Eireneuo

The Text of My Life

2010-06-29T12:51:00.001-07:00

God rewrote the text of my life when I opened the book of my heart to his eyes.

2 Samuel 22:25

Strength

2010-06-01T06:41:00.000-07:00

God said this once and for all; how many times have I heard it repeated? "Strength comes straight from God."

Psalm 62:11

Obedience

2010-05-12T09:54:00.001-07:00

The issue isn't what they do to me, but what Jesus does through my obedience. ~ Acts 21:13

Circle of Protection

2010-05-05T13:31:00.000-07:00

God's angel sets up a circle of protection around us while we pray.

Psalm 34:7

paráklētos

2010-04-23T06:15:00.000-07:00

We each experience a certain amount of pain in this fallen world. And we each have our preferred sources of comfort during our suffering. Some of these sources are healthy and others are unhealthy. Where do you go for comfort when you find yourself suffering? The Holy Spirit serves many roles, one of which is to be the very real presence of God during a life crisis. The Bible calls Him a Helper, Advocate, and Comforter for Christians. Instead of leaving us alone, Jesus sent the Holy Spirit to live inside of each Christian to offer us encouragement, assistance, and comfort from the inside out! Do you rely on the Holy Spirit for comfort from life’s pain? ~ Jeff Miller

Trust

2010-03-18T09:00:00.000-07:00

Jesus looked hard at them and said, "No chance at all if you think can pull it off yourself. Every chance in the world if you trust God to do it." ~ Matthew 19:26

Both Kinds of Days

2010-03-17T06:14:00.001-07:00

On a good day, enjoy yourself;

On a bad day, examine your conscience.

God arranges for both kinds of days

So that we won't take anything for granted.

Ecc. 7:14

Psalm 34:18

2010-02-22T10:51:00.000-08:00

If your heart is broken, you'll find God right there; if you're kicked in the gut, he'll help you catch your breath.

Luke 22:62

2010-02-22T10:48:00.000-08:00

Peter's devastation...his disappointment in himself...he let Jesus down even after he said he wouldn't. We do the same, don't we?

Even Abraham...

2010-01-06T06:21:00.000-08:00

...had trouble letting God be in full control (Genesis 12:11-13), and he is held as an example of a man of faith (Hebrews 11:8-12).

Be

2009-12-22T10:00:00.000-08:00

Be:

agreeable

sympathetic

loving

compassionate

humble

I Peter 3:8

Refined

2009-12-14T05:37:00.001-08:00

See, I have refined you, but not like silver; I have tested you in the furnace of adversity. ~ Isaiah 48:10

Hand in Hand

2009-12-04T05:34:00.000-08:00

For I, the Lord your God, hold your right hand; it is I who say to you, "Do not fear, I will help you." ~ Isaiah 41:13

So This Is What You Do

2009-11-23T06:17:00.000-08:00

So here's what I want you to do, God helping you: Take your everyday, ordinary life - your sleeping, eating, going-to-work, and walking-around life - and place it before God as an offering. ~ Romans 12:1

Faith In the Unseen

2009-11-12T09:12:00.000-08:00

Though you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy. ~ 1 Peter 1 : 8

Criticism

2009-11-05T06:02:00.000-08:00

Every time you criticize someone, you condemn yourself.

Romans 2:1b

The Best Revenge

2009-10-23T05:56:00.000-07:00

To you who are ready for the truth, I say this: Love your enemies. Let them bring out the best in you, not the worst. When someone gives you a hard time, respond with the energies of prayer for that person. Luke 6:27

The Wise Builder

2009-10-23T04:59:00.000-07:00

If you work the words into your life, you are like a smart carpenter who dug deep and laid the foundation of his house on bedrock. When the river burst its banks and crashed against the house, nothing could shake it; it was built to last. But if you just use my words in Bible studies and don't work them into your life, you are like a dumb carpenter who built a house but skipped the foundation. When the swollen river came crashing in, it collapsed like a house of cards. It was a total loss. Luke 6:48-49

The Word enters through our eyes or ears. How will it flow through us and go back out into the world?

