Living Forward

A Lesson in Love Happy Valentine's Day

2012-02-13T13:32:00.000-08:00

"When someone hurts us we should write it down in sand, where the winds of forgiveness can erase it away. But when someone does something good for us, we must engrave it in stone, where no wind can ever erase it."
author unknown

"Love... keeps no record of wrongs" (1 Corinthians 13:5b)

Eric Elder of The Ranch, said this week,"In Paul's letter to the Romans, he includes more than a dozen statements about what love looks like when it's sincere.

- Be devoted to one another in brotherly love.
- Honor one another above yourselves.

- Share with God's people who are in need.

- Practice hospitality.

- Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse.

- Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn.

- Live in harmony with one another.

- Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position.

- Do not be conceited.

- Do not repay anyone evil for evil.

- Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everybody.

- If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.

- Do not take revenge, my friends, but leave room for God's wrath

- Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good

Love is the greatest power in the world, but

Romans 12:9 says, Love must be sincere.

and James 3:17, But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere

What if we, as Christians, were so filled with the Holy Spirit that people could immediately tell that we’re Christians simply by the love and joy that radiates from within us?In Loving Sencerity

And the Greatest of these is Love

2012-02-11T06:51:00.000-08:00

February is the month of Love, said very well by Sandi Patty

Love in any Language

Straight from the heart

Pulls us all together

Never apart

And once we learn to speak it

All the world will hear

Love in any language

Fluently spoken here

Genesis 29:20
So Jacob worked seven years to pay for Rachel. But his love for her was so strong that it seemed to him but a few days. (NLT)

John 15:13
Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends. (NIV)
1 John 3:18
Dear children, let us not love with words or tongue but with actions and in truth. (NIV)

1 Corinthians 13:13
Three things will last forever—faith, hope, and love—and the greatest of these is love. (NLT)

What makes love so amazing? For starters, it is what motivated the Father to send His only Son to die for us. Without love, there would have been no redemption for mankind. Not only would we be without love, but without the redemption that was precipitated by love, there would also be no faith, and no hope. You see, nothing else matters, without love. It is foundational for every other good thing in our lives.

Do With What You Have Been Given

2012-02-05T09:02:00.000-08:00

Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what Gods will is, His good and perfect and pleasing will. Romans 12:2

Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whateveris right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable--ifanything is excellent or praiseworthy--think about such things. Philippians4:8

Eric Elder from "The Ranch" said today, "The way you think of yourself is often affected by what others say about you" If you hear something enough times you start to believe it.

"Do not pay attention to every word people say, or you may hear your servant cursing you-for you know in your heart that many times you yourself have cursed others" (Ecclesiastes 7:21-22)

Renew your mind today in the way you think of yourself .Take what others say about you with a grain of salt, then take it to God for His perspective. Do what God has created you to do, "in accordance with the measure of faith that He has given you." If God has created you to prophesy, then prophesy in proportion to your faith. If God has created you to serve, then serve in accordance with the amount of faith God has given you. If teaching, teach, if encouraging, encourage, if giving, give generously, if leading, govern diligently, if showing mercy, show it cheerfully.

We all know we have certain talents that others do not. Sometimes we think, we'd rather have what they have, but when it comes right down to it, we just feel more comfortable doing what comes naturally to us than trying to fit into someone else's skin. By living your life in this way, it releases you from comparing yourself with others, and from the pitfalls of both pride and low self-esteem. In the spiritual body, some are fitted for and called to one sort of work; others for another sort of work. We are to do all the good we can, one to another, and for the common benefit. That doesn't mean we can simply say, "I'm not good at anything and then just sit back and do nothing. For "with Christ" all things are possible, in accordance with the faith that He has given us.
Albert Einstein is quoted as saying:

"Everybody is a genius. But if you judge a fish by its ability to climb a tree, it will live its whole life believing that it is stupid."

