Is It Really Over?

by Tom Norvell
http://www.heartlight.org/

The disciples had been with Jesus for three years. They had watched Him perform His miracles, witnessed His encounters with the religious leaders, and experienced His kind and compassionate nature. They had asked Him questions and heard His answers. They had seen Him walk on water and disappear into the mountains. They had been shocked when they found Him talking with a woman from Samaria, and perturbed with Him when He took too much time with children.

For three years they dreamed with Him about the coming Kingdom, even though their images of the future were quite different. They had envisioned positions of power and prestige, but He had reminded them that their role should be that of a servant. The disciples had given up their homes, jobs, and ambitions to follow this One who promised to use them to change the world. Then, as they stood by paralyzed by fear, He was arrested. He was accused of blasphemy. He was tried and convicted. He was beaten and tortured and ridiculed and humiliated. He was crucified. He died. Hewas buried. In those quiet difficult moments after His death, surely they struggled with what they had seen, with what they had done, and what they had not done. Questions and doubt must have filled their minds.

"We thought ...

""What about ...

""Why ...

""We expected ...

""We hoped ...

""Is it really over?

"Within a few hours most of us will see the end of the year (if it has not already occurred where you are). With the turn of a page on the calendar, and the tick of the clock, the old year will be gone and a new year will be ushered in. As the transition takes place some of us will be disappointed with the way things have turned out during the last twelve months.

Some will be amazed that the year has gone so rapidly.

Some will be filled with regret.

Some will be relieved.

"We thought we would have been better off financially."

"We meant to work less and spend more time with our family."

"We intended to get more involved in our church."

"We expected to make more progress on our marriage relationship."

"We hoped ... "

"We wish ... "

"Is it really over?"

"Is it really over?"

There is good news.

As the disciples struggled with their questions, doubts, and regretsthey received the greatest news they could have ever imagined. "The tomb is empty! He is alive!"

As we deal with all the things that we should have done, could have done, wish we had done, and ought to have done, the news is also good:"Happy New Year!" We get another chance.

The year has ended, but your life is not over! It's a new year. Make the most of it.



Happy New Year Glitter Graphics

Saved the Best for Last

Christmas time has always been my favorite time of year. From the joy of celebrating Jesus birth – To the melodic sounds of carols being sung - To a gathering spirit of love for friends and family – To the outreach of kindness and generosity - To the excitement and anticipation of exchanging gifts – and let’s not forget the fun of that cute little fat man in the red suit that appears around this time of year - To twinkling lights and the vibrant colors of Christmas sparkling from every direction in a community. It’s all so beautiful to me. The end of the season is a perfect time to get married – so we did – 46 year ago. Oh my, that’s a lot of years! That gives our kids 4 years to plan our 50th. Hint, hint! When they were in school I always wanted them to start their projects the minute they were assigned. Ah the sweet irritation of mom’s notions never really goes away. Our marriage has given our precious four a love assignment.

You’re probably thinking, “oh good, she’s got a really good long marriage pearl for us today.” Dear hearts – I have a twelve strand necklace! Marriage is not for the faint of heart. Conventional wisdom says you need to blend two lives into one with mutual respect, love and honor. Ahhh, isn’t that beautiful but how do you do that if one of the two is from Mars? In every marriage one always is and contrary to popular belief that’s irrespective of gender. Coach Wonderful and I have learned that dying to self is what builds a good marriage. Not an easy task. Most of us enter a marriage as if we were shot by a porcupine in our youth. We got quills. (Hairs with scales or shingles, that point backward. Body heat makes the barbs expand and they become even more deeply embedded) Patterns – habits, attitudes, survival instincts, defensive mechanisms, just wanting to be loved and accepted. We bring into a marriage false notions of defining ourselves by what we do, what we have, what we think, and arguing our way. Quills are all about self and need to be removed from our lives. It’s a process and depending on how ‘quilled’ you are it can take a very long time. As long as it’s an I for an I your we might be destroyed.

A pearl to string: Marriage is the single most valuable liaison to battle selfishness. Learning to die to self grooms you for a closer relationship with the Lord like nothing else I know.

"And he said to them all, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me. For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: but whosoever will lose his life for my sake, the same shall save it. For what is a man advantaged, if he gain the whole world, and lose himself, or be cast away?" Luke 9:23-25

Thank you Lord for my Coach Wonderful. Thank you love of my life for helping me removes so many quills.

In Son shine,
Lyndi

SONRISE

THE BIRTH OF JESUS

It’s Christmas Time 4

Let’s Sing:



Mary, did you know
That your baby boy will one day walk on water?
Did you know
That your baby boy will save our sons and daughters?
Did you know
That your baby boy has come to make you new?
This child that you've delivered
Will soon deliver you

Mary, did you know
That your baby boy will give sight to a blind man?
Did you know
That your baby boy will calm a storm with His hand?
Did you know
That your baby boy has walked where angels trod?
And when you kiss your little boy
You've kissed the face of God

Mary, did you know?
The blind will see
The deaf will hear
And the dead will live again
The lame will leap
The dumb will speak
The praises of the Lamb

Mary, did you know
That your baby boy is Lord of all creation?
Did you know
That your baby boy will one day rules the nations?
Did you know
That your baby boy is heaven's perfect Lamb?
This sleeping child you're holding
Is the Great I Am


If our greatest need had been information,
...God would have sent us an educator;
If our greatest need had been technology,
...God would have sent us a scientist;
If our greatest need had been money,
...God would have sent us an economist;
If our greatest need had been pleasure,
...God would have sent us an entertainer;
But our greatest need was forgiveness,
...So God sent us a Savior.


One Solitary Life

He was born in an obscure village
The child of a peasant woman
He grew up in another obscure village
Where he worked in a carpenter shop
Until he was thirty

He never wrote a book
He never held an office
He never went to college
He never visited a big city
He never traveled more than two hundred miles
From the place where he was born
He did none of the things
Usually associated with greatness
He had no credentials but himself
He was only thirty three
His friends ran away
One of them denied him
He was turned over to his enemies

And went through the mockery of a trial
He was nailed to a cross between two thieves
While dying, his executioners gambled for his clothing
The only property he had on earth

When he was dead
He was laid in a borrowed grave
Through the pity of a friend

Nineteen centuries have come and gone
And today Jesus is the central figure of the human race
And the leader of mankind's progress
All the armies that have ever marched
All the navies that have ever sailed
All the parliaments that have ever sat
All the kings that ever reigned put together
Have not affected the life of mankind on earth
As powerfully as that one solitary life

One Solitary Life was adapted from a sermon by Dr James Allan Francis in "The Real Jesus and Other Sermons" © 1926 by the Judson Press of Philadelphia.

Do you think Mary knew? Can you imagine? What awe inspiring faith she had. Kind of takes your breath away doesn’t it?

