Green Bay; it was a day of riding amusement park rides, eating pizza and cotton candy and visiting with grandparents and great grandparents. Since we see them so seldom it is always a treat for the children to get to spend a day with them. Card games and cribbage and so much to talk about!

 

One of those things is Jesus. The great grandparents are not familiar with the joy of the Lord; they know nothing of this great life changing faith.  Nor do our exchange students most of the time. Often there are some awkward moments (mostly with my mother in law) who unfortunately (?) sees every encounter with others as an opportunity to tell them what they must do to be saved. While some may admire the way she “preaches to all” I fear it catches very few.

 

No doubt we are commanded to go and teach and preach boldly the message of the Gospel. Yet I ponder as I listened to her today telling our student and “unsaved” family about how they just dress and what they must do . .. Are we teaching or are we catching, for Jesus?

 

There is a difference. We are called to be fishers of men, We are called to teach. Certainly there are many out there who have a need. The question is, do they see this need? We can preach to every person we meet, every day, every place but if they do not see for themselves, this need for Christ…

 

Humility. It is humility that draws other to see a difference and to desire what we have. Certainly I do believe that we are to dress in a way that is pleasing to the Lord; I believe that there is a way to be saved and I have no doubt that we must be obedient to the commands of our Lord.

 

 

But what does it profit, to tell someone who does not even know Him, how they must be saved? We cannot preach modesty, spiritual gifts, salvation or any other, to those who do not yet desire the milk of the Word.

 

 

I jokingly said to someone that the difference between catching someone and teaching someone is that, when you catch them, they aren’t completely willing. Perhaps they sit and listen for a time; maybe they agree with some of what you say, but they are not seeking. They may be pacifying – seeking to keep peace – they do not feel invited though so much as they perhaps feel trapped.

 

 

Teaching on the other hand, is something that happens when someone is pursuing a curiosity. Those we meet, as we learn of them and they learn of us, we are teaching. They are teaching. We learn and share, gently, together. We show the humility of Jesus. It is our work to encourage and inspire them; just as he served so ought we to serve. In humility.

 

Perhaps there are times we believe we are being humble; we ought to be cautious though. Why are we speaking? Is it out of pride because we feel we know more? Do we speak in a way that makes our faith sound tiresome? I consider the times I have engaged in conversation about the things I do, the ways I do them … Was I glorifying Him or me?

 

 

 

Can we stop and consider if we are being gentle and patient. Let us not be as the Pharisees – telling others all that we do and seeking glory from man – let us rather show grace. To them and to one another. We all have so much to learn. As I read and study more and more about the meekness and humility of Christ, I am sure, that there is so much more I must learn. I have no doubt we must pray more and more for humility and for meekness, of Christ, within ourselves.

 

 

And so this is my prayer. I do not want to catch them. I want to walk with them. I do not want to be in a hurry. I do not want to be bothered by all that they “need” to know and to do. I want to know them, as He knows them. Learning of them as they learn of Him. Walking by faith in patience and in love. One step at a time. ❤

 

 

Live On Forever CD Review ~~ TheAfters

I have to admit I wasn’t sure what to expect when I received a copy of The Afters CD for review. Honestly, I tend to be one of those old fashioned types; I prefer the simple and sweet music. No bells and whistles for me thank you very much. But I will say this impressed me with their constant and bold messages of faith; continual reminders that God alone os our refuse and fortress. It is in HIM that we are strong.

 

 

The Afters were founded by Joshua Havens (vocals/guitar/keyboard) and Matt Fuqua (guitar/backing vocals), when these two musicians (previously baristas at Starbucks in Mesquite, Texas) began to play for customers at the local coffee shop. I can only imagine how amazing that might have been; to be present with a delicious and soothing cup o java and some praise and worship music right at the side!

 

 

The Afters emerged out of some amazing circumstances with a testimony to speak. This is their fifth album and is beautifully entitled Live On Forever. Through the  loss of a loved one, a bad diagnosis, The Afters continue to stand strong. It is through their hardships, heartaches and pain that they emerge stronger than before in their faith, in their relationships and as a musical group too. The group is such a telling reminder of how our trials can only increase our strength and trust in God! How great is HIs faithfulness and mercy to those who are faithful to Him.

 

I love this quote from Haven:

 

“It’s about standing up against fear and knowing God is always with us.  It’s one of the takeaways we hope people get: ‘Don’t give up to fear.’ That captures the theme of the whole record and stands out as representing what we want it to be.”

 

 

 

 

These songs really are so good! I love how again and again the message remains the same; we are strong in Christ. We need only trust in Him, turn to Him in all situations. It is a bit more “rock and roll” than I would like but we did enjoy this CD and continue to enjoy the messages within every song. It is a constant blessing in its own way to al of us (my oldest son who is 10 and my daughter who is 5) just love singing along to these precious and powerful messages!

 

 

 

The Afters are scheduled for a 40+ City Tour with the Newsboys starting September 22nd. Check the links below for Tour Dates and cities near you.