Campfire Cowboy Ministries

2012-02-04T06:49:00.000-08:00

Today I found a new Favorite Place
Campfire Cowboy Ministries

because you understand that only by bein’ tested will your faith grow and be made stronger. You can’t learn to ride well by stayin’ on a stick horse. James 1:3

The founder is Kevin Weatherby and his blog strives to teach, explain, and look at Christianity from a cowboy perspective. Now I've lived with a Cowboy all my life and his favorite words are, "I was born 100 years too late." In my eyes he is one of the last original cowboys. This blog may be the perfect place for him and so many others riding the trail with no real destination in mind.
One of Kevin's quotes:

We’re the windmill, not the wind…it is God’s power working through us that brings the water to the thirsty and dying.

I have found the material on Kevin's site very heartfelt and I am sure it will speak to so many who will never grace the door of a cathedral or fill the pew at the First Lutheran on 1st and 10th. One of his readers wrote this comment.

Thank you for approaching the gospel in the manner you have chosen. Jesus used stories that the people of the day could understand and I think it is wonderful you are taking the same trail. God bless and keep up the good work.

Blessings to Kevin and his ministry.

And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds. --Hebrews 10:24

Lord, I Need A Pep Talk

2012-01-27T04:57:00.000-08:00

Pulling weeds and planting seeds. That's the story of life. We are individual lots on which either weeds of selfishness or fruit of the Holy Spirit grows and flourishes

Dennis and Barbara Rainey

God designed me to fly like an eagle. If I don't load myself up with burdens, I can soar for my entire life. I will not let the world clip my wings or force me into its mold. I will fly like an eagle.

The Law of Attraction

"The law of attraction is that our thinking creates and brings to us whatever we think about,"

God's Word has gives us that concept and we've been studying it and living it for years

such as

Philippians 4: 8

Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable--if anything is excellent or praiseworthy--think about such things.

You can transform your life by staying positive. Plant seeds of positive thinking, give them a dose of God's living water every day and your life will turn into a flourishing garden of beautiful blooms. But remember to pick the weeds of negatively and toss them away or they will choke out the flowers you have nurtured.

and then, for added pleasure

share the flowers of your garden with everyone you know!

Here I AM Lord Use Me

2012-01-18T05:12:00.000-08:00

A young man who saw all the sin, selfishness, and injustice in the world complained to his pastor that God had made a mess of things. "Why," the boy said, "I could make a better world myself." "Good," said the pastor, "go to it; that is just why you're here!" Unknown

Here I AM Lord

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6WRfpQKnzns&feature=related

Lord I AM Faithful, Where Is My Reward

2012-01-13T05:16:00.000-08:00

A certain man had been a faithful builder for an employer for many years. His employer decided to take a world cruise. Before leaving he left with his builder plans for an ideal house. "Build it according to specification, spare no necessary expense. I want this house to be a good house for a special reason."
But the builder thought of the many years he had worked for small wages and decided to make a profit for himself, so he substituted cheap materials wherever it would not show. On his return his employer observed the house with satisfaction and said,
"You have served me well these many years. In reward I have planned this house for you. It is yours, to own, and to live in." Walter Cowen

Therefore we do not lose heart. Even though our outward man is perishing, yet the inward man is being renewed day by day. For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory, while we do not look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen. For the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal. - 2 Corinthians.16:18

Child of the living God … don’t let the devil try to convince you that you have every right to be rewarded NOW – in THIS life - for your faithfulness. Hebrews 10:36-29 is addressing this very issue. We need to KEEP enduring – keep persisting – keep persevering – KEEP ON KEEPING ON, because our rewards are being layed up in heaven for us.Norm Rasmussen

Cast Your Bread Upon the Waters

2012-01-08T19:09:00.000-08:00

As I encourage others, I am encouraged
As I thank others for the things they have done for me, I feel thankful
Do you suppose if I love others as the Lord has loved me, I will feel loved?
I think so too.

I once heard Joni Earechson saying how she thanks God everyday for something. At first it wasn't that easy to say, "Thank you for making me a paraplegic" but I had to start small and thank him for the fact that there was a big window in her room so she could look out even when she couldn't lift her head.

Ecclesiastes 11:1 "Cast thy bread upon the waters: for thou shalt find it after many days.

