The light of God surrounds me, the love of God enfolds me, the power of God protects me, the presence of God watches over me, wherever I am, God is, and where God is, all is perfect.
… God, My All …
Love
Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, and always perseveres.
… God is Love …
Trust
O Christ Jesus, when all is darkness and we feel our weakness and helplessness, give us the sense of Your presence, Your love and Your strength. Help us to have perfect trust in Your protecting love and strengthening power, so that nothing may frighten or worry us, for, living close to You, we shall see Your hand, Your purpose, Your will through all things.
… Jesus, Ever Powerful …
Love
Love is patient,
love is kind.
It does not envy,
it does not boast,
it is not proud.
It is not rude,
it is not self-seeking,
it is not easily angered,
it keeps no record of wrongs.
Love does not delight in evil
but rejoices with the truth.
It always protects,
always trusts,
always hopes,
and always perseveres.
Mother’s Love
Nothing’s ever a bother
Even though she’s done in
After all, she’s a mother
And her child’s just come in.
It’s dinner and hugs
And a listening ear
Despite her weariness
She delights in your cheer.
As you natter on
‘bout all that you’ve done
She sits and smiles –
So proud of her son.
When you get ready
To turn in for the night
You still hear her telling
She likes things just right.
There’s lunch for the schoolbags
And breakfast for all.
And then there’s the kit bags,
Tomorrow’s football.
There’s a tear in my trousers
That now needs mending
And the washing and ironing
Are never ending.
You lie there and wonder
What things would be like,
If there was no mother
To sort out your life.
Before sleeping you pause
To talk to him above.
You just want to thank Him
For a Mother’s love.
(by Juana Magin)
Reflection
The precious gift of a child from God; placed in a Mothers special care to teach, nurture and protect. It’s a lifelong journey.
The Carpenter’s Tools
Brother Hammer served as the Chairman.
The other members of the tool belt informed him that he must leave because he was too noisy. But brother Hammer said, “If I have to leave this carpenter’s shop, then brother Gimlet must go too. He’s insignificant and makes a very small impression.” (A gimlet is a small tool with a screw point, a grooved shank and a cross handle for boring holes).
Little brother Gimlet arose and said, “All right, but brother Screwdriver must go also. You have to turn him around and around to get anywhere with him.”
Brother Screwdriver turned to the other tools in the belt and said, “If you wish, I will go, but brother Plane must leave too. All of his work is on the surface; there’s no depth to what he does.”
Brother Plane levelled a terse reply, “Well, then, brother Saw will have to depart too. The changes he proposes always cut too deep.”
Brother Saw complained, saying, “Brother Ruler will have to withdraw if I leave, for he’s always measuring other folks as though he were the only one who is right.”
Brother Ruler then surveyed the group and said, “Brother Sandpaper doesn’t belong here either. He’s rougher than he ought to be, and is always rubbing people the wrong way.”
In the midst of the discussion, the Carpenter of Nazareth walked in. He had come to perform his day’s work. He put on His tool belt and went to the workbench to make a pulpit. He employed the ruler, the saw, the plane, the hammer, the gimlet, the screwdriver, the sandpaper, and all the other tools. When the day’s work was over, the pulpit was finished, and the carpenter went home. All the accusations against each of these tools were absolutely true, yet the carpenter used every one of them. No matter which tool He used, no other tool could have done the work better.
Reflection
Our needs may seem complex but once we have secured the basics – food, water, warmth, etc. and acquired a secure home, people crave friendship and a sense of belonging in their family and community.
Embrace the joy of working with others and achieving success together. Love everyone, just as Jesus did.
God’s TEN Tips
Please be aware that there are changes YOU need to make in YOUR life!
These changes need to be completed in order that I may fulfil My promises to you to grant you peace, joy and happiness in this life. I apologize for any inconvenience, but after all that I am doing, this seems very little to ask of you. Please, follow these TEN guidelines.
1. QUIT WORRYING: Life has dealt you a blow and all you do is sit and worry. Have you forgotten that I am here to take all your burdens and carry them for you? Or do you just enjoy fretting over every little thing that comes your way?
2. PUT IT ON THE LIST: Something needs to be done or taken care of. Put it on the list. No, not YOUR list. Put it on MY to-do-list. Let ME be the one to take care of the problem. I can’t help you until you turn it over to Me. And although My to-do-list is long, I am after all… God. I can take care of anything you put into My hands. In fact, if the truth were ever really known, I take care of a lot of things for you that you never even realize.
