PRAY TOGETHER

“Do all that you can to live in peace with everyone.”
‭‭Romans‬ ‭12:18‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Today I was reading the Upper Room.  The title was; Pray Together.  It was by Iverson Emanuel Martinez (from Cortes, Honduras). The Scripture was Romans 12; 17-21.  The thought for the day: God can help me with my most difficult struggles.  As I read the Scripture and the devotional I knew instantly that my Father was speaking to me.

Iverson Emanuel was in prison and after 3yrs., his children came to visit.  Ashley his 8 yr., old daughter told her Papi that there was a boy at school who bothered her all the time. Sh asked Papi to please talk to him. Papi felt helpless and wasn’t sure how to respond.  He relied on what he had learned from reading God’s Word from the Upper Room.  He prayed for wisdom. He explained to Ashley that he couldn’t talk to her classmate or teachers, but they could pray together and ask God to help take care of the situation.  Three months later the children made another visit to the prison.  Papi asked Ashley how it was going with the boy who always bothered her at school.  Ashley said, “Do you remember when we prayed?  Everything is better.  He and I are best friends now.”

My Father was reminding me that His word needs to be deep in my heart and mind as we work through lives challenges.  That I draw courage, strength, wisdom and empowerment from my God: Father, Son, Holy Spirit.  Prayer is a direct line to my Father.  As a Prayer Warrior I can assure you the way to live is in FAITH and PRAYER.  Accept God’s love, grace and mercy.  Your Father will send you many blessings.  The Holy Spirit will help you live at peace with everyone.  Jesus tenderly speaks to our hearts.  By prayer ask the Holy Spirit to open your ears to not miss any opportunity to hear Jesus speak to you about your life.
Remember God loves you and so do I.

A CHIDHOOD MEMORY

“The name of the Lord is a strong fortress; the godly run to him and are safe.”

‭‭Proverbs‬ ‭18:10‬ ‭NLT‬‬

A Childhood Memory

I read a Devotional by Glen Miller titled: More Cowbell,Please!  He explained how and why ranchers used cowbells.  It started me thinking about my childhood, growing up in Pawnee Okla.  

The downtown was built round the courthouse which was in the very center of the downtown area.  On Saturdays all the Ranchers and Farmers would come to town and park on the square.  It seemed my parents new most the people around Pawnee.  Mom was a telephone operator (no dial at this time) and Dad was a top notch mechanic.  My Grandpa Nuttle had his own Taxi Cab Service.  He had a phone and bench outside the pool hall.  It seemed like most everyone knew each other.

I know you have heard the cliché: It takes a Community to raise a child.  Not sure how it was for the other kids, but I knew that if I made a poor choice, someone would notify my parents so whatever I did would have consequences.  Knowing this helped me think before I acted.  

Churches in our community would take turns opening their doors after sporting events for the youth to gather for fellowship.  The Episcopal Church didn’t have young people or a choir. Some of the youth including me would attend their early church and sing.  They would then feed us breakfast and drop us off at our own churches.  

As a child I felt safe and loved, by this community.  I could walk to and from school without fear. I knew others were looking out for my safety.Times have changed.  Communities are not the same today.  Parents fear letting their children play outside unattended.

  Mr, Miller said that the cowbell is put on the lead cow because the other cows will follow the sound.  Also when storms came or danger threatened the members would run toward the sound to find strength in numbers, unity, protection.

 You are wondering what does a cowbell have to do with us today.  Mr. Miller reminds us that Jesus serves the same purpose as the cowbell.  When threatened, hurt, lost or frightened, He is the One we run to in order to find peace, shelter, protection, guidance and acceptance.  It is human nature to need to run to something bigger than ourselves.  Yes most of have a community of faith, family & friends, but Jesus is the only true source to place our lives.  He alone is our leader that can lead us safely home to the Father.

We are living in a broken world.  We will walk through dark valleys. Listen for the cowbell Jesus is ringing.  Run toward the solid sound and find safety.

Remember God loves you and so do I.

CREDO / I BELIEVE

CREDO / I BELIEVE

“Then Jesus told him, “You believe because you have seen me. Blessed are those who believe without seeing me.””
‭‭John‬ ‭20:29‬ ‭NLT‬‬

What do you mean when you say you believe?  You may mean you hope.  It can be an expression of preferences or opinions or predictions.  Example: would you die for your convictions about a brand of a car? Or would you easily change your conviction if a new car came along You liked better?

