Thank YOU!

Thank you for the gift of your time today. My prayer is each time you stop to visit you are blessed with truth, and encouraged to keep going ~ one foot in front of the other, chin up ~ simply because you've been reminded you are on the road to VICTORY!

Thursday, November 28, 2013

This Week's Lightbulb Moment

Joy overflows from a grateful heart; a heart tested, tried, and found faithful in endurance.


Consider it a great joy, my brothers (sisters), whenever you experience various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance.  But endurance must do its complete work, so that you may be mature and complete, lacking nothing.
James 1:2-4 (HCSB)

Happy Thanksgiving!

Friday, November 22, 2013

This Week's Lightbulb Moment

Unmerited favor has the power to create a grateful heart...
producing acts of unmerited favor...


The woman at the well was shunned by her own Samaritan people for the reason Jesus stated truthfully; she had five husbands and the man she currently lived with was not her husband.


Yet when she received the Living Water Jesus offered her freely, the woman went immediately to the people who rejected her.  She invited them to come meet Jesus and receive for themselves the freedom only the Messiah had the power to give.

Many of the Samaritans from that town believed in Him (Jesus) because of the woman's testimony, "He told me everything I ever did."  John 4:39 (NIV)

Wednesday, November 20, 2013

The Simplicity of Giving Thanks

As I move toward the week of Thanksgiving, the words "thanks" and "giving" seem to be highlighted all around me - everywhere!

I like this holiday called Thanksgiving!  In fact, I like it so much, I don't do anything "Christmas" until after Thanksgiving is finished so as not to distract me from fully embracing Thanksgiving!

I like Thanksgiving; it's simple! Decorations are low key, shopping is limited mostly to groceries, and there's no obligation to design a card, include a family portrait, or write a state of the family letter; though I do enjoy writing many little "thank you" notes during the month of November. 

It's a simple little holiday; though the implications of giving thanks and showing gratitude are monumental!  The tiny exercise of finding just one blessing for which to be thankful trains my heart and mind to recognize the good in my life.  Over time, a natural lifestyle of thankfulness is developing in me.

Gratitude is similar.  Smiling and saying thank you takes a moment, but reaps a bounty of smiles and kind words in return.  One of my favorite Thanksgiving activities is to take a pack of sticky notes or index cards and write "I appreciate you!" or a Scripture verse on them, subsequently distributing these small gifts of gratitude to random people who divinely cross my path.  Talk about turning a frown upside down!

I think, to miss thanksgiving is to miss profound truth and valuable opportunities.  Giving thanks causes me to pause
and think about others rather than focus on myself, and creates opportunity to encourage people and appreciate blessings; resulting in a more joyful and content me!  
Besides it's really simple and fun!  Yes, indeed, Thanksgiving is one of my very favorite holidays.  Thank you for letting me share why!

Sunday, November 17, 2013

My Prayer For You...November 17, 2013

My prayer for you and me this week...

...persevere on the sunshine filled, straight path; persevere on the foggy, winding path; persevere on the dark and narrow path, and persevere when you don't know why you should take one more step.

Persevere in doing good...persevere when you are growing weary.  Persevere, press on...just one foot in front of the other with your eyes fixed on Jesus because He awaits you at the finish line.  He is your Great Reward, Jesus Christ of Nazareth - King Jesus, and He will reward you with the crown of life!

Lord, Jesus, we want to persevere, help us to persevere. When we are weary, tempted to quit, give us a glimpse of Your presence, tune our ears to Your whisper as You call us by name, and remind us of the goal to finish the race for Your glory.  In Your Strong and Sustaining name we pray, Amen!


Psalm 23:2-4, Isaiah 43:1-2, Isaiah 48:17, Galatians 6:9, Hebrews 12:1-3 and James 1:12

Thursday, November 14, 2013

This Week's Lightbulb Moment

"I don't have to be afraid, Jesus is my peace!"
Isabel Snell, 3&1/2 years wise.

My dear friend, and proud Nana, Ruth Snell, shared with me Isabel's testimony.
   
During their visit to the park, Isabel climbed to the top of a slide, sat down, and steadied herself with the truth she knows; "I don't have to be afraid, Jesus is my peace!" Subsequently, Isabel, secure in the grip of Jesus her peace, pushed off for a thrill ride to a safe landing!

What an excellent way to live!  
I am forever thankful for this freeing truth from the mouth of a pre-schooler, who experiences her adventurous life to the full, out of the boldness of her young faith.

Me...flying... Stone Mountain, GA

Me too, Isabel, thank you!  
Oh Lord, may I also greet each day for the rest of my life with this confident declaration; "I don't have to be afraid, Jesus is my peace!"

Me, 50th birthday, shell bucket in hand!
But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far away have been brought near through the blood of Christ.  For He Himself is our peace
Ephesians 2:13-14a

Sunday, November 10, 2013

My Prayer For You...November 10, 2013

My prayer for you and me this week...

Holy Spirit remind us of our desperate condition without Christ.  God, Your word tells us we were dead in our transgressions and sins (Ephesians 2:1) until You, who are rich in mercy, made us alive in Christ (Ephesians 2:4-5).

This week, Holy Spirit, I ask You to cause us to see our own face in the faces of the people we tend to judge.  As we encounter wretched sinners this week, may we see ourselves in their place.  Give us a visual of our own dead, dry bones without Christ's resurrected life in us.

Surely, Lord God Almighty, this recognition of our own
resurrection from death to life will create a flood of gratitude in our own hearts, and overflow into hearts of compassion for those around us who are the walking dead.


The Spirit of the Lord asked Ezekiel, "Son of man, can these bones live?"  Then He said to me, "Prophesy to these bones and say to them, 'Dry bones hear the word of the Lord!  This is what the Sovereign Lord says to these bones: I will make breath enter you, and you will come to life."
Ezekiel 37:3-5 (NIV)

Thursday, November 7, 2013

This Week's Lightbulb Moment

My Daddy is The King!

He reached down from Heaven and took hold of me...
Psalm 18:16a HCSB

For I am the LORD, your God, who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, Do not fear; I will help you.
Isaiah 41:13 NIV

But to all who did receive Him (Jesus), 
He gave them the right to be children of God, 
to those who believe in His name, 
who were born, not of blood, 
or of the will of the flesh, 
or of the will of man, 
but of God.
John 1:12-13 HCSB

But the LORD is the true God; 
He is the living God, the eternal King,
Jeremiah 10:10 NIV

Is The King your Daddy also?

Sunday, November 3, 2013

My Prayer For You...November 3, 2013

My prayer for you and me this week...
we will glorify our Lord and Savior through trials.

Lord, Jesus, You've told us to expect trouble in this world, and You've exhorted us to have peace and be courageous; You've over come the world! (John 16:33)     


Thank You for setting the example for us through Your word. Jesus, You were oppressed and afflicted yet You did not open Your mouth; You were led like a lamb to slaughter. (Isaiah 53:7, I Peter 2:23)  

By living daily in Your presence, Jesus, You are teaching us to trust You.  In the dark and fearful places we are learning to turn to You and call on Your Great Name! (Hebrews 12:2-3, Jeremiah 29:12-13)


May we, who are Your children, decide today to respond to inevitable trials with perseverance and faith and in so doing, magnify Your name, God, our King! (Revelation 14:12-13, Hebrews 6:10-12, Ephesians 6:18-19, Luke 9:23)

We pray for strength and maturity in the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth and for Your Glory! 
Amen and Amen!!