Sunday, March 12, 2023
Our Lord is Majestic
Monday, August 15, 2022
Count Your Blessings
Sunday, February 24, 2019
The Road Map
The bible is my road map,
I read it everyday.
Whenever I might stumble
it's there to show the way.
I read it every morning
to start my day off right.
It gives me a glimpse of Heaven--
Oh, what a wondrous sight!
It helps me through the trials
that this old world can bring.
It tells me of my Savior's love,
oh what a loving king!
It tells me of my Father
who always holds my hand.
It tells me how He gave His life
to save the souls of man.
So when you fall and stumble
over obstacles day by day,
let my road map guide you
along life's rocky way.
Wednesday, November 22, 2017
Blessings In Disguise
I posted this last year but Thanksgiving reminded me of all the blessings we have that we don’t always think of as blessings. I hope you realize all the blessings you have that do not always seem like blessings. You might be surprised. My challenge to you is to look for the many signs of God's love you can see in your day to day life. I bet you will be surprised.
What if you woke up today with only the things you thanked God for yesterday?
Count your blessings
Name them one by one.
Count your many blessings
See what God hath done.
Have you counted your blessings today? I admit I do not always thank God for all He has blessed me with. In fact, I have been known to grumble about my blessings. Why would I do such a thing? Well sometimes His blessing come to us in disguise. That’s right. Sometimes His blessings can be found in our day to day chaos of day to day living such as dirty dishes, laundry, bills, and even our dirty houses. I can see you scratching your head and saying “this woman is crazy! How can dirty dishes, laundry, and bills be blessings?”
Well, dirty dishes tell us we have food to eat. So many people do not have enough food. Dirty laundry lets us know we have clothes to put on our backs. When we pay our bills, we know God has provided us with the means to pay them. A dirty house is a sign we have a roof over our heads and a family that loves us and children God has entrusted to our care.
Sometimes blessings can be hidden in trials. James 1:2 tells us: “Count it all joy my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing.”
Remember, God is on the throne, in control and blessing us each and every day. We may not recognize them at first but when we look through our eyes of faith, they are clear to see. So beginning today, let’s all count our blessings, name them one by one. Count our many blessings see what God hath done.
Prayer:
Father, I thank you for your blessings you have given me and the ones you are giving me. Help me to see your love and care in my day to day life. Everything I have and everything I am I give my thanks and praise your wonderful name. Thank you for loving me so much.
Amen
Saturday, September 16, 2017
Putting the World Back Together
There was a man who had a little boy that he loved very much. Everyday after work the man would come home and play with the little boy. He would always spend all of his extra time playing with the little boy.
One night, while the man was at work, he realized that he had extra work to do for the evening, and that he wouldn't be able to play with his little boy. But he wanted to be able to give the boy something to keep him busy. So, looking around his office, he saw a magazine with a large map of the world on the cover. He got an idea. He removed the map, and then patiently tore it up into small pieces. Then he put all the pieces in his coat pocket.
When he got home, the little boy came running to him and was ready to play. The man explained that he had extra work to do and couldn't play just now, but he led the little boy into the dining room and taking out all the pieces of the map, he spread them on the table. He explained that it was a map of the world, and that by the time he could put it back together, his extra work would be finished, and they could both play. Surely, this would keep the child busy for hours, he thought.
About half an hour later the boy came to the man and said, “Okay, it's finished. Can we play now?”
The man was surprised, saying, “That's impossible. Let's go see.” And sure enough, there was the picture of the world, all put together, every piece in it's place.
The man said, “That's amazing! How did you do that?” The boy said, “It was simple. On the back of the page was a picture of a man. When I put the man together the whole world fell into place.”
Selected
With so much hate in the world today, we must take a look at ourselves (all of us). How much hate do we harbor within our own hearts against our fellow man. Races are fighting against other races. People are killing each other. In some instances, just for the sake of killing. Our leaders are fueling this hatred for political and monetary gain. We cannot look at social media without seeing the riots and assaults on each other. The news media does not report the news without interjecting their opinions and telling us what we should think.
Islam is being touted as the “religion of peace” but kill anyone who does not believe the way the do. Christians are being persecuted for their beliefs. Friends, it saddens me to see the persecution of Christians all over the world, even in our own country. Christian business owners are being told to compromise their faith or risk being jailed and prosecuted or lose everything they have worked for. Meanwhile, businesses like Starbucks, Target, and some camping supply store that means so little to me I cannot remember their name, are telling people if you support traditional marriage, are against gender neutral bathrooms or support a certain political party, take your business elsewhere. Well, friends, I have taken my business elsewhere and do not miss these businesses at all.
