Joyful Home Front

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CONSIDER THE LILY'S OF THE FIELD... Matthew 6:28

Spring is here and the time to plant the garden is just around the corner. Mothers day is usually when most people plant their plot in our area. Deciding what to plant can be a challenge for someone who has never planted a garden. First, you have to decide if your plot will be flowers or vegetables or a combination. I like to have some of both. There are some flowers that keep away pesky bugs that harm your plants.

Next, you have to prepare the soil, remove all the weeds, grass and rocks, mixing in the fertilizer and maybe some sand if your soil is too much like clay. This can be one of the most important steps. The soil has to be just right and must be properly softened.

Once you have the soil ready, it is time to plant, but dont get into to big a hurry. It is very important to place your plants so they will get the most sunshine and light. For instance you wouldnt want to plan the corn on the south side of the plot as it will grow to tall and keep the sunshine from the rest of the garden. Placement is very important.

Remember to water regularly and keep your garden free of weeds. Weeds can crowd out the plants you want and drink up all the water. Dont forget to cultivate the soil once the plants are established.

From a spiritual perspective, we need to treat our lives like a garden. Some of us are flower gardens, we bring beauty and enjoyment. Others of us are like a vegetable garden, useful and necessary for life. Then others are a combination garden. I think God intended for us to be combination gardens...spreading beauty, His fragrance among those we touch, while at the same time being useful and necessary.

The apostle Paul talked about us being seeds and being planted in Gods garden. Read these words from 1 Corinthians 3:6-9 in The Living Bible;

My work was to plant the seed in your hearts, and Apollo's' work was to water it, but it was God, not we, who made the garden grow in your hearts. The person who does the planting or watering isn't very important, but God is important because he is the one who makes things grow. Apollo's and I are working as a team, with the same aim, though each of us will be rewarded for his own hard work. We are only God's coworkers. You are God's garden, not ours; you are God's building, not ours.

Allow God to work in your garden...it will truly be a masterpiece, fit for the KINGDOM of GOD.

Happiness and joy do not come from the things we have on the outside but what we have inside our heart mind and soul

The day, water, sun, moon, night --
I do not have to purchase these things with money.
- Plautus -

If you want to feel rich,

just count all the things you have

that money can't buy.

Author Unknown

WHEN LOOKING FOR MEANING IN LIFE...LOOKTO THE GIVER OF MEANING, GOD HIMSELF REVEALS TRUE MEANING.

Christ himself is the Creator who made everything in heaven and earth, the things we can see and the things we can't; the spirit world with its kings and kingdoms, its rulers and authorities; all were made by Christ for his own use and glory. Colossian 1:16TLB

God of wonders

By Chris Tomlin

Lord of Heaven and Earth
Lord of all creation
Lord of Heaven and Earth

Lord of all creation
Of the water, earth and sky
The Heavens are your Tabernacle
Glory To the Lord on high

God of wonders
Beyond our galaxy
You are holy, holy
The universe
Declares your majesty
You are holy, holy

Early in the morning
I will celebrate the light
And when I stumble into darkness
I will call your name by night

God of wonders
Beyond our galaxy
You are holy, holy
The universe
Declares your majesty
You are holy, holy

Hallelujah (to the lord of heaven and earth
Holy, holy
Holy, holy

God of wonders
Beyond our galaxy
You are holy, holy

Precious Lord,
Reveal your heart to me
Father hold me, hold me

The Universe
Declares your majesty
You are Holy, Holy
Holy, Holy

Hallelujah (to the lord of heaven and earth

These are the words to one of my favorite Praise and Worship songs. And each time we sing them, the words are on a background of pictures from space looking back at the earth. It just sends chills through my body when I think about the awesomeness of God. He created the universe, us and all the many things we enjoy.

One of my favorite things to do as the weather warms up is to go out where the lights of the city cant hinder my view and just look up at the night sky. For an adventure, drive out of town up by the monument or on some dark county road and turn off the lights, the car engine, and roll down the windows. If you really want to be adventurous take your lawn chairs and get out and just look up at the night sky. Contemplate the words of this song. Then just spend some time praising the Lord.

