WHAT ABOUT THE NEXT DAY

TODAY’S SCRIPTURES:

When King Herod heard this he was disturbed, and all Jerusalem with him. When he had called together all the people's chief priests and teachers of the law, he asked them where the Christ was to be born. "In Bethlehem in Judea," they replied, "for this is what the prophet has written: 'But you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah; for out of you will come a ruler who will be the shepherd of my people Israel.' " Matthew 2:3-6

And the child grew and became strong; he was filled with wisdom and the grace of God was upon him. Luke 2:40

WHAT ABOUT THE NEXT DAY?

Christmas is a miracle that is for sure, but what about the next day?
----- There are no more presents under the tree.
----- There are left over mashed potatoes and turkey.
----- The children have all gone home.
----- The decorations are beginning to sag.
----- The tree needs to come down.
----- And I have to go back to work.

Oh, wait, I forgot –
The miracle did start small,
God’s gift, for one and all!
But the miracle is not for just a day,
The miracle is for always, it is here to stay!

We may think Christmas Day is past,
But this gift from God will last and last.
This Christmas miracle touches you and me,
It gives us hope and sets us free.

So enjoy Christmas Day on the 25th and the 26th and the 27th and the 28th and each day of your life.

- - - CELEBRATE THE MIRACLE! - - -

QUESTIONS OF THE DAY

Do you still have the Christmas Spirit are did it end when the last gift was opened and you looked at the tree and realized "This has to all be put away"? Hopefully you will keep the Christmas Spirit in your heart always.

Did you ever think about God's love spreading out like the Christmas gifts you gave? There they sat. Under the tree. Just sitting there waiting. Then you gave them away. Each gift leaving your hands and being received by other hands. That gift then moved into another home. God's love is like that. You have it. You share it. God's love goes to live in another home.

Please use this as a beginning of your prayer. Finish in your own words, words from your heart.

LET US PRAY

Dear Jesus, I can feel the Christmas Spirit in my heart. I ask that you help me renew that spirit daily. Allow me always to come to you in worship and prayer. Let the light of the Christmas star be reflected in my eyes and shine in my actions. ………………………………… Amen

MERRY CHRISTMAS

I BELIEVE

TODAY’S SCRIPTURES:

Genesis 1:1, Psalms 4:1, Luke 2:13-14, John 8:12 and Revelation 22:21

I BELIEVE

"In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth." Genesis 1:1
Did God create our world? I feel the earth beneath my feet and enjoy the stars in the sky. --- I BELIEVE!

"Hear me when I call, O God of my righteousness: thou hast enlarged me when I was in distress; have mercy upon me, and hear my prayer." Psalms 4:1
Does God hear my prayers? I received peace when our family suffered the loss of my mother, received comfort when I was ill, and have been given a hand to hold at the end of each day. --- I BELIEVE!

"And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men." Luke 2:13-14
Was a Holy Child born that night? -- I watch the children sing the Christmas carols, with smiles on their faces and wonder in their eyes. --- I BELIEVE!

"Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life." John 8:12
Is Jesus the light? -- I see the brilliance of the candles on the altar. --- I BELIEVE!

"The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen." Revelation 22:21
- - - - - I BELIEVE!

QUESTION OF THE DAY

What do you believe?

Please use this as a beginning of your prayer. Finish in your own words, words from your heart.

LET US PRAY

Happy Birthday Jesus, I am almost ready to celebrate your birth. I want you to know that although all these things are fun, the tree is not important. The gifts are not important. The cookies, candy and ham are not important. I am getting myself ready to celebrate your birthday in the true spirit. I will be ready to wake up Christmas morning and feel the excitement of the angels. And the wonder of the shepherds. I will wake up Christmas morning and offer to you my gifts of worship and belief. I will open your gifts of peace, hope and joy. Happy Birthday Jesus. .………………………………… Amen

THIS LAST WEEK

TODAY’S SCRIPTURES:

(For your high times) I will praise you as long as I live, and in your name I will lift up my hands. My soul will be satisfied as with the richest of foods; with singing lips my mouth will praise you. Psalm 63:4-5

(For your low times) "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light." Matthew 11:28-30

THIS LAST WEEK

This has been a week of highs and lows. Last Sunday, our daughter and I went Christmas shopping instead of going to church. Was that wrong? NO. We needed a mother/daughter day! It was a great day. We shopped, we talked and we ate. It does not get much better than that. We used Sunday to share God's love by being together.

The lows have been to see on TV how weather and humanity disrupts our lives. Our trees were ice covered and they were pretty. Glistening and shiny. But our trees never fell and our power never went out. It is hard to see the pictures of the devastation that the ice storm caused across the country. So many people quickly forgetting about Christmas shopping as they wondered when they would have heat. Or phones. Or water.

It is amazing that on one hand water is calming as it flows in a creek or you watch the waves rush to the shore. Then on the other hand, water causes floods or ice storms or hail or too much snow. On one hand, fire keeps us warm and cooks our food. The same fire can burn a forest or a home.

Last week we had three young men die in a fire. Although the cause of the fire is still uncertain, this fire has left friends hurting, firemen questioning if they could have done more and families wondering what to do with their empty arms.

We also listened as the reports continued about shootings in malls and churches. It makes it hard to celebrate when so many people have had their lives turned upside down.

I also finished a Bible Study this week. When it was over, the group realized the study had ended much too soon. We also realized we had grown as Christians. This was a Beth Moore study, Breaking Free, Making Liberty in Christ a Reality in Life. I am not sure I am supposed to quote from her study, but I am. Hopefully this quote will help us know where to turn when we have highs, when we have lows and when we are just confused as to why people die needlessly in fires or shootings. Or why storms come.

From Beth Moore: "each morning the Holy Spirit woos me once again to the place where I meet with God. The God of grace bows low and meets with me. In the simplicity of my prayer time, I am suddenly confronted by the majesty of my Redeemer. The One who is responsible for any good in me. My past sins are forgiven and fresh mercies fall like manna from heaven. And once again, my heart is moved, and I surrender all. Morning after morning."

My friends, someday we will understand, but until that day comes, keep turning to God. Simply pray and tell the one who bows low how you feel. God can help!

QUESTIONS OF THE DAY

Think about the week you have had. Have you turned to God and praised Him when you have had highs? Have you turned to God and asked for His comfort when you have had lows?

Please use this as a beginning of your prayer. Finish in your own words, words from your heart.

LET US PRAY

Dear God of grace, I reach out to you as you bow low and meet with me. With me. Do you know how special that makes me feel? You listen to me. Oh Lord, let me talk to you in my simple words. Let me tell you about my week. ………………………………… Amen

CHRISTMAS -- A "CHANCE"

TODAY’S SCRIPTURE: Luke 1:30-33

But the angel said to her, "Do not be afraid, Mary, you have found favor with God. You will be with child and give birth to a son, and He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David, and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever; his kingdom will never end."

CHRISTMAS -- A "CHANCE"

I love Christmas -- it's a chance. A chance is an opportunity and, at Christmas, the list of chances can be unending.

A "chance" to sing a song - a song of the magic of Christmas. Songs of children and stars. Of family and of a humble birthplace.

A "chance" to reach out. The meaning of Christmas is giving and we need to help those who otherwise would have an empty day. Maybe just the sound of a voice - it can be so quiet when you are alone.

A "chance" to say I Love You, I Care, I Remember. So many beautiful cards and each one saying "I am thinking about YOU."

A "chance" to say I am sorry. This is the perfect time to apologize, to renew old friendships, to take back the words spoken in haste and to make families whole again.

A "chance" to believe in miracles. The miracle of the first Christmas and the gift of a baby. The light in the eyes of children. The beauty of the first snow and knowing the spring will bring flowers.

QUESTIONS OF THE DAY

Christmas is a little more than two weeks away. Are you ready? Is there one more thing you need to do? You have a chance to do it in the next two weeks. Is there a song you want to sing? Someone you want to talk to? Someone you want to apologize to? This is the season to believe in miracles. Take a chance -- BELIEVE.

Please use this as a beginning of your prayer. Finish in your own words, words from your heart.

LET US PRAY

Dear giver of miracles, I do believe and I know that the birth of your Son was a miracle. A gift you gave me. Let me grab a hold of the miracle and use it to sing. To reach out to others with words like I love you and I care. Let me grab a hold and use the strength of that miracle to say I am sorry and to renew old friendships and heal family hurts. I do believe and I want to use this time before Christmas to prepare a celebration to honor the birth of Jesus. ………………………………… Amen

THE NATIVITY

TODAY’S SCRIPTURES:

And Mary said: "My soul glorifies the Lord and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, for he has been mindful of the humble state of his servant. From now on all generations will call me blessed, for the Mighty One has done great things for me -- holy is his name. Luke 1:46-49

But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. Luke 2:19

THE NATIVITY

It is time to get the house ready for Christmas. I used to decorate every room -- even the bathroom. Now the family room is just about it. I put snowmen out and they can stay up until the end of March. Of course the tree. And the nativity. This particular nativity has been a part of 40 years of celebrating the birth of Jesus.

