The Lord is at Hand

Are you thoughtful, considerate, and calm ‘for such a time as this’? Nothing destroys a family, a friendship, neighborhood, church, even a nation... like pride, arrogance, anger, closed ears and eyes, and raised voices. God, being all knowing and a concerned Father for all His children, calls us to be gentle and kind. Yet, worldly woes and ways stir up hatefulness and harassment wherever Satan finds an open heart.

Paul taught, wherever the Lord led him, about gentleness, generosity, and living by the example of God’s Son. Jesus came to die for our sins and to show us the power of living out loud in gentleness, even among Pharisee minded people who would - if they could - cast stones and destroy those whom Jesus was willing to help restore. Jesus, the gentle Shepherd, paved the way for all people to come to the cross and experience the power of humility and gentleness even when grievous and gruff times seem to be turning our nation upside down!

Jesus is our best example of someone who showed gentleness in his dealings with others. This is particularly true in His relationship with Peter - the disciple who gently left the safety of the fishing boat to humbly, faithfully walk on water. Yet, when he took his eyes off Jesus, he fell! At The Last Supper, Peter boldly told Jesus he would die for Him. Jesus, gently corrected Peter and predicted how he would betray Him three times. Peter, who left everything to follow Jesus, had closed ears and refused to hear such a thing. He proudly promised to stick by Jesus whatever happened. However, when Jesus was arrested and hostile people ranted and raved over the humble servant, Peter’s fear overcame his faith. He hid in the shadows, denying his best Friend, Teacher, and Savior of the world three times.

After Jesus’ brutal death and miraculous resurrection, He appeared to seven of his disciples who had gone fishing. They were weary from a night of fishing...with no fish. Jesus watched from the shore and called out to His beloved disciples, “Children, have ye any meat?”

They humbly answered, No and He gently told them to cast their net on the other side of the boat. They listened; lo and behold their nets were overflowing with fish, and they enjoyed a meal on shore with Jesus. As they consumed their meal and every word Jesus shared, Peter grieved when Jesus asked him three times…’lovest thou me?

Peter gently replied how much he loved the man who walked on water and died on the cross as a sacrifice for all God’s childrens’ sins. Jesus’ tenderness toward Peter, His beloved who denied him three times, shows the power of gentleness grounded in unfloundering faith toward those who have hurt or harmed us with words and actions. Jesus told Peter to ‘feed His sheep”!

With a heart of gentleness, Jesus restored their relationship and put Peter in a position to carry on the church. And, oh how he did!

Gentleness is rooted in our believing in the good in humanity. When we are willing to see people the way God sees them, we can treat them gently and graciously, even when their attitudes and actions show prideful willingness to hurt, hate, and cast stones.

"For such a time as this" when we wonder what in the world is happening in the land we call home sweet home, we find peace in God’s Word and ways of His Son. Now, is the time we must stand up for Jesus and not be conformed to sinful living and arrogant attitudes. Keeping our eyes on Jesus, treading gently, living faithfully without backing down to what is right and good in His sight, and trusting God to go before us and prepare a way can help us be gentle giants standing tall and carrying a big stick of love to keep Satan at bay.

A verse from Philippians 4 seems perfect to end this story on being gentle , yet boldly grounded in God’s Word and way! In these hostile times , let us not distance ourselves from God or sit down and cry. Look up and be prepared for Jesus could come in the twinkling of an eye

“Let your moderation be known unto all men. The LORD is at hand.” Amen!

Being Patient and Slow to Anger “For Such a Time as This”

Do you believe patience makes us better people and our community a better place? Situations we deal with patiently daily - individually and collectively - pleases God , who is patient with us. Proof is in the pudding (scriptures), when we are slow to anger and endure patiently under pressures of life, we will be better, not bitter and belligerent! May this story give peace, promise, and reasons to practice patience wherever we go and to whom we meet that stirs up strife and tests our patience.

Proverbs 14:29 get to the point with patience. “He that is slow to wrath is of great understanding: but he that is hasty of spirit exalteth folly.

Proverbs 15:18 follows suite. “A wrathful man stirreth up strife: but he that is slow to anger appeaseth strife.”

James 1:19-20 is dear to my heart. “ Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath. For the wrath of man worketh not the righteousness of God.”

Holding up under the pressures of life, while waiting on the Lord for guidance is another part of patience that requires prayer and practice. Pondering situations in a Pandemic that kept us socially distanced, masked, and in wonder: ‘will we gather to sing and worship in our churches, will toilet paper become worth its weight in gold, will we do as we believe or as we are told’?

John wrote about an elderly man who had paralysis and lay by the pool at Bethesda for thirty eight years waiting for a miracle of healing. What patience! Jesus knew the man’s story; yet, He asked him, “Wilt thou be made whole”?

The man had patiently waited for someone to help put him into the healing waters. His patience paid off the day he met the man who walked on water and turned water into wine. Jesus said,

“RIse, take up thy bed, and walk.” And he did!

Another aspect of patience is taking a long time to become angry - to overheat! Being quick to become angry is easy while living in a land where love and respect for the Lord wanes and rampant sin causes ‘we the people’ to worry! The Bible story of David - a man after God’s own heart - and King Saul -a man angry and jealous of David - shows the heartache and horrible things that happen when anger rears its ugly head.

David’s son, Solomon, became King after his King David died. Solomon’s wisdom made him a favorite - like his father, David, was from shepherd fields, to slaying a giant that mocked God, to favor with God and people, to hiding out in caves from King Saul, to winning wars, to becoming King, to losing patience and giving in to sinful desires, to grieving the loss of a son and going forth in faith, to living a lifetime being a ‘man after God’s own heart’! David proved the power of patience as he waited for Saul to die before pursuing the crown that was rightfully his long before he was named King David! Being patient may not be easy to do, but it shows faith and fortitude lives within when we do what we know ‘in God’s sight’ is right and good to do!

Not all of our stories are the same, yet we are all reminded to respond to life’s situations with patience, like the man who was lame. And yes, being patient can make us better people living in a better place. Showing patience positively affects our relationships and brings joy to our lives and our communities. When we truly trust God and have a passion to treat others the way HE treats us, we will learn -day by day- to be slow to anger and deal with life's pressures in ways that are good and right... in His sight!

Looking for HOPE and LOVE

Where can Hope be found? Changing up words from two of my favorite songs gives insight to where and how hope can be found. It all depends on where we are looking, what we are looking for, but most of all Who we look to and how we handle seasons that seem hopeless and those that are hopeful.

“Take a good look around and if you’re looking down...put a little HOPE in your heart. And the world will be a better place - for you and me - you just wait and see. Put a little HOPE in your heart”!

“What the world needs now is HOPE sweet HOPE, that’s one thing that there’s just too little of. Lord, we don’t need another mountain, there are mountains and hillsides enough to climb. There are oceans and rivers enough to cross, enough to last ‘til the end of time. Lord, we don’t need another meadow, there are corn fields and wheat fields enough to grow. There are sunbeams and moonbeams enough to shine… ‘till the end of time. So, we look to You, Lord and know...what the world needs now is HOPE real HOPE... it’s one thing that there’s just too little of.”

What are we looking for in life? HOPE and LOVE lead the list of things we long for - look for as we write our stories and sing our songs! An old song titled “Lookin’ For Love” shows how we can spend a lifetime looking for someone who gives us love and hope. As you read, you’ll probably be singing them as I am while typing each word.

“I spent a lifetime looking for YOU….(who have you been looking for or have you found someone to share life with here that fulfills your life with love, joy, hope, and happiness)?

I was looking for love in all the wrong places. Lookin’ for love and hope in too many faces. Searchin’ their eyes, lookin’ for traces of what I’m dreaming of. Hoping to find a friend and lover. I’ll bless the day I discover another heart lookin’ for love.

