accessible

Never lose an opportunity of seeing anything that is beautiful;
for beauty is God’s handwriting—a wayside sacrament.
Welcome it in every fair face, in every fair sky, in every fair flower,
and thank God for it as a cup of blessing.

Ralph Waldo Emerson

The wonder of our Lord is that He is so accessible to us in the common things of our lives ~ breaking of the bread, the cup of water, fellowship over a meal, giving thanks, and welcoming children into our arms. A simple attitude of caring, listening, and lovingly telling the truth.

Nancie Carmichael

If God is here for us and not elsewhere, then in fact this place is holy and this moment is sacred.

Isabel Anders

expectant reverence

God is within all things, but not included; outside all things, but not excluded; above all things, but not beyond their reach.

Pope Saint Gregory I

There is a unique kind of transparence about things and events. The world is seen through, and no veil can conceal God completely. So the pious man is ever alert to see behind the appearance of things a trace of the divine, and thus his attitude toward life is one of expectant reverence.

Abraham Joshua Heschel

Because God created the Natural - invented it out of His love and artistry - it demands our reverence.

C.S. Lewis, God in the Dock

grace

***    The    Grace    of    God    ***

But God, being rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in our transgressions, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved), and raised us up with Him, and seated us with Him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, so that in the ages to come He might show the surpassing riches of His grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; not as a result of works, so that no one may boast. For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them.

Ephesians 2:4-10 NAS

giving to others

It’s heartbreaking.  All over the world, there are too many people in need.  Both spiritually and physically.  Too many people living in poverty, without jobs, without food for their families, without a home, without medical care, without heat, without adequate clothing.  Too many people, too little help.  Today, I was thinking how blessed I am.  Blessed to be married to a wonderful man of God.  Blessed to have a loving family.  Blessed that God has provided that we can share with others.

Today, I’d like to share the following article.

Don't Make These 3 Mistakes when Giving

Anne Peterson Poet & Author 

I brought in the plastic bags. Putting them down on the table, I unload them, thankful I got to go to the food pantry today. Thankful I have something different to offer my family.
Opening the Duncan Hines box, I’m looking forward to making a cake. Cake is a luxury item.
Reaching for my large bowl, I feel like singing. Maybe things will be okay. Dumping the mix into the bowl, I smell a hint of vanilla. Breaking an egg, I see it. A small speck of darkness invading the white powdery mix. Looking closer I see another and another. Bugs! This box is full of tiny bugs.
The expiration date shows me this dessert was meant for last year. I empty the contents into the trash. I don’t feel much like singing now.

Feeling poor doesn’t feel good.
I wipe a tear off of my face before my young daughter sees it. I only feel poor on certain days, this is one of them.
“I think I’ll make something else,” I say smiling.
“Why?” she asks.
“I just want to,” I lie.

Thankfulness is sometimes slippery.
Struggling to hold onto thankfulness I wonder. Why do some people give away what they want to get rid of? How would they feel being on the receiving end? Didn’t Jesus say to give as if we were giving to him in Matthew 25:40?
I remember another trip to the food pantry. The volunteer behind the card table takes my information, asking me to take a seat.
When my name is called, I’m led to the first room. It’s set up like a grocery store in two rooms. On the shelves are all kinds of canned goods. In another section I see boxes of cereal, boxes of crackers. Taped to some shelves are little pieces of paper with numbers on them. The tag reads:

3-4 people in the family: 2 cans

As the volunteer watches me, I take two cans. She says,“No, you only get 1 can, you have two people in your family.”
“I have three people in my family,” I whisper.
She starts to argue and then checks my card she is holding. “Oh, you’re right.”
I feel like I’ve been caught stealing, except I haven’t.
We move over to the paper goods area. I get to choose one item, either paper towels, toilet paper, or napkins. I choose toilet paper. I watch as she takes the four-pack and tears it open. She puts one roll on the shelf and hands me the three.
I hardly look up.
I hear only fragments of what she’s telling me. “…all the baked goods you’d like…you can take two packs of gum or two candy bars per child...”
I stuff my feelings down and go through the motions. Thanking her, I push the metal cart out to my car. The noise from the squeaky wheels makes it impossible to slip out quietly. I hope I don’t see anyone I know.
By the time I open my trunk, my tears won’t stop. I don’t ever want to come back here again. Returning the cart I see a friend who works there. “What’s wrong?” she asks, seeing my face.
I relay my experience, letting the tears fall as they may. “I don’t think I can do this anymore. I almost brought the food back in. But I do want you to know, I have appreciated all the food I’ve ever received from here.”
“I’m so sorry,” she says, “Please come back.”

