Prayer Changes Things...My Ruthie!

I see bunny ears and ponytails, snacks, a yawn here and a yawn there, and tired eyes…but all beautiful children in the eyes of the Lord! I’m thankful for the last two weeks in which I have worked as a teacher’s aide helping some special kids make their way thru the school day. I’m even more thankful for my own children and the precious gift God has given me…especially for my girl Ruthie. It’s not that I love Ruthie more than my two boys, but my girl…she has Autism. I have to love her differently at times as I continue to try and understand the world as she sees it.

Even though I have enjoyed my time working, I have missed my quiet moments in the morning with my best friend Jesus. So last night, tired and exhausted, I reached for the closest Bible. It was my daughter’s…Ruthie’s NIV children’s Bible. As I flipped the pages, I noticed a large amount of underlined passages…from beginning to end of this great book. I began stop and read the underscored sections. After some time, I began to cry for I realized the overwhelming amount of importance God’s word meant to my Autistic daughter…a child who socially has a difficult time with relationships. I clasped her Bible tightly against my chest as my eyes now cried a river of salted drops.

When Ruthie was diagnosed nearly three years ago with Autism, I grieved severely. I wondered often how she could have a personal relationship with Jesus, if she had this inability to interact socially without my constant prompting to get her to converse with others or answer a question, how could she talk with Jesus. I cried out to God…I’m talking on my knees wailing like a baby…that Ruthie would know Jesus and know this man I had fallen in love with at her age. Yes, often times I begged Him. Do you think God heard my prayers? My answer finally came last night when I open the pages of her Bible. Never give up! Prayer changes things! Thank you Jesus, Ruthie's big daddy, for dancing with your girl and my Cinderella!

One tough week...praying for the grief

Well this week has been a tough one. I have asked God, “Why?” so many times. A young man…a senior in high school…took his own life. I cried many tears for the parents of this beautiful young man…their only child. My own son attended youth group with James. He didn’t know him well, but he knew him. I know his mom. I’m not super close friends with her, but I know her. She is my sister in Christ…a bond which can never be broken.

When I first heard the news, I was working at our local elementary school…except the person who told me didn’t say the name of the boy. I was deeply saddened with a rush of tears that welled up in my eyes and goose bumps that rose from within which sent a chill through my entire body. At that moment, I thought how much I hated Satan. I couldn’t shake the dark agonizing thoughts the last hour after hearing the sad news.

When I got home, I had a message from my friend Lori on my phone. I sensed the sound of urgency in her voice so I called her immediately. She proceeded to tell me the sad news. All I could say was,

“No…no…please tell me it wasn’t him!”

I already knew a lot of details, but now there was a face…a face I knew and watched play the drums on Sunday morning. I felt sick, sad, and remained in what seemed a somber trance like state for several hours.

So I did what I always do when sorrow is great, grief seems to be winning, and it feels as if Satan won…I turned my eyes upon Jesus…I looked full into His wonderful face…and the things of this Earth grew strangely dim…in the light of His glory and praise… and peace… it rested once again on my heavy shoulders if only for a moment and I was reminded how sweet it is to trust in Jesus.

I’ve prayed like…well…a maniac…this week. You see, you can’t help but think of your own children in a situation such as this and then you think of all the children James knew…his close friends. Well, I just know my God is an amazing God who has so much grace…more than we could ever fathom…and loves His children tremendously. He is a spendthrift when it comes to love and forgiveness and because of His great love we cannot be consumed for He has already won the victory over Satan.

Its Easter week and today, Palm Sunday, the day they cried, “Hosanna!” as Jesus rode into Jerusalem on a donkey. During the sermon, I was reminded of Jesus who was taunted while he hung in excruciating pain upon the cross between two nails in the palms of his hands…all for me…all for you…all for James. He could have said things back. He could have stopped it all in an instant, but he didn’t retaliate…he chose to give forgiveness. We should never judge the amount of grace God chooses to give. Remember…we have all sinned and fall short…way short…of the expectations of God. This is why we need Jesus. And just as Christ forgives us, so also we too need to forgive others.

