Hi sweetie. I found something else to bring you tonight. It's a study titled In The Beginning. If you want to learn more about the beginning, there are seven more articles or studies. I haven't read every word in this so you might find some mistakes. If you do please let me know. Thanks sis!! love ya, me
Day 1 - The Beginning
In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth (Genesis 1:1).
Understanding the beginning is the beginning of understanding. The first verse in the Bible may include the four most important words ever written—"in the beginning God." The understanding of this one verse is the foundation upon which all truth is based. Before we can comprehend the end of the age, or our present purposes, we must first understand the beginning. This is the foundation upon which everything else is built.
"In the beginning God"—these four words are worthy of a lifetime of study, and will be the basis upon which an eternity of worship will be founded. We exist because of God. We, therefore, owe Him everything. He alone is worthy of our worship and devotion.
At the end of the age, the most pressing philosophical controversies still revolve around our origin. This is understandable because when we answer this one question right, the answers to all other questions are possible. If we answer it wrong, the door opens to almost every form of darkness and deception.
Just as the strength of a foundation will determine the magnitude of what can be built upon it, the depth to which we understand this one truth about our origin can determine the spiritual strength of our entire lives. When we understand that we had our beginning in God, and that He made us for His purposes, we are compelled to return to Him. The truth of our beginning is also the beginning of all truth. Since He made us, we are His. Therefore, His purpose and His plan must guide us.
If God made us, then we can no longer claim to be the centers of this universe. He is the center. Jesus is the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End. He is I Am. All things will be summed up in Him. Just as every compass will point to the magnetic north, all else will ultimately point to Him, the magnetic pole of truth. With this pole of truth in our hearts, we have a basis for every decision—what is His will? All things came from Him and all will return to Him. This is our destiny and the goal of our lives—to return to the One who made us, and to serve Him in all things.
Also implied is the importance of all beginnings. How we begin our day will probably determine the quality of our day. How we begin our marriages will have a lot to do with the quality of our marriages. How we begin our jobs, ministries, or any other venture, will determine their foundations. How something is started is often the primary factor in the quality of what is finished. Projects begun on an impulse are just as quickly and easily abandoned. For any significant project that is accomplished, great care must be taken while laying the foundation.
The foundation is the single part of any building that is used every day. If it collapses, the rest of the building will collapse. The Apostle Paul wrote in I Corinthians 3:11, "For no man can lay a foundation other than the one which is laid, which is Jesus Christ." Knowing Jesus and abiding in Him is the foundation of our spiritual lives. We may build many things upon this foundation, and we may learn many great truths about His ways and His purposes. We may do great things for Him, but coming to Him every day, and doing all that we do with Him instead of just for Him, is essential if we are to bear true spiritual fruit. Paul also wrote in Ephesians 1:9-10:
He made known to us the mystery of His will, according to His kind intention which He purposed in Him with a view to an administration suitable to the fulness of the times, that is, the summing up of all things in Christ, things in the heavens and things upon the earth. In Him.
The ultimate purpose of God is that all things will be summed up in His Son. If we do not keep the ultimate purpose of God as the focus of our lives, and assure that all we do is founded in Him, we will continually be distracted by the lesser purposes of God. Many are distracted from the River of Life by the little tributaries that feed it. If you want to stay in the River, keep your focus on Jesus Christ in all things. No other foundation can be laid that will stand.
I like this so far. I'll send the next one tomorrow unless you tell me you'd rather I didn't. Bye for now, Darlene MMuuuuaaaaahhhhh
Hi Sis! I'm very tired this evening cause we've had company all day! I might fall asleep on the keyboard.
I'm gonna make this short and go sit in our recliner.
with lots of love, me
Here's your mail....
Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death I will fear no evil, for you are with me.
Psalm 23:4
Sometimes the recovery journey takes us through the valley of the shadow of death. It is a frightening valley.
What a difference it makes in times like this to hear God's promise
to be with us. It's not that the fears vanish, they don't always. But
we experience them differently when we are not alone. When we are alone our fears can become the focus of our thoughts and feelings – they can consume all of our emotional resources. But when our journey is a shared one, fear does not have the same power over us.
God has made a very specific promise to us when we are going through the most difficult of life's struggles. God has promised to be with us.
It is hard to say how God's presence will be made known. Our subjective experience of God's presence may vary widely.
Sometimes when we least expect it, we may hear the still, small
voice of God saying "I am here". Sometimes God will use a friend, a
sponsor, a counselor, or someone in a support group to speak to us in ways that help us to remember that we are not alone.
Sometimes God will give us a peace that needs no words.
The important reality is that God is with us. God does not come and go in the way our experience of God's presence comes and goes. God does not forsake us. God walks with us. Even through deep valleys.
God, I am walking through a difficult valley right now.
Sometimes I think my heart will give way with fear.
Remind me of your presence.
Sometimes I know you are here.
Sometimes I'm sure you have gone.
Are you really here?
Please walk close beside me.
I need your protection.
I need your love.
Amen.
Copyright 2009 Dale and Juanita Ryan
This is another god one!!! with love and a great big hug, Darlene
Honey, I was just telling a friend of mine yesterday that when I was fairly close to having one of my babies, I was watching TV and saw a monkey milkinng a goat. I got sick to my stomach over seeing that. It wasn't icky but I guess I was nausiated cause it sure did make my stomach sick. I wasn't sick at the time either.
Is it possible you have the wrong date of your last cycle?
I thought of a verse this morning that sorta goes along with how I feel about our daughter Dawn. I don't remember the right words but it goes something like this. As a hen gathereth her chickens so would the Lord like to gather us. I know this is not the way it goes, but I'm pretty sure about it saying God wants to gather us like a hen gathers her chickens. That's what I'd like to do. Our kids are busy as we all get and we don't see them very often anymore. It's pretty sad, but I know the Lord is their Lord too. All four of our kids know Jesus as their Savior.
I like the idea of sending her the letter...but unless the Lord shows me or leads me differently, I'm goiing to wait till next Monday and even then I don't know what I'll do. But today is today and I could change my mind or the Lord could help me know what I need to do before Monday.
Charlene, Don and I didn't get saved till we were in our late 30's. He and I both know that our kids had a rough time when they were young. I feel sorry for what our kids went through, but I can't change the past. I am different today than I was then and so is Don. There were some decisions I made that I wish I wouldn't have and other times I wish I had made a decision and instead I didn't. I pretended everything was fine when it wasn't.
I get this in the mail every day. I thought you might like to read it. love you, me
September 3, 2009
The wicked man flees though no one pursues, but the righteous are as bold as a lion.
--Proverbs 28:1
In 1996, Reverend Joe Wright, pastor of a large church in Wichita, Kansas, bravely stepped to the microphone of the Kansas House of Representatives to open a session in prayer.
But it wasn't the generic prayer to which the congressmen were accustomed. In part, he said:
"We have ridiculed the absolute truth of Your Word and called it moral pluralism. We have worshipped other gods and called it multiculturalism....
"In the name of choice, we have killed the unborn. In the name of right to life, we have killed the abortionists....
"We have polluted the air with profanity and pornography and called it freedom of expression. We have ridiculed the time-honored values of our forefathers and called it enlightenment."
He then asked for wisdom and forgiveness and closed the prayer in Jesus' name.
As you can imagine, Wright's prayer caused quite an uproar. But he stood strong...and said he wouldn't apologize for stating what was true.
In today's secular and godless culture, we need more people like Reverend Wright to take a bold stand for Jesus...people who aren't afraid of declaring and defending the truth of God as revealed in His Word.
Are you one of those people? When was the last time you took a stand for Christ? Maybe it wasn't in front of a room full of congressmen, but perhaps in a personal conversation with an unbelieving friend.
Today, I want to challenge you to memorize the verse at the beginning of this devotional, and live it out in your daily life.
As a believer, you have the truth on your side! So you can be as bold as a lion as you live the Christian life.
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Ask the Lord to help you be bold and strong in your witness for Him.
This is sent to senior's but I think this one is good for all of us. With my thanks and love, Darlene
Hi, it's me again! (as if you didn't know)
I called our daughter yesterday morning and asked her if I could read a letter I had written to her. I read her part of it, then we both said a few more things, and then she hung up on me. I've decided unless I (or the Lord) changes my mind, not to call or contact her in any way for one week. Next Tuesday I hope to know what to do or not do.
Here's your mail.....
Are You Wasting Away?
By Jim Liebelt
Much is required from those to whom much is given, and much more is required from those to whom much more is given.
Luke 12:48b (NLT)
The young people that made up this “blue-collar” youth group were seething at their youth pastor as he stood in front of them, burning a twenty-dollar bill. For these kids, twenty dollars was a big deal! Repeatedly, he would set fire to the bill, let a bit of it burn and then blow out the flame. Repeatedly, he asked the question: “Is the bill still worth twenty-dollars?” The kids thought their youth pastor was crazy! They begged him to stop—to give the money to them—before it was too late and the bill was worthless. The students yelled in frustration as the money finally disappeared into ashes. Then, the youth pastor asked, “How many of you are treating the life God gave you in the same way?” The atmosphere of the group changed immediately as the kids fell into an introspective silence.
