pause 'n ponder

that's just a start

what is wrong with this world?

violence

wars

terrorists

racism

persecutions

hatred

beheadings

abortions

disputes

murders

homosexuality

hostilities

conflicts

prejudices

genocides

tragedies

that’s just a start

but just think...

how many are lost?

how many are bound for hell?

as Christians,

what can you do about it?

what can I do about it?

prayer

witness

support missions

share your talents

live your life so others will see Jesus in you

do what you can, where you can, when you can

that’s just a start

but just think...

your neighbor may accept Jesus Christ

a family in China may convert to Christianity

that homeless person will hear the story of Jesus

that group of hungry people will also be fed the Word of God

the needs of the war-torn will be met physically and spirituality

that’s just a start

but just think...

no matter what, there is always hope

While studying loneliness in the Bible, I found an abundance of references in the Old Testament.  

Looking at the definition and the difference between being alone and being lonely - one has nothing to do with the other.  Being alone means you have no one with you at a particular time.  Being lonely is an emotion.  You can be lonely when you feel left out, when you have no close friends, when you feel isolated, when you feel no one cares.  You can be lonely even in the presence of others.

In the Bible, one example of loneliness is David.

In Psalm 25:16:

• David was lonely
• He was afflicted
• He was suffering
• He was in deep despair
• He was devastated
• He pleaded to God for mercy

In Psalm 25:21:

• David could only turn to God
• He prayed for protection
• Protection with integrity
• With uprightness
• With honesty
• He plead to God for mercy
• For intervention
• His only hope was in God

Feeling lonely, for whatever reason or circumstance, a Christian can always turn to God.  Only in God will you find true love and joy and comfort and peace and assurance and encouragement and guidance and strength.

Only in God will you find Hope!

one beautiful morning (reprise)

I sit here on my bench, soaking in the dappling sun as it peeks thru the shade of a tree.  There’s a soft breeze, gently kissing my cheeks, carrying the fragrance of flowers swirling all around me.  I hear the bubbling water on the pond, a buzzing bee flying by, the music of the wind chime, the chirping of baby birds.  I open my eyes and see a beautiful butterfly resting on a colorful bloom, a mother sparrow poking a worm into her nest, the glint of goldfish as they swim back and forth, a tiny crape myrtle bloom floating by, a limitless deep blue sky holding white fluffy clouds.  

 I am astounded by the sheer beauty of God’s creation.  I close my eyes and thank God for my life, for His grace, for His salvation.  There are no words to express the immense love I feel.  God is so good. 

“Nature never taught me that there exists a God of glory and of infinite majesty. I had to learn that in other ways. But nature gave the word glory a meaning for me. I still do not know where else I could have found one.”

~C.S. Lewis

when life is a race

There are days I feel I’m on a roller coaster, and it can be hard for me to stop and get off.  When my mind is filled with chaos, I have to slow down, I have to take things one at a time, I have to clear my head.  In Jesus, I find peace and comfort, I know He is always there for me.  This poem pretty much sums it up...

You’re Always There for Me

When the world comes crashing in
And chaos rules my mind,
I turn my heart to you, Lord,
And pure, sweet peace I find.

You lift me out of trouble
You comfort me in pain;
You nourish, heal and cleanse me,
Like cool, refreshing rain.

In times of joy and bliss,
When things are going right,
You lift me even higher,
And fill me with delight.

You listen to my prayers;
You hear my every plea;
I’m safe because I know
You’re always there for me.

By Joanna Fuchs