Merry Christmas

May your homes and hearts be filled with the love your Saviors birth brought into your lives,
Lyndi

Christmas Date Note

Isn’t it interesting that there is a growing number of Christians coming to grips with history. December 25th is probably not the actual day Jesus Christ was born – could have been the day Jesus was conceived by the Holy Spirit. So the Seed of God was placed in the womb of Mary during the Jewish celebration of Hanukkah that year.
Wow! The Light of the World is conceived during the Festival of Lights.
Learned peoples point to the Holy Scripture to explain the inaccuracy of the present celebrated dates. Blame is placed on the Catholic Church for arbitrarily choosing a day to celebrate the birth of Christ. The voices are growing in numbers, “this isn’t the date, this isn’t the date”!
Makes you want to ask, “And the point is?”

If I learned at this juncture in my life (I’m really old) that my actual birth date was about 6 months off would it change my life? Would it change who I am or how I celebrate life? I rather doubt it. Leaning into Scripture you can always find your answers. Paul rejoiced in the fact that Jesus was being preached. Some out of rivalry, but others out of goodwill. (Philippians 2:15-18)

We do celebrate Christmas all over this world - even if people are not Christians or don't believe in anything. Who get's talked about? Why I believe that is my Jesus they are dissing but they are talking about Him. He's not going away!

May you be blessed knowing that in fact our King was born and is alive for ever more and may we purpose to worship Him all year long.

Rest on His Word:
Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. (Philippians 2:9-11)

Merry Christmas
Lyndi

Why Bethlehem?

Dr. Joe McKeever
http://www.joemckeever.com/mt/

WHY BETHLEHEM OF ALL PLACES? I’ve been to Bethlehem. It’s fairly indistinguishable from many other Judean towns, except for the Church of the Nativity built over the traditional site of Jesus’ birth. Bethlehem is located on a ridge some 2500 feet above sea level, and five or six miles southwest of Jerusalem. Why, with all the grand locations in the world to choose from, did God choose for His Son to be born in Bethlehem?

I can think of three good reasons.

1) TO FULFILL PROPHECY Seven hundred years earlier the prophet Micah quoted God: “As for you, Bethlehem Ephrathah... from you One will go forth from Me to be ruler in Israel, His goings forth are from long ago, from days of eternity.”

Now, some Messianic prophecies are cryptic- they are identified and understood only after the event has occurred. Psalm 22 and Isaiah 53 must have perplexed readers for hundreds of years as to their meaning. Only after the Savior went to the cross did the followers of Jesus realize how the first seems to be the thoughts of the Lord on the cross, and the second an eyewitness description of that event. God placed such prophecies in the Bible so that when they happened, His people would be comforted to know He had planned it from the beginning.

However, Micah 5:2 stands out there in the open. God wanted everyone to know the Savior would be arriving in Bethlehem. And everyone did know, at least those familiar with the Scriptures. When the magi arrived in Jerusalem asking at every street corner where the newborn King could be found, word filtered up to King Herod in the palace and he called in his advisors. “In Bethlehem,” they all agreed, quoting Micah 5:2. God keeps His word; Jesus was born in Bethlehem.

2) TO IDENTIFY WITH DAVID The Messiah would be a Son of David and sit on the throne of David. Old Testament prophecies emphasized both points again and again. Since both Mary and Joseph were of the lineage of David, Jesus was doubly covered. When the census of Luke 2:1 called everyone to his ancestral home, they made the journey of a hundred miles south to Bethlehem.

Bethlehem was where Ruth lived and where she gleaned the fields behind Boaz' harvesters. Boaz spotted the lovely young widow and the rest, as they say, is history. Their son Obed became the father of Jesse, who raised a large family of sons and daughters, the youngest son being David. Thereafter, Bethlehem would forever be known as the city of David. Even the angels called it that. “Unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior,” they said to the shepherds. Doubtless many of the psalms of David which God’s people have loved and sung for thirty centuries were inspired by time spent in the same fields and meadows where the shepherds met the angels that wondrous night.

One day as the Lord and His entourage were approaching Jericho, a blind beggar sitting beside the gate began to call out to Him. “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!” Again and again, he repeated that refrain. When our Lord came within earshot, He had the man brought to Him and restored his sight.

The son of God is the Son of David! Jesus was born in Bethlehem.

3) TO MAKE A CONNECTION Bethlehem in the Hebrew means “House of Bread.” (Today, the Jews call it “Beit Lahm”, meaning “house of meat.”) What more fitting place for One to be born who would be known as the Bread of Life.

One day, the Lord Jesus fed thousands of people with the lunch of a child. Soon afterward, He taught the people the meaning of the miracle. “There is a bread that endures to eternal life,” He said. He Himself was the living and true Bread from Heaven, “which a man may eat and live forever.” (John 6)

Isaiah asked the people of God in his day: “Why do you spend your money for that which is not bread? (Isa. 55:2) That is to say, why are you working and worrying and spending your life for things that do not nourish you, do not strengthen you, and do not satisfy you? A good question for our day, also.

Jesus is the fulfillment of prophecies given hundreds of years earlier. Jesus Christ is the Son of David, born in the City of David. Jesus is the Bread of Life, born in the House of Bread.

How much plainer can God make it?
Jesus is Lord.

Christmas Prayer

I have loved ones I'm missing at this time of year as do most of you.
Some from long ago that you think of tenderly. Other's have gone to be with the Lord only this year or maybe this week. Your hearts are grieving and it's a lonely pain. Men & Women in our armed forces have made tremendous sacrifices for our freedom and protection of our democratic government putting their lives on the line for us daily. Too many have died in service to this nation. Their families and friends are suffering a mighty heartbreak. Still other's are suffering loss of a different kind: job, home, health, a friendship at odds, family bickering or devastatingly divisive disputes. This time of year can be very lonely where people feel like outcasts with no one to gather with, no one to love on or no one to love on them. We're celebrating our Saviors birth. A Savior! He came that you might have life, and have it to fullness(eternity) John 10:10 He came to love you, help you, guide you, teach you His ways. He came to hold you in His arms when you cry & hurt. I'm praying for you and may we all reach out in caring love to family, friends and strangers with all the love Christ Jesus has put in us. Bless you precious friend. Amen and amen.

For those who may be grieving or suffering we stop to say a Christmas prayer:
We celebrate this time of year because our Lord was born;
But let us not forget that there are others who may mourn.

In times of sorrow, times of strife, it's sometimes hard to smile,
So, Holy Spirit, please come in and tarry for awhile.

Touch those who may be suffering; touch every wounded heart,
Touch all those burdened souls when they feel distant, set apart.

Remove the pain, and fill their hearts with happiness and mirth,
And let them all rejoice now in The Savior's holy birth. Amen and amen

It’s Christmas Time 3

Let’s Sing:

Happy Birthday Jesus
I'm so glad its Christmas
All the tinsel and lights
And the presents are nice.
But the real gift is you.

Happy Birthday Jesus
I'm so glad its Christmas
All the carols and bells
Make the holiday swell
And it's all about you.
Happy Birthday Jesus,
Jesus I Love You.