What about you? God has given each of us tremendous gifts of life, talents and abilities. Are these being used as God intended or are they—like the twenty-dollar bill in the youth pastor’s object lesson—being slowly squandered and wasted away?
Unlike burned money, and fortunately for us, God is in the business of re-creating squandered lives. There is no one so far gone that God is not able to restore and rebuild a life. It’s never too late to recognize waste in our own lives, ask God for His forgiveness and grace, and get back on the track of real life, offering ourselves up to God to be used by Him.
Today, take a quick self-inventory. Are you being responsible with the gifts God has given you or are you allowing yourself to be wasted? Take whatever action is necessary to make needed changes and to put your God-given gifts to use for the cause of Christ!
GOING DEEPER:
1. What gift, ability or talent do you possess that is not being used to its fullest for the cause of Christ?
2. What decisions do you need to make that would allow God to do a work of re-creation in your life so that he may use you more effectively for His purposes?
Sis, Don's asleep so I can't type now. I'll write to you tomorrow.
OOOOOOOOOOOOOOO's
Pure Religion
By Mike DeVries
Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world.
James 1:27 (TNIV)
Mark Twain once remarked that it was not the things that he did not understand in the Bible that bothered him, it was the things that he did understand.
I don’t know about you, but today’s scripture is one of those places for me. The writer of the book of James makes this astounding statement about a religion that is “pure” and “faultless.” What is astounding is that he opens the door to the idea that religion, in its proper expression, is not cold and lifeless, but is actually fresh and life giving.
Religion in its proper expression is not about living a perfect life, nor about being able to check off the “religious to-do list,” but about embodying the heart of God. It is about living a life in which we “follow God’s example” (Eph. 5:1), caring about and taking action on the same things and in the same way that the incarnate God, Jesus Christ, displayed for us.
Time and again, the Scriptures display God’s heart for the last and the least of society. It appears that this is a subject that is very close to the heart of God, and thus should be one that is close to the heart of those who are followers of God. Perhaps one of the greatest legacies that we leave the next generation of Christians is a strong expression of caring for those who are close to the heart of God—those who are the last and least in society.
What if, rather than being known for what it stands against, the people of God were known for what they stood for? What if we, the Church, were best known as a conduit of love and grace to a world that is in desperate shortage of both? Caring for those who are the last and the least is not only a good ideal, but rather it appears to be central to a life that pleases God.
GOING DEEPER:
What are some practical ways in which you can care for the last and the least in your community?
Let us acknowledge the Lord;
let us press on to acknowledge him.
As surely as the sun rises, he will appear;
he will come to us like the winter rains,
like the spring rains that water the earth.
Hosea 6:3
There are days when we feel God's presence. We sense God's love. We see God's power. But we do not always feel or sense or see. There are times of silence, distance and uncertainty. There are the difficult times of waiting for God to appear. In times like this we may find ourselves both longing for God and fearing that God will come.
The longing comes because in our heart of hearts we know that there is no recovery without God's gracious presence. If God does not appear, we are stuck, bound, hopelessly entangled in dysfunction. If God does appear, it will be like the sun rising - we will be able to see the way.
It will be like gentle rains which nurture us so that we can grow and
thrive.
The fear comes because often we do not see God as one who comes as 'sun' and 'rain' to give life. We are afraid that when God does appear, it will be to punish us, to demand restitution from us, to shame us.
Because we have served vengeful and vindictive gods, we fear that it will be the god-of-impossible-expectations who will finally appear.
We do well to follow the urging of this text to 'acknowledge God'. We need daily to examine whom we serve. When we acknowledge the god-of-impossible-expectations, then we will surely fear his appearing. But if we acknowledge the God of the Bible whose coming is to nurture and give life, then we will await God's coming like the dawn of a new day.
I acknowledge you, Lord.
You are not the god-of-impossible-expectations.
You are not the god-who-is-eager- to-punish.
I know what it is like when these other gods come.
They bring shame, blame and fear.
I do not acknowledge them, Lord.
I acknowledge you.
Come as the dawn of a new day, Lord.
Bring light into my dark days.
Come as gentle rain, Lord,
Cleanse, renew and nurture.
Come, Lord, as the dawn.
Come as the rains.
Water the parched earth of my soul.
Amen.
I forgot to tell you, I have a huge container of granny squares that my mother made. She had planned on making a bed spread but didn't get them done. There's still lots of yarn too so someday I might complete it. It's different colors like beige, off white, and brown all one string of yarn.
That's excellent that you know how to do this!! I don't, so if I do complete my mom's bed spread, I'll need to learn how to make granny squares first. love ya, me
Hi there. Yep, your little girl is growing. You don't look like you've gained at all, except in the tummy area. You look very nice and pretty too!
My "book" as you call it, isn't doin do good. I've been very tired and not up to par for the last couple of weeks.
I did do something yesterday toward the writing though. With Don's help I got a heavy container out of our shed that has all my old notebooks and journals in it. It's here in the house now. When I feel a little better, I hope to slowly read these things. Looking at the past is hard so I want to wait till I feeel a bit better. Then something else happened yesterday that was hard for me.
One of our daughters called yesterday and I answered the phone. She is very angry because I haven't called her the last couple of weeks. She ended up telling me that she wants nothing to do with me. At that point I told her I love her and I'll be praying for her. I have and I will but this has hurt me so deep it's hard to describe.
I don't believe she means it from her heart but she's not speaking from her heart right now. She's speaking from her anger!
I wrote her a letter last night and again this morning. Since she wants nothing to do with me, I can't mail them but it helped to write to her anyway. This is not the first time she's said hurtful things to me or Don. I forgive her of course. It does hurt though. Tears are flowing while I'm typing. Please pray about her and I (and Don too).
I'll bring your mail later. love, Darlene
Hi Sis!! When I got to your page and saw your new picture, I smiled. I'm really glad you put this picture here. It's a sweet picture.
Don's goin to bed soon so I need to make this short.
I have your "mail" with me. teehee...........
Addiction to Activity
By Jim Liebelt
You may say, “I am allowed to do anything.” But I reply, “Not everything is good for you.” And even though I am allowed to do anything, I must not become a slave to anything.
1 Corinthians 6:12 (NLT)
What is all the commotion about? It seems that everyone is rushing about, trying to work through their “to-do” lists so that they can…add more items to their “to do” lists. Let’s have some perspective here! We are not doing ourselves any favors by living life at supersonic speed. Today, we cram more and more activity into our lives because our culture encourages us to do so and because we can.
This addiction to activity has also infected the church. It’s wonderful that so many churches today can offer a wide variety of ministry services in order to address a wide variety of life issues. But, far too many Christ-followers cram their schedules with too many (good) things: ministry meetings, program meetings, small group Bible studies, accountability groups, recovery groups, and even meetings to plan more meetings! And, as a result life loses its balance.
Remember, just because we can do something, doesn’t mean we should! Busyness for busyness sake—even when the busyness is ministry oriented—is counterproductive at best, and just plain sinful at worst.
When I look at Jesus’ life, I see a man who was not ruled by His schedule. He seldom seemed rushed. For instance, I love that while He pursued plans, he would welcome interruptions from people in need. From what we know, Jesus never said anything like this to anyone, “I’m sorry, I can’t help you. I need to be in Jericho by sundown.” Wouldn’t it be refreshing to cut back on our pace of activities and actually live more like Jesus? Wouldn’t it be helpful to become more of the salt and light that Jesus called us to be in our neighborhoods and communities and spent less time in activities and meetings just talking about it?
Today, give some thought to the pace of your life. If necessary, begin the process of weeding out activities from you life that may be good, but actually prevent you from living a balanced life.
GOING DEEPER:
1. What good activities are you involved in that could actually be (or become) obstacles to your spiritual health and effectiveness in serving Christ?
2. Are you simply too busy? If so, what steps can you take this week get your schedule under control?
FURTHER READING:
Luke 7:11-17; 10:38-42; Matthew 5:13-16; Psalm 46:10
I can see where my life could use some help in cutting out some of the things I do..especially on the computer. Every now and then I realize I'm overdoing in one way or the other. I need more balance. What they said about Jesus helped me see that I want to be more like He was when He was here. He took the time to listen and He took the time to answer their questions. Actually He's still listening and He will still answer our questions. He's the same yesterday, today and forever. love, Darlene
Charlene!! It's so nice seeing your little one along with this very pretty picture of you!! This is a super nice surprise.
Thank you for saying what you did about my writing. I think you're prejudice (or however that's spelled) cause you care about me.
I do hope you will write your own story someday. The way I think about this is, even if I leave it in my computer or make a hard copy (as they say) and leave it for my kids that would be enough for me. It doesn't have to be a book.
I love you for saying that though. That means a lot to my heart. Thanks pal.
I really do appreciate seeing this picture of you. When is the baby due? I forgot. I know I'm gonna want to send the baby something. I don't know how I can and that makes me sad!!
Here's your mail again. lots of hugs, me
Surviving the Lions
By Robin Dugall
Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.
Psalm 23:4
I don’t think that there is one person whom I have ever met who has been exempted from hard times in life. There is a myth in much of Christianity that once you become a follower of Jesus that you are “protected” from tough times. People interpret the “abundant life” that Jesus promises as if His role is to insulate us from the hard realities of life. But, it just doesn’t happen that way. For those who trust in Jesus, we echo what David wrote when he penned those famous words in the 23rd Psalm.
