God's Deep Love

·

The GREAT Reversals...

HE listens...

A Heavenly View From This Side of Heaven...

·

Hunker Down for the Storm

Children's bedtime prayers

I thank you, Lord, for quiet rest,
And for Your watchful care of me;
Oh, let me through the day be blessed
And help me all Your gifts to see.

**Excerpted from Lucado Treasury of Bedtime Prayers by Max & Denalyn Lucado.

Sure like this prayer from Lucado Treasury better than the older bedtime prayer: (It could cause a child to fear sleep) 

And now I lay me down to sleep
I pray the Lord my soul to keep
If I should die before I wake
I pray the Lord my soul to take

Iceberg Ahead

If God doesn't answer your prayers 
the way you had wanted, 
maybe it's because He sees something you don't.

·

Nisi Dominus

                                   Psalm 127: 1 
"Unless the LORD builds the house, its builders labor in vain."
City of Edinburgh coat of arms - 
(Latin) "Nisi Dominus frustra"  
Our fortifications, our essential hope is in GOD.

Sufficient Grace

·

The Fullness of God

·

Questions from Henri Nouwen

Did I offer peace today? 
Did I bring a smile to someone's face? 
Did I say words of healing? 
Did I let go of my anger and resentment? 
Did I forgive? 
Did I love? 
These are the real questions.
I must trust that the little bit of love that I sow now will bear many fruits, here in this world and the life to come.
Henri Nouwen

No Accident...

Our 24/7 Holy Hotline...

Humans really enjoy Saturdays

Brian and Kelsi to God -

I wrote this in my Bible, October 21, 2006

BRIAN AND KELSI TO GOD:  
NO RESERVATION,
                          NO RETREAT, 
                                             NO REGRET
Mark 10:27 "and Jesus said (to his disciples) -- with man this is impossible, but with God, all things are possible."

A good word from the Haspels

Please pray about the continued healing and for us to have peace of mind.  We know God is in control and we can trust him to undertake for us.  We just don't know how that will look --- John and Gwen Haspels

Letting Go...

What Are Others Facing?

As this new day begins, it seems significant to consider how others may be feeling as they rise to meet the day.
Some may have a day or week of sorrow to deal with
Some may have the first day of a long awaited vacation to greet them
Some may be rising from a sick bed with responsibilities that won't let them rest
Some may be planning to visit someone sick or in need
Some may be facing a difficult and challenging meeting of hopeful reconciliation 
Some may be facing the first day of a change, like a new home
Some may be facing the first day without a loved one
Some may be in those "wonder years" of youth and have choices ahead that are important
Some may be a care giver to loved ones with more questions than answers
Some may be going off to war
Some may be facing the first day of a new job
Some may be a new mommy or daddy
Some may be facing a day of endless hunger and cold
Some may be facing another day of incarceration
Some may be leaving their "nest" to venture off along
Some may be going off to fight crime yet another day
Some may be facing a day of loneliness 
Some may be full of joy and hope
All really do not know what the day holds.
Only God knows what the day holds.

I pray especially for those I know who are part of this list...may they yield to the
"peace that passes all understanding" by placing their days in HIS hands - HE who knows our needs.

Letting Jesus Sheer The Fleece

This is Shrek the sheep. He became famous several years ago when he was found after hiding out in caves for six years. Of course, during this time his fleece grew without anyone there to shorn (shave) it. When he was finally found and shaved, his fleece weighed an amazing sixty pounds. Most sheep have a fleece weighing just under ten pounds, with the exception usually reaching fifteen pounds, maximum. For six years, Shrek carried six times the regular weight of his fleece. Simply because he was away from his shepherd.
This reminds me of John 10 when Jesus compares Himself to a shepherd, and His followers are His sheep. Maybe it’s a stretch, but I think Shrek is much like a person who knows Jesus Christ but has wandered. If we avoid Christ’s constant refining of our character, we’re going to accumulate extra weight in this world—a weight we don’t have to bear.
When Shrek was found, a professional sheep shearer took care of Shrek’s fleece in twenty-eight minutes. Shrek’s sixty pound fleece was finally removed. All it took was coming home to his shepherd.
I believe Christ can lift the burdens we carry, if only we stop hiding. He can shave off our ‘fleece’—that is, our self-imposed burdens brought about by wandering from our Good Shepherd.
“Come to Me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and my burden is light.” Matthew 11:28-30

Blessings on a Sabboth -

Enjoyed standing at my "greeting post" in Fellowship Hall and watching all the umbrella covered
worshipers come on campus.  

Amazed at the care givers with extreme effort to assist the blind and the weak.  One stood by her car with umbrella in hand as she prepared the wheelchair with two large pillows before her passenger got out.   This dedication to their desire to "gather and worship" was inspiring.  

In his message Doug gave us the Biblical source for a blessing we often speak:  
Numbers 6:24 - 26  ---
"The Lord bless and keep you; 
the Lord make his face shine upon you 
         and be gracious to you; 
the Lord turn his face toward you and give you peace."

Rhythm of Life

Drizzle rain, 
     garage sale across the street, 
            working in backyard to prepare a bit for
           June wedding of Ryan and Loren, 
                  going to memorial service this afternoon

          ...such is the rhythm of life on planet earth.

To God Be The Glory...

Andrae Crouch died, age 72...wow! 
He is in heaven with Jesus!

My Tribute (To God Be The Glory) - Andrae Crouch & All Star Choir - Tribute Album

Fire In The Sky,,,

  ·

My Tongue...

2015 Gratitude

Gratitude For Gratitude

I can't think of anything better to fill my heart in this New Year than GRATITUDE

In the big and small areas of my life, 
may I take the time to reflect 
on ALL that God has given and All that God is.

 May it spill over into my life as the covenant prayer said: "Use me today for your glory, and to invite
others to follow Jesus Christ as Lord."

Kneeling

Paying It Forward

Brian sent this to me on Facebook and I am doing with some of my friends.  It will be interesting to see how this grows through the year:  

"After all the recent terrible tragedies that have happened and are happening, this world needs as much kindness as it can get. I'm participating in the 'Pay it Forward' initiative: The first five people who comment on this status with "I'm in" will receive a surprise from me at some point during this next calendar year - anything from a book, a ticket, something homemade, a postcard, absolutely any surprise! There will be no warning and it will happen when the mood comes over me and I find something that I believe would suit you and make you happy. These five people must make the same offer on their Facebook status. Once my first five have commented "I'm in" I will forward this message to you privately, so that you can copy and paste it, and put it on your status, (don't share it) so that we can form a web of connection of kindness."

Good Words for a New Year

"So teach us to number our days, 
that we may get us a heart of wisdom."
                 Psalm 90:12

This morning Charlie said he wants to
begin each new day with gratitude for 
a new day to live.  

A New Beginning

                         HAPPY NEW YEAR

          Write a new book, 365 pages, with HIM