TWO MINUTES

TODAYS SCRIPTURE: LUKE 23:34

Jesus said, “Father, forgive them for they do not know what they are doing.”

TWO MINUTES

It was a normal morning. Children complained about getting up for school. Men and women went to work and the same idiot cut across three lanes of traffic causing everyone to slam on their breaks. Boys and girls, too young for school, told their parents goodbye as they were dropped off at daycare.

It was a normal morning, as men and women turned their minds from loved ones to business.

It was a normal day, as children put moms and dads in their hearts and turned to study and play.

9:01 AM – It was a normal morning. No one paid attention to the truck parked at the loading dock.

9:01 AM – It was a normal morning, April 19, 1995. A normal morning in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.

Two minutes passed. 120 seconds.

9:03 AM – It was no longer a normal morning.

We stopped at the Oklahoma National Monument and felt the results of hate and mis-directed anger. 149 adults and 19 children died.

We were too early to tour the museum, but I do not think I could have entered.

The empty chairs had already broken my heart and reminded me that two minutes had changed a nation, a state and a city. Two minutes and family trees were altered.

It was hard to walk to the Children’s Area. Each step closer was a reminder of those smaller chairs. Each step carried us closer to --- closer to hope!

Hope because children from all parts of the country sent drawings of comfort. Drawings which offered a prayer or a dream of peace. Drawings of broken hearts and families. And those pictures were bright and colorful. Each picture was full of hope.

Hope for the end of hate.

How do you explain hate? How do you understand one person being so desperate they kill innocent people? How do you not take hate into your own heart? I have no answers.

When an April 19, 1995 (Oklahoma City, Oklahoma), April 20, 1999 (Columbine High School, Littleton, Colorado), September 11, 2001 (New York, Washington DC and Pennsylvania) and other days of hate happens, you weep, you pray, you trust, you hope.

The inscription over the entrance to the Memorial reads, “We come here to remember those who were killed, those who survived and those changed forever. May all who leave here know the impact of violence. May this memorial offer comfort, strength, peace, hope and serenity.”

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

LET US PRAY

Lord Jesus, When acts of hate destroy my feeling of well-being, when acts of hate touch my life, when hate is strong, O Jesus, protect my heart and mind so hate cannot hold my Spirit captive. Almighty God, hold victims close and give peace to those left behind. Peace and the assurance that they will again celebrate with their loved ones. Amen

AN HONEST MAN

Hi, Please enjoy this devotional. We are going on vacation so the next post will be March 19. Celebrate each day, Mary

TODAYS SCRIPTURES:

Train a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not turn from it. Proverbs 22:6

Be shepherds of God's flock that is under your care, serving as overseers -- not because you must, but because you are willing, as God wants you to be: not greedy for money, but eager to serve; not lording it over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock. And when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that will never fade away. 1 Peter 5:2-4

AN HONEST MAN

I cashier auctions and try as I might, I will - and I hate to admit this - make an occasional mistake. Sometimes I file a ticket behind the wrong number. Or the clerk will put the wrong bidder number down. It is hard to hear when the crowd is noisy and 51 and 61 can sound alike. When the sale is over, we go through those lone tickets and try to figure out where they belong.

Occasionally a person will say, "I know I have another ticket. I bought a periwinkle marble for $ 35.00." If a quick search does not turn up the ticket, we take the money, note the amount and try to find a match when we balance out. And there it will be. A single ticket with the wrong number or (Regretfully my error.) filed where it does not belong.

Last Saturday, I waited on an Honest Man. This young man regularly comes to our auctions and usually has his son with him. When I told him the amount he owed, he said, "You must be missing a ticket. I know I had another $ 20 item." I looked and could not find it. Asking if he was sure it was $ 20, I told him I would find the ticket later and tear it up. He paid his bill and turned to leave.

That is when I embarrassed him. I said, "Do you realize the example you just set for your son? Your son saw his father being an honest man. He will not forget that."

The son grinned from ear to ear, as he realized how special his father is. The father turned a bit pink and started to say something. Then he grinned and said, "Thank you."

Train a child in the way he should go

Be shepherds of God's flock that is under your care

Because you are willing

You will receive the crown of glory that will never fade away

And right there, in the middle of a very busy auction, stood an honest man who was training his child in the way he should go. He was being a shepherd to the flock that is under his care. And he was doing it willingly and without even realizing it, he was training his child. He will receive his crown of glory.

QUESTION OF THE DAY

Have you set an example for someone lately?

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

LET US PRAY

Dear Chief Shepherd, I pray that my Spirit is a willing Spirit. I pray that I am a good shepherd to the flock you have placed around me. I pray that I live my life in such a way that I exemplify Your works to children. I pray that family, friends and strangers will observe me serving and want to serve the same God. I pray that I serve, not to be seen, but to teach by example. And when you, the Chief Shepherd, appears I will humbly receive the crown of glory that will never fade away. Amen

KEEPING CURRENT

TODAYS SCRIPTURES:

O Lord, be gracious to us; we long for you. Be our strength every morning, our salvation in time of distress. Isaiah 33:2

Give us today our daily bread. Matthew 6:11

Then Jesus said to them all: "If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me. Luke 9:23

Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. 2 Corinthians 4:16

KEEPING CURRENT

Our church is SLOWLY entering the age of technology. Since I have been the one pushing to get a website and facebook page established, I have spent hours and hours researching. I took an online United Methodist Web Ministry Course and learned why web ministry is important and who is most likely to use the website.

Now website research has started. Enter Christian web design and web hosting into Google and you get 815,000 sites. No, I did not check each one but have narrowed my search down to four. Let me tell you what I found when searching for just the right service.

"Special until January 1, 2010." Sounded good except for the fact that it was February 13, 2010. If they could not keep their own site current, why would we want to trust them to stay on top of ours?

The Google info on one site sounded good until I went to their home page. Not sure what language it was, but I know it was not English. Mark that one off the list. Another was marked off because if your church did not hold the same beliefs as the site host, they would immediately shut your site down. Some were too expensive and would make our church treasurer faint.

Do you know the main reason I put a red line through most of the sites I checked? Their own sites did not work! I would try a link and it would go to a blank page or not come up at all. One site was still showing 2008 information. They were not keeping current and they lost out.

QUESTION OF THE DAY

Are you keeping your faith current?

