Saturday, April 12, 2014

Letter to Myself


Dear Me,

It is time to take a break from the internet for a while. All the letters have been written now and you don't have to post them every day on the net. Take time to "sharpen the ax" so to speak. The internet can become too HEAVY at times, and you have some other things you gotta carry (along with an AWESOME God that is in total control of EVERYTHING!!)

So, don't write for a while and don't fret about it. Come back refreshed and alive and ready to tackle the challenge again.....the challenge of consistency. ha.......

Love,
Me:)

{Romans 15:13}
http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=romans+15%3A13&version=NIV

GOD IS GOOD!!!!

May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you
trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the
power of the Holy Spirit.
Romans 15:13

Wednesday, April 9, 2014

Roads and Angels


Dear God,

I was reading in Acts 8 this morning. As I was speed reading along, verse 26 zoomed by me. It starts out: "NOW an angel of the Lord said to Philip, 'Go south to the road-the desert road-that goes down from Jerusalem to Gaza'. "

Wait a minute......back up. Let me get this straight. One of your angels spoke to Philip and gave him directions? I could write a BOOK on that line alone. There could be a movie made or a TV series on that line alone. Some people here on earth are wrapped up in the whole "zombie" thing. What would they think if they knew that real live angels talk to people and even stop and give directions with names of towns and descriptions of streets?

Amazing!

I know that Acts 8 has a lot of stuff in it, but this is what grabbed me today. Woo Hoo!

Love,
Me:)

ps: Does this still happen today with GPS around and all?


{Daily Scripture Reading: Acts 8:26-40}
http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=acts+8%3A26-40&version=NIV

Now an angel of the Lord said to Philip, “Go south to the
 road—the desert road—that goes down from Jerusalem to Gaza.”
Acts 8:26

Tuesday, April 8, 2014

Please Be With the Parents of Teenagers


Dear God,

Please be with the parents of teenagers.

What a world we live in now. It seems that there are many teens and preteens that are suffering from severe "identity crisis'" these days. This is in a world where the internet allows people to post every type of detail about their lives that anyone would ever care to know or read.

Let's all post:
pictures of every little action and every place visited and every thought ever produced and every perversity and every put down every joke every happy thought every like every dislike every relative every job held every college attended every relationship gone bad or good....EVERYTHING! (I stand guilty in these shenanigans as well Lord)

Identity crises? Really? How? How when everything we are is posted and in clear view by anyone who cares to look.

You said the only way to find life is to lose it (not talking about suicide.) When selfishness stops and is replaced by genuine love for You and for others, THAT is when we will know who WE are and the identity crisis will stop.

Give-Give-Give and Help-Help-Help others. That is when life will get better.

Love,
Me:)


{Daily Scripture Reading: Matthew 10:30-39}
http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=matthew+10%3A30-39&version=NIV

Whoever finds their life will lose it, and whoever loses their
life for my sake will find it.
Matthew 10:39




Monday, April 7, 2014

April 5th and 6th

Saturday and Sunday
April 5th and 6th

April 6th/Sunday
Dear God,

Open doors. Closed doors.

My entire life, I have heard people use these words to describe opportunities gained or lost. Why does it have to be a door?

I love doors; especially old doors from old houses. I used to have my house decorated with old doors.......to the EXTREME! They were leaning against walls, hanging from ceilings. It was a bit of overkill on my part.

Revelations 3:7-8 makes reference to doors.

"What He opens no one can shut and what He shuts no one can open. I have placed before you an open door that NO ONE can shut."

God, sometimes discouragement overwhelms me but I must always keep in mind that You are in control, NOT ME nor other people around me. I have to keep on pushing on through life because it is all about You -----when the doors are opened AND shut!

Love,
Me:)

{Daily Scripture Reading: Revelations 3:7-8}
http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=revelations+3%3A7-8&version=NIV
See, I have placed before you an open door that no one can shut.
Revelations 3:8




April 5th/Saturday
Dear God,

Help us to find a song leader for our church. This is the first time that I have served on a "search" committee. There is quite a bit of work, prayer, and time involved.

