More to Life

"I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly." John 10:10

There is more to life . . .

than being healthy,

than being happy,

than being problem free,

than being comfortable,

than feeling good,

than getting what we want,

than being healed.

There is more to life even than living!

And the "more to life" is the development of our faith to the extent that our very lives display God's glory! Jesus does not protect those He loves from bad things happening but uses bad things to fulfill His greater plan. He is glad, not that we suffer, but that we have the opportunity to grow in our faith and display His glory, which is the fullfillment of the very purpose for our existence. Don't settle for less than more!

Dear Lord, help me to know You more. Amen

Blessings

Rooted and Grounded

"Those on the rock are the ones who receive the word with joy when they hear it, but they have no root. They believe for a while, but in the time of testing they fall away." Luke 8:13

I imagine a sturdy oak tree, one that's been growing for decades. Its roots run deep. It's grounded. When the storms of life strike, that tree is going to stand strong. Now think of your own roots. Do they run deep? When temptations strike, will you stand strong? Dig into the Word. Receive it with joy. Let it be your foundation. Plant yourself and let your roots run deep.

Healing and Redeeming God, thank you for your love - love that seeks and finds the lost, love that brings healing and hope, love that redeems and guides, love that comforts, love that you have for me. And thank you for your Word where evidence of your love is found on every page. Great is your faithfulness, amazing is your grace, and humbling and wonderful is your love! In your Name, Amen.

Happy Wednesday to you!

I hope you are having a great day!

Blessings,

Blessings Will Come

"All these blessings shall come upon you and overtake you, because you obey the voice of the Lord your God." Deuteronomy 28:2

Obey God; receive blessings. It seems simple enough, doesn't it? Then why do we obey and only get in more trouble than before? Perhaps it's because we're looking at it from our perspective, not His. Blessings do not always follow on the heels of obedience; they often take time to appear. Today's blessings may result from long-ago faithfulness. But because God has promised, we know good things will come, if only we wait.

Heavenly Father, give me a vision of all You want to do in my life. Help me to not think too small, even when I pray. I want to be available to whatever You have for me and not limit Your blessings by being unprepared to receive them. Enlarge my heart and mind to understand how You can take what I have and expand it beyond what I can imagine. In Your Name, Amen.

I don't know about you, but I am wondering what happen to spring. The snow was pretty last Friday as it was falling, but today... not so much. Be happy, be positive, be the bright light in your world today.

You can do it!! Have a super day

Blessings,

This Little Light of Mine

This Little Light of Mine There's a little flame inside us all Some shine bright, some shine small The rains will come and the waters rise But don't you ever lose you light In this life you will know Love and pain, joy and sorrow So when it hurts, when times get hard Don't forget whose child you are

May you live each day with no regret Make the most of every change you get Let your eyes get wide when you look at the stars With the same sense of wonder as a child's heart With the ones you love treasure the time And for those who are gone keep their memories alive Hold on to your dreams don't ever let go There's a fire inside you burning with hope

There will be days when you want to give up When the clouds settle in But after the rain comes the sun Don't you ever forget One day there will be no more pain And we will finally see Jesus' face So until then I'm gonna try To brave the dark and let my little light shine

This little light of mine I'm gonna let it shine This little light of mine I'm gonna let it shine, gonna let it shine

Teach me, Lord, to pray with thanksgiving - and, by doing so, to declare my faith that you will answer, that you will meet my needs, and that I will be content with your wise and loving provision. Help me to let my little light shine. In Your name, Amen.

This has been my favorite song for a couple weeks. I remember singing this as a kid. The words just lift my spirit when I hear it. I hope you enjoy it as well. I think it is a great reminder to let our light shine for Him always, no matter what is going on in our life. No matter how hard or easy it may be going right now in your life, let your light shine for Him. He will light your path.

Blessings on your Monday

Friday's Challenge

This Weekend's Challenge

"Whoever tries to keep his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life will preserve it." Luke 17:33

I will live my life for God instead of myself.

Father God, I don't want to ever fall away from You by neglecting to spend time with Your Word and in prayer. I want to always be gaining a closer walk with You. Help me to know You better and to become more and more like You. I don't want to fall away in temptation, sin, or laziness. I want, instead, to h ave a new and deeper experience with You every day. Amen.

Jesus wants to be the very center of everything you do and everything you are. Instead of placing Him at the top of your to-do list to be checked off for the day, invite Him to be a part of every moment. Try it this weekend and make it a habit into next week.