Many deeply held beliefs have the power to motivate us to action, sacrifice ‘and service.  What are some of your most deeply held beliefs or convictions?  How did you come to hold your convictions? (Your parents, or a particular writer or personal experience that touched you in a powerful, loving, beautiful, gratifying way)

Beliefs can shape you for good or bad: Ku Klux klan / Sisters of Charity.  What you believe matters.  The study of  early Christians we find the creeds of the church. The most enduring creed is The Apostles Creed.

Belief is a decision of the will.  I choose to believe certain things.  The beliefs expressed in the Apostles’ Creed are foundational for Christians.  I believe in God, the Father Almighty, creator of heaven and earth.

1. Is there a God?
2. How can you know?
3. What evidence is there that God exists?
4. Does it matter?
5. If there is a God, what is God like?

I can speak from personal experience, God does exist.  Of course we all have at one time or another been in awe of God the Creator.  God thought about everything.  Watching Hummingbirds, or a mama and daddy birds encouraging their babies to fly. Fall and spring with its beautiful colors.  What about the galaxies, so big and beautiful.

God is a supreme being, an ultimate reality that created the universe.  God is not simply as a force of nature, but as an entity, a being, that is both intelligent and powerful.  God is the creative force, the source from which everything that exists derives its existence and upon which all that exists is contingent.  God has attributes of personhood: intelligence, emotional reason logic and will.  God knows, feels, loves, thinks, wills, acts, and creates.

Jesus addresses God as Father: very personal, intimate and relational term.  God is the force and power behind everything.

I believe in God!  Why?  Because my time spent in prayer, study, reading God’s Word, meditating on it, I have felt my Father’s presence.  He has offered me comfort, assurance, guidance, and grace.  I have learned to trust and surrender.  I have witnessed His miracles.. I have learned to listen and heard Him speaking to me.  I feel the Holy Spirit’s presence, nudging me, guiding me and leading me.

Is there a God?  To all who doubt, I don’t have to prove there is a God, you have to prove He doesn’t exist.
Remember God loves you and so do I.

ATTITUDE

ATTITUDE

Proverbs 23:7 – As a man thinks in his heart, so is he.
Life is pretty much what your attitude is!  10% of life is what happens to you and 90% is how you react to it. Attitude is a mental state relative to what we believe and affects our entire life. We express our attitude in our words and actions. Your attitude is easier to maintain than lose and regain.  We can’t control what happens but we can control how we react. We have a choice.  We can choose to react with a positive attitude or a negative one.  You can see the glass half full or have empty.  You have the ability to choose your own attitude.  You need to concentrate on beginning each day with a positive attitude.  All of us need to examine our attitude and make adjustments  You need to surround yourself with optimists. Positive people have a magnetic influence which attracts, helps, and supports you in achieving your goals. Once you begin to develop a positive attitude you will accelerate your future success.  Bottom line is your are in charge of your attitude.  Just like the Israelites in the wilderness, you can be critical and complain about everything that happens to you or you can look on the positive side with an attitude of faith that the God who parted the Red Sea just might still be at work in the world.

Attitude affects relationships.  Jesus told us to treat others like we want to be treated.  What you send out comes back to you.  Attitude works like a boomerang.  Your life should impact others, just like Jesus has impacted your life. People who have bad attitudes are usually unhappy. Your relationship with God will determine the type of life you live.  Satan wants to steal your joy but he can’t steal your joy unless you give it to him.  When you conform your thinking,  God’s way of thinking you will develop a new attitude.

Everyone experiences problems throughout their lives. Attitude changes problems.  Problems are part of living.  God trust you enough to allow problems in your life. He trust you to stay positive and grow spiritually.   When they are solved and leave you, you will be a better person.

Most people don’t realize that failure isn’t final.  Failure allows you try again and again until you get it right and succeed.  Failure is a choice, who can choose to be a quitter or choose to succeed.

Your attitude should be like the mind of Jesus.  God’s wants to use the attitude of believers to bring people to Christ, see things from God’s perspective strive to be positive about your progress.  You have to take the initiative to change any negativity in your attitude.  You need to base your attitude on God’s Word, not on your circumstances. Words can hurt and words can heal.  Consider the words you say, be more selective about them before you speak.  Be kind to one another.  Have the same humble attitude Jesus had.  Have an attitude of gratitude. Know who you are in Christ Jesus

There are five reasons why attitude Is important:
1. Your attitude determines your approach to life.
2. Your attitude determines your relationship with people
3. Your attitude is the only difference between success in failure.
4. Your attitude can give us an uncommonly positive perspective.
5. Your attitude is not automatically good just because you are a Christian.  You must make positive choices.
Now for the question: Is your attitude like the mind of Jesus?
Remember God loves you and so do I.