2009-10-19T15:46:00.001-07:00

http://withoutwax.tv/2009/10/19/miracles-always-follow-obedience/

Here's the Plan

2009-10-13T09:27:00.001-07:00

So here's what I want you to do, God helping you: Take your everyday, ordinary life -- your sleeping, eating, going-to-work, and walking-around life -- and place it before God as an offering.

Romans 12:1

msg

Luke 6:46-49

2009-09-18T12:08:00.000-07:00

"Why are you so polite with me, always saying 'Yes, sir,' and 'That's right, sir,' but never doing a thing I tell you? These words I speak to you are not mere additions to your life, homeowner improvements to your standard of living. They are foundation words, words to build a life on. If you work the words into your life, you are like a smart carpenter who dug deep and laid the foundation of his house on bedrock. When the river burst its banks and crashed against the house, nothing could shake it; it was built to last. But if you just use my words in Bible studies and don't work them into your life, you are like a dumb carpenter who built a house but skipped the foundation. When the swollen river came crashing in, it collapsed like a house of cards. It was a total loss."

Pray

2009-06-05T08:57:00.000-07:00

Thanks to Heather for this post.

“To pray, I think, does not mean to think about God in contrast to thinking about other things, or to spend time with God instead of spending time with other people. Rather, it means to think and live in the presence of God. As soon as we begin to divide our thoughts about God and thoughts about people and events, we remove God from our daily life and put him into a pious little niche where we can think pious thoughts and experience pious feelings. … Although it is important and even indispensable for the spiritual life to set apart time for God and God alone, prayer can only become unceasing prayer when all our thoughts —beautiful or ugly, high or low, proud or shameful, sorrowful or joyful —can be thought in the presence of God. … Thus, converting our unceasing thinking into unceasing prayer moves us from a self-centered monologue to a God-centered dialogue.” - Henri Nouwen

Blessings

2009-05-15T05:04:00.000-07:00

If we were to count our blessings one by one, to speak them out loud, would the list ever end?

Psalm 37:8

2009-04-27T06:36:00.000-07:00

Refrain from anger, and forsake wrath. Do not fret - it leads only to evil.

Easier said than done, right? In fact, it can NOT be done without God's help.

Easter

2009-04-11T15:56:00.000-07:00

A virgin.
A baby.
Savior.
A boy.
A temple.
Miracles.
Messiah.
A donkey.
A crowd. Waving Palm Branches.
A Triumphal Entry.
Jesus.
The Last Supper. A Cup.
A Garden. A Prayer.
A kiss. A Betrayal.
An Arrest.
Scourged. Beaten. Whipped.
A Cross.
A Hill. A Crowd. A Crown. Thorns. Nails. Hands. Feet.
A Spear.
A Cry.
A Die Cast.
Death.
An Ending.
Darkness.
Sorrow. Weeping.
Wait-
A Rumble.
An Angel.
A Stone. Rolling. A Witness.
A Miracle.
Alive.
Jesus.
Forever.
Sin.
Forgiven.
For Me: A Hope.
For You: A Future.
For Us: A Beginning.
We will see Him again.

Courtesy of http://www.wearethatfamily.com/2009/04/easter.html

Compassion Haiku

2009-03-28T01:52:00.000-07:00

Holy Spirit guides
promises prayerfully made
potential unlocks

Colossians 3

2009-03-25T10:55:00.000-07:00

...seek the things that are above...clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience...above all, clothe yourselves with love...let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts...and be thankful...whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.

Obedience

2009-03-19T05:55:00.000-07:00

With obedience comes prosperity.
With disobedience comes adversity.

Joshua 1:9

2009-03-08T08:00:00.000-07:00

I hereby command you: Be strong and courageous; do not be frightened or dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.