3. TRUST ME: Once you’ve given your burdens to Me, quit trying to take them back. Trust in Me. Have the faith that I will take care of all your needs, your problems and your trials. Problems with the kids? Put them on My list. Problem with finances? Put it on My list. Problems with your emotional roller coaster? For My sake, put it on My list. I want to help you. All you have to do is ask.
4. LEAVE THE PAST ALONE: Don’t wake up one morning and say, “Well, I’m feeling much stronger now, I think I can handle it from here.” Why do you think you are feeling stronger now? It’s simple. You gave Me your burdens and I’m taking care of them. I also renew your strength and cover you in my peace. Don’t you know that if I give you these problems back, you will be right back where you started? Leave them with Me and forget about them. Just let Me do my job.
5. TALK TO ME: I want you to forget a lot of things. Forget what was making you crazy. Forget the worry and the fretting because you know I’m in control. But there’s one thing I pray you never forget. Please, don’t forget to talk to Me – OFTEN! I love YOU! I want to hear your voice. I want you to include Me in on the things going on in your life. I want to hear you talk about your friends and family. Prayer is simply you having a conversation with Me. I want to be your dearest friend.
6. HAVE FAITH: I see a lot of things from up here that you can’t see from where you are. Have faith in Me that I know what I’m doing. Trust Me; you wouldn’t want the view from My eyes. I will continue to care for you, watch over you, and meet your needs. You only have to trust Me. Although I have a much bigger task than you, it seems as if you have so much trouble just doing your simple part. How hard can trust be?
7. SHARE: You were taught to share when you were only two years old. When did you forget? That rule still applies. Share with those who are less fortunate than you. Share your joy with those who need encouragement. Share your laughter with those who haven’t heard any in such a long time. Share your tears with those who have forgotten how to cry. Share your faith with those who have none.
8. BE PATIENT: I managed to fix it so in just one lifetime you could have so many diverse experiences. You grow from a child to an adult, have children, change jobs many times, learn many trades, travel to so many places, meet thousands of people, and experience so much. How can you be so impatient then when it takes Me a little longer than you expect to handle something on My to-do-list? Trust in My timing, for My timing is perfect. Just because I created the entire universe in only six days, everyone thinks I should always rush, rush, rush.
9. BE KIND: Be kind to others, for I love them just as much as I love you. They may not dress like you, or talk like you, or live the same way you do, but I still love you all. Please try to get along, for My sake. I created each of you different in some way. It would be too boring if you were all identical. Please, know I love each of your differences.
10. LOVE YOURSELF: As much as I love you, how can you not love yourself? You were created by me for one reason only — to be loved, and to love in return. I am a God of Love. Love Me. Love your neighbors. But also love yourself. It makes My heart ache when I see you so angry with yourself when things go wrong. You are very precious to me. Don’t ever forget……
Reflection
You can interrupt God at any time. Time belongs to Him.
Walk and talk with Him today. Yes, he would prefer today!
Pearls Of Wisdom
You say, “It’s impossible…” God replies, “All things are possible” (Luke 18:27)
You say, “I ‘m too tired…” God replies, “I will give you rest” (Matthew 11:28-30)
You say, “Nobody really loves me…” God replies, “I Love You” (John 3:16 & John 3:34)
You say, “I can’t go on…” God replies, “My Grace is sufficient” (2 Cor 12:9 & Psalm 91:15)
You say, “I can’t figure things out…” God replies, “I will direct your steps” (Proverbs 3:5-6)
You say, “I can’t do it…” God replies, “You can do all things” (Philippians 4:13)
You say, “I am not able…” God replies, “You are able” (2 Corinthians 9:8)
You say, “It’s not worth it…” God replies, “It will be worth it” (Romans 8:28)
You say, “I can’t forgive myself…” God replies, “I forgive you” (I John 1:9 & Romans 8:1)
You say, “I can’t manage…” God replies, “I will supply all your needs” (Philippians 4:19)
You say, “I’m afraid…” God replies, “I have not given you a spirit of fear” (2 Timothy 1:7)
You say, “I’m always worried and frustrated…” God replies, “Cast all your cares on Me” (I Peter 5:7)
You say, “I’m not smart enough…” God replies, “I give you wisdom” (I Corinthians 1:30)
You say, “I feel alone…” God replies, “I will never leave you or forsake you” (Hebrews 13:5)
Reflection
Well, who else but God, has the patience?
