Friday, June 25, 2010

I WONDER

I WONDER

I wonder what it would feel like to swim in the depths of the ocean.

I wonder how long it would take to count all the grains of sand.

I wonder how it would feel to fly like an eagle.

I wonder how many rain drops it takes to make a puddle.

I wonder if big horn sheep have a headache after butting heads.

I wonder how much God loves me.

I will never know the answers to these questions. Oops. My bad! I do know the answer to the last one.

PSALM 103:8-18

The Lord is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, abounding in love.

He will not always accuse, nor will he harbor his anger forever; he does not treat us as our sins deserve or repay us according to our iniquities.

For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is his love for those who fear him; as far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us.

As a father has compassion on his children, so the Lord has compassion on those who fear him; for he knows how we are formed, he remembers that we are dust.

As for man, his days are like grass, he flourishes like a flower of the field; the wind blows over it and it is gone, and its place remembers it no more.

But from everlasting to everlasting the Lord's love is with those who fear him, and his righteousness with their children's children -- with those who keep his covenant and remember to obey his precepts.

QUESTION OF THE DAY

Do you know how much God loves you?

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

LET US PRAY

How much do you love me God? This Psalm tells me that you love me so much you are compassionate and gracious with me. Your love for me is so great you do not treat me as I deserve. Instead you remove my transgressions far, far away. When I no longer have a place on earth, I will, over time, be forgotten. But I will never be forgotten by you. How much do you love me God? You love me from everlasting to everlasting. Thank you. Amen

Friday, June 18, 2010

THANK GOODNESS FOR CELL PHONES

TODAYS SCRIPTURE: ISAIAH 49:13

Shout for joy, O heavens; rejoice, O earth; burst into song, O mountains! For the Lord comforts his people and will have compassion on his afflicted ones.

THANK GOODNESS FOR CELL PHONES

Friday, June 11, was some day. I am thrilled to report that Timothy's surgery was a success and he no longer has tonsils or adenoids. I would like to report that he is back to his usual crazy self, but he is having all the normal surgery side effects. Throat very sore. Grumpy. Really bad breath. And did I mention, grumpy? He is even getting tired of watching TV.

Timothy has three older brothers. Let me tell you, those four boys can get into some really nasty fights. "He kicked me." "You hit me first." "Tell him to stay out of my room." "I want to sit by mommy." "Daddy said I could." "That is my light saber." "We watched your movie last time." Get the idea? Sometimes, you would think those boys hated each other.

That is until one of them gets sick. We were headed to Fort Wayne and the phone rang. "May I talk to Timmy?"

Because we had to be at the hospital early, we stayed in Fort Wayne the night before. As we entered our room, the phone rang. "May I talk to Timmy?"

We walked over to Bob Evans and had a bite of supper and upon returning to the room, Timmy asked, "Can I call grandpa?"

And before we made it to bed, the phone rang again, "We want to tell Timmy goodnight." Yup, those boys can get into some battles, but when one hurts they become brothers and they all hurt.

I am not sure how many times the cell phone was used Friday. "Yes, we are headed to the hospital." "Yes, Timothy is in surgery." "Yes, he is out of surgery." "He is awake." "We are headed home."

And again, the phone rang, "May I talk to Timmy?"

The cell phone gave everyone comfort. Timothy talked to his father, his brothers and his grandparents. But the cell phone could not be used everywhere. BUT during this time of concern. During this surgery. During this separation from family, there was one connection that was always available.

That connection? God, of course.

QUESTIONS OF THE DAY

Like all devices of man, the cell phone can get us into trouble or be a blessing. Do you drive and talk? Drive and text? (HOPE NOT!) Talk on the phone instead of enjoying the person/people you are with? When has the cell phone been a blessing? Have you called when your car was broken down? When someone was ill? When you just needed to hear a loved ones voice?

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

LET US PRAY

Hello, God.

I know with you I never get a busy signal or have to worry about leaving a message. You are always ready to hear my prayers.

I look at this wonderful world and appreciate __________.

