Monday, March 25, 2024

February Reflections

 




Getting Some Repair Work Done


We had to have some work done to our bathroom. Our shower and bathtub had been out of commission for a while. We had to search for a plumber to do the work. The first one to look at the job was not acceptable. The second one did an excellent job and did not have to cause any more issues with our bathroom.


A Friend Wears A Crown


Rachel, one of the ladies at my church entered heaven on January 31st. She had been in failing health since she had COVID. Then, later she was diagnosed with ALS. I was able to go to her visitation. She looked very good considering what she endured with her illness.


Cleaning Out a Closet


In preparing for our plumber, we emptied a closet that is behind the wall in the bathroom. We thought the water pipes to the

shower were in there. Well, they weren’t. (The closet truly needed to be cleaned out.)

The next day, I spent time beginning to sort through the STUFF, one pile to keep, on pile for the church rummage sale, and one pile to toss. I really need to stay with this project.


I ordered two hanging garment bags that came in two days. I also ordered two sweater boxes to help me store my sweaters. One of the places I ordered from could not fill my order until the latter half of March. I canceled that order and ordered from another place.


Phil missed it


We had a snowy day on Friday after Valentine’s Day. Jim said it looked like five inches. Phil the ground hog must not have had his eyes opened when he come out of his den.


Praying for our pastor


On January 29th our pastor had a stroke. His wife took him to the ER. They admitted him to the ICU. He was in ICU for almost a week. They had to take him back to ICU and have some surgery. He is back in a regular room. He had a rough night his first night back in a regular room. (More news to come in March Reflections)


Interim Pastor


The day after Pastor’s stroke, we knew we would have an interim pastor and we knew his name. He lives in a nearby city.


Almost A Personal Catastrophe


I wear hearing aids. On President’s Day, I put them in, one while I was taking on my cell phone; The other one as I fixed my ‘breakfast’. Later in the day, I reached to that ear and didn’t find that one in place.

I asked some of my friends to pray for me. I happened to see something shiny in the kitchen reflecting off the lamp in the living room. I went in and started to get something out of my vegetable bin. I stepped on the missing hearing aid. I was wearing house slippers; had I been wearing regular shoes, I would probably broken that hearing aid.


In explanation


I decided I needed a blog-break due to a health issue. Then, I had a computer issue that I could not do anything about by myself. My husband was not up to driving to the next town west to get my computer seen about. His health is questionable at this point in time.


More reflections to come next month.

Friday, March 22, 2024

Fervent Love

 

Etsy


And above all things have fervent love for one another,

for “love will cover a multitude of sins’

1 Peter 4:8 (NKJV)


Words of Peter


When we worship God in a corporate setting, we unite with our fellow worshipers to praise Him, to seek His guidance, to encourage others.


Peter tells his readers, then and now, that they and we are to love each other fervently.


Just what does fervently mean?


Webster’s New World Dictionary tells me that fervent means: Showing very warm or strong feeling; intense; ardent, as in a fervent appeal for help.


We have those times when we show love for one another through prayer, through visiting, through sending a card.


We have times when our prayers must be fervent,

*When there is an urgent need for God to intervene.


*When we need His guidance about an issue or circumstance.


*When we are asked to intercede for a friend.


Our church has had a time of fervently praying for our pastor and his wife. A couple from our church who reside in another state are facing a serious medical situation for which they will be returning to our town for medical treatment. This couple will receive, and has already received, fervent prayers from those that know and love them.


Father God: Please guide us through those times when we ae to be fervent in our love and in our prayer life. In Jesus’ Name, I pray. Amen



Wednesday, March 20, 2024

Christ’s Love Compels Us

 















For the love of Christ compels us, because we judge thus:

that if one died for

all, then all died, that those who live should no longer live for themselves,

but for Him who died for them and rose again.

