Friday, January 31, 2014

Vines, Branches, and Such


Dear God,
I admire people who have green thumbs; the people that can grow just about anything from one seed and a box of dirt. I think growth is so cool. I guess that is why I love trees and flowers and grass and vegetables and vines and ANYTHING that grows from the ground and up into the sky. Wait, potatoes don't do that, and I like them too.

It sure seems harder to grow people though. Plants do it naturally. People seem to have a hard time letting growth flourish in their lives sometimes....myself included. What would it be like to let YOU do what YOU need to do in MY life and let ME get out of the way to let YOU do it?

How much would I grow? I bet I could be HUGE. (Huge for You that is..)

I need to do that.....Yep, I sure do. Lord, how do I do that? Help me to get out of the way so that I can grow with and for You. This is a big request and it is hard for me to pen this request on my end.

Love,
Me:)

{Daily Scripture Reading: John 15:1-17}
http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=john+15%3A1-17&version=NIV

I am the vine; you are the branches. If you
remain in me and I in you, you will
bear much fruit; apart from me
you can do nothing.
John 15:5

Thursday, January 30, 2014

Jeremiah Was a _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ !


Dear God,

I can never thumb through or read anything in the book of Jeremiah without singing in my head that he was a bullfrog. I just hate that I do that. I am sure that he was not a bull frog. That song is ingrained in my head until I die I guess.

Here is the question:

Will I be singing "Jeremiah was a Bullfrog" for eternity?

Will we remember the thousands of songs that we grew up with while here on earth? Some of the songs that I know won't be too swift in Heaven, I think. Some of the songs that I have WRITTEN wouldn't be either, I think.

Anyway, I hope there is a bullfrog up there named Jeremiah if we DO get to keep some of these timeless classic melodies when we get there.

Love,
Me:)


{Daily Scripture Reading: Exodus 8:1-6}
http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=exodus+8%3A1-6&version=NIV

So Aaron stretched out his hand over the waters of Egypt, and the
frogs came up and covered the land.
Exodus 8:6

Wednesday, January 29, 2014

These "How To" Books Are In My Way


Dear God,

I love "How To" books. I love to read them, smell them, look at the pictures, store them in my house until the day that I die because I LOVE them so much.

The problem is that I love the books more than the actual "THING" that I am reading about IN the books. I bought a book one time, years ago, on how to stop procrastinating. Eleven years later, I found the book with an incomplete list of things that I needed to do. I read through the 101 things that I had attempted to write down and there were only a few that I had/have gotten around to doing. Approximately 4,017 days have come and gone since then. You would have thought that I could have done 101 things/tasks/goals SOMEWHERE in one of those 4,017 days of living. Writing something down is one thing, doing it is another, isn't it? I think my list was too big and my desire was way too small....apparently.

Help me to take bite size pieces of desires instead of trying to gobble up the entire cake in one sitting. Eating DAILY bread each day is better than trying to eat YEARLY bread in one day.

Love,
Me:)

{Daily Scripture Reading: II Corinthians 4:8-18}
http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=ii+corinthians+4%3A8-18&version=NIV

Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are
wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day.
II Corinthians 4:16

Tuesday, January 28, 2014

My Squirrel Rides in My Bra


Dear God,

How do people know when they are losing their minds? The other day, I put a stuffed squirrel down the front of my shirt and made up a song called "My Squirrel Rides in My Bra" while I was playing my ukulele. Is this crazy?

For me, acting goofy is fun and a wonderful release from the "serious" and "real" things that I have to deal with every day.

I can't imagine Jesus doing silly things like this. God, what do you find humorous? Did Jesus do any pressure release things while He was in human form? I think that He just HAD to feel the physical and emotional pressures that humans feel because He had an earthly body.

This is just something my Yonder Heart is pondering today.

I love you Lord.