One month later...
It’s that time again. Do I go to the food pantry? I play the different scenarios in my mind, but eventually I decide to try it one more time.
Something is different. No one opens the package of toilet paper to keep a roll. No one challenges me when I take my two cans of soup. I felt heard.
It’s hard to be a person in need.

It’s sad we live in a world where some people determine another person’s worth by what he/she has. Their philosophy might be, “If you have little, you are worth little.” But God doesn’t determine our worth like that. We are valuable because we are God's.

A missionary couple living overseas received a care package from one of their church supporters. They felt excited as they went through each item in the box. Until they opened a small container tucked in the bottom. The contents? Slivers of soap. Next to it was a small tin filled with used tea bags.
Needless to say, this couple was discouraged by the time they got to the bottom of the box.
It’s easy to make mistakes when we give. To get the mindset that the person should be satisfied with whatever he or she gets. Make sure when you give that you avoid these three no-no’s:


1. Don't Give What You Ought to Toss Out
Sometimes we need to ask ourselves, “Would I want to receive this for my family?” If not, toss it.
Remember, we’re to give as if we were giving it to the Lord.

2. Don't Have Strings Attached to What You Give
When we give freely, we have no expectations. God’s salvation is a gift. God gave, even though some will reject his gift. Read John 3:16.
If we are disappointed with how others receive our gifts, perhaps we should check to see if there are any strings attached.

3. Don't Give Only When Others Know It
If we cannot give anonymously at times, maybe our motives aren’t right. God tells us in Matthew 6:3, to not even let our other hand know what we are giving. You see, giving is not a spectator sport.
Receiving a gift can make a person feel loved. It can make a person feel as if they are special. Maybe if we learn now to give as our Father gives, people will feel his love. And isn’t that what it’s all about anyway?

my wish

(from Godvine) This story caught my attention and made me consider how I fit into today's technology...

      

We all know someone who seems to be attached to their cell phone. No matter where they are or what they are doing, they just can't seem to put their phone down. These folks are easy to spot, right?  (Yes, I admit my guilt.)

Well, one heartbreaking note a teacher received from a student proves it may not be as easy to spot this problem as we think...

A teacher was at home, and after dinner she started checking the homework done by her students. Her husband was strolling around with his smart phone, playing his favorite game ‘Candy Crush Saga’.

When reading the last note, tears rolled silently down the wife's face.

Her husband saw this and asked, 'Why are you crying dear? What happened?  She answered, 'Yesterday I gave homework to my first grade students, to write something on the topic of 'My Wish'.'

'OK, but why are you crying?'

She replied, 'Today, the last note made me cry.'

Her husband asked curiously, 'What’s written in the note that makes you cry?'

**************************************************

My Wish

My wish is to become a smart phone.  My parents love their smart phones very much.

They care about their smart phones so much that sometimes they forget to care about me. When my father comes home from the office tired, he has time for his smart phone, but not for me.

When my parents are doing some important work and the smart phone starts ringing, within a single ring they answer the phone. But not me...even if I am crying.

They play games on their smart phones, not with me. When they are talking to someone on their smart phones, they never listen to me, even if I am telling them something important.

So, my wish is to become a smart phone.

**************************************************

After listening to the note, the husband got emotional and asked his wife, 'Who wrote this?'

She said, 'Our son.'

quick quotes

i didn't know

When I see dogs in fenced backyards, where no one takes time to play, it makes me sad.
When I see dogs never taken for a walk, where they never see past their own yard, it makes me sad.

When I see dogs tied up with chains, where they are ignored every single day, it makes me angry!  It makes me ask why, why do they want a dog in the first place?  Just chain them up, give them water and food, then let them be.  A solitary existence, looking around with sad eyes, just wanting to be saved.  I believe chains are animal abuse. I believe owners should be held liable for making a dog have such a miserable life.

