Thursday, February 14, 2013

Love Letter . . . NOT!



I know your deeds, your hard work and your perseverance.
I know you cannot tolerate wicked people.
You have persevered and have endured hardships for my name's sake and not grown weary.
YET, I HOLD THIS AGAINST YOU . . .
Your have left your first love -- ME.
Jesus
(taken from Rev. 2:2-4).

No, this is NOT the love letter I would want to receive from Jesus, the lover of my soul.

I have to stop and think--if Jesus were to write me a love letter,
stating all the things He loves about me, 
would there be a YET included?

Today, on a day that is set aside for LOVE,
Let's take time to remember Jesus . . .
The One who gave everything He had for us,
and is going to share everything He has with us.

"Now if we are children, then we are heirs -- heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, 
if indeed we share in His sufferings in order that we may also share in His glory." (Rom. 8:17).

If you have gotten caught up in the busyness of life and in the busyness of "doing" church and have lost your first love, all you have to do is:
  • Remember from what heights you have fallen (Where did Jesus pick you up? Out of the miry clay or beside your road of broken dreams?)
  • Repent and turn away from what seems to drive you away for Him
  • Go back and do the things you did when you first met Jesus

Then rest in the fact that:

"To him who overcomes (is victorious), I will grant to eat of the tree of life, 
which is in the paradise of God." (Rev. 2:7).

Happy Valentine's Day!


image from office microsoft.com

Thursday, February 7, 2013

What Does Your Day Look Like?

What does your day look like? I ask myself this question when I wake up. What do I have to do today? What will I have to face today? What do I need to get accomplished today? And the ever so popular one . . . Will I GET through today?

No matter what it is you and I have to do, or face today, we have a source in which to go to for assistance. For the Word says "God is able to BLESS you abundantly, so that in ALL things at ALL times, having ALL that you need, you will abound in EVERY good work." (2 Cor. 9:8 NIV).




As we venture out into our day, we need to remember what God's Word says to us:

God is able to BLESS us abundantly. Not just a little, not just to get us by, but ABUNDANTLY. And abundant means "more than enough." God is able to bless us MORE than enough today.

So that in ALL things we do or face today and at ALL times throughout the day . . . we will have ALL we need! I don't know about you, but I have many needs throughout the day:



  • patience
  • strength - mental and physical
  • love
  • faith
  • wisdom
  • direction
  • knowledge
  • and sometimes an absolute miracle!


I have to remind myself that I have ALL I need!

Last, but certainly not least, we will abound in every good work. The Holman Christian Standard Bible says "you may EXCEL in every good work."

What will we have to do or face today? I don't know but I DO know that God is able to bless us with everything we need so we can excel in all that we do.

Have a great day!








images from office microsoft.com

Sunday, February 3, 2013

Memories of Maggie




Lady Margaret Fortune -- Maggie  -- 
July 8, 2001 - January 29, 2013 


You came into our lives as a bouncing ball of fur
And captured each of our hearts.
For many years you gave us joy and laughter,
But most of all you gave us love.

You loved us through good times and bad,
Through happy and sad.
And that love was unconditional,
A love that knew no bounds.


You were there for Ally, as she went through her pre-teen years
And as she grew into a young woman.
You watched her dress for proms and outings with friends
And then sat and watched as she packed for college.


A greeter for everyone who came to visit.
You always thought they came to see you.
With the wagging of your tail and twirls of delight,
You made everyone feel welcome -- morning, noon, or night.





Your coat held the tears of a family finding their way
Through the ups and downs of life.
And as you got older and didn't want to play,
You could snuggle with each of us in your on special way.



During the day you rested up while the house was quite,
Only to spend the rest of the day in our presence.
In our laps, sharing a spot in the recliner, a corner of the couch,
Or at our feet  -- if we were at home, you were right with us.








You loved each one of us and had unique things you did with each.
From snuggling with Daddy to rocking with Ally or sitting in the chair with me looking over my computer . . .






You made each of us feel special  . . .

In red bows for Christmas, orange for football season,
Pastels for Spring, or purple, yellow, or green . . .
We thought you were the cutest thing
We had ever seen.






Ally had your bow colors planned for the year,
We didn't know your time was near,
That we would have to say goodbye to our furry bundle of love,
But only with the help from our Father above.




It was so hard to say goodbye
No time to plan or prepare.
But know you will always affectionally be . . .
The Baby of our family.