Love,
Me:)


{Daily Scripture Reading: I Samuel 21:10-15}
http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=I+samuel+21%3A10-15&version=NIV

              So he pretended to be insane in their presence; and while he was
in their hands he acted like a madman, making marks on the
doors of the gate and letting saliva run down his beard.
I Samuel 21:13
 

Monday, January 27, 2014

The Attack of Christmas and Easter.....!


Dear God,

Why are the two times a year that Christians celebrate:

1. The Birth of Jesus
2. The Death/Burial/and Resurrection of Jesus

the ONLY two holidays around that are also accompanied by:

*Christmas TREES
*Santa Claus
*Easter Eggs and Candy
*Easter Bunnies

??????

Seems to be a lot of distractive forces involved to take away the true meaning of what we need to be celebrating and acknowledging. There are A LOT of different beliefs in this world-----and I can't think of ONE that gets their special days attacked as much as these two special days for us Christ followers: two days out of 365 (sometimes 366)!! IF it is NOT real, why all the cover up attempts? Does ANYONE ever wonder about this other than ME? Does someone that is not a Christian but has an intelligent brain ever wonder about that?

Hmmm.....I dunno know.

Love,
Me:)


{Daily Scripture Reading: Matthew 1:18-25 and Matthew 28:1-10}
http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=matthew+1%3A18-25&version=NIV
http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=matthew+28%3A1-10&version=NIV

She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the
name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.
Matthew 1:21

Sunday, January 26, 2014

Zombies? Really?


Dear God,

Where did the idea for "zombies" come from? There is a zombie craze going on around the world now. The thought of the "walking dead" and the fear of these creatures eating our brains and guts is quite frightening. If people are dead, they 'can't walk around because they are DEAD. That is pretty much IT.

Your word mentions many times that people were raised from the dead. Jesus died and rose from the dead on day number 3. He was not a walking dead person when He did that. He was and IS alive. Is the Zombie way of thinking a ploy to water down or distort the entire "raised from the dead" idea?

How come no one has invented a nemesis character called a "Seibmoz" and when IT raises from the dead, it is BETTER than before and helps people out in wholesome ways that bring hope and joy?

This is all silliness of course, but it IS an idea that is floating out in this world of ours. So many ideas ARE floating around.....some, like flies, need to be mashed at times. Not saying that "zombie" stuff is one of those....oh my, NO.

Love,
Me:)


{Daily Scripture Reading: John 11: 38-44}
http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=john+11%3A38-44&version=NIV

The dead man came out, his hands and feet wrapped with strips of
linen, and a cloth around his face.
Jesus said to them, “Take off the grave clothes and let him go."
John 11:44

Saturday, January 25, 2014

A Poem for You Lord


Dear God,

I love that my mind
Can think of a rhyme
In morning or night
Most often they're fine.

I love to read Suess
A most whimsical soul
He made up his own words
When no words would go.

A frontic, A muletone
A lungstat prolific
I could write all day
Pretend words terrific.

Yes, thank you dear Lord
For allowing in me
The gift to make rhymes
Create word harmonies.

Love,
Me:)


{Daily Scripture Reading: Psalms 119:57-64}
http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=psalms+119%3A57-64&version=NIV

You are my portion, Lord;
Psalms 119:57

Friday, January 24, 2014

Throwin' Rocks Ain't Nice


Dear God,
 
I don't think that I have ever thrown a rock at someone. Maybe I did when I was a kid. But, in the last 30 or so years, I can say that I have not.
 
I have a small little water fountain that I bought at a garden center sitting on my desk at work. You know that I love the sound of running water. On the top of the fountain, I put those little rocks that I picked up out of the river bed in Colorado a few years ago.
 
Yesterday, a customer came to my desk and asked me why I had those rocks sitting on my desk. She asked if I threw those at people when they made me mad. I thought that was funny as I had never thought of that before. I probably couldn't hit'em if I did try.
 