And they were bringing children to him that he might touch them, and the disciples rebuked them. But when Jesus saw it, he was indignant and said to them, "Let the children come to me; do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of God. Truly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child shall not enter it." And he took them in his arms and blessed them, laying his hands on them.
(Mark 10:13-16)

If you perceive “childlike faith” as “naiveté,” “simplicity,” or even the “blind resolve” of a child you might find yourself struggling with the concept of “childlike faith”. It will be difficult to reconcile it with other Scripture regarding how we are to think of God. Solomon clearly did not hold this view when he wrote, "How blessed is the man who finds wisdom and the man who gains understanding" (Prov. 3:13). David says to "Taste and see that the Lord is good" (Ps. 34:8). Additionally, when you look up the meaning of "faith" in the original language, you’ll find that it involved having confidence in something that was trustworthy. God is trustworthy, Jesus is trustworthy, and the Holy Spirit is trustworthy. So what they say is trustworthy but don’t get it confused with what man says they say. Each of us needs the Holy Spirit to understand Scripture.

Jesus is not talking about all us big people jumping, dancing, and screaming at ear piercing levels. Nor is He encouraging nail biting in public, wearing ice cream on our face or rolling in mud. We were all delightful little free spirits at one time. God’s word instructs all parents to teach, train up and guide each child to a disciplined maturity. When Jesus speaks of becoming like a child He is speaking of humility. So what is humility? It simply means yielding to the Word of God. "Whoever then humbles himself as this child, he is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven” (Matthew 18:4) Our hearts have all been touched hearing a child’s prayer – that precious humble yielding to who God is that flows so tenderly.


A pearl to string: When I hear these beautiful little voices in the Happy Birthday Jesus song I hear a “childlike faith” and I cannot imagine any other way to celebrate the birth of our Savior.

In joyful agreement with God’s gift of life,
Merry Christmas
Lyndi

Longings of Christmas

By Gwen Smith
www.girlfriendsingod.com

"Better one handful of tranquility than two handfuls with toil and chasing after the wind." Ecclesiastes 4:5 (NIV)

Ah, Christmas! What a joyous time of the year! What a busy time of the year! What an expensive time of the year! Yikes!

A family friend of ours is going through a tight financial season and is concerned about what he and his wife can afford to buy their children for Christmas. He has been talking with his seven-year-old son about the spending limitations they are bound by, hoping that these talks will diminish the child's expectations of a lavish Christmas. Regardless of the monetary dialog, his son is still determined to get an electronic toy that is very expensive.

Over the past few weeks, this resolute child just could not stop talking about, longing for and thinking about this toy. My friend was amused and surprised the other day when his naïve son burst into the room with excitement, exclaiming "Daddy! Daddy! I figured out a way! I've figured out a way! I can still get my toy and you won't have to buy it! You won't have to spend your money! I've decided to ask Santa for it!"

At times, we can long for something so desperately, that we just can't stop thinking about it. The problem with me is that I'm often longing for vapors. I want things that are neither eternal nor important in the grand scheme of things. King Solomon referred to this in the Old Testament book of Ecclesiastes as "chasing after the wind." It just seems that my flesh is constantly battling the God-seeker in me. Can you relate?

At Christmas time, longings attack our contentment. Whether they are longings of a material nature or emotional nature -- tangible or intangible. Our desires are often heightened by the commercial status of this flesh-driven culture. I'm compelled this year to pray specifically that the God-seeker in me would be strengthened. I want to want Christ more. I want a heart that is satisfied with Him.

There's an old hymn written by the late Charles Wesley that is perfect for both Christmas time and all year round: "Come, Thou Long-Expected Jesus." It was the cry of those anticipating the arrival of a coming Messiah more than 2000 years ago and it remains our cry today as we celebrate the birth of baby Jesus and anticipate His return as our King of Kings and Lord of Lords.

Come, Thou long expected Jesus
Born to set Thy people free
From our fears and sins release us
Let us find our rest in Thee

Israel's Strength and Consolation
Hope of all the earth Thou art
Dear desire of every nation
Joy of every longing heart

Born Thy people to deliver
Born a Child and yet a King
Born to reign in us forever
Now Thy gracious Kingdom bring

By Thine own eternal Spirit
Rule in all our hearts alone
By Thine all sufficient merit
Raise us to Thy glorious throne

The purposed love-mission of Jesus wrapping Himself in flesh and clothing Himself in humanity was for us to be reconciled to the loving heart of God the Father. Hope came as a babe in a manger and will be returning soon to take us home. Now THAT is something to long for...

Nope, No Room

If your heart be the Inn is there room for Jesus?

Kind of busy are ya?
Chestnuts roasting, scotch tape’s run out, and isn’t it a little late to be addressing those cards? Maybe you’re getting a head start on next year.
Tired – does that describe you?

How can you leave Jesus outside?
You have to make room for Jesus.
And that may be the issue for you this Christmas.
What will you do with this Son of God
who came to earth to find you?

Jesus is the One who trades a throne room for a stable,
and the praise of angels for human mockery.

This is the Creator who gives Himself on a cross!
The Bible gives us the only appropriate response:

"The life I now live I live by faith in the Son of God
who loved me and gave Himself for me." (Gal. 2:20)

You look at what Jesus did to pay for your sin on that cross,
and you say those life-changing words -
"For me."

Jesus is at YOUR door this Christmas.
Maybe He's been knocking for a long time.
Maybe He won't keep knocking much longer.

All your life - even the events of the last few months -
have been to prepare you for this crossroads
moment with Jesus your Savior.

Don't leave Him outside any longer.
Open the door this Christmas Day.
"Jesus, I cannot keep You out any longer.
Come on in. You can have my room... my life."
Amen and amen

It's Christmas Time 2

Let’s Sing:
Sweet little Jesus boy
They made you be born in a manger
Sweet little holy child
We didn't know who you was
Didn't know you'd come to save us Lord
To take our sins away
Our eyes was blind, we couldn't see
We didn't know who you was

Long time ago
You was born
Born in a manger low
Sweet little Jesus boy
The world treats you mean Lord
Treats me mean too
But that's how things is down here
We don't know who you is

You done told us how
We is a trying
Master you done showed us how
Even when you was dying
Just seems like we can't do right
Look how we treated you
But please Sir forgive us Lord
We didn't know it was you

Sweet little Jesus boy
Born a long time ago
Sweet little holy child
We didn't know who you was



I just want to sing this Christmas, sing the joy of the Lord and His incredible gift of life and hope to us. In searching around for songs that have deep meaning to me I came across a picture of our despicable, painful & shameful history: A picture of a group of slaves singing. The picture just drew me in for I have seen this picture many times in different forms. It’s a picture of joy under the worst kind of human oppression. How can that be? As I kept the picture on my mind I continued the song search and came across a Bayou Christian whose words and song I just have to share with you. Last Christmas Pastor Bill Crawford was preparing his very first solo for the Christmas program at the First Presbyterian Church of Thibodaux.

