Take The First Step

                                            photo by morguefile.


"Take the first step in faith. You don't have to see the whole staircase, just take the first step."
- Martin Luther King, Jr.

I found this quote in the DollarStretcher.  It is a blog that gives advice about saving money and thriftiness.

The first step is always the hardest.  Like getting out of bed on a Monday morning.  Just let your foot touch the floor and then you are on your way.

Remember you are not alone on this journey called life.  The Lord is with you.  He will guide you if you ask.

Read & Respond Bible study method

I love this video that talks about reading and applying God's word to your life.  It is short and worth watching.

Two Good Forgivers

Billy Graham asked his wife one day what it took to make a good marriage? 

Her answer was:  "Two good forgivers."

Isn't this true?  No matter how much you care for each other you still hurt each other.  There are still misunderstandings. Short tempers and thoughtless words still make us want to scream.  But the one thing that can help and ease our hearts is forgiveness.  Even though it is a salve to our hearts it is also one of the hardest things to do.



 

And when ye stand praying, forgive, if ye have ought against any: that your Father also which is in heaven may forgive you your trespasses. Mark 11:25

Dear Father God,
I pray for all those having problems with forgiveness.  It is so hard to forgive others Dear Lord.  Please help each one reading this to be able to let go of the offences others have done to them. Bless each one and give them peace and courage.
Amen

Love Is A Guiding Light

"All things work by love."

"At the heart of the scientist's quest for a "theory of all things" they will find that love is the energy that allows the universe to exist."

These quotes are from the book, "The Prayer of Love".  It takes me a long time to finish a book.  This book is one that has helped me to understand things.  The theme of the book is to practice love in every situation. 

Practicing love in our own situation is not always easy.  In fact, it takes extreme courage at times.  Love does not always feel fuzzy wuzzy.  Tough love is hard to do but sometimes it is necessary. 

When others don't treat us with love it is hard to show love to them.  But God requires that we do that doesn't he?

Thinking about how we hurt others without even meaning to can help to overlook the hurt caused by our friends or family.

Click on the link below and you will be able to purchase the book from amazon.

Focus On Your Purpose

                                            photo from Morguefile.com


"Focus on your purpose, not your problems. Obstacles are what you see when you take your eyes off the goal. If you want to accomplish your goals, remember the reason and the reward."  Quote from the Daniel Plan blog post.

I saw this quote in the Daniel Plan blogpost this afternoon.  I tend to be so focused on what I see as problems and frustrations.  After reading this I saw how I normally focus on things that I can't change in my own power.  I give up and stop trying.  I need to ask why?  Why am I wanting to do this?  Is it to please God?  If that is the reason then surely God will help me.  He will show me the work he wants me to do and give me the ability to do it.

He is the one I can count on for wisdom and strength.  If I do it in my own strength and for the wrong reasons, I will not get too far.

Do you have this habit?  Magnifying the pain, the stress, the hurtful words of others? If so, remember this quote:  "Focus on your purpose, not your problems."

The Lord Will Help You Through

Hello my friends,

I hope you have all gotten into a good routine now that school has started back.  I don't have little ones at home anymore but I do have grandkids.  My daughter is busy homeschooling all three of them this year.

I love this time of year.  It is so beautiful outside.  The heat is not as bad as it was in the summer.  I still have some of my marigolds blooming.  They did so well this year.

Everyone seems to have their own set of struggles right now.  For some it is financial and for others it is relationships that are bumpy.

Whatever the struggle you are going through, don't give up.  The Lord will help you.  He may not do it the way you want but he will give you strength to get through it.

All the world is full of suffering. It is also full of overcoming.    by Helen Keller    

For This I Have Jesus

I was in a dark place a couple of years ago.  I just did not know what to do.  I found this quote in a Christian publication:  "For This I Have Christ."  It spoke to my heart.  I finally realized that Jesus was with me and would help me.  I felt that I could make it.  I felt that Jesus was telling me that he was with me and I could handle what I needed to handle.

We all go through difficult things in our lives.  It is hard to struggle through them.  Just trust that He is there with you.  Just keep putting one foot in front of the other and believe he is walking right there beside you.  Because he is.  Jesus is there even though you can not see him.

Don't Quit On Life Because God Has Your Back

“Do not fear, little flock, for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom.”
— Luke 12:32

Have you had times that you just wanted to quit life?  You would love to stay in bed with the covers over your head?  I have.  Many times. 

Many times I have wanted to just pull the covers over my head and  hide.  In fact, there have been times when I actually have done that.  When my children were young and I was working full time it seemed so hard.  I felt that I had so many responsibilities.  I would come home and for just a few minutes I would lie down and put a pillow over my head until I could think again.

I am semi-retired now and I still want to do that sometimes.  The temptation is great. Being retired is not always peaceful and slow- paced.  It can be hectic and stressful.  It is harder to deal with things now that I am over sixty.

But I know that God has my back.  Even though I get frustrated and confused at times.  I still know that God is for me.  I am part of his flock.  He cares for me.  This knowledge keeps me going.  And going.

Ever have those kind of days?  Leave me a comment and let me know how you handle them.

Memory Verse For Today Proverbs 31:26

                                                       photo from morguefile.com

My memory verse that I am working on today is Proverbs 31:26. 

"She openeth her mouth with wisdom; and in her tongue is the law of kindness."  Proverbs 31:26

I tend to say things without thinking.  Of course, that means I say things that I shouldn't.  I say hurtful things or things that are better kept secret.

Do you have that problem?  Maybe you could memorize this verse with me.  Wisdom and kindness.  That is what I want my life and my words to be about.

"She openeth her mouth with wisdom and in her tongue is the law of kindness."  Proverbs 31:26.

For my words to automatically be wise and filled with kindness, I must first have my thoughts filled with wisdom and kindness.  I must purposefully be thinking on good things.  When the bad thoughts come I must kick them out as fast as I notice that they are not good.  That is easy to say and hard to do.  But I believe it is worth the effort.

What do you think?  Leave me a comment and let me know ok?

May I pray for you today?



Dear Lord,
I ask that you help everyone that visits this blog today to be filled with your love and kindness and goodness . Teach them true wisdom that comes only from you.

Help each one with their problems and the painful issues that arise.  Give them the wisdom to know how to move forward and overcome. 

Life is not always easy but it is a gift from you dear Lord.  Help us to take time today and see the beauty of our world.

Thank you Father God for hearing and answering our prayers.

 

Hello my friends,

I hope you are having a great day.  Do you like my sunflowers that I grew?  I grew these in our veggie garden.  I love growing flowers.  They just make me feel happy and blessed.

 

Something I read today in the Bible was "Why are ye so fearful?"

I had to stop and think about that.  Why am I so fearful?  Why do I feel that I have to be in control?  I know that even when I think I am in control I am really not.

 

The Lord is in control.  He knows what is going to happen.  He knows what others are thinking and planning.  He is the one that can thwart any thing that is trying to come against me.

 

I spend a lot of time worrying and fretting.  I spend hours at night trying to sleep.  I can't sleep because I keep worrying and fretting.  It does me no good.  I only get up in the morning lackluster and worn out before I start the day.

 

Do you have this problem?  Ask yourself, why am I so afraid?  Then give whatever it is to God.  Let Him take care of it for you.  That is what I want to do.  What do you think?