I open the box. Everything is there, just as it was packed away. One sheep has the end of a leg broken off and the manger has been glued a few times, but the pieces are all there.

When Bill and Terri were little, they acted out the Christmas story with this nativity. They would have the Wise Men coming in from one room and they placed the sheep and cow so they could see into the manger. I once found Jesus wrapped in a Kleenex, secured with a rubber band, because they thought the baby Jesus was cold. Yes, memories of Christmas come when I open this box.

Then I pick up Jesus. Gently I hold the baby Jesus and picture Mary ---

Mary looked at the baby, cradled in her arms
Knowing she could not protect him from harm.
Mary looked at the baby, so perfect, so small
Ten fingers, ten toes -- but that was not all.

She saw the gifts God had bestowed upon this child

Eyes that could see -- see into the heart
Hands that could heal -- heal the body and soul
Shoulders that were strong -- strong to carry the sins of the world
Feet that were sturdy -- sturdy to carry him on his planned journey
And Wisdom -- And Compassion -- And Patience -- And Humility.

As she held the baby, she looked closely at God’s Son
This perfect baby, so small to be the Chosen One.

But, with head bowed and love in her heart, Mary rejoiced.

“Jesus will call me Mother!”

QUESTIONS OF THE DAY

What emotions did Mary have? Read the Christmas Story (Matthew chapters 1 and 2 and Luke chapters 1 and 2) and then think about how scared she must have been. (Would anyone believe her story? Would Joseph?) How did she feel when Elizabeth called her 'Blessed among women?' What would it have been like to travel and then find no room? What would it have been like to hold the Son of God? Take time to put yourself in Mary's place. Do you feel differently when you try to feel the Christmas Story instead of just reading it?

Please use this as a beginning of your prayer. Finish in your own words, words from your heart.

LET US PRAY

Dear Mighty One, You chose Mary to be the mother of your Son. Let me be like Mary and have a spirit that rejoices. Let me be a humble servant. Open my spirit and allow me to feel Christmas. Allow me to feel Christmas in my heart. Then allow me to humbly accept the gift you gave all of us -- Your Son Jesus. Amen

UNEXPECTED FUN

TODAY’S SCRIPTURE: Proverbs 17:6

Children's children are a crown to the aged, and parents are the pride of their children.

UNEXPECTED FUN

It was time for birthday shopping and this year I had two boys with me. You see, when our daughter's boys reach the age of seven, they receive a certificate good for one day of birthday shopping with grandma. Off we go to the big city of Fort Wayne and go to only stores they choose. That usually includes Target, Toys R Us and THE MALL.

Our day had gone pretty much on schedule. We took care of the dreaded "shirt and jeans" shopping first. Then we looked at all the toys -- those that would be good for Christmas and those that had a bigger price tag than the boys had in available spending money. Even then, it was fun to look and fun to dream. All was going great until one boy wanted to continue on to the mall and one had hit the I-am-worn-out point. He did not want to go into the mall and he was not going to get out of the car. Oh, the struggle that went into high gear. "I want to go in, come on Joshua." said Matthew. "I am not going in!" said Joshua.

First, I threatened to take him home. That didn't work, because he said okay. And, Matthew really wanted to go into the mall. Not possessing the wisdom of Solomon, I resorted to, "You are going in and that is that."

Into the mall we went and the first store we saw was a sports store. Matthew kept pointing out all the things that Joshua liked. Joshua still hung back.

Matthew bought some trading cards and then Joshua decided to spend a little of that money that was starting to burn a hole in his pocket. Just for a moment, I saw a spark of interest and I knew he was perking up.

Then we went across the hall and Joshua went into warp speed. "They have a Colts pennant." "Look at this poster." "And here is a Patriots pennant." (The Colts and Patriots were playing the next day and he wanted to have both goalposts covered.) Then it got better! In the back room were some games. "Oh, grandma, can we play these?"

They did. They had a blast. Then we found more wonders in a bookstore.

You see, Joshua acted like a lot of us. We dig in our heels. (I do not want to do that and know I will not enjoy it. So I will just stay put.)

What Joshua discovered, on the other side of the door to the mall, was fun. An adventure began when he relaxed and, because his brother wanted to go in, he opened that door.

(Are you trying to tie the scripture to the story? Give up! It only ties to the story because the scripture says, "Grandchildren are a crown for grandparents" and this grandma has a good time with our grandchildren.)

QUESTIONS OF THE DAY

When do you dig in your heels? What fun have you missed because you just wanted to sit in the car? When have stayed home and missed enjoying time with friends because the activity wasn't exactly what you wanted to do? When have you been surprised by how much fun you had when you said, "Sure I will go."

Please use this as a beginning of your prayer. Finish in your own words, words from your heart.

LET US PRAY

Dear Jesus, I am stubborn sometimes. I want things my way. I don't stop to consider other people. Help me change this part of my personality. Instill in me a sense of adventure. Do not let me be afraid to open the door to your mall. You have so many blessing there for me. Peace. Hope. Unfailing love. ………………………………… Amen

THE HOLIDAYS ARE COMING

TODAY’S SCRIPTURE: Exodus 12:26

And when your children ask you, "What does this ceremony mean to you?"

THE HOLIDAYS ARE COMING

Oh my gosh! Have you looked at the calendar? IT IS ALMOST THANKSGIVING. That means Christmas is soon to follow. Will it all get done? Watching all those football games and parades. Cooking dinner. Shopping. Putting up the tree. Decorating. Shopping. Wrapping presents. Oh my gosh! I just know I will forget something. I will not have enough time.

Do you feel this way as the holidays approach? If so -- take a deep breath. It will be okay.

Looking back at the first paragraph, do you see anything missing? Look again.

Well, you can tell the priorities are all wrong.

Thanksgiving is NOT about football games and a big meal. It is about being THANKFUL. Thankful for the things in life: family, friends, indoor plumbing, the smile on any child's face. Thankful for the winning team graciously shaking the hands of their opponent. Thankful for a meal shared or the quiet time to enjoy a meal with a table full of memories.

Christmas is NOT shopping, putting up the tree and all that other stuff. Christmas is about celebrating the birth of Jesus.

As you look at the calendar and you start to hyperventilate, take a deep breath. It will be okay, because you are going to make Thanksgiving about giving thanks and you are going to make Christmas about Jesus.

Celebrate Thanksgiving. Celebrate the birth of Jesus.

The scripture from Exodus was the beginning of an instruction on how the Israelites were to explain Passover to the next generation. How would God instruct you to explain Thanksgiving and Christmas?

QUESTIONS OF THE DAY

Have you put the holiday celebrations in the proper order? Are you stressing out that there is too much to do? Are you worrying that there will not be enough money to buy all the gifts? Do you dread the holidays because you are alone or have memories of past holidays that were not so great? If so, what can you do to make the holidays good for you?

Please use this as a beginning of your prayer. Finish in your own words, words from your heart.

LET US PRAY

Dear Jesus, I am thankful for all the blessings in my life. Those I see and those I just walk by without even noticing. I am thankful for __________________________. I am also looking ahead to Christmas. When I celebrate your birth. During this holiday season, let me not forget why I am excited. Let me not forget that I am celebrating the best present ever -- the birth of God's Son. ………………………………… Amen

BIRTHDAYS

TODAY’S SCRIPTURE: Psalm 139:13-14

For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother's womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well.

BIRTHDAYS

Do you love birthdays? I do. When I was a child, we got to pick what we had for supper and dad tried to be home so he could have cake with us. (He drove a truck and we never knew when he would appear and when he would leave.) We did not receive many presents, but birthdays were fun.

Our children never knew what to expect when they had a birthday. I would decorate the whole house and then hide their presents. Or they would have to play a game (Let's Make a Deal or scavenger hunt) to get their gifts. One time our son came home and we handed him a ball of yarn. The yarn was strung all through the house, under beds and in and out of cabinets, with a gift tied in every so often. That was fun. They also got their pick of cake -- peanut butter for our son and our daughter usually picked angel food. There was the one year she wanted chocolate cake, chocolate ice cream and chocolate milk.

My husband is a typical male (sorry for the generalization) and says birthdays are just another day. "Don't get me any gifts. Or cards." But he will always take a birthday pie.

As I write this, I am celebrating a birthday and remembering how much fun we have had over the years. One birthday really stands out -- November 7, 1966. On my 20th birthday, our son was born. What a birthday gift. The best birthday gift I have ever received.

What's amazing is that God already knew this baby. I could feel the baby grow. God had knit this baby for us. I could feel the baby kick. God knew the number of hairs on his head. I saw a beautiful baby boy. God already had plans for him.

