Step out and smile

Story of the day:  Step out and smile

Ruth Ryan, wife of Hall of Fame pitcher Nolan Ryan, had one moment she looked forward to in every one of her husbands’ games.  In Covering Home, she writes:

It probably happened the first time on the high-school baseball diamond in Alvin, Texas, in the mid-1960’s.  Then it happened repeatedly for three decades after that.  Inevitably, sometime during a game, Nolan would pop up out of the dugout and scan the stands behind home plate, looking for me.  He would find my face and grin at me, maybe snapping his head up in a quick nod as if to say, There you are; I’m glad.  I’d wave and flash him a smile.  Then he’d duck under the roof and turn back to the game.

It was a simple moment, never noted in record books or career summaries.  But of all the moments in all the games, it was the one most important to me. [Ryan, Ruth.  Covering Home. Word, 1995; as seen in Reader's Digest, September 1995, 87.]

Quote of the day: Craig Larson

“Those who love us long for us to acknowledge them, to give them our attention.  This is true not only in marriage and family, but in our relationship with God.  Throughout our days, in both the big and small moments, God enjoys it when we “step out of the dugout” and smile in His direction.”

Bible verse of the day:  Proverbs 3:6

“In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths.”

Prayer:

Dear Heavenly Father,

Thank You so much for my marriage.  Father, may I find ways each day to acknowledge the greatness in my spouse.  May the words that I speak be encouraging, uplifting, and full of love.  Thank You for sharing my spouse with me while I am here in this world.  May we make the most of each day that You have blessed us with.  Father, I thank You for always being a part of my life, no matter where I go, and teaching me how to love unconditionally, just as You do.  I love You and thank You for this day!

In Jesus Name I pray,

Amen

Love is found in many ways

Story of the day:  Love is found in many ways

In Rhythms of the Heart, Phil Hook writes:

My mother and I did not “mix.”  I chose a typical teenage solution to the problem–silence.

I would leave for school in the morning, come home to eat, then leave again.  When I was finally home late at night, I read books.

Invariable, my mother would come downstairs and ask me if I wanted a sandwich.  I grunted my assent.  She cooked egg ad bacon sandwiches for me night after night until I left home for good.

Years later, when our relationship was mended, she told me why she had made all those sandwiches.  ”If you would ever talk to me, it was while I made that sandwich,” she said.

Hook writes, “I’ve learned love is found in a consistent display of interest, commitment, sacrifice, and attention.” [As abridged in The Christian Reader, May/June 1995, 34.]

Quote of the day:  Mother Teresa

“I have found the paradox that if I love until it hurts, then there is no more hurt, but only more love.”

Bible verse of the day:  1 Corinthians 13:7

“Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.”

Prayer:

Dear Heavenly Father,

Thank You for love, especially Your Love.  Father may I wake each day and live the days to their fullest, sharing love with all those around me.  May You rain down on me with Your love, Grace, and Mercy, that I in turn will spill over into this world with the same love, grace, and mercy that You have given to me.  May I make each day, each moment count in all that I do.  I love You and thank You for this blessed day!

In Jesus Name I pray,

Amen

If you help to build it, they will come!

Story of the day:  If you help to build it, they will come!

I can’t get Nehemiah 4:6 out of my heart.  ”So we build the wall, and the entire wall was joined together up to half its height, for the people had a mind to work.”  The wall had been broken and debris lined the streets for many, many years, so much so, that the people got used to seeing the debris around them, allowing something that was in ruins to become a comfortable part of their life.  So often we see things that distress us and yet everything that we try to do on our own doesn’t have as much as power as when we work together to fix it.  And sometimes, we get used to seeing things the way that they are, in ruins, and leave it for someone else to fix.  If we are going to change the way that things are, then first we need to recognize that we can’t do it on our own. We need each other.  Working together to take part in rebuilding a  wall that has been torn down for a long time will make us a stronger unit.

It wasn’t until Nehemiah suggested that they all work together to rebuild the wall that they all came together to accomplish this task.  Because of their uniting and working together, the rebuilding of the wall was accomplished, built to protect and to make it stronger than it had ever been before.  The building of the wall took only 52 days to complete.  A wall that had been down for almost an entire century, was rebuilt so quickly because people decided to work together to finish a task that God had given to them.