Marnie Pehrson explains, in other words, put out good, help others, and it will return to you in your hour of need. If you have sown good seeds, then in your moment of crisis, it will return to your rescue in the exact moment that you need it.
God takes what we sow and transforms it into abundance. Just as a tiny pea yields a plant laden with peas, so the Lord takes our efforts and multiplies them in our behalf. We can never be certain when, where or what seeds we sow will yield a harvest. Cheerfully do all within your power to lift, to build, to help and to serve from morning until evening, because you never know when or how your blessings shall return.

Ecclesiastes 11:1-6 (The Message)
1 Be generous: Invest in acts of charity. Charity yields high returns. 2 Don't hoard your goods; spread them around. Be a blessing to others. This could be your last night. 3 When the clouds are full of water, it rains. When the wind blows down a tree, it lies where it falls.4 Don't sit there watching the wind. Do your own work. Don't stare at the clouds. Get on with your life. 5 Just as you'll never understand the mystery of life forming in a pregnant woman, So you'll never understand the mystery at work in all that God does. 6 Go to work in the morning and stick to it until evening without watching the clock. You never know from moment to moment how your work will turn out in the end.

John 1:16 From the fullness of His grace we have all received one blessing after another.

Dear Lord, Forgive

2012-01-06T07:46:00.000-08:00

Forgiveness is not an elective in the curriculum of servanthood. It is a required course, and the exams are always tough to pass.

thank you Charles Swindoll

Matthew 6:14-15New International Version (NIV)14 For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. 15 But if you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.

Matthew 6:14-15 The Message Translation) It’s not that we earn God’s forgiveness when we forgive…it’s that, if aChrist-follower refuses to forgive he reduces his capacity to receive forgiveness

Evening Prayer

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jAqUEjP6Lw4

The Choice by Max Lucado

2011-12-30T07:22:00.000-08:00

Happy New Year 2012

We do have choices and for that I am glad. I don't always make the right ones, but I also have the choice to "change". I am never stuck with my first choice, I can repent and start fresh, nothing is held against me, everyday with Jesus is a new beginning. For that I am so very thankful and anticipate the New Year for the outcome of choices I've made, and the new choices to face. Thank you Max, for your words. I look forward to any you offer, in fact I search them out.

God's Blessings to you and yours,
Julie

The Choice
It’s quiet. It’s early. My coffee is hot. The sky is still black. The world is still asleep. The day is coming.
In a few moments the day will arrive. It will roar down the track with the rising of the sun. The stillness of the dawn will be exchanged for the noise of the day. The calm of solitude will be replaced by the pounding pace of the human race. The refuge of the early morning will be invaded by decisions to be made and deadlines to be met.
For the next twelve hours I will be exposed to the day’s demands. It is now that I must make a choice. Because of Calvary, I’m free to choose. And so I choose.
I choose love . . .
No occasion justifies hatred; no injustice warrants bitterness. I choose love. Today I will love God and what God loves.
I choose joy . . .
I will invite my God to be the God of circumstance. I will refuse the temptation to be cynical . . . the tool of the lazy thinker. I will refuse to see people as anything less than human beings, created by God. I will refuse to see any problem as anything less than an opportunity to see God.
I choose peace . . .
I will live forgiven. I will forgive so that I may live.
I choose patience . . .
I will overlook the inconveniences of the world. Instead of cursing the one who takes my place, I’ll invite him to do so. Rather than complain that the wait is too long, I will thank God for a moment to pray. Instead of clinching my fist at new assignments, I will face them with joy and courage.
I choose kindness . . .
I will be kind to the poor, for they are alone. Kind to the rich, for they are afraid. And kind to the unkind, for such is how God has treated me.
I choose goodness . . .
I will go without a dollar before I take a dishonest one. I will be overlooked before I will boast. I will confess before I will accuse. I choose goodness.
I choose faithfulness . . .
Today I will keep my promises. My debtors will not regret their trust. My associates will not question my word. My wife will not question my love. And my children will never fear that their father will not come home.
I choose gentleness . . .
Nothing is won by force. I choose to be gentle. If I raise my voice, may it be only in praise. If I clench my fist, may it be only in prayer. If I make a demand, may it be only of myself.
I choose self-control . . .
I am a spiritual being. After this body is dead, my spirit will soar. I refuse to let what will rot, rule the eternal. I choose self-control. I will be drunk only by joy. I will be impassioned only by my faith. I will be influenced only by God. I will be taught only by Christ. I choose self-control.
Love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. To these I commit my day. If I succeed, I will give thanks. If I fail, I will seek His grace. And then, when this day is done, I will place my head on my pillow and rest.
- by Max Lucado, excerpted from When God Whispers Your Name