2 Corinthians 5:14-15 (NKJV)


Words of Paul


For the love of Christ compels us


When we belong to Christ, we receive our assignments from Him.


that if one died for all, then all died,


When Jesus died at Calvary, He took our sins away. Each of us died to our sins.


then all died;


When Jesus was on the Cross, He took on all our sins. That is something no one else has ever done for any of us. When I think about what He did, it humbles me.


those who live should no longer live for themselves,


When we belong to Jesus, we are not our own. He is the one who guides us as we go through each day. He is the one who judges us when we leave this earth.


but for Him who died for them and rose again.


Everything we do or say must have Christ as our motivation. Any action must be spurred in us by Jesus. Any words that come out of our mouth must be filtered by Jesus.

Monday, March 18, 2024

God Alone

 




Jesus and the children at our church's prayer walk.


         I will both lie down in peace and sleep; For You alone, O LORD make me dwell in safety.

Psalm 4:8 (NKJV)


Words penned by David.


Having had too many nights with either minimal or no sleep, I picked up my Bible and reread this verse. A dear friend shared it with me many years ago.


What I realized as I went through another sleepless night was that I was not trusting God for some things going on around me that may affect me.


This verse tells me that David would be able to rest in peace and then sleep. He then tells the LORD that He alone keeps him safe.


How did God keep David safe? By being with him during the times Saul was chasing him. Also, when his son was hunting him down.


Each of us will have times when we feel that our back is against the wall or that we are in a circumstance by ourselves. God is with us as we go through those rough spots.


Our pastor has spent the past 50 days recovering from a stroke, there were days that it was one step forward followed by two steps backward. Prayer has kept him and his wife going as he has received intense therapy at a hospital in a neighboring city. He will be coming home in four days.


Prayer: Father God. Thank You for being with us during the difficult times in our lives. Thank You for reminding us that You are always are with us, guiding us through those times. In Jesus’ Name, I pray. Amen


.

Saturday, February 24, 2024

Going on a Break



 Needing to rest. I have been ill and am trying to get over this thing. Also, I have had a major upset that I have to work through. I don't know how long this will take. Please pray for me to get over this illness and through the aftermath of the circumstances of this upset. 


Thank you!

Wednesday, February 14, 2024

Ash Wednesday Music


https://stockabode,com




 Here are the hymns we sang at our Ash Wednesday service this evening.  We loved singing these old favorite hymns. I hope you enjoy hearing them. Sing along with them, if you choose.


Are Ye Able Said the Master





When I Survey the Wonderous Cross





Beneath the Cross of Jesus



                                                                    
                                                            The Old Rugged Cross
                                           
                                           
                                                  
                                              




Thursday, February 8, 2024

God Alone

 

SlideServe



I will both lie down in peace and sleep;

For You alone, O LORD make me dwell in safety.

Psalm 4:8 (NKJV)


Words penned by David.


Having had too many nights with either minimal or no sleep, I picked up my Bible and read this verse. A dear friend shared it with me many years ago.


What I realized as I went through another sleepless night was that I was not trusting God for some things going on around me that may affect me.


This verse tells me that David would be able to rest in peace and then sleep. He then tells the LORD that He alone keeps him safe.


How did God keep David safe? By being with him during the times Saul was chasing him. When his son was hunting him down.


This issue of trust is connected to faith. I have learned that we must have faith in order to trust God without reservations. Years ago, the pastor I sat under said that a lot of people practice “Billy Goat” religion. They say they believed in God, then the next word they said was.”But”.


A scripture passage I found recently has given me pause. “Behold the proud, His soul is not upright in him; But the just shall live by his faith.” Habakkuk 2:4 (NKJV) I believe I need to learn to live by faith more than I do.


Prayer,


Father God. Please help us, Your children, to trust you more as we live each day for You. Guide us as we make decisions and as we talk to those we meet in our daily activities, In Jesus’ Name, I pray. AMEN


February Reflections

  Getting Some Repair Work Done We had to have some work done to our bathroom. Our shower and bathtub had been out of commission f...