Lessons from Daniel

"But Daniel resolved not to defile himself with the royal food and wine and he asked the chief official for permission not to defile himself  in this way." ~Daniel 1:8 (NIV) Okay, can we just talk about the example Daniel sets for us in the opening of the book of Daniel in the Bible? Here's a young man, probably a teenager, who is sticking to his morals in front of a king! I don't know about you, but if I were in Daniel's shoes I would probably be to afraid to stand up to a king! But, how many of us have already been in Daniel's shoes? No, we haven't stuck up for what we believe in front of a king, but what about in front of friends? Sharing your faith in that class at school when you know the teacher will not approve? Telling that guy or girl that you like where you stand on the whole dating thing? We are a generation who has to stick to our morals and I think Daniel gives us insight on how to do that.
 "Then Daniel returned to his house and explained the matter to his friends Hananiah, Mishael and Azariah. He urged them to plead for mercy from the God of heaven concerning this mystery, so that he and his friends might not be executed with the rest of the wise men of Babylon. During the night the mystery was revealed to Daniel in a vision. Then Daniel praised the God of heaven." ~Daniel 2:17-19 (NIV) I like these verses for a couple of reasons. First, Daniel shows us what it is like to have Christian friends that are there for us and will pray for and with us. After all the friends who pray together stay together. Second, Daniel shows us what we should do when a prayer is answered, PRAISE GOD!

In Daniel chapter 3:16-27, we see Daniel's friends really trusting in God! They would not bow to a false idol and were thrown in a blazing furnace! They never questioned God or backed down from their faith. So, what happened? GOD showed up in the furnace with them and protected them!!! Let me repeat that, GOD SHOWED UP IN THE FURNACE WITH THEM AND PROTECTED THEM!!! I don't know about you, but there are times in my life where I feel that I am walking in that blazing furnace all by myself. But the truth is that I'm not! God is with me and He always will be and He will always protect me!

"Daniel answered, 'May the king live forever! My God sent His angel, and he shut the mouths of the lions. They have not hurt me, because I was found innocent in his sight. Nor have I ever done any wrong before you, Your Majesty." ~Daniel 6:21-22 (NIV) Daniel obeyed authority. The only time he didn't was when a rule was passed that he couldn't pray to God. Daniel prayed to God anyways, but here's the catch, he prayed to God where EVERYONE could see him! He didn't hide in a corner and do it secretly. No, he wanted to show the world the God he served even when his life was in danger and God protected him. Again, how many of us pray in private cause it isn't the "cool" thing to do? We need to pray boldly and face the lions den head on knowing God will be with us always!

"Then he continued, 'Do not be afraid, Daniel. Since the first day that you set your mind to gain understanding and to humble yourself before your God, your words were heard, and I have come in response to them." ~Daniel 10:12 (NIV) I love this verse! Here we find Daniel being told that everything he has done God has seen and He hears Daniel! GOD HEARS Daniel! And GOD hears us too! God is with us always and He loves us! I hope these verses from Daniel have encouraged you like they have encouraged me!

Special Edition: Thanksgiving Greetings

Happy Thanksgiving!!!! I hope it is a wonderful day of happiness and thanks! I'm going to share some of the things I am thankful for.

•  My family. 
• My uncle being home
• My house and all the things that make it livable.
• My education. So many people do not get the chance to learn about what they love.
• The clothes I have.
• A car to get around in.
• My friends. Especially my partner in crime, my Anna to my Elsa, the girl who is always there for me, my travel buddy. Courtney.
• I'm thankful for different seasons.
• I'm most of all thankful for the God I serve and the fact that He loves me!

Shout for joy to the Lord, all the earth.
   Worship the Lord with gladness;
    come before him with joyful songs. 
Know that the Lord is God.
    It is he who made us, and we are his;
    we are his people, the sheep of his pasture.

 Enter his gates with thanksgiving
    and his courts with praise;
    give thanks to him and praise his name. 

 For the Lord is good and his love endures forever;
    his faithfulness continues through all generations.

Psalm 100 (NIV)

Could you spot a victim?