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

LET US PRAY

O Gracious Lord, Every morning I long for your strength and my salvation. Every day I desire that you renew my Holy Spirit. Daily I turn to Your Word to be fed. And day by day, I deny my wants and desires so I can follow You and take up Your cross. Day by day. Daily. Every day. Every morning. Lord I desire to keep my faith working properly. To keep my faith current. Amen

YARN ART

TODAYS SCRIPTURE: Proverbs 3:13

Blessed is the man who finds wisdom, the man who gains understanding, for wisdom is more profitable than silver and yields better returns than gold.

YARN ART

Our favorite nine-year-old grandson, Nathan, loves to do art stuff. We are never sure exactly what we will do or how it will look, but we sure have fun as we sit at the table creating and talking. Some days it is watercolor. Sometimes markers. One day he told about his art class making a picture with yarn. While he worked with watercolors, I got out the yarn and a needle. Because I did not have a pattern to follow, Nathan did not think I was doing my project correctly. I told him, "I am not sure how this is going to turn out. Guess we will see."

This is how it turned out.

Nathan took one look and said, "What is that?" And, by the tone of his question, I could tell he was not impressed.

As I looked at my creation, I saw my life. The orange yarn, starting in the top left corner is my life. It is not straight. There is one place where it is sideways. My life has been like that. All lives are. We hit snags. We make detours. Sometimes we just have to be in one place. Sideways. Waiting to get back on track.

See the white yarn? White represents the people who have been in my life since the beginning or for most of it. Family. Husband. Children. These people have had the greatest influence on my life. They helped craft my personality.

Notice the red yarn? Red is for the people who were in my life early. My grandmother taught me so much before she died. She was in my life until I was a freshman in high school. Also, childhood friends. People who, because of death or circumstances, are no longer in my life.

Notice the brown yarn? See how it is there at the first and again later? Brown represents people who have been important at different stages of my life. Teachers. Additions to our family. Or people I did not meet until I was 40. Or 50. Or 60.

Look for the black yarn. Sometimes a person can influence my life by just walking through it. A chance encounter with a homeless man in Tucson, Arizona. A stranger who gives me a smile just when I need it. Hearing about the tragedy in one person's life, I do not take for granted the blessings in mine.

The yellow yarn? Yellow is for the people I have never met who have influenced my life. Beth Moore and the Bible Studies she has written have lifted my understanding to a new level. The writer of The Shack. The person who cut out the first jigsaw puzzle. I love to do jigsaw puzzles. The person that discovered Mirapex. Mirapex has changed my life because now - at least most nights - I can sleep instead of being awake with Restless Leg.

Can you see the invisible yarn? The invisible yarn is the love of God. And that love is interwoven in all of our lives.

As I looked at my creation, I saw my life. I saw all the people who offered me wisdom. Who helped me gain understanding.

QUESTIONS OF THE DAY

What would your yarn picture look like? Could you put names to the white yarn? The red yarn? The brown yarn? The black yarn? The yellow yarn?

LET US PRAY

This week, please say a prayer for the people who have helped you during your life. Those that have been in your life for a long time or a short time. Say a thank you for those that have touched your life without even knowing it.

THE BRAVE CALF

TODAYS SCRIPTURES:

Then I will go back to my place until they admit their guilt. And they will seek my face; in their misery they will earnestly seek me. Hosea 5:15

When he came to his senses, Luke 15: part of 17

So he got up and went to his father. Luke 15:20

THE BRAVE CALF

A few years ago, I watched as a young bull calf slept on a sunny afternoon. He was just lying there, oblivious to the world, enjoying the warm sun. But then he woke up, lifted his head and looked around. That is when it got funny.

You see, while the calf slept, the rest of the cattle went to the woods and when the calf woke up, he realized he was by himself. Never fear. Remember this is a bull calf. That calf looked to the right. He looked to the left. Then he stood up. All the time being calm and brave, as only a bull calf can be.

I can still see that calf stretching his neck, back and legs. Stretching out the stiffness that a long nap leaves behind. Then the calf, all the time keeping his bull attitude, looked behind him. It was then that I noticed a change.

All of a sudden, the head was not held as high. And the tail drooped. And there was just the hint of a bellow. The bellow got louder. I could tell the calf was crying, "Mother! Mother! Where are you?" Now the calf was scared. The calf realized he was totally, completely alone. Where was his mother? Where was his milk? He cried again. This time as loud as he could yell, "Mother!"

From the woods came a reply, "Here I am." That big, brave all bull calf tucked its tail between its legs and ran as fast as those scared legs would carry him. He knew where to go.

How often I have been like that calf. Big and brave. I can do this on my own. I can handle anything that comes my way. I, I, I am alone. I am scared. I cannot do this on my own. Where will I turn? Who can help me? And then I yell, "Father!"

QUESTIONS OF THE DAY

Are there times when you are like the calf, trying to do everything on your own. Afraid to ask for help? Afraid to admit you need God?

(Luke 15:20 continues: But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him. This is how God feels every time we go to Him.)

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

LET US PRAY

Father, I have come to my senses. In my misery and my joy. In my trials and my triumphs. In every moment of every day, I seek your face. I earnestly seek you. I have come to my senses. Where can I turn? I turn to you. Amen

FREE GIFT

TODAYS SCRIPTURE: MATTHEW 20:1, 15

Please read Matthew 20:1, 2, 12, and 15

(Verses 1-2) "For the kingdom of heaven is like a landowner who went out early in the morning to hire men to work in his vineyard. He agreed to pay them a denarius for the day and sent them into his vineyard." (Verse 12) 'These men who were hired last worked only one hour,' they said, 'and you have made them equal to us who have borne the burden of the work and the heat of the day.' (Verse 15) "Don't I have the right to do what I want with my own money? Or are you envious because I am generous?"

FREE GIFT

An ad announced that, if you opened a new checking account at a local bank, you would receive a Snuggie Blanket. Sounds pretty good, but it got me to thinking.

What if I was a long time customer? Would I get a Snuggie? What if I went in and asked if they would give me a Snuggie for not changing banks? And if not, would I be upset? Shouldn't I be rewarded for being a customer?

I have seen this same incentive used in other ways. "Are you a registered nurse? Then come work at our facility and we will give you a $1,000 sign on bonus." "First time buyers receive free shipping." "First time buyers receive a discount." "Order in the next 24 hours and we will not only send you one, but two."

What if I was a nurse and worked at the facility for years. Why shouldn't I receive a "stay on the job" bonus? And what if I order after 24 hours, am I penalized and only get one?