Have a super weekend
See you in church on Sunday

Help

"God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble."
Psalm 46:1

Have you ever gone through a trial or heartache so painful that you couldn't even put it into words? It felt like a long, piercing scream was ripping you apart inside. Any number of things could cause such suffering -- loss, divorce, betrayal, sickness. If you find yourself in such a place in your life, reach out to the Lord. He understands suffering at its deepest level. He knows how to comfort you. All you have to do is ask.

Lord, You are the God of the universe and Lord of my life. I worship You and give glory to Your name. You are holy and wonderful - amazing and awesome - and I thank You for all You have done for me. Because Your Word says You are able to do beyond what I can even think of to ask for, I call on You to meet all of my needs in ways more wonderful than I can imagine. In Your name, Amen.

Have a great day!
Blessings,

Joyful in Love

"Keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life."
Jude 1:21

When you love the Lord and recognize His great love for you, it's easy to be joyful! Think of His marvelous deeds. Relish in His overwhelming love for His children. Recognize His daily blessings. Oh, may we never forget that the Lord our God longs for us to see the depth of His love for us . . . and to love Him fully in return.

It's the mystery of grace, Lord -- the fact that you love me. I didn't do anything to earn your love, and I can't do anything to make you love me more or, for that matter, less! Help me receive your love and then respond by serving you out of love and gratitude.

Have a good day. It certainly is chilly outside. Love spring!!
Blessings,

Faith

"Lead me by your truth and teach me, for you are the God who saves me. All day long I put my hope in you."
Psalm 25:5

Faith is both a gift we receive and an action we take. God's Spirit gives us enough faith to reach out to a Father we cannot see. But as we continue reaching - continue putting our trust in God as we go through life - that little gift of faith grows stronger, like a muscle consistently put to work at the gym. Give your faith a workout today by doing what you believe God wants you to do.

Lord, I know You want to bless me in countless ways that require believing without seeing. Help me to have the kind of strong faith I need in order to overcome all doubt. Help me to have faith in Your Word and Your promises, and in Your love, goodness, and power. Help me to trust that You are answering my prayers even when I can't see it. Amen

Be strong in your faith, reach out to someone and be a blessing to them today.
You can do it :O)
Have a great day
Blessings,

Good News for a New Week

I stood in form the mirror and brushed hair, teeth, thoughts from my mind. But the worries keep coming as I consider a new week.

If that doesn't work out . . . what then?

If I really can't do it . . . what then?

If something happens . . . what then?

I quietly whisper a prayer and it seems my heart hears a response that begins with those same two words:

"What then are we to say about these things? If God is for us, who is against us? He who did not withhold his own Son, but gave him up for all of us, will he not with him also give us everything else?" Romans 8:31-32

The sentences that follow say I'm more than a conqueror and nothing can separate me from God's love.

I breathe deep of grace, love, victory, hope that's secure.

And I can dare to walk into a new week with my heart held high.

Dear Lord, help me to understand, as I am in prayer and waiting for a leading from You, when it is time to take action. Help me to be wise enough to recognize the answers to my prayers when they come in ways I was not expecting. Give me the knowledge of Your will that lets me know when it is time to stand up and take steps of faith. Amen.

Have a super Monday!
I know it is sometimes hard to do, but trust in the Lord!
Blessings,

Friday's Challenge

This Weekend's Challenge

Listening Carefully

"I rejoice at Your word as one who finds great treasure . . . I love Your law."

Psalm 119:162-163

When have you totally misunderstood God's Word?
When He said, "Love one another,"

did you think He meant to tolerate sin?
(1 John 4:7)

When He said, "in all things God works for the good,"

did you think that every story has a happy ending?

(Romans 8:28)

When He said, "I will surely bless you,"

did you think that He would make you healthy, wealthy, happy and problem free?

(Hebrews 6:14)

Isn't it amazing how we can misinterpret what He says?

Listening carefully to what God says is important,

because if we misunderstand what He is saying,

we set ourselves up for disappointment, discouragement, and disillusionment.

So . . . would you be quiet and listen with your eyes on the pages of your Bible?

Listen for His still, small voice to whisper to your heart through His Word.

Have a super weekend.