The science community has discovered there are many more galaxies than just ours and they discover new ones almost weekly.

I remember when the Russian cosmonaut went up in space and said he didnt see God. I remember thinking, How could you not see Him, you must have your eyes closed.

We have a truly AWESOME GOD...Open your eyes and look around, look at the many great blessing He has given us, through the EARTH & SKY. We are Blessed People

Reflections:

• People will forget what you said,
• People will forget what you did,
• But people will never forget how you made them feel..
  

Maya Angelou

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Therefore do not let anyone judge you by what you eat or drink, or with regard to a religious festival, a New Moon celebration or a Sabbath day. These are a shadow of the things that were to come; the reality, however, is found in Christ. Colossians 2:16-17

Just around the corner, it is coming, yet today its hard to imagine.

Saint Patrick's Day, Spring,

then Easter!

For the most part, the world passes by Saint Patricks day without any notice, as they do many of the holidays that are not part of their culture. In the German culture, they dont celebrate this day. It is just another day. Growing up, my familys traditions didnt include this day either, except that it was my birthday. I was 10 years old before I knew that it was a day to be celebrated otherwise.

I went to school like normal, giving no thought to wearing green. All of a sudden I was being pinched and teased...why? Hey, yall its my birthday! Well, I didnt know about Saint Patricks Day. I couldnt imagine why my friends were being mean to me. But many of them were Catholic and they celebrated Saint Patricks Day with many of the Irish traditions of feasting and celebration.

Not only was the wearing of GREEN among them but some other items of their gayety were the use of shamrocks, and leprechaunsall new to me. And one thing I didnt understand was why they didnt get to eat meat except on that day all during the season of Lent. I wasnt Catholic or Lutheran and we didnt celebrate Lent either. So whats the big deal? We had just celebrated Abraham Lincolns and George Washingtons birthdays so I assumed he was like a president. How special! Now, I am sure the teacher told us about this man, and read the story of him, but as a child the impact didnt really sink in.

It was not until much later in my life that I truly grasped the meaning of his life. Patrick was a young boy taken captive by invaders of his homeland, England, and whisked away to Ireland, where he was held captive (forced to be a shepherd in isolation) for years. Upon his escape and return to his native land of England, his faith in God that had grown out of his isolation began to move him to return to the land that had enslaved him as a youth to bring the Gospel of Christ to them. He studied for 15 years then went back to a pagan Ireland to be a missionary. His time there met with more opposition. But after his death he became a hero, and it is the date of his death that is the cause of celebration. Amazing how one mans life can change things.

Im sure those who started the celebration of his death, honored the good things he did such as bringing Christianity to Ireland, but I dare say that most of the people who celebrate his life today know nothing about the true man. When you hear of the day Saint Patricks Day you think of the parties, parades, the green beer, shamrocks, the folk lore of the little people with the pots of gold, and the feasting, nothing religious at all. One of the items that people who are Irish use is the Celtic cross. It is said that it incorporates the pagan worship of the sun with the cross of Christ.

Makes me wonder about the man Jesus whose life we celebrate, with Christmas, His birth, His life, His miracles, and Easter, His death and resurrection. Could someone looking on really know the true meaning by the way we celebrate and the way we live our lives daily? Has He changed us? Or is it just another day to get together and have a party, to give and receive gifts? Has the celebration of the true meaning been lost in the commercialism of the modern society?

The whole point is this...FOCUS ON CHRIST, HIS BIRTH, HIS LIFE (of the good miracles, and teaching), HIS DEATH, RESURRECTION, and HIS ASCENSION, not on men and their lives. Allow the focus on Christ to change us and the world in which we live for HIS GLORY

not ours.

Celebrate CHRIST DAILY!

One of the most meaningful symbols of the Irish culture is the Claddagh a symbol designed by an Irish preist. The crown signifies God and our loyalty to Him. The right hand that of the Son (Jesus Christ) The Left hand the Holy Spirit. The heartsignifiesour allegenace to theHolyTrinity. God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit.

