Shopping Spree

 Proverbs 22:9 - A generous man will himself be blessed, for he shares his food with the poor.

I went shopping the other day,

It seemed a good idea at the time,

But couldn’t find a thing to buy,

I didn’t spend one thin dime.

I came home feeling righteous

Frugal and quite proud

Not adding to my overstuffed closet

Made we want to shout out loud.

And then I looked in the paper

For something interesting to read

And saw stories of hurting children

And many people in need.

Suddenly I knew why I hadn't

Made a purchase to add to my store

It was the good Lord saying

“Others in this world need it much more.”

I'll take my next shopping spree

Where hunger and pain seem to thrive

And through charity and church

Help one family, one person survive.

Renewal

Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me. Psalm 51:10

As I write this northern New Mexico wind howls outside sweeping away snow clouds; it stirs in me recollections of winters past. When I was a child we lived in Hobbs, New Mexico, where snow was rare, but I recall those magical times when we would come out of church on a Sunday morning and find an overlay of new snowfall that muffled everything, creating a crust of white making the world look fresh and new. That’s what happens when we have a relationship with God. He muffles the noise of the world so we can hear His voice. He covers our transgressions with forgiveness and creates in us a clean heart, one able to take in His love and then share it with others. Just as the snow changes the landscape of the world, God changes us.

Happy Thanksgiving!

One little phrase

That means a lot

Whether spoken late

Or on the spot.

Thank you,

One little phrase

That brings on a smile

In so many ways.

Say it again,

Thank you my friends

One little phrase

What a message it sends!

What brings sunshine

So quickly to our busy days

Like hearing thank you that

One little phrase.

Choices

I have two choices,

To be happy or sad.

Which will I choose?

The good or the bad?

Yesterday had troubles,

That I well know,

How much do they matter,

As onward I go?

Tomorrow's a wish

Unknown, a day yet to be,

Will I worry about it

While missing each moment given to me?

Lord help me focus

On your gift of today.

I promise to live it with joy

As I go on my way.

God always has a way

Genesis 22:1-13

Submitting to God is not easy, not because it isn’t easy but because we make it hard. We look at Abraham stoically going up the mountain, his beloved son by his side. He has been told by God to sacrifice his boy. What must that trip have been like? We can’t imagine because God has never asked anyone else to do that. Or did He? He asked that of himself. Christ was not saved from suffering on the cross, but he was delivered from death. His life was lived out as man while he was yet God. He brought to the world the grace of redemption. What does God ask of us? The sacrifices we make are not to our glory but to his. The choices we live out can either lift us up or break us down.

I read in a devotional for dieters that when we subvert our need for food for nourishment into a desire for food to fill a void other than hunger, we have put our faith in something other than God. The instant gratification of a Ben & Jerry’s takes precedent over the long-range return of better health through self-discipline. When we submit to God's love and mercy, he opens doors and leads us through.

Abraham believed whatever the outcome, he must trust God and carry out God’s instruction no matter where it led. Self-discipline and trust are a hard to beat combination. No matter what challenges you face, God always has a way for you to get over, under, around or through them. It may require a few sacrifices on your part along the way.

Lord help me to always trust you no matter how high the mountain. Amen

It's Me, Lord

Psalm 143: 7-11

It’s me, Lord, a little uncertain as a new day begins,
Fearful of the demands of life in the days ahead.
I may not be able to meet expectations.
Whatever I do, Lord, may it be your will.

It’s me, Lord, thankful you are with me
As I wade into the mix of life that tests my patience,
Occasionally sparks anger,
And sometimes brings about poor choices.

It’s me, Lord, your sometimes unwilling tool,
Praying I will listen for your voice
Which comes in many forms,
Reminding me of your promise to love, comfort, and nurture.

It’s me, Lord, thankful that doing your will
Makes it possible to initiate change in myself.
My reward is the peace that comes from knowing
You are with me at every step.

It’s me, Lord, thankful for the strength
That empowers me do what needs to be done,
And for the ways, great and small, I am able
To be effective and productive.

It’s me, Lord, praying I will be prepared
To do whatever comes my way
Based on your plan uniquely designed for me.
Your presence in my life is the greatest gift of all.

Hope

9/11 Revival Continues 
by Sharon Vander Meer

Peace of mind,
Peace at heart,
Peace in friendships,
Peace in love.

Peace through me,
Peace through you,
Peace in the home,
Peace in the world.