Brightening Our Path

We cannot hold a torch to light another person’s path without brightening our own.

Thought to be by Ben Sweetland

Every time we help another person through their trials and brighten someone else’s day, the light we shine always comes back to us. 
Any good deed we do does not come back empty.  A good deed done to another with the right intention brings glory to God and blessings our way.  If we do good deeds with the intention of bringing glory to ourselves, we get the reward from other people’s praise.  I would rather have my reward in Heaven.  What about you? 

Think about it.

Respect Your Elders

Gray hair is a crown of glory, it is gained in a righteous life.

Proverbs 16:31 (ESV)

Think about it.

This Is God’s Day

This is the day the Lord has made.  I will rejoice and be glad in it.

Psalm 118:24

I taught this verse to my grandchildren and we would recite it every morning as I drove them to school.  One morning after taking the kids to school I realized that no matter what happened today, this IS God’s day.  Whatever happens today, He sees.  He gave me this day to live for Him.  Even a “bad” day can be used for God’s glory.  It’s not always easy for me to see the positive things mixed in with the chaos of my days because I am so focused the negatives in my life.  On the days the kids are fighting and are totally unruly, and are making more messes in the house than I can clean, I admit, I do get frustrated and think “What’s the use of trying to clean this house?”  I have been know to mutter to myself.  I did read somewhere that “Trying to clean house while the children are small is like shoveling the sidewalk in a blizzard.” Obviously, I am not the only one with this problem. 

When bedtime finally comes around and I am tucking the little darling's in bed, they throw their arms around my neck and hug me and say “I love you, Nanny.”  This somehow makes all the frustrations and headaches that take over my days dim.  I realize what a blessing from God these four children are in my life.  God has entrusted their care to me and I rely on Him to give me me strength and wisdom to “bring them up in the admonition of the Lord.”

in the middle of the day top day chaos, I seem to forget that the simple things in life are often my greatest blessings.  Many times I need to be reminded that God’s blessings can always be found even though they are sometimes disguised in the daily struggles of living.

When I look at my daily to do list I realize there are blessings beyond measure in each task I have listed.  for all the dirty dishes, although I never seem to keep them all clean at the same time,reminds me that we do have food to eat ;mountains of dirty clothes that, like the dishes, never seem to be done, makes me thankful that we have clothes to wear; the never-ending pile of bills remind me that we do have the money to pay them; putting gas in the car reminds me to be thankful that we do have transportation to take us where we need to be .  After ;looking at these tasks and the b;blessings I have daily, I am reminded of the kids.  They remind me to be thankful that God trusts me enough to place them in my life. 
They keep me “grounded” whenever I feel that I am overworked and underappreciated.  I have learned to solely rely on Him to give me the strength and wisdom to teach them about His wonderful love and mercy.  I have learned to “be thankful in all my circumstances.”  I thank Him for each day.  Yes, this is the day the Lord has made.  I choose each morning to rejoice and be glad in it,

The Bible VS Cell Phones

Ever wonder what would happen if we treated our Bible like we treat our cell phone?

What if we carried it around in our purses or pockets?

What if we flipped through it several times a day?

What if we turned back to go get it we forgot it?

What if we used it to receive messages from the text?:

What if we treated it like we couldn’t live without it?

What if we gave it to kids as gifts?

what if we used it we traveled?

what if we used it in case of emergency?

This is something to make you go…hmmm..where is my Bible?

Oh, and one more thing.

Unlike our cell phone,m we don’t have to worry about our Bible being disconnected because Jesus already paid the bill.

Makes you stop and think “where are my priorities?  And no dropped calls!  When Jesus died for us, he was thinking of you!

Think about it.

First Christmas in Heaven

I found this and want to dedicate this to everyone that is missing someone this Christmas.  I can just see my son singing with the angels and know I will celebrate Christmas with him again one day.

I've had my first Christmas in heaven.

A glorious, wondrous day!

I stood with saints of the ages

Who found Christ, the Truth, and the Way.

I sang with the heavenly choir;

Just think! I, who so long to sing!

And oh! what celestial music

We brought to our Saviour and King!

We sang the glad songs of redemption,

How Jesus to Bethlehem came,

And how they had called His name Jesus,

That all might be saved through His name.

We sang once again with the angels,

The song that they sang that blest morn,

When shepherds first heard the glad story

That Jesus, the Saviour, was born.

o, dear one, I wish you had been here;

No Christmas on earth could compare

With all the rapture and glory

We witnessed in Heaven so fair.

You know how I always loved Christmas;

It seemed such a wonderful day,

With all of my loved ones around me.,

The children so happy and gay.