Did you read all of Matthew 20:1-15? The complete parable tells that the person hired to work all day received a denarius. So did the person who started work at the third, sixth, ninth and eleventh hours. No matter how long they worked, they received a denarius.

The notes say, "This parable occurs only in Matthew's Gospel. In its original setting, its main point seems to be the sovereign graciousness and generosity of God extended to "latecomers" into God's kingdom. It is addressed to the grumblers who just cannot handle this amazing expression of God's grace."

Wow. I get it. God is so loving. So gracious. So generous. God offers His Kingdom to all that believe. Those that have believed for their lifetime. Those that find faith in their 30's. In their 60's. In their 90's. God offers His Kingdom to those that believe in the last minutes of their lives. He offers His Kingdom to all!!!

QUESTIONS OF THE DAY

Are you a grumbler? Do you complain or wonder why someone receives the same blessings as you do, when they have only been a Christian for three hours? Or six hours? Or nine hours? Or even those that believe at the eleventh hour?

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

LET US PRAY

Loving, Generous, Gracious God, Thank you that the kingdom of heaven is for all believers. Those that came early into faith and those that came late. I thank you for all those that came early into faith. They have been role models for me. By watching them, I have learned to walk through my troubles with the knowledge that You are with me. Thank you that they are there to celebrate my Christian life. Thank you for all those that came into their faith later. They show me childlike faith. I thank you, gracious, generous, loving God, that you are patiently waiting, eager to give each of your children their reward. Thank you for waiting for me. Amen

I AM NOT THAT STUPID

TODAYS SCRIPTURES:

And the heavens proclaim his righteousness for God himself is judge. Psalm 50:4

"Do not judge, and you will not be judged. Do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven." Luke 6:37

I AM NOT THAT STUPID

I love to go to Yellowstone National Park. In 1980, I saw my first buffalo and the buffalo has been my favorite wild animal since. They have attitude. They are big and, when they walk, they swagger. As if to say, "Go head. Cross my path. I will come out on top."

When I saw my first buffalo, I also saw an extremely stupid man. Picture a buffalo. Standing there minding his own business. Munching on grass. Now picture a man crawling toward the buffalo. YES. I said crawling. He kept getting closer and closer. Then he stood up and -- are you ready -- took a picture. He turned his back on the buffalo and walked to his car. If that buffalo had sneezed, the man would have been in the emergency room. Just plain stupid!

Of course, I never do stupid things. Okay, maybe once. Or twice. Okay, many, many times during my life. But I would never do anything that stupid.

I never try to read, text or put on makeup while I am driving. And I might slip and say a small, insignificant swear word, but I would never use those big swear words. And ---Better stop here. This is not going where I want it to. I just remembered that I have a lead foot and seem to disregard speed limits. And the other day I shocked my grandson when I used one of those small swear words.

The scripture tells us, "God himself is judge."

Do not judge. Do not condemn. That is so hard. I really do want to judge others and I want to condemn them. Why? Because I want to make myself feel like I am not as bad as "that person." Or "him." Or "her." I want to feel like my sins, my stupid mistakes are small ones.

QUESTION OF THE DAY

Do you judge others?

LET US PRAY

This week say a prayer from your heart and soul. Ask God to give you a loving heart full of compassion and forgiveness. Ask him to teach you how to love yourself enough that you do not have to measure yourself against others.

NOT ALL THERE

If you know me, I know what you are thinking. "Well, she has never been all there, so what is new?" I am not talking about me. I am talking about the pictures on our office door.

These are four of our grandchildren. They are good-looking boys and I am sure they have inherited their looks from their mother's side of the family. They range in ages from almost six to thirteen. They are "all boy" and love to roughhouse, give snakes a few bounces on the trampoline and have yet to learn the concept of keeping their rooms clean. They get those traits from their father's side.

But something is missing from the door. Or I should say four things are missing. Pictures of our other four grandchildren. They range in ages from nine to almost fifteen. (A disclaimer here: I AM NOT OLD ENOUGH TO HAVE A FIFTEEN YEAR OLD GRANDDAUGHTER. On second thought, I am.) I need pictures of the other four.

Each of our grandchildren has a unique personality. Each has a special place in my heart. I do not want to miss even one of these special children.

TODAYS SCRIPTURE: Luke 15:3-7

Then Jesus told them this parable: "Suppose one of you has a hundred sheep and loses one of them. Does he not leave the ninety-nine in the open country and go after the lost sheep until he finds it? And when he finds it, he joyfully puts it on his shoulders and goes home. Then he calls his friends and neighbors together and says, 'Rejoice with me; I have found my lost sheep.' I tell you that in the same way there will be more rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous person who do not need to repent."

NOT ALL THERE? My door will not be complete until all eight children are there. God's "door" will not be complete until all of His children are there. God wants every one of His unique children to be with Him. God does not want even one to be lost.

QUESTIONS OF THE DAY

Are you on God's "door" or are you lost? If you are lost, do you realize that all you have to do is turn to God? He is looking for you! God does rejoice every time a lost sheep comes home!!!!!

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

LET US PRAY

My dear Shepherd, Thank you for including me in your flock. Thank you for coming to find me, when I have wandered away from the safety of your care. No matter where I wander. No matter where I am on my faith journey. No matter that, the ninety-nine are safe, I know you rejoice when I turn to you and say, "Here I am. Please lead me back to your flock." Amen

NEW, YEAR, OPPORTUNITY AND SNOW

NEW, YEAR, OPPORTUNITY AND SNOW

How do you say anything that has not already been said about a new year? So I decided to break it down.

NEW: 1 Peter 2:2 Like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up in your salvation, now that you have tasted that the Lord is good.

The footnote tells us "The unrestrained hunger of a healthy baby provides an example of the kind of eager desire for spiritual food that ought to mark the believer." Is there anything sweeter than a baby? And the feeling of holding a sleeping baby, as you rock in the old creaky rocking chair, is like no other. Especially when that baby is well fed and content. Wouldn't that be great to feel that way? Safe in the care of someone that loves us. Well fed. Content. God loves us. God's Word will feed us.

YEAR: Genesis 1:14 And God said, "Let there be lights in the expanse of the sky to separate the day from the night, and let them serve as signs to mark seasons and days and years and let them be lights in the expanse of the sky to give light on the earth."

