Saying Thank You

The Lord has been putting my mind to work lately. It is good when He brings things to our attention. There are things we can forget that we really shouldn't.

When we ask God for things whether it be for small things or large, important or just wanting, healings, finances, or whatever, do we always remember to thank Him? We may not get exactly what we want but He answers the request.

Sometimes it may be just a simple request but do we thank Him? I didn't forget to ask Him so why should I forget to thank Him?

Philippians 4:6; "...with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God". So, if we make known our requests to God we should thank Him. Psalm 100:4; "...be thankful unto him, and bless his name". God doesn't have to answer our prayers but He does. It is because of His love for us that He does. By being thankful and telling Him thanks for answering our prayers shows Him that we love Him.

When someone does something for me I try to remember to tell them thank you. If it is important to tell another person thanks I know that it is just as important to tell the Lord. Even if it is not answered the way I wanted it, I know He has answered it the best way for me.

God has given me so much and He continues to give. I need to not only tell Him thanks but show Him I am grateful. I need to give Him praise for all He has done. I know I am on His mind at all times. It seems impossible how I can be but it is true. He knows everything about me, He knows what I am thinking and what I am doing. I know He is waiting for me to talk to Him and to give Him praises that are due Him.

Like I have said I try to remember to tell Him thanks for answering my prayer request but there are times I forget. I think we will always remember to say thanks for the really big request but the smaller ones doesn't seem to get a thank you.

Thank you for stopping by and may you know the peace of the Lord. Blessings!

Thoughts And Words

I was thinking the other day about things I do or think. I wondered to myself if the things I do or think would be pleasing to God. I am sure not all the things and thoughts I have had in my lifetime have been pleasing to Him nor have they glorified Him. Then that made me start thinking, if I want to please God and be Christ like I need to make sure the things I do and think are pure. This has been hard as in a fleeting thought and of course words that I have thought and said has not been pleasing to God.


It was just yesterday morning, a car pulled out in front of Dave and I said out loud 'what do you think you are doing, get out of the way, if you are going to pull out in front of someone, don't poke along." Now that doesn't sound so bad but my voice made it sound unpleasant. I know God was not pleased with me. No, the guy didn't hear me but God did and so did Dave. After it was over with I was ashamed of myself.

Now to make things worse, I just went in to get a banana and my poodle went with me. She wanted a bite and then when I gave it to her she wouldn't eat it. So, what did I do? I yelled at her. I know she is an animal and not a person (but I happen to be an animal lover) but what if it had been a great-grandchild? I probably would have yelled at them also. The Holy Spirit sure spoke to me. I am glad He did as it made me think, if I am going to continue to say things that are unpleasing to God, why am I writing this?

I believe the Lord wants me to more attentive to what I think and say. Perhaps my thoughts and words have not been as pure as what I have thought and this is a way of the Lord getting my attention. If this is the case I am certainly glad He has although I am not proud of the words and the way I have said them the last couple of days.

I Corinthians 10:31; "...or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God". I certainly wasn't saying those things to the glory of God. As a Christian I should do and say everything that is pleasing to God and to promote his glory. Whatever can't be done for God's glory, I should not do or say. I can honor God by my thankfulness, trust, faith, prayer, loyalty, conduct, and my obedience to Him. I know I have to work on my words and my thoughts. I believe people believe as long as their thoughts or words are not filthy or uncomplimentary they are doing okay. I ask you, do you think God was proud of me or was He glorified by my words yesterday and today? They weren't really mean words but they didn't compliment God nor was He glorified.

Luke 4:22; "And they all bear him witness, and wondered at the gracious words which proceeded out of his mouth..." Well, Dave was with me when I yelled at the driver that pulled out in front of us and also when I yelled at my poodle. He can certainly say I didn't please or glorify the Lord. I know as sure as I am setting here God's words are pure words.

I am challenging each of you to think about your thoughts and words. Remember they don't have to be nasty thoughts or words to be unbecoming to the Lord. Our thoughts and words need to be pure, complimentary to God, and to bring glory to Him. If they don't then we should not have them.