I think it is mean to throw rocks at people. People have been stoned to death in the past. It probably still happens today in this world. What an awful way to die. God, help me not to throw those old invisible stones that can crush a person's spirit as well.
 
Love,
Me:)

{Daily Scripture Reading: John 8:1-11}
http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=john+8%3A1-11&version=NIV

When they kept on questioning him, he straightened up and
said to them, “Let any one of you who is without sin be the
 first to throw a stone at her.”
John 8:7






Thursday, January 23, 2014

God is My Lion Tamer

Dear God,

You sure mention lions a lot in your word. They are used to describe good (Lion of Judah) and to describe bad (The devil as a roaring lion). People were thrown to the lions to be ripped apart and eaten. That is HORRIBLE. Isaiah 35 talks about lions not walking the streets. Proverbs speaks of sluggards and how they won't go out because there is a "fierce lion roaming the streets" (they used this as an excuse because they were LAZY....!)

A person can go crazy just thinking about stuff. I could probably ponder on lions and their significance in our lives all day long today. They are powerful and cunning and not to be taken lightly. I love that Daniel was thrown into the lions den and YOU shut those cat's mouths up and Daniel escaped death. The wonderful thing about that is that You will do the same for us too, whether a physical lion or the type of lion that we can not see.

Thank you for being the lion tamer in my life.

Love,
Me:)


{Daily Scripture Reading: Daniel 6:16-23
http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=daniel+6%3A16-23&version=NIV

My God sent his angel, and he shut the mouths of the lions.
Daniel 6:22

Wednesday, January 22, 2014

I Really Do Like Cartoons


Dear God,

Who invented cartoons? Who was the very first person to draw a cartoon? You know, don't you? I love cartoons. They are so expressive. Some are funny, serious, dark and depressing, light and whimsical. Black and white, vivid colors, pale pastels, they ALL are so neat to have in my life.

Thank you so much for cartoons and for the people that can create such awesome characters. Thank you for imagination and the ability to use it so that other people can benefit or enjoy life just a bit more abundantly. I wonder how much laughter that I would have missed out on growing up if it were not for all the cartoons that I watched.

Love,
Me:)


{Daily Scripture Reading: Isaiah 8:1a)
http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=isaiah+8%3A1&version=NIV

The Lord said to me, “Take a large scroll
and write on it with an ordinary pen..
Isaiah 8:1a

Tuesday, January 21, 2014

I Really Do Hate Cancer


Dear God,

I really do hate cancer. Did people get cancer back in Jesus' day? How long has this stuff been around?

I bet that I could easily list ten people (without thinking on my part) I know that have battled this awful disease. I just wanted to tell You that I hate cancer today. I really do!

I sure will be glad when the day comes when I won't have to ever see it or its affects on people.

I am quite tired of being around it. Just like the friends that lowered their friend to Jesus from the roof of a house so that he would be healed, I bring my dear family and friends to you today for healing.

Love,
Me:)


{Daily Scripture Reading: Mark 2:1-12}
http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Mark+2%3A1-12&version=NIV
"But I want you to know that the Son of Man has authority on
 earth to forgive sins." So he said to the man,  "I tell you,
get up, take your mat and go home."
Mark 2:10-11

Monday, January 20, 2014

Daily Eatin'


Dear God,

If I had to eat one meal a day (thankfully, I do not) I would eat BREAKFAST. I would eat about 10:00 am and totally fill up on eggs, bacon, biscuits, hash browns, gravy, and fruit. I would also drink coffee with whipping cream in it.......YUM!

I wish that our bodies were designed to eat once a day and in doing that, it would be the healthy way to eat. For some reason, increment eating is better and stabilizes blood sugar in our bodies.

I think that our spiritual bodies somehow are made to function the same way too. Small increments throughout the day seem to work better for me than one lump sum in the morning or evening. I wouldn't even think of eating once a week to feed my body. When I don't feed my SOUL with your words, I can tell a difference in my strength. I can tell when a difficult situation comes up in my life if I have not been feeding my soul the right food and if I have not been working it out. Lord, thank you for nourishment, both physical and soulful.