Are there things in your life that you have gotten used to seeing (the brokenness of a wall), or pretty lax in how things are (comfortable with not wanting to step out by faith and help rebuild the wall), or maybe you are complaining (because things aren’t fixed the way you want, yet aren’t doing anything about it)? If so, don’t fret, instead, open your eyes to the brokenness of the wall and step out by faith by working with your brothers and sisters in Christ to help rebuild what man has torn down.  It’s pretty amazing how much work will get done for God when people open their eyes to the possibility and unite as one to work for the Kingdom of Heaven!  After all, if you help to build it, people will come.

Quote of the day:  Merrill C. Tenney

“Unity prevails wherever there is a deep and genuine experience of Christ; for the fellowship of the new birth transcends all historical and denominational boundaries.”

Bible verse of the day:  Nehemiah 4:6

“So we built the wall, and the entire wall was joined together up to half its height, for the people had a mind to work.”

Prayer:

Dear Heavenly Father,

As walls have been torn down and in ruins, I pray that we as brothers and sisters in Christ unite, to rebuild all that has been torn down, so that the wall of Christianity is built stronger than it has ever been built.  May we forget all the things that have divided us over the years and stand firm on Your Word that we will accomplish so much more for Your Kingdom when we unite as one.  Father, I see a shifting of how we reach people for Your Kingdom.  May we as Your servants bring You all the glory in reaching all nations.  I love You and thank You for this blessed day!

In Jesus Name I pray,

Amen

There are no instant heroes

Story of the day:  There are no instant heroes

In the Last Days Newsletter, Leonard Ravenhill tells about a group of tourists visiting a picturesque village who walked by an old man sitting beside a fence.  In a rather patronizing way, one tourist asked, “Were any great men born in this village?”

The old man replied, “Nope, only babies.”

A frothy question brought a profound answer.  There are no instant heroes–whether in this world or the Kingdom of God.  Growth takes time.

Quote of the day:  Robert Tuttle

“The Christian walk is much like riding a bicycle; we are either moving forward or falling off.”

Bible verse of the day:  2 Peter 3:18 (NKJV)

“but grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.  To Him be the glory both now and forever.  Amen.”

Prayer:

Dear Heavenly Father,

To You alone be all the glory.  I pray to grow daily in Your Grace and Knowledge, sharing Your Light to all whom I meet.  May every tool that I use be used for Your Glory and may I continue moving forward towards the finish line.  I love You and thank You for this blessed day!

In Jesus Name I pray,

Amen

Funny Friday Quote: Who’s Driving?

Funny Friday Quote:  Who’s Driving?

Two elderly women were out driving.  Cruising along, they came to an intersection.  The stoplight was red, but the driver kept going.  Alarmed the passenger thought, I must be losing it.  I could have sworn we just went through a red light.

They came to another red light.  Again, they drove right through.  Again, the passenger questioned her sanity, but kept quiet.  Still, she was getting nervous.

At the 3rd intersection, sure enough, it happened again.  The passenger couldn’t let it go this time.  She turned to her friend and said, “Mildred, did you know that we just ran 3 red lights in a row?  You could have killed us both!”

Mildred said, “Oh my!  Am I driving?”

Bible verse of the day:  Proverbs 16:24 (NKJV)

“Pleasant words are like a honeycomb, sweetness to the soul and health to the bones.”

Prayer:

Dear Heavenly Father,

Thank You for Your sweetness of Words.  Today as I head out, may I use pleasant words to encourage others and share Your Gospel with those around me.  May the things I do glorify Your name and bring a smile onto Your face.  I love You and thank You for this blessed day!

In Jesus Name I pray,

Amen

Propelled by a gentle breeze

Story of the day:  Propelled by a gentle breeze

Perhaps you have spent some time in a sailboat.  Relying on the boat to stay afloat, you slide across the water propelled by a gentle breeze.  Yet within the confines of the shores, you have the opportunity and responsibility of guiding the rudder to determine the direction of travel.

