SHUT DE DO, KEEP OUT DE DEBIL!

Posted on May 4, 2014 by atimetoshare.me

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The devil is accustomed to using our shortcomings to weaken our faith. He did it in the Garden of Eden by tempting the first humans into thinking they could become like God by eating the forbidden fruit. He did it in the desert when He tried to tempt Jesus.  Even though Jesus has already done His victory dance around Satan, we’re confronted by doubt every day. How do we overcome this?

Hebrews 4:15 says, “For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin.”

Jesus is always available as our only intercessor to God, the Father. He experienced all the things we go through in life – pain, humiliation, temptation, loss, sadness, anger, but he was sinless. He is the perfect lamb without blemish that would satisfy the anger of God towards our sinfulness.  He pleads for us in words that we can’t even imagine.  He takes our hand and leads us to the Heavenly throne.  What a wonderful image that is.  No more do we have to fear being in God’s presence.  The price has been paid and we have the inheritance of heaven itself.

Jesus is our advocate. When we find ourselves falling into our old ways, think of the price that was paid for the forgiveness of sins we should return to the One that gave us eternal life.  Thank God for His compassion – His love – His enduring consistency.  Though our world is in a constant state of flux, He remains the same.

So as Randy Stonehill wrote in his song, “Shut de do and kick out debil.” Jesus has the power to keep it shut!

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THERE IS HOPE

Posted on May 3, 2014 by atimetoshare.me

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Jerimiah 29:11 “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”

How absolutely awesome to know that someone has drawn the blueprint for our lives and is overseeing every detail of our existence.  Even when things look totally desperate; when the answers are unclear to us; when we can’t figure things out for ourselves – He is there.  He knows exactly what He’s doing.  He created each of us with a purpose to fulfill in this life.

Our lives as Christians aren’t always going to run smoothly.  There will be detours and roadblocks at every turn, but there is One we can depend on for hope, protection, success, eternal life and our salvation.

Even if our plans don’t quite gel with His, we can be confident that the architect holds the master plam in His hands. When we face difficulty or when things don’t make sense to us, we can turn to His wisdom to complete the work He started in us.

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WE ARE ALL BLESSED

Posted on May 2, 2014 by atimetoshare.me

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As another week draws to a close, I find that I haven’t completed all the mundane tasks on my to-do list.  In fact I haven’t even written a to-do list.  It seems that something always gets in the way of getting things done.  There are unexpected surprises, interruptions, impossible hurdles to overcome and yes – laziness.

So often our lives are like that too.  We set goals, but we often fall short.  Then we beat ourselves up for not accomplishing them.  We really need to look at all the positive things in our lives as blessings from God.  I have been blessed with a wonderful husband to whom I have been married for almost half a century.  I have a great family of children, grandchildren and other relatives.  I have a job I love, friends, a pretty good roof over my head and way too much food to eat.  Above all, I have received forgiveness of my sins and a guaranteed life in paradise by my God and Savior.  That same salvation is a gift that we all can have just by repentance and belief in what God has done for us.

I know that I am blessed, and all the meaningless tasks of life look miniscule in comparison.  Just look at the beauty of His creation if you don’t feel you are blessed.

Let children walk with Nature,
let them see the beautiful blendings
and communions of death and life,
their joyous inseparable unity,
as taught in woods and meadows,
plains and mountains and streams
of our blessed star,
and they will learn that death
is stingless indeed,
and as beautiful as life.
– John Muir

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ODE TO TEETH

Posted on April 21, 2014 by atimetoshare.me

We come into this world without them.  It takes a few years before they appear.  They get pushed and nudged out by new ones.  A few become unrecognizable and begin to disintegrate into oblivion.  As time goes on they disappear into nonexistence.   One by one, the years take their toll.  Some of them have all but vanished from within us.  Before we are laid to rest, many of us have experienced the loss of many or most of them.  It makes one take pause.  If we came into the world without them and leave without them, why do we have them?