I’ll let Pastor Crawford take it from here: “What has struck me so strongly as I have practiced and prayed through this song is how amazing it is that men and women under the grave burden of slavery would adopt the religion of their masters so thoroughly. Then, of course, I realized slaves could identify with Christ. Born under oppression, beaten, and hung on a cross. Born to a nation that had been slaves. No wonder.
Most important though is that Jesus brings victory over death, oppression, and slavery. Through the singular work of Jesus Christ we are saved, freed, and made children of God! That my friends is Good News.
The conversion of Africans to Christianity is no testimony to Americans in fact it is part of the single most tragic piece of American if not Human history - slavery. But conversion, although it is no work of our own is an amazing display of the saving power of Christ”.

A pearl to string: Ye shall have a song, as in the night when a holy solemnity is kept. (Isaiah 30:29) The Spirit of the Sovereign LORD is on me, because the LORD has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners, (Isaiah 61:1)

Jesus is life giving
Joy & love dear hearts ~ Merry Christmas,
Lyndi

It’s Christmas Time

Let’s Sing:
I'm dreamin' tonight of a place I love
Even more then I usually do
And although I know it's a long road back
I promise you

I'll be home for Christmas
You can count on me
Please have snow and mistletoe
And presents under the tree
Christmas Eve will find me
Where the love light beams
I'll be home for Christmas
If only in my dreams

(I'll Be Home For Christmas - Kim Gannon, Walter Kent (c) 1943)

As a young teen girl celebrating my Christmas’ in the California sunshine each year I had to use my gift of imagination to turn my world into a winter wonderland. I just had to touch and gaze upon the red & green decorations throughout our home over and over again. I loved our Christmas tree and all the lights twinkling – so beautiful, so happy. The aroma of fresh baked cookies, cakes and the Christmas roast just made my senses dance with joy. I loved going to church, singing Christmas carols and listening to the story of the birth of Jesus. But every time I would hear the song: I’ll Be Home for Christmas, on the radio my eyes would fill with tears. My heart would feel like someone was standing on it and I’d break into these big sobs. A deep sadness would come over me. I was home so I can’t recall what troubled me so – perhaps just the thought of loved ones being separated from one another. The saddest separation of all has been living in a society that has created a secular holiday. The stark change has literally sucked the joy out of Christmas and booted Jesus out. How did giving turn into getting? And how did get to’s turn into have to’s? How did deck the halls with boughs of holly turn into the best, biggest most outrageously expensive decorations? It has all created stress beyond measure. People are angry and frustrated and tired. STOP! Dial the activity down and the spirituality up and find that celebration of Jesus birth again.

A pearl to string: Love brought Jesus to us and love is what peoples all over the world are lonely for. Let’s bring love back to Christmas. Let’s decide to slow down, give warm smiles and a helping hand or hold a door for someone. "Consider what a great forest is set on fire by a small spark." (James 3:5) Can you imagine what a small amount of love from your heart would do when you reach out and bless someone else?

Let’s bring Jesus home for Christmas as He tells us "Make your home in me, as I make mine in you" (John 15:4). Home is where the heart is.

Merry Christmas
Pass the love on,
Lyndi

Happy Thanksgiving

THE HAND
By Steve Goodier
http://www.bestinspiration.com/steve.php3

Thanksgiving Day was near. The first grade teacher gave her class a fun assignment --to draw a picture of something for which they were thankful.

Most of the class might be considered economically disadvantaged, but still many would celebrate the holiday with turkey and other traditional goodies of the season. These, the teacher thought, would be the subjects of most of her student's art. And they were.

But Douglas made a different kind of picture. Douglas was a different kind of boy. He was the teacher's true child of misery, frail and unhappy. As other children played at recess, Douglas was likely to stand close by her side. One could only guess at the pain Douglas felt behind those sad eyes.

Yes, his picture was different. When asked to draw a picture of something for which he was thankful, he drew a hand. Nothing else. Just an empty hand.

His abstract image captured the imagination of his peers. Whose hand could it be? One child guessed it was the hand of a farmer, because farmers raise turkeys. Another suggested a police officer, because the police protect and care for people. Still others guessed it was the hand of God, for God feeds us. And so the discussion went -- until the teacher almost forgot the young artist himself.

When the children had gone on to other assignments, she paused at Douglas' desk, bent down, and asked him whose hand it was.

The little boy looked away and murmured, "It's yours, teacher."

She recalled the times she had taken his hand and walked with him here or there, as she had the other students. How often had she said, "Take my hand, Douglas, we'll go outside." Or, "Let me show you how to hold your pencil." Or, "Let's do this together." Douglas was most thankful for his teacher's hand.

Brushing aside a tear, she went on with her work.

A pearl to string: The story speaks of more than thankfulness. It says something about teachers teaching and parents parenting and friends showing friendship, and how much it means to the Douglases of the world. They might not always say thanks, but they'll remember the hand that reaches out.

"Though he stumble, he will not fall, for the Lord upholds him with his hand". Psalm 37:24

"My soul clings to you; your right hand upholds me". Psalm 63:8

This Thanksgiving, thank God for all of the "hands" that have "touched" your life and know when you reach out with your hand to help another – its God’s hand that touches a heart.

Joyfully & Thankfully,
Lyndi

Light my Way

A Texas minister was scheduled to speak at an all-day conference. He was running late because his alarm had failed to ring. In his haste to make up for lost time, he cut himself while shaving. Then he found his shirt was not ironed.

To make matters worse, running to his car he noticed a tire was flat. Disgusted, and by this time thoroughly distraught, the minister finally got underway with a sudden burst of speed. Racing through town he failed to notice a stop sign and rushed through it.

As fate would have it, there was a policeman nearby, and in just moments he heard the scream of a siren. Jumping out of his car, the agitated minister said sharply, "Well, go ahead and give me a ticket. Everything else has gone wrong today."

The policeman walked up and said quietly, "Sir, I used to have days like that before I became a Christian." Needless to say, the embarrassed minister was shamed by the stranger's rebuke and went his way asking forgiveness and praying for strength to correct his attitude.

Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O Lord, my strength, and my redeemer. Psalm 19:14

A pearl to string: Well doesn’t that little story just stop you dead in your tracks. I stood straight up frozen like a deer caught in the headlights. It was as if the Holy Spirit was standing right next to me saying, ‘I can’t hear you’? Tearfully I blurted out loud, ‘I’m sorry’!
I don’t know for what but I’m breathing and we all know that is a breeding ground for unsavory behavior. Dr. Elisabeth Kubler-Ross said, “People are like stained glass windows; they sparkle and shine when the sun is out, but when the darkness sets in, their true beauty is revealed only if there is a light within.”

Lord may You always be the light that shines from within me and may the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be Your joy. Amen and amen

May He light your way from within
You are loved,
Lyndi

Sleeping Through a Revolution

By Pastor James Ryle
http://jamesryle.blogspot.com/




"Awake, you who sleep, arise from the dead, and Christ will give you light." (Ephesians 5:14).