See you in church on Sunday

Blessings

Rest

"The beloved of the Lord rests in safety - the High God surrounds him all day long - beloved rests between his shoulders." Deuteronomy 33:12

When you think of rest - you probably think of a nap or picture yourself soaking in a tub. While you need physical rest, God wants your soul well rested and full of His presence, as well. Read encouraging scriptures that build your faith. Spend time with Him in prayer. You'll feel like you've had a spiritual power nap. You'll come away rested and strengthened in your soul, safe from the assaults of the day.

Dear Lord, help me to find the time I need every day to be alone with You. Escaping all the diversions and busyness seems to be a constant struggle, and I need a greater ability to shut out everything and find solitude with You in prayer. Help me to secure a place of peace and quiet so that I can hear Your voice speaking to my heart. Amen.

Have a good Thursday.
What a beautiful day the Lord has made
Blessings,

Provision ~ Daily Provision

"Who provides food for the raven when its young cry out to God and wander about for lack of food?"
Job 38:41

Does it fill your heart with joy to know that God provides for your needs? He makes provision . . . both in seasons of want and seasons of plenty. There's no need to strive. No need to worry. He's got it all under control. If He provides food for the ravens, then surely He knows hot to give you everything you need when you need it. So, praise Him!

Help me, Holy Spirit of God, to pray according to Your will. Speak to me as I read Your Word so that I can grow in understanding. Enable me to pray in power and alignment with what pleases You. Thank You for the times I prayed for something and You didn't give it to me because it would not have been good. I can see that now, and I am grateful. Amen

Have a good day!!
Blessings,

Spiritual Growth

"Be still, and know that I am God."
Psalm 46:10

What season of spiritual growth are you in? Springtime's early bud of new love? Basking in summer's sunshine, growing by fruitful leaps and bounds? Knee-deep in autumn, with remnants of your old life falling like dead leaves around your feet? Or praying your way through winter, where God and that joy of first love seem far away? Whatever season you're in, remember; God's the only One who can make something grow, Trust His timing and watch for fruit.

Dear God, help me to live each day with a deep sense of Your presence. I don't want to go through life without taking time to be with You. I want my relationship with You to be so strong that other people recognize Your Spirit in me. Whenever I draw near to You in prayer, help me to hear Your voice speaking to my heart so that I will always follow Your leading. Amen.

Enjoy the Sunshine
Have a great day in the Lord
Be a blessing

It Really Can Be a Good Week

A new week is beginning, full of possibilities.

Can it be a good one?

My mind races ahead to all there is to do, everything that might happen.

Worry nips at my heels.
But then I remember...

There is One who has already gone before me.

It's His footsteps I can follow.

And what is the way He has for me?
Mercy.
Love.
Grace.
JOY.

He takes my heart by the hand and whispers,
"Come on, Daughter, it's going to be a good week."

And I know He doesn't mean the kind of "good" that's getting what I want and life being easy. Oh, it's much deeper, wilder, beyond my understanding than that. This "good" is about His love, eternity, who He is no matter what. It's even more solid and certain than the ground beneath my feet.

Yes, I believe it's going to be a good week after all.

And I'm finally ready to step into the day.

Are you with me?

"You have made known to me the path of life; You fill me with joy in Your presence." Psalm 16:11

Have a super day!
Blessings

Friday's Challenge

This Weekend's Challenge

I will make more time for focused prayer.

"As often as possible Jesus withdrew to out-of-the-way places for prayer." Luke 5:16

Many times when a problem arises, our first thought is to call up a friend and get advice. While wise counsel is good, get in the habit of taking your concerns to your Heavenly Counselor first.

My prayer for you this weekend:
Lord, help me to be bold and persistent in prayer. I don't want to be arrogant or presumptuous, as if You owe me anything, but rather to be confident in what Jesus accomplished on the cross that took away Satan's rule and established Your own. Help me to have great faith that prayers works so that I am confident enough to ask for great things, knowing that You will answer in a great way. Amen

Have a super weekend.
Let me know how your challenge is going.
See you in church this weekend
Blessings,

Life

"The way you tell me to live is always right; help me understand it so I can live to the fullest."
Psalm 119:144

God has given us guidelines to live by - principles laid out in amazing detail in the Bible. Some say His rules are simply designed to bolster His ego. That's the same lie the devil told Eve when He tempted her to disobey God in the Garden of Eden. "He's just trying to keep you from having something good." he taunted. Like any good parent, God has given us rules to ensure our safety and success. Living His way is always for your best.