Let your tears flow and allow the Redeemer to catch the salted drops in his cupped hands. He takes those tears and turns them into healing. He breathes love into the hurt and makes life worth living once again. He longs to hear your voice cry out to Him. When life seems hard and the sun seems to shine no more, climb into the lap of Jesus and sit awhile with Him. He gives us beauty for the ashes of life…the oil of joy for mourning…and the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness. Please kids…keep singing to Jesus!

A Prodigal God

I was tired. I felt like I could sleep until noon, but I was excited to meet God this Sunday in worship. I missed church last week due to my travels to Pittsburgh to visit family, so I was even more determined despite my weariness to keep my date with my Savior this Sunday. As I drove the winding roads with my three children in the car and the pitter pat and splat of rain drops hit the windshield, I prayed beneath my breath for God to allow me to hear what He needed me to hear during the service.

The opening hymn was, Amazing Grace, my favorite. The song brought my eyes to tears as I gazed upward at the stain glass cross prominently before my eyes in the front of the sanctuary. How amazing is the grace He lavished upon this sinner. I couldn't sing the third verse. I was overwhelmed by His precious love affixed to my soul.

The Gospel lesson was all about the prodigal son (Luke 15), but all I heard was the prodigal God. I heard other things...good things...soul stirring things...but our God prodigal? Hmmm...I just couldn't shake the phrase from my mind. So as usual, when my mind won't let go (I often believe it is the prodding of the Holy Spirit); I had to do some research to make some sense of this phrase...prodigal God.

Prodigal defined on http://www.dictionary.com/ as an adjective means wasteful or recklessly extravagant, giving and yielding profusely; lavishly, abundantly; profuse. Prodigal defined as a noun is a person who spends, or has spent, his money or substance with wasteful extravagance; spendthrift. I saw some familiar words pertaining to God...lavishly, abundantly, extravagance, but yet still couldn't see the correlation clearly of God as prodigal.

I went a step further and looked up synonyms for prodigal. I found these four words...profligate. lavish, copious, and bounteous. Let's break these words down.

• Profligate = recklessly extravagant
• Lavish = giving in great amounts to expend or give without limits
• Copious = large quantity or number, abundant, plentiful...having, yielding an abundant supply...exhibiting abundance or fullness.
• Bounteous = giving or disposed to give freely, generous, liberal...freely bestowed, plentiful, abundant.

I was beginning to see just what a prodigal God meant. it is so fitting for the Lent season. Simply stated as best I can...my prodigal God in extravagant reckless abandon sent His one an only son Jesus to live as man and as God to save a sin sick world. He didn't want to do it, but He did to lavish His love upon us, His children.

"In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins. In accordance with the riches of God's grace that he lavished on us with all wisdom and understanding. And he made known to us the mystery of his will according to his good pleasure, which he purposed in Christ, to be put into effect when the times will have reached their fulfillment - to bring all things in heaven and on earth together under one head, even Christ."

Ephesians 1:7-10

My prodigal God gives lavish, abundant, love without limits and far greater than I could ever imagine, fathom, or understand until that glorious day of my Bridegrooms return!

"How great is the love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are! The reason the world does not know us is that it did not know him. Dear friends, now we are children of God, and what we will be has not yet been made known. But we know that when he appears, we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is. Everyone who has this hope in him purifies himself, just as he is pure."

I John 1:1-3

My prodigal God is a very generous God!

"But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, whom he pured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that, having been justified by his grace, we might become heirs having the hope of eternal life."

Titus 3:4-7

My prodigal God gives freely!

"For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus."

Romans 3:24

The fullness of my prodigal God is seen through his son Jesus Christ and my hope and prayer is the same as Paul's...that we as saints, children of God, might also realize we too have access to the same power which raised Christ from the grave!

"I pray also that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints. and his incomparably great power for us who believe. That power is like the working of his mighty strength, which he exerted in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms, far above all rule and authority, power and dominion, and every title that can be given, not only in the present age but also in the one to come. And God placed all things under his feet and appointed him to be head over everything for the church, which is his body, the fullness of him who fills everything in every way."