The Worst That Can Happen

2009-03-07T07:35:00.000-08:00

Thanks to Brent for these thoughts:

Another consideration is that when you already have a genuine conviction about Heaven and Eternity, death doesn't have to become "real" all of sudden. Graduating from this life to the next is already an established mindset. Going Home to be with Jesus is already REAL. We've discussed from day one that the "worst" that can happen to Abby is that she will get to wait for us in heaven, and skip the hardships of this life. The "worst"? How's that the "worst"? We will be unbearably sad without her, but we don't consider her being with God "a tragic end". if God calls her home, we will have a bittersweet dawn without her, but then be reunited for an eternal dinner banquet in the blink of an eye. If God's will is that she stays here: we win. If God's will is to grant her a "pass" from this hard life: we win. Either way, we win. That's what is "real" to us.

What a blessing to really KNOW that the worst result of disease is that we go Home.

Psalm 86:11

2009-03-07T07:21:00.000-08:00

Teach me your way, O Lord, that I may walk in your truth; give me an undivided heart to revere your name.

Deuteronomy 32:2

2009-03-07T07:18:00.000-08:00

Let my teaching fall like rain and my words descend like dew, like showers on new grass, like abundant rain on tender plants.

Amazing imagery.

Exemplify Online - March Issue

2009-03-03T06:01:00.000-08:00

http://www.mediafire.com/?wiljmm3mqrm

Col. 3:17

2009-02-26T11:35:00.000-08:00

Thanks to Brent for bringing this verse to my attention today:

And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.

Attention to Detail

2009-02-20T08:56:00.000-08:00

In reading through the Pentateuch, it's easy to get bogged down in the minute details God sets out for His people. No aspect of their lives is too small for His attention. He prescribes exact procedures for everything. He demands that each person be counted. Everyone is assigned a specific task and purpose. The sheer volume of words used to describe his directives is overwhelming. Until this last read-through, I confess I merely endured most of those details.

Yet.

Doesn't that just hit you with the fact that NOTHING is accomplished without our following his design? Without our following His purpose for us?

God's Gifts

2009-02-20T08:54:00.000-08:00

Reading Exodus...God gives us gifts so that we will be able to fulfill his purpose.

Exodus 9:19-21 Sheltered Under God

2009-01-23T05:43:00.001-08:00

From the earliest Sunday School lessons, we've known about Moses, Pharoh, and the plagues. As I was rereading part of this story today, the wisdom of Exodus 9:19-21 was revealed.

"Give an order now to bring your livestock and everything you have in the field to a place of shelter, because the hail will fall on every man and animal that has not been brought in and is still out in the field, and they will die." Those officials of Pharoh who feared the word of the Lord hurried to bring their slaves and their livestock inside. But those who ignored the word of the Lord left their slaves and livestock in the field.

If we 'fear the word of the Lord' and allow Him to shelter us, we will be protected. If we ignore the word of God and leave our lives to chance, leave everything 'in the field', we will not be under His protection.

God's Ultimate Will

2009-01-15T12:47:00.001-08:00

Now that Leslie Weatherhead's God's Ultimate Will has given me a new perspective, familiar passages of scripture are made new.

This morning's reading was about Joseph and his reunion with his father and brothers. Despite the wrongs he suffered at the hands of his brothers, he understood that he was fulfilling God's ultimate will, the continuation of the family of Jacob/Israel. God's intentional will did not include Joseph's brothers behaving in such an evil manner, but His circumstantial will came into play and Joseph's role in God's ultimate will was ensured.

I find it very reassuring that no matter what we humans do to try to steer ourselves in the ditch (thereby foiling God's intentional will), He will take us where we are (His circumstantial will); we can NOT foil God's ultimate will.

Hebrews 6:10

2009-01-08T20:06:00.001-08:00

God is not unjust; he will not forget your work and the love you have shown him as you have helped his people and continue to help them.

2009-01-08T19:40:00.000-08:00

Don’t take other’s misguided words and pain personally. All people deserve your love and respect, especially those who are hurting. Never add to someone’s suffering.

Be an Encourager

2009-01-08T19:19:00.000-08:00

Begin with prayer and reading the Bible. Encouragement from God is the best encouragement anyone can receive.

