What's That You're Holding in Your Hand?

There’s something quite special and magical about the first child in a family. They have everyone to themselves and you have all the time to devote to noticing all the precious things about them. If you are a family of three or more, check out the baby books. Seriously, first baby has every little detail listed, written about and adored. Second baby has most everything written in the book. Even though they are adored as much as the first baby, there’s just less time to devote to the baby books. By the time baby number 3 arrives, well, let’s just say – good intentions but very little time to write all the details – although again each one in succession is loved and valued for their individual wonderfulness.


Our oldest daughter was a typical first born. She was independent, strong willed and intelligent to a fault! She could spell and count and do all kinds of cute things. She could ride her tricycle and even tried to ride it to my aunt’s house down the highway about 3 miles! (yes that’s when gray hair first appeared on my head)

As with oldest children, we bought things a little early. She got frustrated when at less than 2 years old we bought her a tricycle. Of course she insisted she could do it herself! We got her a swing set when she was just two with a ladder that was just a little high for a tyke her size. But she did love her swing set. She would sit on the bottom of the slide or push on the swing on her tummy.

One day she was out sitting on the swing set and suddenly she came running in the house, crying her eyes out! She told me she had caught a butterfly. Only it was a bumble bee! Of course as little hands do, she had squeezed it tightly and it stung her. It had lightly landed on her hand while she was swinging but she had not wanted it to fly away. So she grabbed it.

There are things that I want to hold onto. I would bet there are things you are trying to hold onto as well. There are many things that can cause us problems if we hold on too tightly: hurts, anger, worry, fear, people, loved ones, money, possessions, friendships, habits, safety, etc. No matter what it is we try to hold onto, if we hold too tightly we’re going to get stung. We must hold loosely in our hands everything that comes to us for it is all in God’s Sovereign plan that they pass through our lives.

Oh beloved, run to the Lord this morning and let Him see what’s in your hands. He may let you keep it close to your heart. He may ask you to turn it loose and let it go. Whichever He does you can be sure He can be trusted for He always has your best in mind. He will never ask you to relinquish anything unless He has something better in mind. Relax and rest in His decisions for He loves you whole-heartedly and He’s for you absolutely and that’s all that really matters.

Ephesians 4:31-32 Let all bitterness and indignation and wrath (passion, rage, bad temper) and resentment (anger, animosity) and quarreling (brawling, clamor, contention) and slander (evil-speaking, abusive or blasphemous language) be banished from you, with all malice (spite, ill will, or baseness of any kind). And become useful and helpful and kind to one another, tenderhearted (compassionate, understanding, loving-hearted), forgiving one another [readily and freely], as God in Christ forgave you. Amplified

Philippians 3:8 Yes, everything else is worthless when compared with the infinite value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For His sake I have discarded everything else, counting it all as garbage, so that I could gain Christ.

1 Thessalonians 5:21 but test everything that is said. Hold on to what is good.

Romans 12:9 Don’t just pretend to love others. Really love them. Hate what is wrong. Hold tightly to what is good.

2 Timothy 1:13 Hold on to the pattern of wholesome teaching you learned from me—a pattern shaped by the faith and love that you have in Christ Jesus.

The Love of God is Full of FREEDOM!

We had a young visitor at church Sunday. He’s recently been released from prison and was looking for a word of encouragement. He has a job in another state and will be living there. He wants to make sure that he never makes the same mistakes again. We prayed for him and with him.


He’s been released from prison. While there, he was released from the prison of his own life. He found the Lord there! Someone came in and shared the Gospel and he accepted Christ as his personal Savior. What sweet release. Don’t you know he’s thankful to be out in the world and be able to walk and talk and go where he wants to? Can’t you just imagine how wonderful it feels to be free as well from the prison bars of his past?

How are you dealing with things? Do you feel free? Or are you still bound to the prison of your past? Are you feeling terror that you will be made to pay for your mistakes over and over? Are you wondering how you can ever get truly free?

There is hope for the hopeless and help for the helpless! God has made a way for you and I to live in the light of His Word. To be saved from the penalty of our past. To be made free from the wrath to come. And to live a life that is pleasing to Him! You can live free in love, free in peace, free in success, free in value, free in your heart.

Oh beloved! God is your answer – He holds the keys to release you from everything you have been kept imprisoned by. From the things you’ve done to the unforgiveness pronounced on you by others. The love that God has for you is full of FREEDOM! The care God has for you is full of PEACE! For He pronounced your debts cancelled and you have a ticket to live forever in the light of His glory and grace! Run to the Lord, your Redeemer, and give Him all your troubles and cares and watch as He changes you into the free believer you were always meant to be.

John 8:32 And you will know the Truth, and the Truth will set you free.

Romans 6:17-18 Thank God! Once you were slaves of sin, but now you wholeheartedly obey this teaching we have given you. Now you are free from your slavery to sin, and you have become slaves to righteous living.

2 Corinthians 3:17 For the Lord is the Spirit, and wherever the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.

Psalm 119:45 I will walk in freedom, for I have devoted myself to your commandments.

Blue Ribbon Life? Follow God's Recipe!

Yesterday we had a treat at work.  We made pie crusts! A whole lot of them. JoAnn, our family and consumer sciences agent, had a recipe to make 20 crusts at once. She wanted to use us to try it out before she presented it as a cost savings for consumers.  So Amy, JoAnn and I worked together to make a big pan of pie crusts, divided them out into individual balls, put them in bags and flattened them out for the freezer.  It was fun and we enjoyed the few minutes it took. For less than half a dollar a piece we had pie crusts to take home and use. We pretty much know the recipe will be great because one of our favorite county pie bakers uses the same recipe!

Working together was so much fun! It divided our work and gave us an opportunity to talk about our favorite pies, our likes and dislikes and to laugh together. All of the effort divided out between three truly made the saying, “many hands make light work” come to life.

Amy and I agreed we would never have tackled it at home alone. I for one have made or attempted to make homemade pie crusts for 40 years. Although the crust turned out okay occasionally, I would say I never have been a pie crust blue ribbon winner.  It’s just not been my thing.

As we worked together I realized why my crusts might not have turned out so good. For one thing, JoAnn pre-measured all the ingredients! She had all the utensils and the mixing bowl set out and ready for us. She also had aprons ready to don.  She had measuring cups, measuring spoons and pastry cutters for each of us. She even had ice water ready on a bed of ice. As Amy measured out the required teaspoons of salt I exclaimed that it looked like too much. Yet when we taste tested a little of the dough, any less would have made the crusts extremely tasteless.