Epic change is in the air while much of the Church has dozed off, oblivious to God . Perhaps we may be like Peter, James and John when the Lord invited them to a prayer meeting. The only problem is that it was on top of a mountain.

By the time Peter, James and John made the climb, they were so tired that they fell asleep while Jesus was praying. And as they were sleeping, two other invited guests arrived – Moses, and the Prophet Elijah. Jesus was delighted to see them, and they began talking together about the Kingdom of God and the coming Age of Glory.

At that moment, Jesus began to shine brighter than the noon day sun – so bright, in fact, that it woke Peter up. The Bible then tells us, “Peter and the other two disciples had been sound asleep. All at once they woke up and saw how glorious Jesus was” (Luke 9:32, Century English Version).
Hmmm. Don’t you think it’s time for that to happen again?

Do you remember reading the story of Rip Van Winkle when you were a kid? I do, but the funny thing is I can’t remember what was the point of the story. I mean, I know it’s about a guy who fell asleep for a really long time – but beyond that I couldn’t recall anything else. So I decided to read it again, and here’s what I discovered.

When Rip Van Winkle went to sleep, King George of England was the recognized monarch who ruled over the American colonies. Twenty years later when Rip woke up, George Washington was the President of the United States. Rip Van Winkle had slept through a Revolution!

Peter, James and John were essentially doing the same thing on top that sacred mountain of transfiguration. And, as the evidence seems to suggest, much of the church today is in the exact same condition – sleeping through a revolution.

Over a hundred years ago Charles Spurgeon wrote, “A slumbering church compels Satan to make it his chief business to rock the cradle, hush all noise, and drive away even a fly lest it light upon the sleeper’s face. His great dread is that this church might rouse itself from her dreamy repose.”

Indeed.

We would do well in these lazy days to take heed to the words of the apostle Paul. “Make sure,” he wrote, “that you don't get so absorbed and exhausted in taking care of all your day-by-day obligations that you lose track of the time and doze off, oblivious to God” (Romans 13:11, The Message).

Odd, don’t you think, that on the one hand we can be so busy about this and that – that we completely doze off and miss the very presence and work of God happening all around us? We can be like Jacob who, waking from his sleep, said, “Ah, surely the Lord was in this place and I knew it not!” (see Gen.28:16).

A few years ago I was in Lincoln, Nebraska, and caught sight of a most unusual spectacle. An ambitious truck driver had attempted to move a large, historic church building along highway 103 with his woefully undersized rig. He possibly could have made it, but somewhere along the route he fell asleep at the wheel and ran off the road. When the rig listed to the right, the church slid off the truck and ended up stuck in the mud in the ditch.

The sight of this massive historic church building stuck in the mud in a ditch is disturbingly prophetic. Traffic was backed up for miles in both directions as gawkers came out in droves to see the strange sight. I can’t help but wonder how many churches in America are in just such a predicament today?

Somebody fell asleep at the wheel – and the church is stuck in the mud. And the watching World, far from being impressed with our theatrics and swollen words, merely drives by at a snail’s pace taking in the view and cracking a few worn out jokes.

We desperately need an Awakening – especially among those who serve as the leaders in Faith. For if they are indeed “asleep at the wheel” we are not only poised for ridicule – but quite possibly disaster. If the blind can lead the blind into a ditch, where will we end up if we follow sleeping leaders?

Awakening is a theme often repeated in scripture. “Awake! Awake! Put on your strength, O Zion!” Isaiah cried. “Awake to righteousness, and do not sin,” Paul said to the Corinthians. He put it this way when he wrote to the church in Ephesus – “Wake up from your sleep, Climb out of your coffins; Christ will show you the light!” (Ephesians 5:14, The Message).

A great example of this very thing is Lazarus, the friend of Jesus.

When the disciples heard the news that Lazarus had died, Jesus said, “Our friend Lazarus sleeps, but I go that I may wake him up" (John 11:11). Arriving at the tomb, Jesus cried with a loud voice, “Lazarus, come forth!" Lazarus came out of the crypt fully alive, but was still wrapped up like a mummy. Jesus said to those standing by, “Loose him, and let him go." (see John 11:43-44).

The story of Lazarus shows us three things Jesus does to awaken a sleeping Church, and rouse a slumbering giant.

First, He gives us the ability to hear His voice -- “Lazarus!” Just days before this miracle took place Jesus had said, “The hour is coming when those who are in the graves will hear the voice of the Son of God, and will live.” Lazarus heard His voice and came to life -- so can you and I.

Second, Jesus gives us the power to become what He has called us to be -- “Come forth!” When Jesus called Lazarus by name, that awakened him; when He told Lazarus to come forth from the tomb, that empowered him. The Lord never commands us do something that He does not empower us to do. What has He commanded you to do?

And third, Jesus gives us the help we need to be completely liberated from the effects and trappings of a failed life -- “Loose him, and let him go!” Jesus spoke these words to those standing by, and He does the same for us.

There are key people – close friends and valued associates whom the Lord has put in our lives to help us get out of our grave clothes and into a new wardrobe. If we will cooperate with the process, our lives will truly be transformed. If we are willing for it to happen. That’s the key.

We’ve got to want this awakening. Our hearts must do more than dream of these matters, they must hunger to be awakened, empowered, and transformed. We must be possessed of such a compelling desire that no bed can afford us comfort, no distraction can provide us peace, and no fear can back us down from reaching the prize.

Let me conclude this short series of devotional thoughts with a direct challenge, found in the inspiring words of James Ephraim McGirt, a celebrated African-American poet (1874-1930) --

"Success is a light upon the farther shore,
That shines in dazzling splendor to the eye.
The waters leap, the surging billows roar,
And he who seeks the prize must leap and try.
A mighty host stand trembling on the brink;
With anxious eyes they yearn to reach the goal.
I see them leap, and, Ah! I see them sink –
As gazing on dread horror fills my soul.
Yet to despair I can but droop and die;
‘Tis better far to try the lashing deep.
I much prefer beneath the surge to lie
Than death to find me on this bank asleep."
.
Rip Van Winkle slept through a revolution. Peter, James and John woke up and saw how glorious Jesus was. So……which will you do?

Too Weak to Peek?

We all attempt to side step or hide our weaknesses. It can really be discouraging in this perfection driven society we live in to find those weaknesses resurrecting themselves when we least expect it.