Notice, Pause and Choose to be Thankful

2011-11-17T05:34:00.000-08:00

And the Peace of God that passes all understanding, will guard your heart and mind as you live your life in Christ Jesus. Phillipians 4:7

"A truly thankful person is a truly peaceful person" ...I wonder what might happen if we decide in the midst of our circumstances today to notice, pause and choose something for which we can truly be thankful... Dear Lord. Thank You for the reality that being thankful truly changes eveerything. In Jesus'Name, Amen. Lis TerKeurst

Give Thanks with a Grateful Heart
A wonderful praise song by Don Moen

Pay Your Gratitude Forward

2011-11-15T08:58:00.000-08:00

Pay it forward cuz it just feels good and benefits so many others.
Go. Invite. Have a banquet for Jesus and invite those who can't pay you back. based on Luke 14: 12-24

Dear Lord,
when I had been knocked down by sin, when I was defenseless to help myself, Jesus stopped and did for me what I could not. For His gracious act of saving me, I am grateful. May my gratitude enable me to help others whenever and wherever I can. This I pray in my savior's Name.
Amen

"You cannot live a perfect day without doing something for someone who will never be able to repay you."

John Wooden

Self Gratification vs Doing The Right Thing

2011-11-10T08:34:00.000-08:00

It is a sad time for society, when love of the game and the winning reputation of a college outweigh devastation, heartbreak and horror for a young child. No one should get involved in the situation for a witchhunt, but rather to educate about and pray for wrong decisions made at the time. Support accountability measurements now for the officials who had the opportunity to overturn and make things right at the time. Pray that we may see through the eyes of Jesus, in bringing this nightmare to an end for these victims and others that may be experiencing such torment.

"What we do when no one is watching reveals the type of person we really are" Joyce Meyers

Proverbs 10:9
Whoever walks in integrity walks securely, but he who makes his way crooked will be found out.

Matthew 7 13-14
The Narroaw and Wide Gates
13 Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. 14 But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.

Our Temporary Home

2011-10-28T17:49:00.000-07:00

Inscription on the grave of Dean Alford

"The Inn of a traveler on the way to Jerusalem".

Boasting About Tomorrow

13 Now listen, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we will go to this or that city, spend a year there, carry on business and make money.” 14 Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes. 15 Instead, you ought to say, “If it is the Lord’s will, we will live and do this or that.”

James 4:13-15

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=if7CZF_ycWQ

Our Temporary Home sung by Carrie Underwood

"Acknowledge Him in All Things"

2011-08-28T17:04:00.000-07:00

"What if you woke up Today

with ONLY the things you THANKED God for

Yesterday?"

I don't know who said this! But I do know I deserve nothing of what I have and except for His unending Grace, I would have nothing.

Thank you Lord, for my life, thank you Oh Lord, for the gifts in my life that I can share with others. Thank you for my family and friends, Lord thank you for encouraging me over and over. I am unique because you made me one of a kind, and I am grateful beyond words, no Thank you are the words, a simple but heart felt
Thank You.

1 Chronicles 16:34

"O give thanks unto the LORD;

for he is good;for his mercy endureth for ever."

Thank you Lord for saving my soul
Thank you Lord for making me whole
Thank you Lord for giving to me
Thy great salvation so rich and free.