The discovery that came to me was that without correct preparation to begin with you are not going to have a good product. Without following the directions, created by someone who knows what they’re doing and has had success, you won’t have the right outcome.   The correct components, mixed the right way, and following directions will make for a great pie.  Following directions is imperative. You just can’t shortcut and you can’t leave out ingredients.

Have you been mixing things up on your own lately? Did you have an old tried and true recipe for life but figured you could vary it slightly and have the same results? You may have found that mixing the old ways of the Word with the new ways of the world actually makes for a tasteless and flat life. Maybe you've been having problems with waiting on God to answer your fervent prayers so you've tried to throw together your own concoction and you find that it doesn't measure up.  

Oh beloved, get out your recipe book, The Word of God and read it thoroughly! He doesn’t care if you start over with fresh infilling of ingredients. In fact He wants you to start over and let Him guide you to the best outcome! His greatest desire is that you have a Blue Ribbon life! Following His guidance and using His ingredients will make for your best life ever! God knows your heart and His ways are best. You may not see it now, but in the end you will discover that He knows you and has developed a perfect flawless recipe for you. Trust Him today for He loves you. Let Him take your life and turn it into a magnificent recipe fit for the King of Kings!

Proverbs 16:20 Those who listen to instruction will prosper; those who trust the Lord will be joyful.

Proverbs 8:10-11 Choose My instruction rather than silver, and knowledge rather than pure gold.  For wisdom is far more valuable than rubies. Nothing you desire can compare with it.

Proverbs 4:13 Take hold of My instructions; don’t let them go. Guard them, for they are the key to life.

Psalm 36:9-10 You feed them from the abundance of your own house, letting them drink from your river of delights.   For You are the fountain of life, the light by which we see.

The Road "Best" Traveled

I love back roads, especially those out of the way highways where the bows of trees on each side of the road mingle above my head. Danny and I have spent a lot of time on back roads, mostly to view the beauty and majesty of nature. I even put a photo of just such a road on my phone so I could think about those beautiful roads.  I noticed that there is a word printed on the pavement: SLOW and then PREPARE TO STOP.  It reminded me that we drivers are directed by many signs. YIELD comes to mind because frankly people in our town rarely yield! Then there are Red Lights, Caution Lights, Train Lights and more. One of the signs I always get tickled about is “LAKE AHEAD!”  For sure you want to watch that one, otherwise you’ll take a swim you won’t like.

I am reminded that when my parents traveled they always held hands in the car and said, “God go with us.”  It is still comforting to know my parents asked God’s divine help before every trip. We passed that along to our own family when we traveled.

We have to learn to discern what each word on the pavement means for we have to know what we’re supposed to do. Arrows pointing one way mean for us to go that way. Occasionally you will find a driver who has gotten confused and they are headed into oncoming traffic! It’s scary because who knows when they will discover their problem and try to overcorrect. Other signs require slowing down to the speed limit. Curve signs warn us to prepare to make negotiations to keep from having an accident. All in all, though our highway system is full of signs, it’s for our safety and we’re glad they are there.

Are you heeding the signs? Are you watching to make sure you’re obeying God’s limits and going the right direction?  Do you watch for oncoming issues that might cause you a problem? Are you staying calm when others make mistakes or do you find yourself having a moment of road rage? Do you stop when others want to go ahead of you? Are you obeying the laws of the land and doing your best to be a safe driver on the road of life?

Oh beloved, God has a wonderful road for you to travel. He makes every effort to guide you safely. He has warning signs in His Word to keep you on the right road. He also reminds you to keep close to Him so that you remain on the road and aren’t cut off from His plan. Occasionally He will tell you to slow down or prepare to stop. Don’t argue with God! He’s your Sovereign Lord and Savior and He truly knows what’s best. 

Your life can be oh so good and by just following Him closely and obeying His directions you will feel the safety of His care. He loves you so much that He wants to guide you all the way to  heaven and He’s for you so that you can trust the roads He puts you on and the signs He gives you along the way. Ride safely in this life for you are Precious Cargo to the Lord!

  

 Psalm 32:8 The Lord says, “I will guide you along the best pathway for your life.  I will advise you and watch over you.”

Psalm 27:11  Teach me how to live, O Lord. Lead me along the right path, for my enemies are waiting for me.

Proverbs 20:24 The Lord directs our steps, so why try to understand everything along the way?

Psalm 25:12 Who are those who fear the LORD? He will show them the path they should choose.

(photo chosen is from my phone  courtesy of Zedge wallpapers for Android phones)

God Wants to Write Your Story!

While preparing the devotional book, I discovered that there’s a lot of work involved in getting it just right for print. While I didn’t rewrite any of the devotionals themselves, I did edit some of the grammar, fixed a few typos and looked at how the Scriptures for each page looked. One change in a line on one page can make things off on every succeeding page.

Editors get paid a lot of money to do just that.  They are adept at what they do. Sometimes, especially with fiction, they get to make lots of changes. They like to rewrite characters, change plots and have authors rewrite endings. They can redeem a mundane story and make it sparkle.

Collaborators work with authors to enhance what they’ve written. Instead of rewriting, they make suggestions to increase the viability of characters, the excitement of a plot and make the ending more interesting. They will guide and direct to help the story be greatly improved.

Ghost writers do all the writing themselves. Then the writing is posted to an author’s name for credit. This type of writing allows the author, who may not have the best abilities, to increase the value of “their” writing. The ghost writer is the actual author who takes care of everything.

Every one of us is a novel in the making. Our story is being written every day. We can author our own book or we can let someone do the writing for us. We can go it alone or we can let another collaborate with us – help us along the way. We can use our own abilities or we can allow a ghost writer to increase the value of our storyline.

Can you imagine what a wonderful story is developing about your life? Did you know that Jesus can be your Editor in Chief – choosing to enhance your entire profile and cause the plots in your life to end with victory? God Himself will collaborate with you to enhance every detail; taking the hard places and making them shine for His glory! He will write your story for you if you just give Him your day and let Him be the Author and Finisher of your faith story!

Oh beloved, let God be your storyteller! Let Him proclaim His greatness through your life. He knows the harrowing experiences, the cliffs of danger and the valleys of decision you’ve been through. He knows the plot may be thickening right this moment, but He’s already written the end of your story and it all comes out beyond your wildest imagination! Everything He speaks of His own nature is yours to enjoy! Run to His Word this morning and read your story as you proclaim His Story. The greatest points of His marvelous message are that He loves you and that He’s for you and that’s worth turning it all over to Him!

