Confidence

The sermon at church today was about 'Power,' and ultimately the Power of Christ. It was mentioned that we have power as a group by association with that group; we have power through success in business or some other venture. I like to think we have power when we have confidence in ourselves through the power of Christ.

Confidence is a vitally needed asset today when there is such a tragic lack of faith in our national leadership ,in our government and in the economy. Everyone needs something or someone to believe in...First, the greatest need is to have faith in God. Second, we should have confidence in ourselves.

I remember reading a story to my children entitled, 'I Think I Can.' It told of a little train engine pulling many rail-cars up a steep hill. As it huffed and puffed, it keep saying: 'I think I can, I think I can,' and it pulled the big load up over the hill. It is true that only those conquer who believe they can.

Right thinking is important. Generally success in life depends not so much on talent or opportunity as upon concentration and perseverance and the right attitude. Our attitude isn't simply a state of mind...it is also a reflection of what we value. Attitude is more than just saying I can, it is believing you can. It requires believing before seeing, because seeing is based on circumstances, believing is based on faith.

Every individual can develop an attitude of confidence. The choice is ours. It allows us to rise above our failures, it enables us to be helpful to others. Example: A candle loses nothing of its light by lighting another candle.


Be confident that you have within yourself the power to be successful and happy. Remember that your life was intended to be a success, because you have the power of mind to make it that way. Remember that dedication, the right goals, striving for excellence and hard work are the golden keys to success.

"I can do all things through Christ which strengthens me." (Phil. 4:13) The man who believes this has a calm, quiet attitude, because his confidence is based upon God's power and not his own power.

Heaven is not reached at a single bound,

But we build the ladder by which we rise

From the lowly earth to the vaulted skies,

And we mount to it summit round by round

Josiah Gilbert Holland.

If You Have Scraps, Make a Quilt

The marketing department here at Chambrel held a quilt show recently. Many residents, including myself. displayed their homemade quilts. The Garland Quilting Guild also had quilts on display.


Women have traditionally made quilts. Our great, great grandmothers sewed quilts to record family history. Flour and sugar sacks were used to make dresses and the scraps were used to make quilts. You might have a quilt (old & tattered) that was passed down from one generation to another. Many of these quilts told stories; sewed to record family weddings, births and other happy family events. Many untold stories probably went into the making of quilts. Most attractive were the ones made with bright colors, but all were pieces of art.


Many times the women met after the squares or pieces were put together to quilt, thereby finishing the quilt much faster. This was called a 'Quilting Bee.' As the women stitched, they share their joys and their troubles. The fellowship they enjoyed was also a good way to relieve the stress of the day. There is nothing more stimulating and tension reducing as taking time to talk with friends and sharing information.


Stress is no respecter of persons. Extended stress can lead to stomach ulcers, diatbetes and high blood pressure. Moreover, some experts on the subject have concluded that even the common cold, and dozens of other illnesses can be triggered by the tension caused from stress..


Life runs smoothly for us for a time, and we develop a sense of a burden-free existence, then comes a problem that almost crushes us with its weight. At such a time we need a way to get through those 'Extra-Stress-Times.'


We often hear there's nothing new under the sun - just old ideas that get updated. 'If you have scraps, make a quilt' is a decorative sign in my home that reminds me stress can be conquered when we learn to relax by participating in some sort of recreations or craft - maybe even piecing a quilt.

Today

A new day I see, and only I can determine

What kind of day it will be.

It can be busy and sunny, and gay

Or boring and cold, unhappy and grey.

My own state of mind is the determining key,

For I am only the person I let myself be

It's not easy to do what I should, I confess,

To laugh and be happy and free from all stress,

But I have faith in my self, and believe what I say,

I personally intend to make the best of each day.

Boomerang

Galatians 6:7 "Be not deceived, God is not mocked, for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap."

When someone is abrupt or makes a rude remark,

Try not to be embarrassed; he's stumbling in the dark.

For the system that's keeping tabs on us is checking to be sure

That we get back just what we give,

Be it tainted or be it pure.

Action is a magic thing that circles all around,

Picks up bits of power from heaven and from the ground.

Try as you may, you can't escape the price you have to pay

It keeps the world in balance

And working another.

So when you plan your future, keep these thoughts in mind:

The world keeps turning right on time,

It's man who gets behind.