This story says it all...(and yes, it made me cry)

"I Didn't Know"

I am a dog, a companion, a friend

I lived in a yard, but my chain had an end

I barked for attention, but it came to naught

I didn't know it was not my fault

The kids ran the yard, all I wanted was play

They ignored my pleas, not even looking my way

A dog was a token, something to be had

I didn't know how to say I was sad

The two legged ones had taught me mistrust

The chain felt so harsh and their rules were unjust

Their touch was like knives, as were the words that were spoken

I didn't know that my spirit was broken

One stormy night I broke loose from the chain

I ran far and wide to get out of the rain

I hid from the others in fear of attack

I didn't know how to find my way back

I just thought this is how it was

To be all alone, roaming ‘round because

I had to keep moving no matter the cost

I didn't know that I was lost

I knew I was tired and hungry as well

I hurt inside, but no one could tell

My matted fur hid the fleas and the ticks

I didn't know that I was sick

Some time passed, how long hard to gauge

I was caught, and then I was caged

Some new people came and they took me away

I didn't know I was saved that day

They gave me medicine, a toy and a bed

They taught me manners and would pet my head

The love was free and the food, it was good

I didn't know I could be so understood

We drove to a home, to a man tall and slim

I wore a leash and they gave it to him

They told me they loved me many times that day

I didn't know why they drove away

There were kids in the yard and they asked me to play

My whole life began right there on that day

They belong to me, and I belong to them

I am a dog, a companion, a friend."

~Riddick

death explained

i trust in Jesus, so i’ll follow Him down that road

When I’m struggling, hurting, or suffering, life can be hard.  It can be a battle.  Everyone walks down that road.  It can be hard.  We all fail at something.  We’re human.  

When I’m faced with struggles and all the other battles, I can’t figure it out on my own.  (Whatever ‘it’ is.)  I have questions but don’t know the answers.  I don’t know which way to go.  Walking down that road, with endless crossroads and hills and valleys and tunnels and bridges, it can be daunting. (Stop thinking that way.)  

But, I’m not alone.  Thru it all, I have Jesus!  He saved me! He loves me!  He’s the only one I can turn to.  He’ll guide me and comfort me and restore me and teach me and strengthen me and heal me and calm me and protect me and lead me and direct me.  I trust in Jesus, so I’ll follow Him down that road.  Wherever He leads I’ll go.

I found this copied in one of my journals (fitting for this post):
 

It’s like this.  Jesus wants us to give not only our struggles, but everything to Him. Think about a very heavy box you’re carrying. It’s next to impossible to carry it by yourself and you end up dropping it.  So, you ask someone to help you.

Let the box represent your struggles.  Don’t even try to carry them by yourself.  Remember, you’ll end up dropping them.  Ask God for help.  And, don’t forget that each struggle is just a small chapter of the story He is writing for your life.

*********************************************************************

We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they help us develop endurance. And endurance develops strength of character, and character strengthens our confident hope of salvation. And this hope will not lead to disappointment. For we know how dearly God loves us, because He has given us the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts with His love.

Romans 5:3-5 NLT

Yet what we suffer now is nothing compared to the glory He will reveal to us later.

Romans 8:18 NLT

The Lord is a shelter for the oppressed, a refuge in times of trouble.  Those who know Your name trust in You, for you, O Lord, do not abandon those who search for You.

Psalm 9:9-10 NLT

In His kindness, God called you to share in His eternal glory by means of Christ Jesus. So after you have suffered a little while, He will restore, support, and strengthen you, and He will place you on a firm foundation.

1 Peter 5:10 NLT

2016 ~ National ‘Awareness’ Days, Weeks, and Months

February 2016

Day

February 1, 2016  National Freedom Day

February 4, 2016  World Cancer Day

February 5, 2016  National Wear Red Day

February 15, 2016  International Childhood Cancer Day

February 17, 2016  Random Acts of Kindness Day

Week

February 14 – February 20, 2016  Random Acts of Kindness Week

February 21 – February 27, 2016  National Eating Disorders Awareness Week

Month

Children’s Dental Health Month

Ethnic Equality Month

National Cancer Prevention Month

Teen Dating Violence Awareness Month

to the hills

Last summer, I drove up to the Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina just to be alone, with nature.  Hubs and I both enjoy day trips up to the hills.  But, sometimes it’s good to get away, by one’s self.  It does a soul good to be alone with God, in His breathtaking creation...

