Today's Scripture
“He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds” (Psalm 147:3).
Today's Word from Joel and Victoria Osteen
Aren’t you glad that God is a healer! It doesn’t matter what is “broken” in your life today, God’s nature is to bring you complete healing. Do you need healing in your body? Your mind? Heart? Finances? Relationships? God is your healer. Notice what the Psalmist says in this verse: He binds up their wounds. In the natural, if you have a broken arm, it doesn’t just heal over night. The doctor makes a cast to hold it in place and protect it. He binds up your wound. In the spiritual realm, God does the same thing. He wraps Himself around your brokenness and protects the wounded area until it is strong enough to function properly again. The Bible also says that He is a restorer. That means that when He does a work of healing in our lives, He makes us better than we were before. If you’re going through the healing process today, know this: it may take longer than you planned, but God is binding up your wound. He is protecting you and healing you. He will bring you out better and stronger than you were before. He will take you to a place of complete healing so that you can live the life of victory He has in store for you.
A Prayer for Today
Father in heaven, thank You for being my healer. Thank You for restoring every area of my life. I give You everything that I am today. Use me for Your glory. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.
Thursday, November 8, 2007
You Set the Limits
Today's Scripture
“What if they don’t believe? Will their lack of faith make the faith of God no effect?” (Romans 3:3)
Today's Word from Joel and Victoria Osteen
There will always be critics and naysayers in life. It’s not what’s said about you that affects your life, but what you say and believe about yourself. Has the opinions of other people caused you to water down your dreams? One of the most important things you can learn is that other people don’t have to believe in you in order for your dreams to come to pass. Other people don’t set the limits for your life—you do. In Romans 3:3, the Apostle Paul is saying, “It doesn’t matter if other people don’t believe. Their unbelief is not going to keep me from believing in my dreams.” When God puts a promise in your heart, it’s not up to other people to bring it to pass, it’s up to you! You don’t need everyone to validate you. You have to follow the voice of God for yourself and allow Him to order your steps. God sees the hidden treasures that you’ve had buried on the inside of you. He wants to bring those treasures out and make your dreams reality! As you get rid of old, defeated thoughts and replace them with what God says about you, you will remove the limits and live the abundant life God has in store for you!
A Prayer for Today
Heavenly Father, thank You for another day to see Your goodness in my life. Help me to see myself the way You see me. Help me to see the plans You have for me so that I can be empowered by You to fulfill my destiny. I love You and bless Your name today. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.
“What if they don’t believe? Will their lack of faith make the faith of God no effect?” (Romans 3:3)
Today's Word from Joel and Victoria Osteen
There will always be critics and naysayers in life. It’s not what’s said about you that affects your life, but what you say and believe about yourself. Has the opinions of other people caused you to water down your dreams? One of the most important things you can learn is that other people don’t have to believe in you in order for your dreams to come to pass. Other people don’t set the limits for your life—you do. In Romans 3:3, the Apostle Paul is saying, “It doesn’t matter if other people don’t believe. Their unbelief is not going to keep me from believing in my dreams.” When God puts a promise in your heart, it’s not up to other people to bring it to pass, it’s up to you! You don’t need everyone to validate you. You have to follow the voice of God for yourself and allow Him to order your steps. God sees the hidden treasures that you’ve had buried on the inside of you. He wants to bring those treasures out and make your dreams reality! As you get rid of old, defeated thoughts and replace them with what God says about you, you will remove the limits and live the abundant life God has in store for you!
A Prayer for Today
Heavenly Father, thank You for another day to see Your goodness in my life. Help me to see myself the way You see me. Help me to see the plans You have for me so that I can be empowered by You to fulfill my destiny. I love You and bless Your name today. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.
Friday, November 2, 2007
It was His timing.
Some would say it was an ill-timed vacation, but I don't believe that. I believe it was God's timing, and His timing is always perfect. Even though I may not know the reason for timing it that way, I do "know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose."
We arrived in San Diego three days before the wildfires broke out. What began as a time of sight-seeing and relaxing became a time of stress and uncertainty. We were among the first of many whose areas came under mandatory evacuation. This actually was a blessing, the favour of God upon us, because we were able to secure a hotel room at a very reduced rate. By the next morning, all the hotels in San Diego were booked solid and there were no more rooms to be found. Thousands were forced to seek refuge in emergency shelters. We were comfortable in a hotel room.
All the local TV stations suspended regular programming for three days, and we, along with half a million others who were displaced, stayed tuned for word on the status of the fires and when/if we would be allowed to return to where we were staying originally. We finally were able to return the day before we flew home.
At times, I wondered if there was something wrong with me. I felt removed somehow from my emotions, somewhat unfeeling in the midst of this trauma. Then without warning, the tears would come as I thought about the many, many people who would never return to their homes. They had lost everything and my heart hurt for them. The place we were staying in was untouched by the fire, and we could go home. But many would not.
Several of the major attractions were closed, major roadways were closed, the smoke was thick and the air quality was very poor. But we chose to keep a positive attitude and make the best of our time there. We may not have been able to do all the things we wanted to do and see all the scenery we were hoping to see, but we did have a good time anyway. Attitude makes the difference!
We arrived in San Diego three days before the wildfires broke out. What began as a time of sight-seeing and relaxing became a time of stress and uncertainty. We were among the first of many whose areas came under mandatory evacuation. This actually was a blessing, the favour of God upon us, because we were able to secure a hotel room at a very reduced rate. By the next morning, all the hotels in San Diego were booked solid and there were no more rooms to be found. Thousands were forced to seek refuge in emergency shelters. We were comfortable in a hotel room.
