GOT A MINUTE OR TWO

  There is a Wideness in God's Mercy Like the wideness of the sea; There's a kindness in His justice Which is more than liberty. For the love of God is broader Than the measure of man's mind; And the heart of the Eternal Is most wonderfully kind. In this season of my life, God has widened my bordors!  It seems I have a greater compasity to love and know Him.  I think it is particaly due to spending more time in God's Word.  There is a passage that resonates in my heart every day. Jeremiah 9:23,24 Thus says the Lord;  Let not the wise man boast in his wisdom, And let not the mighty man Boast in his might. Let not the rich man boast in his riches; But let him who boasts, boast in this; That he KNOWS and UNDERSTANDS ME, That I am the Lord who exercises Loving kindness, justice and righteousness on the earth. I delight in these things declares the Lord! The only way I know to really understand God, is to be in His Word every day.  Taking time to meditate, refle...

  Dear Lord ~ we are but earthen vessels.   Common and flawed, but You chose to use us to spread the Gospel and Your love.  As we begin a new month, and celebrate communion, help us to be willing vessels in your hands, and share that forgiveness is available to all who will come to the cross an accept your gift of salvation.  We remember your sacrifice today, and lift grateful hearts and hands.  We love You.  Amen.    

"Jesus never sends a man ahead alone.  He blazes a clear way through every thicket and woods, and then softly calls, "Follow me.  Lets go on together, you and I."  He has been everywhere we are called to go.  His feet have trodden down smooth a path through every experience that comes to us.  He knows each road, and knows it well:  the valley road of disappointment with its dark shadows; the steep path of temptation down through the rocky ravines and slippery gullies;  the narrow path of pain, with brambly thorn bushes so close on each side, with their slash and sting;  the dizzy road along the heights of victory; the old beaten road of commonplace daily routine.  Every path he had trodden and glorified and will walk anew with each of us.  The only safe way to travel is with Him alongside and in control." ~~Dr. Samuel Dickey Gordon (1859-1936)   Is it not a wonderful thing to know, we don't walk this old World alone. ...

  When I started my Cancer journey in April of 2009 some friends gave me a small potted Hydrangea plant.  It was about 12" high and had three blooms.  I transplanted it in a flower bed next to the house in the back yard, but it got too much sun, and almost died twice.  It was down to a few brown stalks when I transplanted it into this large cement pot, and put it in a completely different place in the back yard where it got sun and shade.  This is how it looked this morning.  It stand about three feet and it's covered with blooms; some fully open and many more to come.  IT'S THRIVING!! After two lumpectomies and 8 weeks of radiation, I have now been cancer free 4 years. I'M THRIVING!  Every time I see my Hydrangea I see how it came back and is thriving, and it reminds me just how good and gracious my God is to keep me thriving! In the Old Testament, they set up piles of stones as a memorial to remind them of significant times whe...

John 10:14~18 "I am the Good Shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me ~~just as the Father knows me and I know the Father ~~and lay down my life for the sheep. I have other sheep that are not of this sheep pen. I must bring them also. They too will listen to my voice, and there will be one flock and one shepherd. The reason my Father loves me is that I lay down my life ~~only to take it up again. No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord. I have authority to lay it down and authority to take it up again. This command I received from my Father." Dear Jesus, how tenderly You care for me, my Shepherd. When I hear your reassuring voice I know that I am secure. When I wander far away, You search for me, You hoist me upon Your strong shoulders, rejoicing that I have been found. You are the gate that leads to the fold of salvation. You are the fold in which I find safety. When I am in danger, You lay down Your own life for me. You give me ...