OurLoyalty we give toGod.

With our hands we serve the Trinity in all we do.

With our hearts we love those around us and bring them to the Trinity.

The Shamrock isone of the earliest symbols of the Holy Trinity among the Irish

There are other meaning to the claddagh ring and used in traditional Irish weddings. Most young girls are given a claddagh ring to wear by her motheruntil she is engaged. If the heart is facing outward she has not given her heart to anyone. But if it faces inward then she belongs to her lover.

"And so I am giving a new commandment to you now-love each other just as much as I love you. Your strong love for each other will prove to the world that you are my disciples."

John 13:34-35 TLB

This is how we know what LOVE is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers. If anyone has material possessions and sees his brother in need but has no pity on him, how can the LOVE of God be in him?

Dear children, let us not LOVE with words or tongue but with actions and in truth. This then is how we know that we belong to the truth, and how we set our hearts at rest in his presence whenever our hearts condemn us. For God is greater than our hearts, and he knows everything.

1 John 3:16-20

If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not LOVE, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but have not LOVE, I am nothing. If I give all I possess to the poor and surrender my body to the flames, but have not LOVE, I gain nothing. LOVE is patient, LOVE is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. LOVE does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. LOVE never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will pass away. For we know in part and we prophesy in part, but when perfection comes, the imperfect disappears. When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put childish ways behind me. Now we see but a poor reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known. And now these three remain: faith, hope and LOVE. But the greatest of these is LOVE

1 Corinthians 13

May the Lord make your LOVE increase and overflow for each other and for everyone else, just as ours does for you. May he strengthen your hearts so that you will be blameless and holy in the presence of our God and Father when our Lord Jesus comes with all his holy ones.

1 Thessalonians 3:12-13

Above all, LOVE each other deeply, because LOVE covers over a multitude of sins. Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling. Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God's grace in its various forms.

1 Peter 4:8-10
Your LOVE has given me great joy and encouragement, because you...have refreshed the hearts of the saints.

Philemon 7

After much thought as to what I should write about this month, my words seemed meaningless. These are all scriptures from God not me...but I can say Ditto. BUT these are my words...I LOVE YOU ALL...GOD BLESS

Even to your old age and gray hairs I am He, I am He who will sustain you. I have made you and I will carry you; I will sustain you and I will rescue you. Isaiah 46:4-5

Family Celebrations

Friends...Winters cold...Spring Renewals...Summers coming

Soon Autumn and Winter will be upon us once again and we will complete this cycle of the year one more time.

The days, the years they come and go, each one passing so quickly. Things change while we move on. Sometimes for the better and sometimes not. However, life is a cycle that is a fact that will be with us until the end of time. Were just not sure how much time will be given us. So making the most of it is the key to a happy, fulfilled life, ONE with purpose.

While reading the Christmas story again this past month and contemplating the messages it held for us in today's world and how it would impact us this new year, I pondered the circumstance that Mary and Joseph had to face while traveling when she was near full term of her pregnancy. It was because of taxes, or was it? Truly not so, it was prophesied in days of old. Yes, it was meant to be! How else would they get to Bethlehem from Nazareth so it could be fulfilled?

We hear talk of taxes, and health care and all the social issues of life, and their impact on our lives. Oh how nice when things were more simple. As you enter by roadway The Good Life is the inscription you see on the Nebraska State sign. We do enjoy it here.

This year we have been privileged to have my mom from Tennessee (age 83+) with us for Christmas. She had worked every day of her life until just 5 years ago, when at the age 78 she found out she had cancer. It was so advanced that at one point the doctor wasnt sure he could even save her life though the night. But he said he did his part, and God would have to do the rest. God did, Praise His Name! She has survived. When she returns to Tennessee in January shell have her last test for the cancer free program.