Ephesians 1:18-23

~

Dear Heavenly Father...my prodigal God,

Thank you for your lavish love and amazing grace which you abundantly bestow upon me, your child, even when I don't deserve it. Thank you for abandoning your son Jesus Christ to be born to die, go into the depths of hell, and be raised from the dead, and sit at your right hand...for me...that's how much you love me...that's how much you love all your children. Please help me to always remember there is nothing you cannot forgive. Help me God to turn from evil ways and be drawn to the springs of living water which are abundant for my taking. Oh God, let me thirst for you!

Amen

Invite and Receive

He walked for miles. His legs tired, sandals worn, and body full of aches from his travels. Despite how his physical condition may have bogged him down, he continued to press on remembering how he was once blind, but now could see. He wanted others to feel the scales fall from their eyes and rejoice in the knowledge left to us after the ascension of Jesus through the power of the Holy Spirit.

Paul was determined to make it back to Jerusalem for Pentecost and met up with Luke and others aboard a ship in Mitylene to rest his weary feet. He chooses not to stop in Ephesus and sailed by the city. But his heart remained with Ephesus and after arriving in Miletus, Paul, I’m sure hard pressed by the Holy Spirit, changed his mind and felt the need to speak to the church at Ephesus. Paul sent a messenger with an invitation to the elders of the Church in Ephesus to please come to Miletus and meet with him.

Based on: Acts 20:13-17

~

Some of you might ask,

“What does this have to do with the state of the church and how we as the church (believers in Christ Jesus) need to “step it up” and love each other better?”

Let me tell you…it has everything to do with loving one another inside the church walls and beyond! What caught my attention most was that Paul sent a messenger and invited the elders from the church in Ephesus to come to Him. When is the last time you sent an invitation by word of mouth or by mail asking for someone to come to your home? How about just calling someone to meet you for a cup of coffee, tea, or maybe lunch? Fellowship my friends, is something we cannot do without. How can you know the needs of another unless you have communication? How can another pray for you if you never speak your needs?

“Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another –and all the more as you see the Day approaching.”

Hebrews 10:25

I am also struck, after some research; it was not easy for the messenger to get this invitation to the church at Ephesus. The messenger would have had to cross the gulf by boat and then continue on foot by land and then back! The same said for the elders at Ephesus once they received the invitation. But, with what seems to be no hesitation, the elders in Ephesus went to see Paul immediately for Paul only spent one night in Miletus.

It is so much easier for us to send or give an invitation today! We have phones and the internet which make people easily accessible not to mention the transportation systems available to us! Why do we not take more time to get to know one another and invite each other into fellowship?

It’s all about relationship folks! Even our Lord Jesus Christ invites us into fellowship with him!

“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.”

Matthew 11:28

Do you see and hear an invitation here from Jesus?

“If anyone is thirsty, let him come to me and drink. Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said, streams of living water will flow from within him”

John 7:37-38

Not only must we invite others into fellowship we must also receive an invitation from another giving the invite our top attention and priority. It is so easy for us to allow the things of this world to consume us. We give excuses of little value as compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing better our Abba and our brothers and sisters in Christ. Paul even stated in Philippians 3:8.

“What is more, I consider everything a loss compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them rubbish, that I may gain Christ…”

My hope and prayer for all is that one might not live this life without receiving Jesus as Lord. One way I might help those who may not know the Lord is to share my own faith in a more personal way…inviting another to fellowship with me. There’s that word again…invite! I don’t have to slam the person with scripture or legalistic judgmental damnation, but I would do it in such a way that love abounds and joy overflows even during trials. In this way, it might bring a person to question me why I am the way I am…to which I would respond,

“God made me alive with Christ. It is Christ in me the hope of glory.”

Colossians 2:13 & Colossians 1:27

Many of my friends all over the United States know fellowship is important to me. I miss some of them dearly and miles have separated us. I’ve always said that fellowship is the only thing that we can take from this world to heaven with us. I figure the more people I get to know here…the more I’m going to know in heaven. What a comfort and cause of celebration when I will be reunited with those who have gone on before me and those I don't get to see as often!

