Hello my friends! The wind was fierce today - it was a blessing not having to go out in it and another blessing was that we had the pleasure of having Lori home for lunch for the rest of my chili! That was so nice having her. She wants to come over to get me on Pintrest to get some good recipes but the weather has been not favorable for that yet, tomorrow should be much better!!! Oh another big blessing - invited for supper at Ray and Ann's Saturday night - looking forward to it! Such good friends! Thank you for counting your blessings here, and please continue - God isn't finished yet!!
Allow your mind to become quiet and less judgmental and you will feel
improvements
in all areas of your life. Lord, help my mind avoid twisting the words I
hear and misjudging
the intentions of others in order to justify my own righteousness. Help me
to spread Your peace.
S C R I P T U R E S F O R T H E D A Y
On this mountain he will destroy the veil that veils all peoples, The web
that is woven over all nations; he will destroy death forever. The Lord
GOD will wipe away the tears from all faces; The reproach of his people he
will remove from the whole earth; for the Lord has spoken. ~Isaiah
25:6-10a
They placed them at his feet, and he cured them. The crowds were amazed
when they saw the mute speaking, the deformed made whole, the lame
walking, and the blind able to see, and they glorified the God of Israel.
~Matthew 15:29-37
M E D I T A T I O N F O R T H E D A Y
What a wonderful day it will be when Jesus comes in His glory. All we hope
for will come into being. During this Holy Season though, the Lord calls
us to get involved in building His Kingdom ... by promoting justice and
building peace, by showing concern for the sick and the poor and bringing
God's healing presence, by living in a confusing world but following in
His footsteps.
P R A Y E R F O R T H E D A Y
I pray that God's dream for the world might be my dream. I pray that I may
become more and more involved in ushering in His Kingdom.
Psalm 23 For The Computer Age
The Lord is my Programmer, I shall not crash.
He installed His software on the hard disk of my heart; all of His commands
are user-friendly.
His directory guides me to the right choices for His name's sake.
Even though I scroll through the problems of life, I will fear no bugs, for
He is my backup. His password protects me.
He prepares a menu before me in the presence of my enemies. His help is only
a keystroke away.
Surely goodness and mercy will follow me all the days of my life, and my
file will be merged with His and saved forever.
Amen.
- Author Unknown
Come As You Are. No Jacket Required
I shook my head in disbelief. This couldn't be the right place. After all, I
couldn't possibly be welcome here. I had been given an invitation several
times, by several different people, and had finally decided to see what this
place was all about.
But, this just couldn't be the right place. Quickly, I glanced down at the
invitation that clutched in my hand. I scanned past the words, "Come as you
are. No jacket required," and found the location.
Yes, I was at the right place. I peered through the window again and saw a
room of people whose faces seemed to glow with joy. All were neatly dressed,
adorned in fine garments and appeared strangely clean as they dined at this
exquisite restaurant.
Ashamed, I looked down at my own tattered and torn clothing, covered in
stains. I was dirty, in fact, filthy.
A foul smell seemed to consume me and I couldn't shake the grime that clung
to my body. As I turned around to leave, the words from the invitation
seemed to leap out at me, "Come as you are. No jacket required."
I decided to give it a shot. Mustering up every bit of courage I could find,
I opened the door to this restaurant and walked up to a man standing behind
a podium.
"Your name, sir?" he asked me with a smile.
"Daniel F. Renken," I mumbled without looking up. I thrust my hands deep
into my pockets, hoping to conceal their stains.
He didn't seem to notice the filth that I was covered in and he continued,
"Very good, sir. A table is reserved in your name. Would you like to be
seated?"
I couldn't believe what I heard! A grin broke out on my face and I said,
"Yes, of course!"
He lead me to a table and, sure enough, there was a placard with my name
written on it in a deep, dark red.
As I browsed over a menu, I saw many delightful items listed.
There were things like, "peace," "joy," "blessings," "confidence,"
"assurance," "hope," "love," "faith," and "mercy."
I realized that this was no ordinary restaurant! I flipped the menu back to
the front in order to see where I was at. "God's Grace," was the name of
this place!
The man returned and said, "I recommend the 'Special of the Day.' With it,
you are entitled to heaping portions of everything on this menu."
You've got to be kidding! I thought to myself. You mean, I can have ALL of
this!
"What is the 'Special of the Day,'" I asked with excitement ringing in my
voice.
"Salvation," was his reply.
"I'll take it," I practically cried out.
Then, as quickly as I made that statement, the joy left my body. A sick,
painful ache jerked through my stomach and tears filled my eyes.