Yes, now I can see why I loved it,

and, oh, what a joy it will be,

When all of my loved ones are with me,

To share in the glories I see.

So, dear ones on earth, here’s my greeting;

Look up till the day dawn appears,

and oh, what a Christmas awaits us

Beyond all our partings and tears.

written by Dr. Albert S. Reitz

The Best Christmas Present

For unto you a child is born.

As The Purse Is Emptied

As the purse is emptied, the heart is filled.

Thought to be by Victor Hugo

How true this is is at this time of year.  We all love to see the joy and happiness on our loved ones’ faces as the presents are opened.  But let’s not forget to give the ones that are free to give:  our time, our love and our hearts.  There is still one present for all of to receive—the gift of eternal life given to us by the birth of God’s own son.

Merry Christmas to all my family and friends.  May you receive blessings in abundance.

Think about it.

If Jesus Came To Visit

This is another poem I found while I was going through my old poems I had written.  I think this is a good question to ask ourselves this time of year.  With all the hustle bustle of preparing for Christmas do we remember who we are celebrating?  What would you do if Jesus visited your home?  Think about it.

If Jesus came to visit

Would you make Him feel at home?

Would you gladly let Him see

Everything that you might own?

Or is there something

That you’d rather He not see

So you rush around and hide it

Under lock and key?

Would you bring out your Bible and

Wipe away the dust?

Would you treat Him as an intruder

Or someone you could trust?

Would you invite Him in to dinner

Or rush Him on His way?

What kind of host would you be

If Jesus came today?

Jesus and Santa Claus

Jesus: Santa.

Santa: Yes?
Jesus: I'm sad.
Santa: Why are you sad? It's Christmas, right? It's your Birthday!
Jesus: Yeah. That's the point!
Santa: What do you mean?
Jesus: Because whenever it is Christmas the kids only wait in line for you and NOT for Me! They only celebrate Christmas because of you! Why Santa? why not JESUS!!!??
The purpose to celebrate Christmas is for JESUS and not for Santa.
Let’s Wish JESUS a Happy Birthday! HE died for us so that we will NOT lose eternal Heaven!

The Real Reason

The Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth.”  John 1:14

Let us not become too busy during this wonderful season of the year to remember why we celebrate Christmas.  May God bless you and yours and bring you the very best.  Remember God loved us enough to send His son.  Let’s not forget His most precious gift to us.

Think about it.

Psalm of the Welfare State

The government is my shepherd

Therefore, I need not work.

It alloweth me to lay down on a goof job.

It leadeth me beside still factories.

And it destroys my initiative.

It leadeth into the path of a parasite for politics' sake.

Yea, though I walk through the valley

of laziness and deficit-spending.

I will fear no evil, for the government is with me.

It prepareth an economic Utopia for me,

by appropriating the earnings

Of my own grandchildren.

It filleth my head with false security;

my insufficiency runs over.,

Surely the government should care

for me all the days of life here on earth!!!

And I shall dwell in a fool’s paradise forever.

This is from the Los Angeles Medical Society Bulletin.

Makes sense doesn't it?  Think about it.

Brief

I found this devotional in my reading this morning and found it expresses my feelings exactly.

Each new life, now matter how brief, forever changes the world.

Unknown

Little smiling faces; brightly trusting  eyes and eager personalities, what is not to love with each new life?  The impact of a tiny life overflows the hearts of loved ones like nothing else in life.  Our collective hearts carry some of the sorrow for those who lost a little one.  Pulling together in times of distress strengthens the weary and makes way for hope.

My heart and prayers go out to to all families who have lost a child in school shootings or any other dreadful way.

LET’S TAKE THE “X” OUR OF “CHRISTMAS”

Let’s take the “x” out of “Christmas”.

and let’s put Christ in again.

The day’s the birthday of a King,

Not that of an unknown man.

The tinsel the glitter, the glamour,

The noise of the parties gay

Have all but obscured the re4ason

That we celebrate the day.

We surely would not write “X-ian”

For the Christians here on earth.

Then why do we write “X-mas”

For the day of the Savior's birth?

It’s an honor that really is due Him

O’er that to a common man,

So let’s take “X” out of “Christmas”

and let’s put Christ in again.

                                                          Cyril W. Wommac

THE TEN COMMANDMENTS

Above all else love God alone;

Bow down to neither wood or stone,

God’s name refuse to take in vain,

The Sabbath rest with care maintain.

Respect your parents all you days;

Hold sacred human life always,

Be loyal to your chosen mate;

Steal nothing, neither small nor great.

Report with truth your neighbor’s deed’

And rid your mind of selfish greed

Author Unknown

Do not love anyone or anything more than God.

Do not worship idols.

