Category Archives: Special Interest

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God Speaks to Us

Isaiah 41:10 says, “So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand”.

He tells us not to be afraid. Why? because he is with us. He tells us not be dismayed. Why? because he is our God. How can we do this? He strengthen us and helps us. He upholds us with his righteous right hand. God protects us. He helps us. He gives us strength. When we are afraid, we find that he is with us. God’s righteous right hand upholds us even though we can’t see it. Truly, this is utterly amazing!

God assures us that he is with us. He assures us that we don’t need to be afraid for he is with us. We may feel all alone but he promises that he is always with us. We may wonder about this for our faith is small. But he promises that he is with us and will always be with us. Right now, while I’m trying to put my thoughts in a manageable manner, he promises me that he is with me. Amazing.

I joined a familiar group of ladies for a bible study this week. The women had joy. Their joy pumped me up. The lesson never mentioned joy, but the joy went from person to person. It was a beautiful thing. God gives the women joy. The joy went from one person to the another and back again and again. They were happy to share together. Their joy encouraged me.

But it’s not easy for them. One woman can barely hear but she is joyful. Another woman has to use a walker but she is joyful. The host, a woman in her eighties, is a happy camper. Why? You guessed it, because of the Lord. She loves him. He makes a difference to her. He helps her. God is taking care of her, and she knows it. That’s a good reason for her to praise him. I’m so encouraged when people choose to thank God for his provision rather than complain about what is going wrong in their lives.

The lady I just told you about has lost three of her four children. Her husband passed-on a few years ago. Her circumstances seem sort of rough. She could complain but she realizes God is in control, and she wouldn’t want to complain about what he has done for her. God is her destiny. God is her truth. God keeps her and helps her. Her remaining son lives a few blocks away, which is a real blessing. We partook of the bible study, but for me, I was uplifted by the care of the women sharing their faith with each other.

Sometimes I get discouraged. Life pulls me down. But the joy of the Lord is my strength, a very present help in times of trouble. Let’s let our light shine. Let’s help others. Let’s stand up and be counted. I want to praise God, for he is worthy of my praise. God is real. He keeps us. He feeds us. He’s worth shouting about! He loves you, He loves me. If we could really get a grasp of his love, we would be satisfied in a pure and blessed way.

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Today is the 4th of July

I love this country

There is something beautiful about this country. It is a varied land with much variety. The west is decidedly different than the east. I spent five weeks in Florida in contrast to the rest of the year in California. Although they have similarities, there are very different features as well. Both states have their pluses even though they are on opposite sides of the country.

The water makes its waves come clear and fast. We love the ocean and its beaches. All my kids and their families got together on the east coast for LaVonne’s birthday this year. It was so incredibly wonderful! We had a spectacular time together. LaVonne’s husband, Shane, rented a raft-type boat. We went out on the bay, viewed the sea life while we navigated around the bay, and just enjoyed the water, weather, and each other. It was a truly delightful day.

My family is blessed

We don’t get to choose our families. So count yourself rich if your family gives more than it gets. My family gave to me more than I could imagine. I’ve come to realize that more with each year I live. We often take away more that we seek to give. I wish I had told my parents more often, that I loved and cherished them. We often fail to see their gifts when they are with us. My siblings, too, are much loved and appreciated. My nieces and nephews and their children, too. Tell them.

Families are the building block that makes a difference in our lives. Some have some problems that cause a myriad of disasters. Yet even then the families we have been given have influenced us. Everyone has the choice of how they will choose to live, grow, and become in this world in which we live. We are given choices. The difficult choices are hard to make and keep but we choose to make them and possibly keep them.

We get to choose how we will live

No, we don’t get to choose what country or family we will live in, at least in the beginning of our lives. But we are given the opportunity to live discreetly wherever we live. You may not live discreetly, and you have that choice, but your life will thrive when you give your thoughts beyond yourself. What do I mean? When we live for others, and give to others, and help others, and think of others, and much, much more. There are many people that our lives touch that benefit from our graces.

Before I end my thoughts, I must say, and I’m going to bring my faith into the conversation, simply because God. He makes the difference. Even when life seems a wreck, it is not entirely true…if you have the faith, you can see it. There are times, possibly, when life is a struggle and you would rather give up. That’s understandable. Life is hard. And maybe we made some poor choices, or we are having a problem with our health or finances. Whatever. But God is enough. He will help you, will keep you, and He is able to do more than we may think or ask. And, of course, the other ones of you, God delights in you. He keeps you, helps you, and carries you along through your journey. Open your heart to Him. I promise you, you won’t regret it.

I will finish with this. Thank God for giving you life. We are fortunate to be living this life, here and now. There is much to be thankful for in this life. Look out your window. A bird flies by. Be thankful for it. Yes, and the food you had to eat. It was good. Be thankful for it. Did you see that ‘someone special’ today? They’re a positive person in your life. I am thankful for you and that is a positively good thing! May God bless you and keep you. May His face shine upon you and give you peace.