Dear God,

You are so good to me.

 I know You provide for my needs each day.

I know You bestow rich blessings on me each day.

I know You guide my steps each day.

I know I do things that disappoint or sadden You each day.

I know You convict and forgive me each day.

I know Your mercies are new each day.

I know I experience Your love each day.

I know Your Spirit guides me each day.

I know Your Son intercedes for me each day.

Thank You!

In Jesus' Name,

Amen

UK Basketball

I have been a UK fan since I was 10 years old.

I will be 60 years old April 10.

That's a long time.

I like to watch many sports.

My favorite overall sport is football.

However, UK basketball is in a class by itself.

I get excited during close games.

In fact, I have a hard time watching them.

I like blowouts!

I don't get angry when the Cat's lose.

I just feel sorry for the team cause I know they are trying their best on that particular day.

People tend to forget how young these players are.

I celebrate when they win.

Nothing profound or meaningful in this posting.

I'm just ready for the games to begin.

GO CATS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Doubts & Faith

 

I realized during my quiet time this morning that God allows any doubts or wondering I may have so that I will dig deeper into prayer and scripture.

When I wonder why things happen or if I really believe something, 

I can either ignore it which does no good or use it to 

fuel my hunger to know God more.

 

That's what faith is all about.

Believing what I cannot see or taste or feel.

Faith doesn't mean never doubting.

Faith is choosing to believe in spite of doubts.

Faith is giving doubts to God and letting Him answer those doubts.

  I have had times in my life when pain so overwhelmed me 

that I couldn't "sense" God's presence.

 During those times when I reached out in faith, He was there.

I can truthfully say there have been times in my life when I felt His presence.

He wraps His arms around me and 

whispers words of love and encouragement in my ears.

The world is a dark place right now.

So much evil and despair surrounds us.

But as a child of God I am not to give into this despair.

I know Who holds today and tomorrow.

And I know Who has already won the victory.

 

So if you doubt, tell God.

If you wonder, tell God.

If you despair, tell God.

He's big enough.

He can handle it.

Laughter with friends

Rainy days

Sunshine

Birds singing

Cold drink of water on a hot day

Hot coffee on a snowy morning

Watching snow fall from my living room window

Playing with my granddaughter

Hugs from my grandchildren

Phone calls from my children

Vacation at the beach w/family & friends

My puppy asleep in my lap

A loving extended family

Prayer

Southern Gospel music

A job that's also a ministry

Christian sisters and brothers

Kindness

Smiles

Wonderful weekends

Butterflies

Spring is here

Ladybugs

Dolphins

Walking without pain

Cards of encouragement

A good book

My morning quiet time

My evenings

Freedom

Jesus loves me

I am a child of God

Live, Laugh, Love

Being Thankful

I've been thinking a great deal about being thankful lately.

  

I see so many people around me who are hurting 

physically, emotionally, psychologically, relationally, and spiritually.

 

The tsunami in Japan.

People starving while others throw away food.

Children and women being abused in so many ways.

Christians being persecuted for their faith.

People who are fighting for the freedoms that we take for granted.

Then I look at other happenings around the world.

The political fussing and fighting that is so ridiculous!

 So called "idols" who people listen to just because they can

maybe sing or act or "something".

Some of them are just famous "because".

And our society worships them.

You're probably wondering where the thanks is in all of this.

I am thankful I know Who has won the victory.

I am thankful for the One Who has taken care of me through all the 

ups and downs of my life.

I am thankful that God has revealed and is revealing Himself to me daily.

I am thankful that no matter what 

may happen to this body of mine as it ages,

my spirit is safe in the Father's hands.

I am thankful that God is my Father and Husband.

I am thankful that Jesus is my Savior and Best Friend.

 I am thankful the the Holy Spirit is my Guide and Teacher.

"In God, whose word I praise,

In God I have put my trust;

I shall not be afraid 

What can mere man do to me?"

Psalm 56: 3-5

"Lord Jesus, I worship You alone. 

Thank You for Your love, mercy, kindness, and grace.

Enable me to live more like You every day.

I Love You!

Amen"

 

 

"Sometimes just being there is all that is needed."

 I have learned over the past few years that we sometimes 

talk too much when someone is hurting.  

Many times all that's needed is a hug.

If they're genuine, tears minister to a hurting heart.

Platitudes and even scripture are often not the way to go.

Sometimes, however, a well placed word or two can help.

Just be certain they are healing, not hurting words.

"I know how you feel" 

doesn't  help because when you're hurting 

you don't care if someone else knows how you feel.

You just know you hurt.

"He's in a better place" 

may make her feel bad because right now 

she doesn't want him to be in a better place.  

She wants him with her.

"Call me if you need anything" 

is nice but most likely he won't call.

"We're picking you up and taking you out to eat tonight" 

may be just what he needs to hear.

"God knows what is best"

is true but not always appropriate

because loss doesn't seem best at the time.

"I care and I'm praying for you" 

mean more than you may know.

 When I was going through my worse pain after my divorce,

the people who just listened 

and listened some more helped me the most.

Even if they'd heard it all before,

they listened again.

They allowed me to vent, 

to complain,

to cry,

to grieve.

No judgment.

No platitudes.

No "get over it'.

And after they listened to me,

I believe they listened to God.

The words that helped me heal came from these people.

So if you don't know what to say,

say nothing!

Hug!

Listen!

Cry!

"Jesus wept."

John 11:35

 

 

Sunshine fills the world with wonderful warmth!

Posies fill the sky with sweet smells!                   

Rain fills the rivers with rushing rills!                  

Insects fill the garden with gorgeous gardenias!

Nectar fills the flowers with fruitful flavor!           

God fills His child with complete contentment!   

“While the earth remains,
      Seedtime and harvest,
      Cold and heat,
      Winter and summer,
      And day and night
      Shall not cease.” 

Genesis 8:22