What I have found so REFRESHING about being with this group of people as opposed to the group of people that I work with, or the photography club I am in, or the music group that I play in, is that our decisions are founded and based on prayer and what Your word says along with many different types of people from many different backgrounds. It is a GOOD foundation and gives us stability and direction among all the differences because those differences, I feel, would hold the process up if we did not have YOU as a focal point.

Thank you for Your guidance.

Love,
Me:)

.........it is now months later, and we have a wonderful worship leader who loves music and God. :)

{Daily Scripture Reading: Romans 12:3-8}
http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=romans+12%3A3-8&version=NIV

Friday, April 4, 2014

Homecomings.....Crying Now....:)


Dear God,

My oldest daughter (You know her) and I watched a video together of soldiers coming home and surprising their families with their awesome presence. We both just cried as we watched the reactions of the families and loved ones when they saw their soldier standing in front of them. They would run, cry, and embrace each other. The children especially got to my heart when they saw their daddy or mommy. They just hugged and cried and kissed them because they loved them SO much.

I have goose bumps now as I am writing this.....!

I think this is a taste of what it will be like when we finally get to see each other Lord. Thank you for these videos and homecomings and for being my father in Heaven.

Love,
Me:)


{Daily Scripture Reading: Mark 2:1-5}
http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=mark+2%3A1-5&version=NIV


A few days later, when Jesus again entered Capernaum, the people
heard that he had come home.  They gathered in such large
numbers that there was no room left, not even
outside the door, and he preached the word to them.
Mark 2:1-2

Thursday, April 3, 2014

Pain....OUCH!


Dear God,

I hate pain...I just don't like it at all.

I know there won't be any pain in Heaven/Eternity, but sometimes even KNOWING that doesn't seem to help much while I'm going through it here on earth.

It amazes me what our minds are capable of doing and that some people's minds and wills are SO STRONG that they can push past the pain to achieve their goals. I think of Olympic Athletes and the physical pain they have to endure to even have a chance at a gold medal and being number ONE. They do it for the CHANCE.....there are no guarantees. Isn't that something? Sometimes I pick up my ukulele and play it when I am in pain and that helps.

God, help me push past the pain today. Help! Help! Help!

Love,
Me:)


{Daily Scripture Reading: Matthew 4:23-25}
http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=matthew+4%3A23-25&version=NIV

....and people brought to him (Jesus) all who were ill with
various diseases, those suffering severe pain....,
Matthew 4:24

Wednesday, April 2, 2014

Refresh Day is Coming


Dear God,

I need a boost! Can you please send me some refreshment today?

You would think that after a wonderful vacation in the mountains last week that I would be MORE than charged for work and home duties. I almost feel defeated and depressed because I am longing for that wonderful carefree feeling of getting away from everything.

Help me to focus and "Dig In" to the tasks around me as there are many that need doing and "I" need to do them, not someone else.

I need your word and people to direct me and lift me up today.

Love,
Me:)


{Daily Scripture Reading: Proverbs 11:5}
http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=proverbs+11%3A25&version=NIV

A generous person will prosper;
    whoever refreshes others will be refreshed.

Proverbs 11:25

Tuesday, April 1, 2014

If You Believe in NOTHING, That is SOMETHING


Dear God,

Rolling along here.

I read today in II Corinthians 4:18 how we need to fix our eyes on things that are NOT seen.

How in the world do I explain that to someone that doesn't believe in you; the "someone that only believes in the tangible things they can see, touch and hold I their hands" kinda person? How can a person look at things that they can't see?

We go around NOT SEEING things all day long. Everyone does whether they believe in You or not...all women, men, children, all races, all religions, EVERYONE does.

I think it has to do with the heart. People that don't believe in You have hearts and souls. Is there a nemesis bible for them? If they believe in NOTHING, they are focusing THEIR eyes on things they cannot see too!

hmmmmmm? again I say hmmmmmmm......

YOU are the Best thing I have never seen in my life Lord!!!!

Love,
Me:)

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


So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen,
since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.
II Corinthians 4:18