Thank you for stopping by and may you know the peace of the Lord. Blessings!

My God

Have you ever thought what it would be like if we didn't have the Lord walking around with us? I have and I wouldn't like it one bit. I believe it would be a lonely world and it would be a really scary situation, we have so much with the Lord and to not have Him would be a horrible thing.


I would like to write about some of the ways I feel about the Lord.

God is the Creator of all things. Genesis 1:1; "In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth". The Bible tells us God created everything. Genesis 1:26; "And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness..." So, I know I was made in the image and likeness of God and so were you. Isn't this awesome?

He is my friend and I am His friend. James 2:23; "...and he was called the Friend of God". Proverbs 17:17; "A friend loveth at all times..." God loves me all of the time and always will. He may not like what I do or say but He loves me. Because I love Him and am His friend I will always do what He wants me to (I may have a talk with Him about this) but I know that in the end I will do what He wants me to do. He would never ask me to do anything that I wasn't able to do.

I know the Lord will always be with me. His Word tells me this. Matthew 28:20; "Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen". We know the Lord never lies so I know He will always be with me. No matter if I am poor, humble, apparently unimportant, or weak He cares for me. He will take care of me with concern. He knows every trial and struggle that I go through and gives me grace that is sufficient and His presence to help me.

He is my Help. Psalm 33:20; "Our soul waiteth for the Lord: He is our help and our shield". God is the only one I can depend on to help, He will protect me as a shield would. Why would I want anyone else that would not be able to protect me as He does?

The Lord is my Light. His light will always be there to show me the way. Psalm 119:105; "Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path". God's Word has spiritual principles that help me to avoid tragedies, potential disasters, and many sorrows I might have made from wrong decisions and choices. I must always cherish it's wisdom and hold on to its instructions in my life's situation.

I know God will keep me from evil. II Thessalonians 3:3; "But the Lord is faithful, who shall stablish you, and keep you from evil". When I earnestly pray, I can be confident God will protect me from Satan. God will strengthen me so I can face any temptation that may overwhelm me and God will protect me from the strong forces of Satan.

I know God gave His only Son, Jesus Christ so I would not perish but have eternal life. John 3:16; "For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life". Eternal life is the gift God gave me when I took Jesus as my Savior.

I know the Lord Jesus Christ loved me enough to die for me. John 15:13; "Great love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends". I know of no one else that would do this for someone they don't know. I believe Dave would give his life for me but I also believe it would be very hard for him to give his life for people he didn't know. I believe it would be hard for anyone to give their life for someone they didn't know.

I know the Lord forgives me for my sins. I John 1:9; "If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness". All I have to do is admit I have sinned and ask for forgiveness and He will cleanse me. There is not one person that hasn't sinned. If anyone says they have not sinned they are a liar.

I know He is a faithful God. I Corinthians 1:9; "God is faithful, by whom ye were called unto the fellowship of his Son Jesus Christ our Lord. God called me to fellowship with His Son, Jesus Christ.

These are just some of ways I feel about the Lord. I know there are many others and perhaps some day I will give you some more ways of the way I feel about God.

Perhaps you could leave a comment on how you feel about the Lord.

Thank you for stopping by and may you know the peace of the Lord. Blessings!

Obeying God

Every time I get ready to right for my (it is really God's) blog God lets me know what I should write about but He hasn't this time. Since He hasn't given me anything I guess I will just write a few things about my self.

I love the Lord with all of my heart and I want to do what He wants me to do. Even though I want to do what He wants me to I sometimes will have a really serious talk with Him. I know whatever it is He wants me to do is best but I am a shy person and I do not like to step out when there are people involved.

One of the instances is when Dave started talking about going into the prisons for Bible Studies. I thought he had actually lost his mind. Well, the Lord started talking to me about the same thing. I really had some conversations with Him. Guess who won. It wasn't me.

We started going in the prison with another Christian couple who had been doing this for a really long time. They were wonderful people and they gave us lots of tips for doing the Bible Studies. We went in with them for a little over a year.

