Milestones and Road Signs...and the Giveaway Continues!

I had some sweet family members and friends put up several signs in my neighborhood to alert everyone that I was turning 40. I loved it! There was a sign greeting me just about every 50 feet or so.  (I loved them so much, I didn't take them down until last night!) 

As I approached the entrance to the neighborhood, I saw these two signs together and I was struck:

One sign marks a milestone. The other is a road sign.

They both are significant.

The milestone promotes reflection. It is a time to look back, to evaluate, to celebrate, to remember, to give thanks.

The road sign provides direction. It requires looking ahead, gaining perception, making goals, following instructions.

We need both in this life:  milestones and road signs.

I desire to reflect and give thanks and celebrate.

I remember the days long ago.

I reflect on all that you have done.

I carefully consider what your hands have made.

  I stretch out my hands to you in prayer.   Psalm 143: 5-6

But I can't wait to look ahead and expect and see what lies ahead.

The revelation of God is whole

and pulls our lives together.

The signposts of God are clear

and point out the right road.

The life-maps of God are right,

showing the way to joy.

The directions of God are plain

and easy on the eyes.   Psalm 19: 7 - 9

Spend some time today thinking about your milestones AND your road signs. 

We need reflection and direction.

Don't forget to comment here if you want to enter for the giveaway...

I am giving away THREE books that have hugely ministered to me deeply this year and a Starbucks gift card (that ministers to me, too!)

The THREE books:
One Thousand Gifts by Ann Voskamp
What Happens When Women Say Yes to God by Lysa TerKeurst
Sun Stand Still by Steven Furtick

Here's how you can enter to win:
1. Leave a comment on this blog and if you are feeling punchy, I would love to hear a subject you would love for me to blog about.

2. Spread the word about his giveaway via Social Media -
Facebook, Twitter, etc. and let me know that you did that by leaving a comment.  (Use the share link at the top of the page)

3. Follow me on Twitter (@kelliwommack). If you do already, thanks and let me know that !

4. Follow this blog by either signing up for it via email, Google Reader, or Networked blogs.  (You can do this all via the side bar.) Let me know that you did this by leaving a comment. If you already do, let me know that!

I will close the giveaway, Sunday, October 15 at 5 pm...and announce winners on my Monday blogpost.  I would love for you to win!

Unwrapping the gifts of reflection and direction,

Kelli

So Glad I Don't Have to "Like" God to Follow Him

Although I do LOVE God, I am grateful that I didn't have to click a "Like" button to follow His newsfeed or @mention Him on Twitter to get Him to recognize me. 

A few months ago I had all but written off social media. I was fed up with Facebook, and not willing to figure out Twitter or Google + or anything else. I felt like it was meaningless, time-consuming, and honestly, irritating. I didn't want to update my status when I was doing laundry, watching paint dry or going to the grocery store. The only time I wanted to post anything was when I felt I had some great contribution to society (which was rare.)  

And then it happened. I decided to start blogging....again. I had started a couple of years ago, and my sanguine personality started with a bang and ended with a fizzle. So, here I go again. If anything, this blog could serve as a journal for what God was doing in my life. One of my first few posts was How God Used the Food Network to Speak To Me . I had such a great time writing it, and then found out that others enjoyed reading it.  Really? I was asked to guest post for a popular Christian speaker and author Sheila Gregoire . This was crazy. My She Speaks Conference friends encouraged me to create a Facebook page and join Twitter to have links to my blog. Whaaaaa? When I had a publisher show interest in my book idea, her next question was, "Do you have a platform?" Platform meaning how many social media followers or readers do I  have.  My answer of "60 or so" did not seem to impress.  (Ha!) So, I officially joined the social media craze. Not because I really wanted to, but simply because I felt it was a necessary evil.

My distaste for the internet and social media stemmed from the idea that I felt the enemy had gained ground because of these things. Consuming our time. Focusing our minds on "un"lovely things. Distracting us from our priorities, especially God. However, when I began to dig deeper and I read more blogs, joined Twitter, and followed others' Facebook pages, I realized something. 

"(The enemy) meant to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives." Genesis 50:20

Now I know that the enemy is still using the Internet to gain strongholds in peoples' lives, but God is using it to accomplish His good! Christians are utilizing the Internet and social media to encourage, equip, empower, and evangelize. What a method for His message! The first time someone commented on my blog and asked for prayer, I was thrilled. What a way to minister! So my sour reaction to social media has now turned into a enjoyable challenge to determine how I will share God's love and story through the keyboard each day. I have titled my blog, Unwrapping the Gifts of God in hopes of helping readers understand that  we can see the gifts of His presence, purpose, and power in everything if we are willing to unwrap those gifts. I want to pray with and for readers, get to know them, encourage them in their walk, and help them see God. I am just a messenger for the King. 

So, I am thankful that I don't have to click a "Like" button to follow God's Word or @mention Him to get him to notice me on Twitter. I am so grateful that my God "hears when I call to Him." Psalm 4:3. I love it that He knows what I am going to say, even before I say it. And I enjoy the gift of His presence...at all times.  And that's what I want to share with you through this avenue of social media. So that if you choose to tweet, Facebook, read blogs, that is great. But when you turn off the computer, I want you to know that God loves you very much and He is always there for you. A "Like" button is not required.

Please allow me to minister to you today. Comment below so that I can pray for you. Or if you want to comment about social media, feel free.  

Thank you for the gift of your readership.  I do not take it for granted.

Kelli