Psalm 23:3 He refreshes and restores my life (my self); He leads me in the paths of righteousness [uprightness and right standing with Him—not for my earning it, but] for His name’s sake. (Amplified Bible)

Psalm 16:7 I will bless the Lord who guides me; even at night my heart instructs me.

I Peter 18-19 knowing that you were not redeemed with perishable things like silver or gold from your futile way of life inherited from your forefathers, but with precious blood, as of a lamb unblemished and spotless, the blood of Christ.

Jeremiah 29:11-13 For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope. In those days when you pray, I will listen. If you look for Me wholeheartedly, you will find Me.

Deuteronomy 33:3 Indeed, He loves His people; all His holy ones are in His hands. They follow in His steps and accept His teaching.

Looking For Change?

Brother, Can you Spare a Dime was an old song sung during the Depression era when people valued and prayed for every nickel and dime they had. Even though there’s a big push towards a cashless society, we still like our folding money and jingling coins.  Danny and I have a huge water jug that we collect change in. When it gets full, that money will be turned in for Run for the Son missions’ effort.  We enjoy seeing the nickels dimes and quarters along with pennies inching their way to the top. Danny enjoys giving good tips and telling the waitress to keep the change when we dine out. The grandkids all love getting quarters from us when we’re at the discount store so they can get bubble gum or try to retrieve a toy via one of the games.  I can still hear my daddy rattling the change in his pocket.  Danny also likes to pick up pennies on the sidewalk and in parking lots. It’s money and five pennies equals a nickel he says. It’s really hard to believe people will throw away pennies, discard them as though they are worthless. The most recent time change is hard to deal with in the morning, but it sure is nice in the evening. 

Change is inevitable. Change is good. Change is everywhere. Give someone cash and you’ll generally always get change back.   Color your hair and a big change happens. Drive a little slower and your gas mileage will change for sure. Take vitamins and your fingernails change – they get stronger and grow faster.  Have a cold? Take your medicine and the symptoms subside and you get well faster. Paint a room and the change is dramatic!

Maybe you’d like to have more change. You wish that you could repair your mistakes, forget your regrets or balance your life account to quit being in the red. You’re thinking you overspent your chances at mercy and grace and there’s no way to get anything back that’s worth having. Hold on! God’s mercies are new every morning and His grace extends to thousands of generations. 

You may be reading this and thinking, “I don’t WANT change!” You’re tired of people being fickle and life handing you lemons. You wonder why things can’t just stay the same. You don’t want to have any changes, you like things just the way they are. You live for the old days when things were simpler and life was easier. You fear tomorrow because you don’t know what’s there. Hold on, there’s no need to fear for God is in your tomorrows!

Oh beloved, it’s time to make friends with change! Change will help you grow in faith. Don’t fear the outcome for God is making a way for you where you can’t see the way. Life may appear to be a foggy road ahead, but God will clear out the things that are holding you back. His Truth is your vehicle to forge into the future with gusto! Whether you want change or fear it, God Has wonderful plans for your future. While some changes are not good in themselves, God can be trusted to keep you safe and He will cause you to grow in Grace! God uses each change to increase your Knowledge of Him! Believe His way is the best road and love your life in Christ!

The greatest change you will ever experience is the change God makes when you yield yourself totally to Him.  If He can change a heart to belong to Him, then He can surely take your yesterdays, todays and tomorrows and change them into a life that displays His glorious mercy and grace! God loves you always and forever beloved and He’s for you eternally and that’s something you can never change!

Ezekiel 36:26-27 And I will give you a new heart, and I will put a new spirit in you. I will take out your stony, stubborn heart and give you a tender, responsive heart.  And I will put My Spirit in you so that you will follow My decrees and be careful to obey My regulations.  And I will give you a new heart, and I will put a new spirit in you. I will take out your stony, stubborn heart and give you a tender, responsive heart. And I will put my Spirit in you so that you will follow My decrees and be careful to obey My regulations.

Hebrews 13:8 Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever.

2 Corinthians 3:18 So all of us who have had that veil removed can see and reflect the glory of the Lord. And the Lord—who is the Spirit—makes us more and more like Him as we are changed into His glorious image.

Psalm 51:10 Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right, persevering, and steadfast spirit within me. (Amplified Bible)

With Christ There's Always More Than Enough!

 

There’s been a long standing joke regarding a restaurant in a nearby town.  A couple of years ago we were with some friends who wanted to try this place out. Only problem was, everyone tried it out but us! We just never hooked up with friends who went. They went several times. So we began to laugh about this “alleged” restaurant. Seriously, we’d never seen it and we’d never been there. Every time any of our friends went, they’d always share how awesome the food was – especially the steaks.

This past week-end we were taken out to eat by one of those couples and it was to this restaurant! Finally, we quit hearing about it and experienced it. And experience it we did – among the best steaks we’ve had and we’ve eaten steaks many times over the last 40 years.  The ambiance was eclectic and the fellowship was outstanding! We enjoyed the trip thoroughly - it was worth the mileage and time to get there.  Not only was the meal great, the visit with friends we don’t get to visit with often was great as well.  To top it all off, we didn’t have to pay for our meal – we were surprised with the entire ticket paid for by our friends.

Now that we’ve been there, we know it’s real. Our jest is over and we no longer have to wonder or kid one another about it. What we’d heard about has now become reality, because we experienced it personally. We had heard it was good, now we know. We had seen people exclaiming the greatness of the food there, but now we can agree with them.  We may go back again because we found it was worth it.  Between the fellowship and the tasting we would return.

There are many things about life in Christ that you hear about. Peace. Love. Joy. Freedom. Restoration. Reconciliation. Everything you could ever want or need is found at the Cross. You can eat freely of everything on the menu. You can stop with just a taste but you are free to have the entire buffet. You never leave hungry. You never get thirsty again.  Unlike going to a restaurant where the food is wonderful but it doesn’t last, with Christ everything lasts forever – all the way to heaven. There are fruits that you can take home with you and gifts that you get just for knowing the Owner – just for letting Him take ownership of your life.

Maybe you’ve only had an appetizer – you know Jesus, but you still haven’t experienced the full menu. You get worried, tired, fearful, and restless.  Jesus is your Savior, but you don’t know about the real joy of the Holy Spirit residing and taking up residence in your heart and mind.