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TIME TO DECLUTTER

Posted on April 18, 2014 by atimetoshare.me

It’s amazing the amount of things we accumulate in a lifetime. Right now all that stuff is looking at me and daring me to throw it out. We’ll start slowly to weed through the mounds of trash. There are some things that don’t hold any value, except to us because they contain a special memory or two.

There are boxes that have remained unpacked since we moved in 22 years ago, clothing that we’ll never fit into again and of course crates full of costumes, props, flats, art supplies and so on.

Our lives are like that really. We build up treasures here on earth and soon our homes look like they belong on a hoarders reality show. None of that will benefit us once we die. The saying, “You can’t take it with you,” was most likely a quote from someone who needed to downsize.

I certainly don’t want to see my kids have to sort through it when we’re gone. We have had to do that a few times when family members passed away. It’s not easy for them to see any value in the things we may have treasured.

My sister has moved more times in her life so she has some good advice that I’m going to put into action. She suggested taking one room at a time so as not to be overwhelmed. Also look at everything and determine if you will ever use them again.

Throw out, donate to a thrift store, give some of the good stuff to your kids if they want it, have a garage sale and when you have whittled the mounds to little piles – do it again.

When Jesus entered the world as a man He had nothing. His adult life was spent on the road teaching, encouraging, sharing what He had with others, physically and spiritually taking care of them. When He died a torturous death for us, He was stripped of all dignity. When He faced Satan and destroyed his hold on us, he hands had nothing in them, but the scars He endured as spikes were hammered into them.

Lord, as I evaluate your life and death and resurrection, help me to focus only on you and your priceless treasure – the one that waits for me in heaven. You paid an unimaginable price so that I could share in that bounty. It’s really the only thing that matters.

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IT IS FINISHED!

Posted on April 18, 2014 by atimetoshare.me

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During the time of His arrest by a vigilante gang, Jesus stood uncomplaining.  He even took time from His own situation to heal the ear of one of His accusers.  He suffered the brutal threats and insults.  He withstood the humiliation of being spat upon and assaulted by His enemies and those who had been His followers only a week before.

He suffered the bitter pain of the lash, which consisted of 9 leather straps imbedded with glass and metal. As that lash cut through His body, great chunks of flesh were removed, causing severe blood loss and exposure to the elements.

When forced to carry the torturous instrument of His execution, He no longer had the appearance of a man. His hair was matted and mingled with sputum and blood. He was weak from dehydration and blood loss. His face was bruised and cut from the continuous jabs and punches of the Roman guard as well as His own people.

Was this the Beautiful Savior the world was waiting for?

I can’t even begin to imagine the pain Jesus endured, but I know that He did this for you and me and everyone who ever has or ever will walk the face of the earth. His death was the fulfillment of God’s promise to His people, even when it wasn’t deserved.

It was the hour of the evening sacrifice when our Lord took His final breath and commended Himself to His heavenly Father’s hands. The final sacrifice was now complete. His pitiful, distorted, gory body hung lifeless on the cross, but that wasn’t the end of the story.

On the third day He would prove that He had conquered death and the devil and was reserving a place in heaven for all His believers.

“Beautiful Savior, Lord of the nations, Son of God and Son of man. Glory and honor, praise, adoration, now and forever more be Thine.”

 

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DENY HIM? NOT ME!

Posted on April 16, 2014 by atimetoshare.me

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Who would have thought one of Jesus disciples would betray him?  How could those who followed Him and leaned on His every word, run away when things got tough?  How could His rock solid Peter deny Him three times when He promised that he would do anything for his Lord including dying for Him?

It’s easy to sit back and judge these fellows for their inconsistent behavior, but how often are we guilty of the same thing?  When we set ourselves above others; when we don’t truly follow His plan for our lives; when we decide we know better than He does; when we don’t help and serve others out of love; when we pretend to be good people even though our thoughts and deeds are filled with ugliness – we are denying our Savior.

We are actually no better than those who spat upon Him and mocked Him on His road to Calvary. We may think we are doing everything right, but when push comes to shove, we can’t do any of it alone. Our sinful nature drives everything we do in life. That is why we need His strength, His courage, His selflessness, His love and His hand guiding us through the road we are traveling to heaven. He paid the price while we reap the benefits.