I was alone then, no love in sight, I did everything I could to get me through the night. I don’t know where it started or where it might end…’but I know God will guide me and hope will sustain as I look for love in the right places.

You came knockin’ on my heart’s door; you’re everything I’ve been looking for. No more lookin’ for love in all the wrong places, lookin’ for love in too many faces. Searchin’ their eyes, lookin’ for traces of what I’m dreaming of - now that I found a friend and lover - I’m thankful for the day I found you while I was looking for love!”

Lyrics (with my tweaking) from these three awesome songs share truths about Love and Hope that affect life here and the hereafter. So, where are we looking for love and hope? We can cope with hardships, as we write our stories and sing our songs, because we have Love for and Hope in Jesus Christ!

“Which HOPE we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and stedfast and which entereth into that within the veil…” Hebrews 6: 19-20

We simply cannot live without HOPE. Christian hope is truly an anchor for our souls. It stabilizes us during difficult seasons because we know that’s not how our story ends. If we believe these truths ( Believing in and Trusting a personal GOD (Father, Son, and Holy Spirit) in our hearts, then we can live joyfully because it produces a hope that doesn’t disappoint as we keep singing His songs and writing our stories with Him as the main character.

Job had lost everything and was running out of strength. He even wanted to die as - well meaning but not hope filled and helpful) friends came to comfort him. Job’s despair shows in scripture he shared with his friends.

“What is my strength that I should HOPE? Job 6:1

“My days are swifter than a weaver’s shuttle, and are spend without HOPE.” Job 7: 1-6

Yet, we know the rest of Job’s story as he suffered, mourned, cried out to God but kept his HOPE and LOVE for the LORD! God allowed the suffering and severe loss in Job’s life, but in the end restored him with more than he had when his season of hurt and hopelessness began.

Paul wrote a letter to the church at Colosse about the power of HOPE! Paul truly understood living without God’s LOVE and HOPE in his heart directing his story. Paul killed Christians before being blinded, seeing the light, hearing a prophecy how the rest of his story would center on living for Christ and helping Christians, and winning in spiritual warfare. Paul’s mission was plucking people from the grasp of Satan while sharing the power of LOVE and HOPE are found when we live committed to Christ.

First, we have hope by honoring God’s commandments and having a close relationship with Him. His greatest commandment ‘LOVE HIM FIRST with everything that we are’ should shine in our lives as we look for love, put love in our hearts, and remember that’s something there’s just too little of in our world.

Secondly, we hold tightly to the reins of HOPE while LOVING our neighbor (who may not look, act, live, or be like us) are ourselves!

Third, what God has promised to all believers in Jesus enables us to endure life’s hardships and shout hallelujahs as we write amazing endings to our love stories here while anticipating starting eternal life in heaven.

FInally, our HOPE and LOVE is fortified by Peter’s pilgrimages and profession of FAITH wherever he went as an apostle of JESUS CHRIST.

“Blessed be the God and FAther of our Lord JEsus CHrist, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively HOPE by the resurrection of JESUS CHRIST from the dead, to an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away…”

1 Peter 1: 1-25

When we put a little LOVE in our hearts and have HOPE in our good, good Father, Son, and Spirit...the effect on our lives (and those He puts in our paths to share our stories and songs with) will be profound.

May this story inspire us all to take a good look around, and if we’re looking down...put a little LOVE in our hearts, give HOPE in our lives a jumpstart, and let our lights shine heavenly.

Then - our city, nation, world - can be a better place for you and me...just wait and see. Believe, have hope and be what He's called us to be.

Put a little love in our hearts and have assured hope of eternity with THEE!

Part 2 of 2 - Are you ready and willing to forgive others and come closer to Christ?

Are you ready and willing to forgive others and come closer to Christ? Do you believe God forgives - even though you might have done unthinkable deeds against Him and people He put in your life to love and cherish? Are you sinking in sin without peace and joy in your heart? God is bigger than any burden, ready and waiting to forgive His repentant children, and able to bring blessings beyond belief when you step in faith, forgive, and put your trust in Him!

God’s forgiveness comes when we are willing and obedient in forgiving others…every time! May these five reasons we must forgive touch hearts of readers as they have mine. We can’t be forgiven is we don’t forgive. Forgiveness is necessary for our healing. It brings peace of mind. Forgiveness destroys our enemies. Forgiveness can heal our broken hearts and families, bringing blessings beyond belief!

As this story stirs, the time for forgiving and faithfully following Christ is nigh ‘ for such a time as this’! ‘Jesus is waiting to enter our hearts - what is our answer to Him’?

Why forgive? “For is you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.” Matthew 6: 13

These five reasons we must forgive others can spark the need to do it immediately. We can’t be forgiven if we don’t forgive. It’s essential for our healing. It brings peace of mind, destroys our enemies, and can heal our brokenness. Forgiving is an act of our will…not our feelings! We make the decision to forgive and not hold hard feelings even if the person (s) has no remorse. That can be difficult, but when we do our part, God sees our forgiving hearts and helps us go forth.

‘You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you.”

Forgiveness is a process, a battle in our minds. Let us consistently choose to love, do good, bless, and pray for those who have hurt us. Memories of offenses, anger, and desire for revenge will go away when we focus on our Father and stir our faith with fruit of the Holy Spirit. God will literally change our hearts as we surrender our woes and worries, fears and forgiving others to Him!

So, are we forgiving people in a world where sin is rampant and disconnecting from God’s Word and Jesus’ ways is real? How can we understand how forgiveness really works? We can’t, but God explains it beautifully in Isaiah 55:9.

“As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways and My thoughts than your thoughts.”

We aren’t asked by God…can’t even begin to understand. Yet, we are asked to stay “In Touch” with God, to LOVE, forgive, and obey! Let’s not delay for Jesus could return any day…just forgive, follow your heart, and enjoy sharing His Word and ways every day!

Are you a forgiving person?

Are you a forgiving person? How would you explain forgiveness is to a child? Could you share the importance of forgiveness with one who harbors resentment and refuses to forgive? Would your family and friends testify of your love for the Lord and forgiving spirit? Questions like these cause us to look deep within our own hearts - making sure we are right with the Lord and His children - before pointing fingers at others.

What is forgiveness? It’s a command not an option. If we don’t forgive every day of our lives, we will not be forgiven. It is a cleansing that comes when we confess our sins, a key that releases resentment and handcuffs of hatred. Forgiveness can break chains of bitterness and bring peace and joy beyond measure. It’s the first step toward fulfillment, hope, healing, and living happily ever after here and in heaven when our time on earth ends. It’s full pardon from the pain and penalty of sin. Forgiveness is possible only because of the blood of Jesus Christ.

Are you thinking of people in your life you need to forgive and those you have longed to forgive you? Praying and going to those we ‘have ought against’ with sincere hearts ready and willing to forgive can bring peace and joy unspeakable.

When Tim was battling cancer, our son kneeled beside his recliner with a prayer and plea for us to forgive anyone we had hard feelings toward. Tim and I were deeply moved by Cameron’s strong faith and sincere concern for his parents to seek forgiveness. We acted immediately with convicted hearts to forgive three people. I sat on the arm of Tim’s recliner and penned words from hearts that had been hurt but were ready to make things right. We signed the letters and sealed them with a prayer. The next day, I personally delivered each letter hoping they would be received in the spirit of love in which they were given. Oh, what joy came that night when Tim and I snuggled in his big chair watching westerns with no weariness weighing heavy on our hearts. In God’s perfect timing, I will share the blessings he sent and burdens He lifted, when we humbly heard our son’s plea and quickly obeyed God’s command to forgive. What we could not understand, God handled with tender loving care

! Yet, we had to make the choice to trust, obey, and forgive.