From today’s Scripture, note that David, the author of Psalm 23, didn’t write, “IF I walk through the valley…” Rather, he exclaims “even though.” Hard times are inevitable and to be anticipated. It is part of what it means to live in a broken world.
There was a young man who went through horrendous hard times in his life. His name was Daniel and his story can be found in the book of the Old Testament that bears his name. One of the most “famous” stories that we know from Daniel’s life is when he found himself standing up for God, and ended up at the bottom of a lions’ den as a result. Even though Darius the king respected Daniel, he had violated the king’s law and was quickly expedited to the lions’ den to suffer a sure and certain death. Daniel was thrown to the lions, but God delivered him. The king was so astounded by the way God protected Daniel, that the king himself comes to acknowledge the God of Daniel as his own God.
While we may never have to face being thrown to the lions, hard times will come. We can trust in God or we can allow the tough times to overcome us. When you are experiencing hard times, make God your highest priority. Build the foundation of your life on Him.
Further, we don’t have to face tough times alone. God has put people in your life in community to encourage and support you. As Peter said in his New Testament letter, “humble yourselves under the mighty power of God and He will honor and bless you.” With your trust placed firmly in God and His power to deliver, you too can survive the “lions” you face.
GOING DEEPER:
1. Have you ever felt that you have been eaten alive by your problems and hard times? What “lions” are you facing today?
2. What can God teach you about your problems? How can you view them differently knowing that God is with you?
Hi Charlene, I'm planning on writing my story so if I don't write to you every day, that's the reason. I really want to get this finished before the Lord takes me home. You are important to me so I'll probably still stop by almost every day but just in case I don't, you'll know why.
Here's your mail.....
Not Always As It Seems
By Kelly McFadden
So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you…
Matthew 7:12
A Different Type of Prayer
(author unknown):
"Heavenly Father, Help us remember that the jerk who cut us off in traffic last night is a single mother who worked nine hours that day and was rushing home to cook dinner, help with homework, do the laundry and spend a few precious moments with her children. Help us to remember that the pierced, tattooed, disinterested young man who can't make change correctly is a worried 19-year-old college student, balancing his apprehension over final exams with his fear of not getting his student loans for next semester. Remind us, Lord, that the scary looking fellow, begging for money in the same spot every day is a slave to addictions that we can only imagine in our worst nightmares. Help us to remember that the old couple walking annoyingly slow through the store aisles and blocking our shopping progress are savoring this moment, knowing that, based on the biopsy report she got back last week, this will be the last year that they go shopping together."
It’s been said, “You never know enough about a situation to truly be angry.” So often we jump to conclusions, instead of looking beyond the situation at the heart of the matter. As children the Golden Rule was said in our classrooms, teaching us to be fair and nice. As adults, we now teach the next generation this same phrase. Treat others the way you want to be treated. But do you truly act this way? Or is the Golden Rule just a looming phrase and a nice ideal? The words in Matthew 7:12 are the words of Jesus. These words are building blocks of compassion and kindness. God shows us this kind of love every day. What can you do today to show an act of mercy or goodness? As Christians it is important to treat others the way Jesus would treat them…you may be the only Jesus someone ever sees.
GOING DEEPER:
1. Have you ever misjudged a situation? What happened? What was the result?
from me (Darlene)...YES, I have misjudged a situation concerning a good friend of mine.
2. How can you make an effort today, and everyday, to be an example of God’s mercy and goodness?
from me (Darlene)...I can remember that she's a sweetheart and I love her. I hope I've learned to trust the Lord with people I love.
FURTHER READING:
Luke 6:27-36; Romans 13:8-10; Galatians 5:13-15
I love you and hope you're feeling better and better every day! Darlene
Hi Sis, I love the words you used in your note to me..."no sugar coating". That's good.
I tend to be a mother hen with some people, so consider me your mother hen! lol I'm not a mother hen to very many, just a select few and I guess you're one of those!! Do you understand what I mean by a "mother hen"? You probably do but just in case you don't, here's an example. There are two sisters who live in the same town we used to live in. One is older than I am and the other is a little younger. When I'm with these two ladies I act like a mother hen. It's really kind of funny, but it's true.
Honey, why are you alone so much?
One wonderful thing to remember when you are alone is we really aren't ever alone. Jesus said, I will NEVER leave thee nor forsake thee.
I also know there are times we need other people!! I know this personally. I wish we lived next door to each other. I'd watch the kids for you now and then. Not always, cause I'm getting up in years and little kids are active, as you know very well.
Well sweetie, here's your mail. Please take GOOD care of yourself. I know the Lord wants us to take care of ourselves. He loves us.
Prayer of Blessing
By Leslie Snyder
May your unfailing love rest upon us, O Lord, even as we put our hope in you.
Psalm 33:22
Have you ever watched a child fall asleep in the arms of a parent, especially in a noisy crowd like a sporting event or other large gathering? The sleepy child often falls asleep in the most precarious of positions with his or her head cocked sideways on the parent’s shoulder, one arm hoisted around Mom or Dad’s neck while the other dangles. It’s an awkward position for both parent and child, but the innate relationship between the need of the child and the love of the parent instinctively leads the parent to shield the young dreamer from disturbances. Rest is available to the child as he or she trusts Mom or Dad’s loving care.
I love the psalmist’s use of the phrase rest upon us. It conjures up images of someone gently laying a soft, warm blanket across the shoulders of one who needs protection from the elements of wind, rain or excessive heat or cold. The phrase literally brings visible comfort, an audible exhale, a physical release, and relief from the daily barrage of stress, pain, burden, anger, hurt and disappointment. The other phrase that complements this is even as we put our hope in you. How amazing is it that the blessing comes in the action of hoping? Not before, not after, but during the act of trusting comes a blessing of rest. Another translation chooses the word mercy instead of rest. What an even greater gift when we think of rest in terms of mercy, for who doesn’t need this gift?
As you consider this verse today, I’d like to invite you to pray this passage as a blessing for the people around you. It might sound something like this, “May your unfailing love rest upon (insert name here), even as she/he puts her/his hope in you. Amen." Not only will you be blessing someone, you will begin the powerful practice of praying Scripture.
GOING DEEPER:
Praying Scripture may feel odd at first. Even so, give it a try. Below are some Scriptures to get you started.
FURTHER READING:
Ephesians 3:16-19, 6:19-20; Philippians 1:3-6
I don't think I've ever prayed scripture....have you? I like this idea! lots of love, Darlene
Hi Sis, I want to be honest with you. Like I said, I missed you and I also was VERY concerned about you. You had said something awhile back about crying. I asked you about that because I really care. Then I began to worry about you too.
As goofy as this sounds, I was wondering if someone esle was sending me the notes you sent. Now I know I was wrong and I am sorry. I had no idea you needed to copy and paste to send a message. I actually wondered whether your computer was even broken. I've heard the truth is always easier, but it sure isn't easy!!
I tend to have a suspicious nature at times, as you can tell.
I hope you'll forgive me.
Here's your mail.....
Warning Grooves
By Kelly McFadden
Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.
Philippians 4:8
Have you ever come home at 11:30 p.m. for a midnight curfew? It’s not likely. I remember waiting on my front steps until 11:59 p.m. before going inside. When given the opportunity, it seems to be in our nature to push the limits to the very farthest degree. Perhaps you’ve asked this question before: how far is too far? How much noise can I make until I push Mom over the edge? How fast over the speed limit can I drive before the police will pull me over? How much can I cheat before getting caught?
We like walking on the edge. The problem is that when we live life near the edge, we can go too far before we realize it. It’s like being on a winding mountain road. On many of them, as you near the edge, you’ll hit a series of warning grooves that cause you to start bumping along. They are there to remind you to get back on the right track. Driving on the edge of a road is dangerous, because it can be easy to lose control and drive off the edge.
The Christian life is much the same. I used to think some of the rules in the Bible were cumbersome. I have come to realize, however, that it is these very guidelines—like warning grooves on a road—that help keep me from flying over the edge and losing control in my life. God’s commandments and principles are there for our protection so we can experience all God wants us to experience. Typically, when people lose control of their lives, it hasn’t been just one bad decision that launches them off a moral cliff, but a series of bad decisions along the way. The Scriptures, the Holy Spirit and our brothers and sisters in Christ help provide us with the warning grooves and the guardrails we need to keep us from flying out of control and going over the edge.
Thank God today for giving us the help we need to stay on the “narrow road."
GOING DEEPER:
1. What is the meaning of today’s verse, Philippians 4:8?
2. Pray today, asking the Lord to show you who can be a companion to walk beside you and help keep you accountable in your thoughts and actions.
FURTHER READING:
Ecclesiastes 4:11-13; James 5:13-18; 1 John 3:1-2
Hi Charlene, this isn't the usual thing I send. I'll send that later.
This is a good thing to read, and then practice. I know I need to be more honest in lots of ways.
No more lying then. Everyone must tell the truth to his fellow believers because we are all members together in the body of Christ.
Ephesians 4:25
Honesty is essential to recovery. Honesty is essential to intimacy. But honesty is not easy.
