Blessings

Blessed be the LORD, because he hath heard the voice of my supplications. Psalm 28:6

A few weeks ago, my husband injured his back. He has not been able to do much. He is in pain when he sits, lies down and walks, another words he is in pain all the time. To pass the time he has been reading, working on puzzles and looking at stamps.

Mark loves to research and look at stamps. His leisure time usually is limited with working and pastoring. It has been a few years since he has looked at his “stamp collection”. He buys stamps at flea markets and yard sales.

As he was going through a box of stamps, he purchased a while ago, he came across a newspaper clipping. It looks very old and is yellowed from years of neglect. God speaks to us through many ways. He encourages us with little things, sometime a newspaper clipping.

The Blessing of Unanswered Prayers

I asked for strength that I might achieve;
I was made weak that I might learn humbly to obey.
I asked for health that I might do greater things;
I was given infirmity that I might do better things.
I asked for riches that I might be happy;
I was given poverty that I might be wise.
I asked for power that I might have the praise of men;
I was given weakness that I might feel the need of God.
I asked for all things that I might enjoy life;
I was given life that I might enjoy all things.
I got nothing that I had asked for,
but everything that I had hoped for.
Almost despite myself my unspoken prayers were answered;
I am, among all men, most richly blessed.

--- Unknown Confederate soldier

Our prayers are always answered, but not always the way we would like. Thank you Lord, for the blessing of your perfect will in all our prayers.

Have a blessed day,
Donna

What are we teaching?

And daily in the temple, and in every house, they ceased not to teach and preach Jesus Christ. Acts 5:42

I found this poem on a blog a few months ago. Take a minute to read and reflect.

If I teach my children to speak Spanish, French, Latin, Greek, and Japanese, but do not teach them to love God, I have nothing.

If they know how to tell time and have their times tables memorized, but do not know the God of time and all eternity, it profits me nothing.

If I teach them all about psychology, sociology, anthropology, and philosophy, but they do not love the LORD their God with all their heart, soul, mind, and strength, I have gained nothing.

If they are well versed in William Shakespeare, Emily Dickinson, Ralph Waldo Emerson, and Edgar Alan Poe, but do not delight in the Law of the LORD, their learning has come to nothing.

If they know about George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Benjamin Franklin, and Abraham Lincoln, but do not know Jesus Christ as their Savior and LORD, their knowledge is meaningless.

If they are champions at spelling bees, get perfect scores on their SATs, and get accepted into the best universities, but reject their Creator, I have accomplished nothing.

If they are successful beyond my wildest dreams, if they have huge paychecks, giant houses, and lavish lifestyles; If they gain the whole world, and yet lose their souls, I am an utter failure.

So now I see that reading, writing, and arithmetic are important, literature, languages, and history are all valuable, science and social studies have their place,

but if I my children do not become fully devoted followers of Jesus Christ, I have merely educated them.

I must do more than educate them…I must disciple them.

I must teach them to love the LORD.

- Tiana from God made…home grown

A Modern Day Christmas Message

Twas the night before Christmas--and all through the town
Not a sign of Baby Jesus--was anywhere to be found.
The people were all busy with Christmas time chores--
Like decorating, and baking, and shopping in stores.

No one sang Away in a manger--no crib for a bed.
Instead, they sang of Santa----dressed-up in bright red.
Mama watched Martha Stewart-----Papa drank beer from a tap.
As hour upon hour the presents they'd wrap.

Then what from the T.V. did they suddenly hear?
'Cept an ad--which told of a big sale at Sears.
So away to the mall they all flew like a flash--
Buying things on credit---and others with cash!

And, as they made their way home
From their trip to the mall,
Did they think about Jesus?
Oh, no--not at all.

Their lives were so busy with their Christmas time things
No time to remember Christ Jesus, the King.
There were presents to wrap and cookies to bake.
How could they stop and remember who died for their sake?

To pray to the Savior--they had no time to stop.
Because they needed more time to Shop til they dropped!
On Wal-mart! On K-mart! On Target! On Penney's!
On Hallmark! On Zales!
A quick lunch at Denny's

From the big stores downtown
To the stores at the mall
They would dash away, dash away,
and visit them all!

And up on the roof, there arose such a clatter--
As grandpa hung icicle lights up on his brand new step ladder.
He hung lights that would flash.
He hung lights that would twirl.
Yet, he never once prayed--to Jesus-- Light of the World.

Christ's eyes--how they twinkle!
Christ's Spirit--how merry!
Christ's love--how enormous!
All our burdens--He'll carry!

So instead of being busy,
overworked, and uptight---
Let's put Christ back in Christmas--
and enjoy some good nights!

Merry Christmas, my friends!
-Author unknown