Help me, Lord to remember the trials and suffering you endured on my behalf. Forgive me for not always following your footsteps. When I am weak, you carry me. When I fall, you lift me up. My life will not be perfect until I get to my heavenly home, but I know that with you I can endure all things During this Holy Week, remind me of my weakness and your perfection.

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BRING ON MONDAY!

Posted on April 14, 2014 by atimetoshare.me

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This time of year is kind of a transition period in my part of the country.  The ground has been coated with a serious blanket of snow for almost six months now and all the life has been sucked out of the beautiful landscape.  Now that April is almost half over, we are beginning to see evidence of new life.  Grass is turning green, tulip leaves are burrowing their way through hardened soil. Things are turning up that we forgot to put away last fall.  Birds are returning from their winter vacations and making plans for their new homes and families.  We are all coming out of a long hibernation. 

It’s kind of like getting a second chance at life.  We may go through a dark period at times – when things just aren’t going well for us.  We could be stuck in a job that isn’t going anywhere.  We could be without a job.  We could be facing serious illness.  We might be in the clutches of some kind of addiction.  We could be depressed, lost, hopeless.  Our lives can be compared to a long, long winter.

When things change for us, it’s like the doors and windows can be opened again.  The sun will warm us once more and we won’t be chained to the confines of our darkness.  How wonderful to have a second chance.

Those dormant plants are now coming back to life.  We have to cut away some of the dead stuff for the beauty to return and flourish.  God does the same thing with us when He offers us His free salvation.  He prunes us, taking away the junk that has surrounded us and gives us hope for a better future, but it isn’t just hope – it’s a fact.  Our lives here on earth may not improve.  We will still have problems to solve, but we have assurance that our sin has been taken away and we can be confident in eternal life.

God is the only one who can do this.  He knows precisely what we need to be nourished.  He has given us His Word, to guide us.  He gives us His protection by sending His angels to watch over us.  He gives us His Holy Spirit to keep our faith alive and He sent His own precious Son to wash away the dirt that envelopes our hearts and minds.

It’s Monday – bring it on!  Put your life in the hands of the true Master Gardener.  As we contemplate the Passion of our Savior, let’s rejoice in our own rebirth because of His love for us.

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LORD, MAKE ME A SERVANT

Posted on April 11, 2014 by atimetoshare.me

During His lifetime, Jesus lived as an example for us to follow. When He washed His disciples’s feet He acted as a servant. He put Himself in that lowly position to show His humility and love for us.

Everything He did during His brief 33 years on this planet was done to show that God was willing to put Himself in the place of His believers. He healed the physically sick. He showed compassion and delivered those with emotional and spiritual needs as well.

As He allowed His accusers to brutally torture and kill Him, He made it clear that He was willing to lay down His life for us. Three days later, when He rose from death, proved that He was indeed God Himself.

His example of loving us is a clear picture of how we should lead our lives. He first served us so that we would serve others.

Lord, I cannot do anything to repay you for your loving forgiveness. Help me to live by your example and allow me to serve you in gratitude for all you have done for me.

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MY BROTHER, MY KING

Posted on April 9, 2014 by atimetoshare.me

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The Pharisees were a select group of educated men, well versed in the Law of Moses.  They adhered strictly to these rules.  When Jesus entered the picture, they had become so steeped in the letter of the law that they had forgotten about God’s promise to send them a Savior who would make full payment for all the sins of man.

Jesus’ message of forgiveness; loving others; showing compassion rather than hate; trusting in God’s deliverance; were totally foreign to them.  They considered Him just another religious fanatic, but there was something different about this man.  He had totally captivated the people who had become capable of causing an uprising with His radical ideas.

The Son of God was right there with them!  It seems impossible that they couldn’t see that.</h3>

How often do our eyes become blinded by the world’s view of God?  He is a mighty judge – yes, but He is a loving Father also.  He expects certain rules to be followed, but He will forgive our inadequacy in keeping them when we come to Him in sincere repentance.  By taking on human form He also proved that He is our brother and that He was willing to die for us.