Love,
Me:)


{Daily Scripture Reading: Matthew 6:9-13}
http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=matthew+6%3A9-13&version=NIV

Give us today our daily bread.
Matthew 6:11

Sunday, January 19, 2014

Bartering In Today's World


Dear God,
If this world got rid of all currency and went to a barter system, I am afraid that I would STARVE.

It seems that some people  can do everything and my mom could have lived very well in a barters world. She could cook, grow plants, sew, work power tools, mow the yard, recover furniture, take care of animal's needs, drive a fork lift, do laundry like a pro, clean the house and make it immaculate!! There wasn't a whole lot this woman couldn't do. My mother-in-law is the same way.

If we went to a barter system, most people could........talk on a cell phone, play video games, surf the internet. WOO HOO! That's GREAT!

I think that I need to polish up on more life skills or something just in case we ever do have to barter to survive. It may come in handy someday. I feel like I am missing out on some good living by not doing these things.

Love,
Me:)

{Daily Scripture Reading: Proverbs 31:13-22}
http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=proverbs+31%3A13-22&version=NIV

She sees that her trading is profitable,
    and her lamp does not go out at night.

Proverbs 31:18

Saturday, January 18, 2014

Pretty, Ugly...I Dunno?


Dear God,
There are a lot of pretty people in the world. But, sitting around and looking "pretty" doesn't accomplish a whole lot of work. It doesn't clean a house, mow a yard, redo furniture, pay bills, or help very many people. "Sitting Pretty" is about all it is.....sitting and looking pretty.

Outward "pretty" and outward "ugly" are two categories that I just don't know how people are put into. It really DOES matter what is on the INSIDE....it really DOES! What CAN we do? How do we GIVE? How much compassion and love do we share with other people? Do we love You Lord?

It is not about outward prettiness or ugliness at all. These two things are merely distractions from the REAL stuff.

Lord, thank you for the REAL STUFF and when we are fortunate to experience and realize it when it enters our lives.

Love,
Me:)

{Daily Scripture Reading: I Samuel 16:7}
http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=I+Samuel+16%3A7&version=NIV

The Lord does not look at the things people
look at. People look at the outward
appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.
I Samuel 16:7

Friday, January 17, 2014

I Need a "Refresh" Button


Dear God,
Thank you for cool days in summer and warm days in the winter. It is refreshing at times to have a day pop up in the middle of a season that is totally unexpected. It revives the soul.

Refresh me today with a blast of cool or a hint of heat. It is amazing how the outdoor temperature can affect the mood of people (and YES, I am affected as well by temperature).

Refresh my soul today with a Holy Hug. I find it interesting that even computer screens have a "refresh" button on them. I wish we had physical "refresh" buttons on us sometimes. It would make life a little easier if we did.

Love,
Me:)

{Daily Scripture Reading: Psalms 51:10-12}
http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=psalms+51%3A10-12&version=NIV

Create in me a pure heart, O God,
    and renew a steadfast spirit within me.

Psalms 51:10

Thursday, January 16, 2014

Please Be With Policeman Lord


Dear God,
Let's talk about policeman. (policepersons)

Last night I was watching the news and a story came on about a policeman that was shot in the head and died when he tried to arrest someone. First of all, God, please be with this family and give them comfort and peace. This is horrible.

As things on this earth seem to get worse as far as discipline and respect for authority go, it will get harder for policeman. It will get harder for Christians. It will get harder for anyone in an authoritative position.

I would like to ask a special blessing for the policeman all over the world today. You know the exact number of men and women that I am talking and praying about.

The importance of staying focused and knowing what our purpose is as we walk on this huge dirt clod is CRUCIAL these days and I am so glad that we have You and Your word to guide us.