Oh beloved, Let God show you the way!  He will walk with you to the cross, past the empty tomb and on to Heaven! Everything on the Menu, God’s Word, is for you! There are no prices and no cost to you. It’s all been paid for.  All you have to do is let God lead you to the banquet table. All of God’s promises are for you. All of God’s gifts are for you. All of God’s fullness is available for you! It’s a life that’s out of this world and He’s beckoning you to come and dine with Him! Rejoice that you may not have enough on our own, but with Christ, you always have more than enough for He is a More Than God! He loves you and He’s for you and that’s something worth partaking of every day!

2 Peter 1:3-4 By His divine power, God has given us everything we need for living a godly life. We have received all of this by coming to know Him, the one who called us to Himself by means of His marvelous glory and excellence. And because of His glory and excellence, He has given us great and precious promises. These are the promises that enable you to share His divine nature and escape the world’s corruption caused by human desires.

Psalm 34:8 Taste and see that the LORD is good. Oh, the joys of those who take refuge in Him!

I Peter 2:2-3 Like newborn babies, you must crave pure spiritual milk so that you will grow into a full experience of salvation. Cry out for this nourishment, now that you have had a taste of the Lord’s kindness.

Ephesians 3:19 May you experience the love of Christ, though it is too great to understand fully. Then you will be made complete with all the fullness of life and power that comes from God.

God's Word is the Best Medicine!

Several times lately I’ve been reminded of how much fun it is to give medicine to children! What we did to our own to get the medicine down now prompts feelings of sympathy for the grandchildren. Regardless of the reaction kids have, the medicine must give administered so that they get well and feel good again. Kids will beg not to take it, they will insist they’re going to die, they’ll run, they’ll hold their mouths, they’ll hide and more! We as parents must at times resort to holding them down and while we don’t want to cause pain we ultimately must be the grown-ups and take things in hand.


We are God’s children and we have a vast and awesome realm to enjoy as His children. All the gifts He gives so richly are ours. All the fruit of the Holy Spirit are ours to exhibit. All the promises in Him are yea and amen! All the realities of the faith are ours to walk in. All the joys and triumphs and honor are for us. We are most blessed!

There are times when we as believers get sick. We may be down and out or just reeling from life’s problems and trials. Sometimes we just walk away from little things we know God is leading us to do or we keep doing those things we know He is encouraging us not to do. We find ourselves at the end of our self-made rope and wonder how we got there and if we can hang on. Our strength gets sapped and our heart gets heavy.

Lovingly, our Father in heaven administered the balm of Gilead to our wounded hearts and spirits. He also applies the Word to our errant ways so we can get back to where we need to be. He may even use circumstances that we try to run from or avoid – all the while He’s simply lovingly trying to get our attention, so that we can remain safe in His arms and in fellowship with Him always.

Oh beloved, are you running from God? Have you gone your own way and found it to be a dead end? Maybe you’ve reached the end of your rope and you don’t know how you’ll make it back. Being out of fellowship with God is a hard pill to swallow. Maybe you’re dealing with mourning or loneliness or rejection. You feel sick at heart and in your spirit. God’s medicine is worth taking for it always makes you better. Don’t remain heartsick! Let God administer His loving touch! You don’t have to go another moment with fear of your mistakes, worry about your future or regrets for your life – God is holding out His Grace Medicine for you today! It is full of the best ingredients and will bring health back to your heart and mind and spirit.

God’s medicine is composed of the finest spiritual ingredients - His wonderful grace, His unfailing love, His infinite care and His perfect will. Oh how He loves you! Oh how He is for you! Never oh never do you have to worry that God’s medicine is hurtful or won’t make you better for His Word is all you need beloved for a healthy life in Christ.

Proverbs 4:20-22 My child, pay attention to what I say. Listen carefully to my words. Don’t lose sight of them. Let them penetrate deep into your heart, for they bring life to those who find them, and healing to their whole body.

Psalm 107:20 He sent out His word and healed them, snatching them from the door of death.

Jeremiah 15:16 When I discovered your words, I devoured them. They are my joy and my heart's delight, for I bear your name, O LORD God of Heaven's Armies.

Psalm 19:7-8 The instructions of the LORD are perfect, reviving the soul. The decrees of the LORD are trustworthy, making wise the simple. The commandments of the LORD are right, bringing joy to the heart. The commands of the LORD are clear, giving insight for living.

Who's Opening Doors for You?

One of my cousins was talking about selling books in Kentucky in the 60’s. One summer he went out there to walk door to door and sell Bibles, reference books and more. He talked about one particular town where every single door he knocked on refused to greet him. On the sidewalks of the small town, every merchant cussed him and tried to run him out of town. Eventually he decided there would be no selling books there, so he left for the next town. He had been warmly greeted in the previous town and greeted kindly again at the next town but that town was completely closed to him.


Have you ever had a door closed in your face? Maybe you weren’t selling anything, you were in a relationship with a friend or loved one and it all went south. You didn’t do anything and yet they shut the door and walked away. Maybe you did something wrong and tried to make amends but the door remains shut.

Oh beloved, I’m here to encourage you today! Rejoice! God is with you no matter what! He is with you when you are greeted warmly and He is with you when you are given the cold shoulder. He’s with you when men speak highly of you, He’s with you when you’re cursed and pushed away. He’s with you when things are going wonderfully and He’s with you when it all goes bad. He is with you!

Today, regardless of your circumstances, you can rejoice, for God is your Sovereign Father and He has appointed the right place for you to be. If He has allowed a relationship to be broken, He is certainly able to restore heal and make it new. If He has allowed a door to be closed, whether it’s a job or a ministry or a friend or family member, He is going to work it all for His good because you are called according to His purpose. You may do your best to open doors or make things right, but ultimately it is God who does the work. His appointment for you is solid and you do not have to be concerned for He goes before you all the way.

It may be hard, I truly understand, for there have been times I have felt the cold winds blow as relationships falter, but I also know that God and only God is the restorer of everything. And as you look to Him and only Him you will never be disappointed, for He is your maker, your husband, your friend and your guide forever! Never despair for God is the One Who is the Door Opener and the Door Closer. No one can do a thing without His sovereign purpose being fulfilled in your life. You can be assured of this because He loves you and He’s for you and that’s all that really matters.

Revelation 3:8 I know all the things you do, and I have opened a door for you that no one can close. You have little strength, yet you obeyed My word and did not deny Me.

Isaiah 43:616 I AM the LORD, who opened a way through the waters, making a dry path through the sea.

Revelation 7:17 For the Lamb on the throne will be their Shepherd. He will lead them to springs of life-giving water. And God will wipe every tear from their eyes.