People are protesting our flag, our pledge to the flag, and our National Anthem. Millionaire celebrities and athletes who made their millions from the American people threaten to leave the country or strike because their presidential candidate didn't win or this country is oppressive. They did not think about the oppression when they were taking money from its citizens, did they? The candidate that did not win the presidential election has written a book of excuses and touring this great land making excuses without once taking any responsibility for her loss. The former president is seeking to destroy the current president. Why are they doing this? Hatred. Yes, hatred for the president and for the American people. Radical hate groups like Black Lives Matter and Antifa are rioting in the streets because of hatred for people who disagree with them. By the way, BLM, Jesus died for all skin colors and Father God created all skin colors so ALL LIVES MATTER! Our news media and even some of our leaders are singing the praises of these groups. One news commentator, I won't mention names or network, recently said “Antifa is working on the side of the angels.” Well Newsflash, they are not working on the side of my Father's angels. They are not doing the work of my Heavenly Father. He commanded us to love our fellow man and our neighbors as ourselves.
Celebrities, politicians, and others are calling for the assassination of our president and the media is silent. One man was jailed for offering money for a lock of Hillary Clinton's hair. Where is the outcry for the assassination threats?
People are trying to erase parts of history they do not agree with. We cannot erase history by tearing down historical statues and monuments. Will tearing these down erase hatred and bring about love for our fellow man. No. We must erase the hatred in our hearts. Martin Luther King Jr once said, “Hate cannot drive out hate. Only love can drive out hate.” He is remembered as one of our great Civil Rights leaders and did not burn a flag, destroy property or assault anyone. Someone with hatred in his own heart killed Mr. King to silence his message.
People, let's look in our own hearts and drive out the hatred we find there. I must admit, when I read the social media posts of the violence and crimes being committed today, I find that evil emotion enter my own heart. I must make an effort each and every day to drive it out. No one is above this negative emotion but we must make an effort to make sure it does not take root and remain. I have to pray to my God each and every day and ask Him to cleanse my heart of the negativity.
Like the little in the story above, when we are able to put ourselves together, the world will fall into place.
Father, you said when your people who are called by your name will humble themselves and call out to You, You will hear them and heal their land. I am calling out to you. Father, our land, our world, needs you. I pray that people's eyes are opened and hearts softened to let Your word penetrate and heed your warnings. Without You, we are nothing, but with You we can do so much. We must stand together with You, Lord. Help us to remember that You love us all. I plead that You use us, your children, to do Your great work in this great land. I ask these things in Jesus' name.
Friday, August 25, 2017
Seeds of Kindness vs Seeds of Hatred
Pa, Ma, and Junior were sitting on the front porch after a hard day on the farm. There were just relaxing when a car drove up and a man got out. He walked up to them and asked, “What kind of town is this? We’re moving because the town we left is full of hateful and spiteful people.” Pa looked at the man for a second and replied, “Well, I’m afraid you’ll find the same kind of people live here.” The man –muttered under his breath and stomped away.
Soon another car drove up and a man walked to the porch. “What kind of people live in this town? The town we just left has the most caring, kindest people we have ever known.” Pa looked at him for a second and smiled. “You will find the same kind of people live here.” The man smiled as he walked back his car and drove away.
“Pa, why did you tell the first man this town is full of hateful people, but you told the second man the town is full of kind people?” I don’t understand.”
Pa smiled and looked at Junior. “Well son, you see the first man has a heart full of hate and it is bubbling out of him and spilling over onto everyone around him. The second man has a heart filled with love and it too is spilling over onto everyone around him. You see, son, whatever is in your heart will show up on the outside.”
I read this story a few years ago and it has stayed with me. I don’t know who wrote it and apologize to the writer if I have slaughtered it too badly. The point is we see this story being lived out every day in this country. There are so many hate-filled people. They are letting their hatred bubble over and are trying to stomp out and eliminate any goodness and kindness they see.
