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It is a joy that God never abandons His children. He guides faithfully all who listen to His directions.
From Isaiah 9:6: “For a child has been born for us, a Son given to us; authority rests upon His shoulders; and He is named Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.”
Crushing deep waters
Pressing in on life again—
Requires deeper faith
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Compassionate God
Brings comfort to our troubles—
Praise-filling blessings
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Confusion employs
Filling our lives with darkness—
Jesus’ light blesses
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Fortunately, God has given us a magnificent solution that can make a difference. I call these fourteen words the secret of celebrating life: “forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on.”
From Philippians 3:13-14: “Beloved, I do not consider that I have made it my own; but this one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the heavenly call of God in Christ Jesus.”
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People who are crucified with Christ have three distinct marks: They are facing only one direction, they can never turn back, and they no longer have plans of their own.
From Galatians 2:19-20: “For through the law I died to the law, so that I might live to God. I have been crucified with Christ.”
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Seeking hope through faith
But, love must come first
“Love one another”
Now, empty hearts burst
God represents love
A most precious gift
Follow His commands
Love provides a lift
Distribute our love
Family, friends, strangers
Follow Christ’s accord
Makes a life changer
Sowing seeds of love
Jesus brings blessings
Daily nurturing
Keeps love from guessing
Treasure love from Christ
Love blossoms into more
Faithfulness growing
Raising lives to soar
Loving our Savior
His blood stains a Cross
Bringing Salvation
To earth, dark and lost
This most cherished gift
By God’s Grace given
Sisters and brothers
Being forgiven
Holy Commandments
Obeying with love
Loving our neighbors
Pleasing Christ, high above
From Matthew 22:36-40: “Teacher, which commandment in the law is the greatest? He said to him, ‘You shall love the Lord our God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ This is the greatest and first commandment. And a second is like it: ‘You shall love your neighbors as yourself.’ On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.”
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There is not a single thing that Jesus cannot change, control, and conquer because He is the living Lord.
From Colossians 3:2-4: “Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth, for you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ who is your life is revealed, then you also will be revealed with Him in glory.”
Waking up early on a darkened, rainy day
Unable to walk, disrupting my morn with gray
Turning off the news, craving a necessary break
Immersing in other blogs, with their unique take
Sharing thoughtful comments, here and there
Always reminded, so many people truly care
This stubborn mind stores much, obsolete clutter
Causing my mature engine to cough and sputter
Life’s music sometimes offers a stimulating tune
Witnessing other perspectives, into an afternoon
Discovering positive discussions, comforting my mind
Challenging me to see, steps lead to future grace to find
Life’s lens sometimes fails, entirely clouded over
Like searching for a four-leaf, in a field of clover
As a culture, broadcasting anew from many landscapes
Exchanging ideas, opening our lens to exciting escapes
Our Lord, fashioning in us a curious intellect to wear
Stepping out, witnessing life as others wish to share
Reading God’s Word, helping to clear the murky view
Seeing life through His lens, aligning honest and true
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Carry the cross patiently, and with perfect submission; and in the end it shall carry you.
From Luke 14:27: “Whoever does not carry the cross and follow me cannot be my disciple.”
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When God is at the center of your life, you worship, when He’s not, you worry.
From Psalm 62:8: “Trust in Him at all times, O people; pour out your heart before Him; God is a refuge for us.”
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It is mid-morning on a nearly empty street corner in a remote, medium-sized town when Milt runs into one of his best friends, Fred. Little do these two men know, but their improbable rendezvous will bring both of them inner strength and hope.
Both men are in their eighties, but each is blessed with good health. Being retired, they don’t always have a chance to catch up on news.
Milt is a widower, who lost his beloved Sharon several years back. Fred’s lovely wife, Judy, struggles with many chronic health concerns.
The two friends continue to visit on the deserted street corner. Milt tells Fred, “I am really concerned about this virus news.” As he speaks, both men realize they need to stand a bit farther apart due to reminders in the news about social distancing.
Milt replies back, “Me, too. I guess we have lots of company.” Both men have been overly cautious about being safe with their exposure to the disease.
Fred shares news from home about his bride of 61 years. He continues talking to Milt, “I am really worried about Sharon. Her health is very fragile, and I hope she can weather the storm ahead with this virus out there.”
Milt looks across at his friend, and he sees the deep worries of concern and anxiety in Fred’s face. Milt asks, “May I pray for you?” Milt nods in agreement.
In closing the prayer, Milt shares a special prayer with his long-time friend: “God, grant us the serenity to accept the things we cannot change, the courage to change the things we cannot change, the courage to change the things we can, and wisdom to know the difference.”
Before the men depart and continue with their day’s journey, Fred shares a verse from one of his favorite Psalms (27:1): “The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?”
The Serenity Prayer was originally written by theologian Reinhold Niebuhr. The most common version of the prayer was published in 1951, but Niebuhr used variations of the prayer in sermons as early as 1934. In the story, Milt adapted the prayer to fit the situation.
