Father, when I hear your name everything stands still,

There's a beauty and a peace that fills the air

My heart yearns to know you and your perfect will

and feel your love with a joy beyond compare.

Your love is like the sun in a cloudy sky,

Suddenly, things begin with a hope a new

My spirit leaps with delight and starts to cry

Father, let more of your tender grace come through.

For you are the key that unlocks every door,

You are the strong foundation on which to stand

We seek out your face and desire much more

Let us see your power by your great command.

You are the true center of all for all time,

The answer to each question that one would ask

Living for you is the greatest gift I'll find

I could never have a more wonderful task.

Amen

Father, let the seed of your love be planted so firmly in me,

Nurture it with everything wonderful from your precious heart, too

 Cultivate it to blossom by your mighty will so perfectly

and accentuate it with your promise and hope my whole life through.

Let it blossom into a plan that is so mighty and so true,

A perfectly written journey designed for me with great care

Accentuating my gifts and aspirations that come from you

Illuminated by your presence as you are always right there.

Faith nourishes the seed to grow into a dream with happiness,

Trust helps it to blossom a little more along the journey's way

For as long as I take your hand, I can do anything at best

Lord, you are my joy, my purpose, and source each and every day.

So, I place everything in your hands at this moment in time,

I take your hand and look up searching for much more at your heart's core

Lord, it is there my greatest dreams and inspiration I will find

I can see the light of your wonder now flowing from Heaven's door.

Amen

****************************************************

God bless you all!

 

A Daily Prayer

Lord, I dedicate each day to you,

Thank you for the gift you've given me

Please fill every moment in all I do

with everything from your heart so perfectly.

Let there be peace to rest upon so great

and happiness from your mighty hands

strength and hope upon which my heart waits

and beautiful promise by your command.

Please be everything that I will need

and reinforce every step I make

Fill me with what I need to succeed

I ask you to please undertake.

A day that is shaped by your great love

Is the best one to receive

It is a masterpiece from Heaven above

The only one worth having I believe!

Amen

Consideration

     Okay, here is something to consider.  What do you do when someone that you thought was a really good friend of yours, suddenly does something to hurt you?  There are really only two main choices.  Either you lash out at them or you forgive them.

  Unfortunately the human nature in each one of us would probably reach for the first choice.  No one ever said that being a believer and walking the Christian walk was going to be easy.  It is not easy.  We are in the world like everyone else.

  But, the true point to consider is that we are not of the world.  We are in the image of Christ and are to walk like him.  We are to let his love shine through us wherever we go.  He will walk beside us and help us each step of the way.

  So, back to the original question.  As believers, we must stay true to our Christian testimony and act as the Lord would.  But, how do you forgive someone who has hurt you, especially a friend?

  No one said that would be easy.  We have to ask for the Lord's help.  He will help us not to lash out, but to forgive as he would.  We have to keep in mind what he went through and how people treated him.

  He never lashed out, but simply asked for forgiveness for them.  So, ask God to help you forgive and to heal the hurt.  He will be there whenever you call!

*******************************************************

Prayer:

Father please bless each one of my friends and help them to see you in each moment of their lives.  Help them to trust in you and to seek you always.  

Amen

*****************************************************

*******************************************************

All aboard!  Tickets please!  We are proceeding to our next port of call.  Stay tuned!

***** Life is a beautiful gift of hope bestowed by a Father's heart of grace
It is a delicate, creative unique masterpiece of inspiration,
Slowly.....only through the vision of a grateful heart
it is unwoven.......second by second
revealing precious new blessing,
gifts of promise that enrich, enlighten, and envision.

It is only through the tools of life.....
FAITH.....the compass of life that gives direction for every footstep
PRAYER.....the eternal light that provides the clearest path
LOVE.....the motivator that makes everything seem attainable
BELIEF.....the key to success that unlocks obstacles
can these discoveries truly be obtained.
Realized and appreciated in its greatest capacity.....
Even the blessings that come through the most rugged terrain
provides the greatest strength.....
Instilling a heart of thankfulness.....for a life
OF BLESSING.....
OF HOPE.....
OF LOVE.....
AND PEACE........

The New Step

     Ben sat quietly in his classroom.  He just could not contain the smile on his face or the joy in his heart.  He was about to complete his first semester in college.  It seemed so hard to believe.  It felt like just yesterday when he was in the mid part of his senior year of high school praying that he would have the chance to go to college.  But, God made the way for him.  