 

Where to Buy-links:

iTunes: http://www.smarturl.it/LOFAlbum-iTunes

Google Play:  http://www.smarturl.it/LOFAlbum-GPlay

Amazon:  http://www.smarturl.it/LOFAlbum-Amazon

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/album/4sVbYL5y6d2nMX2H5LggGx

 

Get Connected with The Afters:

Official website: www.theafters.com

twitter.com/theafters

facebook.com/theafters

instagram.com/theaftersofficial

Night, Night Farm ~ FlyBy Promotions Review

We love books. My little girls (18 months and 5 years old) love to snuggle up and read a good book with momma.
So I was so excited to have the chance to review a copy of  Night, Night Farm. 

We have had this one in our house for awhile now and it has been a huge hit from the moment it arrived. It’s a traveling companion as we are out and about.

Its a favorite read for sure; we enjoy it at bedtime, even during the daytime hours! 🙂

Between teaching on thankfulness and on farm animals, there is so much we enjoy about this book.

 

This is a super sweet and very colorful book; the story is so simple and yet so powerful.

 

 

As we read, we see each little one,from the kittens to the cows, thanking God for those little things that are a part of our every day.

How often do we forget to thank God for those little things? Apples and good dreams (my daughter prays for good dreams every night now) and for momma and daddy; warm beds and baths and the moon….

 

This is a wonderful little board book; a soft padded cover and so many bright colors and images to see! Very eye catching  ~ this is one I would grab for a closer at the bookstore…  Just to see more  The illustrations are done by Virginia Allyn and they are so amazing.

 

 

 We have solutely adore this book! If we paid at the beautiful illustrations. And every page is such a sweet words. And let’s not forget the important lesson with in this little book. Let us thank the Lord for every little thing. Especially little ones.   

“I Love You Just Because” Review

“I Love You Just Because” by Donna Keith is a book about a family of bears; all very different yet all together in one place, for God’s purpose.

“Three very different bear cubs live together in one place,

Each chosen for these parents by God of love and grace.

And when the cubs ask why they’re loved, their parents often say,

‘We love you just because you are God’s gifts for whom we prayed.’”

 

This is such a wonderful lesson for all of us when we feel we just don’t belong or perhaps we cannot understand why we are where we are. Our family is such a blessing; God knits us together. How priceless, for our kids to know, that God chose them. To be my son and daughter. God chose them to be the brother and the sister. He chose their momma and their daddy. All things are by His design and for His purpose.

 

This book is full of sweet, gentle illustrations by Alison Edgson and rhyming text, “I Love You Just Because” will help little ones understand their parents’ love for them and God’s too.  That love isn’t something to be earned but that which is given. It is simple and unconditional. A true gift. With the same friendly bear family from Donna Keith’s first two books — “I Love You All the Same” and “I Love You Even When” — the sweet story of this book will remind you that family members love each other … just because. No matter how different we may be; no matter the struggles we may face, we all love one another. Always.

 

 
This 20-page board book is for children 4 to 8 years old and was published by Thomas Nelson on June 7, 2016.

 

 

 
Learn more about this book and others on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. Learn more about Donna Keith on Facebook.

Phil Wickham Children of God Album ~~ Review

 

 

All I hear lately is my little girl waltzing through the house, dancing and singing:

 

 

“You are my life you are my love
You are my reason
You are my hope you are my joy
You are my passion
My all in all Jesus my all in all’

 
We recently were super blessed with a copy of Phil Wickham’s latest CD, Children of God.

 

 

 

According to the story, a few months into writing this album, Phil was diagnosed with a vocal polyp, and had to have surgery to remove it. He was told he could not speak or sing for a month. He remained faithful in all of this and overcame with a reawakening in his heart. Just two weeks into the healing process he was told by doctors they didn’t see scarring and after some vocal therapy he was singing once again!  So now we can enjoy for ourselves his new sound and energy in praising God.  Phil Wickham is currently on tour, with a number of stops with “Chris Tomlin’s Night of Worship in America,” and a few others with a number of other artists.

 

 

 

 

My whole family truly loves this album! I personally, especially love, The Secret Place. For whatever reason lately my days have felt so long and I have felt so tired; weary and “not enough” for my family. So these lyrics truly ministered to me, because it was a reminder that in times like these I need to go to that secret place…

 

“Better is a moment that I spend with You, than a million other days away; I’m running….I’m running to the secret place”
This is just one of the many amazing, powerful songs that speak of God’s love and mercy and goodness.  Truly this whole album in some way reaches into our hearts and helps us to see truths we may not recognize; in turn these words encourage us to seek Him more and praise Him always.

 

Starmaker ~ He is the maker of all things! And here we can sing His praises:

 

 

 

“Standing high above Wrapped in light and crowned in love …. here with you we are amazed… I can’t look away… I am captivated….. sing in adoration,  You are holy….”

 

 

 

This really is an amazing album! These songs will reach out and warm so many with the variety of styles and the messages of love and grace and holiness!