Christmas Memories

Thinking about Christmas brings many fond memories to my mind.  Our mother was a telephone operator and our dad was a mechanic.   We didn't have much money, but our parents made sure that we had a roof over our heads, and they always planted a garden which kept food on our table and for our neighbors. My brother Marc had many allergies.  He was allergic to evergreen trees.  When we were growing up there were NO artificial Christmas Trees.  Our awesome dad very carefully spray painted   Christmas trees green so Marc wouldn't get sick.  I can remember that one year the new fashion was coats with hoods.  All my friends had one.  I probably was around 10-11 years old.  I knew my parents couldn't afford one,  but I wanted one, no matter what and nothing else was on my list.  I selfishly dreaded Christmas Day because I knew I wouldn't get what I had asked for.  Marc woke up early and came to my room wanting me to wake mom & dad up.  He would have been 3-4 years old.  I took him to our parent's room.  He was so excited and I was being pouty.  Well when we went into the living room, there under the tree was the most beautiful coat with a hood.  Our mom had taken my dad's pin stripe suit and made me this beautiful coat, completely lined.  Our parents made so many sacrifices, showering us with love.  They may have not had much money, but they tried to be sure Marc and I had wonderful Christmases.  They taught us what real love is all about - Giving instead of receiving.  Through the years as I recall this special Christmas, I think about God my Father giving us His son Jesus on that cold night in Bethlehem.  If God loved us so much, and my parents could go to so much trouble showering Marc and I with love, then I need to do the same.  CHRISTMAS is LOVE!  Love we don't deserve, yet it is freely given.  That tiny little baby, the most wonderful gift given to all of us.  As you celebrate Jesus' Birthday,  give Him a gift - your HEART!  Remember God loves you and so do I.

CHRISTMAS

Christmas 2017

Over the years when I felt something was spoiling my Christmas, The Holy Spirit reminded me that no one or anything could spoil Christmas.  Christmas happened centuries ago.  When My Father gave the greatest gift  of all time, His Son.  Some have tried.  There are humbugs, those you are offended by people who go around wishing others a Merry Christmas.   For me Christmas is celebrating Jesus’ birthday.  Trying to love as He loved, not hesitating to wish all A Merry Christmas, sharing, caring and spreading Jesus’ love to all I meet.  

I especially enjoy Christmas music: I read a Devotional that talked about the Christmas Carol Silent Night.  Having just experienced being in the birthing room of our granddaughter when our eight great grand baby was born, I was able to relate to this Devotional.  Anyone who has experienced the miracle of a baby being born, knows it may be noisy.  A baby being born is beautiful, but far from quiet.  Now close your eyes and imagine you are witnessing baby Jesus arriving in a stable, animals possibly offering their unintelligible commentary during the event.  A silent night, not likely.  The writer of this Devotional said, “No, ‘silent night’ means a night like any other.”  This birth happened on an ordinary night, to an ordinary family, in an ordinary town, in an ordinary stable.  But there isn’t anything ordinary about this night or this baby boy.  Yes Isaiah had predicted a Messiah was coming, that He would be born like any other baby. Have you ever thought about the Son of God, being so tiny He was placed in a manager.  How could something so extraordinary: power, love, purity, be carried in this tiny baby?  How could  the Sovereign be seen so simple and helpless?  This tiny baby was history’s greatest hero!  He seemed so fragile yet, he would bear the sins of the world and establish his kingdom around the world.  His life was marked with wisdom, power, majesty, and glory.  Silent Night is a lullaby about peace. It pictures the baby Jesus sleeping soundly the evening he was born. As it progresses it is about the peace he brings, to those near by and those far away.  He brought a stillness to our relationship with God and each other.  Jesus sang our souls to sleep in the rest of our peace with God. When we wake up each morning we meet the dawn of redeeming grace and never-ending mercies.

I also like Christmas lights and decorations. It reminds me of Jesus’ humble birth, why he came and walked among us.  That He is light and His birth brings Joy, and Peace. As I remember I wonder if I am humble enough, how I would have felt when the angels sang and told the shepherds about the baby in a manger.   Would I have been afraid, would I have been curious, would I go and see this baby in a manger.   I like to think I would feel great excitement  and would have gone to see this very special child.  