Radical groups like BLM, Antifa, White Supremacists and Neo Nazis are rioting and killing each other and innocent people. We saw this is Charlottesville, VA. If you don’t believe the same way or say what they want you to say—you have no right to live. Meanwhile the media is quick to jump on the bandwagon and tell us what they want us to know and how to think. The heart of the media is so evil they cannot stand the thought of anyone that dares to call them out on it. It has gotten so bad that media and celebrities are criticizing and berating an eleven year old boy just because of who his father is.
The average American cannot feel safe any longer. If we support our President, we are white supremacists and racists by default and have no right to live. The hatred in this country is in epidemic proportions and must stop. We are all Americans no matter the color of our skin. That is what makes this country so great. We should learn from each other’s views and not insist we all think alike.
With the radical groups today, it is hard to find the kind compassionate people that are still here. I know we still have them but the hatred spewed by the hate-mongers are drowning out the message we are trying to spread across the land. As Martin Luther King Jr. said. “Hate cannot drive out hate only love can drive out hate.”
College kids are fighting and do not know why or what they are fighting against. They believe what their liberal professors tell them and do not know enough American history to show enough intelligence to decide for themselves what to think. College is supposed to teach students how to make intelligent decisions and think for themselves and today colleges are failing our students in a big way.I do pity these kids when they graduate from college but do not know how to make a living or survive in the world.
I want to tell all the kindhearted compassionate people that are left in this great country—don’t give up the fight. Stay strong and endure until the end and we will prevail. By sowing our seeds of kindness, we can rest assured that we will have our rewards. God is in control and no matter what the hate-mongers try to tell us He will never leave us. Although the evil one is sowing seeds of hatred, our seeds of kindness will prevail and one day we will win the fight.
I love what St. Francis of Assisi said so long ago.
Lord,
Make me an instrument of your peace
Where there is hatred…let me sow love
Where there is injury…pardon
Where there is doubt….faith
Where there is despair…hope
Where there is sadness…joy.
Father, we ask you with humble hearts to guide us and protect our leaders. Give our President the wisdom and strength he needs to lead this great country back to you. be with your people and continue to bless us. You have shown great mercy to the United States and continue to be merciful to us. The father of lies is deceiving so many people today and leading so many to rebel against what is good and right. Your word tells us he is already defeated and the victory is already ours. Give us the strength to stand firm in our faith. Each day you show us in your wonderful creation how blessed we are to have you as our Father.
Thank you Father for loving us so much.
Friday, July 21, 2017
The Beginning of Hope
When he came to his senses he said, “How many of my father's hired servants have food to spare, and here I am starving to death?” So he got up and went to his father. Luke 15:17,20(a)
We all have problems and circumstances that may or may not be beyond our control. Yes, I admit when troubles come my way, I do not always focus on my Heavenly Father but try to work through the situation in my own strength. Like the son we read about in this parable I have been guilty of wasting my time and money and then feeling sorry for myself.. That is when I feel a nudge from the Holy Spirit, “I am here. Just trust me.”
I once read “the end of yourself is the beginning of hope.” The reason we so often keep hanging on to our hurts, still looking for the solution in our own strength and making little progress is because we haven't yet come to the end our ourselves. We are still trying to control the situation instead of getting out of God's way and letting Him work in us. If we find ourselves at the end of our rope, we should just tie a knot and hang on because that may be the place God wants us so He can strip our pride and accomplish what He wants to do in us and through us.
The prodigal son came to the end of himself when he realized the pigs he was caring for had more to eat than he did. It was then that he decided to go home to his father. Did his father turn him away?: No! He welcomed him back with open arms..That is what our Heavenly Father will do when we come to the ends of ourselves. He will run to meet us with outstretched arms. What a beautiful picture that is. I can just see it in my mind's eye. Can't you? What an awesome God we serve!
`
Sunday, May 12, 2013
A Mother’s Love
A Mother’s Love
A mother’s love is a gift from God
A wondrous blessing to behold.
A mother’s love is a precious thing
Worth far more that diamonds and gold.
God gave her eyes that sparkle like jewels
And a voice soft as a lullaby.
He gave her the gentle touch of an angel
To wipe the tears from our eyes.
He endowed her with the wisdom of Solomon
To help us along life’s rocky way.
He gave her the strength of Samson
To endure each and every day.
So thank God each day for your mother’s love
A love so wonderful and pure.
This special blessing is yours forever
Of this you can be sure.
Thursday, May 9, 2013
Best Advice
The best advice from my mother was a reminder to tell my children every day: 'Remember you are loved.'