Love,
Me:)

{Daily Scripture Reading: Romans 13:1-7}
http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=romans+13%3A1-7&version=NIV

For the one in authority is God’s servant for your good.
But if you do wrong, be afraid, for rulers do not bear the
sword for no reason. They are God’s servants, agents
of wrath to bring punishment on the wrongdoer.
Romans 13:4

Wednesday, January 15, 2014

Happy Babies Make Me Happy


Dear God,

I saw the most precious baby doll baby girl in the whole wide world yesterday. She was SO sweet. She had dark hair that stuck up EVERYWHERE. She had black shiny eyes. She was about 5 months old. She had the best little disposition. She never fussed or cried. She was one of those babies that smile at every little silly face that I made at her. I am smiling now just thinking of her.

God, thank you for putting people on this earth that make other people smile and bring joy to us.

Thank you
Thank you
THANK YOU!!

Love,
Me:)


{Daily Scripture Reading: Luke 18:15-17}
http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=luke+18%3A15-17&version=NIV

People were also bringing babies to Jesus
for him to place his hands on them.
Luke 18:15

Tuesday, January 14, 2014

No Reason to Get THRASHED


Dear God,
I just don't think that I can handle the horrible evil that is in this world on my own merit. There is no way that I would survive on my own without You to guide me.

God, I want to be bold for Your sake but I know the people that don't believe in you will eat me alive unless I let YOUR SPIRIT be the one to lead and shine out to folks. There is a story in the bible that makes me laugh, although I am sure it was not funny to the men that got totally THRASHED!!

Seven guys went up to a demon possessed man and tried to cast out the demon. The demon says, "Jesus I know, and Paul I know, but who are you?" Then, he jumps on all 7 of them, beats them up, strips all of their clothes off, and they run naked into town. THAT is surely what will happen to me if I try to do things for you without involving YOU. It is never a good idea to get too FULL of OURSELVES, is it? My question is, how much do I need to involve You to keep from getting beat up and stripped? No less than 100% I am guessing. I do love a good challenge, even though I know who the winner will be in the end. It doesn't mean that it will be an easy game to play though!

Love,
Me:)

{Daily Scripture Reading: Acts 19:13-16}
http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=acts%2019:13-16&version=NIV

Jesus I know, and Paul I know about, but
who are you?
Acts 19:15



Monday, January 13, 2014

The Biggest "DOER"


Dear God,

Word and actions are so different. Sometimes they even appear to be opposites to me. I can literally talk-talk-talk and plan-plan-plan till I am blue in the face-face-face. BUT, the DOING is what produces the results that I want, NOT the "thinking about it" or the "talking about it".

Lord, I have many plans. I know that your word says that many are a mans plans, but YOU direct his steps. I think that I need to push in the "doing" direction. I think that one of the problems is that in the "doing" world, the results aren't as fast as I would like them to be.

Lord, help me to be a "doer"...the BIGGEST doer that ever there was....

Actually, who was or is the biggest "doer" that has ever been or exists today? I write this with a curl in my lip because that would take a lot of work to be a doer. Am I really ready to WORK? That is where it starts.

Oops...just curled my lip AGAIN!

Love,
Me:)


{Daily Scripture Reading: Proverbs 16:9, 19:21}
http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=proverbs%2016:9&version=NKJV
http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=proverbs%2019:21&version=NIV

Many are the plans in a person’s heart,
    but it is the Lord’s purpose that prevails.

Proverbs 19:21

Sunday, January 12, 2014

Let Your Light Shine


Dear God,
I just hate when I let negative opinions and views from other people discourage me and bring me down. Today, I am down just a bit.

I read an article written by a man that I believe is very sincere in the way that he thinks and believes, but it was discouraging to me. This man has written that he believed in You at one time, but now he has recanted and says that he does NOT believe in You. This man is one voice in a world of billions. It saddens my heart to read his words, and I can tell by the way he writes that he seems to be very educated and an intellectual type of person.