I love the mountains unto themselves - the sights, the smells, the sounds, the breezes, the warmth, the colors, the beauty, the seasons, the peacefulness.  I call this 'God's Country'.  The Blue Ridge Parkway, the Watauga River, Linville Falls, Grandfather Mountain, Hebron Rock Colony, Valle Crucis, Boone, Blowing Rock...

The incredible countryside, dusty dirt roads, green pastures on hills, leaning fences, the old general store, powerful rivers, weathered barns, long forgotten fields, wooden bridges, sparkling creeks, worn pathways, abandoned houses, mighty waterfalls, rustic farms, massive boulders, tranquil lakes... 

God created this, as far as my eyes can see, and infinitely beyond.  I walk down a narrow path, up to a grassy place, near the edge of a bubbling creek.  I lie down with the sun on my face, a gentle breeze softly blowing, the melodious music of birds in concert with the splashing creek, the sweet fragrance of wildflowers drifting by...

 

My heart overflows, in the presence of God Almighty.  I know the Father knows me, He has plans for me, He strengthens me, He teaches me, He guides me.  I trust in Him... 

I close my eyes and relax in the presence of God.  I'm flooded with thoughts of His goodness, His lovingkindness, His greatness, His grace, His powerfulness, His compassion, His graciousness, His forgiveness, His strength, His mercy, His holiness, His truthfulness, His promises, His faithfulness, His righteousness, His glory, His mightiness...

So here I am, stretched out on my back, I open my eyes and look upward.  As the clouds drift by, their puffy white shapes are vibrant against the intense blue sky.  The sunbeams warm me, as I serenely drift off to sleep...

Show me your ways, Lord, teach me your paths; guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are God my Savior, and my hope is in you all day long.
Psalm 25:4-5 NIV

Yet those who wait for the LORD will gain new strength; they will mount up with wings like eagles, they will run and not get tired, they will walk and not become weary.
Isaiah 40:31 NAS

'For I know the plans that I have for you,' declares the LORD, 'plans for welfare and not for calamity to give you a future and a hope.

Jeremiah 29:11 NAS

So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God.  I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.

Isaiah 41:10 NIV

forgiveness song

Yes I have.  Yes I do.  Yes I will.

It may be something that happened before I realized it.  It may be something I should have done, or something I shouldn't have.  It may be something I'm not even aware of.  It may be something awful, with regret, and sorrow.  

I make mistakes sometimes.  Thank you God for forgiveness.  Thank you to those who have forgiven me. 

TOBYMAC:Forgiveness

(selected lines from song)

*'Cause we all make mistakes sometimes
And we've all stepped across that line
But nothing's sweeter than the day we find
Forgiveness, forgiveness
And we all stumble and we fall
Bridges burn in the heat of it all
But nothing's sweeter than the day,
sweeter than the day we call
out for forgiveness

*Forgiveness, we all need, we all need, we all need forgiveness


*My momma told me what I would be in for
If I kept all this anger inside of me pent up
My heart been broken, my wounds been open
And I don't know if I can hear I'm sorry being spoken
But those forgiven much, should be quicker to give it
And God forgave me for it all, Jesus bled forgiveness
So when the stones fly and they aimed at you
Just say forgive them, Father, they know not that they do

*No matter how lost you are, you're not that far, you're not too far
From forgiveness
Ask for forgiveness

soul song

TOBYMAC:Lose My Soul

(selected lines from song)

*Man I wanna tell you all something, Man.
Man I'm not gonna let these material thing's, get in my way, you all.
I'm trying to get somewhere,
That's real and pure and true and eternal.

*Father God, I am clay in your hands,
Help me to stay that way through all life's demands,

*I don't want to gain the whole world, and lose my soul,
Don't wanna walk away, let me hear the people say.

* But Christ came in range, we said yes now we changed,
Not the same, even though I made a fall,
Since I got that call, no more Saul, now I'm Paul.