I wrote down these words from somewhere. “A powerful life embraces pain, brokenness and weakness and understands that perfection is for Heaven, not Earth”. The words of Paul are profound, "God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong." (1 Corinthians 1:27 NIV)

God's power is instantly recognizable in obvious weakness. God has always allowed man's weakness to validate the immeasurable need of His redemption and His sufficiency in our lives. He can and will use us if we allow Him to do so -- not despite our weaknesses -- but through our weaknesses. We are not the message -- just the messenger. Our weaknesses are not excuses to escape God's plan but divinely appointed opportunities for that plan to work. It helps to remember:

Noah was a drunk.
Abraham was too old.
Isaac was a daydreamer.
Jacob was a liar.
Leah was ugly.
Joseph was abused.
Moses had a stuttering problem.
Gideon was afraid.
Sampson had long hair and was a womanizer.
Rahab was a prostitute.
Jeremiah and Timothy were too young.
David had an affair and was a murderer.
Elijah was suicidal.
Isaiah preached naked.
Jonah ran from God.
Naomi was a widow.
Job went bankrupt.
John the Baptist ate bugs.
Peter denied Christ.
The Disciples fell asleep while praying.
Martha worried about everything.
The Samaritan woman was divorced, more than once.
Zaccheus was too small.
Paul was too religious and Lazarus was dead!
(Author unknown)

A pearl to string: More important than where you have been or even where you are, is where you are headed. Don't wait until you have it all figured out. That won't happen, this side of Heaven. Don't wait until you think you are good enough. You never will be. Step up to the plate and be the imperfect you; allowing God's perfection to shine through each and every weakness. Do not listen to the doubts and lies of satan. His goal is to render you helpless and defeated, no longer a threat to him or his kingdom.

I so want to get to the place in my walk with God, that when my feet hit the floor each morning, the devil says, "Oh, no! She's awake!"

Smile, you are loved,
Lyndi

The Lord is Our Judge, Our Lawgiver, and Our King

by Pastor James Ryle
http://jamesryle.blogspot.com/


"For the LORD is our judge, the LORD is our lawgiver, the LORD is our king; he will save us." (Isaiah 33:22)

The human heart hungers for three things always --
Justice, Security, and Peace.
Look to your own soul and you will know this to be true.

No one likes to be cheated, or threatened, or harmed in any way. We all want to know that our pursuit of life, liberty, and happiness is unmolested by scoundrels and thieves. We want to know that if there are those who interfere with our God-given rights to these things -- there is somebody who will intervene and bring us justice, security, and peace.

We are so dedicated to these ideas that we formed our Government into three branches to insure that we would see these things come to pass in real and practical ways. Our Judicial Branch serves to bring us justice. Our Legislative Branch serves to gives us laws. And our Executive Branch serves to insure that we live in peace.

Yet, we are never to place our faith in MAN, but in God.

The Prophet Isaiah is reminding us where our focus must always be fixed -- upon the Lord. For it is He who is our Judge, our Lawgiver, and our King. And it is He, and He alone, who will save us.

Therefore, our hope is not in the Government, nor in the elected officials who serve in the various branches of our Government. We pray for them, and trust that they will govern wisely, with humility and honor; but we are not naive. We know that power corrupts, and absolute power corrupts absolutely.

Our faith is in the Lord, who alone is incorruptible. "The LORD bless thee, and keep thee: The LORD make his face shine upon thee, and be gracious unto thee: The LORD lift up his countenance upon thee, and give thee peace." (Numbers 6:24-26).

The Lord bless and keep thee -- that's our Judge at work. The Lord make His face shine upon you -- that's our Lawgiver at work. The Lord lift up His countenance and give thee peace -- that's our King at work.

It is He, and He alone, who will save us.

Veterans' Day

Today is Veterans' Day. Originally, it was a day set aside to honor the Veterans of World War I because the signing of the Armistice which ended World War I took place on the 11th day of the 11th month at the 11th hour. Since that time, it has become a day to honor the Veterans of all wars. To all of our Veterans, thank you. We salute you, we are grateful for your courage and your sacrifice. We are blessed by your commitment and your service.

"Yahshua, hold our troops in your loving hands. Protect them as they protect us. Bless them and their families for the selfless acts they perform for us in our time of need. Amen and amen."

Hummingbird Friends

So, how’s your today going so far? What’s that? Not so good huh? Well I usually don’t get this devotional off until about 8am or so and that’s 10 am on the east coast so perk up you’ve only got about 14 to 16 hours left depending upon your time zone and your outlook.

Both vultures and hummingbirds are winged creatures. Indubitably …. but

Vultures have a knack for finding dead decaying animals…because that is what they are looking for…… and

Hummingbirds have a knack for spotting nectar in beautiful flowers…because that is what they are looking for.

*******************************************************************************

There is an old story about two travelers nearing a great city.
The first stopped and asked a woman seated by the wayside,
“What are the people like in the city?”

“How were the people where you came from?” she asked.

“A terrible lot,” the traveler responded. “Mean, untrustworthy, detestable in all respects.”

“Ah,” said the woman, “You will find them the same in the city ahead.”

Scarcely was the first traveler gone when another one stopped and also inquired about the people in the city before him. Again the old woman asked about the people in the place the traveler had left.

“They were fine people; honest, industrious, and generous to a fault. I was sorry to leave,” declared the second traveler.

Responded the wise woman: “So you will find them in the city ahead.”

*******************************************************************************

String a pearl: Our words are a reflection of what we are looking for in people, circumstances, and life. We tend to see people through a lens of our own making. Whatever we are looking for is generally what we will find. Dwelling on the negative keeps you with the dead and decaying. While others have a gift for bringing out the best in people that is wrapped in believing the best and tied with beautiful ribbons of loving words. We’ve just come off a week with hummingbird friends – they make us feel blessed and beautiful. How thankful we are.

Jesus is going to bring out the best in you – that other guy? Not so much!
Keep your eyes on Jesus.
“Sing and make music from your heart to the Lord, always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.” Ephesians 5:19-20

Humming with Jesus
And loving you,
Lyndi

Barack Obama is elected

Not since John F Kennedy ran for election in 1960 has there been so much nationwide excitement for a Presidential race. Truly this election will be marked in history as the most electrifying election of all time though I did not cast my vote for Barack Obama. I wanted a leader who has a compassionate view of life from conception to death, who supports values and legislation designed to strengthen marriages between men and women and that protect the family. I also wanted a leader who understands Israel’s Biblical significance and who will support her protection as God’s chosen people and chosen land. These are the issues closest to my heart.
BUT
I am an American with the inalienable right to choose and cast my vote. My fellow Americans have chosen and voted to elect Barack Obama and I now put the divisiveness of choice behind me to support and stand with our new President elect because we are the United States of America.
AND
As a follower of Yahshua (Jesus), the words of Paul commanding obedience to secular rulers is essential to me. The passage is from Romans: "Everyone must submit himself to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God... if you do wrong, be afraid, for he does not bear the sword for nothing. He is God's servant, an agent of wrath to bring punishment on the wrongdoer." Romans 13:1, 4


First Lady Michelle holding Sasha (2001) & President Obama holding Malia (1999)

We welcome our new First Family to the White House,
we love you, we will pray for you and we are proud of you.

Lead Choice

Brothers and sisters from days gone by have suffered and laid down their lives for the freedom we have in these United States to choose who leads our country. As you prepare to vote in this 2008 Presidential Election calm your heart and choose who leads you. May His grace and peace always be with you.

