May 8
Our neighbor asks if he can trim the vines that grow on his side of our wooden fence. Days later the leaves turn yellow. I look behind the fence. I’m shocked. Most of the vines had been cut to little nubs in the ground. Much of what is left hanging on my side of the fence are branches severed completely from their roots.
"As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you unless you abide in Me. I am the vine and you are the branches. He who abides in Me and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing.”
(John 15:3-5)
Sunday, May 8, 2011
Saturday, May 7, 2011
Hospital Visit
May 7
Joy enters the hospital room and introduces herself to Jennifer and to a visiting classmate. The teenager seems perturbed that a stranger is there from a church she doesn’t attend. She announces loudly that her favorite TV show is coming on in five minutes. Joy takes the cue and suggests we pray now. We hold hands around the bed while Joy praises the Lord and prays for Jennifer, her family and her school friend and claims healing. I see tears running down Jennifer's cheeks.
"The Lord is near to all who call on Him, to all who call on Him in truth.
(Psalm 145:18)
Joy enters the hospital room and introduces herself to Jennifer and to a visiting classmate. The teenager seems perturbed that a stranger is there from a church she doesn’t attend. She announces loudly that her favorite TV show is coming on in five minutes. Joy takes the cue and suggests we pray now. We hold hands around the bed while Joy praises the Lord and prays for Jennifer, her family and her school friend and claims healing. I see tears running down Jennifer's cheeks.
"The Lord is near to all who call on Him, to all who call on Him in truth.
(Psalm 145:18)
What it is All About
May 6
In our discussions I share I discipline myself to read the Bible everyday before I go to bed. Ron, our facilitator, contradicts this by telling Steve, "its not about discipline, or systems or planners, it is about loving the Lord with all our heart."
It was painful to hear but I quietly prayed.
I learned a lot from Ron that year until he moved away. I grew to love him as a brother in Christ. And he was right; it is all about loving God with all my heart.
"Hear instruction and be wise, And do not disdain it." (Proverbs 8:33)
In our discussions I share I discipline myself to read the Bible everyday before I go to bed. Ron, our facilitator, contradicts this by telling Steve, "its not about discipline, or systems or planners, it is about loving the Lord with all our heart."
It was painful to hear but I quietly prayed.
I learned a lot from Ron that year until he moved away. I grew to love him as a brother in Christ. And he was right; it is all about loving God with all my heart.
"Hear instruction and be wise, And do not disdain it." (Proverbs 8:33)
Tuesday, May 3, 2011
Zippedy-Do-Dah
May 5
One evening after a very bad day, the Pastor said he was giving his toddler a bath. The boy was squirming and singing 'Do Dah Do Dah Day' His father yelled; “Will you stop!" The boy faced him andasked very deliberately, "why?”
"My heart was pierced right there," the pastor said, "I knew I had just heard God."
We need more Zippedy-Do-Dah days.
"Assuredly I say to you, unless you are converted and become as little children, you will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven." (Luke 18:3)
One evening after a very bad day, the Pastor said he was giving his toddler a bath. The boy was squirming and singing 'Do Dah Do Dah Day' His father yelled; “Will you stop!" The boy faced him andasked very deliberately, "why?”
"My heart was pierced right there," the pastor said, "I knew I had just heard God."
We need more Zippedy-Do-Dah days.
"Assuredly I say to you, unless you are converted and become as little children, you will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven." (Luke 18:3)
Being Thankful
May 4
It’s another great day. The sun is out, the birds are singing and the Lord is near.
I was born in a blessed country where people are free to express themselves, to worship their God and to make choices.
The accounts herein are some of God's wonderful love and blessings.I see His awesome gifts everyday. For me, to be able to write about His presence in my life is pure joy. He is there for all of us.
“I will tell everyone about the wonderful things you do.” (Psalm 23:28)
It’s another great day. The sun is out, the birds are singing and the Lord is near.
I was born in a blessed country where people are free to express themselves, to worship their God and to make choices.
The accounts herein are some of God's wonderful love and blessings.I see His awesome gifts everyday. For me, to be able to write about His presence in my life is pure joy. He is there for all of us.
“I will tell everyone about the wonderful things you do.” (Psalm 23:28)
God can use Us
May 3
A pastor shared he has trouble delegating. A woman said, 'That is a matter of trust, isn't it?' He stared at her, "Yes, I guess you are right.”Then she asked, "Who don't you trust, the church leaders or God?”
You could have heard a pin drop. When the retreat was over the speaker and his wife both made a point of thanking the lady again for her input.
The lady said, “What I said just came out, it wasn't from me. God used my voice."
"The rod and reproof give wisdom.” (Proverb 29:15)
A pastor shared he has trouble delegating. A woman said, 'That is a matter of trust, isn't it?' He stared at her, "Yes, I guess you are right.”Then she asked, "Who don't you trust, the church leaders or God?”
You could have heard a pin drop. When the retreat was over the speaker and his wife both made a point of thanking the lady again for her input.
The lady said, “What I said just came out, it wasn't from me. God used my voice."
"The rod and reproof give wisdom.” (Proverb 29:15)
Sunday, May 1, 2011
How Are You?
May 2
How are you? Good. Fine. Ok. Aren’t these the standard replies.
One lady I admire, who has been through drugs, jail, tragedy, humiliation and rejection always answers, “I’m blessed and highly favored.”
She knows, she is a living example of God’s unconditional love. We all are.
“Blessed be the Lord,
Who daily loads us with benefits
The God of our salvation.” (Psalm 68:19)
How are you? Good. Fine. Ok. Aren’t these the standard replies.
One lady I admire, who has been through drugs, jail, tragedy, humiliation and rejection always answers, “I’m blessed and highly favored.”
She knows, she is a living example of God’s unconditional love. We all are.
“Blessed be the Lord,
Who daily loads us with benefits
The God of our salvation.” (Psalm 68:19)
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