Lord, I don't want to take on step or make any decision without Your leading. I know You care about even the smallest details of my life and want to guide me in the way I should go. Take away my peace if I should decide to step off the path of Your greatest blessing for my life. Help me to never stray from Your perfect will. Amen

Happy Thursday.
I can see Friday right around the corner.
Praise God!!!
Blessings,

Find Some Breathing Room

For many of us, our churches have moved away from the more austere traditions of the past. Our pastors don’t wear suits. Our worship teams have drummers and you can download a podcast of the sermon. In many ways church has become more relaxed and that can be a good thing. But in the midst of all of our renovations sometimes we lose the beauty of those very old traditions.

For some Lent is thought of as more of a punishment than a celebration – a time when you had to give things up. If your parents weren’t forcing you to participate, who would choose it?

Choosing to make some room
Lent can seem like a very old fashioned idea, but it can satisfy a very modern need. As I get older, I’ve realized that Lent is all about making room. As Zihna Edwards wrote, Lent is “a time of voluntary simplicity, making space.” Doesn’t that sound lovely?

As I was researching about Lent I found the following paragraph on a blog written by a Catholic Nun. While I am not Catholic myself, I found her perspective nothing short of refreshing. She writes:

“When Ash Wednesday hits we tend to think, “O no, now I have to give something up.” But Ash Wednesday and Lent are so much more than that. It is a time of preparation, a time of freeing ourselves from the things that bind us and moving into a deeper relationship with God, our family and friends, and the Church community. It is a time to celebrate the gifts God has given us, to examine how well we live those gifts, and to clear away the things that prevent us from being the gifted person we are. What’s not to love about that?”

Fasting is more than "giving up"
Fasting is a discipline and there is much value in it purely for that reason alone. But in addition to the self-discipline of fasting there is the expectation that we will take the time that would have gone to eating and spend it with God. The other side of giving up is the space that that "something" leaves for us.

Think of your family budget. If you are trying to save up for something or if things are getting a little tight, taking something out of your expenses can give you a little wiggle room. I experienced this earlier this year when I realized how much my daily coffee added up to over the course of the year. Cutting back on coffees puts some change back in my pocket. It creates some room in my budget for other things.

It’s this space and what we do with it that can get lost in our experience of Lent. If I fast from a meal then the time I can spend with God is fairly obvious. But if I fast from a favorite food – say chocolate – it’s harder to take each instance of ‘not having chocolate’ and use that time to draw closer to God.

If you’re looking for a new way to experience Lent, try one of these ideas:

*Fast from a specific meal. This is hardly a new idea but rather than fasting from a favorite food for all of Lent, consider fasting from a specific meal – maybe lunch on Wednesdays or breakfast on Saturday morning. Set aside the time to find a quiet place and be with God. There are countless Bible studies and devotionals that will take you through the weeks leading up to Easter. Set aside this extra time to pray and meet with God.

*Fast from an unnecessary activity. This could mean turning of the television at specific times or turning off the radio on your drive into work. Find an activity that just fills the time and reclaim that time to be with God.

*Fast from complexity. Is there something that you do on a weekly basis that is fancier or more complex than it needs to be? If so, there is an opportunity to replace that with something simpler to get back some time to spend with God. If you make a big Sunday lunch each week you could serve soup & buns instead or pick up a bucket of chicken on the way home and save the time you would have spent in the kitchen. This could turn into a great way to spend together with God as a family.

*Fast from your usual quiet time routine and try something completely different. They say a change is as good as a rest. Try replacing your usual quiet time devotions with a completely different sort. If you usually study and pray at home, try a prayer walk. If you use a devotional book, try listening to worship music or a devotional podcast. Sometimes our most important activities can become routine. Switching up how you spend time with God can be a breath of fresh air.

James 4:8 says “Come near to God, and He will come near to you.” This invitation waits for us in these days of Lent. When we set aside time to draw in tighter to God He promises to meet us in those moments. If your life could use a little more peace, if you need God to remind you that He has promised to take care of you, Lent can be a wonderful time to draw in close and hear God whisper.

Father Go, so often I do all the talking. Quiet me before You now. Speak to my heart, I pray. Amen

Have a super day.
Hope to see you in church today.
Services are at 4pm & 7pm
Blessings,

Provision

"Each day that we live, he provides for our needs
and gives us the strength of a young eagle."
Psalm 103:5

What do you need today? Whether it's the finances to pay a fast-approaching bill or the courage to have a difficult conversation with a friend. God wants to provide what you need. Share your heart with Him. But before you rush off to other things, sit quietly and listen. God may reveal how you can work with Him to meet that need. He may also want to help you share with others what He's already so generously provided.