We were not created to be isolated, independent creatures. We were created to be interdependent. We need each other. And in order for us to be helped by others and to be helpful to others, we need to practice honesty. That means we must learn how to talk to each other about our thoughts and our feelings and our needs. We must learn to talk about our struggles and failures, about our dreams and our successes.
Honesty is the soil in which intimate relationships grow. It creates the possibility of being known and loved for who we really are. But it is also full of risks. If we tell the truth about ourselves, people may not listen. They may not want to know. They may not understand. They may judge and reject. They may dislike us. They may give us simple answers to unanswerable questions. They may repeat what we have said to others.
We hesitate to be honest because we have experienced these things in the past. Our feelings may have been minimized. Our thoughts may have been devalued. Our reality may have been denied. But in order to grow healthy relationships, in order to heal and recover, we need to begin to take risks. Learning honesty will be a process for us. It will not come quickly. But as we practice the disciplines of honesty we gradually become more secure in telling the truth.
I am tired of lying, when it would be just as easy to tell the truth.
But I am afraid of honesty, Lord.
It's not as easy as it sounds.
Help me to pursue honesty today.
Help me to be honest with you.
Help me to be honest with myself.
Help me to build a community of faith
where honesty is the norm.
Build in me a capacity for truth.
Amen.
Copyright Dale and Juanita Ryan
Charlene, I hope you're being honest with me about your keyboard being broken again.
I'm going to be honest with you. When you've sent me those notes, using your broken keyboard, I was able to read them fine. So, unless you have a hard time pressing the keys, it would be fine with me for you to use your broken keyboard.
I know how busy a mom can be with a family to care for and all that goes with that. I wouldn't want you to ever stop doing something for them in order to write me a note. What it comes down to is this....I miss hearing from you. love, Darlene
I get a letter from this place pretty often. If you want to write them, I guess you'll need to put this link in your search bar.
I had copied a reading but then copied something else over it. I'll send one again tomorrow.
Tilll tomorrow then. With a hug,Darlene
Hi Charlene, I was reading some of your messages on my page and I noticed you wrote to me on July 28th and told me that you have a new keyboard. It had been broken before then. Then a couple of days ago you wrote that your keyboard is broken. I'm confused. I hope you're ok.
Here's your mail. love, Darlene
"So then, let us not be like others, who are asleep but let us be alert and self-controlled"
1 Thessalonians 5:6
The first step toward honesty is to pay attention. In the words of this text, the choices we face are either to sleep or to be alert and
self-controlled.
There are days when we would rather 'sleep'. There are days when the emotional numbness of denial seems less painful then the alertness required by recovery. Couldn't we just 'let it ride' for a day? Couldn't we just 'sleep' for a while?
Sometimes people encourage us to 'sleep'. "Why are you still paying
attention to that? It was a long time ago!" Or "Why are you still
'holding on' to that? Just forgive and get it behind you." Wouldn't it
be great to get this over with quickly and not have to pay attention to it anymore?
There is a rest, a serenity, that comes from God. But it comes from
'alertness' not from 'sleep'. God's peace is not like the 'sleep' in
this text. This sleep is denial, it is avoidance, it is distraction, it
is pretending, it is death. Being alert means that we allow ourselves to see and hear, to use our senses and mind and heart. It means that we pay attention to what is happening inside of us and around us. The text urges us to be alert, to pay attention. Pay attention, it urges, even if life is painful, even if it is not what we want it to be.
Lord, help me to pay attention today!
Help me not to put my feelings to sleep.
I want to be aware of my thoughts and feelings, Lord.
I want to be able to experience both the pain and joy of life today.
Help me to pay attention.
Amen.
Hi!! It was very good hearing from you! I hope you get to feelin better! The next time you write to me, please remind me when your little one is due. I forgot.
Don just went to bed and he wants me not to type when he's tryin to sleep, so I need to drop off your mail and say goodnight.
I love you, Darlene
The Lord Who Heals
By Jim Burns
The Lord said, "If you listen carefully to the voice of the Lord your God and do what is right in his eyes, if you pay attention to his commands and keep his decrees, I will not bring on you any of the diseases I brought on the Egyptians, for I am the Lord, who heals you.”
Exodus 15:26
Our Lord has sometimes been called the "Great Physician." One of the names for God in the Old Testament is Rapha, meaning "the Lord who heals." Some of us in the Christian faith have misunderstood his job description as a healer. You and I are both aware of the fact that there are thousands of walking physical miracles where God has demonstrated his healing power. Cancer is healed, the lame walk and literally sometimes the blind have been given back their eyesight. The way I read the Bible, we are commanded by God to pray for the healing of the sick; sometimes, but not all the time, there is an instantaneous healing.
I see the "Great Physician" more like most modern-day doctors. They examine us, consult with us, work on us, and even oversee our rehabilitation. Rapha—God—has the same job description.
God examines us… He watches over us and examines our every need.
God consults with us… He guides our life and, often through circumstances, gives us direction. He listens to our requests and responds.
God works on us… Sometimes we need to be disciplined. He is constantly giving us help to become whole.
God oversees our rehabilitation… Once we are on the way to wholeness and healing, he doesn't leave us but watches over us and protects our healing.
I don't know about you but I'm glad He is called Rapha: the Lord who heals.
GOING DEEPER:
1. Describe a few situations when you have experienced God as your healing physician.
Hi sis, how are you? I'm concerned about you. Would you please write to me so I know you're ok?
Here's your mail....
Keep On Serving!
By Jim Liebelt
“(Caleb said,) So here I am today, eighty-five years old! I am still as strong today as the day Moses sent me out; I’m just as vigorous to go out to battle now as I was then. Now give me the hill country that the Lord promised me that day.”
Joshua 14:10-12
Today’s Scripture passage is about Caleb who had been one of the 12 spies that Moses sent to scout out the land God had promised to give the Israelites. Upon their return, Joshua and he alone gave good reports of that land. As a result only these two—out of their entire generation—were allowed by God to enter the “promised land” and to take possession of it. Fast-forward past those forty years and the scene painted in Joshua 14 has Caleb, at 85-years-old, still vigorous, still ready to serve, still ready for more.
When I read about Caleb these days, I think about a friend of mine. His name is Bob Oertel. I met Bob in the summer of 1999 while we were working together at a Group Workcamp in Vermont. Bob was a volunteer photographer; taking pictures of the various work crews of teenagers that are participants during the weeklong camps. In those days, Bob spent 3 or 4 weeks a summer serving at various workcamps, driving long distances between camps, sleeping on a cot in a classroom, working the long hours typical of a workcamp volunteer. I was impressed by Bob’s heart and energy for serving, for at the time he was in his eighties.
I’ve been out of the camp loop for a few years, so not long ago I searched the Internet to see if I could find whether Bob was still actively participating in workcamps. After all, he’d be 90-something now. And, I found him. A news article from Bob’s hometown told the story of a workcamp that he had been instrumental bringing to their town. According to the report, Bob has volunteered at 31 workcamps in the past 17 years.
Bob is on my list of heroes. Because of his willingness to serve, Bob continues to make a difference in the lives of people. He is truly a modern-day Caleb. And I want to be like him when I grow up.
The attitude of serving in the name of Christ knows no age limit. Sure, there may be health issues that limit a person’s ability, but I cannot find any Scripture that encourages people to sit on the sidelines, regardless of age. There is no “mandatory retirement” age for the Christian life! Jesus wants us to make a difference in his name – as long as he gives us life! The only requirements are an attitude of service in Jesus’ name and the willingness to act upon the opportunities He provides.
GOING DEEPER:
1. What, if any, unreal obstacles have you created to serving God where you are (like age, experience, or time commitments)?
2. Identify opportunities for service that you currently have.
FURTHER READING:
Joshua 14; James 3:13; Matt. 16:24-25, Psalm 34:11-
Hi Sis, Don and I are probably goin to ouur friend's house tomorrow moring pretty early so I need to get to bed early this evening.
Don's helping the man tile their bathroom walls. This man and his wife are good friends of ours. They're the ones we play Hearts with.
Well dear, here's your mail...
Where Are You?
By Mike DeVries
We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ’s behalf: Be reconciled to God.
2 Corinthians 5:20
One day, I was watching the news on television. I saw a report about refugees. The images I saw were disturbing—millions of faces, thousands dying daily from malnutrition and lack of basic medical care. A question ran through my mind: “God, if you’re a God of love, then where are You in all this? Have You forgotten your children?”
While watching the report, I wondered why situations like this happen if God is truly sovereign and in control. Either God is not completely in control, or He has somehow chosen to allow the atrocities that we see in this world to exist. Either way, it’s hard to understand.
As I wrestled with this, it occurred to me that the story of the Scriptures is about a God who is present and active in human history. God is not essentially somewhere else, but is active and present in this world. We see this in Jesus, do we not? The incarnation of God in Jesus sent a clear message, “I care. I have heard your cry, and I’m here to do something about it.”
As I was sitting on my couch watching those images and asking those questions, another thought came. Perhaps I was asking the wrong question. Rather than asking, “Where is God?”, the better question may be posed by God, “My people, where are you in the midst of all this?”
Paul taught this concept in 2 Corinthians 5:20. Take another look at today’s verse. We, the Church, are to be the physical representatives of God on earth. If the world wants to know what God is like, the first place it should look is the Church. We are to embody the message and spirit of Jesus. As His representatives, God is making His dream for this world through us, not apart from us. I guess you could say that the Church is not only supposed to proclaim the message, we are to live the message.