Isaiah 48:17 This is what the LORD says--your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel: "I AM the LORD your God, who teaches you what is good for you and leads you along the paths you should follow.

Psalm 23:3 He renews my strength. He guides me along right paths, bringing honor to His name.

Wondering When This Roller Coaster Will End?

The Tail of the Dragon is one of those highways that motorcycle enthusiasts love to ride. This highway is in North Carolina and it has 318 curves in 11 miles.  You can read all about it on the internet, but I can tell you it’s true because I’ve experienced it on the back of a Goldwing!  Before we traveled east with friends, my daughters said I couldn’t do that road, so of course I had to! I sent them both postcards from the store at the end of the run.

I’d like to tell you it was awesome, but from my viewpoint, it was harrowing! You literally meet yourself coming and going. It’s up an incline turn back on a hairpin curve and back again over and over and over.  There’s also regular traffic coming and going. You meet vehicles on your side of the road because the curves are so narrow. You’ll probably also see sites where bikers didn’t make a curve. I kept my eyes closed most of the time and hugged as close as possible to my husband as he traversed the snaky miles with delight.  I prefer smooth roads with sweeping turns occasionally.  Not my hubby, he likes the curves. I can tell you that after riding a motorcycle with him for 41 years (dating on motorcycles included) I have never ridden with anyone else on a motorcycle and I trust him completely. He’s never let me down.  There have been times I’ve not handled the ride well at all, but he still keeps inviting me to ride with him.  He has proved himself as trustworthy and I know I’m safe with him always. He takes good care of me on the ride, whether it’s easy roads or hard.  I wouldn’t always choose the roads he chooses, but I trust him so I go with him.

For the most part life can be pretty calm. We travel through the ins and outs and make pretty good time. We look ahead and the view is lovely and there are hardly any curves at all. Other times we are given a harder road to travel. Twisties and mountains intertwine and without some relief, we are ready to quit. We try our best to close our eyes in the hard times but it doesn’t help.  We can’t see that the road will smooth out ahead because we’re in the middle of the hard part, so that’s all we can concentrate on.

Are you in a hard place of life right now? Are you wondering when this roller coaster is going to end? You went to bed tired and needy and you woke up with no relief in sight. Weariness has settled in and you just don’t think you can keep going. You wish you could go back to the easy days of carefree living and calm roads. Now you’re stuck – it’s harrowing and you see no end.

Oh beloved, quit looking at the curves and the mountains and the terrain! Don’t stare at the drop offs and the cliffs! Look rather at the One who is carrying you through it all. God is with you! He is not only allowing you to go through the hard roads, He is the One who is seeing you through to the other side! It’s only a short ride, but you’ve grown tired. Lean on Him! He’s trustworthy and true – He will prove Himself capable again and again. Trust Him! He loves you. Seek His face only! He’s for you.  You may never get to the end of the ride and say that was great, but you will say You got me through!

God is with you, even when you seem to be alone. God is carrying you, even when you feel you’ve got to traverse the mountains of adversity, sorrow or fear alone.  You are never alone, beloved, and the hard roads never last forever. Rejoice in Him! Hang on to Him! He’ll never leave you or forsake you, He’ll never let you down.  You can trust Him always, for His name is Love and His character is your security. Rely on others, you might not make it. Rely on yourself and it won’t go well. But rely on the Lord and you’ll always be safe! Don’t get your eyes of the Savior for He’s never taken His eyes off of you.

Isaiah 58:11 The LORD will guide you continually, giving you water when you are dry and restoring your strength. You will be like a well-watered garden, like an ever-flowing spring.

Psalm 48:14 For that is what God is like. He is our God forever and ever, and he will guide us until we die.

Psalm 121:1, 8  I look up to the mountains—does my help come from there? My help comes from the Lord, who made heaven and earth! The Lord keeps watch over you as you come and go, both now and forever.

I Corinthians 1:9 God will do this, for He is faithful to do what He says, and He has invited you into partnership with His Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.

Today is Your Declaration of Dependence!

We enjoy visiting many battlefields when traveling across the country.  Shiloh is one of the larger parks we’ve visited as well as Pea Ridge right here in Arkansas.  Considering the smaller places, there are remnants of battlefields everywhere. Our country has survived much and has much rich history to read and see. 

Life itself is a battlefield and there are many sieges within our days. While many lives have been lost in the battles within our country, there is no need to lose a battle as a Christian, when we have such an arsenal of truth and grace to count on.

There’s the battlefield of the mind.  We have one and only one enemy and he wants to win.  He wants to win at putting you in such a position that you cannot hear from God and cannot believe He will rescue you. The enemy wants to make you think that you are cut off from God’s supplies. You cannot believe him.  He tells you that you are un-loveable, unusable, unable and undone.  He speaks lies into your mind and if you don’t have your orders straight from the Word of God, you will believe him.  Take out your sword beloved!

Then there’s battlefield of the heart. Once again the opposing force assaults and wounds.  He reminds you that you’ve been left alone, your heart is broken and you feel dejected and full of sorrow. This is a sniper’s work. It only takes one word of rejection spoken quietly to get you vulnerable. He will tell you it’s over - you might as well give up.  You become afraid, hesitant and desperate. Desperate soldiers make mistakes and may desert their God given position.

The battlefield of the spirit.  This battle is raging constantly. The enemy assaults you by attempting to make you believe you can fight in your own strength. As you try desperately to fight and win, you find yourself exhausted, winded and ready to surrender. But just as he has you right where he wants you, the Cavalry of God’s Heavenly Host arrives and reminds you what God’s Word says for you are an overcomer! You will be Victorious! You cannot fight in your own strength, but through God you can wage war and win!

Oh beloved, God knows your battles this morning. He knows that you went to bed last night trying to figure out how you are going to make it. He knows the skirmishes have brought tears and sorrow so many times. But this day God wants you to get up and stand up and declare His Word over every problem, over every situation, over every battle, over every lie and corrupt word that’s been spoken over you.

Today is your Declaration of Dependence! You are counting on God! You can shout it with David, who picked up a small stone and put it in a sling. You can declare it with Joseph, who sat at the bottom of a well. You can proclaim it with Abraham as you climb the mountain of adversity.  Oh beloved, you are a soldier in God’s Army and you have a huge cloud of overcomers to assist you by their testimonies. You have the Word of God that is strong and invincible and your only weapon, but oh what a weapon it is!