Brainstorm and practice some things to say. The more you encourage, the more it will become a part of you to do so.

Mail or email a card or note.

Pray for someone. Let them know that you have them on your mind and heart and are praying for them.

Does someone need help with a project or situation? Encourage them by joining to help them work through it. Let them know they are not alone.

Never grow tired of doing good. "Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up (Gal. 6:9)."

Psalm 18:30

2009-01-06T07:04:00.000-08:00

This God - his way is perfect: the promise of the Lord proves true; he is a shield for all who take refuge in him.

Colossians 3:12-13

2009-01-03T17:47:00.000-08:00

As God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.

I love the image of clothing myself with those qualities...covering myself completely with them. God forgives me (and He knows I need that forgiveness!) and it does seem that, in comparison, my forgiveness of others should be a given.

2009

2009-01-02T14:23:00.000-08:00

Call to me and I will answer you, and show you great and mighty things, which you do not know. ~ Jeremiah 33:3

Lori has asked us to share how we want God to work in our lives this year. I want to become more aware of the times when God is speaking to me. I plan to reread my chronological Bible this year and recommit myself to a scheduled quiet time with God.

The Shepherds

2008-12-09T10:39:00.000-08:00

The advent scripture this past Sunday was Luke 2:8-10.

In that region there were shepherds living in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. Then an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid; for see - I am bringing you good new of great joy for all the people."

The reader asked that we remember the shepherds, workers for the common good, steadfast watchmen isolated and alone, far from the warmth of home, doing the job no one wants. And yet God saw them, God valued them, and God declared the greatest news of all to them alone.

Here is the prayer: Today we give thanks for the shepherds among us, back-breaking laborers on whom our economy stands, those we overlook or rarely see, yet rely on for our very survival, the ones who have much to teach us about watching for God in the darkness.

Quite humbling. Really.

Positive Confrontation

2008-12-03T12:03:00.000-08:00

from Romans...
confront evil with good

Thorn in the Flesh

2008-12-03T11:55:00.000-08:00

2 Cor. 12:7-10: To keep me from becoming conceited because of these surpassingly great revelations, there was given me a thorn in my flesh, a messenger of Satan, to torment me. Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me. But he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me.

After reading this passage yet again and studying another viewpoint on it, I finally made the connection that like Paul, I should use my 'thorn in the flesh' to grow closer to God. I am trying to make a conscious effort to use it as a nudge to prayer.

Today's Reading

2008-12-01T12:02:00.000-08:00

Imagine what lives we might lead if we asked ourselves, often, if what we are doing is something that glorifies God.

Come, Ye Thankful People, Come

2008-11-21T08:38:00.000-08:00

Ever since learning this hymn for a school program in the fourth grade, I have loved it. I think even at nine years old I found comfort in the thought of the harvest being safe. Now that I am older and know that I am the harvest, there's even more comfort.

Come, ye thankful people, come, raise the song of harvest home;
All is safely gathered in, ere the winter storms begin.
God our Maker doth provide for our wants to be supplied;
Come to God’s own temple, come, raise the song of harvest home.

All the world is God’s own field, fruit unto His praise to yield;
Wheat and tares together sown unto joy or sorrow grown.
First the blade and then the ear, then the full corn shall appear;
Lord of harvest, grant that we wholesome grain and pure may be.

For the Lord our God shall come, and shall take His harvest home;
From His field shall in that day all offenses purge away,
Giving angels charge at last in the fire the tares to cast;
But the fruitful ears to store in His garner evermore.

Even so, Lord, quickly come, bring Thy final harvest home;
Gather Thou Thy people in, free from sorrow, free from sin,
There, forever purified, in Thy garner to abide;
Come, with all Thine angels come, raise the glorious harvest home.