The deeds you do are the seeds you sow, and words are poweful too.

The things you send out in the world

Come whirling back to you.

Alma Carr

At a time in our history when there is a crucial need for dedicated persons to lend a hand to help our neighbors, who, in so many cases are frustrated and disillusioned at the multiple problems of today, it is gratifying to now that many good hearted people are trying to render service.

Coming home from volunteering at the hospital one evening, it was that time of day when visibility was poor. I misjudged the distance of the island on my left which I hit causing a blow-out in the left tire. I immediately made my way over to the side of the road. A stranger seeing my problem and my distress offered to help. He put the reserve tire on my car so I was able to drive home. He would not give me his name - he called himself a good Samaritan.

A person's true value is his good deed to his fellowman. We need to listen to a person's cries for help that are spoken indirectly. Kindness is something that everyone can give to others...a gift that everyone can afford. A wise man once said that kindness is the golden chain by which society is bound together. Life is made up, not of great sacrifices or duties, but of little things, in which kindnesses are give.

Someone has said: "No one is so rich that he does not need an other's help. No one is so poor as not to be useful in some way to his fellow man. " The disposition to accept assistance from others with confidence and to grant it with kindness is part of our own nature. The amazing truth of the matter is that, given the opportunity to do the right thing, human beings are still capable of much love and goodness. The world's wisest people generally agree that deeds speak more eloquently than words. No matter what a man's resolutions, or his profession, it is by one's deeds that he is to be judged both by God and man.

I read this somewhere: Look on little deeds as great, on account of Christ, who dwells in us, and watches our life; look on great deeds as easy, on account of His great power.

Helping another is a virtue

It's uplifting, we all know;

But we also should remember

It gives ourselves an inner glow.

Prayer

We recently had a guest in our home. When talking about current events, we discovered she did not believe in a personal God or prayer. She considered the Bible a book of history only, whereas we believe that the Bible is the Word of God. We believe the Bible has to studied, not just read as history, to discern the meaning therein and to do this we need to pray for understanding.

Our guest has no religion of any kind. For her all religions are alike. She believes in the Golden Rule; "Do unto others as you would have them do unto you." Her whole philosophy is built on morals-doing good. But we know doing good is not going to get us into heaven. And we know religious are not all alike, even though most religions believe in a God or a Supreme Being. Many are morally strong, but there is a big difference. Christians believe in a Triune God, the Father, Jesus Christ, the Son and the Holy Spirit. We further believe that the Son is the Savior of the World. "For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him, should not perish, but have eternal life." ( John 3:16 ) When we accept Christ as our personal savior, we are admonished to pray without ceasing. "...pray constantly, give thanks in all circumstances, for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you." (I Thess.5:17)



Among the reason for praying we talked about were these:

There is a devil, and prayer is a God-appointed way to resist Him.

Prayer is God's way for us to obtain what we need from Him.

Prayer with thanksgiving is God's way for us to obtain freedom from anxiety.



Phil. 4:6,7 "Have no anxiety about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your request be made known to God. And the peace of God, which passes all understand, will keep your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus."



I've did some research on prayer and I'm looking for ward to opportunities in the future to talk to her about a personal God and how we communicate with Him. A quote by Georges LeFevre says: "Prayer is an end to isolation. It is living our daily life with someone who alone can deliver us from solitude."



Communion with God is a great privilege and the most important element of prayer. When we pray, we strenthen our relationship with God. The more we pray and read His Word, the stronger our faith becomes in the one true God. The greatest power on earth is embraced in prayer. It has been said that prayer is not eloquence, but earnestness; not the definition of helplessness, but the feeling of it; not figures of speech, but earnestness of the soul.

During a time of war President Eisenhower had this to say about prayer regarding peace: "How can we help strike this spark of dedication in receptive hearts around the earth? By personal prayer by hundreds upon hundreds of millions."

In 1787, the threat of failure loomed over the Constitutional Convention, Benjamin Franklin called for daily prayers: "I have lived a long time, and the longer I live, the more convincing proofs I see that God governs the affairs of men. We have been assured in the Sacred Writings, that 'except the Lord build the house, they labor in vain, that build it.' I firmly believe this, and I also believe that without His concurring aid, we shall succeed in this political building no better than the builders of Babel."