What does Your word tell me about being discouraged when other people's words make me sad? I need a hug from you today Lord.

Love,
Me:)

{Daily Scripture Reading: Matthew 5:13-16}
http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=matthew%205:13-16&version=NIV

Let your light shine before others,
that they may see your good
deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.
Matthew 5:16

Saturday, January 11, 2014

Anal Holes are Important Too


Dear God,

Me and my daughter were talking just a minute ago about the body of Christ; the church body, the members, the people, the folks that make up the church.

We were discussing the passage in your word that talks about how we should realize that a body is made up of many parts. A finger shouldn't be mad that it is not an eye. A foot shouldn't be mad at a nose, etc. We came to the conclusion that every part of the body is important, even the anal hole (pardon me mentioning this but you know my heart on this and I mean no disrespect at all). Actually, THAT part of the body is EXTREMELY important because without it, we would become full of toxins and DIE!! Here on earth, there are PEOPLE that are referenced as this part of the body in one terminology or another. I guess that we need these types of people to complete the body. Without them, I guess we would die.

How do I respectfully thank you for this part of the body (physical AND church)?

Lord, Thank You.

Love,
Me:)


{Daily Scripture Reading: I Corinthians 12:12-31}
http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=I%20corinthians%2012:12-31&version=NIV
(I know this is a weird topic, but God is bigger than our hearts and He knows everything. I John 3:20)
But in fact God has placed the parts in the
body, every one of them, just as he
wanted them to be.
I Corinthians 12:18

Friday, January 10, 2014

Can't Get Enough Sun♥♥


Dear God,

The sunrise was most excellent this morning. I could write about sunrises/sunsets every day!! The pastel colors of yellow, pink, peach, and orange mixed in with the pale blue sky among the cream and white colored clouds was awesome. I especially liked the sun rays shooting up into the sky from that circular orangey yellowish ball called the sun.

Thank you for the beauty of this morning and the oncoming day ahead.

Love,
Me:)

{Daily Scripture Reading: Psalms 50:1-2}
http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=psalms%2050:1-2&version=NIV

The Mighty One, God, the Lord,
    speaks and summons the earth
    from the rising of the sun to where it sets.
 From Zion, perfect in beauty,
    God shines forth.

Psalms 50:1-2

Thursday, January 9, 2014

Did Jesus Make Chairs?


Dear God,

Thank you for this new chair that I am sitting in now as I write. It sits in front of my desk in my bedroom. It is more than a "Desk" chair. It is big enough for me to sit cross legged while I write down thoughts with a journal propped in my lap. It does not angle at 90 degrees but has the perfect "back lean" to it. It is a fine chair and I look forward to writing many letters to You while I sit in it. I will also pay bills, read, study, and ponder on life in it as well.

There is nothing like a good chair. Hey, wasn't Jesus a carpenter? Did He make furniture too? I have always wondered about that...I know that He could have made furniture if He wanted to!

Love,
Me:)


{Daily Scripture Reading: Mark 6: 1-12
http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Mark%206:1-12&version=NIV

 Isn’t this the carpenter?
Mark 6:3a




Wednesday, January 8, 2014

Calm in the Storms at Work


Dear God,
Thank you for peace. Thank you for a "calm amongst the storm" feeling.

The new position at work has been hard. It has been frustrating and a bit overwhelming at times. The other day, I was sitting in front of the computer screen, looking over the horizon into the extremely busy and loud and crowded lobby of my building. I had stacks of paperwork on my desk. The phones would not stop ringing. The emails kept coming.

When I was gazing out into the work environment horizon of my job, I realized that I was at peace. I was calm. My heart was not racing. There was stillness in the middle of commotion. I immediately knew that You were there and I immediately knew that You had answered a prayer.

You were there
You answered my prayer

Thank you for being the calm in the storm to me. I can use a lot more of that in the coming days.