"He covers the heavens with clouds, provides rain for the earth,
and makes the grass grow in mountain pastures."
Psalm 147:8

Dear Lord, you provide for us in so many ways. Help me today to not take them for granted. The fact that the sun rises each morning, encouraging crops to grow, or that our heart takes its next beat and our lungs their next breath are just a few of the countless gifts I receive from Your almighty hand. As I go through the day, help me consider the big and little ways You meet my needs. Help me to take time at the days end to give you thanks. In Your name, Amen

Have a great Tuesday.
Praise God for all his many blessings he has given you
Blessings,

Have Courage

"Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be men of courage; be strong."
1 Corinthians 16:13

Being a Christian can take lots of courage. As the world around us becomes increasingly hostile to God and our personal lives become tense because of our beliefs, we feel the challenge. But we are not defenseless. Christians through the ages have faced these troubles and triumphed. The Lord who supported them gives us strength, too. Let us stand fast for Jesus, calling on His Spirit to strengthen our lives. Then, we will be strong indeed.

Dear Lord, I give you my hands to do Your work; I give You my feet to go Your way; I give You my eyes to see as You see; I give You my tongue to speak Your words; I give You my mind that You may think in me; I give You my spirit that You may pray in me. Above all, I give You my heart that You may love in me - love the Father and love all humankind. I give You my whole self, Lord, that You may grow in me, so that it is You who lives, works and prays in me. Amen

Another week.
Another chance to be used by God in your everyday life.
Look for that chance ~ and than do it
Blessings on your Monday

Friday's Challenge

This Weekend's Challenge

I will serve those in need on a regular basis.

"But when you give a banquet, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind, and you will be blessed." Luke 14:13-14

Make it a monthly habit to volunteer at your local soup kitchen or visit a nursing home. Do what you can to share the love of God with those in need. Contact our church to get involved with the needy in your area.

My prayer for you this weekend:
God of all compassion, my own acts of kindness and compassion need to start at home and in my neighborhood and among members of my church family. May I be sensitive to hurting people who are close to me - and may I also follow your lead as I seek to extend compassion to the poor, the downtrodden, the unlovely in my city and around the world. Amen.

Have a super weekend.
Let me know how your challenge is going.
See you in church this weekend
Blessings

Praise

"Ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of [God] who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light." 1 Peter 2:9

Your life is a song of praise that rises to God your Father. He revels in your decision to take His hand and step out of darkness into light. It's what He has worked so hard to accomplish. It's why He sent His Son, Jesus, to live and die and rise again. You are His trophy, His prize, the sure and certain reward of His great sacrifice. Each time you say yes to life, yes to love, yes to eternal values, you are praising Him.

Holy God, you know before I tell you how easily distracted I am. As the old hymn says, my heart is prone to wandering, and my thoughts wander too. Yet you alone offer fulfillment, abundance, security -- and that's just the beginning of a long list of the blessings I find in you. Teach me to live focused on you. Amen

Saying YES and praising God for this awesome day he has given us.
Blessings on your day,

Mercy Multiplied

"Mercy unto you, and peace, and love, be multiplied."Jude 1:2

Have you ever done the math on God's mercy? If so, you've probably figured out that it just keeps multiplying itself out, over and over again. We mess up; He extends mercy. We mess up again; He pours out mercy once again. In the same way, peace, love, and joy are multiplied back to us. Praise the Lord! God's mathematics work in our favor.

God of wonders, it is a wonder that you chose me to be your child. Thank you for that amazing grace and for the purpose and meaning with which you and your love fill my life. May i live in a way that honors and glorifies you - and makes others notice and want to know you too. Amen.

Blessings on your day,

HOPE

"Happy is he who has the God of Jacob for his help, Whose hope is in the LORD his God."Psalm 146:5

Some people place their hope in financial security. Others hope their popularity, abilities, or connections will get them where they want to go. Still others hope that if they want something badly enough, it'll just happen. But only those who place their hope in God can face tomorrow without any fear of the future. When you trust in God, you do more than hope for the best. You rest in knowing God's best is His plan for your life.

Lord, make me an instrument for your peace; where there is hatred, let me sow love; where there is injury , pardon; where there is doubt, faith; where there is despair, hope; where there is darkness, light; and where there is sadness, joy. Be with me today as I go about my business. Help me keep in mind it is really your business. Amen

Enjoying the sunshine!!
Blessings to you today, let your light shine