Encounters

Each time that I have an encounter with the wind, I'm reminded that it exists.

Each time that I have an encounter with God, I'm grateful that He exists.

Let it be said of us...

Recently, God has put on my heart a concern for what is going on with our relationship with Israel. I truly believe that God wants us to be in support of that small country and for us to help keep it together.

Nowhere in history has a civilization survived and thrived like the land of Israel. In reality it should not even be alive. But God's own hand has protected that land and I believe he wants us to help protect it too.

I do not believe in coincidences. I believe that coincidences can often lead us to a truth. In saying that, God has put upon my heart that Jerusalem contains in it's center, the letters USA for a reason. I believe it is our responsibility to help keep that small country together. I pray that we will do the right thing and I hope you'll pray with me too.

The Prayer of Jabez

I have recently taken to repeating a prayer and have found it to bring blessings in my life. I would like to encourage you to say this prayer, every day for a month, and see what happens for you.

Before I write down the prayer, I'd like to suggest that you repeat the prayer, then repeat it again, replacing the word in red with a word specific for you.

Also, Dr. Bruce Wilkinson wrote a book on this prayer, which I really enjoyed and recommend. It is entitled, "The Prayer of Jabez"

And Jabez called on the God of Israel saying,

"Oh, that you would bless me indeed,

and enlarge my territory,

that your hand would be with me,

that you'd keep me from evil,

that I may not cause pain."

So God granted him what he requested.

1 Chronicles 4:19 NKJV

It's that simple. I replace the word in red with things like peace, friendship, love and opportunities.

Peace and Blessings to you all and let me know how this prayer works for you!

For Crying Out Loud!

I woke up early one morning and all I felt was pain.
I looked outside for sunshine, but all I saw was rain.
I grabbed by navy checkbook and sat to pay some bills.
There wasn't any money and my life just felt like hell.

I screamed for God to help me, but I heard not a sound.
"You don't care about me! You're nowhere to be found!
Then lightning struck a tree;I watched it catch on fire.
I felt God was angry; my thoughts had gone haywire.

I stayed real still and waited, to see what he would do.
Then He spoke unto my heart and said,"Yes, I do, love you!"
He said that we can chose, to use our better words.
Nowhere can be now here, and prayers are always heard.

Strawberry Moon

Photo by Samarazone

I hid behind the Pines
and sat amongst the trees,
trying to find some time;
a bit of quiet for me.
Then came the strawberry moon,
which revealed my hiding place.
Reminding me I'm never alone
because I have God's grace.

Can your Heaven Wait?

Photos By: Ben Teunissen

My son recently took these pictures while flying above the clouds. This view especially touched me because it lends to the promise of the beauty that awaits us in Heaven.

Heaven is the gift that God made available to us all. He gave us his only son, Jesus Christ, and when he died upon the cross, he took with him each and every one of our sins. His death was an extreme payment for all we have done wrong and all we will do wrong in the future.

None of us can be perfect, no matter what we do or how hard we try. God knew this. So he provided us with a way out.

Will you take the Jesus way? Will you accept Christ's death on the cross as payment for your sins? The choice is yours; you have to make it.

I hope to see you all one day in Heaven.

The Gossip

She handed me a package and told me it was good.

It really didn't feel the way, I assumed it would.

I paused before I opened; wondering what's inside,

Then I heard a whisper and felt it was a lie.

I stopped to look up at her, a smile upon her face.

I knew she'd brought a morsel of someone's pain; disgrace.

I paused for just a moment then handed back her gift.

Peace is what I'm looking for instead of causing rifts.

Then she turned away from me and headed to another.

She calls these folks her friends, her sisters, and her brothers.

So be careful of the gifts that come, as gossip, lies and hate,

And beware of these people, for they contaminate.

Christmas with Alzheimer's

Last night I went to my dad's Christmas party at the Assisted Living home. He has Alzheimer's Disease. He couldn't remember the words to his favorite songs, tried to cut his steak with a spoon and believes that I'm an old maid. Towards the end of the evening looked at me, smiled, and then said," Honey, I just want you to be happy." I almost broke down and cried.

The what ifs...

What if you only had one chance to go somewhere exciting, but you were not given the details about how long you would be there? Would you go?

What if you had the opportunity to meet and interact with many different kinds of people; some you would like and some you won't. You are told that at times you may feel alone, but you will always know that you are not. Would you do it?

What if you could be in a place where you could appreciate all the colors of the rainbow and more. You would be surrounded by various textures and enjoy an assortment of scents. It would be yours to chose if you like them or not, and the ones you dislike you can ignore. Would you like that?

What if you could wake up feeling secure with all you have, grateful for who you are, and on the look-out for ways in which you could help others. Does this sound like something you'd want to do?

What if you were told that sometimes you may feel afraid in this new place. It will take a lot of courage to be there. But you will have with you a book of examples from a man that was once there before you, and in this book are all the answers to everything you might feel. Do you think that might be helpful?

What if once you are in this new place you long to go back home. You don't feel as though you fit in anywhere or with anyone and nobody seems to care. You have tried over and over to be successful, but many times you have just failed. Then a man tells you that he has a gift for you and has paid for your fare to get home. He even guarantees that all your failures will be forgotten. Would you take his gift?

If these ideas appeal to you then I'd like to welcome you to the wonderful world of earth. I hope you enjoy your stay here and don't forget to thank the one who was sent here before you. He has provided a special gift just for you and he is known by many as, Jesus. Peace and Blessings with all Thanksgiving!

Playful Pinks

Photo by Samarazone

This day began with wicked skies,

I watched the shades of grays go by.

The warnings came of tornados too

and afterwards were skies of blue.

The winds picked up and scattered leaves,

my puppy hid behind the trees.

He sneezed a bit and shook his head

then took a nap on his house-warmed bed.

He woke again, I took him out

and surprised was I when I looked about.

The daytime gloom had changed to pink

so I grabbed my camera and made her wink.

Then I thanked God for ending this day

on a colorful note so my puppy could play.

Autumn in Michigan

Photo by Brent Nollar

Aristotle's Law of noncontradiction states that," One cannot say of something that it is and that it is not at the same respect and time." But, this is how I experience the season of Autumn here in Michigan.

For me, the fall season is all about contradictions. It begins by providing relief from the summer heat, but I don't need that kind of relief. I much prefer the comfort of warmer weather. Soon, the trees begin changing with colorful leaves, but I would rather change colors by way of paint, and prefer to look outdoors to see shades of green. Then the low, cumulus clouds begin to hide our beautiful sunshine and nature will become stripped down to her feet.

For many reasons, I associate God with our Autumns because he Is and can seem as though he's Not, all at the same time. I always know that God is with me, but sometimes it feels like he is not. Many times I don't appreciate his reasons for change, but I find that if I wait, and I am patient as I go through it, that God brings about a new season. And my favorite season happens to be Spring.

Waves at the Pier

Photo by Samarazone

As I was trying to capture this photo I rested my camera on a large rock, hoping to avoid a blurred picture caused by pressing winds. My hair blew into my eyes a few times and I couldn't see, but I continued to press forward and hold on.

A group of voices shouted, "Watch out! The waves are coming!"

I had no idea they were speaking to me.

Soon my shoes were soaked and I was wet up to my knees, but I was determined to finish what I had started.

That's how it is for me with God, I rest in his strength and continue to hold on. Other people don't always understand me, in fact, I'm often told I should be doing things another way, but it's not their voices I must listen to. I want the big picture, not just something mediocre. God's voice is the guiding light for me. I want a good finish to the life that he started.