You are never alone in this battlefield of life. God loves you and He’s for you so you will always be a winner through Jesus Christ Who is the King of Kings and the Lord of Lords.  Rejoice, that even though you may be in a battle today, ultimate victory is yours! Amen!

Deuteronomy 20:4 For the Lord your God is going with you! He will fight for you against your enemies, and He will give you victory!

2 Corinthians 12:9 Each time He said, “My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness.” So now I am glad to boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ can work through me.

Deuteronomy 31:6 So be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid and do not panic before them. For the LORD your God will personally go ahead of you. He will neither fail you nor abandon you.

Proverbs 21:31 The horse is prepared for the day of battle, but the victory belongs to the LORD.

I Chronicles 29:11 Yours, O LORD, is the greatness, the power, the glory, the victory, and the majesty. Everything in the heavens and on earth is Yours, O LORD, and this is Your kingdom. We adore You as the one who is over all things.

Not Sure if You're an Overcomer? God is Your Source

There is a lot of talk these days about survivalism. However you feel about it, merit can always be found in preparing ahead for hard times.  Having gone through an ice storm several years ago, we were thankful we had extra food in the cabinet so that we didn’t go hungry, for we literally could not get out of our driveway for days! Our electricity was off for a week and we had to resort to techniques for healthy living and cleaning that were beyond the norm.  I heated water in the fireplace and washed dishes at the sink.  We heated our food at the fireplace as well.  We lived downstairs and slept on pallets while closing off the upstairs. Literally going to the bathroom was about like going to the old fashioned outhouse – it was cold and we had to carry a flashlight! We also had to learn how to entertain ourselves! We still had two kids at home who were not having fun. We learned that you don’t have to have the TV on 24/7.  We played card games and board games. I put together a lot of puzzles.  We talked to one another and reminisced and laughed a lot! We had time for one another and the things that meant so much to us.

Now, we didn’t have to suffer at all really, but it reminds us that when God allows us to go through hard times we can be resourceful and seek His face. That if we should need to stand for our faith or go through truly hard things, we can do it with God’s help.

I admit I am no expert on the subject of survivalism, but I know one thing – God’s promises are for His people. In good times, they are a reminder to walk with Him. In bad times, they are a source of comfort to seek His face. In times of plenty, He warns us through His Word not to forget Him. In times of hardship and want, He reminds us in His Word to trust Him.  Should we prepare ahead? Absolutely, for God’s Word tells us so.

Oh beloved, do you know how to survive? Are you struggling with what if’s and if only’s? Are you concerned that when things get hard you won’t have enough or that you won’t know how to make it? Maybe you think you might have to suffer and you don’t know what you’ll do.  Run to the Lord this morning and let Him set up your survival skills! His Word has marvelous biographies of heroes of the faith who were victorious in battle, courageous in the face of incredible obstacles and fearless in the days of famine, peril and war.  Although they went through hard times, they were triumphant for their destinies were set by the Lord.

You are a survivor! You will overcome by the blood of the lamb. You will be victorious because it is through God you will do valiantly. He will tread over your enemies. He will make a way where there is no way. He will care for you just as He cared for Sarah and Joshua and Joseph and Daniel. Everywhere you read in the Bible there are wonderful accounts of champions of the faith.  Look to the ultimate heroes of the Word of God and see – no one who trusts in the Lord will be disappointed for His everlasting covenant of grace surrounds those who put their trust in Him!

Always remember that God loves you and has a marvelous plan for your life. When you seek His face first and become a proponent of His ways, He will guide you, He will instruct you, and He will watch over you and keep you in His arms all the way to Heaven! Now that’s worth preparing for! That’s worth praising His name!

Exodus 15:2 The Lord is my strength and my song; He has given me victory. This is my God, and I will praise Him— my father’s God, and I will exalt Him!

Jude 1:24 Now all glory to God, who is able to keep you from falling away and will bring you with great joy into His glorious presence without a single fault.

Isaiah 51:12 I, yes I AM the one who comforts you. So why are you afraid of mere humans, who wither like the grass and disappear?

Jeremia 17:7 But blessed are those who trust in the Lord and have made the Lord their hope and confidence.

Trust God and Let Go!

Watching Stella yesterday it’s amazing how much she’s grown and changed. She’s become a genuine toddler and definitely coming into the two year old stage of getting into everything and saying no a lot! She’s learning to take risks and venture out and try things she’s not familiar with.

Yesterday her mother was sitting her at the top of the slide. Then mother went down to the bottom of the slide to urge Stella to let go and slide. Stella sat there and hung on tightly. Finally, she let go! The look on her face was priceless as she slid. There was a wide eyed look of “what’s going to happen?” followed at the bottom with a look of pure delight, when momma caught her! She giggled and ran around to the ladder to do it again!  Each time there was a little hesitation, a little uncertainty and then reward as momma was always there waiting to catch her and keep her safe.

Stella wasn’t sure what was going to happen, but she still wanted to slide! The first time she was most unsure, but after her mother caught her, every time she slid she got braver and braver. She knew and trusted that her mother would be there for her. If she hadn’t let go, her momma would have still been there. But Stella would have missed the thrill at the end of the ride!

Oh beloved, is God speaking new horizons to you? Is He asking you to launch out where you’ve never gone before? Maybe He’s calling you to a deeper walk with Him. He’s wooing you to come closer and seek His face. He could be asking you to lay aside some other things for more time with him.  It might be that He is calling you to service for Him, whether into the mission field or another ministry. He can be trusted! Where He sends you He will keep you. Where He keeps you He will reward you.  Let Go and enjoy the life God is calling you to.  Nothing He ever asks you to give up will ever replace the comfort of knowing you are right where God wants you.  Yes there are risks; yes there are things you must leave behind, but oh beloved! It’s worth it! For in the end it will be God you stand before and hear, “Well done…”  All those friends you think you have to leave behind? They need the Lord too! You may very well become the instrument God uses to lead others to Himself. Regardless of the unknown things ahead, God goes before you and He loves you! Oh how He loves you!

Let Him lead you and guide you all the way to heaven, for there’s no other way to live a life of pure joy than to let Him have first place. He loves you always and you can count on Him to be there for you and that’s worth following His plans!

Jeremiah 10:23 I know, Lord, that our lives are not our own. We are not able to plan our own course.

Isaiah 30:21 Your own ears will hear Him.  Right behind you a voice will say, “This is the way you should go,” whether to the right or to the left.

Mark 8:35 If you try to hang on to your life, you will lose it. But if you give up your life for My sake and for the sake of the Good News, you will save it.