I urge you to step in faith and seek forgiveness from those whom you declared not to make amends with, have steered clear of, or stubbornly stood your ground over things of this world that can cause you to miss heaven. Eternity in hell - where God and loved ones gone before you who were right with HIM will not be - waits to consume those with hardened, unforgiving hearts, who have fallen away from the Word and way of Jesus and lost touch with the Lord.

An old hymn sheds light on God’s perspective of forgiving debts! “He paid a debt He did not owe. I owed

a debt I could not pay” Surely, everyone reading this understands debts being something we owe and a gift being free. Jesus paid the debt for our sins. His forgiveness costs us nothing but cost Him everything!

When sin goes unforgiven, it can consume with guilt, anger, and fear! Continuous sin leads to danger zones every which way we turn. The debt of sin can be like a noose around necks that can destroy God’s children. How thankful we should be that HE provided a way to escape.

“He has delivered us from the power of darkness and conveyed us into the kingdom of the Son of His love, in whom we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins.” Colossians 1: 13-14

When Christ forgives our sins…they are gone and forgotten.

“As far as the east is from the west, so far has He removed our transgressions from us.” Psalm 103:12

When we live by faith in His grace, we can reject guilt and receive forgiveness. We must forgive ourselves and others! God forgives and we must do the same thing.

So, are we forgiving, faithful people ‘so in love with Jesus’… who lives in our hearts and homes? Do we live closely connected in right relationship with the Lord and loved ones? Are we willing to reach out and remind others to forgive those they have ought against, even if they might reject our plea? Do we obey and live by God’s greatest commandment… to love Him with all our hearts and to love our neighbor as ourselves? Ponder these things as God deals with your heart to forgive others as He forgives you. Talk to Jesus, spend time away from all that consumes, listen to His calling, and seek forgiveness from anyone your heart feels wrong toward. Just do it and see what God can do to bless you! “Be still, and know that He is God”!

And next week…read the rest of the story with joy, joy, joy, joy down in your heart to stay!

Have you experienced pushing through fear and finding the favor of God? Mary, the mother of Jesus, did! Can you imagine the fear festering inside young Mary’s heart and questions weighing out in her mind while wondering, ‘how will this be’? Her first instinct was…’HOW’ - not the ‘how’ one might expect from a young girl whose world was turned upside down when people doubted … and ‘for such a time as that’ she did not!

Mary’s divine experience and inner stirrings trumped the devil’s lies and people’s cries of adultery and awful slander. She could not see how God would work out things for good but trusted Him in a situation when she could have been stoned! Instead, Mary and the man she was engaged to marry heard from God, heeded His word and warnings, and helped bring hope to the world by giving birth to and raising God’s Son. Mary and Joseph sought God’s guidance with grateful hearts. They were thankful for His gift to them: being chosen to be Jesus’ earthly parents…and His gift to the world: a Savoir sent as a sacrifice for our sins and Best Friend to all who embrace a personal relationship with Him.

From the beginning as an engaged couple when an unbelievable encounter rocked their wedding plans, Mary and Joseph did not dwell on ‘how will this be’ but on ‘how can you use us God’! They were willing to trust and obey per divine directions! They stood firm in faith without proof of what their tomorrows would hold!

What are we dwelling on when fear grips, ‘waiting on the Lord with good courage for ‘good to come from bad’ grinds our faith, and ‘happy everything’ seems impossible? Can we look beyond burdens and find blessings by submitting ourselves to the One who created and cares for us? Do we honor what He does in our lives, seek Him as did the Wise Men, salute Him as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit who promises to care for us as He does the sparrows? Do we go forth in faith per Mary and Joseph’s example or cower in fear with doubt and despair overshadowing peace and procedure plans God divinely downloads in His perfect timing? If He gave us proof…we would not need faith!

The greatest gifts God ever gives His children are on the other side of ‘how, fear, and doubt’! Are we enjoying His gifts while engaging opportunities He sends our way with a humble, happy, honorable, ‘how can you use me God’ attitude?

Isaiah 9 sheds light on gloomy times giving fertile ground to glorify God. “Nevertheless, there will be no gloom”! When we give it to God, give it time, and give time to pray and plan per divine direction, we can rest assured …God Is Up To Something!

A popular song during my high school years alluded to this Biblical principle. Memories of driving my little green Mustang with windows down and radio blasting takes me back to Clement High days with a sweetheart named Timothy and a Savior named Jesus coloring my world with love. In those days, I knew all the words to the song but not all the plans God had in store for the good life He was putting pieces together for me to be Tim’s wife and mother of his children. We faced trials together with faith bigger than fears of ‘how’ can it be! God works on the big picture of our lives through hard knocks and tough times. Love with God as the head brings us together, never apart! In His perfect timing Tim and I pledged our love to one another and to our Lord. Seeing how He perfectly put our love story together and used us to serve Him in ways we never imagined are gifts that keep giving…even when one remains here and the other is gone Home!

The only lyrics I recall from my favorite high school song are, …‘something tells me I’m in for something good’! ‘For such a time as this’ when Jesus could return or our time on earth end any day, let us live closely connected to Christ like we should. Then, we can sing with assurance, ‘something (God’s Word and His spirit living our hearts) tells me I’m in for something good - Heaven!

How do you handle interruptions?

*Note: This story was written a while back, but the message is too good not to share.

How do you handle interruptions? This story stirred early morning while stretched out on my daybed with Bibles, book by Andrew Womack ‘You’ve Already Got It”, and yearning to write a story about ‘God Being Everywhere at all Times’! Before the first sentence was completed on my screen, interruptions ‘took me away’ like Calgon! Two squirrels teased, tested, and took after one another across my back yard, neighbors’ mowers buzzed - reminding me the flat tire on James’ John Deere that interrupted my lawn mowing, birds bathed joyfully in the Love, Laugh, Lift fountain in our garden, chimes Tim gave me played sweet music and stirred special memories, my phone rang with news my sister was headed to the hospital, and my mind battled the blessed and burdensome things that kept me from writing before heading to Tim’s Gift. Interruptions changed my plans and caused frustration; yet, they also brought blessings and drew me closer to Christ.

In His perfect timing, I plopped in my same spot to finish the story on God Being Everywhere…at ALL TIMES! What a joy to write His love stories and feel the ‘wonder of it all’ from head to toes. Mulling that sentence in my mind left fingers frozen on keys with heart pounding conviction only Christ knows! Having a little talk with Jesus took away my tears and taught me (again) many interruptions are sent from Him! A large picture over Jennifer’s desk came to mind. Jesus stands tall with a modern day young woman -suffering from bleeding for twelve years - crawling behind and reaching to touch the fringe of His garment.

She said to herself, “If only I touch His cloak, I will be healed…”

Her strong faith got Jesus' attention. What are we, the people living in a land flowing with milk and honey, doing that causes Christ to take notice? Do we seek Him even in crowds that look the other way or are we consumed with fast paced living with little time to give Him any given day?

Jesus’ schedule surely overflowed with things He planned to do here before dying for our sins, arising, and ascending to Heaven. Yet, He took time for interruptions and expects us to do the same, even when busyness can burden and steal blessings.

Reaching for my Bible to find verses about Jesus doing great miracles and teaching powerful lessons when He was interrupted stirred powerfully the rest of this story. With Bible in hand, my search for scriptures stopped when papers tucked between the cover and contents slipped out and scattered everywhere. Knowing the enemy would celebrate me losing my cool, I simply listened to chirping birds (knowing God promises to take care of them as He will you and me) and began picking up my papers while concentrating on Thee…not pitiful ole’ me!

