This blog is designed to create community for believers and provide support for seekers. I encourage all readers to share their faith in an effort to lift and encourage one another.
Enjoyed these beautiful Rose of Sharon peeking over the fence on this morning’s walk.
“He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the human heart; yet no one can fathom what God has done from beginning to end.”
Ecclesiastes 3: 11
Lord, I pray you will open our eyes to see your beauty surrounding us.
Such a beautiful prayer in scripture. Great way to start the week. Happy Monday.
Psalm 26: 1-3
“Vindicate me, Lord, for I have led a blameless life; I have trusted in the Lord and have not faltered. Test me, Lord and try me, examine my heart and my mind; for I have always been mindful of your unfailing love and have lived in reliance on your faithfulness.”
The only way I can claim a blameless life is through the saving grace of Jesus Christ.
Lord, soften the hearts of those who do not know your saving grace. May they have eyes to see and ears to hear.
Why do we sometimes neglect the second part of this? It’s a command, directly from Jesus: “Love your neighbor as yourself.”
Father, teach us to recognize our neighbors and to love them as you do.
As the Deer Pants for Water
In August the hot sun scorches the earth. The brittle grass browns and breaks. Moisture-starved leaves yellow and flutter to the ground. The baked earth, cracked in every direction, cries for rain. Insects buzz in erratic dances—nothing else moves. The stifling heat rises in nearly invisible waves.
Safe in her thicket, the deer stirs. Hot and parched, she must drink. Gingerly, she ventures to the brook to quench her thirst. Frequently, she pauses to sniff the air, sensing wolves and other predators lurking nearby, eager to taste her flesh. They too must drink, so her danger heightens as she nears the life-giving water. In spite of the danger, her extreme thirst drives her to the stream, for she pants for water. She mustdrink.
On a hot summer’s day, we guzzle glass after glass of cold, refreshing water, attempting to slake our thirst. If our souls truly pant for God the way the deer pants for water, what would we do?
O God, give me a thirst for you. Make the thirst in me so strong I must satisfy it. Give me the discipline to drink deeply at your never-ending stream.
Psalms 42:1&2 “As the deer pants for the water brooks, so pants my soul for You, O God.
My soul thirsts for God, for the living God.”
Reverend Peale’s advice should help us have a happy Tuesday!
“Be so strong that nothing can disturb your peace of mind. Talk health, happiness, and prosperity to every person you meet. Make all your friends feel there is something special in them. Look at the sunny side of everything. Think only the best, be as enthusiastic about the success of others as you are about your own.”
~ Norman Vincent Peale ~
This nugget of wisdom was from Sunday’s sermon. It’s worth contemplating and remembering.
“We experience transformation in bite-sized chunks, so keep chewing.”
Father, keep me learning and growing closer to your image. Keep me chewing.
Happy Friday, everyone!
May you find wisdom and strength through the Psalms
Psalm 23:3-5
“Who may ascend the mountain of the Lord? Who may stand in his holy place? The one who has clean hands and a pure heart, who does not trust in an idol or swear by a false god. They will receive blessing from the Lord and vindication from God their Savior.”
Here’s where I’ve been hanging out for the past two days. Got my computer, pens and notebook, snacks and a drink.
I am learning so much. One little thing is the title. It makes all the difference and one professional suggested something different from what I had.
Without knowing which one was my working title and which one the agent suggested, which of these possible titles most appeals to you? Why?
1. Finding God in the gospels.
2. Encountering God by the Master’s Side.
3. Drawing Closer to God in the gospels.
What do you think?
Where are you going this day? Remember, God will be with you, wherever that is. Be courageous in His strength today.
Growing Our Faith Together 