Philippians 2:13 For God is working in you, giving you the desire and the power to do what pleases Him.

Need a Good Dose of Gratefulness?

I’ve been blogging for years and now I find myself branching out onto other social sites just a little. Yesterday by a simple twist of fate while looking at blogs, I found that one of an old friend’s daughters had passed away in December. She was young, maybe 40. I also found that she used to blog and be on another social site as well. I found her blog, which is still up. It was profound. It seems that she had suffered from fibromyalgia and other illnesses they could not diagnose. She had been a traveler and enjoyer of life – going all over the world using her gifts and talents. But she had become totally house bound because of illness – unable to work, unable to enjoy life or build relationships.




Her last blogs were pleas of sorts. Pleas to God really – for distant family to be closer, for pain to go away, for Dr.’s to be more sympathetic and comforting, for meds to work and more. She was a talented, poetic and artistic person, even in the last days of her life.



We who are here on earth really take things for granted. Sunrises and sunsets. Meals and desserts. Driving cars and riding motorcycles. Wind in our hair. Mosquito bites and cheesecake bites. We have everything. Don’t we. Our poor is another country’s rich. Today we feel wonderful and we just expect it. Our marriage is good and we just expect it. Our kids love us and we just expect it. We grow used to good and only until something is gone do we find that it was magnificent.



How is it with you today? Are you living with the pain? Perhaps it’s physical, but maybe it’s emotional. Yesterday was wonderful but today all the things you took for granted seem a distant shadow. Maybe you’re living the good life and how could that possibly ever go away? Perhaps it’s all just too perfect and you’re so busy enjoying perfection that you forget the One Who gives and blesses your life. After all, it’s expected isn’t it?



It could be that someone stepped on your toes, acted without sensitivity or just plain lost it with you. You’re the recipient of another’s rage or anger. You can’t do anything about it, you can’t make it right, you can’t see through to the other side of the problem.



Oh beloved I encourage you today to live the good life of gratefulness! Along with gratefulness I appeal to you to embrace humility for today is a gift and anything good in it is a gift from the Lord. My prayer for you is that you will embrace God’s heart of forgiveness and mercy and gentleness with all you love and with all you hold dear. Everyone is worth forgiving simply because we were forgiven. I pray also that you will be forgiven by those who have been holding anything against you. I am asking God to remind you every day that this life may have its ups and downs, but Heaven is real and it will be oh so very wonderful! I pray most of all that you will know how incredibly loved and adored you are by Father God and that you will feel His embrace during the sorrows as well as the joys of this life. He loves you, beloved and He’s for you and that’s all that really matters.



Colossians 3:12-13 Since God chose you to be the holy people he loves, you must clothe yourselves with tenderhearted mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. Make allowance for each other's faults, and forgive anyone who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others.



Psalm 34:18 The LORD is close to the brokenhearted; He rescues those whose spirits are crushed.



Ephesians 4:32 Instead, be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God through Christ has forgiven you.



Matthew 5:7 God blesses those who are merciful, for they will be shown mercy.



Psalm 63:3 Your unfailing love is better than life itself; how I praise you!

Are You Wondering if God Even Hears You?

Heading down the interstate, I was praying for someone I’ve been praying for a long time. I was asking the usual petitions. “Lord, speak to their heart. Lord, come into their home and be the Lord of their life. God, speak and move and change things for them. Send salvation and sanctification and regeneration into their home and their family.”  I heard a voice from Heaven speak, “What makes you think I have not already been speaking to their heart?”

I was surprised and relieved. I felt a very calm spirit relaxed over my heart. I realized I had been praying as though every prayer was just reaching the ears of God. Almost begging God to do something! And then through that still small voice I realized that God is speaking and calling and urging the one I am praying for to return to Him.

It changed how I pray. I now pray in more faith.  Lord, I know that you are speaking to their heart. I pray that their ears will be open to your call. Thank you Lord that you are calling them to You.  Thank you Lord that You love them and are working out Your marvelous plan for their life.

If you’re like me you may not be sure who prayed for you to have a walk with Jesus. I just know that from my earliest childhood I was always thinking about God and always asking Him for things that were beyond me. Because of that I believe someone in my family history interceded for me.  If you’re like Danny you can point to at least one person in your family who was a true intercessor. In Danny’s case it was a godly grandmother and she prayed both him and several of his closest friends into the Kingdom and into service for God. (that’s a whole other story I’d love to share with you)  Most of all I believe it is God who calls and God who wills humanity to believe and live for Christ.

Oh beloved are you having a hard time seeing the results of prayer? Are you wondering if God is listening or if He really cares? Have you been praying consistently for a long time for a loved one? Maybe you’re dealing with personal issues. Have you been asking God for His help and don’t feel like you’ve seen the answer yet?  I can assure you that He surely listens – you can believe this morning that He hears you and He cares. One is His Word. He says so and His Word is His Bond.  The other is practical application – I’ve seen Him work and I’ve heard Him answer. God is no respecter of persons – He hears all His own when they pray. He even hears the penitent prayer of those who have wandered off from His will.

Listen quietly this morning and take ALL your needs to Him. Thank Him for His answers even before you see them.  Praise Him for His marvelous work in your life and the life of those you pray for. Never quit praying and seeking and asking for God rewards those who seek Him. He responds to those who are persistent. Never quit praising Him for God inhabits praise.

I John 5:14 And we are confident that He hears us whenever we ask for anything that pleases Him.

Psalm 66:19 But God did listen! He paid attention to my prayer.

Colossians 4:2 Be earnest and unwearied and steadfast in your prayer [life], being [both] alert and intent in [your praying] with thanksgiving. Amplified Bible

Matthew 7:7-8 Keep on asking, and you will receive what you ask for. Keep on seeking, and you will find. Keep on knocking, and the door will be opened to you.  For everyone who asks, receives. Everyone who seeks, finds. And to everyone who knocks, the door will be opened.

Isaiah 65:24 I will answer them before they even call to me. While they are still talking about their needs, I will go ahead and answer their prayers!

Tasty Life Wanted? Follow God's Ingredient List

It’s birthday time for one of our grandchildren. I so enjoy baking and decorating cakes for each one. Over the years I’ve made some interesting ones. From Barbie dresses to swimming pools to Angry birds. Some have been more challenging than others. 

