|
|
|
|
Faith isn't anything you can see;
It isn't anything you can touch.
But you can feel it in your heart.
Faith is what keeps you trying
When others would have given up.
It keeps you believing in
The goodness of others,
And helps you find it.
Faith is trusting in a power
Greater than yourself,
And knowing that whatever happens,
This power will carry you through anything.
It is believing in yourself,
And having courage
To stand up for what you believe in.
Faith is:
Peace in the midst of a storm,
Determination in the midst
Of adversity,
And safety in the midst of trouble.
For nothing can touch a soul
That is guided by faith.
†
~+~Guidance~+~
When I prayed for God's Guidance, I kept seeing "dance" at the end of a the word. I remember reading that doing God's will is a lot like dancing. When two people try to lead, nothing feels right. The movement doesn't flow with the music, and everything is quite uncomfortable and uncoordinated. When one person realizes this, and lets the other lead, both bodies begin to flow with the music. One gives gentle cues, perhaps with a nudge to the back or by pressing lightly in one direction or another. It's as if two become one body, moving beautifully. The dance takes surrender, willingness, and attentiveness from one person and gentle guidance and skill from the other. My eyes drew back to the word Guidance. When I saw "G," I thought of God, followed by "u" and "i." "God, "u" and "i" dance"! God, you, and I dance. This statement is what guidance means to me. As I lowered my head, I became willing to trust that I would get guidance about my life. Once again, I became willing to let God lead.
My prayer for you today is that God's blessings and mercies be upon you and your family on this day and everyday. May you abide in Him as He abides in you. Dance together with God, trusting Him to lead and to guide you through each season of your life.
I Hope You Dance!
†
~+~Hope~+~
If you can look at the sunset and smile, then you still have hope.
If you can find beauty in the colors of a small flower, then you still have hope.
If you can find pleasure in the movement of a butterfly, then you still have hope.
If the smile of a child can still warm your heart, then you still have hope.
If you can see the good in other people, then you still have hope.
If the rain breaking on a roof top can still lull you to sleep, then you still have hope.
If the sight of a rainbow still makes you stop and stare in wonder, then you still have hope.
If the soft fur of a favored pet still feels pleasant under your fingertips, then you still have hope.
If you meet new people with a trace of excitement and optimism, then you still have hope.
If you give people the benefit of a doubt, then you still have hope.
If you still offer your hand in friendship to others that have touched your life, then you still have hope.
If receiving an unexpected card or letter still brings a pleasant surprise, then you still have hope.
If the suffering of others still fills your with pain and frustration, then you still have hope.
If you refuse to let a friendship die, or accept that it must end, then you still have hope.
If you look forward to a time or place of quiet and reflection, then you still have hope.
If you still buy the ornaments, put up the Christmas tree or cook the turkey, then you still have hope.
If you can look to the past and smile, then you still have hope.
If, when faced with the bad, when told everything is futile, you can still look up and end the conversation with the phrase... "yeah...BUT.," then you still have hope.
Hope is such a marvelous thing. It bends, it twists, it sometimes hides, but rarely does it break. It sustains us when nothing else can. It gives us reason to continue and courage to move ahead, when we tell ourselves we'd rather give in. Hope puts a smile on our face when the heart cannot manage. Hope puts our feet on the path when our eyes cannot see it. Hope moves us to act when our souls are confused of the direction. Hope is a wonderful thing, something to be cherished and nurtured, and something that will refresh us in return. And it can be found in each of us, and it can bring light into the darkest of places.
NEVER LOSE HOPE!
†
"What Is a Minister?"
Somewhere between the call of God and the sick ward of the local hospital there exists a specialist in everything, variously called a "minister," a "preacher." a "pastor." a "clergyman." He is a hero to his wife, a stranger to his children, a fine boy to his mother, an "easy touch" to down-and-outers, a name on the mailing list of hundreds of agencies and organizations, an example to his flock.
To some people he's a fuddy-duddy, to some he's a stuffed shirt, to some he's a character who has never lived it up, to some he's "Reverend," to some he's a guy who has nothing else to do but get ready for a twenty-minute sermon once a week.
To some he's the person in whose presence you must not cuss, drink, or smoke.
To others he is a dear friend, a "johnny-on-the spot" when death's angel hovers near; he's the one whose ministry continues when a loved one dies; he's the man who can mend marriages, but who can't find time to fix his wife's toaster; he's the nice man at church who pats the babies' heads, even though he's not running for a political office.
He's the one who marries young lovers, prays with the sick, and buries the dead.
He's a financial expert, a public orator, janitor, errand boy, typist, file clerk, writer, public relations expert, poor golfer, professional tea-sipper and punch-drinker, journalist, reformer, evangelist, pastor, business executive, counselor, prophet, bookworm, diplomat, human being, bass, tenor, planner, teetotaler, and usually a terrible golfer!
Ministers are found everywhere -- preaching in church, listening in meetings, teaching a class, looking at a clock, not looking at a clock, giving invocations, giving benedictions, waiting in maternity wards, sympathizing beside caskets, standing behind pulpits, pleading causes, serving on committees, studying the Bible, playing football with the kids on the vacant lot near the church, watching someone take a final breath, sitting behind a desk, lying underneath a car, standing on the roof of buildings under construction, meditating, dreaming, at home at dinner time, not at home at dinner time, standing before women's groups, delivering addresses, meeting in conventions, diagnosing the world's sickness and prescribing the cure -- Jesus.