  He bowed his head and prayed that God would be there and help him through his exams.  He knew deep inside that he would.  The Lord was always there for him every step of the way.

  Ben then opened his bible and began to read a few of his favorite scriptures before the test would begin.  Suddenly, there was a loud, unsettling commotion.  The door swung open and some important college officials entered the room.  Ben was wondering what was going on.  He was more fearful when they walked over to him.

  "I'm sorry young man."  The Dean said.  "You will have to come with us."  "What did I do wrong?"  Ben asked.  "What about the exam?"

They promptly escorted Ben down to the main office.  It is there that they informed him he was being kicked out of school.

  "What did I do wrong?"  Ben asked.  "You have engaged in offensive religious actions."  The Dean answered.  Ben gathered his things and went home, practically in tears.  Why would God take him this far only to have everything fall?

  Ben went to church that evening with his parents.  He went in to speak with the Pastor before the service.  The Pastor looked at him and smiled.  "What happened to your faith young man?"  He asked Ben.  Ben looked a bit puzzled.  

  The Pastor reached over and opened his address book sitting on the desk.  He then took Ben's hand and they prayed together.  "Don't let the clouds of the world diminish the light of the love of God within you Ben."  He said warmly. 

  He then told Ben that the local congressman was a college friend of his.  Together, they would go and see him in the morning and explain the situation.  

  When morning finally came, the Pastor picked Ben up, and they drove over to the office together.  The congressman smiled brightly.  He quickly made a call.  Together, they all drove over to speak with college officials.

  Before lunch time, Ben's student status had been reinstated with a large apology.  He was allowed to read his bible, pray, and talk about God when and where he wanted to.  Ben was allowed to retake his exam and passed it with high marks.

  He returned to the Pastor's office to thank him.  "You have to stand strong on your faith."  He told Ben.  "God will defend you and protect you.  Stand up for what you believe."

The end.

Thought For Day

In this hectic world we live in,

STOP

Take a deep breadth.....

and

simply look all around you.......

Let the breathtaking beauty

just infiltrate

the very essence of

who you are.

PLEASE REALIZE

WHERE IT ORIGINATES FROM

GOD HAS GIVEN YOU

BEAUTIFUL GIFTS

TO ENHANCE THE PATH

OF YOUR JOURNEY

HIS HAND OF GRACE AND LOVE

PROVIDES WONDROUS

BLESSINGS 

FROM HIS HEART

TO MAKE EACH STEP

AND EACH ENDEAVOR

MAGNIFICENT

HE THEN WALKS BY YOU

SO REJOICE!

IN THE MIDST OF 

THAT CRAZY MIXED UP WORLD

IS

A BEAUTIFUL FLOWER

TO HELP MAKE IT A BETTER PLACE

YOU ARE GOD'S CREATION!

REJOICE!

BE GLAD!

SHINE FOR HIM!

Father, You Are My Everything

Sometimes, the world can be so hard to understand,

It is a cold, uncaring, fear-filled dark place

You come to me with a peace like only you can

You are my Comforter with a loving embrace.

There are days when my heart feels conflicted inside,

I don't see the answers to all that I may need

My Provider then comes with a manner so wise

and makes sure all that is required is received.

My steps on life's pathway can seem rugged at best,

I may lose my direction as I walk each day

My Protector comes near me with great happiness

and makes sure I'm shielded by him along the way.

Father, you're everything I'll ever need, and more,

I place my faith and trust in your perfect will

You're always at the threshold of life's open door

You see promise and hope in my life to fulfill.

You are my Best Friend who's always there just for me, 

My Savior, whom I can give all of my heart to

My Healer and My Lord of all eternity

Teacher, I would truly be nothing without you.

Thank you for being my everything with love,

You are more beautiful with the passage of time

I send my sweet gratitude to Heaven above

I want to draw closer to you each day in kind.

Amen

The greatest gift that you can give someone is priceless.

Yet, it cost nothing to give.

Its value grows with the 

passage of time.

It not only gives to the receiver

but also the giver too.

What is it?

It is the priceless gift of yourself.

Taking the precious blessings

God has given you

and illuminating

someone else's world

with it.

It could be as simple

as a smile, a kind word,

or a kind act.

BE GOD'S 

PRECIOUS INSTRUMENT

OF HOPE

TODAY!