This year’s cake for Caleb will be a dinosaur cake.  Not a hard project, but will require some steady handwork and hopefully the dinosaur will be recognized as one when Caleb sees it! The biggest problem with this cake has been ingredients! I keep forgetting one thing or another. When we go to the local discount shopping store to get ingredients there’s always a dozen or so people we have to talk to. I get sidetracked and then first thing you know, I’ve forgotten something.  Last night about 2am I laughed out loud and said, “Danny we forgot the eggs!” So first thing this morning we will have to go get eggs. Can’t make a cake without eggs and have it turn out the way we want it to be.

We all want a tasty life don’t we? We want things to turn out right, have pleasant days and for all to look good.   Asking Jesus to become Lord of our lives is the primary ingredient for a good life. Without Christ we are cooking on our own. No matter how you slice it, life will not turn out right without Christ’s touch on it.  But there’s more to the Christian life than just salvation. If we want things to flow smoothly and be rich and flavorful, we have to look to God’s Word for the ingredients. 

We’ve got to look to God’s Word and live by it.  Reading a recipe won’t do a thing will it? It’s the putting together of the ingredients that makes for a recipe turning out right. It’s living the Christian life and learning to pursue righteousness and live for God that turns things out right for us.  We begin with basic Christianity and then we add many ingredients throughout our lives: loving God, right living, fruits of the spirit, and more. There are the gifts that God gives each one of us. As cakes don’t all taste alike, lives aren’t all exactly alike. God gives different gifts, so that the Church (the body not the building) is flavorful and palatable. We all have gifts from speaking to teaching to art and poetry and writing and more. Those gifts, used in the right way, flavor our lives and the lives of those around us.

Oh beloved, maybe you’ve given your heart to Jesus, but you never knew there were ingredients involved in living a life as a completely committed follower of Him. Run to His Word this morning and see! Every Word of God is for you to take and ingest it spiritually so you can live it out physically.  He knows your life and He knows you intimately, so He wants to give you a more abundant life and to give you purpose for this day.  Let Him show you the ingredients and use them liberally for it’s in living for Jesus that we find our greatest creativity. This is how the ingredients of our lives make for a beautiful presentation to Him. He loves you beloved, so He hasn’t left you to your own devices. And He’s for you beloved, so He’s freely giving all ingredients for a blessed life to you – nothing costs, nothing has to be left out, all is freely given through Christ Himself.  Rejoice as you work the recipe of your life out for your good and His glory!

 Colossians 1:18 Christ is also the head of the church, which is His body. He is the beginning, supreme over all who rise from the dead.   So He is first in everything.

Psalm 16:11 You will show me the way of life, granting me the joy of Your presence and the pleasures of living with You forever.

2 Peter 1:5-7  In view of all this, make every effort to respond to God’s promises. Supplement your faith with a generous provision of moral excellence, and moral excellence with knowledge, and knowledge with self-control, and self-control with patient endurance, and patient endurance with godliness, and godliness with brotherly affection, and brotherly affection with love for everyone.

Colossians 1:10 Then the way you live will always honor and please the Lord, and your lives will produce every kind of good fruit. All the while, you will grow as you learn to know God better and better.

Romans 8:28 And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to His purpose.

Time Flies - How's Your Conversation Skills?

My family on my mother’s side is planning a reunion. One of my cousins has taken on the task and I’m so grateful to her. It’s a monumental effort to find a place, figure out the feeding of people and make sure everyone is happy with their surroundings. It’s also tough to figure out who will come and who won’t be able to make it. Many of my cousins (along with my own brother) are teetering on their 70’s. It gets harder to navigate and age creeps up on us all without warning. You never hear age say, “Hello, I’m Age, I’m coming after you and I will catch you”.

While getting in touch with various cousins, I found one particular cousin’s email bounced back. So knowing he had email through his business, I contacted him there. I got a response from him. He’s been sick and won’t be able to make it to the reunion. Although we were together just a little over a year ago, I had not talked with him all that time. So I was shocked to find out he had been very ill. His progress into healing will be slow as well.

Often we get out of touch with family because of daily life. We get busy, time flies and next thing you know we don’t have any contact with them for months, sometimes years. Other times it’s because of a simple misunderstanding or hurt feelings. It’s easier to stay away from the person who hurt you or someone who misunderstood you. It doesn’t take long to fill in the gaps of family time with other things. A good example is drawing a line in the wet sand along the the shore of the ocean. It covers back over and fills in in moments and the next person who comes along doesn’t even know anyone was there.

Maybe you are the one who has been left alone. Someone got offended or didn’t get their way and now you are the one sitting by yourself. Maybe you tried to contact them once or twice, but figured there was no point.  You feel left out, discarded, embarrassed or sorrowful.  Many times you’ve wished you could go back and make things different.  You wrack your brain searching for your mistake and then berate yourself and take all the blame.  Regardless of the reasons, you want to blame yourself and then you want to fix it yourself.

Even if it’s just that time has flown and things got busy, there’s still time to make contact and renew connections, companionship and affection.  

Oh beloved! There’s still time! First things first, pick up your prayer line and talk with Lord. He will direct you and counsel you on which way to go. He is your greatest ally, your best friend and your forever companion. He doesn’t quit you, He won’t turn His back on you and He’ll always be within the breath of a prayer. Even if you’ve been too busy to talk with Him, today is the day and He will answer immediately. He doesn’t hold a grudge or say it’s been too long.

He will speak to your heart and give you instructions if you need to make amends, reach out or start over.  This marvelous relationship we have with our Lord lets us go to Him in prayer for everything! This prayer we pray is no mere memorization of words, but a real conversation with a real and available God. He knows your hurts, He knows the situation, He knows how time flies.  This intimate relationship we can have with the Lord is worth pursuing so that we have His heart about relationships and fellowship and more. 

Then pick up the phone and talk with that long time no see cousin, that old and dear friend, that special someone who hasn’t been in contact in many years.  God will open the doors for you and He will make fellowships sweeter and relationships renewed, if you let Him choose the way. And always remember, God is the way maker, so that if things don’t work out, you are still drawing closer to God with every conversation you hold with Him and that’s something eternal that will never be taken away.

God loves you and He’s for you – that’s why you can talk to Him about anything and everything – now that’s an amazing Savior.

Psalm 73:25-26 Whom have I in heaven but you? I desire you more than anything on earth. My health may fail, and my spirit may grow weak, but God remains the strength of my heart; He is mine forever.

I Timothy 2:1 I urge you, first of all, to pray for all people. Ask God to help them; intercede on their behalf, and give thanks for them.

Philippians 4:6 Don't worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank Him for all he has done.