QUESTIONS OF THE DAY

How do you celebrate your birthday? Do you look back and remember the birthdays of your youth? Do you look forward to the birthdays yet to come?

Please use this as a beginning of your prayer. Finish in your own words, words from your heart.

LET US PRAY

Dear God, To think that you knew me before I was born. To know that you made me. You know the number of hairs on my head. You have a plan for my life. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made. .………………………………… Amen

GRETCHEN

TODAY’S SCRIPTURES:

He will not let your foot slip -- he who watches over you will not slumber. Psalm 121:3

The Lord will keep you from all harm -- he will watch over your life; the Lord will watch over your coming and going both now and forevermore. Psalm 121:7 - 8

GRETCHEN

We have had dog-pound dogs, a Basset Hound, numerous Saint Bernards and a Newfoundland. Now we have a Rottweiler.

Gretchen is laying on the office floor sound asleep. That is what she does when you say, "Work." She heads to the office, begs a biscuit and then goes to sleep. Talk about an easy life.

Actually, her life isn't so easy. Gretchen is the first dog we have ever had that loves Bill and me equally. Our other dogs always had a preference. Saint Bernards: Cindy Lou watched over the children when they were little, Priscilla took care of the children in our neighborhood but her number one love was our son, Moses had a special attachment to our daughter and Leroy was always by Bill's side. Wally, a Newfoundland, was my protector. But Gretchen loves Bill and me the same. That is where her troubles start.

Gretchen always wants to be where she isn't. If Bill and I are in the same location, Gretchen is happy and content. If Bill is working outside or in the barn and I am in the house or office, poor Gretchen does not know what to do. She wants to keep an eye on Bill as he works, but she also wants to make sure I am okay. If I am working in the flowerbed and Bill is mowing, she will lay where she can watch both of us. And, if we move, she moves. Oh, the life of a dog is not always so easy.

It does make us feel special that Gretchen watches over us. BUT, we have an Invisible Fence and Gretchen can only keep us in her protective care when we are in the yard.

Isn't it great that there is no Invisible Fence to hold God back from watching over us? God loves all of us equally and he watches over us 24/7.

QUESTIONS OF THE DAY

Do you have a pet that is a companion? A protector? Does your pet make you laugh? Does your pet help reduce your stress level? Does it make you feel good that your pet watches as you leave and waits for you to come back?

Please use this as a beginning of your prayer. Finish in your own words, words from your heart.

LET US PRAY

Dear Creator of the animals, Thank you for pets. Pets help us enjoy life. They make us smile and they make us feel loved. They enrich our lives. What an imagination you have to create dogs and cats. Frogs and fish. Horses and mules. You have given us animals to cuddle, to hold, to ride. Thank you for entrusting the care of your creations to us. .………………………………… Amen

THAT OLE RESTLESS LEG SYNDROME

TODAY’S SCRIPTURE: ISAIAH 40:28-31

Do you not know? Have you not heard? The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He will not grow tired or weary, and his understanding no one can fathom. He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.

THAT OLE RESTLESS LEG SYNDROME

I just sent off an email to a local TV station. They did a medical report on RLS (Restless Leg Syndrome) and it made me mad. Irate really. You see, I have RLS. Bless my mother; she was so generous to pass this on to me. I hope I have not passed it on to our children, but only time will tell. The report: Two doctors were interviewed and they basically said that RLS could be controlled by not drinking caffeine or alcohol, by taking iron and by exercising. They stated that RLS did not really require the new drugs being advertised. I know one thing, neither of these doctors have RLS nor have a family member or friend with RLS.

I explained to the TV station that people are now going to the doctors because a name has finally been given to an old problem. People realize there is help and that they do not have to suffer. For some people there are side effects, from the medicine. That is true of any medicine. Iron: Yes, an iron deficiency in the brain has been shown to be a cause of RLS. You can take iron, but you cannot take enough iron to increase the iron in your brain. Caffeine and alcohol: I do not drink caffeine and only rarely have a glass of wine. I still have RLS. Exercise: Most RLS sufferers spend hours exercising as they walk the floor.

I have RLS and, for years, before I started taking Mirapex, I rarely slept through the night. I would try to lay still. I would try to move my legs as easy as I could, so as not to wake my husband. I would lay on one side and then the other. I would get a hot water bottle and go to the couch, hoping that would help. Do you get the picture? If you have RLS, you know exactly what I am talking about. RLS can mean that sitting through a movie is pure torture. Going for a long ride or a trip means that you are going to be in agony part of the time. Having RLS means that you will watch TV standing up because you cannot sit still. Many people with RLS have late night (after midnight) telephone buddies. People they can call as they walk the floor. RLS is real.

If you have RLS, there is help. The RLS Foundation has an excellent website: www.rls.org. When you feel like you are alone. When you are walking the floor. When you are crying because you need sleep. Remember that there is help. Remember there are others that understand.

To each of you -- If you have a physical problem, make sure you go to a doctor that takes you seriously. Do not allow a doctor to "blow you off" or refuse to check out your symptoms.

This has been different than my usual devotion and not what I was going to write, but I guess I needed to let off steam. I am mad that two doctors would make comments that could discourage people from getting help. I am mad that a TV station would report only one side of an issue, as if it was the only side. (Well, duh. That is how most news is anymore.) I was just plan mad. Now I feel better -- Thank you for being there to listen to me. Today, you have helped me!!!!!!!!

I know one thing -- prayer helps. Prayer did not take away my RLS, but it often got me though the night. "The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He will not grow tired or weary, and his understanding no one can fathom. He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak." Isaiah 28-29.

QUESTIONS OF THE DAY

Almost everyone suffers from something -- back pain, vision problems, and the list could go on. What is your physical problem? Do you allow prayer to help you through it? Does your doctor understand? Does your family? Do your friends? Do you have someone to call when you are really down because of the pain? Or lack of sleep?

Please use this as a beginning of your prayer. Finish in your own words, words from your heart.

LET US PRAY

Dear Lord, Sometimes I just need to sound off. Sometimes I get so frustrated with what is happening to my body. It helps to know that other people understand how I feel and can offer help. Thank you for doctors that care and listen to me. Thank you for medicine that makes life better. Thank you for those that support me when I am in pain or when my body will not allow me to sleep. Thank you for listening as I pray through my pain. ………………………………… Amen

TIME TO PRAY

TODAY’S SCRIPTURES:

Three times a day he got down on his knees and prayed, giving thanks to his God, just as he had done before. Daniel 6:10

From inside the fish Jonah prayed to the Lord his God. Jonah 2:1

Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where he prayed. Mark 1:35

After Jesus said this, he looked toward heaven and prayed: … John 17:1

I want men everywhere to lift up holy hands in prayer, without anger or disputing. 1 Timothy 2:14

TIME TO PRAY

At Bible Study, we were asked to kneel while we said our closing prayer. There was only one problem. About a year ago, I hurt a knee and that knee, as I found out one day when I was on the floor with the grandkids, does not like to cooperate if I kneel on it. As everyone else knelt, another lady and I stood. Know what? It didn't matter. We were all united in silent prayer, whether we were kneeling or if we were standing.

I don't think there is a particular posture that is right to pray. God says to go into a closet, but I think what he means is to pray with the right attitude and not pray for show or so others will think us holy.

The Bible tells about praying while kneeling but it also tells about praying while flat on the floor. The Bible says to lift your hands to the heavens.

Seems I pray in a number of places and in a number of ways. Sometimes when I am hanging clothes on the line or working in the flowerbed, I send up thoughts of appreciation for flowers and the breeze and the birds. (Of course, I am hoping that the birds do not fly over the clean clothes hanging there.) I can also pray while drinking that first cup of coffee, while driving and while cleaning house (Okay, so praying while cleaning house doesn't happen as often as praying while driving. And you should try praying in the shower. Now talk about coming clean to God and not being able to hide anything.)

When prayers are being said at church, I bow my head - sometimes. But sometimes I look up at the stained glass window of Jesus praying in the garden. Both ways are right.

And my hands -- They seem to have a life of their own. Sometimes they are raised full out and sometimes they are raised just a bit. Sometimes my hands are folded in my lap palms down and sometimes my hands are open, with the palms up as if they are waiting for the blessings to flow into them. Sometimes they are holding the Bible.

Do you get the point? It doesn't matter where you are. It doesn't matter what you are doing. It doesn't matter if your head is bowed. It doesn't matter what you do with your hands. It only matters that you remember: "Then Jesus told his disciples a parable to show them that they should always pray and not give up." Luke 18:1

QUESTIONS OF THE DAY

So how do you pray? Where do you pray? Is there a particular way you hold your hands? Do you raise your head or lower it? Does it matter?

You should check the Bible for all the references to prayer. It was hard to select just a few.