It’s easy to sit back and judge the behavior of others, but what would we have done with Jesus?

 

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KING OF THE JEWS

Posted on April 8, 2014 by atimetoshare.me

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The crowd made way for their promised Messiah, but did they even realize who He was?  Word of Him had been circulating.  He was preaching everywhere.  His words had authority.  He healed many.  He did amazing miracles.  He even brought life back to the dead.  He had become quite a celebrity.  This had to be the King of the Jews; the one who was promised by the ancient prophets; the one who would deliver them from their oppressors.

You would think a king would enter in a little more pomp and circumstance.  He could have chosen a magnificent stallion, with an army of guards and at least worn a crown and robes of purple.  Instead, He chose to come in a humble way, just as He did 33 years prior to this.  His birth was unassuming.  He was born in a place where animals were kept.  He did this all to show that He was the one written about.

Dear, Lord, you took it on yourself to come to us in humility.  The only ones to announce your birth were lowly shepherds, but holy angels sang for you and rich men from the East bowed down to worship you.  You came to Jerusalem, riding on a donkey and soon would travel the Via dolorosa as people mocked and spat on you.  Help me to remember your true purpose for your life – to give your life for me; to wash my sins away and to guarantee me eternal life.

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Heroes of Faith

Posted on April 3, 2014 by atimetoshare.me

There are times when we feel attacked from all sides. Trouble continues to plague us or the world we live in. When we can’t possibly handle another test, another one comes along to add to the mix.

There are so many examples of people just like you and me in God’s Word, the Bible – people that had everything they could hope for and those with nothing. There were those who were disabled physically or spiritually and those that seemed to have it all together. Some examples of the greatest heroes of the Bible were ordinary people, living ordinary lives, filled with doubt and lacking faith at times.

These true stories help me face some of the bumps in the road of life. They allow me to see that God didn’t place only extraordinary people as examples. He writes about the average guy, facing obstacles that go way beyond average.

The Psalms are filled with the struggles of one of the greatest warriors of the Old Testament – King David. He was simply a small shepherd boy when God chose him to be King. David gained notoriety with the one stone that resulted in Goliath’s death, but his power came from God alone. His strength in battle was the result of his faith in God’s strength. He wasn’t perfect. He fell to temptation, as we all do, but he always repented of his sin and asked for God’s forgiveness.

God in His mercy forgives all of us when we sincerely repent and believe that our sins have already been paid for. Then we make an effort to go and sin no more.

This amazing best seller is filled with examples of people who faced amazing odds with faith in God. We’re much like those heroes of faith. We struggle every day, but we have the assurance of God’s presence in our lives through it. The stories are not merely fables, but words spoken by God Himself.

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BE STRONG AND COURAGEOUS

Posted on April 2, 2014 by atimetoshare.me

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What does it take to be a hero? First you have to be willing to put your own life at risk for the benefit of someone else. That could mean running into a burning building to save someone or steering an out of control plane into a safe landing. It can also mean standing up for something you believe in.

I wonder if I could have that kind of courage when push came to shove. Would I be capable of taking a stand when it came to my feelings about this country; my political feelings; my religious beliefs? Would I be willing to risk my life to save someone else?

It seems so difficult a concept, especially when we are daily bombarded with words that tell us to put ourselves first. We are taught from little on that we should be confident in ourselves.

When David gave his son Solomon instructions on how to build the temple, the task must have seemed impossible. The blueprint was drawn by God Himself with very specific instructions. It was designed to serve as God’s house of worship for His chosen people. Everything had to be precisely as God directed in the plan written out in His own hand.

We are often faced with what might seem insurmountable tasks. How will I raise a child in a world full of so much evil? How can I face a life without my spouse? Will I ever get into college? Will I get a job when I get out of college? How will I support my family? How do I battle cancer? Each day we are faced with things that require great amounts of courage. For some it might even be something as simple as getting out of bed. Where do we get the strength to survive all the obstacles life throws at us?