Between my sobs I said, "Mister, look at me. I'm dirty and nasty. I'm
unclean and unworthy of such things. I'd love to have all of this, but, I
Just can't afford it."
Undaunted, the man smiled again. "Sir, your check has already been taken
care of by that Gentleman over there," he said pointing to the front of the
room. "His Name is Jesus."
Turning, I saw a Man whose very presence seemed to light the room. He was
almost too much to look at. I found myself walking towards Him and in
shaking voice I whispered, "Sir, I'll wash the dishes or sweep the floors or
take out the trash. I'll do anything I can do to repay you for all of this."
He opened His arms and said with a smile, "Son, all of this is yours if you
just come unto Me. Ask Me to clean you up and I will. Ask Me to take away
the stains and it is done. Ask Me to allow you to feast at My table and you
will eat. Remember, the table is reserved in your name. All you must do is
accept this gift that I offer you."
Astonished, I fell at His feet and said, "Please, Jesus. Please clean up my
life. Please change me and seat me at Your table and give me this new life."
Immediately, I heard the words, "It is finished."
I looked down and white robes adorned my squeaky clean body. Something
strange and wonderful had happened. I felt new, like a weight had been
lifted, and I found myself seated at His table.
"The 'Special of the Day' has been served," the Lord said to me. "Salvation
is yours."
We sat and talked for a great while and I so enjoyed the time that I spent
with Him. He told me, me of all people, that He would like me to come back
as often as I liked for another helping from God's Grace. He made it clear
that He wanted me to spend as much time with Him as possible.
As it drew near time for me to go back outside into the "real world," He
whispered to me softly, "And Daniel, I am with you always." And then, He
said something to me that I will never forget. He said, "My child, Do you
see these empty tables throughout this room?"
"Yes, Lord. I see them. What do they mean?" I replied.
"These are reserved tables, but the individuals whose names are on each
placards have not accepted their invitations to dine. Would you be so kind
as to hand out these invitations to those who have not joined us yet?" Jesus
asked.
"Of course," I said with excitement as I picked up the invitations.
"Go ye therefore into all nations," He said as I turned to leave.
I walked into God's Grace dirty and hungry. Stained in sin. My righteousness
as filthy rags. And Jesus cleaned me up. I walked out a brand new man...
robed in white, His righteousness. And so, I'll keep my promise to my Lord.
I'll go.
I'll spread the Word.
I'll share the Gospel . . .
I'll hand out the invitations.
And I'll start with you.
"Have you been to God's Grace? There's a table reserved in your name, and
here's your invitation . . .
Come as you are. No jacket required."
- Author Unknown
Ephesians 2:8-10 For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that
not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should
boast. For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works,
which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.
Your Word, My Heart
Dear God,
I'll hide Your Word within my heart
To call upon each day
To calm me when the trials appear,
Or trouble comes my way.
I'll remember how You promised me
That all things work for good
I'll be steadfast in my prayers
And have faith, the way I should.
My very life is in Your hands,
My heart is Yours to mold
Each part of me belongs to You,
(A story to unfold).
Forgive me when I fail to live
The way You want me to
Restore in me, undying faith
And make me more like You.
Amen.
- Author Unknown
The Seed
Then the emperor said, "One year ago today, I gave everyone here a
seed. I told you to take the seed, plant it, water it, and bring it
back to me today. But I gave you all boiled seeds that would not grow.
All of you, except Ling, have brought me trees and plants and flowers.
When you found that the seed would not grow, you substituted another
seed for the one I gave you. Ling was the only one with the courage
and honesty to bring me a pot with my seed in it. Therefore, he Is the
one who will be the new
emperor!"
If you plant honesty, you will reap trust. If you plant goodness, you
will reap friends. If you plant humility, you will reap greatness. If
you plant perseverance, you will reap victory. If you plant
consideration, you will reap harmony. If you plant hard work, you will
reap success. If you plant forgiveness, you will reap reconciliation.
If you plant faith, you will reap miracles. So be careful what you
plant, now; it will determine what you will reap tomorrow. The seeds
you now scatter will make life worse or better for
you or for the ones who will come after you. Someday you will enjoy
the fruits or you will pay for the choices you make.
Two thousand years ago someone else told the same story with fewer
words, "What you sow, so shall you reap". If you know who said this,
nothing else needs to be said.
Meditations by Padre Pio
Only a general knows how and when to use one of his soldiers. Wait, your
turn will come.
Mother Teresa Said...
Faith is a gift from God.
When God comes to you or you go to God,
then you will have the chance to accept Him or reject Him.
Accepting Him is the gift of faith.
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Hope everyone has a good weekend as well.