Mom subsists on less per month than would be right. Not much for gifts or even any luxury items. She scrimps and saves every little thing. When my step sister, Brenda, sent her peaches from California, Mom took the peels to make peach butter, something she so much enjoys. Mom is concerned about how much water and electricity is used, every little morsel is utilized when it come to food, areas we all could most likely improve on in our lives of plenty. She lives life simply, is fun loving, laughs and giggles at everything.

What a joy to have her here! It is great to watch movies with her as she enjoys them so, giggling at the funny stuff and crying when her heart is touched. Mom loves the LORD first and foremost, she loves us too, as well as her church which is the center of her life. She spends her time reading her Bible, quilting and she goes to the nursing home to visit the elderly. On the nights when she cant sleep she will get up and sew on her quilts, and if truth be told spends those hours in prayer for all us children. Oh to learn these lessons of being frugal. Living life more simply, less stressful.

Truly, she is one that God has a special place for on that great judgment day. This world will someday miss her smiling face, but not before God has her mansion ready I am sure. I just dont want that day to come before it should.

How will my life be impacted this year by this wonderful time of celebrating the Birth of Christ and the anticipation of the Gift of Time and lessons learned from Mom? May you spend some quiet time in setting of goals and not just meaningless New Years Resolutions. God Bless Each One with His great Gift. Life Eternal....

"While I am in the world, I am the light of the world." John 9:5

"You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. Matthew 5:14

Lights...manager scene...Santa Clause with reindeerand snowmen plenty. There are candy canes and icicle light...Christmas trees and all the like...indoor & outdoor decorations

These are the signs of Christmas and it comes but once a year. Each family has their traditions that they keep. Some of the ones we have at our home include displaying the manager scene, the tree, the old fashion snow village, and the outdoor decorations, all of which revolve around lights. As we put up each one it doesnt seem to be magical until the switch is flipped and the lights appear. Then the mood is set and Christmas is here.

As a child when our family lived in North Carolina, we resided on Granddaddys farm, in one of the hired men houses. It was up a winding road from town, where wed turn off the pavement onto a dirt road that took us across the hill to a picturesque little valley. Our house was the only one you could see, but if you went on a little farther up the way past our home there was another house, nestled in the trees, where Mr. & Mrs. Williams lived. But we could never see their place at night, because they had no electricity, or indoor plumbing, running water, or telephone. They had a well, and used kerosene lamps to light their home, which had a pot belly stove for heat and, in the kitchen, a big wood stove on which Mrs. Williams always had fresh bread, cookies, and a pot of hot stew. (Dale thinks it could have been possum stew!) They were simple folk, happy and friendly, and, best of all, they were great Christians.

In those early years of the 1950s, life was much less burdensome than our world today. Our family didnt have a television, however, my grandpa had one at his fuel station. (He sold gasoline as well as wood and coal.) Our family would gather by the radio and listen to Amos and Andy and Kingfish for entertainment. Our nation hadnt even sent a satellite into space at that point. But when we went to town (Ashville) where our other relatives lived, there were lots of things to see and do. One was the trip to Sears and Roebucks and the downtown to see the lights and Santa Clause. Some of the more well to do folks had lights in the windows and big Christmas trees all lit up. Our family would gather to celebrate Christmas.

I remember one Aunt and Uncle who had a tree one year with the bubble lights. Oh, how wonderful! I wished we could have some like them. Well...this year, after some sixty years, Dale and I purchased two sets of seven lights each. They look so sweet (the new cool word) on our tree. As Dale adjusted and worked with them, to place them in just the right spot, with enough support to keep them from flopping over, I found myself with the same anticipation of childhood. The tree was lit, and WOW! It brought back the childhood nostalgia.

As I sat there watching the lights, bubble and glow, my mind went back to Mr. & Mrs. Williams, our neighbors in North Carolina. What they must have missed with no electric lights. Wondering, what was on their Christmas tree? I cant rightly recall, but I just know they always had cold water from the well, and cookies, and that wonderful stew and cornbread. They had the light of Jesus. A light not man-made.