You have so blessed me. Thank you for __________.

Please help __________.

In the name of Your Son, Jesus Christ, Amen and Amen.

Thursday, June 10, 2010

GOOD MORNING LORD

Yes, it is Thursday instead of Friday, but tomorrow I will be at the hospital while our grandson has his tonsils taken out.  Would you please say a prayer for Timothy and all those involved in his surgery and recovery.

HAVE A WEEK FULL OF GRACE AND PEACE – Mary

When I woke up this morning, this is what came to my mind.

GOOD MORNING LORD

Good morning Lord, Take my hand and walk with me today,

Protect my thoughts, so they do not stray,

Guard my ears, keep hurtful words away,

Keep my eyes focused, so they do not betray

May my mouth have truth and love, in all I say,

Keep my heart beating strong, all this day,

Let each breath I take, remind me to pray,

Guide my feet, show me the way,

Good morning Lord, Take my hand and walk with me today,

TODAYS SCRIPTURE: PSALM 143:8

Let the morning bring me word of your unfailing love for I have put my trust in you. Show me the way I should go, for to you I lift up my soul.

Friday, June 04, 2010

WELCOME

Today I would like you to watch two YouTube videos.

The first is Rodney Carrington's "If I'm the Only One." Watch it to the end, please. This link should work by either using the Ctrl key or clicking the link or by copy and paste. The link is: www.youtube.com/watch?v=8nZMtwm7fcs

The second is Mark Schultz's "Everything to Me." This video can be found at www.youtube.com/watch?v=OPYaRJOWznk Again, use the Ctrl key and click or copy and paste.

Do you know what I am going to write about today?

TODAYS SCRIPTURE:

And she became pregnant and gave birth to a son. When she saw that he was a fine child, she hid him for three months. But when she could hide him no longer, she got a papyrus basket for him and coated it with tar and pitch. Then she placed the child in it and put it among the reeds along the bank of the Nile. …… When the child grew older, she took him to Pharaoh's daughter and he became her son. She named him Moses, saying, "I drew him out of the water." Exodus 2:2, 3 and 10

ADOPTION

A while back, all within a three day period, four things happened:

  • A Facebook friend told about adopting his wife's children.
  • The Sunday bulletin offered this prayer, "Thank you Father, for adopting us into Your family because of Jesus Christ our Savior.
  • An email said that adoption is when you are entrusted with a child to raise.
  • Our son had me watch the Rodney Carrington video.

I put these in my "is a good idea for a blog" file. This morning, Sunday, May 30, I saw Mark Schultz's video and decided it was time to take them out of the file.

Adoption is very special to our family. Because one woman understood she would not be able to raise her unborn baby, we are blessed with a granddaughter. That granddaughter is now 15 years old but I can remember the very first time I saw her. Instant love!

In that instant, I realized there are three ways to deliver a baby. One is by natural birth. The second is by caesarean section. The third is from the hands of another.

My 1995 Christmas poem included this: "We received a gift this year - an answered prayer. Our son and his wife adopted a baby. What joy this little girl has brought into our lives. Knowing that an unseen hand always held ours, made the uncertainty and waiting easier. As we waited for this addition to our family, we learned to appreciate the unselfish generosity and love that one person can have for another. A mother put the future of her child first. She gave us a granddaughter. God put us first -- He gave us His Son!"

As this is being written, we have friends who are in China. They have traveled a very long way to adopt.

Moses' mother knew she had to find a safe home for her son. Many mothers and fathers make the same decision. Bless you.

QUESTIONS OF THE DAY

Have you adopted a child? Do you know someone who is adopted? Are you adopted? (Read Ephesians 1:4-7) Maybe you have been adopted twice.

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

LET US PRAY

Adoption. This can bring up so many emotions. Lord, I pray for the mothers and fathers, who have entrusted their children to others. Give them peace with this decision. Lord, I pray for the mothers and fathers who opened their arms and their hearts to these very special children. Lord, I pray for the children. I pray they will grow into adulthood, proud to be called adopted. Amen