Perhaps the next time we approach a situation in life and ask, “God, where are You in all this?”, if we are quiet enough to hear the voice of God, His reply might be, “I’m right here in the middle of it. Where are you?”
May we be the kind of people who embody the message of God for the world, and who run to be God’s hands and feet, reaching out to others in His name.
GOING DEEPER:
1. Take a few moments to consider what it might look like for the Church to be the embodiment of God on earth.
2. How should this change the way we live? How might this change the way you live?
FURTHER READING:
Exodus 19:3-6; Ephesians 2:8-10; 1 Peter 2:9-10
All About GOD - Growing Relationships with Jesus and Others
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Day 1 - The Beginning
In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth (Genesis 1:1).
Understanding the beginning is the beginning of understanding. The first verse in the Bible may include the four most important words ever written—"in the beginning God." The understanding of this one verse is the foundation upon which all truth is based. Before we can comprehend the end of the age, or our present purposes, we must first understand the beginning. This is the foundation upon which everything else is built.
"In the beginning God"—these four words are worthy of a lifetime of study, and will be the basis upon which an eternity of worship will be founded. We exist because of God. We, therefore, owe Him everything. He alone is worthy of our worship and devotion.
At the end of the age, the most pressing philosophical controversies still revolve around our origin. This is understandable because when we answer this one question right, the answers to all other questions are possible. If we answer it wrong, the door opens to almost every form of darkness and deception.
Just as the strength of a foundation will determine the magnitude of what can be built upon it, the depth to which we understand this one truth about our origin can determine the spiritual strength of our entire lives. When we understand that we had our beginning in God, and that He made us for His purposes, we are compelled to return to Him. The truth of our beginning is also the beginning of all truth. Since He made us, we are His. Therefore, His purpose and His plan must guide us.
If God made us, then we can no longer claim to be the centers of this universe. He is the center. Jesus is the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End. He is I Am. All things will be summed up in Him. Just as every compass will point to the magnetic north, all else will ultimately point to Him, the magnetic pole of truth. With this pole of truth in our hearts, we have a basis for every decision—what is His will? All things came from Him and all will return to Him. This is our destiny and the goal of our lives—to return to the One who made us, and to serve Him in all things.
Also implied is the importance of all beginnings. How we begin our day will probably determine the quality of our day. How we begin our marriages will have a lot to do with the quality of our marriages. How we begin our jobs, ministries, or any other venture, will determine their foundations. How something is started is often the primary factor in the quality of what is finished. Projects begun on an impulse are just as quickly and easily abandoned. For any significant project that is accomplished, great care must be taken while laying the foundation.
The foundation is the single part of any building that is used every day. If it collapses, the rest of the building will collapse. The Apostle Paul wrote in I Corinthians 3:11, "For no man can lay a foundation other than the one which is laid, which is Jesus Christ." Knowing Jesus and abiding in Him is the foundation of our spiritual lives. We may build many things upon this foundation, and we may learn many great truths about His ways and His purposes. We may do great things for Him, but coming to Him every day, and doing all that we do with Him instead of just for Him, is essential if we are to bear true spiritual fruit. Paul also wrote in Ephesians 1:9-10:
He made known to us the mystery of His will, according to His kind intention which He purposed in Him with a view to an administration suitable to the fulness of the times, that is, the summing up of all things in Christ, things in the heavens and things upon the earth. In Him.
The ultimate purpose of God is that all things will be summed up in His Son. If we do not keep the ultimate purpose of God as the focus of our lives, and assure that all we do is founded in Him, we will continually be distracted by the lesser purposes of God. Many are distracted from the River of Life by the little tributaries that feed it. If you want to stay in the River, keep your focus on Jesus Christ in all things. No other foundation can be laid that will stand.
I like this so far. I'll send the next one tomorrow unless you tell me you'd rather I didn't. Bye for now, Darlene MMuuuuaaaaahhhhh
I'm gonna make this short and go sit in our recliner.
with lots of love, me
Here's your mail....
Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death I will fear no evil, for you are with me.
Psalm 23:4
Sometimes the recovery journey takes us through the valley of the shadow of death. It is a frightening valley.
What a difference it makes in times like this to hear God's promise
to be with us. It's not that the fears vanish, they don't always. But
we experience them differently when we are not alone. When we are alone our fears can become the focus of our thoughts and feelings – they can consume all of our emotional resources. But when our journey is a shared one, fear does not have the same power over us.
God has made a very specific promise to us when we are going through the most difficult of life's struggles. God has promised to be with us.
It is hard to say how God's presence will be made known. Our subjective experience of God's presence may vary widely.
Sometimes when we least expect it, we may hear the still, small
voice of God saying "I am here". Sometimes God will use a friend, a
sponsor, a counselor, or someone in a support group to speak to us in ways that help us to remember that we are not alone.
Sometimes God will give us a peace that needs no words.
The important reality is that God is with us. God does not come and go in the way our experience of God's presence comes and goes. God does not forsake us. God walks with us. Even through deep valleys.
God, I am walking through a difficult valley right now.
Sometimes I think my heart will give way with fear.
Remind me of your presence.
Sometimes I know you are here.
Sometimes I'm sure you have gone.
Are you really here?
Please walk close beside me.
I need your protection.
I need your love.
Amen.
Copyright 2009 Dale and Juanita Ryan
This is another god one!!! with love and a great big hug, Darlene
Is it possible you have the wrong date of your last cycle?
I thought of a verse this morning that sorta goes along with how I feel about our daughter Dawn. I don't remember the right words but it goes something like this. As a hen gathereth her chickens so would the Lord like to gather us. I know this is not the way it goes, but I'm pretty sure about it saying God wants to gather us like a hen gathers her chickens. That's what I'd like to do. Our kids are busy as we all get and we don't see them very often anymore. It's pretty sad, but I know the Lord is their Lord too. All four of our kids know Jesus as their Savior.
I like the idea of sending her the letter...but unless the Lord shows me or leads me differently, I'm goiing to wait till next Monday and even then I don't know what I'll do. But today is today and I could change my mind or the Lord could help me know what I need to do before Monday.
Charlene, Don and I didn't get saved till we were in our late 30's. He and I both know that our kids had a rough time when they were young. I feel sorry for what our kids went through, but I can't change the past. I am different today than I was then and so is Don. There were some decisions I made that I wish I wouldn't have and other times I wish I had made a decision and instead I didn't. I pretended everything was fine when it wasn't.
I get this in the mail every day. I thought you might like to read it. love you, me
September 3, 2009
The wicked man flees though no one pursues, but the righteous are as bold as a lion.
--Proverbs 28:1
In 1996, Reverend Joe Wright, pastor of a large church in Wichita, Kansas, bravely stepped to the microphone of the Kansas House of Representatives to open a session in prayer.
But it wasn't the generic prayer to which the congressmen were accustomed. In part, he said:
"We have ridiculed the absolute truth of Your Word and called it moral pluralism. We have worshipped other gods and called it multiculturalism....
"In the name of choice, we have killed the unborn. In the name of right to life, we have killed the abortionists....
"We have polluted the air with profanity and pornography and called it freedom of expression. We have ridiculed the time-honored values of our forefathers and called it enlightenment."
He then asked for wisdom and forgiveness and closed the prayer in Jesus' name.
As you can imagine, Wright's prayer caused quite an uproar. But he stood strong...and said he wouldn't apologize for stating what was true.
In today's secular and godless culture, we need more people like Reverend Wright to take a bold stand for Jesus...people who aren't afraid of declaring and defending the truth of God as revealed in His Word.
Are you one of those people? When was the last time you took a stand for Christ? Maybe it wasn't in front of a room full of congressmen, but perhaps in a personal conversation with an unbelieving friend.
Today, I want to challenge you to memorize the verse at the beginning of this devotional, and live it out in your daily life.
As a believer, you have the truth on your side! So you can be as bold as a lion as you live the Christian life.
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Ask the Lord to help you be bold and strong in your witness for Him.
This is sent to senior's but I think this one is good for all of us. With my thanks and love, Darlene
I called our daughter yesterday morning and asked her if I could read a letter I had written to her. I read her part of it, then we both said a few more things, and then she hung up on me. I've decided unless I (or the Lord) changes my mind, not to call or contact her in any way for one week. Next Tuesday I hope to know what to do or not do.
Here's your mail.....
Are You Wasting Away?
By Jim Liebelt
Much is required from those to whom much is given, and much more is required from those to whom much more is given.
Luke 12:48b (NLT)
The young people that made up this “blue-collar” youth group were seething at their youth pastor as he stood in front of them, burning a twenty-dollar bill. For these kids, twenty dollars was a big deal! Repeatedly, he would set fire to the bill, let a bit of it burn and then blow out the flame. Repeatedly, he asked the question: “Is the bill still worth twenty-dollars?” The kids thought their youth pastor was crazy! They begged him to stop—to give the money to them—before it was too late and the bill was worthless. The students yelled in frustration as the money finally disappeared into ashes. Then, the youth pastor asked, “How many of you are treating the life God gave you in the same way?” The atmosphere of the group changed immediately as the kids fell into an introspective silence.