“Blessed are those who are invited to the wedding supper of the Lamb!”

Revelation 19:9

Hugs, Handshakes, and Hellos

In my previous post I mentioned hugs, handshakes, and hellos. This is a first hand experience of my family trying to find a place to meet God every week in a house of worship. I think it might help others who have faithfully been a part of the same congregation for many years be more aware of just how hard it is for a new person and family walking through church doors for the first time!

~

Sweaty palms gripped the steering wheel and an anxious heart made my foot press unknowingly further down on the gas pedal until my eyes caught glance of the speedometer. As I gradually slowed the car, I prayed and asked the Lord to ease my fretting over my children attending youth group for the first time at a new church. The onslaught of questions and statements flooded my mind as we pulled into the parking lot.

“Would anyone notice we were new?”
“I hope people are friendly.”
“I hope they don’t just stare at the new people.”
“Would this congregation be kind and welcoming to my children?”
“Is this the place where the Lord would have us worship and be fed?”

Question after question followed by statement after statement flooded my mind until at last I took a deep breath and released my grip from the wheel to enter the unknown.

My family and I have relocated several times in the past eight years and each time I know it is imperative for myself, especially as a stay at home mom, and for my family to get connected to a church body. I get very anxious (even though Paul warns us to be anxious about nothing) over the entire process of finding a new church family, but also excited for what God has in store for us as he opens doors to new friendships of everlasting proportions.


“Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your request to God. And the peace of God which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:6-7

Upon entering a church for the first time, a “warm fuzzy” environment with an embrace of love which seems to envelop the entire church body in a bear hug is essential and key to my family ever attending for a second time. After entering some places of worship, we did not make it past the sanctuary doors because the glares and stares portrayed an unfriendly environment. These unfortunate Sunday’s were met with great sadness followed by brunch out to soothe our dismal encounter.

“Greet one another with a kiss of love.” I Peter 5:14

If we make it to a pew, preferably the back, I observe the people of the congregation. I want to see deep devotion, care, and love (very essential) between the parishioners. I like handshakes, hellos, and hugs, followed by a greeting of genuine friendship. A rare sighting of a greeting with “a kiss of love” as Paul speaks of scores extra points. However, I get excited when my observing is interrupted by a tap on the shoulder and a fellow brother or sister in the Lord greets and welcomes us. Hey, they noticed the new comers! Above all, I must see love! I must feel love for without love God does not exist for God is love…hands down!

“Dear friends, let us love one another for love comes from God, everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love.” I John 4:7-8

Not only do I observe how the congregation interacts with each other, but I also look at the age of all who attend. If all I see are canes, walkers, and white hair a red flag goes up. I begin to look for the youth and young couples. If I don’t see them I believe I may have stumbled upon a stagnate church afraid of change. This may be judgmental on my part for which forgiveness is needed, but I have children who also need fellowship and friends with the same values. It is my God given role to raise them in the way of the Lord and to provide them with a secondary means of learning about Jesus surrounded by a church body.

So, I’ve read my last post about ten times. Do you think I may have been a bit judgmental and harsh? Well I would have to answer, “Yes!”, as the Holy Spirit whispers to me I realize I have left out one important word…LOVE! Once again, I am reminded of my own humanness amidst the struggles we face in this world.

“If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love,

I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal.”

I Corinthians 13:1

I don’t want to be a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal that would cause others to cover their ears and not desire to see change amongst fellow believers…brothers and sisters in Christ Jesus. I want to present how love wins overall causing believers and non-believers to step into a deeper more intimate relationship with the heavenly Father.

First, I would like to correct my former statement in my previous post of church being an “institution”. “The church” is not an institution. The church is not the building in which one goes on a Sunday morning for a service. The church is those who believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God.

“For my Father's will is that everyone who looks to the Son and believes

in him shall have eternal life, and I will raise him up at the last day."

John 6:40

The church is also known as the “bride” of Christ and Christ as the “bridegroom”. This analogy is stated in Ephesians 5:22-27.