God sure did put thought into his creation. Think how terrible it would be if the world was always light. Or, even worse, always dark. When would we rest? How would we tell time? But he separated our days and nights. Our seasons. Our years. And with each new day, new season and new year, we have the chance to begin again.

OPPORTUNITY: Galatians 6:10 Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers.

Before us is the year 2010. What will we do with it? Will we face it with a smile? With fear? With worry? Before us is the year 2010 and Galatians tells us that "as we have opportunity" we should do good. Opportunity is a big word that comes in small situations, like offering a smile. Or sometimes a kind word. And sometimes we have a really big opportunity, like offering a smile. Or sometimes a kind word. No, I am not confused. A smile or a kind word may seem like such a small thing. A natural reaction or the least we can do. But that one smile or that one kind word may be just what someone needed to get them through the day. Or even through the next second.

SNOW: And where does the snow fit in? That is what I see outside my window. Snow that is light and fluffy. Glittering like diamonds. A world made beautiful by white, pure snow.

Isaiah 1:18 "Come now, let us reason together," says the Lord. "Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red as crimson, they shall be like wool."

QUESTIONS OF THE DAY

Are you well fed? Are you full of spiritual milk (the Word of God)? How are you facing 2010? Are you excited about the opportunities ahead of you? Have you turned your sins over to God and allowed them to become white as snow?

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

LET US PRAY

Dear Lord, I am thirsty. Give me wisdom and understanding as I read and study your Word. I see 2010 in front of me and will try to face this year with excitement and appreciation for the days and seasons and years you have given me. And I will turn my worries and fears over to you so they do not consume my joy. I will look for opportunities to do good. To smile. To encourage. To give your love to others. I thank you for the blessings of 2009, for making my sins white as snow and for opportunities ahead of me. Amen

GOD, FAMILY AND COUNTRY – WHAT I BELIEVE

TODAYS SCRIPTURE: REVELATION 1:5

"I am the Alpha and the Omega," says the Lord God, "who is, and who was and who is to come, the Almighty."

GOD, FAMILY AND COUNTRY - WHAT I BELIEVE

GOD

I do believe God is the Alpha and the Omega. The beginning and He will be the end. I see God as a Creator when I see the birds in flight, when I wiggle my toes in a creek and when I see a newborn baby. I know God is my Father because Psalm 139 tells me "he knit me together in my mother's womb." I experience God as a judge when my conscious makes me understand I am heading in the wrong direction. I learn from God, the teacher, as I study His word. And I know God loves me. God loves me so much he sent His Son to become a sacrifice for my sins. I also know God wants me to be with Him in eternity. He wants that so much He has a room waiting for me. I do believe God is the Alpha and the Omega. The beginning and He will be the end.

FAMILY

I do believe in family and have been blessed with a wonderful husband, two children, a son-in-law, a soon-to-be daughter-in-law, six grandchildren and two soon-to-be grandchildren. This is my family but I know families are made up of any number from one to unlimited. A family can be one person. A couple. A single parent with children. A family can include pets. A family can be made up of friends. A family is always changing as people enter our lives and as people are taken away. I believe there are "things" every family needs. Respect. Consideration. Understanding. Forgiveness. The ability to work together. The ability to listen. Families need to know they will never agree on everything. A family needs to know they are safe from harm - physical, mental or emotional. A family needs to love each other as God loves us. When I began to learn the love of God, I learned to love my family differently. I wish I had always understood the love of God and, when I look back, I am sure my family wishes I had too. I work very hard to be a strong link in our family and I now surround our family in prayer and wrap them in the love of God.

COUNTRY

Until now, I have kept politics out of my blog, but today I am going to make an exception. I want to end 2009 by taking a personal stand. I do believe in my country. Or I should say I believe in the principles the United States of America was founded on. I consider myself very fortunate to be born in this country. To be a citizen of a country founded on beliefs of freedom: Freedom to worship. To bear arms. To vote. Freedom of speech. Freedom to work in a job of our choice. Freedom to -- This could be a long list. My fear is that our country is being taken apart. I see our Supreme Court telling us what the laws mean instead of enforcing the laws. I see a President turning our country away from individual freedoms and toward socialism. I see Congressmen and Senators forgetting they are elected officials to represent us. I believe in term limits because term limits would end professional politicians and send people to elected positions who know what it means to work and struggle in day-to-day life. I want an end to special treatment, pork barrel or buying votes to pass specific legislation. I believe in the right to own guns. I welcome every person who enters our country legally, but do not believe in allowing those here illegally to stay. I believe in helping my fellow man, but do not believe in never-ending welfare. I want to be able to decide what medical treatments I will or will not have. I believe businesses should remain in this country instead of job after job being sent outside our borders. I believe the executives of companies who send their factories overseas should have to go there to live. I believe businesses should be allowed to prosper or fail. I believe in taxation but I believe those taxes should be equal and fair to all. I believe we, as a country, have been put in the position of defenders of world peace, but I am tired of sending our sons, daughters, husbands, wives or any soldier into a country where our support is not wanted. I know our world is constantly changing, but I cannot take seriously anyone telling me global warming is real or that we should go green, when they are flying here, there and yonder in private jets. Or want us to drop the ball on New Years Eve by using bicycle power while consuming untold energy in the building where people are pedaling those bicycles. I am tired of being a nation who shows up at every disaster and then being told we are not doing enough. I am tired of being trillions in debt because we are taking care of the world. I am tired of being told we deserve to die because we are infidels and that the whole world should be subject to Shariah Laws. I am tired of not being able to express my opinion because I might offend someone but have to listen to others put down my Christian faith.

What do I want for the USA? I want our country to return to the values it was founded on. I want elected officials to listen to the voters and use common sense. I want each citizen to be proud of being an American. An American period. We all have a history. A heritage and should be proud of our heritage, but if you were born here - You are an American. If you chose to come to this country to live - You are an American. I want to know we can live here safely and want our borders, our streets and our travels by car, bus, train or plane to be safe from terrorists. I want companies to keep factories in this country so our sisters, brothers and friends have jobs. I want people to have pride in their work and know life is better because they are a contributing member of society. What do I want for this country? I want this country to return to its values. One nation. One nation, Under God.