Evelyn McCormick
We know the responsibilities we have as mothers. We make sure our family has good nutritious food, clean and fairly stylish clothes for school, and homework help when needed.
As our children grow, these responsibilities do change but our children still need and want advice from us. Sure they go through a “stage” when they think it is not “cool” to listen to dear old Mom’s advice, but they will still come to us in the dark of night. They do this so their friends won’t know that they still seek advice from Mom.
I do not profess to know how to give the best advice but I do know the best thing we can do, is to let them know they are loved. If a child knows he is loved, he will be willing to listen sometimes even when he thinks he knows best. We need to remind our children every day that we love them and then do it—love then unconditionally. Love them when are loveable and when they are not so loveable. This means when they are considerate of other people’s feelings and when they refuse to share their toys with a friend. Sometimes, these same friends will hurt our children’s feelings and this is when we should be available to listen –sometimes listening without trying to “fix” the problem will be all it takes. Whatever happens in our children’s lives, letting them know they are deeply loved will make the harshest situation more bearable and our children better prepared for life.
Father,
I come before you tonight with a desire that my children know they are loved. I want to love them in the way that you love me—unconditionally. I know I am often not so loveable but you still do love me because I am your child. Give me patience and understanding with my children so they can see your love in me.
I ask these things in Jesus name.
Amen.
Wednesday, January 2, 2013
Small Things
We cannot do great things on this Earth, only small things with great love.
Mother Teresa—Missionary (1910-1997)
When I read about Mother Teresa, I find myself admiring her more and more. She did not minister to the wealthy or upper class citizens. She chose to spend her time ministering to the least of the least—the sick, the outcasts, the infants. She loved each of them with unending kindness instead of judgment. She wasn't expecting praise of man or medals of honor. She lived her life as she felt God’s lead. I want my legacy to be rich like hers. I want to leave a legacy of encouragement and love. We can all do little things to lift someone up. Things that do not cost much in money or time—a smile to someone who is “down” a word of encouragement to a young mother who is feeling overwhelmed by the daily struggles of bringing up kids, a hug to a teenager who feels abandoned by her peers or is experiencing problems in her life.
My challenge for you today is find some small thing you can do to help someone today. I think you will find a sincere smile, word, or hug will come back to you tenfold.
Think about it.
Wednesday, December 26, 2012
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
Sunday, December 2, 2012
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.
Sunday, August 5, 2012
God Will Always :Love Me
Some days I feel as though I am alone in this world. I am down on myself because I feel I am worthless, hopeless, and unlovable. I know these thoughts are put into my mind by the enemy who wants to destroy my relationship with my Heavenly Father. One day I heard God’s loving voice speak to my heart. “I love you child, you should know that. Nothing will take that love away. Nothing or nobody will come between us. Just trust me. I then went to a quiet place and opened my bible to the book of Romans. Here I found confirmation of that love and was able to resist the enemy’s lies. In Romans 8:39 I found what my heart needed to hear that day.
I know this. Death, life, angels, rulers, things happening now, things that will happen, high things, low things; nothing else in all the world can come between us and God’s love in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Romans 8:39 (WE)
Sunday, June 17, 2012
Father’s Day
I hope everyone remembered to honor Dad today. For all of us that have fathers in heaven, this is a bittersweet day. I remember all the good times with my own father and think about him often. This year I know that Dad is holding my son’s hand and showing him all around heaven and introducing him to all of our relatives that are there. I love you Daddy and Jason. I will never forget either one of you.
Saturday, February 11, 2012
Love Is In The Air
Well, it’s that time of year again. Hearts can be seen everywhere you look. The stores are stocked with candy and valentine cards. You can’t watch TV or listen to the radio without hearing about Cupid and love. All that is fine. There is nothing wrong with love. It is one of our Father’s commands.
What I have trouble with, however, is why only one day a year is set aside for showing someone you love them. Shouldn’t we show each other we love them all year long?
I am glad God does not show us His love one day a year. Aren’t you? He shows us everday He loves us. When we look around at the beautiful flowers and all of His creations, we should feel His love all around us.
Think about it. God loves us all.
Thursday, August 26, 2010
Latte Daze by erynn mangum
Told with humor and fun, this story will keep you wondering what will happen next. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and plan to read more by this author. erynn's light-hearted, down to earth style will leave you wanting more. Her brand of humor is like caffeine--addictive and at the same time satisfying. You will come away from this book with a fresh and rejuvenated look at life, love, and friendships.