Raindrops – A Story of God’s Love
One rainy afternoon I was driving along one of the main streets of town taking those extra precautions necessary when the roads are wet and slick. Suddenly, my daughter, Aspen, spoke up from her relaxed position in her seat. “Dad, I’m thinking of something,” she said.
This announcement usually meant she had been pondering some fact for a while and was now ready to expound all that her six-year-old mind had discovered. I was eager to hear.
“What are you thinking?” I asked.
“The rain;” she began, “is like sin, and the windshield wipers are like God wiping our sins away.”
After the chill bumps raced up my arms, I was able to respond. “That’s really good, Aspen,” I said.
Then my curiosity broke in. How far would this little girl take this revelation? So I asked… “Do you notice how the rain keeps on coming? What does that tell you?”
Aspen didn’t hesitate one moment with her answer: “We keep on sinning, and God just keeps on forgiving us.”
I always remember this, whenever I turn my wipers on… and…
Reflection
How amazing our weaknesses and, in contrast, God’s patience!
Who else loves you more than God?
Three Red Marbles
During the waning years of the Great Depression of the 1930’s, in a small southeastern Kansas community, I used to stop by Mr Miller’s roadside stand for farm-fresh produce as the season made it available. Food and money were still extremely scarce and bartering was used extensively.
One particular day, Mr Miller was bagging some early potatoes for me. I noticed a small boy, delicate of bone and feature, ragged but clean, hungrily apprising a basket of freshly picked green peas. I paid for my potatoes but was also drawn to the display of fresh green peas. I am a pushover for creamed peas and new potatoes. Pondering the peas, I couldn’t help overhearing the conversation between Mr Miller and the ragged boy next to me.
“Hello Barry, how are you today?”
“H’lo, Mr Miller. Fine, thank ya. Jus’ admirin’ them peas…sure look good.”
“They are good, Barry. How’s your Ma?”
“Fine. Gittin’ stronger alla’ time.”
“Good. Anything I can help you with?”
“No, Sir. Jus’ admirin’ them peas.”
“Would you like to take some home?”
“No, Sir. Got nuthin’ to pay for ’em with.”
“Well, what have you to trade me for some of those peas?”
“All I got’s my prize marble here.”
“Is that right? Let me see it.”
“Here ’tis. She’s a dandy.”
“I can see that. Hmmmm, only thing is this one is blue and I sort of go for red. Do you have a red one like this at home?”
“Not ‘zackley …..but, almost.”
“Tell you what. Take this bag of peas home with you and next trip this way let me look at that red marble.”
“Sure will. Thanks, Mr Miller.”
Mrs Miller, who had been standing nearby, came over to help me. With a smile, she said, “There are two other boys like him in our community, all three are in very poor circumstances. Jim just loves to bargain with them for peas, apples, tomatoes or whatever. When they come back with their red marbles, and they always do, he decides he doesn’t like red after all and he sends them home with a bag of produce for a green marble or an orange one, perhaps.”
I left the stand, smiling to myself, impressed with this man. A short time later I moved to Colorado but I never forgot the story of Mr Millar, the boys and their bartering. Several years went by, each more rapid than the previous one. Just recently I had occasion to visit some old friends in that Idaho community and while I was there learned that Mr Miller had died.
They were having his viewing that evening and knowing my friends wanted to go, I agreed to accompany them. Upon our arrival at the mortuary, we fell into line to meet the relatives of the deceased and to offer whatever words of comfort we could. Ahead of us in line were three young men. One was in an army uniform and the other two wore nice haircuts, dark suits and white shirts – very professional looking. They approached Mrs Miller, standing smiling and composed, by her husband’s casket. Each of the young men hugged her, kissed her on the cheek, spoke briefly with her and moved on to the casket. Her misty light blue eyes followed them as, one by one, each young man stopped briefly and placed his own warm hand over the cold pale hand in the casket. Each left the mortuary, awkwardly, wiping his eyes.
Our turn came to meet Mrs Miller. I told her who I was and mentioned the story she had told me about the marbles. Eyes glistening, she took my hand and led me to the casket. “Those three young men who just left were the boys I told you about. They just told me how they appreciated the things Jim ‘traded’ them. Now, at last, when Jim could not change his mind about colour or size – they came to pay their debt”.
“We’ve never had a great deal of the wealth of this world,” she confided, “but right now, Jim would consider himself the richest man in Idaho.” With loving gentleness, she lifted her husband’s lifeless fingers. Resting underneath were three exquisitely shined, red marbles!
Reflection
The helping hand of a stranger; how many have you encountered in your life?
Perhaps, we forget to count!