*How do I sense the tide that's rising?
De-sensitizing me from living in light of eternity,

*Lord what we gonna do,We're relying on you,
all eyes are on you Lord,

*Lord forgive us when we get consumed by the things of this world,
That fight for our love, and our passion,
As our eyes are open wide and on you.
Grant us the privilege of your world view,
And may your kingdom be, what wakes us up, and lays us down.

*Don't let me lose my soul, I never wanna walk away,
Don't let me lose, my soul, I'm never gonna walk away.

quick quotes

holiness

Take my Life

Holiness, holiness... is what I long for
Holiness is what I need
Holiness, holiness
Is what You want from me

Take my heart... and mold it
Take my mind... transform it
Take my will... conform it
To Yours, to Yours, Oh Lord

Righteousness, righteousness... is what I long for
Righteousness is what I need
Righteousness, righteousness
Is what You want from me

Brokenness, brokenness... is what I long for
Brokenness is what I need

Brokenness, brokenness

Is what You want for me

(Mercy Me)

this picture is worth thousands of lives...

wise words

Being in love is a good thing, but it is not the best thing.

There are many things below it, but there are also things above it.

You cannot make it the basis of a whole life.  It is a noble feeling, but it is still a feeling...

Knowledge can last, principles can last, habits can last; but feelings come and go...

But, of course, ceasing to be "in love" need not mean ceasing to love.

Love in this second sense - love as distinct from "being in love" -

is not merely a feeling.  It is a deep unity, maintained by the will and deliberately strengthened by habit; reinforced by (in Christian marriage) the grace which both partners ask, and receive, from God...

"Being in love" first moved them to promise fidelity: this quieter love enables them to keep the promise.  It is on this love that the engine of marriage is run:

being in love was the explosion that started it."

~CS Lewis

s-i-n

quick quotes

Jesus is my friend

Jim's Prayer

A minister passing through his church in the middle of the day,
Decided to pause by the altar and see who had come to pray.
Just then the back door opened, a man came down the aisle,
The minister frowned as he saw the man hadn't shaved in a while.

His shirt was kinda shabby and his coat was worn and frayed.
The man knelt, he bowed his head, then rose and walked away.
In the days that followed, each noon time came this chap,
Each time he knelt just for a moment, a lunch pail in his lap.

Well, the minister's suspicions grew, with robbery a main fear,
He decided to stop the man and ask him, Whatcha doin here?
The old man, he worked down the road. Lunch was half an hour.
Lunchtime was his prayer time, for finding strength and power.

I stay only moments, see, cause the factory is so far away;
As I kneel here talking to the Lord, this is kinda what I say:

"I just came again to tell you, Lord, how happy I've been,
Since we found each other's friendship and you took away my sin.
I don't know much of how to pray, but I think about you every day.
So, Jesus, this is Jim checkin' in."

The minister feeling foolish, told Jim, that was fine.
He told the man he was welcome to come and pray just anytime.
Time to go, Jim smiled, said ‘Thanks.' He hurried to the door.
The minister knelt at the alter, he'd never done it before.

His cold heart melted, warmed with love, met with Jesus there.

As the tears flowed, in his heart, he repeated old Jim's prayer:

"I just came again to tell you, Lord, how happy I've been,
Since we found each other's friendship and you took away my sin.
I don't know much of how to pray, But I think about you every day.
So, Jesus, this is me checkin' in."

Past noon one day, the minister noticed that old Jim hadn't come.
As more days passed without Jim, he began to worry some.
At the factory, he asked about him, learning he was ill.
The hospital staff was worried, but he'd given them a thrill.

The week that Jim was with them, brought changes in the ward.
His smiles, a joy contagious. Changed people, his reward.
The head nurse couldn't understand why Jim was so glad,
When no flowers, calls or cards came, not a visitor he had.

The minister stayed by his bed, he voiced the nurse's concern:
No friends came to show they cared. He had nowhere to turn.

Looking surprised, old Jim spoke up and with a winsome smile;
The nurse is wrong, she couldn't know, that all the while.

Everyday at noon He's here, a dear friend of mine, you see,
He sits right down, takes my hand, leans over and says to me:

"I just came again to tell you, Jim, how happy I have been,
Since we found this friendship, and I took away your sin.

I always love to hear you pray,
And I think about you every day,
And so Jim, this is Jesus checkin' in.

Source unknown