Love,
Me:)

{Daily Scripture Reading: Psalms 107:28-32}
http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=psalms%20107:28-32&version=NIV

He stilled the storm to a whisper;
    the waves of the sea were hushed.
 They were glad when it grew calm,
    and he guided them to their desired haven.

Psalms 107:29-30

Tuesday, January 7, 2014

Anony-MOUSES!!


Dear God,

Anonymous people sure are BOLD!! I pull up different blogs and I watch music videos on YouTube. I sometimes read the comments that people leave behind. The nastiest and most hurtful comments are left behind by the "anony-mouses" of the world. They attack YOU, people that believe in You, people that have different ideas than THEY do about life. They are dark and ugly at times. They attack people who leave comments about how they felt when their mother died or comments about their grandfather who is terminally ill. There is no compassion at all from "anony-mouse". I read an attack on someone yesterday. I pulled up "anony-mouse" 's site and of course there was no information at all about who he/she was or is. Just some nasty voice sent down to destroy all. Lord, this is similar to the way Satan attacks, isn't it?

YOU know who "anony-mouse" is, don't you God!!!!

Lord, how do we handle the "anony-mouses"  of the world? They don't carry a lot of credibility and I don't give them much either. Oh to be as bold about YOU as "anony-mouse" is with his/her hateful nasty comments. I think it is about time to step it up a notch in the BOLD department where You are concerned.

Love,
Me:)


{Daily Scripture Reading: Proverbs 21:29}
http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=proverbs%2021:29&version=NIV
Lord, it amazes me that I just can't come up with a topic that Your word doesn't address. THANK YOU!!!!!

The wicked put up a bold front,
    but the upright give thought to their ways.

Proverbs 21:29

Monday, January 6, 2014

Life Abundant


Dear God,

Why do you love us? This is a big question. Love is not something we can see, hear, hold, touch, smell, or taste. Your word says that You are LOVE.

You loved us so much that you gave us your Son. I can't imagine going up to one of my daughters and telling them that I needed them to die for someone else. Jesus gave his life, knowing that He would rise again. I really can't comprehend the pain that He suffered. Writing these words seem so trivial to the reality of what happened so many years ago.

Oh, to have love like that for other people. I feel that at this point in my life, I am only standing on the edge of knowing this type of love and giving this kind of love to others. Lord, help me to love deeper. It does seem that deep love can also have experiences of deep pain that rid along with it. Life ABUNDANT in BOTH directions to be certain.

Love,
Me:)


{Daily Scripture Reading: John 10:1-18}
http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=john%2010:1-18&version=NKJV
I have come that they may have life, and
that they may have it more abundantly.
John 10:10

Sunday, January 5, 2014

Sowing Life is Heartfully NOT Easy


Dear God,
The parable of the sower has been weighing heavy in my heart the last few days (Matthew 13).

I have taken a handful of my life, the good parts of my life, and scattered it many times into the wind only to find this parable to be SO TRUE!

I have met people that are like all four things mentioned: the Path, the Rocky Place, the Thorny Place, and the Good Soil. I am not sure which one of the these hurts me the most. We can take something so precious as our treasured life and dare to share it with a path, a rock, or thorns and NOTHING of value is produced. BUT, when we do happen to find the GOOD SOIL, the effort is certainly worth it. All of the hurt gets covered up by the growth of the crop that took what was given and multiplied it into something wonderful for others to share.

Being a farmer is not for the faint of heart. Thank you or these wonderful words that help me understand the way of folks a bit more clearly.

Love,
Me:)

{Daily Scripture Reading: Matthew 13:1-23}
http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=matthew%2013:1-23&version=NIV

But the seed falling on good soil refers to someone who
hears the word and understands it. This is the one
who produces a crop, yielding a hundred, sixty
or thirty times what was sown.”
Matthew 13:23

Saturday, January 4, 2014

Poetry Sweet Poetry


Dear God,

Today is poem day. Poetry is like music without melody. Poetry is like black and white pictures. Poetry is getting to the meat of feelings and heart without all the fluff and bling of distractions to water down the meaning. Does any of this make sense?