Is that not similar to living within the will of God?  As Christians we must rest upon God to sustain us, and upon the breath of his Spirit to empower us.  Yet within his moral boundaries, we each have the opportunity and responsibility to determine our course. [Larson, Brian.  750 Engaging Illustrations for preachers, teachers, and writers. Grand Rapids: Baker Publishing Group.  pg. 222-223.]

Quote of the day:  Chuck Swindoll

“He carries you from the unknown to the known and then backs off and says, “Now its your turn.”

Bible verse of the day:  Romans 12:2 (The Message Bible)

“Don’t become so well-adjusted to your culture that you fit into it without even thinking.  Instead, fix your attention on God.  You’ll be changed from the inside out.  Readily recognize what he wants from you, and quickly respond to it.  Unlike the culture around you, always dragging you down to its level of immaturity, God brings the best out of you, develops well-formed maturity in you.”

Prayer:

Dear Heavenly Father,

Today I rest upon  You to sustain me in every way, and the breath of Your Spirit to empower me as I head into my day.  Let me open my ears and heart to Your Gentle words that speak to me, guiding me in my life.  Father, You have my attention.  May I recognize the things that You are asking of me this day, and quickly respond to it. Thank You for this blessed day!

In Jesus Name I pray,

Amen

“Every pain, there is healing!”

Story of the day:  ”Every pain, there is healing!”

At some time or another, we all experience some type of pain.  Whether it be pain caused from the death of a loved one or the pain caused from someone else hurting us, with every pain, there is healing!   It is during these times, that we should embrace them, and learn all that we can from them.  Even Jesus’ pain was seen as He wept at the graveside of a friend or “Mourned over Jerusalem because its people had lost their sensitivity to God and His Word” (p.96).

What ever your pain or suffering may be,

it is an undeniable fact that usually those who have suffered most are best able to comfort others who are passing through pain or suffering.  They know what it is to suffer, and they understand more than others what a suffering person is experiencing-physically, emotionally, and spiritually.  They are able to empathize as well as sympathize with the afflictions of others because of what they have experienced in their own lives. [Graham, Billy.  Hope for Each Day.  Words of Wisdom and Faith. Nashville: J. Countryman Publishing. 2002. pgs. 96 & 130.]

Most importantly, Jesus recognizes your need to cry or feel the pain that you are going through.  Take this time of your life to embrace Him with all that you have and share with Him your pain, because with every pain, He will bring healing.

Quote of the day:  Joseph Parker

“Preach to the suffering, and you will never lack a congregation.  There is a broken heart in every pew.”

Bible verse of the day:  2 Corinthians 12:9

“And He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.”  Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.”

Prayer:

Dear Heavenly Father,

Thank You for Your Grace.  It is Your Grace that is sufficient for my life and Your power that rests upon me in my time of need.  With every pain, You bring healing and I am so blessed during this time as You hold me and make me strong.  I love You and thank You for this blessed day!

In Jesus Name I pray,

Amen

Death is never easy

Story of the day: Death is never easy

Death is never easy.  No matter how we may prepare for it, or when it is unexpected, is it never easy to face.  Death, just like birth is a part of life that we all come across at some time or another.  I was told today that we get x date for our birthday, and x day for our death date.  But none of them matter as much as what we do in between.  What lasting legacy are we leaving behind for our loved ones?

As I said goodbye to my grandmother today and watched as she took her last breath from this world and went to be our Father in Heaven, I am torn by my fleshly desires of wanting her to speak once again or just to see her smile.  Though I know that these things will have to wait, I am comforted by the fact that I know that she is singing harmonies with the angels and  dancing on streets of gold with my Savior.  Grandma, you lived a long life, with many lasting long memories, that I will take with me until we meet again.  Your lasting legacy lives on in your great big family that you loved so much.  Thank You for always showing, by example, what it means to love others more than you love yourself!!  You will be missed by so many!  I LOVE YOU!

Quote of the day will be down for a few days as we celebrate my grandmother’s life and long-lasting legacy that she has left behind.  Thank you for your continued support and prayers through this time in our family’s life.

Our family thanks you!