Words In the Word

2008-11-14T19:30:00.000-08:00

A Meditation

2008-11-14T08:47:00.000-08:00

I was curious about the origins of the prayer sent to us by Sa (previous post). A quick Google search yielded the following information and a slightly different version of the prayer:

Cary Grant wore his stardom with grace and dignity and for all his fame and adulation, he remained incredibly unspoiled. In his later years, he made occasional appearances in theaters around the country, billed simply as "A Conversation with Cary Grant." He had no routine; he just sat perched on a long-legged stool in the center of the stage with a spotlight beamed on his famous face, and for two hours he answered random questions from the audience. They loved it. And so did he. He closed his "conversation" with a piece he called "A Meditation," saying he didn't know who wrote it, but it expressed his own sentiments about growing older.

"Now Lord, you've known me a long time. You know me better than I know myself. You know that each day I am growing older and someday may even be very old, so meanwhile please keep me from the habit of thinking I must say something on every subject and on every occasion. Release me from trying to straighten out everyone's affairs. Make me thoughtful, but not moody, helpful but not overbearing. I've a certain amount of knowledge to share; still it would be very nice to have a few friends who, at the end, recognized and forgave the knowledge I lacked. Keep my tongue free from the recital of endless details. Seal my lips on my aches and pains: They increase daily and the need to speak of them becomes almost a compulsion. I ask for grace enough to listen to the retelling of others' afflictions, and to be helped to endure them with patience. I would like to have improved memory, but I'll settle for growing humility and an ability to capitulate when my memory clashes with the memory of others. Teach me the glorious lesson that on some occasions, I may be mistaken. Keep me reasonably kind; I've never aspired to be a saint ... saints must be rather difficult to live with ... yet on the other hand, an embittered old person is a constant burden. Please give me the ability to see good in unlikely places and talents in unexpected people. And give me the grace to tell them so, dear Lord."

A Prayer

2008-11-14T08:36:00.000-08:00

This prayer was sent to us by Sa and came from the Porterfield bulletin:
Lord, keep me from the habit of thinking I must say something on every subject and on every occasion. Release me from craving to straighten out everybody's affairs. Keep my mind free from the recital of endless details; give me wings to get to the point. I ask for grace enough to listen to the tales of others' pains. Help me to endure them with patience but seal my lips on my own aches and pains; they are increasing and my love of rehearsing them is becoming sweeter as the years go by. Teach me the glorious lesson that occasionally it is possible that I may be mistaken. Keep me reasonaably sweet. I do not want to be a saint; some of them are so hard to live with, but a sour old person is one of the crowning works of the devil. Give me the ability to see good things in unexpected places and talents in unexpected people. Give me, O Lord, the grace to tell them so. Make me thoughtful, but not moody; helpful, but not bossy. With my vast store of wisdom, it seems a pity not to use it all, but Thou knowest, Lord, that I want a few friends at the end.

Promise

2008-11-13T06:47:00.001-08:00

We will tell to the coming generation the glorious deeds of the Lord, and his might, and the wonders that he has done. ~ Psalm 78:4

Blessed Assurance

2008-11-11T06:47:00.000-08:00

Blessed assurance, Jesus is mine. Oh, what a foretaste of glory devine.

Random pieces of I Thessalonians, Chapter 4:
Through Jesus, God will bring with him those who have died. The dead will rise. Then those who are living will be caught up in the clouds (isn't that an image? remember as a child how you wanted to lounge on the soft, comfy looking clouds?). All believers will meet God in the air and be with him forever.

Blessed assurance, Jesus is mine. Oh, what a foretaste of glory devine.

Praise

2008-11-10T12:44:00.000-08:00

Praise God, from Whom all blessings flow
Praise Him, all creatures here below
Praise Him above, ye heavenly host
Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost.

God's View

2008-10-21T06:08:00.000-07:00

In God's view of things, you don't fully understand a truth unless you put it into practice. The Bible is never about someone else; it's God speaking to you personally.

Miracles

2008-09-26T05:24:00.000-07:00

From this morning's reading:
The point of the miracles was to let people see the power of God so that they would repent of their sins.
Make it a point today to pray that your own faith will increase so that you will remain more open to miracles in your life.