Do not use the Lord’s name in vain.

Remember the Sabbath and keep it holy.

Honor your father and your mother.

Do not kill.

Do not commit adultery.

Do not steal.

Do not lie.

Do not covet your neighbor’s belongings

 

,

Helpless

During my morning inspirational reading, I came across this devotion that is an encouragement to me.  Amidst all the tragedies and heartache in the world today, I found this quote very comforting.

“We may be helpless to stop bad things from happening, but perhaps God leaves us signs and road maps to help us recover and reconnect, provided we know where to look.”

Jennifer Gardner Trulson—Author/Widow from 9/11

Tragedy touches us in the core of our being.  Shock sets in and numbness resides along with fear and sadness in the hearts of many.  Chaos looks as it if it may reign.  However, God waits to comfort those in mourning and walks beside or carries those in pain.  Nothing heals like love.  Look for His signs and road maps for recovery.

Truth and Love

When I despair, I remember that all through history the ways of truth and love have always won.  There have been tyrants, and murders, and for a long time they can seem invincible, but in the end they always fail.  Think of it-always.

Mahatma Gandhi-Peacemaker (1869-1948)

Broken Hearts

In my post yesterday, I stated that a country will be judged by how it treats its lowest.  I had no idea when I posted that quote, that a tragedy that would bring this country to its knees was happening.

What kind of person would feel the need to harm this country’s most defenseless citizens?  I am not placing judgment on that person-only God can do that.  I am only stating what I feel in the wake of this tragedy.  I can’t imagine how these parents feel.  They were sending their kids to the one place where these children should feel the safest—school.  My heart is breaking for these families and people of this town. 

If you have children or grandchildren, hug them a little tighter and don’t be afraid to say “I love you”.  Continually pray for their safety whether they are at school or in the next room.  Let them know what they mean to you before it is too late.

Father, I ask that these families know of your love and mercy.  Hold them in your loving arms and comfort them. 

Think about it.

Pouring Attention

A nation should not be judged by how it treats its highest citizens, but its lowest ones.

Nelson Mandela

We should try to encourage the lowest of the the low.  Let the celebrities adore each other and themselves.  Instead the ones who are struggling through life should be lifted up and made to feel needed and loved—for the simple fact that they are needed and loved.  We all are.

Think about it.

CHANCE TO GROW

For you know that when your faith is tested your endurance has a chance to grow.  James 1:3 NLT.

We all go through trials and tests that will test our faith.  Sometimes we do not act on the faith that is in us   Yes, sometimes we fail to see the beauty that can come from that test.  But God knows our hearts and needs.  We just need to remember to get back up and look to Him in our times of need.  He is there and will always be.  I have heard it said that when life knocks you to your knees you are in the perfect position to pray.  Failure is not in falling down.  Failure is in staying down.

May these words be an encouragement in whatever comes our way today.

Until next time—this is Live on the Edge.

Bless Others With Your Words

Anxiety in a man’s heart weighs him down, but a good word makes him glad.

Proverbs 12:25 (ESV)

Today’s challenge—find someone that needs encouraging words and be an encourager to that person.

Life’s Most Urgent Question

Life’s most urgent question:  what are you doing for others?

Thought to be by Martin Luther King, Jr

As we enter this Christmas season we should be asking ourselves who can I help?  There are so many people fighting loneliness, financial problems, health issues and other problems.  The greatest gifts we can give is the gift of ourselves.  Think about it.

God’s Idea of Your True Worth

This goes along with my previous post.  God is wonderful isn’t He?

CROWNED BY THE KING

“The world’s standard of beauty is based on our outward appearances.  This differs from God’s idea of true beauty.  In His eyes “I am beautiful,” “I am chosen”, and “I am created in His image.”

Recently I received a beautiful Crowned by the King necklace from CWA Review Team.  I was to wear this necklace and give it a special person and explain that in God’s eyes we are all beautiful because He chose us and we are crowned with His beauty.

Although I had plenty of opportunities to share the ministry, I gave the necklace to a very special person.  I gave it my 18 year old granddaughter.  I have had the privilege and honor of bringing her up for 18 years and consider her to be a blessing from God.  I have attempted to instill in her and her three siblings the meaning of being a child of the King.,

You might be wondering why I gave her the necklace and not someone else I ministered to through its message.  I gave it to her because she is preparing to leave for college and at this vulnerable age I want her to remember who she is and most importantly—whose she is.

I do plan to continue this ministry throughout the coming months and maybe you will receive one of these beautiful necklaces from me.  Just remember ladies, WE HAVE BEEN CROWNED BY THE KING HIMSELF AND HE THINKS YOU ARE BEAUTIFUL.