 Psalm 107:28-30, "Then they cried out to the Lord in their trouble, and he brought them out of their distress. He stilled the storm to a whisper; the waves of the sea were hushed. They were glad when it grew calm, and he guided them to their desired haven."
International Princess Project "Order cool punjammies (pj pants, capris or shorts) made by women freed from the red-light district."
Women At Risk International "Rescues women and children all over the world. They sell jewelry made by at-risk or rescued women."
Gospel For Asia "Reaching the slum kids and outcasts of society with hope, help and Jesus."
Polaris Project "Get posters and other materials here to raise awareness."
Unlikely Heroes
The A 21 Campaign
The Hope Soap Project 
 Hope for Justice
Exodus Cry
Twenty-seven million. That's how many people are enslaved in human trafficking around the world today! Human trafficking can take many forms. Forced labor, prostitution, and many other things. So, what can we do to help? There are links to websites that focus on putting an end to human trafficking. Here are some signs to look out for in a person who might be a victim of human trafficking:

• They suddenly drop out of activities they use to enjoy
• They miss school a lot or their grades suddenly drop
• They keep running away from home
• They show signs of drug addiction
• They have bruises, abrasions or other indications of physical abouse
• They have older, edgier relationships
• They suddenly have a lot of expensive stuff they normally couldn't afford.
• They have a new set of older, edgy friends who don't like authority and tend to avoid adults.

This is from Sisterhood Magazine "If you know someone who shows some of these signs, they may be a victim of abuse or trafficking. Ask them gently if they're in trouble and if they open up that they are, or especially if they respond in fear, call the human trafficking hotline. The hotline is available 24/7 and all calls are confidential. If you're not comfortable calling the hotline, tell an adult whom you trust and ask him or her to call with you. If you or someone you know is in immediate danger, call 911."
The Human Trafficking Hotline is 888-373-7888 or text HELP to BeFree (233733)
I wrote this because no one knows if or when they will be in a place where they will have to report human trafficking. I hope I have educated you, after all we have Twenty-seven million people counting on us to be their voice!

Operation Christmas Child time!

It's that time of year again! Operation Christmas Child! It's collection day at my local Lifeway Christian store. National Collection week starts on November 17th. I love doing these shoe boxes because children get Christmas and get to know about Jesus!

So, what goes into a shoe box?

• soap & washcloth
• toothpaste & toothbrush
• brush
• coloring book & crayons
• pens & pencils
• stuffed animal & small toys
• hard candy
• hat, sunglasses, & shirt
• personal letter
• Socks

What are the ages?

• 2 to 4
• 5 to 9
• 10 to 14

What not to put in a box?

• Chocolate & candy that can melt
• toys that look like weapons/army
• liquids

I hope this list helps and that you'll join in making a great Christmas for a child in need!

Special Edition: Veterans Day

"The Lord will fight for you; you need only to be still.” ~Exodus 14:14

Today is Veterans Day. I have always been thankful for the military and what the soldiers do so I have freedom. I spent Sunday night in the VA hospital, because of a family member, and I got the blessing of spending a couple of hours talking to a retired soldier. Hearing what he saw and some of the things he had to do made me appreciate the soldiers so much more! They are protecting strangers and risking their lives every day! When I was in Ohio for Spring Break last year, seeing the planes that were used in wars with the bullet holes was a real eye opener! So on this day, and every other day, pray for our soldiers and their families. And if you get the chance, thank a Veteran. They've done so much for us! Happy Veterans Day.

It's been a year!

One year ago today I sat in the back of my college math class, after class was over, and wrote the first post for A Traveler's Thoughts. At the time I didn't know if I was going to keep the blog or not. It was something I was just trying to see if people wanted to read about what I had to say.
Here we are a year later, thanks to all of you who read my posts! This blog wouldn't be here if it wasn't for you! A big thanks goes to Victoria over at Miss Tadoodles Corner for helping me with the set up of this blog.
Of course this blog would be nothing if it wasn't for God and my relationship with Him. He's given me a desire to share about Him and He is with me all the way!
I want to apologize for not posting regularly these past few weeks. I've been sick and school has been crazy. But, I'm back on schedule and next week we will be talking about Operation Christmas Child.
Again, thank you to everyone who reads these posts and likes my Facebook page and follows me on Twitter and Instagram! I can't wait to see what the next year looks like!
"The Lord is my Rock, my Fortress, my Deliverer, my God, my Stronghold in whom I take refuge, my Shield, the glory of my salvation, and my High Tower." ~Psalm 18:2