David told Solomon to follow God’s plan implicitly. The same can be true for us. If we follow God’s blueprint (His Holy Word – The Bible) we can overcome great odds. Walking in His way will give us the courage to face adversity, fear, worry, anger, hate, sin and all the other negatives that come our way.

I Chronicles 28:20 “Then David said to Solomon his son, “Be strong and courageous and do it. Do not be afraid and do not be dismayed, for the Lord God, even my God, is with you. He will not leave you or forsake you, until all the work for the service of the house of the Lord is finished.”

 

Dear, Lord, help me always to walk according to the blueprint you have drawn for my life. May I daily read and search your Word for answers. With you I can be strong. With you I will never be afraid.

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WHO IS THIS KING OF GLORY?

Posted on April 1, 2014 by atimetoshare.me

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Psalm 24:7-10 “Lift up your heads, O gates!  And be lifted up, O ancient doors ,that the King of glory may come in.  Who is this King of glory?  The Lord, strong and mighty, the Lord, mighty in battle!  Lift up your heads, O gates!  And lift them up, O ancient doors, that the King of glory may come in.  Who is this King of glory?  The Lord of hosts, He is the King of glory!”

The thought of having a king in the United States, conjures up ideas of the American Revolution and all the blood that was shed to free our nation from the tyrannical rule of a sovereign.  In ancient days, a king would often go into battle with his people.  He would fight alongside them and would face serious injury and even death to defend them.  He wasn’t afraid to stand by his men and protect them as well as his country.  To do this he had to be physically strong and a great warrior.  He earned his people’s respect.  When he returned from war, the gates would open and he would be welcomed by cheers and honor for his bravery.

Today kings rule from the comfort of their palaces and do most of their fighting through their advisors and foreign ambassadors.  Their lives are filled with all the creature comforts befitting a king.

My King is Jesus and He was foretold in the Old Testament by the Psalmist as the King of Glory.  Jesus came to the world as a simple man, born of a lowly virgin, but His Father is the almighty God.  He proved His love for His people by waging war against sin and defeating the devil in the greatest battle of all times.  He suffered a horrendous death at my expense, but He overcame death on the third day as He came back to life.  He continues to fight for me and with me  and has defended me against all the evil that still exists in this world. 

He protects me daily with the armor of His salvation and is constantly at my side as I face adversity, fear and anxiety.  He is also with me in the good times – encouraging me, lifting me up and spurring me on.

 

 

Who is this King of glory?  He is my Lord and Savior, Jesus, Christ. 

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KING OF CREATION

Posted on March 31, 2014 by atimetoshare.me

when we think about the accomplishments of a man in his lifetime, they pale in comparison to God’s almighty work in just a short period of time. Not only did He separate the earth from the sky, but he placed every star, planet asteroid, comet and galaxy in just the right place. The sun and moon were placed in that same sky so that the world would not be in total darkness.

When He divided the waters and created lakes, rivers, oceans and streams, He knew exactly where they would do the most good. He filled those same waters with an amazing abundance of fish and other marine life. Each of those creatures were created with the instincts to find nourishment and calculate the current of the water.

He created each animal with abilities that would allow them to adapt to their environment and take care of themselves. Each of them has built-in survival skills and knows where and how to find food and shelter. The birds and other creatures were also given these attributes.

He then created His most prized of all creatures – man. He formed him out of the dust of the earth and when He knew that it wasn’t good for that man to be alone, He created a woman from one of the man’s ribs.

It took God only six days to do all of this. Look at how long it takes us to build a skyscraper or a bridge. God’s timeline is so different than ours. A thousand years is like a day to Him.

Almighty God, King of Creation, you are the master of the universe. What an awesome God you are. You not only created a perfect world, but you provided a way to fix it when
Satan tempted the first couple to make a complete mess of it. Your timing is perfect in every way.

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WHERE IS OUR KING?