Please use this as a beginning of your prayer. Finish in your own words, words from your heart.

LET US PRAY

Dear Jesus, The Bible is full of examples of how I should pray and you even gave me the perfect prayer. The Lord's Prayer. I know I can pray on my knees or standing up. I hope I never have to pray from the belly of a fish, but I know that you would hear my prayers even then. The hardest part of praying is finding the words. Sometimes the things I would like to tell you seem so bad that I don't want to say them. Sometimes my thoughts seem small and unimportant. Sometimes I just don't know where to begin. Jesus, look into my soul. Into the deepest part of me and teach me how to talk with you. Teach me to worship you in prayer. Teach me to turn to you in all things. Teach me to trust you. ………………………………… Amen

A HIGHER POWER

TODAY’S SCRIPTURES:

Look to the Lord and his strength; seek his face always. Psalm 105:4

You will keep in perfect peace him whose mind is steadfast, because he trusts in you. Trust in the Lord forever, for the Lord, the Lord, is the Rock eternal. Isaiah 26:3-4

Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Matthew 11:28

A HIGHER POWER

I tell you, as long as I have grandchildren, I will not run out of ideas for this blog. Our daughter and her boys were over this week to visit and eat lunch. To take full advantage of a beautiful fall day and to keep the kitchen a little cleaner, we decided to eat lunch outside.

There was one problem. Timothy, age 3, likes to sit in a particular chair when he eats at our house. (Actually, it is a step stool, but we haven't pointed that out to him. He just knows it is great to sit on.)

Timothy turned to his mother and said, "Can I take my black and white chair outside?"

Mother said, "I don't think you need to, grandpa has a chair for you."

Timothy then turned to me and said, "Grandma, can I take my black and white chair outside?"

Grandma, of course, said, "Yes." Timothy then, with a great big smile, told his mother, "Grandma says I can take the chair outside."

Timothy knew there was a higher power.

Oh, darn. Another lesson taught by a child -- turning to a higher power.

Where do you turn for answers? Yourself? A friend? A minister? Family? There is nothing wrong with asking others to help and support you. I would be lost without help from those around me and I do believe we should try to help ourselves, but I know one thing -- There is a higher power and I waste so much time when I do not turn to that power first.

When I turn to the power of God first and then use His strength to work at solving the problem, with the support of others, there is peace in my life. Not an easier road, but peace as I face the curves and potholes.

AND - God has made it so simple. He says, "Come."

QUESTION OF THE DAY

Remember what I said, turning to yourself and others is not wrong. We need all the love and support we can get. The question is: Do you go to the higher power first?

Please use this as a beginning of your prayer. Finish in your own words, words from your heart.

LET US PRAY

Dear Lord, A problem arises and I try to solve it. I have questions and I ask others for answers. When I feel lost and alone I try to find ways to fill up my days and nights. I need to reach out to the higher power. I need to come to you. Thank you that you are there. That you are always there when I say Lord. I am so grateful that I can turn to others for support, but let me always go to you first. ………………………………… Amen

STOP SIGNS

TODAY'S SCRIPTURE: MATTHEW 2:13

(After the Magi had left.) When they had gone, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream. "Get up," he said, "take the child and his mother and escape to Egypt. Stay there until I tell you, for Herod is going to search for the child to kill him."

STOP SIGNS

I love back roads and shortcuts. At one intersection, of a local back road, there are at least seven stop signs. Now that got me to thinking about all the stop signs Jesus ran into.

It seems like everywhere Jesus turned, someone was putting up a stop sign. Herod put one up and Jesus’ family had to escape to Egypt. The spirit led Jesus into the desert and that ole devil put up three stop signs.

The disciples even put up a few. They questioned. They tried to stop the children. They doubted when Jesus walked on water. They slept while he prayed.

Those in his hometown put up a big stop sign when they would not even listen to him.

The priests put up a stop sign when they bought his betrayal. Pilate provided the nails for the final stop sign.

The miracle is that there is no sign or mortal action big enough to stop Jesus. He knew what road he was on. He knew what he had to do. He knew he wanted to carry out the will of “the Father.”

Life and the world we live in have many stop signs that try to keep us from traveling the road we should. We have to be careful what we watch on TV or at the movies. So many images to lead us astray. We have to be careful what friends we choose to hang out with. We have to be careful whom we pick for a mate. The people we are around influence our decisions and our actions.

When life puts stop signs on your road, remember the “way of the Father.” Do not allow stop signs to make you turn off the path God has set for you.

QUESTIONS OF THE DAY

What stop signs do you see along your road through life? Do you have the strength to stay on the road and not turn down the wrong path? Do you know how to get back on the road when you are weak?

Please use this as a beginning of your prayer. Finish in your own words, words from your heart.

LET US PRAY

Dear Jesus, Thank you for staying on the path God prepared for you. You had the strength to say no to the devil. Three times, you said no. Be beside me always, but be extra strong when I need to call on you when I need to say no. Keep my eyes upward and my footsteps straight. Dear Jesus I will work very hard not to be a stop sign in another's life. Today I also pray that I do not put stop signs in front of you. Allow me to ask you questions and then to trust your answers and to not doubt. Let me always celebrate the miracle of your life, your death and your resurrection. ..………………………………… Amen

BUT I WANT WHAT THEY HAVE

TODAY’S SCRIPTURE: EXODUS 20:17

You shall not covet your neighbor's house. You shall not covet your neighbor's wife, or his manservant or maidservant, his ox or donkey, or anything that belongs to your neighbor.

BUT I WANT WHAT THEY HAVE

"Did you see the house they built down the block? Twice as big as any in the neighborhood. And did you see the car they are driving? Man, I wish I could afford something like that." or

"I work really hard and never seem to get ahead. I do my job right, not taking any shortcuts. And I'm honest. But look who got the promotion. They make mistake after mistake and are never called on it. Now they get the office with a window." or

"Look at little miss 'dressed like a model' coming to the grocery store and trying to act like the rest of us." or

"I just don't know about the future. Other people have big retirement benefits and insurance. Not me. I have had to work for every penny I have. Will I have enough, as I get older? Will I have enough to take care of myself?"

It is hard not to look at what other people have. How other people live. How they dress. How their children behave. How many friends they have. This could be a very, very, very long list. It just seems like someone else always has more.

Maybe, just maybe, we are looking in the wrong direction. Maybe we should look at what we have instead of what we don't have.

That fancy house and car -- are they paid for? Does that family work so hard to pay for the house and car that they have no time to live? Maybe, just maybe, there is someone looking at your house wishing they could afford such a grand place.

That promotion -- would you do your job differently just to get ahead? Would you be dishonest? Would you let someone else take blame for the mistakes, just so you would look better, or would you take credit for someone else's work? Maybe, just maybe, there is someone trying to get ahead and would be thrilled to have your job. Or any job.

That 'dressed like a model' -- is it really her fault that she has the genes to be thin? Or maybe she never had children and has never had the joy of extra maternity pounds. Maybe, just maybe, there is someone out there looking at you, at your confidence, and wishing they felt that comfortable with themselves. With how they look.

The future -- Thankfully, we do not know what tomorrow will bring, so is it really worth missing today to worry about what someone else has? And remember, someone may be looking up to you and wondering if they will ever be able to retire? Or go on a trip? Or just have the time to sit under a tree?

"You shall not covet …………"

QUESTIONS OF THE DAY

What do you have in your life that another person would love to have? Do you take time to be thankful for your home? For your family? For your health? For your job? For having time to sit under the tree?

Please use this as a beginning of your prayer. Finish in your own words, words from your heart.

LET US PRAY

God, You told us in the very beginning of the Bible that we should not covet. That we should not be envious of what other people have. Teach me to see the blessings I have and not compare them to what other people have. To how other people live. God thank you for ………………………………… Amen

A Year Later

TODAY’S SCRIPTURE: COLOSSIANS 3:16-17

Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God. And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.

A Year Later

It does not seem possible, but I have been posting to this blog for one year. I am never sure who reads it, but that is okay. I am happy if one person reads what I write. I am thrilled if my words help someone. Three weeks ago, I wrote about gossip and about how words can be used. Words are powerful! Words bring an image instantly to your mind.

Read a word. Close your eyes. Picture the word. Do this for each word.

Tree ----- Dog ----- Mountain ----- Spider ----- Turnip ----- Water ----- Rainbow

What did you see? What kind of tree? There are so many. What kind of dog? Bet you didn't see the same dog I saw -- a Newfoundland named Wally. How did you picture a mountain? Was it green and soft like the Smokey Mountains or was it high and sharp like the Rockies? Did the image of a spider make you want to open your eyes? Do you even know what a turnip looks like? And water. Did you see an ocean? A slow moving stream? Something to drink? I would bet we all saw the same image for a rainbow.

Words are powerful. They give us images and they give us feelings. Again, read a word. Close your eyes. Feel the word. Do this for each word.

