A THANKFUL HEART

I’m thankful …..
For the quiet hours
When we can meditate
And know that God is ever present
And Holds secure our fate.

Just as we hear the whisper
Of a gentle breeze
Leaves rustling on the ground
Or falling from the frees.

In all the little things
We often do not hear
Sure as the sun and stars
We know that God is near.
I’m thankful…..

For the time alone
When we can tune in
The memories stored away
And play them back again.

The birth of a new born babe
Now turned sixty - one
The tears & laughter in between
And the victories that were won.

The many friends who share our joy
And often share our sorrow
The good times had and
The plans made for tomorrow.
I’m thankful…..

For the bountiful gifts
Each day that we enjoy
In gratitude I turn to God
To give Him praise and glory.

We live in a country
That is prosperous and free
Full of wondrous things
For everyone to see.

So many comforts
To make us secure
His strength for our trials
That we might endure.
I’m Thankful -Wilhelmine

God's Cake

I just received this e-mail and it fit so perfectly with my last blog, I wanted to print this e-mail.

A daughter is telling her mother how everything is going wrong: she’s failing algebra; her boyfriend broke up with her and her best friend is moving away.
Meanwhile, her mother is baking a cake and asks her daughter if she would like a snack, and the daughter says, “Absolutely, Mom, I love your cake.”
Here, have some cooking oil” her mother offers. “Yuck,” say hr daughter. “How about a couple raw eggs?” “Gross, Mom!” “Would you like some flour then? Or maybe baking soda?” “Mom, those are all yucky!” To which the mother replies: “Yes, all those things seem bad by themselves. But when they are put together in the right way, they make a wonderfully, delicious cake!”
God works the same way. Many times we wonder why He would let us go through such bad and difficult times. But God knows that when He puts these things all in His order, they always work for good! We have to trust Him and, eventually, they will all make something wonderful.
Whenever you want to talk, He’ll listen. He can live anywhere in the universe, and He chose your heart.

I HOPE YOUR DAY IS A PIECE OF CAKE!

LUCK- Good or Bad

All of us have heard people who almost constantly complain when things go wrong and say: “That’s just my luck,” or “this isn’t my day,” or “I should have stayed in bed,” or “I’m having a bad hair day.” Everyone has some ups and downs and frustrations. But is it right to blame all of this on “bad luck?”

Foreclosures on homes, unemployment, businesses going bankrupt are reasons to consider ,according to the economy, whether good or bad. Many of us have been touched in one way or another. Mine family has been hit by unemployment.

My growing-up years were during the 30’s, “The Great Depression.” It was not easy - my Dad worked for the WPA ( Works Progress Administration). This was one of the programs President Roosevelt created to put Americans back to work. The WPA gave jobs to 8.5 million unemployed at an average wage of $43 monthly. For the 11 billion the WPA spent, the country got 65,000 miles of roads, 200,000 buildings and bridges.

Another program was the CCC (Civilian Conservation Corps), known as “Tree Monkeys”, which employed 2.5 million men who planted trees and built 31 State Parks in Texas alone.

These are just two of several programs President Roosevelt started that were meant to preserve the pride of American workers in their ability to earn a living and would hopefully see the U.S. back into a secure economic status.

The impact of these work relief programs saved the depression-era Americans from unemployment and destitution. This generation learned to make-do, not to get upset over little tings and to accept the things they couldn't changed.

This little poem had a big impact on my life during this time:

Never say Die
Never say Die, say Damn
It isn’t classic, it may be profane,
But we mortals have need of it
Time and again.
And you’ll find you’ll recover
From fates hardest slams
If you never say Die, Say Damn

So, don’t attempt to relive the past or to waste time on regrets. Look toward the future, not yesterday. The first step, of course, is to take inventory of yourself. What you do with what you’ve got helps to determine your luck. You yourself are the only one who can change your direction and chart your course. We all have setbacks, but keep on keeping on. Count your blessings and always take time to pray. The Lord tells us we can start over new each day. There is Hope.

I found this timely quote . Author unknown.” Problems are made for big people and how you solve them is the yardstick of how big a person you really are.”

Scripture

Halloween or ‘All Saints Day’ is just past. We celebrated All Saints Day in church today remembering members who had passed away during the past year.

I was remembering Elizabeth Faris who was a good friend & mentor to me., also the wife of a Presbyterian Minister. I recalled many wonderful memories of time spent together, but foremost were the times I heard her refer to a Bible verse to solve a particular problem. She believed that everything in life had an answer in the scriptures. What a good example she set for me to follow.

I believe that the Bible is the greatest guide in the world if we know how to use it.
The Bible tells us that “all Scripture is given by inspiration of God” (2 Tim. 3:16) and is profitable for our spiritual development. Only as we see the big picture - how the many biblical doctrines fit together - will we avoid staring at some truths and becoming blind to others.

The Rev. Ira Guss describes the Bible this way:
“ This book contains the mind of God, the state of man, the way of salvation, doom of sinners and happiness of believers. Its doctrines are Holy, its precepts are binding, its histories are true and its decisions are immutable. Read it to be wise, believe it to be safe and practice to be Holy. It contains light to direct you, food to support you and comfort to cheer you. It is the traveler’s map, the pilgrim‘s staff, the pilot’s compass, the soldier’s sword and Christians’ charter. Here Paradise is restored, Heaven opened and the gates of hell closed. Christ is its grand subject, our good its design and the glory of God its end. It should fill the memory , rule the heart and guide the feet. Read it slowly, frequently, prayerfully. It is a mine of wealth, a paradise of glory and a river of pleasure. It is given you in life, will be open at the judgment and be remembered forever. It involves the highest responsibility, rewards the greatest labor and condemns all who trifle with its Holy contents.”

All scripture is God talking to his people. He is invisible to our eyes and our hands cannot touch Him, but that doesn’t mean He’s not here. Electricity is invisible, but it is a source of vast power. God has given us scripture and He calls it His word. The more you know the Word, the better you will hear His voice. To ensure you have a good day always start the day with scripture and prayer. Take time to read Psalm 119 33-40 and make its words your prayer. Teach me (v33), Give me (34), Make me (v35), Incline me (v36), Turn me (v37), Establish me (v38), Spare me (v39), Revive me (v40).

“Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God.” Matt. 4:4