LET US PRAY

Dear Heavenly Father, I am blessed to live in the USA. We are not a perfect country and we have pulled away from the foundation upon which we were formed. God, You rule over all the kingdoms of the nations. I pray our country turns back to You. Just like our country, our families are not perfect. For each family I pray they have respect, consideration, understanding, forgiveness and love for each other. I pray each member of a family is first a strong individual who is willing to listen and work with others in the family. I pray each is held safe in Your hand and never experiences physical, mental or emotional abuse. I pray that, if a person does suffer, they will find an earthly friend to help them and they will find comfort in You. I pray for each family - be it a family of one or a family of many - to experience Your love. Mainly, I offer my prayer as a prayer of worship to You. You - the Creator, the Father, the Judge, the Teacher. To You, the one who loves Your children enough to give us Your Son so we can have eternity with You. To the Alpha and the Omega, I say, "Thank You." Amen

ADVENT CANDLES - JOY

Celebrate the birth of the Christ Child. Celebrate the gifts of Christmas - Hope, Peace, Love and Joy. -- Have a Merry and Blessed Christmas, Mary

TODAYS SCRIPTURES:

(God asking Job, "Were you there when I created the earth?") On what were its footings set, or who laid its cornerstone - while the morning stars sang together and all the angels shouted for joy. Job 38:6-7

(Upon completing the foundation of a temple) With praise and thanksgiving they sang to the Lord: "He is good; his love to Israel endures forever." And all the people gave a great shout of praise to the Lord, because the foundation of the house of the Lord was laid. But many of the older priests and Levites and family heads, who had seen the former temple, wept aloud when they saw the foundation of this temple being laid, while others shouted for joy. Ezra 3:11-12

But you have come to Mount Zion, to the heavenly Jerusalem, the city of the living God. You have come to thousands upon thousands of angels in joyful assembly, to the church of the firstborn, whose names are written in heaven. You have come to God, the judge of all men, to the spirits of righteous men made perfect, to Jesus the mediator of a new covenant, and to the sprinkled blood that speaks a better word than the blood of Abel. Hebrews 12:22-24

I bring you great joy that will be for all people. Luke 2:10

ADVENT CANDLES - JOY

Around the base of our Advent candle ring are the words Hope, Peace, Love and Joy. Four simple words. Four extreme goals.

I have written about peace, hope and love and how, from the beginning, they were a part of God's plan. This week the simple word is joy. Again, I found joy has always been a part of God's plan.

I never know where God will lead me, as I begin my blog. I thought - Joy, this will be easy and I would be directed to scriptures of praise and singing. Scriptures about joyful noise. But instead, God sent scriptures about cornerstones. And foundations. And a new city.

A JOYFUL PRAYER

O God, how you must feel when your children have joy in their hearts.

In Job, the angels sang together and shouted with joy, as You laid the cornerstones of the world. Why joy over cornerstones? Why? Because the cornerstones need to be strong and true to hold your world together. We shout with joy and praise as we consider the world You created.

In Ezra, your people built a new temple and they shouted for joy when the foundation was completed. Why joy over a foundation? Why? Because without a strong and true foundation, the temple would not stand. We shout with joy as we consider the strong foundation of Your church.

In Hebrews, we are given a glimpse of the future. A time when we will be in a city where thousands and thousands of angels are in joyful assembly. Why joy over a new city? Why? Because You have a city of the living God and that city is ready for us. We shout with joy as we consider coming to You because of Your Son, Jesus.

You laid the cornerstones of the world. You have been beside us as we have laid cornerstones for our places of worship. As we laid cornerstones for our lives. For our faith.

All of these must be built on a strong and true foundation. Built on Your word and Your gift to us all.

Listen, O God. We are shouting with joy. The angel told us, "I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all people."

Listen, O God. We are shouting with joy. Shouting with joy because You sent a strong and true cornerstone upon which our faith can be built.

You sent us Your Son.

Joy to the world. Amen

---------------------------------------------

What started this four-week blog, on the advent wreath, was my annual Christmas writing. If you are not tired of reading, I hope you enjoy this.

LIGHTING THE ADVENT CANDLES

HOPE

Isaiah 40:30 - 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.

This Christmas experience God's hope. Allow your faith to soar to new heights and you will not grow tired or faint as you walk in the hope of the Lord.

PEACE

Philippians 4:7 - And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

This Christmas experience God's peace. Allow your faith to trust the peace of God to protect your heart and mind.

LOVE

John 3:16 - For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.

This Christmas experience God's love. Allow your faith to accept these gifts of His Son and eternal life.

JOY

Job 38:7 - while the morning stars sang together and all the angels shouted for joy

This Christmas experience God's joy. Allow your faith to be so joyous that you are like the angels and join with the stars in praise.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Luke 2:11

Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord.

He is Hope. He is Peace. He is Love. He is Joy.

ADVENT CANDLES - LOVE

This is the Advent Wreath at our church.

TODAYS SCRIPTURES:

JOSHUA 22:5 -- But be very careful to keep the commandment and the law that Moses, the servant of the Lord gave you: to love the Lord your God, to walk in all his ways, to obey his commands, to hold fast to him and to serve him with all your heart and all your soul.

2 Thessalonians 3:5 -- May the lord direct your hearts into God's love and Christ's perseverance.

1 John 3:1 -- How great is the love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are!

ADVENT CANDLES - LOVE

Around the base of our Advent candle ring are the words Hope, Peace, Love and Joy. Four simple words. Four extreme goals.

I have written about peace and hope and how, from the beginning, they were a part of God's plan. This week the simple word is love.

In my Bible concordance, I counted 519 entries for the word love. And those entries did not include the other forms of the word. Bible Gateway had 697 verses that contained the word love. I think God is very serious here. He definitely wants LOVE to be a part of his plan.

As I looked at these entries, I find that we are supposed to love God and Jesus. We are to love the saints and the church. We are to love the word of God. We are to love our parents, our spouse, our children and our brothers and sisters. It would be easier if the list would stop there. Then the Bible includes neighbors. And our enemies.

This loving thing is complicated. Some family members are hard to love, but they are family. Neighbors? They can be like family. Some are easy to love and others - - - not so easy. Enemies? That is the hard. How do we love our enemies? Or the neighbor that allows their children to play loud music until all hours of the night? Or the family member that tries our patience?

Joshua told us how. "to love the Lord your God, to walk in all his ways, to obey his commands, to hold fast to him and to serve him with all your heart and all your soul."

God's love plan - We are to love God with all our heart and soul. And when we do that, we will also love His children. All of them.

QUESTIONS OF THE DAY

Do you have trouble loving some people? (Remember it says love. It does not say you have to like them.) Do you feel loved? If you are feeling a bit blue or like no one cares, please remember that God loves you!

