Life gives us lessons so take notice

I have been on a journey to visit family.  Along the way many memories arose.  When you get together with extended family there are always a lot of issues, conflict, trials, good times and much, much, more.  We can choose to respond either positively, as God would wish us to, or negatively, which is not our best.  For the first time, on these trips, I chose to let if fall off, like teflon, and not stick to me.  I purposely chose to respond and not react when conflicts arose.  I saw myself as a Peace Maker, not just a Peace Keeper.  What a joy!!!  That is indeed growth, on my part.  The Scriptures tell us that. . . "as much as possible keep peace with one another."  I  believe that to be words to live by.  I would encourage you to see all life lessons as one to "take note".  To learn and grow and expand and surprise one another.  Wouldn't it be great if we could just let things fall off of us and only exude sweet perfume on others?  This world would be a much better place to visit.  Enough of my thoughts for the night.  Tomorrow, when you awake, make a purposeful choice to give each other a break, to look the other way, to turn the other cheek.

Shoes in Church

I showered and shaved .............. I adjusted my tie.
I got there and sat ............. in a pew just in time.

Bowing my head in prayer ........ as I closed my eyes ...

I saw the shoe of the man next to me ..... touching my own ... I sighed.

With plenty of room on either side ...... I thought, 'Why must our soles touch?'

It bothered me, his shoe touching mine ... but it didn't bother him much.

A prayer began: 'Our Father' ............. I thought,

'This man with the shoes,  has no pride.

They're dusty, worn, and scratched.

Even worse, there are holes on the side!'

'Thank You for blessings,' the prayer went on.

The shoe man said ............... A quiet 'Amen.'

I tried to focus on the prayer ....... But my thoughts were on his shoes again.

Aren't we supposed to look our best when walking through that door?

'Well, this certainly isn't it,' I thought, glancing toward the floor.

Then the prayer was ended ........... and the songs of praise began.

The shoe man was certainly loud .... sounding proud as he sang.

His voice lifted the rafters ........ his hands were raised high.

The Lord could surely hear the shoe man's voice from the sky.

It was time for the offering ...... and what I threw in was steep.

I watched as the shoe man reached .... into his pockets so deep.

I saw what was pulled out ............ what the shoe man put in.

Then I heard a soft 'clink' as when silver hits tin.

The sermon really bored me ............ to tears, and that's no lie.

It was the same for the shoe man ... for tears fell from his eyes.

At the end of the service ...... as is the custom here.

We must greet new visitors, and show them all good cheer.

But I felt moved somehow .............. and wanted to meet the shoe man.

So after the closing prayer ...... I reached over and shook his hand.

He was old and his skin was dark .... and his hair was truly a mess.

But I thanked him for coming ........ for being our guest.

He said, 'My names' Charlie ............ I'm glad to meet you, my friend.'

There were tears in his eyes ........ but he had a large, wide grin.

'Let me explain,' he said ......... wiping tears from his eyes.

'I've been coming here for months .... and you're the first to say 'Hi.''

'I know that my appearance ............ Is not like all the rest.

'But I really do try .................'To always look my best.'

'I always clean and polish my shoes ... before my very long walk.

'But by the time I get here ..........'They're dirty and dusty, like chalk.'

My heart filled with pain ......... and I swallowed to hide my tears.

As he continued to apologize........... for daring to sit so near

He said, 'When I get here .............. I know I must look a sight.

'But I thought if I could touch you ... 'Then maybe our souls might unite.'

I was silent for a moment ........... knowing whatever was said

Would pale in comparison ... I spoke from my heart, not my head.

'Oh, you've touched me,' I said ...... 'And taught me, in part;

'That the best of any man ............... 'Is what is found in his heart.'

The rest, I thought, ..................... this shoe man will never know.

Like just how thankful I really am ... that his dirty old shoe touched my soul 
  
You are special to me and you have made a difference in my life.

I respect you, and truly cherish you.

Good Morning

                                    JUST TO LET YOU KNOW THAT IT IS CHRISTIAN PERSON WEEK AND YOU SHOULD SEND THIS TO ALL BEAUTIFUL CHRISTIAN PEOPLE.
'A person's heart should be so hidden in Christ that a man should have to seek Him first to find them.'

When I say that 'I am a Christian', I am not shouting that 'I am clean living. I'm whispering 'I was lost, but now I'm found and forgiven.'

When I say 'I am a Christian' I don't speak of this with pride. I'm confessing that I stumble and need Christ to be my guide.

When I say 'I am a Christian' I'm not trying to be strong. I'm professing that I'm weak and need His strength to carry on.

When I say 'I am a Christian' I'm not bragging of success. I'm admitting I have failed and need God to clean my mess.

When I say 'I am a Christian' I'm not claiming to be perfect. My flaws are far too visible, but God believes I am worth it.

When I say 'I am a Christian' I still feel the sting of pain. I have my share of heartaches, so I call upon His name.