In Christ’s Love,

Christy, Jeff, Christen, Jeffrey II, Joshua, Lupe, Manuel, Diana, Michael, Tony, Angela, Scott, Brittany, Mercedes, Scotty, Tina, Pete, Daniel, Jody, Shirley, Libby, Connie, Daniel, Brandon, Ashley, JohnnyRay, Dora, Michael, Jennifer, Logan, Hailey, Alyssa, Danelle, Jerry, Delynn, Aaron, Celicia, Selena, Jon, Linda, Leah, Alex, Alyssa, Lauren, Sentra, and Brian, and our extended family.

Quote of the day:  Albert Schweitzer

“I don’t know what your destiny will be, but one thing I know:  the only ones among you who will be really happy are those who have sought and found how to serve.”

Bible verse of the day:  Romans 15:7

“Accept one another, then, just as Christ accepted you, in order to bring praise to God.”

Prayer:

Dear Heavenly Father,

Thank you for my wonderful Grandmother.  Though she will be missed so much here on this Earth, I know she is in a much better place with You.  Father I pray that You wrap Your loving arms around my grieving family today and for the days to come.  Thank You for sharing her with us an extra 2 years!  Her lasting legacy will be shared by many for the rest of our lives.  I love You and thank You for this blessed day!

In Jesus Name I pray,

Amen

God is here to rescue you.

Story of the day:  God is here to rescue you.

Several years ago an eastern paper reported this story:

One evening a woman was driving home when she noticed a huge truck behind her that was driving uncomfortably close. She stepped on the gas to gain some distance from the truck, but when she sped up the truck did too.  The faster she drove, the faster the truck did.

Now scared, she exited the freeway.  But the truck stayed with her.  The woman then turned up a main street, hoping to lose her pursuer in traffic.  But the truck ran a red light and continued the chase.

Reaching the point of panic, the woman whipped her car into a service station and bolted out of her auto screaming for help.  The truck driver sprang from his truck and ran toward her car.  Yanking the back door open, the driver pulled out a man hidden in the backseat.

The woman was running from the wrong person.  From his high vantage point, the truck driver had spotted a would-be rapist in the woman’s car.  The chase was not his effort to harm her but to save her even at the cost of his own safety.

Quote of the day:  Craig Larson

“Many people run from God, fearing what He might do to them.  But His plans are for good not evil–to rescue us from the hidden sins that endanger our lives.”

Bible verse of the day:  John 1:29 (NKJV)

“The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him, and said, “Behold! The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!”

Prayer:

Dear Heavenly Father,

Thank You for rescuing me from myself.  I am so grateful that You always have my best interest in mind in every area of my life.  May I continue to turn down the noise of distractions in my life so that I may hear Your Voice as You whisper my name.  I love You and thank You for this blessed day!

In Jesus Name I pray,

Amen

 

Keep the Vision Alive!”

Quote of the day:  Keep the Vision Alive!

In the book A Saviour for All Seasons, William Barker relates the story of a bishop from the East Coast who many years ago paid  a visit to a small, midwestern religious college.  He stayed at the home of the college president, who also served as professor of physics and chemistry.  After dinner, the bishop declared that the millennuim couldn’t be far off, because just about everything about nature had been discovered and all inventions conceived.

The young college president politely disagreed and said he felt there would be many more discoveries.  When the angered bishop challenged the president to name just one such invention, the president replied he was certain that within fifty years men would be able to fly.

“Nonsense!” sputtered the outraged bishop.  ”Only angels are intended to fly.

The bishop’s name was Wright, and he had two boys at home who would prove to have greater vision than their father.  Their names:  Orville and Wilbur.

Quote of the day:  Craig Larson

“With a clear vision of what we can become in Christ, no ocean of difficulty is too great.  Without it, we rarely move beyond our current boundaries.”

Bible verse of the day:  Ephesians 1:17 (NKJV)

“that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give to you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him,”

Prayer:

Dear Heavenly Father,

You speak to us differently, sharing bits and pieces of a picture that isn’t always clear to me.  I have faith and trust in You to put it all together, according to Your purpose and plan.  I pray to not move ahead of what You have planned, but that I listen to Your soft words in a loud world.  May I take the time to really listen and not hear what I want to hear, but what You are sharing with me.  I love You and thank You for this blessed day!

In Jesus name I pray,

Amen