The Bible tells us that Jesus was sent to be the light of the world. And while here He told us to be the light (Jesus shining in us) to a sin darkened, cold world. I like to think we should all be bubble lights-happy, joyful, glowing and dispelling the darkness. As you celebrate Christmas remember to be the light Jesus wants.

Have a Merry Christmas!

It seems as the holiday season approaches we are bombarded with the To Do List and the Appointment Calendar. With things pressing in one has a tendency to become stressed. And speaking of stressed, I saw a cute little phrase recently that said, When you are stressed just turn the letters around and enjoy...Desserts! Now for some of us that would be stress, maybe not at the time but later on when we were trying to find something to wear to that special holiday event. We would be STRESSED OUT, no doubt! I have been reading a little book, 101 Ways to Relax and Reduce Stress, by Candy Paull. Oh no, Im not going to give you all of them but some that I feel are timely. They are practical and also inspirational at the same time. They also encourage us take a look at the root cause for our stress.

Believe it or not, the opposite of being Thankful and having Gratitude has a root cause of being stressed out. Let me share the first # 1 item in the book.

Check you Attitude...How you feel and think about your circumstances makes a difference in how you enjoy life. Choose to be a positive person, find humor and the lighter side to life. Decide to be happy. Determine to trust God in all things. Make it a rule...EXCHANGE grumbling for Thankfulness and Praise, choose to be Grateful.

Write out an Affirmation Prayer for Your Life using scripture (the ones you learned in Sunday School), such as: The Lord is on my side and I am not afraid. Psalms 118:6, or I have hidden your word in my heart that I may not sin against you. Psalms 119:11.

Turn Down the Media...during these days of election, terrorist, corruption, greed and war. It is easy to become over saturated with it all. Limit yourself to 15 minutes in the morning and evening to catch the headlines. Then remember these great words from Mother Teresa God is the friend of silence. See how nature trees, flowers, grass grow in silence? The more we receive in silent prayer, the more we can give in our active life. Find a place of solitude. Turn off the talk and listen to God.

Create a Gratitude Journal Write down five things each day for which you are grateful. Try to not duplicate the items on your list. Let me challenge you to do this each day from now until Thanksgiving then share it sometime during your mealtime on that day. You will be amazed at all the things (blessings) God has bestowed on you. If you can find 5 items daily it will yield 135 items by Thanksgiving. Then if you can continue until the New Year it will be 305.

I must admit that I fail some of the days, I find myself slipping into the ol routines', just getting through the day forgetting to see all the beauty God has for me to enjoy. I trust youare more faithful than I.

More and more Im aware of the many friends and loved ones God has put in the pathway of life to encourage me. Plus for me to also encourage. It is from these experiences we develop friendship & fellowship.

There are studies in the field of science and sociology that tell us; There is more loneliness and depression at the holiday season. Where do you fit into this study? Do you find yourself feeling lonely? It can be very troublesome to many folks and is. Especially if you have lost a loved one during this past year or at a holiday season, even if its past a year. All the first holidays are hard and for some it takes longer to get over these tough times. A person feels lonely, because they miss them.

So, I want to offer some suggestions to those who have lost loved ones and for those who may not have gone through it yet. We all have times we feel lonely. Thats why God has sent us friends, family and most of all His Holy Spirit. It is the comfort that the LORD give us that we are to share with those who need to be comforted. 1 Corinthians 1:3-7 gives us instruction for this.

If you know someone who has lost a loved one this year, reach out to them. Give them an invitation to your home. When I was in the beauty salon, I would ask my clients their plans for the holiday. Many times they would say they were going be alone, so DONT TAKE IT FOR GRANT THAT EVERYONE WILL HAVE A PLACE TO BE.

Plan your own party...cook the main dish...ask several others to join you. Asking each one to bring a dish. Hospitality is not always the Better Homes and Garden house. Make a sign, place it on the door. If you came with white gloves please call for an appointment, if you came to visit, COME ON IN!...Be relaxed, enjoy the time. Use the fancy dishes, (ones from the store, so there are no dishes to clean up!) Give everyone a piece of paper and pen, Make a list of the things you are Thankful for. Or have them write the word Thanksgiving at the top of the page and see who can come up with the longest list of words, using the letters. Maybe you could have a prize. Mainly be creative. Dont forget to be Grateful and give Thanks.

