Quote Of The Day

Story of the day:  The Long Way Around

As a child, my father would love to take the scenic route everywhere we went.  I always questioned my dad, because as a child, everything always seemed like it took longer than it needed to, whenever we went the long way.  I just wanted to get home and play outside with my friends. Oh, how many times I wish I could drive so that I could get us home faster.   As I look back at all of the things that my parents did for us, the taking the long way home, the sightseeing and even parking as far away as possible, those times in my life led to some of the best memories for me as a child.  I remember one summer in Spokane, Washington, we decided to take the really long way home. Along the way, we stopped by this little old gas station, where my dad bought my brother and I a Slow Poke candy. Isn’t it funny that even the candy was slow?  He then took us hiking through some of the most gorgeous mountains that I have ever seen.  As we crossed a beautiful bridge that led down to a flowing, crystal clear stream, it was then that I knew how special these “going out the way trips” were.  My dad and mom enjoyed spending as much time with us as possible and these little adventures that we always seemed to find ourselves in, were his way of telling us how much he loves us.  We weren’t ever in a hurry and the little things didn’t seem to bug him.  He just wanted to ”take the long way around” because he knew there was something beautiful that would come from it, and those beautiful times are forever embedded in my heart.  You see, sometimes God will take you through a place that you have never been before and you might be thinking, why am I “going the long way around” , when I can just connect the dots from point A to point B.  Sometimes we might want to take the wheel and drive where we want to go.  That’s just it, I should be leaving the driving up to God.  I believe sometimes God does this so that You can spend that quality time with Him that He deserves. If you let Him take you “out of your way”, and sometime that requires the “long way”,  you too will see the beauty of things along the way to the place that He is getting you to.  Don’t miss out on that blessing in your life.  As you are going the “long way around”, open your heart and mind to the things that He has planned for you and it might be the most beautiful times in your life.  Embrace each moment of your life and live it to the fullest. 

Quote of the day:  John Boykin 

“Time is life–nothing more, nothing less.  The way you spend your hours and your days is the way you spend your life.” 

Bible Verse of the day:  Proverbs 16:9 

The human mind plans the way, but the Lord directs the steps. 

Prayer: 

Dear Heavenly Father, Thank You for taking the long way around things.  Thank You for taking Your time and spending that quality time with me.  It is during these times that You show me just how much You love me and I am able to see the beauty in that.  I ask that when I start to want things my way to remind me that there is a reason and a purpose for not getting it when I want it.  Sometimes my flesh just likes to take over and for that I am sorry.  Thank You for the gift of knowing You through these amazing memories that I will always have.  Thank You for the gift of You in my life.  I love You Lord! 

In Jesus Name I pray,

Amen

Story of the day:  Planting Seeds

This past Saturday, Jeff and I spent most of the day working in the yard and we decided to plant some seeds (flowers).  As he and I dug all of the holes for the seeds and a fence around the garden, Jeff and I noticed some big weeds that were dwelling in the garden. He and I began digging each one out, to the point that he got a huge blister in his hand.  Although the pain was intensifying with every dig, he kept on digging and getting the holes ready for the seeds (flowers), knowing that if we didn’t remove the weeds, the seeds (flowers) would not be able to grow and possibly could die if the weeds took over.  We also wanted to make sure that the seeds (flowers) would be planted quickly so that they could start taking root immediately. Everyday, we are all planting seeds into our lives.  Some seeds become beautiful flowers, trees, bushes, or plants, but some of the seeds that we planted may be taken over by weeds of sin in our lives.  As you begin to see the flowers start to grow (faith/your walk with God), you need to become aware of any weeds that may be present in your life.  As soon as the weeds are spotted, you must pull them out very quickly or they will spread like wild fire and will kill all of the seeds that you may have planted.  God wants us to plant the seeds of faith so that we can become like the beautiful flowers, plants, or bushes that He created us to be, but when sin interferes with the planting of God’s Seeds into our lives, we can become a big weed which will consume the beautifulness that God created. So, take care of your seeds, by watering/feeding them (Bible), talking to them (prayer), and pulling out weeds (sin), and you will see your flowers (faith) grow. 