Hope ----- Love ----- Laughter ----- Tears ----- Touch ----- Children ----- Music

What did you feel? Can you feel hope? Do you know that it is there? Did the word love make you feel safe or lonely? Laughter -- Did your lips curl into a smile? Tears -- Did you remember a time when you cried? The word touch could bring good memories or bad. A hand placed gently can make a heart leap. I hope you remembered a gentle touch. And children. Did you picture a sweet child, being good? Or a normal child being loud and getting into trouble? Music -- Did you hear a favorite song? Did you move just a bit as you kept time to the music of your heart?

Words are powerful! The words in the Bible are powerful. They are there to teach us. To guide us. To tell us about mountains and water. To tell us about hope and love and laughter. And tears. Read the Bible. Picture the words. Feel the words.

QUESTIONS OF THE DAY

So what is your favorite word? What word do you use when you are mad? What word do you just absolutely hate? What word gives you the most comfort?

Please use this as a beginning of your prayer. Finish in your own words, words from your heart.

LET US PRAY
Dear Heavenly Father, Thank you for words. Words that make a memory appear. Words that remind me of a person. Of a place. Thank you for words. Words that make me feel. Words that give me comfort. Or make me excited. Or make me laugh. Thank you for the words in the Bible. Words that teach me about you. Words that teach me about myself. Words that teach me how to help others. ………………………………… Amen

JUST A MOMENT PLEASE

Today’s Scripture: PSALM 148

Praise the Lord.

Praise the Lord from the heavens, praise him in the heights above. Praise him, all his angels, praise him, all his heavenly hosts. Praise him, sun and moon, praise him, all you shining stars. Praise him, you highest heavens and you waters above the skies. Let them praise the name of the Lord, for he commanded and they were created. He set them in place for ever and ever; he gave a decree that will never pass away.

Praise the Lord from the earth, you great sea creatures and all ocean depths, lightning and hail, snow and clouds, stormy winds that do his bidding, you mountains and all hills, fruit trees and all cedars, wild animals and all cattle, small creatures and flying birds, kings of the earth and all nations, you princes and all rulers on earth, young men and maidens, old men and children.

Let them praise the name of the Lord, for his name alone is exalted; his splendor is above the earth and the heavens. He has raised up for his people a horn, the praise of all his saints, of Israel, the people close to his heart.

Praise the Lord.

JUST A MOMENT PLEASE

We are on vacation right now and our daughter, Terri, will be posting my blogs the next three weeks. (Thank you Terri.) This means I had to get them written before we left. As we were planning this vacation, I remembered another vacation. A few years ago, when, once again, vacation plans changed.

If we could have seen into the future, we would have known what to do. Lacking that ability, we did the best we could. It was vacation time and the vacation was planned around a wedding, in North Carolina. When Hurricane Isabel entered the picture, we had a decision to make. Do we head into a hurricane? The answer was no. We removed the dress and suit, put in a couple of sweatshirts, headed west and had a great vacation. Guess what. The hurricane went north of the wedding. We missed a celebration. This Mary’s Moment has two topics – One topic is that you make the best decision you can, with the information you have and then say – “Oh, darn.”

The other topic is “Mary has a new pet peeve.” My old crusades were “Put that shopping cart away” and “My name is Mary or Ma’am, not sweetie, dear, darling or honey.” I have a new battle now – “TURN THAT CELL PHONE OFF.”

Can you believe it? We went through Yellowstone National Park. We saw buffalo, elk, trees, waterfalls – and people talking on cell phones. We were in Jackson Hole, Wyoming. We enjoyed art galleries, the Teton Mountains, great restaurants, relaxing cups of coffee – and were besieged by people talking on cell phones. We saw two women shopping, each on the phone talking to someone else. We saw parents talking on the phone and ignoring their children. We saw couples, one on the phone while the other stared off into space. We saw people try (try being the key word here) to drive, talk on the phone and take notes. Now they made us feel safe.

I know, I know, phones are handy. We can stay in touch. I agree, to a point, but the use of cell phones is getting way, way out of hand. Do we really need to be “available” all the time?

Put the phone down. Turn it off. You might just enjoy a sunset. Talk to your family. Value the time you have with a friend. See a show. Enjoy a meal. Or you might actually see the buffalo, elk and mountains.

Time to get off my soapbox and – oh, gotta go – the phone is ringing. (Just kidding.)

I hope this makes you stop and think about what you might be missing. What in your life is keeping you from enjoying the company of a loved one or friend? What is standing between you and seeing the buffalo? Or the sunset? Or the clouds?

QUESTIONS OF THE DAY

What has a grip on you that keeps you from enjoying all of life? (A few ideas: Phone, Computer, TV sports/soap operas/etc, Too many committee meetings, Shopping) What are you missing out on?

Please use this as a beginning of your prayer. Finish in your own words, words from your heart.

Let us pray

Dear God, Are you listening? Do you hear me when there are so many praying? You created such a wonderful world and I am just walking through it. Many times, I have set the wrong priorities and ignored what is important. Help me to use my time wisely. Help me to put people before things. Help me ………………………………… Amen

THE MIGHTY KEY

TODAY’S SCRIPTURE: REVELATION 1:17-18

When I saw him, I fell at his feet as though dead. Then he placed his right hand on me and said: "Do not be afraid. I am the First and the Last. I am the Living One; I was dead, and behold I am alive for ever and ever! And I hold the keys of death and Hades."

THE MIGHTY KEY

Look at a key. Not very big is it? Just a little thing. It will fit in your hand. In your pocket. In your wallet or purse. Look at a key. Not very big is it?

Is the key you are holding a car key? We do not think about how powerful that key is. We pick it up, start the car and go on our way. We take it for granted. But what if there is an emergency. You need to get somewhere in a hurry and you can't find that little key. You start to panic. How can you get the car started? Where did you leave it? Why didn't you put it back where it belonged? That little key suddenly becomes extremely important.

Is the key you are holding a house key? Again, we do not think about how powerful that key is. We pick it up, lock the house and go on our way. We take it for granted. But then you get home, reach for the house key and can't find it. The ice cream is melting and you need to use the bathroom. Then you hear the phone ring. Where is that key? That little house key that you cannot find suddenly becomes valuable.

Is the key you are holding a church key? Probably not, but have you thought about how powerful the key to a church is? If the church is locked. If the person with the key did not show up, someone needing to pray would not have access to the sanctuary. Someone needing to attend a meeting could not get in. (Okay, so that one would not be so bad because we have way too many committee meetings.) Someone wanting to attend Sunday School would have to study another time. Those wanting to hear the word of God would be turned away. That little key. That little key that gives access to God's house suddenly is more important than you thought.

One more -- Is the key you are holding the key to heaven? The person with the key is powerful because that person gives access. Jesus holds the key. Jesus gives us access.

QUESTIONS OF THE DAY

What is the most important key you have? Is it the key to your home? Your car? Are you searching for the key to heaven?

Please use this as a beginning of your prayer. Finish in your own words, words from your heart.

LET US PRAY

Dear Heavenly Father, I place such importance on the big things that I forget how important something as small as a key can be. As my hand reaches for a key, let it find the key I need. The key that gives me access to you. Access to heaven. ………………………………… Amen

DID YOU HEAR?

TODAY’S SCRIPTURE: PROVERBS 16:29

A perverse man stirs up dissension, and a gossip separates close friends.

DID YOU HEAR?

I rarely pass on the latest news (aka gossip). I would like to say it is because I am trying to take the high road. That I am above gossip. Really, it is a self-defense strategy (aka keep foot out of mouth).

Although we have lived in this community for 30 years, I do not know everyone's relatives all the way back to the Mayflower. You can be sure if I begin a sentence, "Let me tell you what I heard about Sadie," the person I am talking to will eventually inform me that Sadie is their second cousin. If Sadie only had one cousin in the whole country, the one person I would pick to pass on a tidbit of news to would be her cousin. (Take foot out of mouth time.)

There is also a slight problem I have remembering names. I may know something really, really juicy and just as I start to tell, my lack of retention kicks in and I cannot remember if it was Kelly or Katherine that ......... Not wanting to get the wrong person in trouble, I just do not tell.

Did you ever play the game telephone? Where one person whispers in the ear of the next in line. The idea is to see how close the last person comes to repeating the starting sentence. The first person said, "The bed is red." The last person said, "Fred is dead." Not wanting to be responsible for Fred's family being upset, I try not to repeat what I hear.

Do I talk about people? Yes, but remember, there is a difference between conversation and gossip. How can you tell the difference? Simple. If Sadie walked into the room, would you keep talking or change the subject?

QUESTIONS OF THE DAY

What have you said lately that you wish you had kept to yourself? Have you ever been hurt by gossip?