Living...Living above...Above

Stress...Stress & Worry

Worry

Just recently I was talking to Pastor as I stood in the family room. I noticed a card lying on the bookshelf near me. It had a picture of Jesus on it, so I picked it up and turned it over and found the verse I have placed in the center box. My thoughts were, WOW, do I ever need this today. I took it with me thinking, Ill share this with someone. Then it came to me, Ill share it with the ladies in our Bible Study group on Sunday morning. You see, we are studying the above topic in a book from the Women of Faith Bible Study series. How perfect! Then I thought, Ill share it with the folks in the news letter. So here it is.

Worry can and does cause stress. And vice versa! SO...how does one live above these states of life.?? Good question! May be the million dollar question. But Jesus words and advice is worth more than that any day. I have a half-dozen books in my library on the topic of stress. There are hundreds more out there because stress is a common problem in our society.

Worry is an age old problem, and stressHAS been around just as long. It just seems like something new because so much is said about it, since society seems to focus on ME, MYSELF & I. Just tonight while waiting to meet someone at the hospital, I noticed a magazine entitled SELF lying on the accent table. There was an article advertised on the front cover that really caught my eye: Two seconds for instant STRESS Relief. Locating the article I soon discovered what God gave us back in the Garden of Eden some six thousand years ago: Aroma Therapy. Stop and smell the roses. One of the best ways to relieve stress is to smell scents that associate with a happy experience in our life. That is why when you smell cinnamon rolls, you get this cozy comfort feeling. This is why the candle business is a such a big money maker. People love to retreat to aromas that bring comfort. But it is only temporary.

Just imagine: Jesus and the disciples were walking on the road. They were hot, tired, weary from teaching the multitudes and the encounters with the Jewish leaders. He was teaching the disciples, and they were giving reports of the reception they had had when they went to the cities to tell people about Jesus. The disciples were (Im sure) very discouraged, perhaps even thinking, Whats the use? Then Jesus gave the disciples these special words. (Read the box again!).

My Rx for you this week, this month: write this verse out (maybe several times) and place it in a place you will see it several times a day. Read it often, take a moment, close your eyes and imagine Jesus standing there saying these word to you. Breath in and relax. Imagine giving Jesus your burden. He will carry it. He replaces it with a light one, just your size. Like the song goes, If He carries the weight of the world on His shoulders, I know, my friend, He will carry you. GIVE HIM YOUR BURDENS!

Jesus RX for stress and worry

Come to me and I will give you rest-all of you who work so hard beneath a heavy yoke. Wear my yoke, for it fits perfectly, and let me teach you; for I am gentle and humble, and you shall find rest for your souls; for I give you only light burdens."

Matthew 11:28-29 TLB

LEARNING TO LIVE ABOVE STRESS AND WORRY...LET US KNOW YOUR TRICKSPLEASE CONTACT US AT THE LINK ABOVE.

"The Lord is my helper;

I will not be afraid. What can man do to me?" Hebrews 13:5 NIV

WHAT IS IT IN THE HUMAN NATURE THAT CAUSES ONE TO BEGIN DOUBTING

AND SEEING THINGS IN A NEGATIVE WAY?

CHILDREN AS A RULE USUALLY ARE HAPPY GO LUCKY, TRUSTING, CAREFREE AND GENERALLY FUN LOVING.... So at what point does a person change into a fearful, worrying, fretful, skeptical individual?

Some might say that it is caused by an event or trauma. Others might say Oh, it just happens. Then Im sure there are those of us who would prefer not to answer that question, like myself. But I believe God has the answer.

On more than one occasion Jesus referred to his followers and those listening to Him as little children, and at one point said, You must become as little children if you want to enter into heaven. Another time He told them that the secrets of heaven were hidden from them because they were not like little children.