Life is What We Make of It

2011-05-02T06:06:00.000-07:00

As a knot appears unexpectedly in a thread, so disappointment blocks the smoothness of life.
If a few deft strokes can untangle the skein, life continues evenly; but if it cannot be corrected, then it must be quietly woven into the design. Thus the finished piece can still be beautiful-though not as perfect as planned. unknown

Center Our Lives on Something Beyond

2011-05-01T07:21:00.000-07:00

Today I have chosen exerpts from Bishop of London, Richard Chartres at the "Royal Wedding" and
Eric Elder http://www.theranch.org/

When someone says something great it's hard not to spread it around, giving them the credit of course, as they deserve.

From Eric as he introduces the actual sermon text from the Royal Wedding:

First, I liked the Bishop's statement that, "In a sense every wedding is a royal wedding..." because as the Royal Couple were enjoying their wedding day, my wife and I were celebrating the 22nd anniversary of ours. And as much as I enjoyed watching the Royal Wedding, I felt like mine was just as royal, for we are all subjects of the King. Or, as my wife said on her Facebook page on Friday, "On this day for Royal Weddings...22 years ago THE KING of all kings gave me the perfect gift in Eric!" That was sweet, and I feel the same about her, that she is a gift from God to me.

Second, I liked the Bishop's warning that if we seek our meaning and happiness in life from each other, rather than God, we put too great a burden on our partner. I believe this applies to all kinds of relationships in life, not just between husband and wife.
The antidote to this problem, the Bishop said, was to center our love on something beyond ourselves, and by offering one another mutual forgiveness.

Third, I liked the way the Bishop closed his sermon, with a prayer written by the couple, which said in part, "In the busyness of each day keep our eyes fixed on what is real and important in life and help us to be generous with our time and love and energy."
This prayer was offered "in the Spirit of Jesus Christ," which is the Spirit that I pray that we all offer our prayers, and live our lives.

2011-04-09T06:24:00.000-07:00

My heart throbs, my strength fails me; And the light of my eyes, even that has gone from me.

Psalm 38:10

We have two simple options when afflictions strike. We can moan about our fate and give up, or we can face it boldly and make the best of it. God grants us the power to become more than conquerors, if we will only choose to use it

Prayer:

I know there will be times when my strength fails and my will is drained. At those times, fill my heart with Your will and power. Make me a fighter, Lord. Amen

Max Lucado said

"Anybody can preach a sermon on a mount surrounded by daisies. But only one with a gut full of faith can live a sermon on a mountain of pain."

The Will of God

2011-04-03T05:42:00.000-07:00

Isaiah 64:8

But now, O LORD, thou [art] our father; we [are] the clay, and thou our potter ; and we all [are] the work of thy hand.

Knowing God's Will - The Key to Everything!

Christ taught us that knowing God's will and living in obedience to that will is the key to it all!

God is the potter; we are the clay. God keeps us spinning on His potter's wheel, shaping and reshaping us as He bathes our lives in tears to make us more Christ-like so He can use us for His will. Surrender daily. Keep your clay moist through daily prayer - prayer that's in accordance to His will.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZEBOb-H1NbY

The More you Listen, the More You Hear

That still small voice that makes you feel so uncomfortable is the Holy Spirit speaking to you.

I Kings 19:11-12

God doesn't speak to you in a earthquake or fire, but in a still small voice.

Knowing God's Will in 10 Steps

http://www.amazingchange.org/knowingGodswill.htm

His Strength in My Weakness

2011-03-27T17:28:00.000-07:00

Break my willful pride, O Lord, and let me recognize my limitations. Needing guidance is not weakness. Help me to see the strength which can only come from depending on You. Amen "He said to me, "'My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.' "Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in needs, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ’s sake. For when I am weak, then I am strong." 2 Corinthians 12:9-10 "

Great Statements

2011-03-08T10:59:00.000-08:00

Our lives are not determined by what happens to us but by how we react to what happens;

Not by what life brings to us, but by the attitude we bring to life.

A positive attitude causes a chain reaction of positive thoughts, events, and outcomes.

It is a catalyst, a spark, that creates extraordinary results. (unknown)

Oh What a Friend

2011-02-25T08:54:00.000-08:00

Oh, the comfort, the inexpressible comfort of feeling safe with a person, having neither to weigh thoughts, nor measure words, but pouring them all out, just as they are, chaff and grain together, certain that a faithful hand will take and sift them, keep what is worth keeping, and with a breath of kindness blow the rest away.

