My Prayer for You Today

The Lord bless you and keep you

The Lord make His face to shine upon you

and be gracious to you;

the Lord lift up His countenance upon you

and give you peace

Numbers 6:24-26 ESV

Friday Fruits of the Spirit—Peace

Today, I found something in a book I am reading that is helping  to give me peace in the midst of my trouble.  Tell me what you think about it.

There are things that we don’t want to happen but have to accept, things we don’t want to know but have to learn, people we can’t live without but have to let go.

Author Unknown

Sometimes things do happen that we have no choice but to accept, somethings we do not want to know at all but this knowledge comes to us anyway.  There are people in our life that we think are going to be there forever but eventually we have to let them go.  We cannot hold them on this earth with us.

There are things we have to accept on faith.

Thursday’s Thoughts

 

We’re meant to encourage one another.

As iron sharpens iron, a friend sharpens a friend.

Proverbs 27:17 NLT

What Do Others See In You?

Every day you are being stared at by your family.
Every day you are being stared at by you colleagues and peers.
Every day you are being stared at by your existing customers.
Every day you are being stared at by your potential customers.
Every day you are being stared at by your competitors.
Every day you are being stared at by the public.

You are being judged by what others see of you every day. This is a fact.  Are you living your life so the town gossips are at a loss for words?

Tuesday Tidbit for Thought

You are SO loved.  That’s a good reason to smile.

Be cheerful no matter what;p pray all the time; thank God no matter what happens.  This is the way God wants you who belong to Christ Jesus to live.

I Thessalonians 5:16-18  The Message

Monday’s Musings

Well, here it is Monday morning again.  My little ones are spending this week with their dad.  When they get back home, my oldest will be leaving for a week at church camp.  It has been a busy summer but I would not have it any other way.  With camps and ball games my life is in constant motion.  Time goes on and before I know it these kiddies will be grown and off to college and homes of their own.

How are you spending this summer with your kids.  Are camps in the picture?  Sports?  What about vacations? 

Just enjoy life with them while they are young.  Make memories that will last forever.

Until next time—this is life on the edge.

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.

Today’s Tidbit for Thought

 

God made today---He made you.  And it’s all good.

Think about that.

IF JESUS CAME TO VISIT

 

I found this picture on Facebook and think it illustrates this poem very well.  I hope you agree.

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 and hide it

Under lock and key?

Would you bring out you 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?

We Are Not Promised Tomorrow

 

I wrote this poem years ago when my own kids were young.  Two weeks ago when my son died—the words to this poem really gave me a special look at life and each day on this earth.  I encourage each and every one of you to take these words to heart and let the people in your life know how much they mean to you because our lives can be taken in an instant.

We are not promised tomorrow

or whatever it might bring.

We are only promised this moment

Yes, time is a fleeting thing.

Live your life for the present

Don’t waste your time in regret.

Do the best you can every moment

And thank God for every breath.

One day at a time is the way

We all should learn how to live.

Don’t harbor any grudges

Be quick and just to forgive.

For God gave His only son, Jesus

To pay the price for our sins..

No, we are not promised tomorrow

Time is a precious gift to man.

Reminder

Don’t be afraid to talk about Jesus.  He’s always talking about you.

Broken Hearted

I am going through the hardest time imaginable.  I lost my son Sunday.  He was 34 years old but he was still my baby.  We need all your prayers now.  I know you are my friends and I love each and every one of you.  I ask for nothing but your prayers at this time in my life.  God is in control.

Dear God

This actually happened. Usually I would go ballistic when something like this happens. I think God was guiding me and guarding the children that day. lol.

Dear God,

Do you have a minute or two?

I've had a really bad day

And need to talk to you.

After searching in five different stores

For a left handed t-ball glove

(What a grandparent won't do for love?)

I brought it home so the kids could play.

But I should have known from the start of my day

An accident was bound to happen

When two of the kids grabbed a bat and ran to play.