Little children are eager to learn, willing to trust and follow their teachers and leaders. So let me surmise that more often than not we need to be like little children in our learning and following in our Christian walk with Christ.

But we like Peter in the movie Hook (played by Robin Williams) become to grown up, think we have become all important and forget how to relax and be a child that is willing to be taught or led into new and exciting adventures in the Kingdom of God. We just need to learn some trust and release our fears.

This past week my husbands sister sent us a cool little Chart...it helps you measure your level of trust in God.

HANDY LITTLE CHART - GODS POSITIVE ANSWERs

You say: Its Impossible. God says: All things are possible. Luke 18:27

You say: Im too tired. God says: I will give you rest. Matthew 11:28-30

You say: Nobody really loves me. God says: I love you. John 3:16 & John 3:34

You say: I cant go on.God says: My grace is sufficient. 2 Corinthians 12:9 & Psalms 91:15

You say: I dont know where to go. God says: I will direct your steps. Psalms 3:5-6

You say: I cant do it. God says: You can do all things. Philippians 4:13

You say: Im not able. God says: I am able. 2 Corinthians 9:8

You say: I cant forgive myself. God says: I forgive you. 1 John 1:9 & Romans 8:1

You say: I cant manage. God says: I will supply all your needs. Philippians 4:19

You say: Im afraid and worried. God says: I have not given you a spirit of fear. 2 Timothy 1:7

Cast your cares on me. 1 Peter 5:7

SOMETHING NEW...SOMETHING OLD

NO ITS NOT A WEDDING!

We have just returned from a wonderful time of refreshing and relaxation in Oregon with Dales family. We usually just get on the road and make a beeline for our destination. Wanting to slow up the pace a little bit and not hurry along over already familiar roads, we decided to take some different roads, the back roads (not all Interstate 80, & 84) to Oregon, so that we could see some different landscape.

What we enjoyed the most was taking detours with a NEW little gadget, a GPS (Global Positioning System).

It was amazing. You ask the GPS to find you and it does. HOW does it know where we are? Thats scary! Most of the time Im not sure where I am. But up in space there is a satellite that has been programmed to find the signal of the unit.

Now switch gears just a minute. I have a NEW definition that is as OLD as time it self: GPS (GODS POSITIONING SYSTEM). He knows where we are. WOW what a great comfort. Think about it. He knows where we have been, but most importantly He knows where we are going, and the time we will be arriving even if we dont. And He knows our altitude.

"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harmyou, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. I will be found by you," declares the LORD, "and will bring you back from captivity." Jeremiah 29:11-14 NIV

Did you get this--- God knows where we are, and where we are going, but it isnt until we turn on our unit that God can communicate with us to let us know the plan.

Some interesting things about this little GPS. It is about the size of a cell phone (a larger Blackberry size. NO, NO, not German blackberries, the small hand held computer/phone). However, when you get off the route that it has planned for your trip, it will tell you that it is recalculating. This nice lady's voice comes on and says RECALCULATING. Once you have entered your destination, this amazinginstrument displays a map, with streets and points of interest, the speed you are going, estimated time of arrival, time spent traveling, and time you spent stopped. When you press a certainfeature it will displayfor you thealtitude (a feature we have always wanted to have when traveling). It is constantly updatingitself. These features can be great orannoying just depending if you decide to stop at a rest area, or stop to get fuel or just want to have a meal.

There are some wonderful similarities between these GPS units and our Journey of Life when we just think about it...Jesus purchased your GPS with His blood....the unit is only activated when we turn it on with our acceptance of a relationship with Jesus, with Prayer, Bible study, fellowship, service to fellow mankind, our church, and to God. One of the most important is to listen fordirections bythe voice of the Holy Spirit.Yes, it is something new, but something very old. Get connected ---with GODS POSITIONING SYSTEM. Leave the mundane road of life, join the team using GPS. See what God has in store for you.Life will never be the same.

Happy traveling, Jan

 Imagine you hear the water bubbling...Feel the breeze...Enjoy God's Creation today.