I like to write poems and songs, but I certainly feel that I have a long way to go to capture depth and express it to others so that they will feel it in their souls. I love to read Dr. Suess rhymes. Is there a difference between rhymes and poetry? They all seem to be mixed up in the same stew pot. Maybe rhymes are the stuff on the top of the stew and poetry is the good stuff (meat/veggies) that float to the bottom. To get the top portion, we need a ladle and to get the good stuff at the bottom, we need a slotted spoon.

Same with these wonder words in scripture. How we retrieve is what we receive.....hmmmm, what a cool thought I just "thunked"!

Love,
Me:)


{Daily Scripture Reading: Song of Songs 1:2-4}
A WONDERFUL example of poetry/songs.
http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=song%20of%20songs%201:2-4&version=NIV
Pleasing is the fragrance of your perfumes;
    your name is like perfume poured out.
    No wonder the young women love you!
 Take me away with you—let us hurry!

Song of Songs 1:2-4a

Friday, January 3, 2014

Lies Bug Me


Dear God,

Help me today as I try to deal with a misunderstanding between me and another person. Sometimes, there seems to be a fine line between misunderstanding and flat out lies.

There is nothing more irritating than lies. People have been lying for years and it will continue until the end of the world. I am intrigued on how the telling of lies seems to have a never ending domino affect of destruction. Lies tear up everything in their path. If I could physically hit lies in their noses, I would. They make me so mad....!

There is nothing more frustrating than lies and there is nothing so soothing and welcoming as TRUTH.

Lord, please give me the wisdom to deal with liars today....even in myself. I still need growth and maturity on how to handle such things.

Love,
Me:)


{Daily Scripture Reading: John 8:42-47, Proverbs 19:22}
http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=john%208:42-47&version=NIV
http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=proverbs%2019:22&version=NIV

.....better to be poor than a liar.
Proverbs 19:22b

Thursday, January 2, 2014

"Tired" Sure Does Get In the Way


Dear God,

I am so tired today. It is hard to stay focused and on track. If I was swinging in a hammock between two oak trees right now, sleeping like a dead monkey, I would sure be a lot happier than I currently am as I am TRYING to stay awake. Our bodies aren't made to work 24/7, are they?

I can relate to the disciples and how they felt on the night that Jesus asked them to stay awake because his "hour" was coming. They all fell asleep. I would have too. It sure wrecks havoc with internal desires......

Love,
Me:)


{Daily Scripture Reading: Matthew 26:36-46}
http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=matthew%2026:36-46&version=NIV

Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation.
The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.
Matthew 26:41

Wednesday, January 1, 2014

Tight Rope Walking


Dear God,

This year, or should I say LAST year, I watched a man on TV (Nik Wallenda) cross a portion of the Grand Canyon on a tight rope. I don't think that I took a breath the entire 22 plus minutes that he was walking. He was 1,500 feet above the ground. He and his family prayed to You before he started. He spoke to Jesus the entire time that he was going across that tiny line. Thank you for being there with him as he successfully made it to the other side. It was exciting and scary to watch.

Your word says that we are surrounded by a cloud of witnesses. Is this how they feel some times as we are walking on the very thin wire of life? The winds blow, the wire moves, if we fall, certain death is unavoidable. It seems that the only thing keeping us from falling is YOU.

Thank you for helping that man across the Grand Canyon while he walked on a very small wire. Thank you for watching and helping us as we are doing the very same thing in this life. Help me to stay focused this year on what is in front of me and not on all of the distractions that surround me.
 
Love,
Me:)


{Daily Scripture Reading: Hebrews 12:1-3}
http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=hebrews%2012:1-3&version=NIV

And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for
us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith.
Hebrews 12:1b-2a