After cleaning up my mess, a folded notebook paper didn’t make it bake inside my Bible. Feeling led to unfold the tattered paper, I read it and wept! Recognizing notes from a sermon I shared in 2014 and focusing on my bold handwriting that told the title…”Living in Love with INTERRUPTIONS and Loving It”, I knew He sent it to reteach and remind me me (and you) the power of heeding divine interruptions and experiencing what amazing things He can do!

Lessons taught from that sermon were teaching me again what He wanted me to hear from Him! God is well pleased when we take time to help others and sad when we pretend not to see or choose not to do unto others as we would want them to do to us… when He sends interruptions! We quickly forget or fail to heed when overextended schedules keep us scampering like the squirrels preparing for winter in my backyard. Reading over my scribbled notes took me to a place where Jesus reminded me once again…those interruptions can bring blessed memories time will never erase.

Notes for the closing of the sermon I shared in the same year James was called to Heaven were divinely left my my side to end this story. Making reference to Jeremiah, Hannah, and Rahab’s willingness to embrace interruptions and witness blessings beyond belief, my handwritten notes shared about a snowfall that came to Clinton that year.

"Our unexpected snowfall brought interruptions…What did you do during this interrupted time? James and I took pictures and threw snowballs that sent us inside where we stood in front of our gas logs giggling like children. Then, we loaded his car with plates and delivered them to people who needed food. It was cold, but we were warmed inside by doing what we felt He wanted us to do.”

I folded the paper and put it back inside my Bible while celebrating the blessings of going forth to new beginnings and going back to relive precious memories. Realizing the dangers of getting stuck in places where we live in the past, missing opportunities to serve in the present, and becoming consumed with schedules seeking future successes while giving the Lord and loved ones leftovers, we can lose the joy of living life here by Jesus' example...and happily living forever and ever where God is!

May we learn from His lessons, lean on His everlasting arms, and love our neighbors like He commanded. Then, you and me (not grammatically correct but rhyming helps us remember) can sweetly seize interruptions that are sent from THEE!

By God's Grace...

By God’s Grace, we can Rise Up to Remember the past while reaching out to help His children in need, cherish the present by keeping our hope in Jesus as we enjoy each day He gives, and looking to the future with faith as we ‘keep on keeping on’ - knowing God is in control and He wins in the end. Amen!

When honorable, humble allegiance is given to God and His Word, Jesus is invited to ‘come into our hearts and we live by His (example) ways, and the Holy Spirit dwells within - guiding us each (gift given) night and day...we can cling to the old rugged cross and exchange it one day for a crown with blessed assurance that where God is will be our eternal place to stay.

Tim’s Gift 10th Annual “Rise Up” was a blessing to behold for people far and near. God was glorified as we celebrated His grace and goodness for the tenth year. When plans for Rise Up 2021 were cancelled last November, God had other plans already in place. Being home quarantined the last week of 2020 and first week of 2021, He stirred my heart with a powerful charge…”Are you going to cancel everything for ME’?

In those days of solitude, His plans unfolded for Rise Up- Remember (those in need) for 2021! Giving God all the glory has deeper, more passionate meaning in my life after experiencing Rise Up virtually and seeing what God can do when we give Him the reins, Rise Up, Remember He wants first place in our lives, love Him with All our heart, mind, and soul (everything), and Refuel every day in order to stand strong in faith as we witness troublesome days!

We humbly thank everyone who helped make Rise Up-Remember happen, especially our sponsors. Most importantly, we give God - our Father - all the glory!

By God’s grace, one day I hope to share the rest of the ‘Rise Up 2021’ story.

Finding Peace at the Cross

Can you imagine kneeling at the cross (that first Easter) beside Jesus’ mother, brothers, friends, and enemies wondering why - how He could endure such torture, and weeping at the sight of His broken, beaten, blood covered body held in place by rusty nails? Oh, to have witnessed Him look down at his mother - telling His brother to care for her, and finally hearing words for His Father - heard from Calvary to Heaven... “It is finished”!

Trying to imagine all the gut wrenching hurt, hatred, and horrible suffering Jesus faced in His thirty three years that climaxed on the cross can cause weeping but not ‘wondering’ as we witness God’s Word being fulfilled today! We know the rest of the story...Jesus lives and God wins! Yet, do we take time to kneel at the cross and feel the light fill our hearts with hope in these troubled times? Are we looking up with wonder at how He lives and looks after us or looking down - with a frown - wondering what is happening all around?

Like Paul, we have seen the light that gives truth and tenderness to the greatest love story of all times - from cradle to cross! We can only imagine being there when Jesus died on the cross He carried to Calvary… sacrificing His life selflessly...for our sins. Yet, it’s not ‘just our imagination’ that He lives within our hearts, loves all His children ( not just you and me), and looks after us through all seasons of weeping, wondering, and writing our love stories here while preparing for Heaven ! When we welcome Jesus into our hearts, honor God and His Word, and truly trust the Holy Spirit for guidance in these gut wrenching times, we can live in peace and only imagine the bountiful blessings that will keep us writing our stories and singing His songs through every season ‘all the day long’!

Oh sweet Jesus, at the cross, at the cross where we first saw the light and the burdens of our hearts rolled away. It was there by faith we received our sight and now we are happy all the day! Time here is His gift to open and enjoy working, telling His stories, and writing our own every day. Faithfully, we should serve and share through seasons of enduring what we never thought we would witness along our way!

His love story continues as we give honor and glory to Him every day...not just this Easter weekend in the year of our Lord “2021” when signs are being fulfilled and time is nigh for our Savior to appear in the eastern sky!

Do we dare boast about and glorify God 'for such a time as this' when the world mocks the Master from within? Yes, we do... in humility and honor to HIM! The time is now for all Christians to stand up in faith and shout loud and clear..."Give glory to God, tell His stories, sing His songs, and be prepared - for time is near!

What glory is there in the cross for us to boast about? The blessing of knowing the Son of God was crucified as the shining HOPE of the world, the end for all believers to be bound by bondage to sin, and the LOVE of God to live in the hearts of men!

While we can only imagine the mystery of Christ’s atonement, we know the rest of the story and should joyfully live life and serve Him from beginning to end. When we come to the cross in simple, trusting faith… we lose all guilty stains and find peace with God. Then, when we are truly in tune with HIM, we can write the rest of our love stories while imagining what Heaven will be like when our work here comes to an end...and life for eternity - where God is - begins!

Good to Go to HEAVEN?

Are we ready to Rise Up and Reach Out to help people God puts in our paths and come closer to Him? Do we feel the stirring to seekHim for help as seasons of sickness, sadness, sin, and situations we never thought we would see become commonplace in our homeland? Is time nigh to look heavenward with praise and glory to God and peace inside knowing we are prepared for HEAVEN?

Last summer, seven Sonshine Kids and I visited three shut in families and took a detour to Clinton Cemetery before heading back to The Learning Station. Giving them a charge to find a tombstone that shared a powerful epitaph proved to be a learning experience none of us will ever forget. After twenty minutes of exploring, reading dates, discussing the dash between those dates, and finally choosing one epitaph, we were charged up and could hardly wait to share the message we chose. I was reminded of how intrigued the children were as they paid tribute to those gone before us and learned about people who passed hundreds of years ago.

Preparing to do a series of stories on HEAVEN, prompted sharing that memory of a divine field trip to our cemetery and a thought provoking one I read in a book by Randy Alcorn about HEAVEN. This epitaph was on a tombstone found in a cemetery in Indiana.

“Pause, stranger, when you pass me by: As you are now, so once was I.

As I am now, so you will be, So prepare for death and follow me.”

Randy told how someone scratched the following words on the tombstone below the epitaph.

“To follow you I’m not content, Until I know which way you went.”

Wow! While those words sting, they speak truth to those of us who take eternity in HEAVEN for granted and could be following the wrong principles and people.