What about you? God has given each of us tremendous gifts of life, talents and abilities. Are these being used as God intended or are they—like the twenty-dollar bill in the youth pastor’s object lesson—being slowly squandered and wasted away?
Unlike burned money, and fortunately for us, God is in the business of re-creating squandered lives. There is no one so far gone that God is not able to restore and rebuild a life. It’s never too late to recognize waste in our own lives, ask God for His forgiveness and grace, and get back on the track of real life, offering ourselves up to God to be used by Him.
Today, take a quick self-inventory. Are you being responsible with the gifts God has given you or are you allowing yourself to be wasted? Take whatever action is necessary to make needed changes and to put your God-given gifts to use for the cause of Christ!
GOING DEEPER:
1. What gift, ability or talent do you possess that is not being used to its fullest for the cause of Christ?
2. What decisions do you need to make that would allow God to do a work of re-creation in your life so that he may use you more effectively for His purposes?
FURTHER READING:
Acts 9; 1 Corinthians 4:2, Philippians 3:12-14;
2 Timothy 4:7
This one speaks loud and clear to me. I love you bunches, me
OOOOOOOOOOOOOOO's
Pure Religion
By Mike DeVries
Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world.
James 1:27 (TNIV)
Mark Twain once remarked that it was not the things that he did not understand in the Bible that bothered him, it was the things that he did understand.
I don’t know about you, but today’s scripture is one of those places for me. The writer of the book of James makes this astounding statement about a religion that is “pure” and “faultless.” What is astounding is that he opens the door to the idea that religion, in its proper expression, is not cold and lifeless, but is actually fresh and life giving.
Religion in its proper expression is not about living a perfect life, nor about being able to check off the “religious to-do list,” but about embodying the heart of God. It is about living a life in which we “follow God’s example” (Eph. 5:1), caring about and taking action on the same things and in the same way that the incarnate God, Jesus Christ, displayed for us.
Time and again, the Scriptures display God’s heart for the last and the least of society. It appears that this is a subject that is very close to the heart of God, and thus should be one that is close to the heart of those who are followers of God. Perhaps one of the greatest legacies that we leave the next generation of Christians is a strong expression of caring for those who are close to the heart of God—those who are the last and least in society.
What if, rather than being known for what it stands against, the people of God were known for what they stood for? What if we, the Church, were best known as a conduit of love and grace to a world that is in desperate shortage of both? Caring for those who are the last and the least is not only a good ideal, but rather it appears to be central to a life that pleases God.
GOING DEEPER:
What are some practical ways in which you can care for the last and the least in your community?
FURTHER READING:
Leviticus 19:9-10; Deuteronomy 24:17-18; Isaiah 1:16-17; Jeremiah 5:26-29; Ezekiel 16:49-50; Acts 4:32-35
Let us acknowledge the Lord;
let us press on to acknowledge him.
As surely as the sun rises, he will appear;
he will come to us like the winter rains,
like the spring rains that water the earth.
Hosea 6:3
There are days when we feel God's presence. We sense God's love. We see God's power. But we do not always feel or sense or see. There are times of silence, distance and uncertainty. There are the difficult times of waiting for God to appear. In times like this we may find ourselves both longing for God and fearing that God will come.
The longing comes because in our heart of hearts we know that there is no recovery without God's gracious presence. If God does not appear, we are stuck, bound, hopelessly entangled in dysfunction. If God does appear, it will be like the sun rising - we will be able to see the way.
It will be like gentle rains which nurture us so that we can grow and
thrive.
The fear comes because often we do not see God as one who comes as 'sun' and 'rain' to give life. We are afraid that when God does appear, it will be to punish us, to demand restitution from us, to shame us.
Because we have served vengeful and vindictive gods, we fear that it will be the god-of-impossible-expectations who will finally appear.
We do well to follow the urging of this text to 'acknowledge God'. We need daily to examine whom we serve. When we acknowledge the god-of-impossible-expectations, then we will surely fear his appearing. But if we acknowledge the God of the Bible whose coming is to nurture and give life, then we will await God's coming like the dawn of a new day.
I acknowledge you, Lord.
You are not the god-of-impossible-expectations.
You are not the god-who-is-eager- to-punish.
I know what it is like when these other gods come.
They bring shame, blame and fear.
I do not acknowledge them, Lord.
I acknowledge you.
Come as the dawn of a new day, Lord.
Bring light into my dark days.
Come as gentle rain, Lord,
Cleanse, renew and nurture.
Come, Lord, as the dawn.
Come as the rains.
Water the parched earth of my soul.
Amen.
Copyright Dale and Juanita Ryan
This one is VERY good. Muuahhh!!
That's excellent that you know how to do this!! I don't, so if I do complete my mom's bed spread, I'll need to learn how to make granny squares first. love ya, me
My "book" as you call it, isn't doin do good. I've been very tired and not up to par for the last couple of weeks.
I did do something yesterday toward the writing though. With Don's help I got a heavy container out of our shed that has all my old notebooks and journals in it. It's here in the house now. When I feel a little better, I hope to slowly read these things. Looking at the past is hard so I want to wait till I feeel a bit better. Then something else happened yesterday that was hard for me.
One of our daughters called yesterday and I answered the phone. She is very angry because I haven't called her the last couple of weeks. She ended up telling me that she wants nothing to do with me. At that point I told her I love her and I'll be praying for her. I have and I will but this has hurt me so deep it's hard to describe.
I don't believe she means it from her heart but she's not speaking from her heart right now. She's speaking from her anger!
I wrote her a letter last night and again this morning. Since she wants nothing to do with me, I can't mail them but it helped to write to her anyway. This is not the first time she's said hurtful things to me or Don. I forgive her of course. It does hurt though. Tears are flowing while I'm typing. Please pray about her and I (and Don too).
I'll bring your mail later. love, Darlene
Don's goin to bed soon so I need to make this short.
I have your "mail" with me. teehee...........
Addiction to Activity
By Jim Liebelt
You may say, “I am allowed to do anything.” But I reply, “Not everything is good for you.” And even though I am allowed to do anything, I must not become a slave to anything.
1 Corinthians 6:12 (NLT)
What is all the commotion about? It seems that everyone is rushing about, trying to work through their “to-do” lists so that they can…add more items to their “to do” lists. Let’s have some perspective here! We are not doing ourselves any favors by living life at supersonic speed. Today, we cram more and more activity into our lives because our culture encourages us to do so and because we can.
This addiction to activity has also infected the church. It’s wonderful that so many churches today can offer a wide variety of ministry services in order to address a wide variety of life issues. But, far too many Christ-followers cram their schedules with too many (good) things: ministry meetings, program meetings, small group Bible studies, accountability groups, recovery groups, and even meetings to plan more meetings! And, as a result life loses its balance.
Remember, just because we can do something, doesn’t mean we should! Busyness for busyness sake—even when the busyness is ministry oriented—is counterproductive at best, and just plain sinful at worst.
When I look at Jesus’ life, I see a man who was not ruled by His schedule. He seldom seemed rushed. For instance, I love that while He pursued plans, he would welcome interruptions from people in need. From what we know, Jesus never said anything like this to anyone, “I’m sorry, I can’t help you. I need to be in Jericho by sundown.” Wouldn’t it be refreshing to cut back on our pace of activities and actually live more like Jesus? Wouldn’t it be helpful to become more of the salt and light that Jesus called us to be in our neighborhoods and communities and spent less time in activities and meetings just talking about it?
Today, give some thought to the pace of your life. If necessary, begin the process of weeding out activities from you life that may be good, but actually prevent you from living a balanced life.
GOING DEEPER:
1. What good activities are you involved in that could actually be (or become) obstacles to your spiritual health and effectiveness in serving Christ?
2. Are you simply too busy? If so, what steps can you take this week get your schedule under control?
FURTHER READING:
Luke 7:11-17; 10:38-42; Matthew 5:13-16; Psalm 46:10
I can see where my life could use some help in cutting out some of the things I do..especially on the computer. Every now and then I realize I'm overdoing in one way or the other. I need more balance. What they said about Jesus helped me see that I want to be more like He was when He was here. He took the time to listen and He took the time to answer their questions. Actually He's still listening and He will still answer our questions. He's the same yesterday, today and forever. love, Darlene
Thank you for saying what you did about my writing. I think you're prejudice (or however that's spelled) cause you care about me.
I do hope you will write your own story someday. The way I think about this is, even if I leave it in my computer or make a hard copy (as they say) and leave it for my kids that would be enough for me. It doesn't have to be a book.
I love you for saying that though. That means a lot to my heart. Thanks pal.
I really do appreciate seeing this picture of you. When is the baby due? I forgot. I know I'm gonna want to send the baby something. I don't know how I can and that makes me sad!!
Here's your mail again. lots of hugs, me
Surviving the Lions
By Robin Dugall
Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.
Psalm 23:4
I don’t think that there is one person whom I have ever met who has been exempted from hard times in life. There is a myth in much of Christianity that once you become a follower of Jesus that you are “protected” from tough times. People interpret the “abundant life” that Jesus promises as if His role is to insulate us from the hard realities of life. But, it just doesn’t happen that way. For those who trust in Jesus, we echo what David wrote when he penned those famous words in the 23rd Psalm.