Quote of the day:   Leo Buscaglia: 

The fact that I can plant a seed and it becomes a flower, share a bit of knowledge and it becomes another’s, smile at someone and receive a smile in return, are to me continual spiritual exercises. 

Bible Verse of the day:  Mark 4:31-32 

It is like a mustard seed, which, when sown upon the ground, is the smallest of all the seeds on earth; yet when it is sown it grows up and becomes the greatest of all shrubs, and puts forth large branches, so that the birds of the air can make nests in its shade. 

Prayer: 

Dear God, Today I want to plant Your Word into my life.  I ask that You show me any weeds that are visible to me or that may be hiding, so that with Your help I can pull them out immediately and ask for forgiveness. I know that sometimes it is hard to tell the difference between a flower and a week, so I ask to please show me the weeds that I may think are flowers in my life.  Let my seeds of faith start to take root and grow so that they can become what You create them to be.  I thank You for today and the wisdom to speak the Words that You have given to me.   

In Your Son’s Holy and Precious Name I pray,

Amen

Story of the day:  Crying Out to God 

     There have been two times in my life that I have questioned God about why certain things in my life have happened.  The first was in 1999 when my mother almost died of a heart attack at such a young age.  I was pregnant with my middle son and the thought of losing my mom at that time seemed unbelievable to me.  The second time was in 2004 when my husband and I were having issues and almost split up.  It was during these times that God seemed the farthest away from me.  Oh, how wrong I was, or silly to think that way.  I remember vividly crying out to God, laying on my bathroom floor, and asking Him, “Why are You doing this?, or better yet another question, “Why would You allow this to happen?”  You see my friends, during our situations, whatever they may be, sometimes we have to go through things in order to grow.  And although it seems at the time as if we can’t endure them, I found out that God never gives you things that you can’t handle.  I have also learned not to question God, because in the two situations, God already had a plan, and His plan had some very important things that needed to be addressed.  In these two situations, God gave me the strength to talk to my mom about being saved, which she was, and to look deep within myself and recognize how to treasure the gift (my husband) and become close to him, which we now are.  I don’t ever wish bad things upon people, but I am very grateful to God for allowing me to go through them.  It is during these times that I have become stronger, wiser, and closer to God.  So, I say to you, those that may be experiencing some troubles in your life, not to focus on the bad, but focus on God.  Sometimes when you are going through the bad, I know from experience how very hard it is to focus on God, but don’t give into your feeling. Instead trust God and He will see you through anything.  God will take all the steps to guide you except that last one.  You just have to take the last uncomfortable and unfamiliar step.  Once you do, it is amazing!  You will never be the same!  My prayer for you is that you will be forever changed!  Christy

Quote of the day:  Leith Anderson

“Adversity is often the window of opportunity for change.  Few people or organizations want to change when there is prosperity and peace.  Major changes are often precipitated by necessity.”

Bible Verse of the day:  Psalms 9:9

The Lord is a stronghold for the oppressed, a stronghold in times of trouble.

Prayer:

Dear Heavenly Father,

Thank You for today.  Lord, I felt a strong need to write this story today.  I don’t know who it is for, but I pray that You comfort them and allow them to focus on You at this time.  I pray that You give them the strength to endure their situation.  I ask that You just wrap Your Loving arms around them to assure them that everything is going to be okay.  Lord, I don’t know everything, but the little knowledge that You have blessed me with, may I use it to help others that may be going through similar situations.  Lord, I thank You for allowing me to go through the things that I did, because without having gone through it, I would still be in the same situation or worse.  I pray that I continue to raise the bar in my life so that I can get closer to You.

In Jesus Name I pray,

Amen