There are many questions about death, angels, and HEAVEN that we don’t have answers for here. Yet, there is much we can learn by reading God’s Word and living everyday like it could be our last. Taking another day, celebration with family (CHristmas: my favorite) or milestones we hope to make in this world for granted is risky business. Being prepared to go to HEAVEN is so important. Asking Jesus into our hearts, abiding by God’s way of loving Him first with all that we are and loving our neighbors as ourselves, and being led by His GPS -the Holy SPirit living in our hearts is a wise and wonderful way to live daily. Preparing for HEAVEN should be our top priority; yet, many live in the fast lane with good intentions - but never taking time and making effort to get hearts and affairs in order.

If we’re taking a trip to Disney World in Florida, we rely on our GPS for the best directions to get there. We don’t start driving, take detours, fiddle faddle along our way, and realize we reached the wrong destination by going in the wrong direction. Guesswork doesn’t work and is a dangerous strategy when dealing with going to HEAVEN or hell. Our trip to HEAVEN is more worthy of advanced planning than any journey we will take here, even to Disney World! Sadly, there are those who spend much more time planning trips here while procrastinating preparations for the trip that will come to all of us one day when our work here is done!

Can we really know where we’re going when we die? John wrote about the new heavens and New Earth in a letter that gives blessed assurance we have eternal life and can go to HEAVEN if we are prepared when we die.. “I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God so that you may know that you have eternal life.” 1 John 5:13

Do we know?

May this season of Lent, these messages about HEAVEN, studying God’s Word, seeking Jesus, listening to the Helper (HS) guiding from within, and coming closer to loved ones and HIM encourage each of us to make sure our tickets to HEAVEN are ready and we’re good to go!

Rise Up - Remember and Trust in the Lord

Do you rise up in faith or shelter down in depression while writing your life’s story? Chapters of trusting in things of the world - with focus on self - can bring us down. When we focus on our good, good Father, standing strong with eyes on Jesus and hearts in tune with His way, we will be raised up! So, are we rising up or cowering down? Do we give God glory for pulling us from pits of despair and overlook what He does for us and boast about what we’ve done and who we are?

David wrote about this in Psalm 20, saying, “Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the Lord our God.”

We should trust in God not chariots (of any age) cars, wealth, possessions, and idols we allow to come before Him. We should not boast about worldly things that we rely on and cherish above the Lord. Things of this world will pass away but our lasting defense that keeps us rising up is our eternal, loving heavenly Father.

David says in verses 7-8 ‘ people who ‘trust in chariots and horses’ will be brought to their knees and fall but we will Rise Up and stand firm”! David was trying to help us recognize that we can’t be raised up and be despairing at the same time.

Becoming Christlike is a process we must go through. When we allow ourselves to get bogged down in sin and misery, life is bad. When we keep rising up and refueling our hearts with God’s Word and living by Jesus’ ways, life is better.

Paul put it plainly on the plate for each of us to understand in Phillippians 3 and 4. He commanded people to focus on the right things, to forget about past miseries, to forget what is behind and strain toward what is ahead. My parent’s teachings and examples keep me raised up and reaching forward, even when circumstances seem to cave in and situations steal our sunshine. We must keep pressing on to the prize before us when Satan tries putting us in reverse. It’s in those troublesome times that we must rise up thinking on things that are lovely and keeping our eyes on Jesus. Before my mother passed away, she gave me a sheet of stickers with encouraging words from God’s Word. Securing them in special places all around my home where I see and read them daily keeps me lifted up and feeling so close to my mother, who loved Jesus and singing His praises while hanging out clothes and cooking our meals. If only I could hear her singing ...lazy bones sleeping in the sun, why don’t you get up and get your day’s work done’! She and daddy didn’t let grass grow under the feet of their four children and taught by example the importance of doing good deeds for neighbors. What I could not see as a little girl ( through my parent’s teachings and church training) has blessed me beyond measure throughout my lifetime! Seeing them live it and being taught to Rise Up, Stand firm, think on things that are lovely, trust in God, love big, be respectful, use time wisely, arise early, shop sales, treat people the way you want to be treated, be polite, keep things in order, go the extra mile, and take time to play (rest) when your work is done. Rising Up with focus on Christ to do what needs to be done in the season we are in keeps us lifted in love and longing to be like Jesus.

Rise Up and Remember

Do you Rise Up early or are you a night owl who prefers rising up long after the sun rises?

Our duty to Rise Up is found throughout the Bible. David spoke of Rising Up in many of the Psalms he wrote, sang, and lived through seasons as a hero and a hunted man. As God prepared him for the throne, David rose up faithfully and furiously to honor the Lord when others laid low - cowering in fear. Yet, David, whose love and longing to serve the Lord stirred his heart to stand strong for his convictions, became caught up in Satan’s trap of sinful living! Though he repented and rose up time and time again, his sinful shortcomings carried a price that caused painful consequences!

David found himself hiding in caves hoping Saul could not find him and hurting deeply due to circumstances that kept him on the run. Yet, David remained close to the God He loved loyally through sunshine, sorrow, and situations that kept him socially distanced from his best friend - King Saul’s son. David kept rising up with rigor knowing he was the rightful king in waiting. He was rough, real, and ready to Rise Up and reach out to help people, honor God, hear God’s stirrings, and seek forgiveness for his sins.

David remained a ‘man after God’s own heart’ through set-backs, set ups, conflicts, confessions, repentance, and realizing God’s way works! David’s faith kept him rising up and seeing the power of God deliver and deal with him through seasons of singing praises and pleading for God to deliver him from pits of despair.

God’s plan for David’s life panned out in His perfect timing.. Songs of praise surely rang out as the shepherd boy who rose up and slayed the giant that mocked his God… was crowned King. David’s reign was filled with successes and sorrows as He kept leading in faith, sinning with cover ups that didn’t hide his sins, seeking forgiveness, and remaining ‘a man after God’s own heart’! David’s life story showed how God loves and looks after His children who are on the run, ruling from thrones, resting in Him, reaching out with good deeds for those in need, rising up to serve and shine for what is right, realizing when to speak and when to be quiet - red or yellow, black or white...all His children are precious in His sight!

David’s story of rising up to heights of honor and reaching low to depths of horror, many would never overcome, show how God leads and loves us through each chapter we write... just as He did David. Now, is the time for all His children to rise up and reach out for His help to lead us through seasons when His Son could return at any time. He is watching and waiting for us to restore Him as First Love in our lives while loving our neighbors as ourselves. Let us seek the Lord, share His Word and way, and stand on His promises while Rising Up to Remember those in need, reaching out - doing good deeds, refueling hearts running low in love, restoring relationships with our Father, family, and friends, and realizing (as David did) our dreams come true when we stay in love and loyal to HIM ---Lord of Lords and King of Kings!

Rise Up - Remember, Tim’s Gift Inc. 10th annual Christian Conference in Clinton, is happening on March 21, 2021. The event for people of all ages will be broadcast live on FB from Mt. Vernon Church at 6pm the first day of spring. We invite you to watch from your homes, gather as youth groups at church and enjoy a meal from Domino’s and Tim’s Gift, gather with friends, or watch alone to hear Holly Grove and Olive Grove Churches Praise Team, testimonies of Good Deeds done, and presentations of Good Samaritan and Outstanding Youth Groups announced. Prayer, praise, and precious time together on FB live will keep all safe and stirred up in the spirit as we share good deeds done and give glory to Father, Spirit, and Son!

Send any good deed you do or one someone has done for you (no names required) to this gmail: riseuptimsgift@gmail.com. You can also drop off or send your good deeds to: Tim’s Gift Inc. - 108 N.E. Blvd., Clinton, N.C. 28328! Thank you for rising up and reaching out to remember someone who can use a helping hand. When we repent, pray, cry out, and stand together strong in faith, love, and loyalty to the Lord...we will see healing and happiness happening across our land!