When I say 'I am a Christian' I'm not holier than thou, I'm just a simple sinner who received God's good grace, somehow!

Today is Beautiful Christian Person's Day.
Pretty is as Pretty does but, Beautiful is just plain Beautiful..

Go Deeper; Draw Near to God and He will Draw Near to You

It is a beautiful summer day.  The waves are lapping at the bank.  The water is crystal clear.  Beautiful to watch.  Great to hear.  I love to hear the water washing up onto the shore.  The waves come up and pound onto the sandy beach.  It draws itself back into the midst of the deep water.  The water is cold.  Feels wonderful to the touch.  Clean, refreshing and salty.  

All of my senses are in high alert.  I hear, see, feel, taste and touch the cool water.  I ride the waves as they surround me.  I walk further and further out into the water.  I am soon up to my neck.  The tide goes out and the water has gone down to my calves.  I keep walking.  Wanting to get totally drenched in the sweet water.  The next wave comes and I am knocked down by the pressure of the water.  I am down under the water and fight to get my footing.  As the wave recedes I keep walking further out into the deep.

Soon, I cannot touch the sandy bottom.  I find that I have to swim in order to stay afloat.  The next wave comes and under I go.  I am totally one who loves the water.  The feel of my body floating in the waves and being tossed to and fro.  Up I come, just in time for another wave.  I am having such a great time.

As a child of God, I find that I often times are in the same boat with my walk with God.  I sometimes want to just get my feet wet.  I just want a little refreshing but do not want to get totally drenched.  Other times I want so much of Him that I walk straight out into the dark green water of the deep.  Trying to learn more.  To hear more.  To sense what He is trying to say to me.  My walk with Him changes sometimes daily, as my needs, wants and desires change.  But, I have found that as I seek more of Him, He is actually drawing me to Himself.  It is He that gives me the desire to want more of Him. 

We all have different walks in life.  Some of us have an easy path.  Others find the path full of pot holes and mud.  Still some find their path paved with fine gravel.  Or maybe it is a path of no return.  Wherever your path leads you, make sure that you are heading down the road.  Not staying still.  Stagnate.  But, moving and flowing and growing.  Remember;  what the adversary, the devil, plans for your demise, God plans for your good.  Don’t stay in one place.  Don’t allow the enemy to tempt you into becoming “contented” or “self-satisfied”.  Instead, get out into the deep water of life.  The areas where you have to rely on God for your protection and guidance.  Those are the places where you will see great growth in your life.  Don‘t remain in this season of your life – but, move on, grow and sprout.  Ecclesiastes tells us that “there is a season for everything”.  Now is your time to grow deeper into Him.  Deeper into His love and care for you and your loved ones.  Rely on Him and let Him direct your path.

HOPE

 If I can put new hope within the heart
         Of one who has lost hope,
         If I can help a brother up
         Some difficult long slope
         That seems too steep for tired feet to go,
         If I can help him climb
         Into the light upon the hill's far crest,
         I shall begrudge no time
         Or strength that I spend, for well I know
         How great may be his need.
         If I can help through any darkened hour,
         I shall be glad indeed.
        
         For I recall how often I have been
         Distressed, distraught, dismayed,
         And hands have reached to help, and voices called
         That kept me unafraid.
         If I can share this help that I have had,
         God knows I shall be glad.

  - Grace Noll Crowell

Safely Kept

And that is why I suffer these things. But I am not ashamed, because I know the One I have believed in and am persuaded that He is able to guard what has been entrusted to me until that day. 2 Timothy 1:12, HCSB

We know the importance of placing our valuables and money in safe places. We put our important documents in the banks’ safety deposit boxes. The government insures our bank savings through the FDIC.

In today’s passage Paul wrote about entrusting something far more important than material things for safekeeping. He instructed Timothy not to be ashamed of the gospel or of his mentor Paul who was in prison. Paul described the gospel, its power to save, and its origin in the grace of God.

Paul was suffering for the gospel, yet he was full of confidence and hope for the future based on the person of Jesus Christ, in whom he had believed. He had not placed his faith in some philosophy or creed. Because Paul knew Jesus intimately and personally, he was certain he could trust Jesus with the salvation of his soul. He knew it would be kept safely until that last day of accounting.

Father, thank You for Jesus, who is able to keep me until that last day.

This devotional is courtesy of Open Windows.

God's Perspective

Scripture
After these events, the word of the Lord came to Abram in a vision:
"Do not be afraid, Abram.
I am your shield;
your reward will be very great." Genesis 15:1, HCSB
Thought
To understand your bad or difficult circumstances, God's perspective is vital. Deep trouble and crisis is often the easiest time to hear God speak. One word He always gives in such situations, "Do not be afraid." Fear is the human reaction toproblems. Hope is God's reaction.
Prayer
You who takes away all fear, look in love on me today. You know the circumstances that bring fear, frustration, and failure to my life. Only Your word can dispel my fears and deepen my hope. Amen.

This devotional is courtesy of Experiencing God Day By Day Devotional.