LET US PRAY

My dear loving God, Direct my heart into your love and into Christ's perseverance. With this love and perseverance, my goal will be to love you, to walk in your ways, to obey your commands, to hold fast to you and to serve you with all my heart and soul. I am so blessed and humbled, but I do accept the love you have lavished upon me. I am so honored to be a Child of God. As you love me, let me love others.   Amen

ADVENT CANDLES - HOPE

TODAYS SCRIPTURES:

"For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you." Jeremiah 29:11-12

remember that at that time you were separate from Christ, excluded from citizenship in Israel and foreigners to the covenants of the promise, without hope and without God in the world. But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far away have been brought near through the blood of Christ. Ephesians 2:11-12

ADVENT CANDLES - HOPE

Around the base of our Advent candle ring are the words Hope, Peace, Love and Joy. Four simple words. Four extreme goals.

Last week I wrote about peace and, from the beginning, peace was a part of God's plan. This week, Jeremiah tells us that hope is also a part of God's plan.

There are so many things to hope for. World peace. Riches. Good health. That the paycheck will stretch until the next one. That your parents will not get too old and feeble too fast. (Put that in there for our children.)

But have you ever felt totally hopeless? As if, you were an outsider in your own home or community. Even in your church? Have you ever felt like God was not there? I have. And when I felt like that, I did not know where to turn.

We are all at different stages of our faith journey and I hope you know where to turn. I know now! I know God has plans for me. Good plans. Plans that will give me hope and a future. I know that I can call upon God, in prayer, and He will listen to me. The same is true for you!

Hebrews 6:17-20 tells us that it is impossible for God to lie and to take hold of the hope offered. God does not lie, His words are true and God does offer us hope. Verse 19 - We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure.

Take hold of the hope you are offered. Use this hope to anchor your soul. Anchor your soul firmly. Anchor your soul strongly. Firmly and strongly anchored in God's true word.

QUESTIONS OF THE DAY

Do you remember a time when you were separate from Christ? Where you felt without hope and without God in your world? Do you feel that way now? Find hope! (If you need help, leave a comment.)

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

LET US PRAY (ROMANS 15:13)

O, God of hope fill me with all joy and peace, as I trust in You, so that I may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. Amen

ADVENT CANDLES - PEACE

TODAYS SCRIPTURES:

A heart at peace gives life to the body. Proverbs 14:30

He will stand and shepherd his flock in the strength of the Lord, in the majesty of the name of the Lord his God. And they will live securely, for then his greatness will reach to the ends of the earth. And he will be their peace. Micah 5:4-5

Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid. John 14:27

ADVENT CANDLES - PEACE

The Advent candle lighting service is used in many churches and we do this in our home. Around the base of our candle ring are the words Hope, Peace, Love and Joy. My blogs in December will be based upon these four words. Four simple words. Four extreme goals.

What peace the scriptures give. Peace just a five letter word that completely changes our lives. When the heart has peace, the body has life. A peaceful soul would make the body relax. There would be calm in the eyes and breathing would be deep and easy. Yes, life just springs forth when the heart has peace.

It never ceases to amaze me how the scriptures interweave. How one book ties into another. Isaiah 9:6, long before the birth of Jesus, told of a child. A child that would be called the Prince of Peace. Peace - always, from the beginning, a part of God's plan.

Also in the Old Testament, the prophets knew. Micah told of a shepherd who would "stand in the strength of the Lord and the majesty of the name of the Lord his God. And this shepherd would be our peace."

Prince of Peace. Jesus is the Prince of Peace, because he was at peace with the plan God had for his life. And the peace, given by our Shepherd, is a lasting peace. This lasting peace is not like the short-term peace we feel from earthly pleasure.

Jesus offers peace so our hearts will not be troubled and we will not be afraid. This peace is forever! It is strong! It is ours!

QUESTIONS OF THE DAY

The big question is where do we find peace? Are we at peace when we have oodles and oodles of money? Or someone to love us? Are we at peace when we have children? Or when we have a job? Or enough to eat? Or a place to live?

Yes, these all give peace. Sort of. The peace these give can so quickly be taken away or lost. If these are the only places, we find our peace, what happens when any of them fail?

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

LET US PRAY

Dear Prince of Peace, I want the peace you offer at all times and in every way. _(ask for peace in your own words)__ Amen

THANKSGIVING TO CHRISTMAS

TODAYS SCRIPTURES:

Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise; give thanks to him and praise his name. Psalm 100:4

Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us be thankful, and so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe, Hebrews 12:28

THANKSGIVING TO CHRISTMAS

I hope you all had a Blessed Thanksgiving.

Seven people decided to pray for our church and each picked a day. Tuesday is my day and since it was close to Thanksgiving, I looked up the words thank, thanksgiving and thankful, in the concordance. There were twenty-nine scriptures listed. I think God wants us to be a thankful people.

As I sat in the church, I realized we have so much to be thankful for: A wonderful building, minister, staff, choir, musicians, teachers, those willing to serve, the pew warmers, hymnals and even collection plates. Thankful for handshakes, hugs, smiles and tears.

As I sat there, I was thankful for baptism, communion, salvation, grace and mended lives. As I sat there, I pictured the couples that said, "I do." and all of the people that have said goodbye to a loved one.

Yes, I am thankful for the building, but I am most thankful and grateful for the people that make it a church.

When I do my prayer time, I journal because if I try to just sit and pray, my mind wonders. If I journal, an hour of prayer flies by. The first part of my time was on Thanksgiving, but then my eyes returned to Hebrews 12:28 and all I could think about was Christmas.

Christmas and gift giving. Hebrews 12:28 says "we are receiving a kingdom." This is how I finished my prayer time and how I will end the blog for today:

Lord, I am receiving a kingdom! How could I not be thankful? Christmas is coming and this verse tells me I am receiving a kingdom! Lord, look at me. I am happy, ecstatic, grateful, humble, excited, joyful, jumping up and down, shouting to the world, wound up tighter than an eight-day clock, hands in the air, eyes turned to heaven thankful. Wow - I AM RECEIVING A KINGDOM! Thank you. Thank you. Amen and Amen.

PS: I just hope God is this excited that I am coming!!!

THE RIGHT PLACE, AT THE RIGHT TIME

TODAYS SCRIPTURE: 2 CORINTHIANS 1:3-4 (From Eugene H. Peterson's The Message)

All praise to the God and Father of our Master, Jesus the Messiah! Father of all mercy! God of all healing counsel! He comes alongside us when we go through hard times and before you know it, he brings us alongside someone else who is going through hard times so that we can be there for that person just as God was there for us.