“Wives, submit to your husbands as to the Lord. For the husband is the head of the wife as Christ is the head of the church his body, of which he is the Savior. Now as the church submits to Christ so also wives should submit to their husbands in everything. Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her to make her holy, cleansing her by the washing with water through the word, and to present her to himself as a radiant church, without stain or wrinkle or any other blemish, but holy and blameless.”

And Christ will return for his bride the church.

“Let us rejoice and be glad and give him glory!

For the wedding of the Lamb has come, and his bride has made herself ready.”

Revelation 19:7

So may I ask the church, those who believe in Jesus Christ, have you made yourself ready for the bridegrooms return? Ready? What do I mean by ready you ask? Have you spent time in fellowship with your bridegroom (Jesus) to know him? Do you renew your mind daily as you read the Word of God. Do you have quiet moments in prayer and silence to allow the Holy Spirit to speak sweetly nudging you in certain directions?

“God, who has called you into fellowship with his

Son Jesus Christ our Lord, is faithful.”

I Corinthians 1:9

“Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world,

but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.

Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is—

his good, pleasing and perfect will.”

Romans 12:2

“But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, ⁵he saved us,

not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy.

He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit,

⁶whom he poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Savior,”

Titus 3:4-6

I realize as well in my previous post I blamed pastors and leaders of a church body as the cause of the lack of loving others well because of their business like attitude. Who am I to point a finger, because I have three other fingers pointing back at me! I am every bit as responsible and so are all believers to ensure the well being and spiritual growth of our fellow brothers and sisters in Christ!

So "church"...get out your Bibles...find a quiet spot...pull up an empty chair beside you for Jesus...and let's spend some time with Him! I'm only just beginning...stay tuned for more posts on the current state of the church and some possible solutions as seen by a fellow believer and God chaser heart!

The Flame Goes Dead

I currently attend St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Fleetwood, PA. I have come to love this church and believe my family has found a place to meet God every Sunday. My comments and views in no way reflect St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, but deal with the angst of several friends now suffering pain as a result of what seems to be churches who have lost focus.

~

I’m a little steamed today as I try to keep things in perspective. What has worked me up you ask; an institution known as “church”. I have several friends at the moment who are struggling with the condemnation, lack of love and acceptance in times of need, and the ongoing plight of an attitude of “business as usual” instead of “love one another” from pastors and leaders of congregations.

One thing that has bothered me most has been the politics that play into the church setting. I wish I could say it isn’t so, but it is and does happen. It’s sad to see strong leaders become weak because of judgmental attitudes towards others and lack of grace. Did they forget the mercy which the good Lord granted unto them?

It is despairing to witness the change in mentality of the church being run like a business and that bigger is better. What gets lost in all of this? Love, fellowship, and hospitality…simple gestures of care and concern go missing amongst the shuffle of the next meeting or building to construct. As a result, the shepherd of the flock looses focus on relationships and instead becomes consumed with their week running smoothly.

What happened to hugs, handshakes, and hellos and the days of not having to ask if there is a new person attending, but actually notice a new God seeker when they walk in the front doors for the first time? I’ve heard many stand at the pulpit including pastors and ask,

"Are there any visitors today."

Take it from me (a person who has been the new one walking in for the first time on many occasions) you don’t want to be pointed out! You want to see the care between the parishioners, you want to feel the love amongst the flock, and you want to experience love first hand with a warm greeting.

I wring my hands together, take a deep inhale and exhale, and realize one word jumps out at me in all I have written thus far…relationships…the church has gotten away from relationships. There needs to be a revival of sorts in which the church gets back to the basics…building relationships. Now, not just with one another, but a deeper and more intimate relationship with Jesus Christ first and foremost! How can Christ’s love shine in and through us as children of God, if we do not fuel our fire with quiet moments in fellowship with our Abba?