LET US PRAY

Dear Sweet Jesus, So many words. So many ways to express what I feel and what I think. Let me always use my words wisely. Let me use my words to build a friend up, not tear them down. Let me respect others and their privacy. Let me use my words to praise you and to tell your story. Let me ………………………………… Amen

VACATION PLANS

TODAY’S SCRIPTURE: ROMANS 12:2

Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is -- his good, pleasing and perfect will.

VACATION PLANS

Our son, Bill, always teases us about our vacations. You see, we plan. We send off for information. We mark our route. We make some reservations so we know that, at the end of the day, we will have a place to stay. We know where we want to go and we know what we want to do when we get there. We print off our route and our itinerary for the kids. That is where the teasing comes in. Bill will look at it and say, "Just how far do you think you will get before you change your plans?"

He is right. We will be going down the road and I will look at the map and say, "Now what we could do…." That usually means we will take a side road or even make a major change in our plans. The route and the reservations -- each carefully chosen -- are thrown away. A new adventure begins.

Usually we are at least going down the road when the changes start. This year the itinerary was hardly out of the printer when my husband said, "Now what we could to…" That comment resulted in a major change.

Wow, this is a lot like life. We prepare. We plot. We have our day planned. Our week. Our year. Our life. Then WHAM. God says, "Now what you could do…" Oh, I hate it when that happens. It means I have to throw out my schedule. Throw out my plans.

Then I think about it and turn to the new adventure God has prepared for me. After all, His road leads me where I really want to go.

QUESTIONS OF THE DAY

Do all of your plans work out? Do you get frustrated when plans fall through? Can you be excited when change comes into your life? Do you listen for God's directions?

Please use this as a beginning of your prayer. Finish in your own words, words from your heart.

LET US PRAY

Dear God, You formed this world and you formed me. You have a plan for this world and you have a plan for me. I spend so much of my life deciding what I want to do. Give me ears to hear when you say, "Now what you could do ." Give me courage to change. Courage to follow your good, pleasing and perfect will. Give me courage to follow your plan. ………………………………… Amen

WHERE DO YOU SIT?

TODAY’S SCRIPTURE: LUKE 10:39

She (Martha) had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord's feet listening to what he said.

WHERE DO YOU SIT?

Have you ever heard this? "That is my pew! How dare those people sit there? Don't they know that I ALWAYS sit in that spot? I just would not feel comfortable sitting in another pew. I will just ask them to move."

Laugh, but I have heard of this happening. The question is where do you sit? Do you have a favorite pew? Is it in the back? Halfway back? On the left of the aisle? On the right? In the middle of the pew? At the end of the pew?

I spoke at a small church a few weeks back and told them I felt right at home. They were like the Methodist, all sitting in the back of the church.

Now I am going to ask you to get out of your comfort zone. Move around. You would meet new people. Move around. Surprise your minister and sit up front. (Believe me, all speakers would be thrilled if they looked down and the front row was filled.) Move around. Sit in the back row one Sunday and in the middle the next. Move around. Sit on the left of the aisle one Sunday and on the right the next. Do not be glued to a particular seat!

New question: If you heard that Jesus was going to speak this Sunday, where would you sit? Would you get there early so you could get the front pew? Would you grab an aisle seat so you could see better? Would you sit on the floor, at his feet?

QUESTIONS OF THE DAY

Where do you sit? Would you feel comfortable in another pew? The purpose of church is to join with others to worship and hear the word of God. If you would sit up close to hear Jesus, shouldn't you be just as willing to sit up front to hear His Word?

Please use this as a beginning of your prayer. Finish in your own words, words from your heart.

LET US PRAY

Dear Jesus, I have become a creature of habit. I am glued to my pew. I want to sit there because I feel comfortable. I know the people who sit next to me. Help me get out of my comfort zone because I come to church to worship You. I come to learn Your word. Give me the courage to sit at Your feet. To sit close so I will not miss one syllable. ………………………………… Amen

A JOYOUS TIME

TODAY’S SCRIPTURE:

Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. And we, who with unveiled faces all reflect the Lord's glory, are being transformed into his likeness with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit. 2 Corinthians 5:16-18

A JOYOUS TIME

(To the males reading this blog: Today this is mainly for the women, but please read it. Hopefully, after reading this, you will encourage your mother, wife, daughter or female friends to attend a Women of Faith Conference.)

What a joyous time I had last Saturday! A group of women went to the Women of Faith Conference - Amazing Freedom 2007. 11,000 women joined in song. Joined in laughter. Joined in praise. Joined in celebrating being Women of Faith.

We heard how to go on with life when you have been molested as a child and when you have faced serious, life threatening illness. We heard Sandy Patty sing and heard a drama on the sisters, Martha and Mary. As the praise singers led us in song, hands were raised toward our Amazing God. We heard about God telling Luci Swindoll to "show up, shut up and let go." And we heard Marilyn Mcberg tell about putting an Ajax sticker in her husband's pants.

We laughed as Anita Renfroe talked and sang about things only women would understand -- under-wire bras, childbirth and those "press those girls flat" mammograms. Yes, we laughed until we cried.

The amazing thing is the timing of each speaker. You see, they would have us laughing. They would have us listening to every word they said. Then they would give us a zinger. They would quote a scripture and we understood that every word, every laugh was designed to make that scripture come alive.

What a joyous time I had celebrating the freedom of being a believer.

QUESTIONS OF THE DAY

When was the last time you went out with a group of women? When was the last time you laughed until the tears ran? When was the last time you just plain celebrated the freedom you receive from being a Woman of Faith?

The website for Women of Faith is www.womenoffaith.com. Look it up. They have many books and videos that will help you celebrate your life.

Please use this as a beginning of your prayer. Finish in your own words, words from your heart.

LET US PRAY

Dear loving God that created me to be a Women of Faith. Thank you for the support I receive from other women as I live my life as the Daughter of a King. Thank you that I am free to laugh and free to sing. That I am free to pray and free to worship you. ………………………………… Amen

I DIDN'T DO IT

TODAY’S SCRIPTURES:

Then the Lord God said to the woman, "What is this you have done?" The woman said, "The serpent deceived me, and I ate." Genesis 3:13

(Moses upon coming down from the mountain and seeing the golden calf) He said to Aaron, "What did these people do to you, that you led them into such great sin?" "Do not be angry, my lord," Aaron answered. "You know how prone these people are to evil. They said to me, 'Make us gods who will go before us. As for this fellow Moses who brought us up out of Egypt, we don't know what has happened to him.' Exodus 32:21-23

I DIDN'T DO IT

As long as I have grandchildren, I will have stories. Our daughter has four boys -- 10, 7, 5 and 3. They are good boys, but they are boys. Noah, age 5, seems to have the ability to make rather big messes when he plays. The trouble comes in when it is time to pick up all those toys.

One day, mommy said, "Noah, it is time to pick up your toys."

Noah replied, "I didn't get them out."

Mother came back with, "Yes, you did. You had fun, but it is time to pick them up."

Noah replied, "I did not get them out! Matthew did it!"

There was one major flaw with Noah's defense and logic. What flaw you wonder.

Noah's older brother Joshua quickly informed Noah, "Matthew is in China."

The moral of the story -- Be sure the person you blame is not on the other side of the world.

The blame game goes back to the beginning of time. Eve didn't step up to the plate and admit she did a very big no-no. She blamed the serpent. Aaron couldn't look Moses in the eye and tell him that he went along with the plan. He blamed the people. O o o oh, it is so hard to take responsibility for our mistakes. O o o oh, it is so much easier to blame someone else.

QUESTIONS OF THE DAY

Do you have trouble taking responsibility for your mistakes? Have you ever blamed someone else for your error? Have you ever had someone blame you for something they did?

Please use this as a beginning of your prayer. Finish in your own words, words from your heart.

LET US PRAY

Dear Jesus, It seems there are so many temptations in life and failing to be honest and admit our mistakes is one of them. Forgive me for the times, in my past, when I have not been honest with others and with you. Today I ask you to guide me in the right direction. When I am tempted to blame another for my mistakes, either directly or by being silent, gently remind me that this is not Your way. ………………………………… Amen

WHAT A DAY

TODAY’S SCRIPTURE: PSALM 40:1-5

I waited patiently for the Lord; he turned to me and heard my cry. He lifted me out of the slimy pit, out of the mud and mire; he set my feet on a rock and gave me a firm place to stand. He put a new song in my mouth, a hymn of praise to our God. Many will see and fear and put their trust in the Lord. Blessed is the man who makes the Lord his trust, who does not look to the proud, to those who turn aside to false gods. Many, O Lord my God, are the wonders you have done. The things you planned for us no one can recount to you; were I to speak and tell of them, they would be too many to declare.