We are so fortunate,  we know the story, we know the outcome.  It never gets old.  I read the story over and over in the gospel: Matthew 1: 1 - 2: 23; Luke 1: 1 - 2: 40 and John 1: 1-14.  Also it is exciting to read Isaiah’s prophecies of the Messiah.    The four Gospels in the New Testament present four unique and yet complimentary pictures of Jesus -- and this is evident in the way they record the birth of Jesus: Matthew presents Jesus as the King of the Jews worthy of obedience and worship; Luke shows a humane Savior that brings good tidings and liberation to the poor, neglected and marginalized; Mark present Jesus as Lord that serves in secret and thus shows a new way, free from the fight for supremacy and status; and finally, John presents Jesus as God, who comes as the Word become flesh and this shines in the darkness to bring a new beginning in this world.

Now let’s talk about gifts.  When you celebrate birthdays and give gifts to the one who is having the birthday.  This  is exactly what you are doing at Christmas.  One of the main reasons we have the custom of giving and receiving presents at Christmas, is to remind us of the presents given to Jesus by the Wise Men: Frankincense, Gold and Myrrh. Frankincense was a perfume used in Jewish worship and, as a gift, it showed that people would worship Jesus.  We love because God first loved us. We give to each other because God gave us the best gift of all. Christmas is a season of sharing, giving, loving, and helping. Why is that? It is because at Christmas we take the time and make the effort to acknowledge our fellow man in the manner that we should all year long. This is particularly true as it relates to the poor, the hungry, the oppressed, the sick, the weak, and the disenfranchised.  We give to each other and especially to those who have less, because in doing so we are not only emulating God’s generosity, but we are giving to Jesus, the birthday boy.

Thanksgiving

THANKSGIVING

“I will praise you, Lord, with all my heart; I will tell of all the marvelous things you have done.”
‭‭Psalms‬ ‭9:1‬ ‭NLT‬‬
“All of this is for your benefit. And as God’s grace reaches more and more people, there will be great thanksgiving, and God will receive more and more glory.”
‭‭2 Corinthians‬ ‭4:15‬ ‭NLT‬‬
Over the years I have joined many others on Face Book starting Nov 1 counting down the days to thanksgiving by sharing each day something I was grateful for.  This year I am simply blogging what I am grateful for.    I am going to start by telling who I am grateful for my Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.  I belong to them and they belong to me.  I  am so grateful for my Father’s steadfast love, grace, and mercy.  That Jesus my Lord and Savior plans my day and the Holy Spirit walks with me 24/7 each day.  As I have learned to trust and surrender, the peace and comfort has touched me in a powerful way.

Next I am grateful for Ed, my better – half for 55 ½ years of marriage. No, our marriage hasn’t been a storybook romance like you see on TV or the movies, sometimes a roller coaster ride. But Jesus our Lord and Savior walking with us has taught us how to compromise, love each other more than self.  Each experience brings us closer each day.  Our Father knew we needed each other.  Ed is the love of my life and brings out the best in me.

This brings me to my next blessing, children: God blessed us with three beautiful children – Kari Jo, Ronald Marc, and Jon Michael.  They have given us so many memories through the years and still are.  We lost Ron to cancer June 25, 2003.  Do we miss him? Yes of course we do.  Do we want him back? No!  We know he is in a better place.  He is experiencing all of God’s glory. Our goal is to join him one  day.   Kari Jo married an amazing man Chad which has become our son, and Jon Michael married Lori, who is awesome and she has become our daughter.  Both families have blessed us with 11 grandchildren.  Now the grandchildren are growing up and 5 have began families of their own. We now have been blessed with 7 great grandchildren and number 8 is due any day.  I am grateful for my brother and his family as well as Ed’s two sisters, brother and their families.

I once bargained with the Lord to love every child He placed in my path as much as my own children, if he would but answer my prayer.  Even though I was spiritually in mature God answered yes.  I know now that I am not to try and bargain with my Father but I honor my part of the bargain and try my best to love all children God sends my way.  I am so grateful for this experience because I know my Father loves me, taught me to trust, and forgave me of my in maturity.

I am grateful for my church, faith community, Christian friends.  I am grateful that I live in a free country.  As troubled as it is with all the diversity, hate it still is better than anywhere else around the world.  I can openly confess I am a Christian and Pray.  I can share my faith openly.

I could write a book about our life’s journey and list all the blessings and little miracles Ed and I have experienced.  How God always shows up just at the right time.  We hope all people everywhere have a Thanksgiving full of wonderful blessings.