it's Sunday morning, again!

Thank you, Lord for another day to "live in Your world and breath Your air."  Let everything that hath breath praise the Lord. (Ps 150.6) The old preacher said "touch your tummy, are you breathing? Then, you should be praising Him!"

As I wake up, wash my face, get my cup of coffee and put breakfast on, I come back to personal reflections of a blog began 19 years ago!  So many changes, so much life, so much God!  I can honestly report His promises are true, particularly, I will never leave thee nor forsake thee. (Deu 31.6, Heb 13.5)

Another year older.  Maybe, a little wiser.  The recent birthday demonstrated, again, the truth above.  The loved ones and "anonymous" friends that remembered this old girl reminded me of the Lord's  faithfulness to His children.

Looking forward to this morning.  We had bible school yesterday and the children, as always, were wonderful.  I think I appreciate life more as I get older.  The hoary head (Pro 16.31) is blessed with so many truths that supply wisdom that getting older isn't the dread I once thought it to be.

Some have said, "see the glass 1/2 full instead of 1/2 empty."  From this believer's heart, I would say "it's full and running over!"  You may be in the midst of sorrows and trials but view the rainbow after the storm.  It's Sunday morning, again, get ready, go to your house of worship and praise Him!  

According to His Word, our prayer is that you will see, He will bless you and keep you and make His face shine on you...and give thee peace. (Num 6.24-26)

It's all true, promise! 

Fill your heart...

Dear Friends,

We all need words to live by, to inspire us and guide us. Words to give us courage. Words of comfort and of courage filled with wisdom and with love. We need "Words" from His Word and from other believers. 

So begins a series of such "word helps" from the poet of yester year called "Helen Steiner Rice," (HSR). It is my prayer and hope that one or many of these "word helps" will do just that for you.

HSR wrote a poem titled "Fill Your Heart With Thanksgiving." Many wonderfully encouraging words are rendered in this particular poem but the first words are my focus today;

"Take nothing for granted, for whenever you do
The 'joy of enjoying' is lessened for you-"

Further, the last stanza of this poem emphasizes; "For the JOY of ENJOYING and the FULLNESS of LIVING are found in the heart that is filled with THANKSGIVING." 

Scripture gives this sentiment in 1 Thessalonians 5.18 by stating In everything give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you. As a believer, we take this truth into the very fiber of our being because life can be so hard. As a moral person, one understands being grateful keeps the spirit mostly peaceful. Noting the illustration here:

• An empty heart is usually a dark heart. It is Full of negative, foreboding thoughts.
• A heart half full, sort of grateful, somewhat thankful for the very air that clears one's lungs, still maintains a grudge about how one thinks things "should be." 
• A full heart accepts the things that cannot be changed, changes the things that can be changed and acknowledges the wisdom to know the difference. The full heart has no room for negative thoughts and words.

We are also instructed in Ephesians 5.20 to give thanks for ALL things.  Further the book of Romans in 8.28, at least for the believer, directs that ALL things work together for good (specifically) to them that love God...

In a personal note, this bloggers heart struggles in the middle.  It seems things "should be this way or should've happened like this or that."  Thus clouding the mind, then the heart with a grudging attitude.  No help or peace thinking this way. 

Instead this blogger will pray and ask the Holy Spirit to guide me and remind me that this is His way and it is always best.  

God bless and keep you...

He didn't stay dead.

 Head on over to an encouraging poem by a pastor of yesteryear by clicking here.

What's next?

Good day, dear readers.  The title of this entry as you see is, "What's next?"

Have you completed a life task only to wonder, "what now?" I want to share a "brain drizzle" with you. 

I have several responsibilities at church; I play the piano for worship services and most special singing,  handle the mission funds, manage the church website and attend every service faithfully sans any illness. In the past I have led the 4-6 year old Wednesday class and taught the 10-13 class on Sundays.  The Lord has been pleased to put me in all these places in His house and in His service.  

In recent months, my spirit has been stirred once more to teaching.  Then I think, "what do I have to offer?"  My life has been blessed with many godly women who are examples of true christian ladies.  Each personality is different but united in things of the Lord.  My own experiences growing up in a somewhat tumultuous home that ended in divorce (I was 16), getting saved at 18, marriage at 23, mother at 34, divorce at 40 and finally, 50 - "year of jubilee, Canaanland, 'my mountain'" have been not a few.  The last eleven years have been up and down with burdens but peaceful.

Then, the thought comes that many of my life experiences and influences coupled with scripture give me much to share with ladies 18-30.   While many have been brought up in godly homes and atmospheres, many have not.  Yet, I remember having a couple of older ladies supporting my life during these years.  Sometimes I was listening, sometimes I was not.  One choice in particular caused much grief, sorrow and pain.  However, the Lord guided and provided in all.

I would like to teach this age group giving practical and spiritual instruction as the Lord leads.   I would request anyone reading this entry pray for me.  I would never want to step out of His will or lead anyone in the wrong way just because of my experience(s).

No scripture on my heart for this endeavour other than current devotions in Proverbs regarding wisdom and how to exercise knowledge with wisdom. (Pro 2.6, 4.7, 9.10,  Jms 1.5)  

Found this photo above and the scripture mentioned in the picture also seems appropriate to this idea; 

• The aged women likewise, that they be in behaviour as becometh holiness,...teachers of good things;
• That they may teach the young women to be sober, to love their husbands, to love their children,
• To be discreet, chaste, keepers at home, good, obedient to their own husbands, 
• WHY? that the Word of God be not blasphemed.

Many topics, from the Word, to be taught and hopefully, received.

Prayers appreciated and Lord willing, I'll keep you updated.

God bless and keep you.  Ps 57.7

Waiting is done, for now

Per the last blog post on "Waiting," that phase is done and the participants are home safe and sound.  However, I've not seen them and I'm trying to understand because they have busy lives.  So, the one thing a mom endures is patience when yearning to see her kids.  We don't want to interfere or make them feel guilty but as we get older, it is tough when the heart needs to see them and hug them.  I refuse to whine about it though because I do know they are home and safe.

Current devotions are from the book of Proverbs.  So, as I read I will seek an answer to the taxing task for patience as it involves ones kids.

Take care, dear reader.  Ps 57.7