Life's Little Blessings

For family, for friends, for food we pray

As we enjoy them day by day.

For homes and health and water clean,

For having power back on the scene,

For a good hot shower and the washing machine,

For restaurants and groceries and gasoline,

For heat and cool air and TV and lights

To take away the darkness and boredom of nights.

For all the good things that You bestow

We thank you, God, and want You to know

We appreciate them now much more than before.

We realize You've given us blessings galore.

Lest We Forget

Hebrews 13:16, "And do not forget to do good and to share with others, for with such sacrifices God is well pleased."

Do not forget. Remember. It will take much more than days--it will take weeks and months--to recover from the devastation left behind from the tornadoes. We find a two-fold challenge before us.

Recovery and rebuilding will take courage, tenacity, perseverance, and determination on the part of those who have lost their homes or their businesses. It will be even harder for those who have lost family members and friends to carry on with their lives.

Those of us who have only been inconvenienced by the loss of power and lack of access to groceries, gasoline, and restaurants need to continually thank God for so many blessings which we have often taken for granted. But we should also remember in the weeks and months ahead that those who have sustained great losses will continue to need assistance, comfort, and encouragement. Now that many of us are able to get back to "business as usual," may we not forget those who are still struggling and grieving.

Father, thank You for blessing us so greatly. May we be very appreciative of all You have done for us and given us and never take these things for granted. May we be very mindful of the needs and griefs of others and seek to minister wherever we can. Amen.

Life's Little Frustrations

Life's little frustrations seem so small compared to the injuries, deaths, and devastation caused by the tornadoes this week. We can praise and thank God when our biggest problems are little frustrations.

Interdependence

Ephesians 6:2, "Bear one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ."

As I think about what has happened this week, It makes me think again of the giant sequoia trees which, surprisingly, have very shallow roots. They grow in groves where their roots intertwine with the roots of the other sequoia trees, thus holding each other up. This is their way of withstanding the winds and storms that come their way.

People are intertwining their lives and efforts this week to help and encourage each other in order to withstand the devastation that has taken place In our state and section of the country. People will need help and encouragement for a long time, and there are many ways to provide assistance. Won't you pray today and ask God where you can lend a hand?

We can trust God to bring some good things out of the tragic losses that have occurred as people pray for each other, work together with patience and perseverance to repair the damage which has occurred, encourage each other in every way possible, and depend even more than ever on our Heavenly Father.

Father, we trust you to bring good out of all circumstances. May each of us be a part of that good as we do whatever you show us to help. May those who have losses be comforted and encouraged. Amen.

Life's Little Frustrations

I love spring except for one reason.

Along with it come the allergy season,

With itching eyes and runny nose.

I'm always glad when the pollen goes.

The Message of Easter

I Peter 5:4, "And when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that will never fade away."

Cross bearing precedes crown wearing. I don't know who said it first, but I have pondered this saying from time to time. Cross bearing precedes crown wearing. We are instructed to deny ourselves, take up our crosses and follow Jesus. One of our hymns tells us, "There's a cross for everyone, and there's a cross for me."

We shrink from times of cross bearing, from pain and sorrow. So did our Lord. In the Garden of Gethsemane He asked His Father to let Him bypass the cup of suffering on the cross if it could be within the Father's will. Then Jesus said those submissive words quoted in Luke 22:45b, "Yet not my will, but Yours be done."

Scripture tells us that we must drink our full cup of suffering too. We are expected to fulfill the whole of God's plan for our lives on earth. Then we can say with Paul, "I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Now there is in store for me a crown of righteousness....." II Timothy 4:7-8a.

I imagine while Jesus hung on the cross He was looking with great anticipation toward His return to heaven. While men were doing everything possible to shame Him, He knew His glory would soon burst forth in all its splendor and majesty. He said in John 17:24a, "Father, I want those You have given Me to be with me where I am, and to see my glory....." One day we will behold Him with our own eyes in all His glory and beauty. More than that, one day we shall share that glory, not because we deserve it but because of the cross and God's love. II Corinthians 4:17 assures us, "For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all." And Romans 8:18 gives us these words from Paul, "I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us."

Cross bearing precedes crown wearing. Because Jesus lives, we too shall be crowned with heaven's glory, recipients of God's goodness, mercy, grace and generosity. What a blessed hope! This is the message of Easter.

Lord Jesus, thank You for your death on the cross for us. Father, thank You for bringing Jesus back to life and restoring to Him the glory that was His in heaven. Thank You that one day we shall see our Lord face to face and share all the wonders of heaven with Him. Amen.

Life's Little Frustrations

I tell you the absolute truth--

Few things hurt worse than an unhappy tooth!