Faith Talk
Zipper Bags and Index Cards
I think two of the most underrated spiritual tools available today are: zipper bags and index cards. Now I know compared to all the digital information at our fingertips they might seem outdated, but hear me out.
I must admit that my love for paper products does not begin and end with index cards.
Although I use digital media all the time (I’m not a total dinosaur!) I still prefer to sit down and open a book, and although the laptop is invaluable for writing, I like to write everything first on paper, preferably a good, ol’ yellow pad and then put it in the computer from there. Its no surprise I guess that I would value these two tools so highly. I like to keep some index cards handy to write down a particular verse I might want to focus on for the day, and index cards are really great for making Scripture memory cards. I made a set and used them to pray for my son with Scriptures related to what he was going through during a particular time.
But my favorite use for index cards and zipper bags is to put together a “Storm Kit”. A “Storm Kit” is a collection of quotes or specific verses you find encouraging and comforting during a difficult season. So, what is a storm? I think of it as a crisis situation that causes you to panic or be afraid. It may come on quickly and you may have little or no time to prepare, or it may be a building storm you’ve been expecting to break for a while. Sometimes when a storm hits you don’t have time or presence of mind to be looking up Scriptures or call someone else for encouragement.
I made my storm kit a few years ago. This summer, I will celebrate 20 years as an early breast cancer survivor/ thriver. It was at one of my routine, annual screenings that I was faced with a fearful situation. They seemed to be taking longer than usual to come out and give me the “all clear” and eventually they came out and said they needed to make more pictures. I felt panic rising and it only increased as I waited. Thankfully, I was able to get my prayer warrior friend on the phone and she helped me calm down, but what if I had not been able to reach her?
Thankfully, everything was fine, they were just being extra thorough which I appreciated. But that’s when I decided I needed a Storm Kit so that anytime I found myself in a situation where I needed comfort from God’s Word, it would be right there at my fingertips. Just look for Scriptures and quotes that you find to be encouraging, write them on your cards and pop them in a zipper bag. Keep them in your purse, car or backpack. You could also make a digital list on your phone or have a particular website you go to, but a wifi signal, cell service or battery power are all considerations if you go the digital route. Whatever method you choose, be prepared. In stormy weather don’t leave home without your Storm Kit!
Although I use digital media all the time (I’m not a total dinosaur!) I still prefer to sit down and open a book, and although the laptop is invaluable for writing, I like to write everything first on paper, preferably a good, ol’ yellow pad and then put it in the computer from there. Its no surprise I guess that I would value these two tools so highly. I like to keep some index cards handy to write down a particular verse I might want to focus on for the day, and index cards are really great for making Scripture memory cards. I made a set and used them to pray for my son with Scriptures related to what he was going through during a particular time.
But my favorite use for index cards and zipper bags is to put together a “Storm Kit”. A “Storm Kit” is a collection of quotes or specific verses you find encouraging and comforting during a difficult season. So, what is a storm? I think of it as a crisis situation that causes you to panic or be afraid. It may come on quickly and you may have little or no time to prepare, or it may be a building storm you’ve been expecting to break for a while. Sometimes when a storm hits you don’t have time or presence of mind to be looking up Scriptures or call someone else for encouragement.
I made my storm kit a few years ago. This summer, I will celebrate 20 years as an early breast cancer survivor/ thriver. It was at one of my routine, annual screenings that I was faced with a fearful situation. They seemed to be taking longer than usual to come out and give me the “all clear” and eventually they came out and said they needed to make more pictures. I felt panic rising and it only increased as I waited. Thankfully, I was able to get my prayer warrior friend on the phone and she helped me calm down, but what if I had not been able to reach her?
Thankfully, everything was fine, they were just being extra thorough which I appreciated. But that’s when I decided I needed a Storm Kit so that anytime I found myself in a situation where I needed comfort from God’s Word, it would be right there at my fingertips. Just look for Scriptures and quotes that you find to be encouraging, write them on your cards and pop them in a zipper bag. Keep them in your purse, car or backpack. You could also make a digital list on your phone or have a particular website you go to, but a wifi signal, cell service or battery power are all considerations if you go the digital route. Whatever method you choose, be prepared. In stormy weather don’t leave home without your Storm Kit!
Name Dropper
Even though Dennis was a pastor and you think of having to move often in that profession, we were blessed to live in one location, serving one church for over 20 years. This saw our boys through the reset of elementary school, middle school and high school with the same group of friends. It was wonderful! We had friends through our church, through my involvement in the boy’s schools and also through Dennis’ work with the volunteer fire department.
Things have changed now, but at that point in time everyone knew everyone there. One Saturday night while we were away, our son decided to have a little “get together”. Let’s just say it got a little crowded with cars parked all over and teens coming and going. At some point during the evening one of our town police officers dropped by. He stopped his car on the street in front of our house and someone alerted our son.
He quickly went outside to talk with the officer. He introduced himself, and then quickly proceeded to drop his Father’s name! He said, “You might know my dad, Dennis King, he’s in the fire department. The officer did indeed know Dennis and left confident that everything was ok. I’m sure there was a big sigh of relief from our son.
You know we have an even greater privilege. We have access to our Father’s name, and not only access but the right to use it because we believe in His name. John 1:12 tells us, “Yet to all who did receive Him, to those who believed in His name, He gave the right to become children of God.” This verse says that believing in His name is where our Identification comes from. In Proverbs 18:10 we are told, “The name of the Lord is a fortified tower; the righteous run to it and are safe. This implies strong protection, a place to find safety.
John 14:13 reminds us that whatever we ask in His name He will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. There is massive provision there. All of these benefits: identity, protection, provision and SO much more are ours through His name. Don’t be afraid to use it with boldness……..it’s ok to be a name dropper!
Things have changed now, but at that point in time everyone knew everyone there. One Saturday night while we were away, our son decided to have a little “get together”. Let’s just say it got a little crowded with cars parked all over and teens coming and going. At some point during the evening one of our town police officers dropped by. He stopped his car on the street in front of our house and someone alerted our son.
He quickly went outside to talk with the officer. He introduced himself, and then quickly proceeded to drop his Father’s name! He said, “You might know my dad, Dennis King, he’s in the fire department. The officer did indeed know Dennis and left confident that everything was ok. I’m sure there was a big sigh of relief from our son.
You know we have an even greater privilege. We have access to our Father’s name, and not only access but the right to use it because we believe in His name. John 1:12 tells us, “Yet to all who did receive Him, to those who believed in His name, He gave the right to become children of God.” This verse says that believing in His name is where our Identification comes from. In Proverbs 18:10 we are told, “The name of the Lord is a fortified tower; the righteous run to it and are safe. This implies strong protection, a place to find safety.
John 14:13 reminds us that whatever we ask in His name He will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. There is massive provision there. All of these benefits: identity, protection, provision and SO much more are ours through His name. Don’t be afraid to use it with boldness……..it’s ok to be a name dropper!
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