With the sound of breaking glass and a cry of surprise

I ran to the kitchen and couldn't believe my eyes--

My oven door was in a million pieces,

My face, I could feel, began to make creases.

I asked who had done such a dreadful thing.

Words of accusation the kids then began to fling.

"I didn't do it," the kids all cried and

I knew it would be a problem to hear the true side.

Then fingers began to point to each other in turn,

It became ever more difficult for me the truth to learn.

I calmly and quietly asked again

"Who swung the bat and caved the oven door in?"

From eyes tears then began to fall and

I finally began to learn it all.

"I didn't do it" had done such a deed.

But guilt on three faces gave me what I did need.

So with broom and dustpan I cleaned the mess

Then went to my room for a much needed rest.

Well, I guess this "small" inconvenience was worth it because the little "red head" plays t-ball now on a team. He is really enjoying the game and learning so much about teamwork and skills necessary to help him grow up and know what teamwork is all about.

Prayer for Today

 

Dear Father,

Help me make it through the day.  Help me to see that what problems may come my way are not stumbling blocks but are stepping stones to bring me closer to you.

Love

Your daughter.

TOUCHED BY THE MASTER’S HAND

 
The poor beggar sat at the rich man’s gate
Begging for crumbs that he might eat.
But the rich man showed no mercy
And had him thrown out into the street.
The blind man stared with unseeing eyes
As the people passed him by.
He knew that God had a purpose for him
So he did not question why,
But now the beggar can sit down to feast
And he blind man—he can see.
For they have been touched by the Master’s hand
And from pain they have been set free.
Once I like the beggar hungered
And like the blind man I could not see.
But the Master reached down His loving hand
And saved a poor sinner like me.

THE LORD AND I

 
One day I felt so overwhelmed with work and worry. I could not quiet my mind and relax, so I began to call out to God to help me. This is the prayer I prayed:
Lord, when my life seems to be spinning out of control, help me to stop and smell the roses. Help me to savor each moment and not rush them on my way to another time or place. Help me to take the time to see—really see—what all you have blessed me with and truly feel your love in my heart. Help me to be still and hear your small still voice.
When I paused and asked Him for help here is what He said to me:
“My child, I love you and want to enjoy your company. Just come and sit with me and tell me about your day. I am here for you. All you need to do is slow down and enjoy being with me. There is nothing you do that does not interest me. Remember, you are my child and I am your father. I love you. Come to me and rest.”
After praying this prayer, I shut off my computer, went into my living room and just sat there. I felt the peace of His love as He encircled me in His loving arms. My worries left and we just sat there with our arms around each other—the Lord and I,

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 time a day?
What if we turned back to go get it if 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 when we traveled?
What if we used it in case of emergency?
This is something to make you go....hmm...where is my Bible?
Oh, and one more thing.
Unlike our cell phone, 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! 

Easter-A Time of Joy and Hope

Because He Lives I can face tomorrow.
Because He Lives all fear is gone.
Bill and Gloria Gaither

My Dream

Since Easter is around the corner, I thought I would share a poem I wrote years ago.  This poem is a reminder that although Jesus was crucified on the cross, He lives today and paid the ultimate price.
One night I had a dream
That seemed so real to me.
I saw my Lord and Savior
On top of Mount Calvary.

A crown of thorns was on His head
Nails pierced His side.
The soldiers laughed and mocked Him\
Until my Savior died.

The drops of sweat became as blood\
Running down His face.
I stood there feeling so helpless
As Jesus died in my place.

When I awoke, my face was wet
From the tears that I had cried.
But He gave me eternal life
The day my Savior died.