From today’s Scripture, note that David, the author of Psalm 23, didn’t write, “IF I walk through the valley…” Rather, he exclaims “even though.” Hard times are inevitable and to be anticipated. It is part of what it means to live in a broken world.
There was a young man who went through horrendous hard times in his life. His name was Daniel and his story can be found in the book of the Old Testament that bears his name. One of the most “famous” stories that we know from Daniel’s life is when he found himself standing up for God, and ended up at the bottom of a lions’ den as a result. Even though Darius the king respected Daniel, he had violated the king’s law and was quickly expedited to the lions’ den to suffer a sure and certain death. Daniel was thrown to the lions, but God delivered him. The king was so astounded by the way God protected Daniel, that the king himself comes to acknowledge the God of Daniel as his own God.
While we may never have to face being thrown to the lions, hard times will come. We can trust in God or we can allow the tough times to overcome us. When you are experiencing hard times, make God your highest priority. Build the foundation of your life on Him.
Further, we don’t have to face tough times alone. God has put people in your life in community to encourage and support you. As Peter said in his New Testament letter, “humble yourselves under the mighty power of God and He will honor and bless you.” With your trust placed firmly in God and His power to deliver, you too can survive the “lions” you face.
GOING DEEPER:
1. Have you ever felt that you have been eaten alive by your problems and hard times? What “lions” are you facing today?
2. What can God teach you about your problems? How can you view them differently knowing that God is with you?
FURTHER READING:
Daniel 6; Romans 5:1-6; Psalm 23
This was a good one for me! mmmaauh! Darlene
Here's your mail.....
Not Always As It Seems
By Kelly McFadden
So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you…
Matthew 7:12
A Different Type of Prayer
(author unknown):
"Heavenly Father, Help us remember that the jerk who cut us off in traffic last night is a single mother who worked nine hours that day and was rushing home to cook dinner, help with homework, do the laundry and spend a few precious moments with her children. Help us to remember that the pierced, tattooed, disinterested young man who can't make change correctly is a worried 19-year-old college student, balancing his apprehension over final exams with his fear of not getting his student loans for next semester. Remind us, Lord, that the scary looking fellow, begging for money in the same spot every day is a slave to addictions that we can only imagine in our worst nightmares. Help us to remember that the old couple walking annoyingly slow through the store aisles and blocking our shopping progress are savoring this moment, knowing that, based on the biopsy report she got back last week, this will be the last year that they go shopping together."
It’s been said, “You never know enough about a situation to truly be angry.” So often we jump to conclusions, instead of looking beyond the situation at the heart of the matter. As children the Golden Rule was said in our classrooms, teaching us to be fair and nice. As adults, we now teach the next generation this same phrase. Treat others the way you want to be treated. But do you truly act this way? Or is the Golden Rule just a looming phrase and a nice ideal? The words in Matthew 7:12 are the words of Jesus. These words are building blocks of compassion and kindness. God shows us this kind of love every day. What can you do today to show an act of mercy or goodness? As Christians it is important to treat others the way Jesus would treat them…you may be the only Jesus someone ever sees.
GOING DEEPER:
1. Have you ever misjudged a situation? What happened? What was the result?
from me (Darlene)...YES, I have misjudged a situation concerning a good friend of mine.
2. How can you make an effort today, and everyday, to be an example of God’s mercy and goodness?
from me (Darlene)...I can remember that she's a sweetheart and I love her. I hope I've learned to trust the Lord with people I love.
FURTHER READING:
Luke 6:27-36; Romans 13:8-10; Galatians 5:13-15
I love you and hope you're feeling better and better every day! Darlene
I tend to be a mother hen with some people, so consider me your mother hen! lol I'm not a mother hen to very many, just a select few and I guess you're one of those!! Do you understand what I mean by a "mother hen"? You probably do but just in case you don't, here's an example. There are two sisters who live in the same town we used to live in. One is older than I am and the other is a little younger. When I'm with these two ladies I act like a mother hen. It's really kind of funny, but it's true.
Honey, why are you alone so much?
One wonderful thing to remember when you are alone is we really aren't ever alone. Jesus said, I will NEVER leave thee nor forsake thee.
I also know there are times we need other people!! I know this personally. I wish we lived next door to each other. I'd watch the kids for you now and then. Not always, cause I'm getting up in years and little kids are active, as you know very well.
Well sweetie, here's your mail. Please take GOOD care of yourself. I know the Lord wants us to take care of ourselves. He loves us.
Prayer of Blessing
By Leslie Snyder
May your unfailing love rest upon us, O Lord, even as we put our hope in you.
Psalm 33:22
Have you ever watched a child fall asleep in the arms of a parent, especially in a noisy crowd like a sporting event or other large gathering? The sleepy child often falls asleep in the most precarious of positions with his or her head cocked sideways on the parent’s shoulder, one arm hoisted around Mom or Dad’s neck while the other dangles. It’s an awkward position for both parent and child, but the innate relationship between the need of the child and the love of the parent instinctively leads the parent to shield the young dreamer from disturbances. Rest is available to the child as he or she trusts Mom or Dad’s loving care.
I love the psalmist’s use of the phrase rest upon us. It conjures up images of someone gently laying a soft, warm blanket across the shoulders of one who needs protection from the elements of wind, rain or excessive heat or cold. The phrase literally brings visible comfort, an audible exhale, a physical release, and relief from the daily barrage of stress, pain, burden, anger, hurt and disappointment. The other phrase that complements this is even as we put our hope in you. How amazing is it that the blessing comes in the action of hoping? Not before, not after, but during the act of trusting comes a blessing of rest. Another translation chooses the word mercy instead of rest. What an even greater gift when we think of rest in terms of mercy, for who doesn’t need this gift?
As you consider this verse today, I’d like to invite you to pray this passage as a blessing for the people around you. It might sound something like this, “May your unfailing love rest upon (insert name here), even as she/he puts her/his hope in you. Amen." Not only will you be blessing someone, you will begin the powerful practice of praying Scripture.
GOING DEEPER:
Praying Scripture may feel odd at first. Even so, give it a try. Below are some Scriptures to get you started.
FURTHER READING:
Ephesians 3:16-19, 6:19-20; Philippians 1:3-6
I don't think I've ever prayed scripture....have you? I like this idea! lots of love, Darlene
As goofy as this sounds, I was wondering if someone esle was sending me the notes you sent. Now I know I was wrong and I am sorry. I had no idea you needed to copy and paste to send a message. I actually wondered whether your computer was even broken. I've heard the truth is always easier, but it sure isn't easy!!
I tend to have a suspicious nature at times, as you can tell.
I hope you'll forgive me.
Here's your mail.....
Warning Grooves
By Kelly McFadden
Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.
Philippians 4:8
Have you ever come home at 11:30 p.m. for a midnight curfew? It’s not likely. I remember waiting on my front steps until 11:59 p.m. before going inside. When given the opportunity, it seems to be in our nature to push the limits to the very farthest degree. Perhaps you’ve asked this question before: how far is too far? How much noise can I make until I push Mom over the edge? How fast over the speed limit can I drive before the police will pull me over? How much can I cheat before getting caught?
We like walking on the edge. The problem is that when we live life near the edge, we can go too far before we realize it. It’s like being on a winding mountain road. On many of them, as you near the edge, you’ll hit a series of warning grooves that cause you to start bumping along. They are there to remind you to get back on the right track. Driving on the edge of a road is dangerous, because it can be easy to lose control and drive off the edge.
The Christian life is much the same. I used to think some of the rules in the Bible were cumbersome. I have come to realize, however, that it is these very guidelines—like warning grooves on a road—that help keep me from flying over the edge and losing control in my life. God’s commandments and principles are there for our protection so we can experience all God wants us to experience. Typically, when people lose control of their lives, it hasn’t been just one bad decision that launches them off a moral cliff, but a series of bad decisions along the way. The Scriptures, the Holy Spirit and our brothers and sisters in Christ help provide us with the warning grooves and the guardrails we need to keep us from flying out of control and going over the edge.
Thank God today for giving us the help we need to stay on the “narrow road."
GOING DEEPER:
1. What is the meaning of today’s verse, Philippians 4:8?
2. Pray today, asking the Lord to show you who can be a companion to walk beside you and help keep you accountable in your thoughts and actions.
FURTHER READING:
Ecclesiastes 4:11-13; James 5:13-18; 1 John 3:1-2
another good one. OOOOOOOOO's (hugs), Darlene
This is a good thing to read, and then practice. I know I need to be more honest in lots of ways.
No more lying then. Everyone must tell the truth to his fellow believers because we are all members together in the body of Christ.
Ephesians 4:25
Honesty is essential to recovery. Honesty is essential to intimacy. But honesty is not easy.
We were not created to be isolated, independent creatures. We were created to be interdependent. We need each other. And in order for us to be helped by others and to be helpful to others, we need to practice honesty. That means we must learn how to talk to each other about our thoughts and our feelings and our needs. We must learn to talk about our struggles and failures, about our dreams and our successes.
Honesty is the soil in which intimate relationships grow. It creates the possibility of being known and loved for who we really are. But it is also full of risks. If we tell the truth about ourselves, people may not listen. They may not want to know. They may not understand. They may judge and reject. They may dislike us. They may give us simple answers to unanswerable questions. They may repeat what we have said to others.
