Hello my friends! We were first thinking of going out for chicken tonight, but when he came home from work and said it was so cold out, wind chill awful, I quickly made some chili - good thing I had the cans of chili beans handy. We had some left over chicken thighs from the grill last night, I food processed them, left over green beens and all went into the chili also a pint of stewed tomatoes we canned last summer. I even put some cheese in it, and it was very good! Some schools in Mpls. will be off tomorrow due to the wind chill of -40 - yes! that's darn cold! I don't know what the wind chill is here for tomorrow, but cold, too. I'm fortunate I can stay in. Today's blessings are the four loaves of bread that I took out of the oven just before he came home from work, what an aroma! He loved it. So we had fresh bread and chili. So far gmail worked out good for the list. For that I am very grateful.
Faith is what lifts me to the level of possibility and opens the door
to God's promises. Lord, continue to strengthen my belief and bless
me with unyielding faith.
S C R I P T U R E F O R T H E D A Y
"Come to me, all you that are weary and are carrying heavy burdens,
and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me;
for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your
souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light." ~Matthew
11:28-30
M E D I T A T I O N F O R T H E D A Y
I can believe that fundamentally all is well. Good things can happen
to me. I believe that God cares for me and will provide for me. I
need not try to plan ahead. I know that the way will unfold, step by
step. I can leave tomorrow's burden to God, because God is the great
burden-bearer. God only expects me to carry my one-day's share.
P R A Y E R F O R T H E D A Y
I pray that I may not try to carry the burden of the universe on my
shoulders. I pray that I may be satisfied to do my share each day.
TO MY CHILD . . .
Just for this morning, I am going to smile when I see your face and laugh
when I feel like crying.
Just for this morning, I will let you choose what you want to wear, and
smile and say how perfect it is.
Just for this morning, I am going to step over the laundry, and pick you up
and take you to the park to play.
Just for this morning, I will leave the dishes in the sink, and let you
teach me how to put that puzzle of yours together.
Just for this afternoon, I will unplug the telephone and keep the computer
off, and sit with you in the backyard and blow bubbles.
Just for this afternoon, I will not yell once, not even a tiny grumble when
you scream and whine for the ice cream truck, and I will buy you one if he
comes by.
Just for this afternoon, I won't worry about what you are going to be when
you grow up, or second-guess every decision I have made where you are
concerned.
Just for this afternoon, I will let you help me bake cookies, and I won't
stand over you trying to fix them.
Just for this afternoon, I will take us to McDonald's and buy us both a
Happy Meal so you can have both toys.
Just for this evening, I will hold you in my arms and tell you a story about
how you were born and how much I love you.
Just for this evening, I will let you splash in the tub and not get angry.
Just for this evening, I will let you stay up late while we sit on the porch
and count all the stars.
Just for this evening, I will snuggle beside you for hours, and miss my
favorite TV shows.
Just for this evening when I run my finger through your hair as you pray,
I will simply be grateful that God has given me the greatest gift ever
given.
I will think about the mothers and fathers who are searching for their
missing children; the mothers and fathers who are visiting their children's
graves instead of their bedrooms; and mothers and fathers who are in
hospital rooms watching their children suffer senselessly, and screaming
inside they can't handle it anymore.
And when I kiss you goodnight I will hold you a little tighter, a little
longer. It is then, that I will thank God for you, and ask him for nothing,
except one more day.
-- Author Unknown
Why Things Happen As They Do
Why things happen as they do
We do not always know,
And we cannot always fathom,
Why our spirits sink so low...
We flounder in our dark distress,
We are wavering and unstable,
But when we're most inadequate
The Lord God is always able....
For though we are incapable,
God is powerful and great,
And there's no darkness of the mind
That God can't penetrate....
And all that is required of us
Whenever things go wrong
Is to trust in God implicitly
With a faith that's deep and strong.
And while He may not instantly
Unravel all the strands
Of the tangled thoughts that trouble us
He completely understands....
And in His time, if we have faith
He will gradually restore
The brightness to our spirit
That we've been longing for....
So remember, there's no cloud too dark
For God's light to penetrate
If we keep on believing
And have faith enough to wait!
- Author Unknown
Romans 8:28 And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.
SAILING INTO THE NEW YEAR
Author Unknown
God built and launched this year for you;
Upon the bridge you stand;
It's your ship, aye, your own ship,
And you are in command.
Just what the twelve months? trip will do
Rests wholly, solely, friend, with you.
Your logbook kept from day to day
My friend, what will it show?
Have you on your appointed way
Made progress, yes or no?
The log will tell, like guiding star,
The sort of captain that you are.
For weal or woe this year is yours;
Your ship is on life's sea
Your acts, as captain, must decide
Whichever it shall be;
So now in starting on your trip,
Ask God to help you sail your ship.
January 6
I am able to do far beyond all that you ask or imagine. Come to Me with positive expectations, knowing that there is no limit to what I can accomplish. Ask My Spirit to control your mind, so that you can think great thoughts of Me. Do not be discouraged by the fact that many of your prayers are yet unanswered. Time is a trainer, teaching you to wait upon Me, to trust Me in the dark. The more extreme your circumstances, the more likely you are to see My Power and Glory at work in the situation. Instead of letting difficulties draw you into worrying, try to view them as setting the scene for My glorious intervention. Keep your eyes and your mind wide open to all that I am doing in your life.
Ephesians 3:20-21; Romans 8:6; Isaiah 40:30-31 (NKJV); Revelation 5:13
ON THE OTHER SIDE
A sick man turned to his doctor, as he was preparing to leave the examination room and said, "Doctor, I am afraid to die. Tell me what lies on the other side."
Very quietly, the doctor said, "I don't know."
"You don't know? You, a Christian man, do not know what is on the other side?"
The doctor was holding the handle of the door; on the other side of which came a sound of scratching and whining, and as he opened the door, a dog sprang into the room and leaped on him with an eager show of gladness. Turning to the patient, the doctor said, "Did you notice my dog? He's never been in this room before. He didn't know what was inside. He knew nothing except that his master was here, and when the door opened, he sprang in without fear. I know little of what is on the other side of death, but I do know one thing...I know my Master is there and that is enough."
-- Author Unknown
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