THE RIGHT PLACE, AT THE RIGHT TIME

"I was just in the wrong place, at the wrong time." How often have you said that?

We use that comment when a deer comes out of the woods and runs into our car. We use that phrase when the waiter trips and spills someone else's dinner in our lap. We use that phrase - Well we use that phrase to make sense of random accidents.

"I was just in the right place, at the right time." How often have you said that?

Just this morning, November 19, 2009, two friends told about being in the right place, at the right time. Joe and Penny.

Penny is an artist and had attended an art workshop. "The people were so friendly and helpful. They gave each other tips on cleaning brushes. And how to ship paintings." she said. Then she told us about being "in the right place, at the right time."

A fellow artist has cancer and Penny just learned that his wife was also diagnosed with cancer. Penny was very troubled and needed to share her concern. She needed to tell someone. So Penny spoke to the next person that walked by. To someone she had only met a few days earlier. To someone she did not really know. To this lady, she said, "I have a friend just diagnosed with cancer and I am so worried."

How was Penny in the right place, at the right time? The one lady Penny chose to talk to needed to talk to someone, but did not know how to start the conversation. She listened to Penny and then said, "I have cancer and have just finished treatments." She then talked about further treatments and surgery.

The right place, at the right time. Two women who each needed someone to listen to them. Someone who would understand. What a gift Penny gave to someone who needed to say, "I have cancer. Do I look alright?"

What Penny did not know was that her husband was touring a museum that day. Then Joe told us about being "in the right place, at the right time."

Joe said he had a great history lesson from an elderly gentleman who had always lived in this town. Then he toured the museum and there saw a picture of someone he knew. Joe is a Marine (Once a Marine, always a Marine) who served in Viet Nam. The Marine in the picture had served with Joe. He found there was still family in town and he went to see them.

The right place, at the right time. Because Joe saw a picture, in a museum he did not know existed, in a town he had never been to before, he was able to talk to a family about a young soldier who did not survive the war. What a gift Joe gave that family.

Being in the right place, at the right time -- Just luck? No, the scriptures tell us, "he brings us alongside someone else who is going through hard times so that we can be there for that person just as God was there for us."

And God? God is always in the right place, at the right time.

LET US PRAY

Dear Loving and Compassionate God, Please put me in the right place, at the right time. Place me where I can hear another's concerns. Where I can give comfort. Place me where I can encourage. Where I can offer a memory of a loved one. Where I can wipe away a tear. Where, even for just an instant, I can extend your love to another. And, Lord, when I need comfort. Or someone to listen to my concerns. When I need someone to wipe a tear away, please put one of your children in the right place, at the right time for me. Amen

RANDOM SCRIPTURES

TODAYS SCRIPTURE: COLOSSIANS 3:16

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.

RANDOM SCRIPTURES

Because I have never been good at memorization, I spend a lot of time in the general index and concordance of my Bible. To find the appropriate scripture for my blog, I usually read ten or twelve. And that is after going through the concordance looking at key words. God chuckles every time I have trouble finding what I am looking for. It is His way of making me search His Word. Today I would like to share some of my favorite scriptures.

When I am feeling, "Well, Mary aren't you something!" I read Job 38 - 41. Yes all of them. God tells Job, "Brace yourself like a man; I will question you, and you shall answer." God then ask Job, "Where were you when I laid the earth's foundation?" For Job, it goes downhill from there. Believe me, if God told me to brace myself, I would be scared to death. Yes, these chapters put pride in its place.

Psalm 34:4 is a comfort when afraid. "I sought the Lord, and he answered me; he delivered me from all my fears."

Every morning remember 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."

Many times, the verse that says mega tons about my day is Isaiah 48:18. "If only you had paid attention to my commands, your peace would have been like a river, your righteousness like the waves of the sea."

And, when one of those days happens, offer Psalm 141:1-2. "Oh Lord, I call to you; come quickly to me. Hear my voice when I call to you. May my prayer be set before you like incense; may the lifting up of my hands be like the evening sacrifice."

Always remember 1 John 3:1. "How great is the love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are!"

2 Samuel 22:31 says, "As for God, his way is perfect; the word of the Lord is flawless." What do we do with God's flawless Word? James 1:22 tells us, "Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says."

God just smiled. "Yes, Mary. Read and then do it."

I had to find just one more scripture didn't I?

QUESTIONS OF THE DAY

Are you good at memorizing? What is your favorite scripture? Do you have a way of keeping track of scriptures that jump out at you?

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

LET US PRAY: 1 Timothy 1:17

Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory for ever and ever. Amen

ONCE UPON A TIME

TODAYS SCRIPTURES:

All glorious is the princess within her chamber; her gown is interwoven with gold. Psalm 45:13

But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but through the washings of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Savior so that, having been justified by his grace, we might become heirs having the hope of eternal life. Titus 3:4-7

ONCE UPON A TIME

Once upon a time - That phrase just kept coming into my mind. Once upon a time - The way fairy tales begin. Once upon a time - The way the grandkids and I begin a story that ends up being about them. Once upon a time -

Once upon a time, in a land not so far away, a baby girl born. This baby had an older brother and sister. Her father was a truck driver and her mother was a stay-at-home mom. When she was five, she became a big sister to a little baby girl. This fair princess loved to read, hit a baseball and go swimming. But she did not like to iron or work in the garden. Day by day, the princess went through life until one day a handsome stranger ordered a malt at the drive-in where she worked. The handsome stranger said, "Let me take you away from all of this." The princess looked at the handsome stranger, realized he was a prince in disguise, and said, "Yes." And they are living happily today.

Once upon a time, in a land very close by, a princess, a bit past her prime, was not feeling very good. Her stomach did not like it when she ate those greasy fries or chili that was anywhere above mild on the heat scale. What was the princess to do? She really did like chili. The princess called upon the royal doctor and the doctor quickly said, "You are having gallbladder attacks. You need surgery. But never fear this is a simple procedure." The prince, leaving the truck in the royal garage, drove the royal car to the hospital and made sure the princess was on time for her surgery. All of the doctors and nurses bowed and the princess put on a designer hospital gown of gold. As the princess was given that last bit of "go to sleep now" juice, the doctors put on their royal blue surgical gowns and surgery began. But, alas, it seems the instructions for this to be a simple procedure had been misplaced. The princess died on the table. But remember, this is a fairy tale. The princess survived and is living happily today.