†
During my life journey on this planet I shall start each day with these affirmations: I am capable. I am worthwhile. I am beautiful. I am lovable. I shall accept both my strengths and my weaknesses for they are me. I shall never again believe the "lie" that if I make a mistake, I am a mistake. My mistakes are the learning tools that I shall encounter on my life journey. When I learn from my mistakes, I give them meaning. When I give my mistakes meaning, I can begin to forgive myself, I can begin to heal. I shall not use my mistakes as excuses to give up on me - my mistakes are not me. I shall seek the wisdom to nurture my heart, mind, body, and soul so that I may feel more centered - providing an energy reserve that allows me to climb the mountains in my own life - providing an energy reserve that allows me to love and support others who are climbing a different mountain - providing an energy reserve that allows time for friends, play, and celebration of life. I shall allow myself to feel capable - so that I may seek excellence. I shall allow myself to feel sadness - so that joy may return. I shall allow myself to feel joy - so that I may be revitalized. I shall allow myself to feel afraid - so that I may find courage. I shall allow myself to feel alone - so that I may know me. I shall allow myself to feel beautiful - so that I may feel free. I shall allow myself to feel lovable - so that the loving may seek me. I shall allow myself to feel pain - so that I may heal. I shall allow myself to feel worthy - so that I may fulfill my purpose. When I am centered, I see the perfection in the world, myself and others. When I find the world to be imperfect, I will take responsibility for painting it that way. I will look into the heart of a rose, or the eyes of a newborn baby and again know perfection. I take responsibility for creating my own life story through the choices I have made; to blame others is to give away my personal power. Who will I allow to write the next chapter of my life? I shall seek the courage to believe in a God who will laugh with me in the sunlight or cry with me in the darkness. I shall make a small difference on this planet through the work I do - when I leave I will have done my share. I shall live, love, laugh, and learn on my journey.
†
~+~Our Christian Flag~+~
I, as a Christian, believe that the gift of eternal life is promised to us because Jesus, the Son of God, was sacrificed on the cross for the salvation of all mankind.
This flag represents Christians world wide.
The white background stands for purity and peace.
The blue patch stands for faithfulness, truth and sincerity.
The red cross stands for the sacrifice of Jesus for our salvation.
†
Just passing along some wonderful facts.
Since I am (we are) in Christ, by the grace of God...
I have been justified - completely forgiven and made righteous (Rom. 5:1).
I died with Christ and died to the power of sin's rule over my life (Rom. 6:1-6).
I am free forever from condemnation (Rom. 8:1).
I have been placed into Christ by God's doing (1 Cor. 1:30).
I have received the Spirit of God into my life that I might know the things freely given to me by God (1 Cor. 2:12).
I have been given the mind of Christ (1 Cor. 2:16).
I have been bought with a price; I am not my own; I belong to God (1 Cor. 6:19,20)
I have been established, anointed and sealed by God in Christ, and I have been given the Holy Spirit as a pledge guaranteeing my inheritance to come (2 Cor. 1:21; Eph. 1:13,14). Since I have died, I no longer live for myself, but for Christ (2 Cor. 5:14,15).
I have been made righteous (2 Cor. 5:21).
I have been crucified with Christ and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me. The life I am now living is Christ's life (Gal. 2:20).
I have been blessed with every spiritual blessing (Eph. 1:3).
I was chosen in Christ before the foundation of the world to be holy and am without blame before Him (Eph. 1:4).
I was predestined - determined by God - to be adopted as God's son (Eph. 1:5).
I have been redeemed and forgiven, and I am a recipient of His lavish grace.
I have been made alive together with Christ (Eph 2:5).
I have been raised up and seated with Christ in heaven (Eph. 2:6).
I have direct access to God through the Spirit (Eph. 2:18).
I may approach God with boldness, freedom and confidence (Eph. 3:12).
I have been rescued from the domain of satan's rule and transferred to the kingdom of Christ (Col. 1:13).
I have been redeemed and forgiven of all my sins. The debt against me has been canceled (Col. 1:14). Christ Himself is in me (Col. 1:27).
I am firmly rooted in Christ and am being built in Him (Col. 2:7).
I have been spiritually circumcised. My old regenerate nature has been removed (Col. 2:11).
I have been made complete in Christ (Col. 2:10).
I have been buried, raised and made alive with Christ (Col. 2:12,13).
I died with Christ and I have been raised up with Christ. My life is now hidden with Christ in God. Christ is now my life (Col. 3:1-4).
I have been given a spirit of power, love and self discipline (2 Tim. 1:7).
I have been saved and set apart according to God's doing (2 Tim. 1:9; Titus 3:5) Because I am sanctified and am one with the Sanctifier, He is not ashamed to call me brother (Heb. 2:11).
I have the right to come boldly before the throne of God to find mercy and grace in time of need (Heb. 4:16).
I have been given exceedingly great and precious promises by God by which I am a partaker of God's divine nature (2 Pet. 1:4).
†
Do you know a heart that hungers
For a word of love and cheer?
There are many such about us;
It may be that one is near.
Look around you. If you find it
Speak the word that's needed so,
And your own heart may be strengthened
By the help that you bestow.
Never think kind words are wasted,
Bread on waters cast are they,
And it may be we shall find them
Coming back to us, some day.
Coming back when sorely needed,
In a time of sore distress,
So, my friend, let's give them freely;
Gift and giver God will bless.