We hesitate to be honest because we have experienced these things in the past. Our feelings may have been minimized. Our thoughts may have been devalued. Our reality may have been denied. But in order to grow healthy relationships, in order to heal and recover, we need to begin to take risks. Learning honesty will be a process for us. It will not come quickly. But as we practice the disciplines of honesty we gradually become more secure in telling the truth.
I am tired of lying, when it would be just as easy to tell the truth.
But I am afraid of honesty, Lord.
It's not as easy as it sounds.
Help me to pursue honesty today.
Help me to be honest with you.
Help me to be honest with myself.
Help me to build a community of faith
where honesty is the norm.
Build in me a capacity for truth.
Amen.
Copyright Dale and Juanita Ryan
Charlene, I hope you're being honest with me about your keyboard being broken again.
I'm going to be honest with you. When you've sent me those notes, using your broken keyboard, I was able to read them fine. So, unless you have a hard time pressing the keys, it would be fine with me for you to use your broken keyboard.
I know how busy a mom can be with a family to care for and all that goes with that. I wouldn't want you to ever stop doing something for them in order to write me a note. What it comes down to is this....I miss hearing from you. love, Darlene
I get a letter from this place pretty often. If you want to write them, I guess you'll need to put this link in your search bar.
I had copied a reading but then copied something else over it. I'll send one again tomorrow.
Tilll tomorrow then. With a hug,Darlene
Here's your mail. love, Darlene
"So then, let us not be like others, who are asleep but let us be alert and self-controlled"
1 Thessalonians 5:6
The first step toward honesty is to pay attention. In the words of this text, the choices we face are either to sleep or to be alert and
self-controlled.
There are days when we would rather 'sleep'. There are days when the emotional numbness of denial seems less painful then the alertness required by recovery. Couldn't we just 'let it ride' for a day? Couldn't we just 'sleep' for a while?
Sometimes people encourage us to 'sleep'. "Why are you still paying
attention to that? It was a long time ago!" Or "Why are you still
'holding on' to that? Just forgive and get it behind you." Wouldn't it
be great to get this over with quickly and not have to pay attention to it anymore?
There is a rest, a serenity, that comes from God. But it comes from
'alertness' not from 'sleep'. God's peace is not like the 'sleep' in
this text. This sleep is denial, it is avoidance, it is distraction, it
is pretending, it is death. Being alert means that we allow ourselves to see and hear, to use our senses and mind and heart. It means that we pay attention to what is happening inside of us and around us. The text urges us to be alert, to pay attention. Pay attention, it urges, even if life is painful, even if it is not what we want it to be.
Lord, help me to pay attention today!
Help me not to put my feelings to sleep.
I want to be aware of my thoughts and feelings, Lord.
I want to be able to experience both the pain and joy of life today.
Help me to pay attention.
Amen.
Copyright Dale and Juanita Ryan
Don just went to bed and he wants me not to type when he's tryin to sleep, so I need to drop off your mail and say goodnight.
I love you, Darlene
The Lord Who Heals
By Jim Burns
The Lord said, "If you listen carefully to the voice of the Lord your God and do what is right in his eyes, if you pay attention to his commands and keep his decrees, I will not bring on you any of the diseases I brought on the Egyptians, for I am the Lord, who heals you.”
Exodus 15:26
Our Lord has sometimes been called the "Great Physician." One of the names for God in the Old Testament is Rapha, meaning "the Lord who heals." Some of us in the Christian faith have misunderstood his job description as a healer. You and I are both aware of the fact that there are thousands of walking physical miracles where God has demonstrated his healing power. Cancer is healed, the lame walk and literally sometimes the blind have been given back their eyesight. The way I read the Bible, we are commanded by God to pray for the healing of the sick; sometimes, but not all the time, there is an instantaneous healing.
I see the "Great Physician" more like most modern-day doctors. They examine us, consult with us, work on us, and even oversee our rehabilitation. Rapha—God—has the same job description.
God examines us… He watches over us and examines our every need.
God consults with us… He guides our life and, often through circumstances, gives us direction. He listens to our requests and responds.
God works on us… Sometimes we need to be disciplined. He is constantly giving us help to become whole.
God oversees our rehabilitation… Once we are on the way to wholeness and healing, he doesn't leave us but watches over us and protects our healing.
I don't know about you but I'm glad He is called Rapha: the Lord who heals.
GOING DEEPER:
1. Describe a few situations when you have experienced God as your healing physician.
2. What do you think Exodus 15:26 really means?
FURTHER READING:
Psalm 107:19-22
Another good one!! OOOOOOOO those are hugs!
Here's your mail....
Keep On Serving!
By Jim Liebelt
“(Caleb said,) So here I am today, eighty-five years old! I am still as strong today as the day Moses sent me out; I’m just as vigorous to go out to battle now as I was then. Now give me the hill country that the Lord promised me that day.”
Joshua 14:10-12
Today’s Scripture passage is about Caleb who had been one of the 12 spies that Moses sent to scout out the land God had promised to give the Israelites. Upon their return, Joshua and he alone gave good reports of that land. As a result only these two—out of their entire generation—were allowed by God to enter the “promised land” and to take possession of it. Fast-forward past those forty years and the scene painted in Joshua 14 has Caleb, at 85-years-old, still vigorous, still ready to serve, still ready for more.
When I read about Caleb these days, I think about a friend of mine. His name is Bob Oertel. I met Bob in the summer of 1999 while we were working together at a Group Workcamp in Vermont. Bob was a volunteer photographer; taking pictures of the various work crews of teenagers that are participants during the weeklong camps. In those days, Bob spent 3 or 4 weeks a summer serving at various workcamps, driving long distances between camps, sleeping on a cot in a classroom, working the long hours typical of a workcamp volunteer. I was impressed by Bob’s heart and energy for serving, for at the time he was in his eighties.
I’ve been out of the camp loop for a few years, so not long ago I searched the Internet to see if I could find whether Bob was still actively participating in workcamps. After all, he’d be 90-something now. And, I found him. A news article from Bob’s hometown told the story of a workcamp that he had been instrumental bringing to their town. According to the report, Bob has volunteered at 31 workcamps in the past 17 years.
Bob is on my list of heroes. Because of his willingness to serve, Bob continues to make a difference in the lives of people. He is truly a modern-day Caleb. And I want to be like him when I grow up.
The attitude of serving in the name of Christ knows no age limit. Sure, there may be health issues that limit a person’s ability, but I cannot find any Scripture that encourages people to sit on the sidelines, regardless of age. There is no “mandatory retirement” age for the Christian life! Jesus wants us to make a difference in his name – as long as he gives us life! The only requirements are an attitude of service in Jesus’ name and the willingness to act upon the opportunities He provides.
GOING DEEPER:
1. What, if any, unreal obstacles have you created to serving God where you are (like age, experience, or time commitments)?
2. Identify opportunities for service that you currently have.
FURTHER READING:
Joshua 14; James 3:13; Matt. 16:24-25, Psalm 34:11-
Something good for me to think about. hugs, me
Don's helping the man tile their bathroom walls. This man and his wife are good friends of ours. They're the ones we play Hearts with.
Well dear, here's your mail...
Where Are You?
By Mike DeVries
We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ’s behalf: Be reconciled to God.
2 Corinthians 5:20
One day, I was watching the news on television. I saw a report about refugees. The images I saw were disturbing—millions of faces, thousands dying daily from malnutrition and lack of basic medical care. A question ran through my mind: “God, if you’re a God of love, then where are You in all this? Have You forgotten your children?”
While watching the report, I wondered why situations like this happen if God is truly sovereign and in control. Either God is not completely in control, or He has somehow chosen to allow the atrocities that we see in this world to exist. Either way, it’s hard to understand.
As I wrestled with this, it occurred to me that the story of the Scriptures is about a God who is present and active in human history. God is not essentially somewhere else, but is active and present in this world. We see this in Jesus, do we not? The incarnation of God in Jesus sent a clear message, “I care. I have heard your cry, and I’m here to do something about it.”
As I was sitting on my couch watching those images and asking those questions, another thought came. Perhaps I was asking the wrong question. Rather than asking, “Where is God?”, the better question may be posed by God, “My people, where are you in the midst of all this?”
Paul taught this concept in 2 Corinthians 5:20. Take another look at today’s verse. We, the Church, are to be the physical representatives of God on earth. If the world wants to know what God is like, the first place it should look is the Church. We are to embody the message and spirit of Jesus. As His representatives, God is making His dream for this world through us, not apart from us. I guess you could say that the Church is not only supposed to proclaim the message, we are to live the message.
Perhaps the next time we approach a situation in life and ask, “God, where are You in all this?”, if we are quiet enough to hear the voice of God, His reply might be, “I’m right here in the middle of it. Where are you?”
May we be the kind of people who embody the message of God for the world, and who run to be God’s hands and feet, reaching out to others in His name.
GOING DEEPER:
1. Take a few moments to consider what it might look like for the Church to be the embodiment of God on earth.
2. How should this change the way we live? How might this change the way you live?
FURTHER READING:
Exodus 19:3-6; Ephesians 2:8-10; 1 Peter 2:9-10
Wow!!
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