Star-fish

      I have a friend that is always reminding me of God's grace. I tend to think of my need to earn God's favor, so one day I can hear, "Well done, good and faithful servant." Clearly, I'm unable to do anything worthy of God's grace, but part of me can't let go of my need to try. I came across this site on what a critical spirit is and how to amend it: http://www.gotquestions.org/critical-spirit.html#ixzz2fsIhSuuW    Here's an excerpt: So how do we overcome a critical spirit? The condition of our heart is crucial. Luke 6:45 says, "The good person out of the good treasure of his heart produces good, and the evil person out of his evil treasure produces evil, for out of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaks." Critical words spring from a critical heart. And a critical heart generally comes from a misunderstanding of God's grace—either due to pride or a simple lack of information about God's character and the meaning of salvati...

     I watched Dr. Charles Stanley preach today on television. He made several great points. I'm attaching his website for the service in its entirety. But one point he made, really spoke to me. He said we are to represent God with our, "character, conduct, and conversation." How often do I follow these 3 C's?       His notes from the InTouch website, www.intouch.org, put it this way, regarding the Characteristics of a Strong Life: (Such a life) Is fruitful: if we’re strong, others will see how God has transformed our character, conduct, and conversation, and they’ll want Him to do the same in their lives.      Lord, forgive me for not being one that represents You with my character, conduct, and conversation. Help me to be faithful in this area and bless You and others as a result. Amen. Colossians 4:6  Let your conversation be always full of grace,  seasoned with salt,  so that you may know how to answer everyone. ...

     I'm struggling. It's plain and simple. There's the age thing, the new job deal, and the lack of time to do anything, but work situation. None of which matters in the eternal world, but all of which take center stage in the present moment. So yesterday, when I read Our Daily Bread  for Monday, September 16th, I got out the highlighter. This message really spoke to me. Hope it touches your current reality as well. God's Will     We're often looking for God's will--especially when we're in a difficult situation. We wonder, What will happen to me here? Should I stay or does God want me somewhere else? The only way to know for sure is to do what He asks you to do right now--the duty of the present moment--and wait for God to reveal the next step.       As you obey what you know, you will be strengthened to take the next step and the next. Step by step, one step at a time. That's how we learn to walk with God.     ...

     My husband read our daily devotional this morning and the article noted how employees listed encouragement and recognition on the top of their list of things they'd like to get from their bosses. It's too bad that a simple "well done" or "thank you" could encourage workers, yet it doesn't happen nearly as often as it should. Bosses get busy, they are human, and begin thinking about their own needs for recognition for all the time they spend at work. Then the cycle of disenchantment starts in the work place.      Recently, I've been so concerned about my own troubles and discomfort, that I have lost track of my purpose as a servant of Christ. My own sufferings are minuscule compared to the sufferings of Christ, his apostles, even people with whom I attend church. I have let my troubles become my focus and when I'm "self-focused" my level of worry, impatience, and discouragement skyrockets. So before I burn out trying to fuel my own...

"Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice."  Phil 4:4  Attitude is everything & your attitude should reflect your faith, especially in times of crisis.  They are tests of faith.  God is there with you, He is good & you should continue to praise Him regardless of the circumstances.  It will help you and those around you. God Bless You, Helen My friend Helen recently sent this email out to her friends. Her husband just got out of the hospital for breaking his back. It's humbling to read this from her, knowing what she's been through lately. I've been through a lot less and lately have not been rejoicing or reflecting my faith.  Thanks for the reminder Helen. May God strengthen your husband both physically and spiritually. Amen.

     In many of my dreams, I'm attempting to find my way to someone or go somewhere, but obstacles keep ending up in my way. As I struggle to run, things slow me down. As I try to see, things are dark and hazy. In my "real" life recently, obstacles are beginning to overcome me and make my thinking foggy and my view cloudy.      I thank God for stepping in over and over to iron out the wrinkles of my life. May I learn to press on. Amen. Phil. 3:14 I  press on  toward the goal to win the prize  for which God has called  me heavenward in Christ Jesus.

     Due to stress, my back and neck have been stiff and sore lately. As I read in Nehemiah 9 about the Jews being "arrogant and stiff-necked," it reminded me of myself. Then in my reading of Billy Graham's book, Hope for Each Day for today's date, it said the following, "It isn't easy to bring our stubborn wills into submission to Christ, but when we do, it is as if a misplaced vertebra has snapped back into place. Instead of the stress and tension of a life out of harmony with God, we discover the serenity of His presence. Who will control your will today? You--or Christ?"      In Acts 27, I read where Paul was trying to sail to Rome and a litany of accidents, trials, and tribulations occurred along the way. Finally, the stubborn crew listened to Paul's directions and "dropped four anchors," "prayed for daylight," "stay(ed) with the ship," and "cut the ropes that held the lifeboat."      I'm ready to r...

     Our youth pastor spoke today at church. His sermon was a powerful reminder that as Christians our purpose is not to pull away from the world, but to go out into the world and be "salt and light." He said that being a "monk" by withdrawing from secular society so we can remain pure, is not what Jesus did, but instead Jesus studied and learned God's ways from a very young age. He said we are to be those that study the Bible and have an answer filled with kindness and love to those challenging our beliefs.      He reminded us that the time we spend watching television and entertaining ourselves is time lost and possibly souls lost for the Kingdom of God. It is also time that could be better spent digging into God's word and praying for His direction. It made me realize that my goals are not God's goals. My desires need to line up with the heart of God and He would not want anyone to miss out on eternity with Him. Who am I not praying for due to wasted...