Once upon a time, in a land extremely close by, a princess said, "Wow, I get to celebrate two birthdays every year. The day I was born and the day I survived." Then with a very big, royal smile, the princess said, "Oh, I get to celebrate three birthdays every year."

This princess knows how to count and happily celebrates three birthdays every year.

I celebrate November 7th. That is my birthday and I will be 63. A great age.

I celebrate September 2. That is when I had my surgery and am glad God was not ready to have me as a full time resident in heaven.

Mainly, this princess celebrates every day. I celebrate my rebirth as a loved child of God.

QUESTIONS OF THE DAY

When is your birthday? How do you celebrate?

LET US PRAY

Psalm 139 says God created your inmost being. That God knit you in your mother's womb.

You are a special, unique person. There is no other person in the world like you. God made you and he has a plan just for you. Today, please take time to thank God for creating you.

SONGS, OBITUARIES AND HEAVEN

TODAYS SCRIPTURES:

Look down from heaven, your holy dwelling place, and bless your people…. Deuteronomy 26:15, first part

"I am," said Jesus. "And you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of the Mighty One and coming on the clouds of heaven." Mark 14:62

Jesus is speaking: "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." John 14:2

SONGS, OBITUARIES AND HEAVEN

Last week, Lana posted on Facebook that her mother wanted her to pick some songs for her funeral. Jan is not ill, just planning ahead and she wanted her daughter to have some songs in mind. Some of the songs they used to sing. Peppy. Lively. Songs with a beat. No somber or sad songs. She wanted happy hymns too. No hymns that make your shoulders heavy or leave you in tears. Jan just wants Lana to "Name that tune."

That made Bill and me think. Since our choice is to have no viewing and only a graveside service, we do not have to pick music, but what about the obituary. (Now you need to keep in mind that Bill and I look at death a bit differently than most people. We are not making light of grief or the loneliness that follows the loss of a loved one; we just think death is the closing of one door and the opening of another. A funeral should be a celebration of a life.)

Bill wants his obituary to say he died. Plain and simple. Then that he is survived by his Pain-in-the-butt wife, Mary, and their two children and six grandchildren. Bill has a buddy in the excavating business and he has talked to him about opening the grave. I told him no way was that going to happen because he would charge too much to drive to southern Indiana.

I want mine to say, "During her life, Mary was accomplished at aggravating her husband and annoying her children. Mary was also very proficient at "rattling on like a junk car." I want my obituary to end with, "Jesus said, Come." So Mary went.

Then the other day our grandson, Nathan, asked about heaven. He wondered if heaven really did have streets of gold. I told him, my mother was in heaven and if there were not weeds to pull and flowers to water, she would be having a talk with God. When I asked him what he had read about heaven, he said he did not know where to find the scriptures. So, I sent him some.

Read Revelations 21. Yes, the whole chapter. The New Jerusalem. Heaven shining with the brilliance of precious jewels. Walls of jasper and gold as pure as glass. Read the chapter, then close your eyes, and picture it.

QUESTIONS OF THE DAY

What did you see when you closed your eyes? What do you think heaven will look like? Who do you think will be standing right inside the gate to welcome you?

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

LET US PRAY

Mighty One, You are mighty and you are watching over me from heaven, your dwelling place. And sitting at your right hand, is your Son, our Lord, Jesus Christ. Jesus said he was going to prepare a room for me. I cannot begin to picture what that room will look like. What comfort it gives me to know that someday I will find the door to my room open. O, Mighty One, as I continue to grow in faith. As I continue to study your word. As I continue to live out your plan for me on earth, keep my room ready. Amen

SUN, SAND AND ONE SUNSET

TODAYS SCRIPTURE: Psalm 103:1

Praise the Lord, O my soul, all my inmost being, praise his holy name.

SUN, SAND AND ONE SUNSET

I SURVIVED! ! ! We are not sure if three adults and four children or one adult and six children went on vacation. The four grandchildren (ages 5 through almost 13) were counting when I said, "Yes, but your mommy is my little girl, so she is a child." Then I asked, "Is your daddy grownup?" The answer was, "No!" That is when we decided I was the adult and the rest were children. Here is a picture of the six adorable children who allowed me to accompany them to Florida.

We did have fun and I swear my grandsons are part fish. They were always in the pool or trying to find big waves in the Gulf. Or they were standing under an outdoor shower rinsing sand off before they could go back into the pool or into the house. They were wet from the time they finished breakfast until they put on their pajamas.

They did dry off enough to go to a Military Museum, a BooZoo at the Tampa Zoo, play miniature golf and eat. We also played Uno and many games of Farkle.

The youngest had the responsibility of taking care of grandma and he took his duties very seriously. Timothy always made sure I got through the airport and was quite certain that if he was in the water, I should be too. Noah helped me pick up shells and Joshua and Matthew made sure I added the Farkle scores correctly. After all, they kept reminding me, "You are 62 and that is old."

This last week was a blessing. Time with our daughter and her husband. Time with our grandchildren. Time to --

It has been a long time since I have been to a beach. The sound of the waves is a sound I love. And watching the waves come in. Go out. The strange things that wash up on shore remind me that God has a great imagination. I find peace as I stand and take it in and one evening, when I walked the beach by myself, I had a quiet time with God.

He put on this sunset just for me. Were there other people on the beach? Yes. Were there other people looking at the same sunset? Yes.

But this sunset was for me.

For my soul.

This sunset was the glory of God shown in a spectacular display of clouds and color.

As I walked the beach that evening. As I watched the sunset. My Spirit was singing:

Praise the Lord, praise the Lord, Let the earth hear His voice!     Praise the Lord, praise the Lord, Let the people rejoice!     O come to the Father, through Jesus the Son,     And give Him the glory, great things He has done.

(To God be the Glory, by Fanny Crosby)

QUESTION OF THE DAY

Has God given you a sunset?

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

LET US PRAY

No matter where I am, on the beach, at home, at work, awake or asleep, You are there. Praise the Lord. As the daylight begins and as the daylight ends, You are there. Praise the Lord. When my life is clear and when my life has clouds, You are there. Praise the Lord. When I behold your glory, You are there. Praise the Lord. I am just one person. I do hear your voice. I do come to the Father through the Son. And I do give you glory for all you have done. Praise the Lord. Amen