Lead Choice

He leads me…Do you ever experience times when you sit down to do something and your mind travels to distant places? He leads me… It is cheaper than airfare but it makes me feel flighty. He leads me… Reading over the 23rd Psalm I kept pulling myself back. He leads me… Why does my mind wonder I ask myself? Possibly, because it’s been a favorite Psalm of mine since my Gram taught it to me when I was 6 years old and the very familiar often fails to hold my attention I answer myself (Oh that can’t be good). He leads me… Struggling to stay in focus I break out in laughter. My flighty attention span reminds me of my two little Bichons when I take them for a walk. I call them my crazy little women. They twist and jump and screech until I open the door then boom – I’m suddenly air born and parallel to the ground. Catching my breath and feet at the same time is tricky business. Then I struggle to keep the every-which-way racing dogs from twisting their leash cords into a tangled mess while winding me up into a knotted mummy. It’s so exhausting by the time I get to the end of the driveway I need a nap.

Oh my, Lord………… is that what I do to You? Ugg! I’m so sorry, please forgive me and please heal me. I want to walk by your side where you lead me Lord. The imagery of a shepherd watching over his flock, tenderly caring for the needs of those innocent and trusting creatures, is one which radiates a safe haven to me. In the 23 Psalm from David we see our relationship with the Lord affirmed. We are reminded of His provision, His refreshment, His healing, His guidance, His purpose, His testing, His protection, His faithfulness, His discipline, His hope, His consecration, His abundance, His blessing, His security and His eternity. Oh Lord, help me focus on all that love you give when You lead me.

A Pearl to String: The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me to lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside the still waters. He restores my soul; He leads me in the paths of righteousness For His name’s sake. Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; for You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; You anoint my head with oil; my cup runs over. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life; and I will dwell in the house of the LORD Forever.

Know you are loved and
May we live forever in His lead
Lyndi

God Is Still in Control
David Langerfeld

By the end of the day today, we will know a lot about the future of the United States. You might be surprised to learn that I am about to predict the outcome - I am about to predict what will happen after the election. Before the votes are counted, even before the voting booths close, I can predict with 100% accuracy that the following things will happen...

1. The Bible will still have all the answers.
2. Prayer will still work.
3. The Holy Spirit will still move.
4. God will still inhabit the praise of His people.
5. God will still pour out His blessings upon His people.
6. There will still be God-anointed teaching and preaching.
7. There will still be singing of praise to God.
8. There will still be room at the Cross.
9. Jesus will still love His own.
10. Jesus will still save the lost.

Whatever the outcome of this election, remember, God is still in control.

Today, tomorrow, forever...
God is still in control.

Message From Our Pastor

Tomorrow’s election is extremely important because there are so many critical issues at stake. Many of these issues are a matter of personal convictions and preference, but some fall into the category of the sacred. Sacred issues are those that are close to God’s heart. They are issues that leave no room for personal convictions or preferences.

No candidate is a perfect candidate, but I believe we should always vote for the ones who best support God’s heart.

Here are what I believe are the top three sacred issues to consider before heading off to the polling booths tomorrow:

1. LIFE
Life is precious to God. He laid down his life so that we could live. We need leaders, therefore, who have a compassionate view of life from conception to death. From the unborn to the elderly, we need leaders who will fight for all those who are sick, oppressed, or underprivileged. We can’t pick and choose which lives are more important because all life is precious to God. Every life deserves to be loved, cared, respected, and valued. Vote for the candidates who have the broadest definition of what constitutes a life.

2. FAMILY
Human life began with the marital union between Adam and Eve- a man and a woman. God charged them with building the family of man. God wasn’t just after building numbers, but building a home where each member of the household would be loved, nurtured, protected and valued in radical ways. We need leaders, therefore, who support values and legislation designed to strengthen marriages between men and women and that protect the family.

3. ISRAEL
God loves all the people of this word, but Israel is unquestionably a unique people and land from a Biblical perspective. It is the place of God’s eternal affection and the epicenter of Biblical events throughout history and beyond. We need leaders, therefore, who understand Israel’s Biblical significance and who will support her protection as God’s chosen people and chosen land. To be chosen by God is to be targeted by Satan, and no people and land has paid a higher price than Israel. Evil spiritual forces will continue to target Israel for extermination and we need leaders who understand this battle on a spiritual level.

Be informed! Take some time today to investigate the candidates. Leave your personal convictions and preferences out of the equation and make sure you vote for ones who best support God’s heart in these three sacred issues. Make your vote count.

One more thing to consider. I truly believe that it is critical to exercise our privilege to vote tomorrow. However, when the election results are in, it is also important to know that the candidates who are elected will be the ones God appointed for this hour in His-story.

Everyone must submit himself to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God. Romans 13:1

Please vote for the men and women who will best represent God’s heart, but please don’t stress out if those candidates aren’t elected. God is in control and we should find peace and comfort in that truth. Whoever gets elected on Tuesday deserves our respect and support on Wednesday, for this too, is sacred to God.

Rabbi Gene
Cornerstone Church
Boulder, Colorado
http://www.gocornerstone.org/staff1.html

McCain or Obama? Republican or Democrat? Voting is an Awesome Privilege

Political Bad News
Dr. James C. Denison

On Monday, the Dow was doing so well, up 423 points at one point, before nosediving the last ten minutes of yesterday's session to finish down more than 200 points. The Wall Street Journal calls it "one of the swiftest, bloodiest late-day drops yet in a month that's been chock full of them." In times like these, we need the best leader we can elect.

And so, yesterday I nominated God for president. Today I have some bad news - He's not willing to run. As Gen. William Sherman said upon retiring from the military in 1884, "If nominated, I will not run; if elected, I will not serve." God feels the same way about campaigning for office - any office, in fact.

The plain fact is that my candidate is already King of Kings and Lord of Lords. He is the Creator of the entire universe, the One who rules all that is. Our next president is probably unavailable to serve as president of your PTA or chairman of your church's flower committee. God is not running for president of the United States, for the simple reason that he is already Master and Lord.

In these tumultuous, fearful times, it may be comforting to remember that your Father is the One in charge of all creation. He is on the throne of the universe, no matter what the markets do today. The winner of next Tuesday's election, whoever he may be, will still be a finite and fallible human being. His wisdom pales in comparison to the omniscience of our God. His power is infinitesimal alongside the omnipotence of our Lord.

Edward Bennett Williams (1920-1988) was a trial lawyer known as the "ultimate insider." As he lay dying, someone commented on his power and influence. He said, "Power? I'm about to meet real power." So will we all, our next president included.

So, we who follow Jesus, know to pray for our leaders (1 Timothy 2:1-2), but to remember that our God is Lord. Our faith is not ultimately in a president or party, but in our Father and King. We are to submit to earthly authority (Romans 13:1) unless such service is disobedient to our heavenly authority (Acts 4:19-20). Paul once wrote to "the saints in Christ Jesus at Philippi" (Philippians 1:1). Note his words: Christians are permanently in Christ Jesus, wherever they are at for the moment. At all times, "our citizenship is in heaven" (Phil. 3:20).

We don't know what the future holds, but we know the One who holds the future. Why do you need that reminder this morning?