A fire ceases existence without oxygen. The flame goes dead and burns no more. So also have I seen this trend inside the walls of a church…the fire of Christ ceases without the existence of fellowship with Him. The flame of the fire to extend outside the church walls is dead as well because we have forgotten we need our Abba and His Holy Spirit to guide us. In seeking Christ, our flame will burn bright for others to see causing our blaze to dance in jubilation and reach to warm the hearts of others…including our own brothers and sisters in Christ who may be in need or want. We will not be ignorant of another’s poverty or pain because His flame brings awareness to the soul in need.

From Dust to Dust

I love Diet Coke. At times, I actually have thought I might be addicted to the popular soda drink. When I go without a sip of the sweet drink for 3-4 days, I begin to crave a gulp. Sometimes when I don’t have it on hand at home, I run out to buy it just to curb my strong desire for its taste.

Today is Ash Wednesday. It marks the beginning of the Easter season. This day starts the six weeks preceding our risen Lord. Many people around the world will enter church sanctuaries and have their foreheads or the back side of their hands marked with the sign of the cross with ashes from palm crosses that were burned the previous year. The ashes signify a sinner’s repentance.

So, I know you’re probably wondering what Diet Coke has to do with Ash Wednesday. Some faiths believe it is a good thing to give something up for lent. Now it just can’t be anything, but something that truly has a hold of your life in some form or fashion. This, “something”, should be a type of surrender of sorts that would inflict a form of self-control on your part to not do for the entire six weeks. In doing this, it reminds a person of just how much Christ gave up for us when He surrendered in the garden of Gethsemane when His sweat was like drops of blood and He said,

“Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me; yet not my will, but yours be done.”
~Luke 22:42

I’ve decided to give up Diet Coke and any kind of soda beverage for the next six weeks. It will be hard for me, especially the first few weeks when I have strong desires to want some. But I’m going to earnestly try to give it up so God can be in charge. Here are some other ideas to give up for Lent…

• Television
• Facebook
• Alcohol
• Chocolate

Lent can also be a time in which we add things that would be good in our lives and create a closer relationship with Jesus. I will continue to send my “Notes of Encouragement” every week, but I also have decided to set aside just five minutes every day to sit quietly and reflect on what Christ did for me. He freed me from the chains of bondage and sin through His death on the cross and resurrection from the grave! Some other things you might want to consider adding to your life…

• Apologize for a wrong you’ve done to another
• Daily prayer
• Daily reading of God’s Word
• Make it a point to sit down and have a family dinner at least once a week
• Encourage someone else

The point of doing these things is to begin to grasp just how much our Heavenly Father has done for us. It is a time for us to take responsibility of our own actions and hopefully in doing this it becomes a permanent part of our life and not just for six weeks. I would love to hear from all of you and what you have decided to give up this Lent season!

I’ll end with the words most pastors or priests might say as they place the ashes on a forehead or hand…

“…for dust you are and dust you shall return.”
~Genesis 3:19

The Splendor of Our God!!!

There is something about the fresh beauty of an untouched snow...

It's as if God reminds us of His power and majesty...

He made it all happen...

Maybe He does it for us to stop...

Stop our unending drive to get to the next task...

We run out of things to do...

Becuase we are stuck with no place to go...

Except to sit...

Stare out the window...

Play with our children...

And be reminded all day long...

How GREAT is our God!

He Invites!

Have I told you all lately just how much I love my Wednesday morning Bible study! Well I think I have, but I'm going to say it again...I love my Wednesday morning Bible study! This time I set aside mid-week encourages and ministers to my spirit. The time of reflection...to hear God speak...helps me to press on as I seek to reflect more of Christ in my life.

I'm the youngest in my group of brothers and sisters in Christ. I don't mind one bit, because they all bring such peace and wisdom to my life. They all say such interesting thought provoking things. I've decided to write some of them for you to read.

~Exaggerated restlessness is just as much of a sign of God's presence as a peaceful moment.

~He(Jesus)accepts me as I am with all my limitations.

~Grateful for life, but are you grateful for death?

~We often pray for God to be present in our life or someone else's life. But God is always present. We should change our prayer request and ask God to make us AWARE of his presence in our life and in the lives of those for whom we pray.

And I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE, this one...

~God doesn't demand...He invites!

Don't you just love their meaningful words of wisdom!