Posted on March 30, 2014 by atimetoshare.me

The nation of Israel had been subjected to foreign rule for most of their existence.  The time was ripe for this small country to have a ruler of their own.  They yearned for a king who was one of them and would lead them out of bondage, just as Moses had many years ago.

The people had once again strayed from the true God and even though there were those who claimed to be zealous for the Lord, they relied on themselves and their good deeds more than Him. Their strict adherence to the law had become their way to achieve God’s mercy, but it wasn’t enough to make them clean in His sight.

When Jesus entered Jerusalem, the people thought He was the promised king they had been waiting for. They were convinced He would solve all their problems and  give them back their lands and status.  This same crowd would denounce Him in just a few days. 

They had their king and yet they did not know it.  How could they not see that God was walking with them?  Do we accept Him as our king?  How often do we reject Him?  We do it every day with our thoughts our words and the things we do.

Jesus chose to leave His heavenly throne; to come to a sin sick world; to heal the physically ill and the spiritually lost; to teach the truth; to wake people up and show them the truth of God’s Word; to suffer a trial filled with false evidence; to endure inhumane torture at the hands of the Roman guards; to hang on a cross – bruised and spat upon; to die and be placed in a tomb fit for a king; to rise again as He promised He would; to give His great commission to His followers; to ascend into heaven and rule once more.

Lord, Jesus, you are indeed my King.  I know that full well, but you are more than that.  You came so that I could enjoy eternal life with you.  You came to wash away my sins – to be the perfect sacrifice – to take my place.  Help me to remember that you are not only a man, but true God and true man.  Help me to share this wonderful good news with many.

 

 

 

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A HANDBOOK FOR LIFE

Posted on March 27, 2014 by atimetoshare.me

 

The icy grip of the world has taken hold of many churches of our day, causing some to accommodate the politically correct or those who want nothing more than to feel good.  We must be on guard to make sure that the church is following God’s Holy Word. 

Many folks have a difficult time with some of the concepts and teachings of the Bible.  For example, no one likes to hear about their sin. Some tend to think that sin was designed to keep us in line through guilt. The idea of a world flood is unimaginable even though we see the power of God in the weather every day.   It’s inconceivable that a virgin could give birth.  It’s impossible for a man to return to life after suffering a brutal, horrendous death. We find it difficult to understand that God actually spoke to people in the early days of history.

The Bible is really a manual for life and it was written by God Himself through the inspiration of the Holy Spirit. The Old Testament is filled with stories of ordinary people facing extraordinary circumstances.  It shows how man cannot save himself from damnation and a cruel punishment in hell.  It also gives hope for a Savior and has over 300 prophesies about Him which were fulfilled in the little town of Bethlehem.  

Lord, I am so grateful for a church that remains based in your Holy Word.  Each passage can take on new meaning in any of my circumstances.  Thank you for inspiring men with your Holy Spirit, keeping your words alive and the lines of communication open to you.  I know this is how you talk to us today.  By giving us this beautiful book, you have drawn me closer to you each day.Image

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When your children leave the nest you acquire a new set of mixed emotions.  You’re excited to see them spread their wings and find their way in life.  You’re hopeful they’ll use the tools you’ve given them to cut through the mire and muck of being on their own.  You’re a bit fearful that they’ll have to go through some of the difficult things you had to face when you forged a new path for yourself.  You expect them to make the same mistakes you made, and that thought sends you into an extreme panic. You worry about how they’ll get by without you.  You look forward to having a little freedom yourself.

Change can be a good thing, but there is a lot to be said for stability.  I am so glad that the God that created the Universe and all that’s in it never changes.  God is the same today as He was yesterday and will be tomorrow.

Malachi 3:6  “For I am the Lord, I do not change.” 

Even though things change all around us, we can count on His steadfastness, His reliability and constancy.  Thank you, Holy Father, for always being there for us.  I know I can rely on you to guide me through all the stages of this life and prepare me for the world to come.

Posted on March 23, 2014 by atimetoshare.me | Comments Off on CHANGE IS OK, BUT CONSISTENCY IS BETTER!