WHAT A DAY

I don't know about where you live, but we had the most beautiful sunrise one day this week. The sky was magic. The sun started as a small slit peeking through. Then the light got brighter. The rays were extending over the top of the dark sky and then it happened. The whole sky lit up. There were oranges and purples and golds. Wow. What a way to start the day. God sure can say good morning.

The rest of my day was wonderful. The rose moss flowers were open and showing their colors. The barn swallows were putting on a show, darting in and out of the barn. There was a very welcome breeze and the sweet corn tasted extremely good. The junk email didn't even seem to annoy me.

Every have one of those day? Where everything just seems to fit together. Where you are more aware of everything around you. Where you feel -- where you feel comfortable with yourself.

I think a day like this is how most of us experience our Christian walk. It starts with our spirit allowing God to peek in. Then the light of God gets brighter and the rays of His light shine out around us. We cannot contain them. Then our whole being just explodes with His grace. When that happens, we begin to see God in everything around us. We see His plan in the flowers. And the birds. And the breeze. And in ourselves.

QUESTIONS OF THE DAY

Have you had a day like this lately? What causes you to feel like you are one with God?

Please use this as a beginning of your prayer. Finish in your own words, words from your heart.

LET US PRAY

Dear God, Thank you for telling me good morning with your sunrise and good night with your sunset. Thank you for all that you have planned for me. For me. For me you made the birds, the flowers and the breeze. You have made wonders for my ears to hear, my eyes to see, my nose to smell, my mouth to taste and my hands to touch. For me you made these things. As I am going on my walk with you, show me your plan for my life. Let me always feel at one with you.………………………………… Amen

LORD, I AM AFRAID

TODAY’S SCRIPTURE

Psalm 23:1-4 -- The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not be in want. He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, he restores my soul. He guides me in paths of righteousness for his name’s sake. Even 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.

Matthew 28:20 -- …. and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.

LORD, I AM AFRAID

My 1998 gallbladder surgery did not go quite like we expected. It was to be routine, done in the morning and home in the afternoon. Yet the problem that arose has changed my outlook on life. A problem so much smaller than many other people have, I know that, but let me explain.

I was home and lying in bed, short of breath and I was afraid. The doctor said I should be aware if I noticed any changes, like getting winded walking to the barn or having trouble breathing while lying on my back. Was I in trouble, was my heart going to stop again? Should I wake my husband? Quietly, I went downstairs, taking my fear with me. Dear Lord, I am afraid.
Just seven short days before, my world had been safe and secure. A simple gallbladder operation. Outpatient surgery. Arrive at the hospital early and leave late in the afternoon. Routine surgery until something went wrong. During surgery, my heart stopped for one minute. One minute did not seem like such a long time, until I tried holding my breath that long. I tried to count one-one thousand, two one-thousand, three one-thousand -- all the way to sixty one-thousand. One minute is not long, but it was long enough to make me afraid.

Three days of tests revealed no heart problems. With each test came new risks though. Papers had to be signed to make sure we were aware certain tests could cause strokes or even heart attacks. Fear. The gallbladder surgery went well and those scars were healing, but my chest hurt where they had hit me to get my heart started. Each movement caused pain. And fear. They did not know what caused this. Could it happen again? Fear. "Go home and in thirty days we will see you again. The only problem now is your heart is not pumping one hundred percent, but, most likely, that is a result of the stress. In thirty days, it should be back to normal," the doctors assured me. Most likely, should be -- “fear,” -- that is all I heard and felt.

Sitting in the dark, I tried to go over the last week, but I was afraid. More afraid than I had ever been in my life. Then it happened. A light. You know how sometimes, when you close your eyes, you see a light? That is what I thought was happening, but this was different. My eyes were open. I was awake. The light was there. A light more brilliant than any I had ever seen. A light with no beginning and no end. The light made the world quiet and gave me peace. A light that took my fear and left.

Thank you, God, I am not afraid now.

I know there is no guarantee tomorrow will come and I have never been afraid to die. Not ready, but never afraid. And I have always believed in Heaven. My fear was real and I do believe the fear could have killed me. Why had I been so afraid that night?

When I was being released from the hospital a young man was taking me by wheelchair to the car, he asked if I had seen a light and I told him no. He said some people do and some do not. I did not think too much about it until sitting there, alone and no longer afraid. Why hadn't the light been in the operating room? The answer is simple -- I did not need it then.

QUESTIONS OF THE DAY

When have you been afraid? Where did you find the strength to face that fear?

Please use this as a beginning of your prayer. Finish in your own words, words from your heart.

LET US PRAY

Dear Heavenly Father, Fear. The word itself makes me cringe. Some of my fears are real and others are irrational. I know I cannot face them alone. I know I need help. Be beside me as I face the fear of ………………………………… Amen

FEAR

TODAY’S SCRIPTURE: Ephesians 1:15-19

For this reason, ever since I heard about your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all the saints, I have not stopped giving thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers. I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better. I pray also that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints, and his incomparably great power for us who believe.

FEAR

This week I read extremes. I use Oswald Chambers' My Utmost For His Highest as a daily devotional. This is an amazing devotional. Not light stuff like I write, but deep thoughts. I also read a book by Dean Koontz, The Good Guy. Extremes, but they both made me think about fear.

In The Good Guy, Dean Koontz wrote, "Fear is a hammer, and when the people are beaten finally to the conviction that their existence hangs by a frayed thread, they will be led where they need to go." If you read Dean Koontz, you know that the person saying this was not the good guy.

What things do we do out of fear? This question can also be reversed -- What things do we not do out of fear?

Oswald Chambers wrote, "We say -- "If I really could believe!" The point is -- If I really will believe. If we really believed that God meant what He said -- what should we be like? Dare I really let God be to me all that He says He will be?"

Do you fear believing? Do you allow God to be all He can be in your life?

Again, to quote Oswald Chambers, "We utilize God for the sake of getting peace and joy, that is, we do not want to realize Jesus Christ, but only our enjoyment of Him."

What an amazing change would happen in our lives if we "will" believe, not just hope to believe. The Bible is full of promises from God. How He will enrich our lives and how He will give us peace. How He will give us eternal life. What amazing changes would happen in our lives if we would leave fear behind and let God "be all that He says He will be." (Go back and read the last sentence of today's scripture.)

Next week I will tell you about a time when I was very afraid.

QUESTIONS OF THE DAY

What do you do out of fear? Is fear being used in your life "like a hammer." Are you so afraid of someone or something, that you live your life in fear? (If this is the case, please get help. Find a church, a person or an agency that will help you. Making a change in your life takes courage. Be strong and good luck.) Are there reasons you are afraid to trust God? Are you afraid you would have to change your lifestyle?

Please use this as a beginning of your prayer. Finish in your own words, words from your heart.

LET US PRAY

Dear God, Fear. So often, I am afraid. I am afraid I will not have enough money to pay the bills. I am afraid I will be fired. Or be ill. Or say the wrong thing if I speak out at church. Or if I speak out about injustice. I am afraid others will think I am weird if I admit to believing and loving you. I am afraid to change how I worship. I am afraid to allow you to enter every part of my life. I do not want to live in fear. I do not want fear to control me. I want ………………………………… Amen

SURFING BLOGS

TODAY’S SCRIPTURE:

Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another -- and all the more as you see the Day approaching. Hebrews 10:25

All the words of my mouth are just; none of them is crooked or perverse. To the discerning all of them are right; they are faultless to those who have knowledge. Choose my instruction instead of silver, knowledge rather than choice gold, for wisdom is more precious than rubies, and nothing you desire can compare with her. Proverbs 8:8-11

SURFING BLOGS

I recently signed this blog up, with Blog Explosion, to increase exposure. I am not sure that was a good thing. Yes, the number of people looking at my blog has increased. The problem is they are not reading it. They are staying just long enough to rack up credits for surfing blogs. Then they move to the next one. This is done to help increase the traffic to their blog. If you think about it, it makes no sense. People are going to flip from blog to blog and no one reads anything.

Now here is the kicker. My "surfing blogs theory" is exactly how many people pick their religion and their beliefs. They go from church to church and do not stay long enough to find out what that church really believes. You need to find a church, which fits you, but you cannot do that in one visit or even two. If you are going to try a new church, go for a few Sundays. That doesn't mean you have to join the choir the first week or be on a committee. It means you go and listen to the Word. You see how you are welcomed. You watch people as they worship. Does it feel comfortable? Are they preaching the Word of God or just saying what makes you feel good? Are there all age groups? Do they have small groups (Sunday School, Bible Studies, Craft/Art/Conversation groups where people with like interests can meet)? Do you feel the presence of God?

Many people also read the Bible in a "surfing blogs theory" way. They jump around in the Bible, reading first this and then that and they expect it to make sense. That is not going to happen. Again, you have to stop and take your time. Until the last couple of years, reading the Bible was my weakest area. I think that was because I never had any order to my reading. I would read a scripture attached to a devotional and call that good enough. It takes time and determination to make sense of the Bible. Everyone has their own style and you need to develop yours.