 

 
Track Listing:

1. Doxology//Amen
2. Better Than Life
3. Your Love Awakens Me
4. The Secret Place (feat. Madison Cunningham)
5. Wide Awake
6. My All In All
7. Starmaker (High Above the Earth)
8. Children of God
9. Stand In Awe
10. Body Mind & Soul
11. As It Is In Heaven
12. Spirit of God

Enjoy one of the many amazing songs on this album – Your Love Awakens Me ❤

 

 

BUY YOURS HERE:

• iTunes
• 2. Amazon
• 3. Spotify

Phil Wickham on YouTube

PhilWickham.com

Simplify with Spirit

I’m freaking out lately. Lol

 

Maybe not really. But I am having a hard time accepting where my home is at right now.

 

Listening to the Homemakers  Online Conference, and reading Titus 2:3-5 I am inspired and encouraged to really live it out, showing in my life glory and honor to Him.  I am reminded, even in the mess, to thank Him for the blessing of my husband and four children, and my home.

 

 

Now I never had anyone to teach me how to love my husband and my children and my home. I never thought there was anything to keeping a home that needed to be taught. I mean this is so easy right? Super simple? ha-ha

 

I am surprised daily but how much is truly involved, Biblically, in keeping and managing our home if it is really showing Christ, within. I often think of what it means to have a Christ centered home. And truthfully when I imagine it, its not much like our home.

 

I have visions of this peaceful home where everyone always gets along, we are all happy, we all are gentle and kind and share…..If I make this my focal point, I will fail again and again at making my home a place that shows His love and light.

 

I remind myself this morning that its about our love for Him, its also about embracing the truth that is Him. Because He is the word and the word is Him. And we are His so we too are his word. He created the world with words; we create our world with our words.

 

So our home isn’t always what we imagine it to be but today (and my kids and I began our day this way) we will speak His words. We will speak of the Spirit.

 

M oldest wrote out a list of words that He has God speak to his life. He wrote of the joy God has given him, his love for worship and prayer and the word.  He wrote about him being enthusiastic, eager and loving of God. He wrote of how he was chosen by God. He was created by God in His image, to be His worker. These are precious words for a little man to write.  They are powerful too.

 

We must know who we are. Its so simple to organize our life by the very One who gave it to us. Who called us and inspired us. It is His Spirit that ought to guide everything every moment and every word. Its a new thing we are doing: To begin eat day speaking those words of life, God inspired, to ourselves, and to one another. To speak blessings just as those priests did, over their people, so shall we.

 

 

What can we do when bespeak and do in the Spirit instead of in the flesh? I had a to do list for this morning but instead I tore it up. I spent time in prayer and in worship and now I am writing this….In the Spirit. And my list has been written anew, in the Spirit, a list that encourages and only speaks what will be done.

 

We cannot complicate things; let us be done with making things so complex.

 

We are His masterpiece; we cannot fail for if He says we are mighty, we are mighty And He says so much about us. Let us embrace it and speak it ourselves!

 

Galaxy Buck: Mission to Sector 9 ~ FlyBy Promotions Review

We love Veggies Tales! And we love What’s in the Bible? too!!  So I was so excited (my kids were too) to see this one!  As my oldest son said, “Its like Star Trek preaching to the galaxy which is what they should be doing! This is them doing what God wants.”  Great little mind 🙂

 

 

Galaxy Buck: Mission to Sector 9 is a must-see for all ages.  A great new video from VeggieTales creator Phil Vischer! My oldest son loved all of the Star Wars and Star Trek implications he found in this one. And what a wonderful way to share what really matters; the value of sharing the love and purpose God has given us, with others. Galaxy Buck is a fabulous way to share deep truths in a way that is simple for all ages to understand.

 

This is such a fun movie! My kids all watched this one, a few times, and every time the laughs just kept coming!  Buck and his fellow crew members travel through deep space, to Sector 9, and along the way they learn some amazing and powerful lessons. In a way that is just super exciting!!

 

https://player.vimeo.com/video/139391452?wmode=opaque

 

 

 

“In only 40 minutes your children get to travel the galaxy, into deep space. Share Buck Denver’s simple dream – to save the galaxy. As he works for the Galactic Mission Board, he dreams of carrying God’s love to every corner of the Milky Way! Except he doesn’t have a starship. Or a crew. Or even a captain’s license. He just needs a chance. But when that chance comes and Buck finds himself leading a real mission into deep space, things don’t go at ALL like he imagined! If he’s doing what God wants him to do, why is everything going wrong?

 

 

From VeggieTales® and What’s in the Bible? creator Phil Vischer, Galaxy Buck: Mission to Sector 9 is a wild, galactic adventure that teaches kids a powerful lesson about trusting God with everything – even our dreams!”

 

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Sharing the love of God and the truth of His love for us makes everything that we do, no matter how small, bigger than we can ever imagine!  When we trust in God and follow Him everything that we do is BIG! ❤