The Name of Jesus

2008-09-12T13:33:00.001-07:00

The name Jesus is an anglicized form of the Latin Iesus, which itself is derived from the Greek name Iesous. Iesous was the Greek transliteration of the Aramaic name Yeshua, which itself was the later Aramaic form of the Hebrew name Yehoshua.
The Oxford English Dictionary

Refining

2008-09-10T05:43:00.000-07:00

Malachi 3:2-3
...for He is like a refiner's fire and like fullers' soap; he will sit as a refiner and purifier of silver, and he will purify the descendants of Levi and refine them like gold and silver, until they present offereings to the Lord in righteousness.

Psalm 66:10
For you, O God, tested us; you refined us like silver.

Isaiah 48:10
See, I have refined you...I have tested you in the furnace of affliction.

Zephaniah 3:17

2008-09-10T05:15:00.000-07:00

The Lord your God is with you, he is mighty to save. He will take great delight in you; he will quiet you with his love.

Emunah

2008-09-10T05:13:00.000-07:00

The Hebrew emunah is translated as faith and refers to loyalty and steadfastness, the trait of a person who holds on to God confidently even when things go wrong.

Obadiah 1:15

2008-09-10T05:11:00.001-07:00

For the day of the Lord is near against all the nations. As you have done, it shall be done to you: your deeds shall return on your own head.

In other words, what goes around comes around!

Jeremiah 6:16

2008-08-25T05:57:00.001-07:00

Thus says the Lord: Stand at the crossroads, and look, and ask for the ancient paths, where the good way lies; and walk in it, and find rest for your souls.

Malachi 3:10

2008-08-10T05:48:00.000-07:00

Bring the full tithe into the storehouse, so that there may be food in my house, and thus put me to the test, says the Lord of hosts; see if I will not open the windows of heaven for you and pour down for you an overflowing blessing.

Romans 5:1

2008-07-25T06:04:00.000-07:00

Therefore, being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.

Hebrews 11:1

2008-05-20T06:03:00.000-07:00

Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.

Self-Control vs. Gluttony

2008-05-12T18:01:00.000-07:00

The fruits of the spirit: love ~ joy ~ peace ~ patience ~ kindness ~ generosity ~ faithfulness ~ gentleness ~ self-control
The Holy Bible, New Revised Standard Version

The seven deadly sins that are supposed to be fatal to one's spiritual development and progress: anger ~ covetousness ~ envy ~ gluttony ~ lust ~ pride ~ sloth
The American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language

Commandments

2008-05-10T18:05:00.000-07:00

Many of the laws given to Moses are obsolete but the Ten Commandments are timeless. Although it's true that we are saved by faith, we also try to please God and the commandments are about pleasing him and having good relationships.

Not For You to Know

2008-05-05T21:48:00.000-07:00

It is not for you to know the times or periods that the Father has set by his own authority. ~ Acts 1:7

We don't start the conversation.

2008-04-29T21:41:00.000-07:00

Before they call I will answer, while they are yet speaking I will hear. ~ Isaiah 65:24 When we pray, it's because we are responding to God, not because we are starting a conversation.

A Personal Rule of Life

2008-04-28T18:07:00.000-07:00

From 'Right Here, Right Now' - The best way to make prayer a regular part of your life is to develop a personal rule of life linking prayer with the existing patterns of your day. Select one or two of your automatic behaviors throughout the day and commit yourself to carrying out a brief spiritual exercise every time you are about to assume the automatic behavior. The linking works only when the new behavior is inserted before the automatic behavior. The one-minute exercises are designed to open your conscious mind to God's presence and should be scattered throughout the day.

Perspective

2008-04-17T21:45:00.000-07:00

Step back and put time in the perspective of eternity. Consider the past, present, and future. God has always had a plan, continues to have a plan, and has all of the future planned.

Be still

2008-04-17T18:08:00.000-07:00

Be still and know that I am God. Sometimes that is a difficult command to obey. However, when I do obey, I find that my blessing are more apparent and my relationships more fulfilling. Thank you God, for being there always.