All the local TV stations suspended regular programming for three days, and we, along with half a million others who were displaced, stayed tuned for word on the status of the fires and when/if we would be allowed to return to where we were staying originally. We finally were able to return the day before we flew home.
At times, I wondered if there was something wrong with me. I felt removed somehow from my emotions, somewhat unfeeling in the midst of this trauma. Then without warning, the tears would come as I thought about the many, many people who would never return to their homes. They had lost everything and my heart hurt for them. The place we were staying in was untouched by the fire, and we could go home. But many would not.
Several of the major attractions were closed, major roadways were closed, the smoke was thick and the air quality was very poor. But we chose to keep a positive attitude and make the best of our time there. We may not have been able to do all the things we wanted to do and see all the scenery we were hoping to see, but we did have a good time anyway. Attitude makes the difference!
I wish I could change this.
I don't like that when a person makes a comment on this blog, they don't receive notification when a reply is made. :(
Friday, September 7, 2007
Love Comes Softly
Recently, I was browsing in the video store and came upon this series of movies based on novels written by Christian author, Janette Oke. I had read the novels many years ago and enjoyed the stories, so I promptly rented the four videos and watched them over the next few days.
Amazon's Description: A woman’s dream to forge a new life for herself on the great American plains becomes a test of her pioneering spirit, her inner strength, and her undying faith. It was Marty Claridge’s dream to build her new life on the frontier with her husband. But when the courageous pioneer woman is suddenly widowed, she’s offered a new opportunity – to marry a widower in a marriage of convenience that leads to unexpected love.
Directed by Michael Landon, Jr., Love Comes Softly is based on the best-selling series of novels from Janette Oke, which has sold over 30 million copies. Love Comes Softly has aired on the Hallmark Channel, garnering record setting ratings.
I liked the movies. They are stories of faith and love, cleanly written and portrayed. One reviewer says, "Love Comes Softly, based on the popular Christian novel by Janette Oke, is a romance, but Landon carefully avoids any bodice-ripping histrionics. Problems get solved perhaps a little too easily, but the movie is cleanly written, pleasantly understated, and respectful to its characters. For many viewers, Love Comes Softly will be a welcome change from overheated secular love stories."
The other movies in the series include, Love's Enduring Promise, Love's Long Journey, and Love's Abiding Joy.
Appreciation Dinner
Every October, our little congregation does a "Pastor Appreciation Dinner" along with Thanksgiving. This year, the leadership decided to do a "Congregation Appreciation Dinner", with the leadership team preparing, serving, and doing cleanup for the congregation. There are four of us putting on a spaghetti dinner for about 60 people tomorrow night.
I've enjoyed the preparation this week. Yesterday, I made 3 large pots of spaghetti sauce, which is now sitting in my fridge, the flavours blending together nicely. Over the course of 3 days, I've been baking chocolate chip cookies, lemon bars, chocolate chip/peanut butter cookie bars, and banana bread ~ and tasting a little of each along the way. :)
Tomorrow afternoon we'll meet at the church to set up and decorate tables, and prepare the salad, garlic bread and spaghetti. We've ordered (but I don't think they're going to arrive in time) appreciation gifts ~ mugs that are inscribed with, "Thank you for your servant heart" on one side and a Scripture verse (I can't remember which one) on the other side.
I'm looking forward to tomorrow. The dinner will be nice, but I'm looking forward to the comraderie of working together with the others to put on the dinner. They're wonderful people to work with. We make a good team.
I've enjoyed the preparation this week. Yesterday, I made 3 large pots of spaghetti sauce, which is now sitting in my fridge, the flavours blending together nicely. Over the course of 3 days, I've been baking chocolate chip cookies, lemon bars, chocolate chip/peanut butter cookie bars, and banana bread ~ and tasting a little of each along the way. :)
Tomorrow afternoon we'll meet at the church to set up and decorate tables, and prepare the salad, garlic bread and spaghetti. We've ordered (but I don't think they're going to arrive in time) appreciation gifts ~ mugs that are inscribed with, "Thank you for your servant heart" on one side and a Scripture verse (I can't remember which one) on the other side.
I'm looking forward to tomorrow. The dinner will be nice, but I'm looking forward to the comraderie of working together with the others to put on the dinner. They're wonderful people to work with. We make a good team.
Unsettled
Last year and the year before, I spent a lot of time on my computer; a lot of time online. But in the past several months I haven't been online very much, and some days ~ sometimes several days ~ I don't turn my computer on at all. I don't know why the change, and whether this is a temporary season or a permanent change. I seem to be doing a lot more reading instead, which I suppose could be a good thing. Except that I have the feeling that for me, right now, reading is more of a stress-relief than pure enjoyment.
At the moment, I still don't have a clear picture in my mind of what I want my blog to be. I don't really want to journal my daily life and events. I think I'd rather write more regarding things I'm thinking about. But to be honest, right now I don't really feel like writing much about those things, either. I guess this blog will be a variety of types of posts ~ or maybe none at all ~ for awhile, until I get settled what I'm doing with it.
At the moment, I still don't have a clear picture in my mind of what I want my blog to be. I don't really want to journal my daily life and events. I think I'd rather write more regarding things I'm thinking about. But to be honest, right now I don't really feel like writing much about those things, either. I guess this blog will be a variety of types of posts ~ or maybe none at all ~ for awhile, until I get settled what I'm doing with it.
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