I will recommend this writer's works to family and friends.
This book was given to me by NavPress in exchange for an honest review.
Saturday, October 10, 2009
In A Desert Place
Where fears and doubts abound,
I look up to Jesus for I know
He's already looking down.
When I'm in a desert place
And feel overwhelmed by despair,
I can hear Jesus whisper to me,
"My child," I'm always near.
"I will never leave nor forsake you,
Though from me you often stray.
Just take my hand and hold it
And I will lead the way."
When I'm in a desert place
Lord, help me to see
That there are others hurting
Even more than me.
So let me thank you, Father
For this trial I'm going through.
Because this desert place
Has brought me back to you.
Today's Whisper:
Stop and think when you are going through a trial that God is there with you. He will never leave you but wants you to take His hand and trust Him. You might think you are the only one going through a trial or troubles but remember there are other hurting people in this world.
Today's Prayer:
Dear Father, help me to remember that you are there with me when I find myself in a desert place. You will always be there for me and never leave me. Thank you for loving me and never forsaking me.
Monday, October 5, 2009
If God Had a Refrigerator
If God had a refrigerator, your picture would be on it. If He had a wallet, your photo would be in it. He sends you flowers every spring and a sunrise every morning. Whenever you want to talk, He’ll listen. He could live anywhere in the universe and He chose your heart. What about the Christmas gift He sent you, not to mention that Friday at Calvary. Face it, He’s crazy about you.
Unknown
Wednesday, September 9, 2009
Letter to My Children
You brought your friends over and the house was constantly in disarray from toys and sporting equipment but I always found time to dust and straighten the house after you went to bed. The dust would always be there but you grew so fast I did not want to miss a day of your life. As you grew your toys became more expensive and complicated. Baseball bats gave way to stereos and bikes and scooters were replaced by cars. During all this time I enjoyed being your mother.
There were times when I Waited up nights for you to return home from dates and paced the floor until I heard the car pull into the driveway. I would then hurry to bed so you wouldn't know that I was waiting for you. There was the time I received the news no parent wants to hear. You had an accident in the car but thankfully, you were not hurt. I always told you that you have a guardian angel and you were being protected by your angel.
Yes, I am your mother and did my best to instill values in you that would make you a person you could be proud to be. I loved you enough to risk your anger when I asked where you were going, with whom, and instructed to be home by your curfew. Yes, you thought the curfew was ridiculous and unfair but you knew why it was necessary. I loved you enough to let you learn that the friend you thought so much of was nothing more than a manipulator who only wanted to use you. I wanted you to see that moms are humans and make mistakes too. I want you to understand that "I'm sorry" is not admitting weakness but rather showing great courage. I wanted to show you that we all must face the consequences and assume responsibility for our actions no matter how old we are.
I watched you stumble and fall many times, but was always there to help you get back up. I hurt when you hurt but did not want to diminish the life lessons by stepping in and taking away all your pain, rather, I shared the pain with you. I hope the hard times we experienced helped to shape you into a person that is able to empathize with someone else's pain and will offer to help those people who need help without thinking about the glory and rewards you might receive.
I want you to know that I have loved you unconditionally even when you hated me for saying NO when you thought I was only being mean to you. I want you to know that was the hardest part of being your mom. I want to remember that I will always be with you. The most important lesson I want you to learn from me is that God is there for you and will pick you up when you fall. He will be with you even when your mother can't.Love,Your Mom.
Today's Whisper:
Just as we love our children God has given to us for a short time, God loves us, His children. He wants what is best for us even though at times we think He has forgotten about us. He is always there waiting for us to ask Him for help when we need it. He does not rescue us from every situation because He knows our struggles will bring us closer to Him. Just like the mother who will sacrifice anything for her children, He has made the ultimate sacrifice for us. He gave His only son to die for us so might live. Just as earthly parents need to chastise their children our Father in heave chastises His children because He loves us so much. Take a few minutes today to focus on how loving God is to you and how He shows that love to you.
Prayer:
Father God, thank you so much for your son who died for us so we might live. May we never forget the importance of that love. Keep us in your sheltering arms and pick us up when we fall. Help us to remember that you are there for us when we need you and all we need to do is ask for your help.
This is a sample of the book I am currently working on. I hope you enjoy.