Faith -> Inner Serenity

2008-04-09T21:43:00.000-07:00

Getting It Right

2008-04-09T18:10:00.000-07:00

Colossians 3:15 says to let the peace of Christ rule in our hearts. It's a simple concept but if we aren't careful the world creeps in and tries to detour us.

Psalm 42:11

2008-04-08T18:12:00.000-07:00

Why are you cast down, O my soul, and why are you disquieted with me? Hope in God; for I shall again praise him, my help and my God.

Prior Musings

2008-04-01T12:26:00.000-07:00

intercessory prayer - a gift to be given, but also a gift to be received.

Be constantly prayerful and stay open to the guidance of the Holy Spirit.

Serve. Use me as your instrument to make a positive difference in the lives of the people you put in my path.

There is nothing more important than being close to God.

Approaching the future, remembering the past, being joyful in the present.

Gifts are given. Fruit is grown.

The human mind may devise many plans, but it is the purpose of the Lord that will be established. Proverbs 19:21

What a blessing it is to receive answer to prayer and to recognize that your prayer has been answered with such perfection that only God could have arranged all the pieces of the puzzle.

Now that my purpose has been clarified, be open to using it for God by being connected to Him. *Because of his greatness in us, He can accomplish great things through us.

Rejoice always. Pray without ceasing. Give thanks in all circumstances, for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for me. I Thes

Help me to do all the good I can, by all the means I can, in all the ways I can, in all the places I can, in all the times I can, to all the people I can, as long as ever I can. ~John Wesley

I give you a new commandment, that you love one another. Just as I have loved you, you also should love one another. John 13:34

When God is at the center of my life, I worship. When He's not, I worry. Worry is the warning light that God's been shoved to the sideline. PDL p 314

Call to me and I will answer you, and show you great and mighty things, which you do not know. ~ Jeremiah 33:3 God sent a friend to provide an answer to me, to show me a great thing which I did not know! After nearly four years of introspection, sharing my desire to know my purpose led to clarity: I am a connector of the past to the present for the future. Now that my purpose has been brought into focus, my prayer is that I will be able to discern how it can be used to further God's work. As I do, I hope to be guided by Proverbs 19:21 ~ The human mind may devise many plans, but it is the purpose of the Lord that will be established.

II Timothy ~ Grace was given to us in Christ Jesus before the ages began. Guard the good treasure entrusted to you, with the help of the Holy Spirit living in us.

Be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus.

Romans 8:36 ~ Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness; for we do not know how to pray as we ought, but that very Spirit intercedes with sighs too deep for words.

At the moment we repent and turn by faith to Jesus, we receive the breath of God. Christ through the Holy Spirit takes up residence in our hearts. B. Graham p. 140

No one knows a person's heart except God. Do not assume you know experience, motives, or inner thoughts of someone else; no matter how much time you spend with a person, some things remain hidden. A help to peace is to assign good motives to others rather than look for hurtful motives.

Faith is the channel through which God's grace is received.

Three aspects of faith: knowledge, emotion, will

Faith is manifested in our beliefs, our worship, and our morality.

Inner peace is the natural condition of the heart in which Christ lives.

Critical to ask God to soften heart and give courage and grace to begin healing process. If not ready to reconcile, prayer should be that God will help in becoming willing to be ready to reconcile.

Forgiveness means you no longer hold the offense against the offender: you've chosen to pardon the debt. Forgive as many times as it takes. Do not ever forget the price God paid for our forgiveness.

Hope is spiritual oxygen.

Proverbs 18:24 ~ Some friends play at friendship but a true friend sticks closer than one's nearest kin. I am grateful for my friends; their sharing in my joy means more than they will ever know.

Forgiveness is not optional. It's a choice God expects us to make. Prayer softens our heart toward those we need to forgive, including ourselves.

Eph. 4:32 ~ Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ has forgiven you.

We are under God's protection when we are obedient. Seek the will of God and allow His plan to unfold. ~ I Samuel 24