Then I had a chance to go into the Federal Prison for women. Everyone warned me that the women could really be mean and their mouth would speak things that I probably shouldn't be hearing but I didn't listen. What a wonderful experience I had. The women were awesome and they were so eager to learn and ask questions. When they had a problem they would actually come to me.

Each one was in prison for different reasons. Most of the reasons was for some type of drugs or robbery. Each had a different personality but they were still precious people.

With these precious women there wasn't anything that I wouldn't have told them. They were the kind that would have kept secret anything I told them. They loved to be asked to pray for others. They needed to feel needed.

One night when I went in for Bible Study they started talking about making drugs. I immediately told them that we should talk about something else as I didn't want to know anything about making drugs. They got a really big kick out of this and laughed about it and they proceeded to tease me. I knew it was all in fun. They never really told me how to make drugs, I am certainly glad.

I made arrangements for Jenifer, author of Sweet Blessings to go in to give a special talk with the girls. The women in prison were so excited. When they met Jenifer they thought she was so beautiful and wonderful. I believe she talked about doing things with their families. Jenifer really made an impression on the women and they asked about her every week when I went in.

Finally Dave decided to go in with me after I talked until I was blue in the face. He enjoyed going in as much as I did. The women simple loved him as he is quite the teaser and they really enjoyed this.

The women were loving people and they missed their families very much but they knew they had done wrong and had to pay the price for doing wrong.

I have kept in contact with a few of the women. Some of them are out now but there is still some that are in prison.

To get back to going in with Dave. The prison we went into weekly was a minimum unit. We went in to the max and medium units but that was on just special occasions. The guys were really great. Yes, they had done wrong, broken the law and the biggest part of them would admit they were where they should be. We met some guys that were special prayer warriors and I mean when they got a prayer request they would pray until they got an answer to the prayer.

These guys were considerate, polite, helpful, and wanted to learn. Most of them already knew a lot about the Bible. We discussed this at different times. Some of the guys would say they knew what the Bible said but didn't really apply what they knew and that was why they were in prison. We discussed about the ones (not just the ones in prison but others) that would miss heaven by eighteen inches. They had the Bible in their head but didn't have it in their heart. All of us agreed this was a sad situation but at times there isn't anything anyone can do about it. We have kept up with several of the guys that have gotten out of prison. It is nice to keep in contact with them.

There are several that have since passed and I pray that we will see them in heaven. One man was to be released from prison but he passed because of a heart attack while still in prison. He was an elderly man and he was so excited to be going home. Another young man passed due to an overdose of drugs, his sister found him in a house he had just bought. Then there was the one that was shot. He had gone to work at the same place but in a different department that Dave was working.

I am so glad I lost the battle with the Lord and Dave. Going into the prisons is something I will always cherish. It was an experience that has so many memories.

Matthew 25:36; "Naked, and ye clothed me: I was sick, and ye visited me: I was in prison, and ye came unto me". Had I not gone in when the Lord started talking to me I would have missed out on doing something for Him. It wouldn't have been so bad if I hadn't listened to Dave but he had God on his side. Dave had already said 'yes' to God. Dave was ready but I had to be convinced. Like I said, I am so glad I listened. Dave and I were really blessed and our lives were touched by these wonderful people.

Well, the Lord did give me something to write about, I just didn't realize it when I first started writing.  I should have known He would not let me down as He never has.  I hope you have enjoyed reading about one of my experiences.

Thank you for stopping by and may you know the peace of the Lord. Blessings!

Breakfast

I received the following in an email. I looked it up and it has said it is not true but there is a big lesson to learn in the story. It is sort of long but well worth the reading.


I Samuel 16:7 "But the Lord said unto Samuel, Look not on his countenance, or on the height of his stature; because I have refused him: for the Lord seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the Lord looketh on the heart."