Dinah Maria Mulock Craik

Think of Others

2011-02-11T06:09:00.000-08:00

great Thoughts for Today

The only people you should try to get even with, are those who have helped you.
John E. Southard

What a pity so many people are living with so few friends when the world is full of lonesome strangers who would give anything just to be somebody's friend.
Milo L. Arnold

I Am a Promise

2011-02-06T07:42:00.000-08:00

“God sends every person into the world with a special message to deliver, with a special song to sing for others, and a special act of love to bestow. No one else can speak your message, or sing your song, or offer your act of love. These are entrusted only to you.” author unknown

Mother Teresa

"I was not called to be successful but faithful. Each one of us has something beautiful to do for God."

When someone like Mother Teresa suggests that God has something special for each of us to accomplish as a follower of Christ it is our challenge to discern the task God wants you or me to fulfill…

Romans 12 is a good read. Google it and read it. Just a portion, verses 4 through 8 says,

just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, 5 so in Christ we, though many, form one body, and each member belongs to all the others. 6 We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us. If your gift is prophesying, then prophesy in accordance with your faith; 7 if it is serving, then serve; if it is teaching, then teach; 8 if it is to encourage, then give encouragement; if it is giving, then give generously; if it is to lead, do it diligently; if it is to show mercy, do it cheerfully.

You Ask?

2011-02-04T20:04:00.000-08:00

Can I be a Christian without joining other Christians in the church?

Yes, it is something like:
being a soldier without an army,
a seamanwithout a ship,
a business man without a business,
a tuba playerwithout an orchestra,
a football player without a team or
a bee without a hive.

Mrs. William P. Jazen

Rejoice in All Things, I Say Rejoice

2011-01-30T18:33:00.000-08:00

“Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, Rejoice. Let your reasonableness be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand; do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:4-7).

Paul wrote these truths of God, and didn't just tell you not to be anxious, but also why you don’t need to be anxious; he doesn’t just tell you not to dwell on your problems, but he tells you what to dwell on instead. Paul wrote these words from a dirty cell, chained after being beaten and flogged. If Paul could feel free from anxiety in a situation like that and write about it, then we could learn from him how to deal with our anxious thoughts as well.
Our Lord is at Hand, and he tells us what to focus on during the trials in our life,

“Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me--practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you” (Philippians 4:8-9).

As hard as life can be, there are still things in life that are beautiful and full of the glory of God. Paul learned the secret of being content in every situation, whether he had plenty or was in need. Paul continually rejoiced in the Lord, by remembering that God was near, and in everything, he made his requests known to God.

Learn from Paul and put into practice what you learn.

“I can do all things through Him who strengthens me” (Philippians 4:13).

Strength

2011-01-23T07:00:00.000-08:00

Strength Within

"I feel that I am weak,
And prone to every sin;
But Thou who gives to those who seek,
Wilt give me strength within.

I need not fear my foes,
I need not yield to care,
I need not sink beneath my woes,
For Thou wilt answer prayer.

In my Redeemer's Name
I give myself to Thee;
And, all unworthy as I am.
My God will cherish me."
Anne Bronté
(1820-1849)

Psalm 28:6-7
Praise be to the Lord, for he has heard my cry for mercy. The Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in him, and I am helped. My heart leaps for joy and I will give thanks to him in song.　

It is the great challenges in our lives that God can use to teach us to rely on His strength alone.

All things are possible with God. It is His strength that will sustain us and His strength that will help each of us overcome our greatest fears and obstacles through prayer and through our Faith

A testimony to our ability to come to the Lord with all reqests for strength and he will provide. Good for the heart.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T8X65HRF6U8

2011-01-07T18:41:00.000-08:00

Each day comes bearing its gifts. Untie the ribbons.

Ruth Ann Schabacher

"As for every man to whom God has given riches and wealth, and given him power to eat of it, to receive his heritage and rejoice in his labor--this is the gift of God."