The Great Possum Caper

One day my husband fixed a leak under the commode in my bathroom.  Being the handy man he is, he cut a small hole in the floor to make it easier to reach the pipe.  Fine--no problem--leak fixed.  Now he will fix the hole and life goes on-right?  Wrong!  He decided to leave the hole for a few days to make sure the leak has been permanently fixed.  Now that few days has turned into months.  Although it is a small hole, I have tried my best to conceal it but there is just so much I can do to make a hole in the floor attractive...
Now fast forward about six months.  The hole is still there even though I have done all I can to conceal/decorate it.  But it is still there.
One night I stumble into bed exhausted after transporting four kids to four different activities as well as the usual daily struggles of running a household with four kids.  Around 2:00 in the morning my little dog woke me up with frantic barking and yelping.  I forced one eye open to see him jumping up and down on the floor by my bed.  He looked at me as if to say, "I'm trying to protect you, now come on and do your part."  When I did manage to stumble into the bathroom I was instantly awake.  There between the commode and the waste can was a possum.  Pugsley, my dog had him trapped.  I could not move because I was totally in shock until Pugsley barked again as if to say,"See I told you.  Now get rid of it.  I'm tired and want to go to sleep."
Frantically, I woke my husband and screamed, "THERE'S A POSSUM IN MY BATHROOM!  GET UP AND KILL IT!"  He looked at me as though he thought I had totally lost my mind.
"Ok, get me something to use to kill it," he calmly said.  I ran to my grandson's room and came back with a ball bat.  I gave the bat to hubby and jumped on my bed and covered my eyes.  I could hear the battle raging on in the bathroom. "Hiss!"  "Pow!" "Ka Pow!" "Boom!"  Finally all was silent so I opened my eyes.  There on the floor lay the lifeless body of the intruder.  I carefully picked it up by the tail and placed it into a plastic bag and ran to throw it into the outside garbage can.
I was finally able to fall back to sleep but the bathroom light was left on for the rest of the night.
I bet you thought this was the end of the story.  WRONG!  While going about my daily chores the next morning, my grandkids came running to me with excitement written all over their faces.  "Nanny, Nanny, Nanny (all three were talking at once).  There is a possum in our garbage can and he is alive!" I went out to see what was happening and sure enough when I raised the lid of the can, I could see two beady little eyes staring up at me.   I don't know what eventually happened to this wayward creature.  The kids think he escaped and is now living happily ever after with his family.  I hope so.  But at least he is not living his life with my family.
The next morning when I sat down for my morning visit with God, I asked Him, as I always do "What do you want to talk about today Father?"  His answer came as a total surprise to me.  "I want to talk about the possum."
"What about the possum?" I asked in astonishment.
"That was a small hole in your floor wasn't it?"
"Yes, it was a very small hole." I answered, not sure where this conversation was going but definitely intrigued by it.
"Well that possum was able to come into your house through that small hole, wasn't he?"
"Yeah," I slowly answered.
"Just like that possum squeezing though such a small opening in your floor that was unguarded, the enemy can enter your heart through a small unguarded hole in your heart.  Just as that intruding animal filled you with dread, the enemy can fill your heart with fears and worries.  When he does that you do not fully trust me to care for you."
Suddenly, I understood what He was telling me.  We must always guard our hearts against the enemy that roams around trying to find who he can devour.  Satan doesn't need a door with a welcome sign, he enters through a hole he finds unguarded.  Don't make it easy for him to enter your heart.  Fill your heart with joy and love and trust in a heavenly Father who loves you unconditionally and will never leave you unprotected.
Oh, by the way--the hole in my floor has been fixed!
TODAY’S WHISPER:
Have you left your heart unguarded? What fears and doubts entered through that hole? Write out a prayer to God confessing the fears you had and ask him to come into that hole left by doubt. Just as the enemy can enter our heart God can close that hole with His peace and joy.
TODAY’S PRAYER:
Loving Father, help me to be ever vigilant to guard my heart against the enemy’s attacks. Only you can fill my heart with the peace and joy I crave. Make me ever mindful of your love and care for me. I surrender my heart and soul to you. I know you will never leave me or forsake me. I covet your presence in my life today and forever. Amen.