It is man's tendency to see the outward appearance while God looks and sees what is in a person's heart. It seems man looks a lot at the materialistic things and that is not what makes a person. A person that has the materialistic things may look great but if we only knew what was in his heart and perhaps how he got these things. I am not saying all people that have beautiful materialistic things are this way because I know quite a
few people that have these things and they are great Christians and their number one is the Lord, He comes before anything else. It is what they worship and feel they can't get along without.

Breakfast at McDonald's

I am a mother of three (ages 14, 12, 3) and have recently completed my college degree.

The last class I had to take was Sociology. The teacher was absolutely inspiring with the qualities that I wish every human being had been graced with. Her last project of the term was called, 'Smile.' The class was asked to go out and smile at three people and document their reactions.

I am a very friendly person and always smile at everyone and say hello anyway. So, I thought this would be a piece of cake, Literally.

Soon after we were assigned the project, my husband, youngest son, and I went out to McDonald's one crisp March morning. It was just our way of sharing special playtime with our son.

We were standing in line, waiting to be served, when all of a sudden everyone around us began to back away, and then even my husband did. I did not move an inch... An overwhelming feeling of panic welled up inside of me as I turned to see why they had moved. As I turned around I smelled a horrible 'dirty body' smell, and there standing behind me were two poor homeless men. As I looked down at the short gentleman, close to me, he was 'smiling' his beautiful sky blue eyes were full of God's Light as he searched for acceptance.....

He said, 'Good day' as he counted the few coins he had been clutching.. The second man fumbled with his hands as he stood behind his friend. I realized the second man was mentally challenged and the blue-eyed gentleman was his salvation. I held my tears as I stood there with them.

The young lady at the counter asked him what they wanted... He said, 'Coffee is all Miss' because that was all they could afford. (If they wanted to sit in the restaurant and warm up, they had to buy something. He just wanted to be warm).

Then I really felt it - the compulsion was so great I almost reached out and embraced the little man with the blue eyes. That is when I noticed all eyes in the restaurant were set on me, judging my every action.

I smiled and asked the young lady behind the counter to give me two more breakfast meals on a separate tray.. I then walked around the corner to the table that the men had chosen as a resting spot. I put the tray on the table and laid my hand on the blue-eyed gentleman's cold hand.

He looked up at me, with tears in his eyes, and said, 'Thank you.' I leaned over, began to pat his hand and said, 'I did not do this for you. God is here working through me to give you hope.'

I started to cry as I walked away to join my husband and son... When I sat down my husband smiled at me and said, 'That is why God gave you to me, Honey, to give me hope...' We held hands for a moment and at that time, we knew that only because of the Grace that we had been given were we able to give. That day showed me the pure Light of God's sweet love.

I returned to college, on the last evening of class, with this story in hand. I turned in 'my project' and the instructor read it. Then she looked up at me and said, 'Can I share this?'

I slowly nodded as she got the attention of the class.

She began to read and that is when I knew that we as human beings and being part of God share this need to heal people and to be healed. In my own way I had touched the people at McDonald's, my son, the instructor, and every soul that shared the classroom on the last night I spent as a college student. I graduated with one of the biggest lessons I would ever learn: UNCONDITIONAL ACCEPTANCE.

Much love and compassion is sent to each and every person who may read this and learn how to LOVE PEOPLE AND USE THINGS - NOT LOVE THINGS AND USE PEOPLE.

I hope you have enjoyed this story although it isn't true (but it could be and we not know it), it does teach us a lesson. I believe God would be proud of us to learn a lesson such as this.

I John 4:8; "He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is Love". We can show love in many ways. By helping people in need, showing kindness, helping one another, smiling at someone, yes, a simple smile may make a person feel loved and, saying 'hello' to someone you pass by, it may make them have a brighter day, we just never know what we can do to make someone feel better. It will even make us feel better just knowing we have shown some kindness to someone.

I feel I am richest person in the world. Why? Because I have the love and the riches of the Lord and I am so happy that I have received this. I pray all that read this will also find the love, happiness, and riches I have through our Lord, Jesus Christ.

Thank you for stopping by and may you know the peace of the Lord. Blessings!