Surfing blogs may be fun, but you do not learn anything by surfing blogs. You learn by taking time to read. Surfing churches gets you in and out of a church fast, but you do not learn anything by surfing churches. You learn by staying and making decisions based upon more than one Sunday. Surfing the scripture is a fast way to go from verse to verse, but you do not learn the Word by going from here to there. You learn by slowly reading and finding the meaning and wisdom.

QUESTIONS OF THE DAY

Are you a surfer? Do you flip from blog to blog, not reading anything, always looking for the next blog? Do you go from church to church, always looking for one just a little better? Do you open the Bible and then hop from verse to verse?

Please use this as a beginning of your prayer. Finish in your own words, words from your heart.

LET US PRAY

Dear Jesus, You came to earth with one purpose - to serve your Father and do His will. You did not go from here to there, you put your feet on the path and you followed it. That is what I want to do. I want to belong to a church that teaches me how to walk the same path. I want that path to begin in the Old Testament and lead me to the very end of the New Testament. I do not want to be a surfer, I want to be ………………………………… Amen

HANDS

TODAY’S SCRIPTURE: Matthew 19:13

Then little children were brought to Jesus for him to place his hands on them and pray for them.

HANDS

THE HANDS JESUS

The hands of Jesus were gentle and kind. The hands of Jesus held the children.

With just a touch, His hands gave speech to the mute and gave sight to the blind. They blessed the bread that feed 5,000 and they restored life to the dead.

The hands of Jesus cast out demons and they offered blessings. The hands of Jesus cured leprosy. The hands of Jesus did not cast stones.

The hands of Jesus washed the disciples' feet. They offered the cup and the bread. The hands of Jesus carried the cross.

OUR HANDS

Oh how amazing is our hands. They can sharply bring pain or touch a cheek softly. They can conquer a land or be offered in peace.

They can give help or they can be selfish. They can be clinched in rage or lifted in praise. Oh how amazing is our hands.

QUESTIONS OF THE DAY

How do you use your hands? Are they strong, but gentle? Are they friendly? Do they serve others? Are they clinched or raised in praise?

Please use this as a beginning of your prayer. Finish in your own words, words from your heart.

LET US PRAY

To the loving Jesus who holds me in His hands, You are the example I need to follow. I want to use my hands as you used yours. I want to give care to those who suffer from physical, mental or emotional pain. I want to use my hands as instruments of peace as I offer friendship to those I meet. I want to have gentle loving hands. Hands that will serve others. Dear Lord, I want my hands to ………………………………… Amen

ALREADY TAKEN CARE OF

TODAY’S SCRIPTURE:

"… and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age." Matthew 28:20

Please read Psalm 139

Jesus speaking to Saul (Paul) "I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting." the Lord replied. "Now get up and stand on your feet. I have appeared to you to appoint you as a servant and as a witness of what you have seen of me and what I will show you. I will rescue you from your own people and from the Gentiles. I am sending you to them to open their eyes and turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan to God, so that they may receive forgiveness of sins and a place among those who are sanctified by faith in me." Acts 26:15-17

"Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God; trust also in me. In my Father's house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am. You know the way to the place where I am going." John 14:1-4

OH, NEVER MIND -- ALREADY TAKEN CARE OF

One day, shortly before Easter, our grandson Matthew called and, while we were talking, asked, "Grandma, can you bring eggs on Easter so we can hunt them?" In the background, his mother told him they were doing eggs. Matthew told me, "Oh, never mind." A request not needed, it was already taken care of.

How many request do we make that are already taken care of?

"Dear Lord, I am feeling alone." Jesus reminds us that He is with us always. "Oh, never mind." -- Taken care of -- Matthew 28:20

"Dear Lord, do you know me?" This Psalm tells us that God knows when we sit and when we rise, is familiar with our ways and knows a word before it is on our tongue. "Oh, never mind." -- Taken care of -- Psalm 139

"Dear Lord, I have sinned and I am sorry. How do I receive forgiveness?" Through Jesus, our sins can be forgiven. "Oh, never mind." -- Taken care of -- Acts 26:15-17

"Dear Lord, I worry about eternity." Jesus assures us that there will be a place in his Father's house. "Oh, never mind." -- Taken care of -- John 14:1-4

I know that being alone, wondering if God really knows who I am, fearing that my sins are too great to be forgiven and trying to picture eternity are deep, deep concerns and I am not using "Oh, never mind." in a flippant manner. It is used to show that many of the things we fear or questions we have are already Taken care of. Hopefully these verses can help you during these times.

God knows our fears and He knows each of us as a unique individual. We just need to listen and have faith.

QUESTIONS OF THE DAY

When are times that you feel separated from God? When do have the most questions? Do you have a prayer partner or someone you can call when you are having rough times?

Please use this as a beginning of your prayer. Finish in your own words, words from your heart.

LET US PRAY

Dear Heavenly Father, I come before you as a thankful child who has received everything I need. Let my eyes see your wonders and my ears hear your words. Let my mind understand your ways and fill my very being with the Holy Spirit. When I have questions, calm me with the reassurance that you have the answer. Lead me, guide me and be beside me always as I ………………………………… Amen

HANDPRINTS

TODAY’S SCRIPTURE: Ephesians 4:11-13

It was he who gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers to prepare God's people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the son of god and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ.

HANDPRINTS

I looked out the window this morning and remembered a time when Timothy came for a visit, about a year ago. Yes, he has been here since, but this is what I wrote the morning after that visit. --

Timothy was here yesterday. I was reminded of that fact when the morning sun hit the kitchen window. Timothy is two and he loves to look out windows. He loves to stand on the kitchen counter, look out the window and tell me about the birds and the cows. At least that is what I think he is telling me. I only have grandma ears, so I pick up most of the words but not all of them. Whatever he says though must be quite some story. He gets excited and points. And he puts his hands on the window.

I probably should wash that window. The sun makes it look pretty bad. Handprints and fingerprints are as high as a two year old can reach. Yes, I should wash that window but I think I will wait a few days. When I see that handprint, I think of Timothy and smile.

So let the sun shine on the window and let the handprint glow.

Wow, guess that is sorta like us. We travel though this life leaving our prints everywhere. We are very blessed, because Jesus can wash away our bad prints. We are very blessed, because when the light of the Son shines on our good prints, they glow.

QUESTIONS OF THE DAY

Where have you left your handprints? Have you helped the earth by recycling? Have you left your print when you volunteered at a soup kitchen? Have you left your print in the hand of another when you extended the hand of friendship? Where have you left your print? Will it glow?


Please use this as a beginning of your prayer. Finish in your own words, words from your heart.

LET US PRAY

Dear Lord, Thank you for so many opportunities to leave my handprint on your world. Guide my hands in such a way that my handprints help and that they lead others to you. I want my prints to glow when the light of Your Son shines on them. I want my handprints to ………………………………… Amen

ENEMIES

TODAY’S SCRIPTURE: Psalm 23:5

You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.

ENEMIES

Enemy. Now that is one powerful word. What comes to your mind? Do you picture a certain person? Do you think of someone in history like Hitler? How do you feel when you say that word? Does your blood pressure go up? Do your eyes lock in a stare and your mouth set into a scrawl? How big of a table would it take to seat your enemies?

Enemy. That is one powerful word. The other Sunday we heard Pastor Robert A. Schuller speak on this verse from Psalm 23. He made me think about the enemies that would be sitting at my table.

I think I am going to need a very big table to seat my enemies. They would be temper, prejudice, lack of compassion, and fear. Also seated would be pride and lack of trust. Seated there would be gossip and hate. And being judgmental. I would be in one of those chairs, because sometimes I am my own worst enemy. There would be a chair - an empty chair - for all the things I was afraid to do. The things I left undone. The words I did not say. The prayers I did not pray. These things are or have been enemies to the life I can have.

Enemy. That is one powerful word. We spend time worrying about "humans" who are enemies. "Human" enemies would take up very few chairs at the table. The real enemies - the ones that threaten eternal life - could fill a room.

Enemy, that is one powerful word. But God is more powerful. Through God, you will sit at the table, in the presence of your enemies. The enemies God has invited so they can see that you are one of His children. You are an anointed child. Through God, YOU CAN OVERCOME YOUR ENEMIES.

QUESTIONS OF THE DAY

Who do you consider an enemy? What is your worst enemy? How many chairs will you need at the table?

Please use this as a beginning of your prayer. Finish in your own words, words from your heart.

LET US PRAY

The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want. Dear Lord, What comforting words these are. And to know that you have a table prepared for me. To know that I can draw on your strength to overcome my enemies. Teach me forgiveness, because I need to be forgiven. Let me forgive my human enemies. Give me strength to defeat the other enemies in my life. Give me strength to rid my life of ………………………………… Amen