By God's Grace...

By God’s grace, we the people of Sampson County can Rise Up to Remember God’s children in need and be blessed beyond measure. When we realize the power of doing and receiving GOOD DEEDS - in a spirit of love with glory going to God - our hearts are opened to be refueled with agape love and amazing grace. Are we willing to reach out and do a good deed for someone we don’t even know...a neighbor not like us?

Remembering the story, Jesus told in Luke 10, about the Good Samaritan shows the power of doing a good deed and having mercy upon people in need. Picture Jesus sharing this story when a lawyer stood up to test Him by asking, “what must I do to inherit eternal life?” Jesus humbly replied, “What’s written in the law” to the expert in law trying to trip up the One who taught the law of love, walked on water, worked miracles, would sacrifice His life on the cross for God’s children’s sins being the way to eternal life where God is. The lawyer answered correctly, “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind’; and, ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’

Jesus said, ‘You have answered correctly; Do this and you will live.’

The lawyer then asked, “And who is my neighbor?’

Jesus politely and powerfully put it all in perspective - for the expert in law and all listening - as He spun a story about a Good Samaritan. A man headed to Jericho was robbed, beaten, left naked in a ditch to die; a priest and Levite turned their heads and passed him by. A Samaritan- a neighbor not like the man in the ditch - stopped, had pity for him, tended to the man’s wounds, took him to an inn on his donkey, and made sure his needs were taken care of before leaving him to be tended to by the innkeeper.

The Expert on Love and Eternal Life then asked, ‘Which of these do you think was a neighbor to the man who fell into the hands of robbers?’ The expert in the law replied, ‘ The one who had mercy on him.’ Jesus told him, ‘Go and do likewise’!

This story and divine stirrings not to cancel everything for God because of covid came during a two week quarantine the last week of 2020 and first week of 2021. Phone calls to prayer partners, remembering a conversation with Rev. E.C. Mattocks in November about Rise Up, and trusting God’s stirrings put plans in motion. Refueled and trusting in Him, we excitedly share the story of Rise Up- Remember which offers every person who hears about it an opportunity to be a part of it. Rise up - Remember 2021 challenges each of us - young and old, churched and unchurched, hardhearted and tenderhearted, neighbors who know and don’t know each other, (living in Sampson and beyond) to rise up, remember the Good Samaritan offering help to someone in need, realizing God’s response to the lawyer is meant for us also… to ’Go and do likewise’! We encourage each person who hears about Rise Up to seek opportunities to be a Good Samaritan in action; do a good deed for someone in need. Get a spark going that will ignite a fire of love for the Lord, revival in our hearts, and willingness to reach out, take a stand, share love as Jesus did, do good deeds and help people in need...if we can! With God’s guidance and gut-wrenching love for HIM and our fellow man...our Good Deeds can make a difference when we say…’Yes, with God’s help and blessing… WE CAN!

Tim’s Gift 10th annual Rise Up Christian Conference is scheduled to be broadcast live on FB March 21st fromMt. Vernon Church. Anyone can join in and enjoy praise music by Holly Grove and Olive Grove praise teams, Good Samaritan and Outstanding youth group trophies presented, and testimonies that will tender the toughest hearts. Join us on FB live for Rise Up Remember from 6-7:30pm, Sunday - March 21st.

Youth groups, meeting in your churches, will enjoy a meal provided by Domino’s and Tim’s Gift. Youth leaders must call Tim’s Gift (592-1126 or 260-0329) one week prior to March 21st to confirm your request for a pizza meal. We are grateful for community support through sponsorships, prayers, and participation (doing and sharing good deeds at riseuptimsgift@gmail.com)! Simply send a sentence or two about your good deeds( no names required)!

‘Sampson Together Strong’ we can make a positive difference by pressing forth in faith, reaching out to help people - even with covid struggles among us! Let us remember Jesus’ story of the Good Samaritan and the charge given to each of us... “Go and do likewise”

Rise Up - Remember provides a means to jump start stale hearts and sluggish mindsets! Yes we can be Good Samaritans by doing good deeds in love with glory to God, promising to stick together, Rise Up in Christian character, Remember those in need, and Share the love of our LORD - in one accord - wherever He leads.

Be Still - Rest in Him - Renew Your Strength

Reading an ancient book about HOPE while being home quarantined for ten days on a cold December afternoon sparked this story. A story written while being still and resting in Him fills my cup and renews my strength. A story about God being exalted is fitting ‘for such a time as this’ when turbulent times threaten peace on earth while Satan stirs hatred and steals joy.

These stay at home days have given time to wait, listen, read, write, and soak up the presence of the Holy Spirit that stirs my conscience and soothes my heart. Being still, a challenge we are wise to embrace plays out in the most inopportune times...Be Still - when your car won’t start and you’re already late. Be Still - when your loved one tests positive for Covid and guidelines for safety vary from place to place. Be Still - when your new Christmas sweatshirt was bleached with Learning Station towels and you could cry. Be Still when a deadline is due for your weekly column and your computer refuses to SEND! Be Still when the peppermint mocha cake your son and his wife shipped you from New York slipped from your fingers and chocolate went everywhere. Be Still when the wind blows your Christmas decorations across the swamp on Christmas Eve. Be Still when your family gathers for Christmas and your son’s prayer brings tears in many eyes... and thankfulness for togetherness.

Be Still times come to calm our ‘frazzles’ and provide rest in His serenity.

Writing in December what you will read in February enables me to stay caught up and enjoy writing without stressful deadlines looming. I am grateful that I have health to work and handle a lot of things that need to be done daily at home, Tim’s Gift, and The Learning Station. I am humbled to pick up canned goods monthly at my church and deliver them to First Baptist 900 College Street - a duty I lovingly took over when it became difficult for Sam to do three years ago. His shining smile showed appreciation as we stood still in the afternoon sun and felt God’s presence. I am blessed to teach children about Jesus and thrilled to be living with my son’s family in a farmhouse where happiness and love grow greater every day He gives us together. When I am weary and tired from long days and lists of things to do, I find a place to be still and rest in Him. An old poem called, “ For One Who is Tired’ popped up on a page in my Hope Book as I prepare to end this story. This poem powerfully points to Psalm 46:10 and 27:14 to help us be still and rest in Him when weariness consumes and our cup needs to be filled.

“Dear Child,

God does not say today, Be Strong - He knows your strength is spent!

He knows how long the road has been - How weary you’ve become, for

He who walked this earth alone - Each boggy lowland and each rugged hill,

Understands - and so He simply says, “Be Still, Be Still and know that I am God”

The hour is late and you must rest awhile - and you must wait until life’s empty reservoirs fill up-

As slow rain fills an empty upturned cup.

Hold up your cup, dear child, for God to fill.

He only asks that YOU BE STILL!”

Father, please help us when weariness overwhelms...to simply be still and wait for Your strength, your sweetness to fill us up, and most of all Your blessed presence!

Thank you for Being Still and reading this story. May your heart be blessed as mine was writing it and your cup be filled with Faith, Hope, and Love

Freedom to Love and Serve One Another

Reading in Galatians and mulling over my morning devotion stir this story about freedom and love. “Let love be your greatest aim…” 1 Corinthians 14:1 should ring loud and clear from every heart in our nation as we are called to LOVE (even when we dislike and have different views) one another. So, do we truly love our neighbor...even when they don’t look, act, dress, live or even believe like we do? Do we cherish freedoms put in place by our forefathers? Are we respectful of people in leadership, even when corruption seems to be a new normal? Do we love enough to serve one another, staying true to God’s Word and ways even if persecution comes to us as it did to Paul in Galatians and other loyal followers of Christ? Do we cherish the freedom to love and serve one another?