By Dr. James C. Denison
Senior Pastor for Teaching, Park Cities Baptist Church, Dallas, Texas
Copyright © 2008. GodIssues.org. All rights reserved.
www.godissues.org

A Bowl Full of Prayers

Is someone praying for you? Well I am so you have at least one. Probably your mommy is praying for you. That’s two. Hey I bet your daddy prays for you too. That’s three. How about your grandparents? Ah, they are probably praying. Possibly up to seven people praying for you now. What about your best friend? Oh yeah, best friends are praying. What about all your family (brothers, sisters, in laws, Aunts, Uncles, cousins, nephews, nieces), friends (since childhood), co-workers (from every job you’ve had), neighbors (from every place you’ve ever lived) and strangers who pray for healing in your circumstances. OK, the numbers just went beyond my count ability. Wow, pretty cool huh? You got a posse of people praying for you. How old are you? Do you realize people have been praying for you and your well being since before you were born? Did you know it adds up? It says in the final book of the Bible that all our prayers are stored in huge golden bowls in God's throne room. ALL! No prayer offered for you or prayed by you has ever been deleted or erased or tossed aside. Goose bumps huh? Is that awesome or what!

“…….and they were holding golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of God's holy people. Revelation 5:8

Golden bowls full of prayers? What could that possibly look like in God’s throne room? Maybe God’s golden bowls would look like miles and miles of golden fields here on earth. That might be a bowl big enough to hold all those prayers.


A Bowl Full of Prayers

McKenzie Rose & friend in Romania 08

Field of Prayer

A pearl to string: God has given each one of us the honor and privilege to pray for one another for a lifetime. Every prayer is heard by God himself. There is not one that slips away.

Be blessed by your bowl full of prayers,
Lyndi

A Prayer by Max Lucado

"You Have Our Attention, Lord"

Our friends lost their house
The co-worker lost her job
The couple next door lost their retirement
It seems that everyone is losing their footing

This scares us. This bailout with billions.
These rumblings of depression.
These headlines: ominous, thunderous -
"Going Broke!" "Going Down!" "Going Under!" "What's Next?"

What is next?

We're listening.
And we're admitting: You were right.

You told us this would happen.
You shot straight about loving stuff and worshipping money.
Greed will break your heart,You warned.
Money will love you and leave you.
Don't put your hope in riches that are so uncertain.
You were right.

Money is a fickle lover and we just got dumped.

We were wrong to spend what we didn't have.
Wrong to neglect prayer and ignore the poor.
Wrong to think we ever earned a dime.
We didn't. You gave it.
And now, tell us Father, are You taking it?

We're listening. And we're praying.
Could you make something good out of this mess?

Of course you can. You always have.
You led slaves out of slavery,
Built temples out of ruins,
Turned stormy waves into a glassy pond and water into sweet wine.
This disorder awaits your order. So do we.

Through Christ, Amen

God will always give what is right to His people who cry to Him night and day, and He will not be slow to answer them. (Luke 18:7 NCV)


Max Lucado
www.maxlucado.com

Elbow Grease

Doing the dishes was a chore done by a ton of kids back in the fifties. If you’ve got a dish washer – loading it is NOT doing the dishes. Back in the day before ‘the machine’ – we had to get the water so hot your hands would turn fire red. Every dish had to be scrubbed clean. There were no scratch pads which made pots and pans one of the most difficult of the washer’s chore. One evening I was doing the washing part of doing the dishes and my brother Chase, six and a half years my senior, was the dryer. He operated under two rules. When he was washing the dryer made up for the washer’s mistakes. BUT when he was drying the washer’s mistake was a do over. He kept popping a pan back into the water and my tears began to flow. “I can’t get that off”, I exclaimed. He would just smile and put the pot back into the water. After many do over’s and pop back ins I finally with great consternation marched into the living room to report my dilemma and Chase’s impossible behavior to my mother. She listened, smiled and said, “use elbow grease”. Without comment I rolled my eyes, dropped my shoulders and returned to the kitchen. My brother had disappeared. He had to have been gone at least 20 minutes and when he returned he found me under the sink. “What are you doing?” he asked. I literally had climbed all the way under the sink. A six year old body can do that. I poked my head out, “I can’t find the elbow grease anywhere- doesn’t it start with an L?” I sobbed!

Earnest, diligent and steadfast won’t help if what you are looking for isn’t where you are looking for it. Plus it helps if you know what ‘IT’ actually is!

Love seems to be as slippery as elbow grease. People can’t find it in their jobs, or their performance or achievements. It’s not rolling around in the hay, or the back seat of a car or a dark secluded place doing the ‘wild thing’. Material possessions, wealth or popularity don’t seem to bring a sustaining love. Even relationships fall short in love on a regular basis. People are mean out there – ever notice? I think I saw all those things under the sink!

A pearl to string: Love isn’t something you get and it doesn’t come in a labeled can either. Love is something you give. True love is neither physical, nor romantic. True love is an acceptance of all that is, has been, will be, and will not be. So if it’s love you are looking for don’t look under the sink or any of those other uncanny places. Grow closer and more intimate with God because ........."God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in them". 1 John 4:16, NIV

The Message (contemporary English from the rhythms and idioms of the original language) states that Scripture verse as: "This is how we know we're living steadily and deeply in him, and he in us: He's given us life from his life, from his very own Spirit. Also, we've seen for ourselves and continue to state openly that the Father sent his Son as Savior of the world. Everyone who confesses that Jesus is God's Son participates continuously in an intimate relationship with God. We know it so well, we've embraced it heart and soul, this love that comes from God".

Grow beautiful in love my friends,
Lyndi

"O Nobody Knows the Trouble I Seen"

Pastor James Ryle
http://jamesryle.blogspot.com/

"Keep you guard up. You're not the only ones plunged into these hard times. It's the same with Christians all over the world. So keep a firm grip on the faith." (1 Peter 5:9, The Message).

There are few things the devil likes more than to get you believing that you're the only one going through a tough time. He wants you to feel alone, forsaken, and forgotten. If he can pull it off -- you will drop your guard, lower your shied of faith and be wide open for his more assiduous assaults. Don't let him win -- keep a firm grip on your faith.

Peter goes on to say, "The suffering won't last forever. It won't be long before this generous God who has great plans for us in Christ -- eternal and glorious plans they are! -- will have you put together and on your feet for good." (1 Peter 5:10).

So the next time you're feeling all alone, and deep down inside you hear the rumblings of that old song -- "O nobody knows the trouble I seen" -- stop right there. EVERYBODY knows! We are all going through it with you. Stop your whining; it's embarrassing.

Paul and Silas were in a dungeon chained to the wall and surrounded by rats. They started singing praise to God and the devil started shaking in his boots. He shook so hard that an earthquake happened, which broke the chains and opened up the prison doors -- setting Paul and Silas free.

Instead of moaning about your troubles, start singing praise to God -- you just might be the one that causes a prison break for the rest of us!