Everything you have is God's gift to you.

What you do with everything God gives you

is your gift to Him.

Keep On Keeping On

2011-01-02T07:41:00.000-08:00

Philippians 3:13-14

No, dear brothers and sisters, I am still not all I should be, but I am focusing all my energies on this one thing: Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead, I strain to reach the end of the race and receive the prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us up to heaven

Lamentations 3:22-24

The unfailing love of the LORD never ends! By his mercies we have been kept from complete destruction. Great is his faithfulness; his mercies begin afresh each day. I say to myself, "The LORD is my inheritance; therefore, I will hope in him!"

The Bible does not speak for or against the concept of New Year’s resolutions. Every day is the day the Lord has made, as Psalm 118:24 states, and “we will rejoice and be glad in it.”

One can make a resolution or promise to oneself any day of the year, and keeping it or breaking it is in their hands. One thing the Bible does say in Ecclesiastes 5:2,4 and 5 is that if one makes promises or vows to God, it shouldn’t be taken lightly.“Do not be rash with your mouth, and let not your heart utter anything hastily before God. For God is in heaven, and you on earth; therefore let your words be few. When you make a vow to God, do not delay to pay it; for He has no pleasure in fools. Pay what you have vowed— Better not to vow than to vow and not pay.”

Setting a goal or several goals at the beginning of the new year can be stimulating, but it’s the motivation to keep the resolution that is important. One can determine to pray more, read the Bible more, go to church regularly, or volunteer more, but these resolutions can fail without correct motivation.

The incentive must come from within with purpose and a plan. Even though there might be a setback at times, the best thing to do is to immediately start again

Go in Peace and Serve the Lord

2010-12-04T05:34:00.000-08:00

Found in James 4:
While selfishness produces conflict, humility produces submission to God.

Selfishness is the foundation for all conflict.
When two hearts want different things - and neither is willing to sacrifice for the sake of the other - conflict arises.
Selfishness is the cause of war, crime, and interpersonal conflict. By looking out for ourselves, we think we can get what we want from life.
In contrast, the Lord teaches us that humility, not selfishness, results in satisfaction in life. Promote yourself, and wars and conflict result. Even God is against you (v. 6).
But live in humility and wars and conflict cease, assuming all parties participate.
And the Lord will lift you up

Make Me a Channel of Your Peace
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q660KO2hTD0&feature=related

From 101 easy ways to make the world a better place:
http://hubpages.com/hub/101-Easy-Ways-You-Can-Make-The-World-A-Better-Place
101. Look for new and better ways every day to make the world a better, happier, and more pleasant place to live for everyone. If we all did just one thing every day, we could really begin to make a positive difference worldwide.

.....the immediate blessing is just seeing that you have made a difference to the benefit of someone other than yourself.

"In as much as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me" Matthew 25:45

Perspective

2010-11-24T06:46:00.000-08:00

Give Thanks to God for ALL that HE has done.

Get the right perspective. When Goliath came against the Israelites, the soldiers all thought, "He's so big we can never kill him." David looked at the same giant and thought, "He's so big I can't miss."

A canny Main farmer was approached by a stranger one day and asked how much he thought his prize Jersey cow was worth. The farmer thought for a moment, looked the stranger over, then said: "Are you the tax assessor, or has she been killed by your car?"

Remember the hard times so you can appreciate the good times.

You can always look around and see people who seem to have it easier than you do, people who don't seem to have the same challenges or the same problems that you have. You can see people who appear lucky or who seem to have been born in the right place or the right time, or you can look around yourself and notice many, many people who seem to be worse off than yourself.

If you take the time to put your situation in perspective with others around you, is it easier to be grateful for what you have? I know it helps me.

Perspective makes all the difference in how we handle life. Without perspective, small problems seem insurmountable, and we ignore warning signs. But with perspective, hard situations don't overwhelm, and we can find our way to thankfulness instead of despair.

Were there no God, we would be in this glorious world with grateful hearts, and no one to thank. Christina Rossetti

To God Be the Glory
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xtenFJ6x75k&feature=related