“For you are called to freedom, brethren; only, do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love be servants of one another.” Galatians 5:13

Great leaders prayed and paved the way for America to grow greater, stronger, and stay one nation under God with liberty and justice for all! Abraham Lincoln,whose birthday we celebrated last week, is one of those heroic men who stood tall, made difficult decisions, and helped America deal with and heal through tough times.

Abraham Lincoln came from the humblest of homes. He grew up without good lighting or plumbing, good schools or even a good diet. He came from obscurity and failure, heartbreak and ridicule, to hold the highest office in the land: The Presidency of the United States.

President Lincoln said some strong things while leading through hard times in our country that would be most fitting to say to us today:

“A house divided against itself cannot stand. Our cause must be entrusted to, and conducted by, its own undoubted friends, those whose hands are free, whose hearts are in the work, who do care for the results.

We are indeed going through a great trial, a fiery trial. In the very responsible position in which I happened to be placed, being a humble instrument in the hands of our Heavenly Father, as I am, and as we all are, to work out His great purposes...I have desired that all my works and acts may be according to His endeavoring to do my best in the light which He affords me. I find my efforts fail, I must believe that for some purpose unknown to me, He wills it otherwise. Through our limited understanding we may not be able to comprehend His purpose...yet we cannot but believe that He who made the world still governs it. The Will of God Prevails!”

Thank you, Mr. Lincoln!”

My heart overflows with love and appreciation for the freedoms and blessings beyond measure we enjoy and take for granted while “Living in America”! While we witness a decline in respect, rigor, and responsibility to stand up for freedom, God’s way, and show we are proud to be Americans, a rebellious mindset rises up from sea to shining sea. What would the apostle Paul say to us? “Grace and spiritual blessing be to you and peace from God, the Father and our Lord Jesus Christ who gave Himself up for our sins...I am surprised and astonished that you are so quickly turning renegade and deserting Him Who invited and called you by the grace of Christ” “ “We cannot always be God-pleasers and people-pleasers at the same time. I choose to be a servant of the Lord and not be popular with people!” Galatians 1: 1-10

What would Honest Abe say: “A house (America) divided against itself cannot stand. Our cause must be entrusted to leaders whose hands are free, whose hearts are in the work, and who do care for the results...yet, we cannot but believe that He who made the world still governs it and THE WILL of GOD PREVAILS!”

What do we say...__________________________?

Preacher Bill Jones would say… “Are you listening, are you sure you’re listening? “

God is listening to what we say and sees what we do! Let us share love while cherishing and seeking ways to protect the freedoms we enjoy every day... living in America.

Share love and the world will be a Better Place

Celebrating a great president and day to share love gives special significance to this cold weekend in February. With Valentine cards and candies shared with those who color our world with love, let us honor the origin of this love:GOD! He is the source of all love, and HIs dimension gives a depth to our relationships which is far beyond anything we can fathom. The most treasured we can bring into a love relationship is the kind of love that is Christian. It is the selfless sharing of that begins and ends in God and is able to cast out all fear. We don’t have to cling to it for fear something may steal it. In Christ we have all we need for perfect love which truly casts out fear...because it rests in HIM! This message is a combination of Mary Crowley and my thoughts on love, which come from God and His Word, which never returns void but is all about LOVE!

“There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out rear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love.” 1 John 4:18

May your Valentine’s Day be filled with love sweet love, which is what our world really does need more of! Let us take the LOVE challenge as a community of believers ready and willing to love like God loves...unselfishly, fearlessly, holding nothing back. May we strive to love our Lord first with all that we are,, to love our neighbors (those like and unlike us), and reach a Christian maturity that helps us in some way to love like you do - our good, good Father! As we go forth after Valentine’s Day has come and gone, let us remember human love is real and wonderful and is a response to divine love.

When we take a look around and see hatred rising, we may look down, but it is time for us to look up and share LOVE to brighten the dark days facing our nation and world. Old song lyrics I sang as Mrs. Lorraine Bullard played the old piano in Clement School’s auditorium in 1971, come to mind. The message in this song seems perfect to sing today in perfect harmony throughout this land we love and call home, where Satan would want us to believe love is waning. He knows time is short as he fuels hatred wherever we allow a spark to become a flame. He knows the end of the story and tries to stop love as he steals, kills, and destroys anything and anyone who loses connection with Christ. We know God is love and a Promise Keeper who cares for us as He does the sparrows. Let us close our hearts’ doors to the devil and open them to the divine love of God, Son, and Holy Spirit...our Best Friend. And HE wins in the end! Amen. May the message in this song put a little love in your heart and our pledge to share it wherever we go START!

“Think of your fellow man, lend him a hand. Put a little love in your heart.You see, it’s getting late, oh, please don’t hesitate. Put a little love in your heart. And the world will be a better place. for you and me...You just wait and see.

Another day goes by, and still the children cry - put a little love in your heart.

If we want the world to know, we won’t let hatred grow, put a little love in your heart.

And the world will be a better place for you and me, you just wait and see.

Take a good look around and if you’re looking down , put a little love in your heart.

I hope when you decide kindness will be your guide. put a little love in your heart.

People now, put a little love in your heart. Each and every day, There’s no other way, We ought to Put a Little Love in our Hearts!”

Next, week I will share the message stirring about President Lincoln, The perfect ending for this story on LOVE comes from 1 Peter 3:8:

“Finally, all of you, be like-minded, be sympathetic, love one another, be compassionate and humble.” NIV

Can we accept the Challenge to Love as Jesus did...to share love here at home and wherever we roam? Yes, we can..” We can do all things through Christ who strengthens us” Phillippians 4:13 Thank you to loyal readers who join me in pledging our love and saying...AMEN!

Doing Things God's Way

Do you believe God’s work - done in God’s way - will never lack God’s support? Reading in Proverbs and devotion books stirred this story on pleasing God.

“When a man is trying to please God, God makes even his worst enemies to be at peace with him.” Proverbs 16:7

Encountering times when people move against us when we think we are right can be difficult. An old saying eases aggravation when peace seems hard pressed to happen. “When you are right, time is on your side.” How do we handle unfair treatment at work or play (recreational events)? Knowing life is not always fair, but God works things out in His own beautiful way gives peace amidst problems.

Three years ago, someone entered Tim’s Gift with a puzzling question, “Why are you putting up a fence in the middle of the driveway”? My surprised gasp was a dead give a way that the fence was not my idea. When a dear friend suggested I do something to stop it because it wasn’t right, a peace settled inside with words that had to be sent by sweet Jesus, “ No, we’re not going to be ugly about this because God can make something beautiful from it.”

Her look told me she thought I was crazy, but a divine nudge kept me focused on what God could do to bring beauty to the area and peace to my heart. A phone call to Anthony, a former student and hard working man, and the young woman who asked why I put up a fence, put God’s plans in place. The following Saturday, a cold January day, the three of us and Anthony’s sweet son, met early to transform the unsightly area into something beautiful. Ten hours later and eight trips to Lowes, the four of us stood in awe of what He had done through our efforts to make a walkway and garden area to greet people coming to Tim’s Gift. After cleaning up, praying, and high fiving...each of us headed to our homes with satisfied minds and tired bodies. God had worked a miracle from a mess and given us the joy of doing what was right. Retaliating or having a bitter attitude can make bad situations go south and please Satan. We chose to stay quiet, seek God’s guidance, and give our best efforts and attitudes to make something beautiful that would be pleasing to Him and people whom He would send to Tim’s Gift. And He did!

Time was on our side and God worked things out in His own beautiful way.

Proverbs 16 : 2-5 gives insight on being right and committing things to God.

“We can always ‘prove’ that we are right, but is the Lord convinced? Commit your work to the Lord, then it will succeed. The Lord has made everything for his own purposes.”