PRAY THIS PRAYER:

LORD,

PLEASE SHOW ME HOW

TO BE AN

EXTENSION OF YOUR

SWEET LOVE TODAY.

HELP ME TO HAVE

A 

HUMBLED HEART

OF GRACE

AND

BE A 

BREATHTAKING LIGHT

OF 

HOPE AND PROMISE

FOR

YOU!

AMEN

I hear your voice, Lord, so clearly

and my heart yearns for so much more

To draw closer so lovingly

and learn much more at your heart's core.

I long to be so much like you

and feel you with each breath of air

I seek your will in all I do

and to know you are always there.

I pledge my heart to you each day

To share a bond no one can break

Guide my life in your perfect way

This is the faithful promise I make.

Amen

Thought For The Day

Don't give up!

No matter what the weather may seem

The Son shines brilliantly

at the perfect hour

But

it takes a persistent, humbled heart

of love

to see His greatest beauty

on the horizon

Wait

for the Son to rise

and

dream your greatest dream!

My Father

As each tear falls gently upon my face,

and such sadness seems to overwhelm me

I try to live each day at my own pace

Searching for a sense of tranquility.

You see the distress and pain my heart feels

and a light of promise comes from above

The sweet beauty of Heaven is revealed

I begin to feel your awesome, great love.

You replace my sadness with happiness

and tell me not to ever cry again

For in you, I will find the very best

You are my faithful Father and best friend.

I can come with a humbled heart to you

and bring every concern and all my cares

You will be there each day my whole life through

Taking charge of it with a love so rare.

Amen

Each moment of life is a precious and unique gift wrapped firmly in hope's true embrace. It's magnificent beauty is defined by the eternal, proclaimed happiness of the heart, the strength of family and the delight, encouragement and inspiration of amazing friends. It is an exquisite painting in progress inked perfectly by the tools of the heart ....... faith and prayer for every step, love and hope as an eternal compass, and belief as fuel for growth. It is a complex and exciting adventure that grows more intensely with excitement thoroughly enjoyed by the heart that is governed by gratefulness, and appreciation.....realizing that nothing is a given yet, everything is a magnificent blessing that enriches far beyond any boundary that could ever be imagined. Life is a beautiful horizon of promise that the heart can become an brilliant part of and enjoy forever.

Thought For The Day

Don't let anything or any one

take away

from the person that you are destined to be

You are

a beautiful, unique masterpiece

and

the apple of God's eye

Stand tall

and

walk with great honor

for

the Lord loves you dearly

Ask him

to forgive you

bless you

and

be the light and Lord of your life

Be

The

Greatest

You

that

You 

Can 

Be!

A Prayer For Safety
Father:
Please keep us safely in your protective care
Cover us with your anointing from above
Help us to know that you are always right there
Shielding us all with your light and your great love.

No matter what is contained in each new day
or what factors may suddenly be in place
Please come right beside us each step of the way
Holding us warmly in your mighty embrace.
Lord, you will keep us safe with a peace so true
Your comfort will calm every one of our fears
Your mighty power will always take us through
You are our great shelter and fortress so dear.
Amen

Everyone please take a few minutes over the next few days to pray for Florida.

Prepare My Heart

****************************

Father,

Touch my heart with Your precious spirit of grace,

Help me not to be fearful of what I see

But, to keep my sight on Your beautiful face

and keep my faith strong, wherever I may be.

Your love is the light that shines in the darkness,

Your hope is our foundation on which we stand

No matter what is in the world around us

You will watch over us with your mighty hand.

Prepare us to draw closer to You each day,

and to know more of Your great presence, so true

Father, without You, we will not have a way

You are the promise and guide in all we do.

So, as the storm clouds now form so mightily,

Take my hand, and prepare my heart with Your love

In Your great glory is where I want to be

My focus is on You in Heaven above. 

Amen

Lord, you are my inspiration that brings light to each new day,
You are my source of encouragement to take another step
You infiltrate my spirit with your love in a special way
and fill me with your sweet comfort, gentle peace and calming rest.

Hands of hope begin to work upon the hurt that's within me,
Taking all of the rugged pieces, and making something new
Seeing great paths of promise, and the best of all that can be
Ready to always be there for me in all that I may do.
You wipe away every tear, and give me your happiness,
and show me so clear, that to your heart, I am everything
I should not let hurt rule me, but, instead feel so very blessed
and thank you for the great things that just knowing you truly brings.
Amen