With the fate of the Union at stake in his decisions, Abraham Lincoln said: "I talk to God, my mind seems relieved when I do and a way is suggested. I should be a self-conceited blockhead if I should hope to get along without the wisdom that comes from God and not from men."

God does not "force His assistance on us," says Father James Keller, founder of the Christophers, "He leaves us free to take it or leave it. The key to the door is given in Jesus' words: 'Ask,' 'Seek,' 'Knock.' "It is as clear , as simple as the story of the small boy struggling, mightily to life a heavy stone. He couldn't budge it. Happening to pass by, his father asked, 'Are you using all your strength?' 'Yes, I am,' said the boy impatiently. 'I don't thing you are' said the father, 'You haven't asked me to help."


Q. Why is prayer necessary for Christians
A. Because it is the chief part of the gratitude which God requires of us, and because God will give his grace and Holy Spirit to those who sincerely beseech him in prayer without ceasing, and who thank him for these gifts." The Heidelburg Catechism

Prayer is a conversation with God. Sometimes we need to use a 'method' in our prayer time. We can us the Psalms or other Scriptures (such as the Lord's Prayer), or several other ideas for praying follow:

Adoration: Praise God for who God is.
Confession: Ask God for forgiveness for the sin in our lives and then repent .
Thanksgiving: Thank God for all God does, knowing God has a wise purpose
Supplication/Intercession: Coming before God on behalf of others-praying for our own needs.

Often we think of prayer as a way to get God to do things for us or for others, but the highest purpose of prayer is to deepen our relationship with God. Prayer does involve petition and intercession, but it also includes communion. In petition God does something FOR us, in intercession He does something THROUGH us and in communion He does something IN us. God wants us to talk with Him. . He is all-knowing, but He also desires our fellowship.

I recently came across this 'Five-Finger Prayer' to use as a guide when praying for others.
...When you fold your hands, the thumb is nearest you, so begin by praying for those closest to you.
...The index finger is the pointer: Pray for those who teach.
...The next finger is the tallest. It reminds you to pray for those in authority.
...The fourth finger is usually the weakest. Pray for those who are in trouble or suffering.
...Then comes your little finger. It reminds you of your smallness in relation to God's greatness. Ask Him to supply our need.

Prayer has brought millions from physical and mental afflictions to health. In prayer God hears more than just words. He listens to our heart, so we can in confidence bring everything to our heavenly Father, saying: "Lord in Your Mercy, hear our prayer."

The Lord Himself taught his followers to pray the Lord's Prayer:

When frindly words grow faint and friendly hands are few, pray
"OUR FATHER, WHICH ART IN HEAVEN."
When profane words strike home upon our ears, pray
"HALLOWED BE THY NAME."
When sins mounts the throne of power, pray
'THY KINGDOM COME."
When leaders of men impose their will upon the ways of earth, pray
"THY WILL BE DONE ON EARTH AS IT IS IN HEAVEN."
When anxious thought of coming days disturb our inward calm, pray
"GIVE US THIS DAY OUR DAILY BREAD."
When grieved by our many sins and hurt by the sins of others, pray
"FORGIVE US OUR DEBTS AS WE FORGIVE OUR DEBTORS."
When purity loses its lure, pray
"AND LEAD US NOT INTO TEMPTATION, BUT DELIVER US FROM EVIL."
When the task of the day is done, pray
"FOR THINE IS THE KINGDOM AND THE POWER AND THE GLORY, FORVER, AMEN.

The Bible tells us that God knows our every thought and every word on our tongue, and when we don't know what to pray, "the Spirit himself intercedes for us with sighs too deep for words. And He who searches the hearts of men knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God." (Romans 8:26)
The Biblical truths assure us that we can have communication with God even without a word being spoken, because He knows the intentions and desires of our heart. No matter how much you falter and stumble in praying, He hears you. His heart of infinite love responds to the need and emotions of your own heart. You can know that it will come to past.

The Smallest Prayer

God hears the very smallest prayer

Nor sends a cross too great to bear.

And though we stumble now & then,

He always picks us up again.

There is no moment day or night,

When we are hidden from His sight,

No wall too high nor door too stout

Will keep His loving care without.

His ways are wiser than our own

His strength remains when our is gone.

We must not doubt nor questions why

He sends the answers by & by.

And this I know within my heart,

All darkness fades and shadows part

And that sometime, somehow,

Grace W. Easley