The Love of the Cross

As I was contemplating on what to write,

 I couldn't think of anything better than what just happened to me.

Here it is: 

The other day, as I was preparing a meal, I started to cry,

 and then I was screaming louder and louder. 

I made a cup of tea and went into the other room,

 while I was soon to feel God's powerful love flowing (as it was) all over me.

 The room was filled with His glory 

and the presence of Jesus was felt so strong.

 Oh,

 what love 

he showed me

 that day!

Now, I know God allowed Jesus to go to the cross to bear my sins,

 my iniquities, 

all my sorrows. 

The fact that I was crying because

 I had lost my oldest daughter, Charlotte Mae, many years ago. 

Now as never before, do I realize that Jesus went to the cross, 

taking all of this pain and suffering that Charlotte Mae had so patiently taken. 

This I believe is the meaning of the cross for me. 

Can this also be a very happy remembrance of the cross for you and your family?

Let's do our best to spread the Good News 

of 

His great love.

A Little Knowledge

'A little Knowledge that acts is worth

 more than much knowledge that is idle'. (Khalil Gibran).

The Bible says in James 4:17:

He that knoweth to do good but doeth it not to him it is sin.

How about you and me?

Is there something we can do to help or even change the situation? 

Could it be God speaking to us, and perhaps many more,

 to speak out and take action?

Let's be an innovator,

 like the apostle Paul who wrote, 

Don't copy the behaviour

 and customs of this world, but let God transform

 you into a new person by changing the way - you think.

That is taken from "Our Daily Bread" (by David Mc Casland.)

In Romans, the Apostle Paul's words were,

 "Not conformed to this world;

 but be you transformed 

by the renewing of your mind, 

that you may prove what is that good, 

and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.

Now, that's a good way to think.

An Apple a Day

You have heard, "An apple a day keeps the doctor away."

Have you ever taken an apple and sliced it,

watching while you cut it to see how far down the stem goes?

Wow, you say. That's all that holds an apple up on the branch. 

While the winds blew and blew, the apple stayed on the branch.

Did you know the apple is staying on for a great purpose? 

That of receiving its nuourishment.

First, it is very tiny, 

and then gets bigger and bigger, till it is full grown.

How interesting. 

Also, did you know where the apple gets its nourishment?

 Yes, it is the stem, the smallest part of the tree, 

then the branch 

and then a bigger branch

 and then the trunk of the tree

 all play an important task of taking the food (apple food) 

to the apple, through the stem.

The sun and the rain also played a very important part 

in the growth of the apple.

We read that Jesus said:

You are the apple of my eye.

Think on that one.

Proverbs 1 verse 2:

Keep my commandments and live; and my law as the apple of thine eye.

Psalms 17 verse 8:

Keep me as the apple of the eye, 

hide me under the shadow of thy wings.

Zechariah 2 verse 8:

He that toucheth you toucheth the apple of his eye.

Let's enjoy our fruit.

Just Keep Going

Living our lives with a purpose.

Living our lives to please God.

Be not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.

-Romans 12:21

This can be done with oil in our vessels 

or with the anointing of the Holy Spirit.

Romans 6:4 says:

We were buried with Him

 through baptism into death, 

that just as Christ was raised from the dead

 by the glory of the father, 

even some also should walk

 in the newness of life.

Now you do those things that lead to holiness

 and result in eternal life.

Being hard pressed on every side,

 yet not crushed.

2 Corinthians 4:8

When we have the power of God 

developing within us 

we can survive our challenges.

We must never give up. 

Christ will always be there for us, 

especially when we keep going.

Just  keep going!

Stay Contented

Focusing our minds on the things we do have,

 will cause us to become more thankful.

Learning to be content 

with what we do have

 is of great value.

Remembering it's what we have,

not what we want,

 is the key.

Hebrews 13:5 says:

Let your conversation be without covetousness;

and be content with such things 

as ye have:

for he hath said,

"I will never leave thee,

nor forsake thee."

By being content,

 with ourselves and others,

God will always be with us.

Now isn't that rewarding?

Let's stay contented.

The Path Chosen For Us

Let us remember 

that God has given us 

and every one of us 

gifts, 

talents, 

and a great depth of love, 

favor,

 strength,

 and the ability to do a work 

that he has already called us to do.

By spending time each day doing good,

 visiting the sick,

 seeking Him 

in everything we do. 

Praying always for our families and friends.

We will be well able.

The devil would like us to think

 we can do all this work on our own;

 tempting us so he can destroy the very foundations 

of our faith in God. 

Ephesians 6:10-18

Just like God provided this great work for us to do,

 we will, 

in His strength 

and time,

 be able to accomplish the task

 as we continue on the path he has chosen for us.

Homemade Valentine

I received the most beautiful
and as one of my friend's said, 'very pretty' Valentine's card
from my daughter, Ruth.

On this card was written -- 'The most beautiful paths are winding'. 

This very week as I was cleaning up, I found a little Valentine's card as well, from my oldest granddaughter and that she had also made, signed by her mother, Charlotte. 

What a great surprise both of these were!

Nothing like homemade!

This is Valentine's Day. 

In the past, people believed that the mind should rule the heart. 

But science has now discovered the opposite to be true. 

'Who we are and who we become - depends in part, on whom we love.'

Deuteronomy 6:5 says: 

You shall love the Lord, your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength. 

Not until the Gospels of Mark and Luke do we learn that Jesus added the word 'mind'. 

(Mark 12:30 and Luke 10:27)

So scientists are just now discovering what the Word of God (the Bible) tought all along. 

Saying I love you, is wonderful. 

And we all appreciate these words. 

But putting our hands, our minds, our souls and our hearts 

to work; 

we are truly saying ---

 I LOVE YOU. 

And let's face it, that is homemade!

Happy Valentine's Day!