Verses from Proverbs 15 can help us ‘walk through tough times’ when it would be easy to stir up anger and agitate people over things that are not worth it. Hopefully, these bits of wisdom will help you as they have helped me when dealing with difficult situations over and over again and again. When we’re grounded in His Word and way, it’s much easier to stay calm and ‘Give it to HIM’!

“A soft answer turns away wrath, but harsh words cause quarrels. Gentle words cause life and health; griping brings discouragement. A happy face means a glad heart; a sad face means a breaking heart. When a man is gloomy, everything seems to go wrong; When he is cheerful, everything seems RIGHT’! Proverbs 15: 1, 4, 13, 15

Ella Wilcox wrote this simple yet significant song that seems right to end this story.“Laugh and the world laughs with you, Week and you weep alone For the sad old earth must borrow its mirth. But has trouble enough of its own.” May we stay true to Jesus, even though we might suffer because of it. His plan will finally end in good...and we will be happy here for now and in Heaven forever and ever!

Godliness Exalts a Nation

Do you ponder and pray about the erosion of morality in our own United States of America? Some people are very concerned and cry out to God for divine direction, but way too many are sadly choosing to remain silent. They sit on the fence for safety’s sake without taking a stand for Jesus? A way of living disconnected from The Vine is sweeping across America like wildfire. What are we to do?

Proverbs 14:34 sheds light on status for many countries who have been swayed by Satan’s ploys and saturated with ways of living not pleasing to God.

“Godliness exalts a nation, but sin is a reproach to any people.”

Reading a devotion from ‘A Pocketful of Hope’ by Mary Crowley gave insight into this story God stirred as we embark on a new era and new administration in 2021.

Mary’s dedication told me she loved the Lord and was a Christian businesswoman. Her loving devotion to God, family, work, and living life to the fullest shines in every devotion she shared in her old but awesome book..

“A Pocketful of Hope is dedicated to the thousands of members of the Home Interiors’ Family...whose loyalty, labor, and love have made the building of this business a ‘thing of beauty and joy’!”

Honestly, I helped with her success by attending many Home Interiors parties in the seventies when Tim and I were decorating our mobile home and the home we moved to in Sumter, S.C.! A few candlesticks and inspirational pictures are stored away as reminders of decor in our first homes. Memories also linger of the unrest and rebellious youth taking a stand against Vietnam and other issues rising up in America.Television and radio were the only main sources of social media promoting division in the land we love and call home. Gatherings where music, peace signs, and protests grew greater found their way to Washington where many people cried ‘disgraceful’; yet, the powerful protests persisted and began an era of peaceful revolution.

The message Mary Crowley wrote in 1980 was on the heels of a decade of protests, Her words strike a chord of unrest in my own heart as I share her words that seem fitting for America in 2021.

“All thinking people are concerned these days with the erosion of morality in our own precious United States of America. I am reminded again of the words of Tocqueville when he came to America:

‘I sought for the greatness and genius of America - In her commodious harbors and great rivers, ...and it was not there.

I sought for the greatness and genius of America in her fertile fields and boundless forest,...and it was not there.

I sought for the greatness and genius of America in her rich mines and her vast world commerce,...and it was not there.

I wrought for the greatness and genius of America in her public school system and her institutions of learning,... and it was not there.

I sought for the greatness and genius of America in her Democratic Congress and matchless Constitution,... and it was not there.

Not until I went into the churches of America and heard her pulpits flame with righteousness did I understand the Secret of her Genius and Power!

America is great because America is good, and if America ever ceases to be good - America will cease to be great.

O God our help in ages past, our hope for years to come - our shelter from the stormy blast, and our eternal home...How we pray that America will return to the God of her fathers, and that once more our nation can be called “GOOD”! YOu have told us, “If my people who are called by my name, will turn from their wicked ways and call unto me, I will hear and heal their land. God help us.”

May we realize words written forty years ago ring true today for the nation we love and are concerned about erosion of morality, dishonor for God, His Word, Jesus’ way of living, and disrespect for Christian values. Have we stood by and watched as America seemingly ceases to be good? Now, is truly the time for all believers to come to the aid of America, so we can witness a miracle and be a great nation... ‘under God indivisible with liberty and justice for all’!

Resolutions and Right Living

Have you faithfully prayed for God to guide your steps and give direction in this New Year? Psalm 23:6 gives hope as we, His children, seek help juggling January duties with determination to keep our resolutions and stay in faith..

“Surely goodness and lovingkindness will follow me all the days of my life, And I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.”

Many of us make New Year resolutions,and most of us break them before January ends. When resolutions are recorded in our hearts and prayed over, they have more staying power when we are tempted to stray. If you haven’t made your resolutions yet, why not do it today?

Resolutions - goals - are important to ponder, pray over, and put in place in our daily routines. We may slip and slide instead of standing firm on ‘the straight and narrow’ as each week rolls into a new month,but we should never give up! Each of the goals we’re going for with gusto and guts can give new joy and add extra years to our lives. So, what are you waiting for? If you haven’t made your list of goals for this year, take time to write them in your journals, blessing books, and most of all in your hearts.

We may not keep every resolution this year, but there is One who will! God keeps every resolution He has ever made. He keeps His promises. He keeps His Word! We may stop working out, keep eating sweets, and beat others up with our tongues - instead of biting them, but God never gives up on us. He keeps coming to us in dreams, heart stirrings, signs, wonders, and ways beyond belief to help us stay closely connected to the Vine. He provides for our lives to be prosperous, purposeful, and ‘Just Fine”...even when we lose direction and leave Him behind!

He longs to see us enjoy a great life as we live out our purpose. The surest way to live out our destiny is to fix our eyes upon the ONE who has promised that goodness and lovingkindness will follow us when we follow HIM! It is time for all His children to embrace right living and unconditional loving as 2021 begins... Amen!

Do you believe God holds us fast?

Do you believe God holds us fast? This message stirred while reading a book (Christmas gift from my sister and best friend) filled with the power and promise of 30 beloved hymns.The author of ‘How Sweet the Sound’ shared a personal message that told me her book would be a blessing.“...To sweet Jesus who saved a wretch like me. I have no songs to sing without you, and there’s no place I’d rather be than in the middle of your amazing grace. To my husband who shows me daily what Christ’s love looks, I will be madly in love with your amazing self until all the songs have been sung.”

Oh, that each of us embrace New Year Resolutions to live out loud in love with respect and appreciation for God’s amazing grace and the good life He has given to share with loved ones. Holding fast to God in all seasons ensures a close relationship with our Maker and the many people near and dear to our hearts.

This hymn written in 1906 gives assurance GOD will hold us fast, even in a season of upheaval across our land. As we bid farewell to decorations and delights of the holidays with New Year hurdles and happenings already consuming, let us rest in God while knowing He truly does hold us fast. Lyrics in this old song sooth my heart as the first month on our calendars stirs fears and frustration…”for such a time as this”!

Overwhelmed and weary of Satan’s ploys, our hearts must stay connected to Christ, for He is our peace - even when Pandemic, politics, and problems rear their ugly heads. God is in control no matter how challenging or confusing life seems. Our prayers must focus on faith filled living with Jesus in charge. He will hold us fast and calm our fears.

May the message in this ancient hymn give us all peace and promise while plowing through 2021 with His precious presence. It is our choice to crash and burn to the devil’s delight or hold firm to reins of faith, hope, and happiness per God’s divine direct line - 24-7! Let us HOLD FAST to God as our anchor, even as hurtful, hateful, horrible things pound with the force of straight line winds that take away things we love and cherish...in a flash!

‘When I fear my faith will fail, CHrist will hold me fast;

When the tempter would prevail, He can hold me fast.

I could never keep my hold, He will hold me fast.

For my love is often cold, He must hold me fast.

I am precious in HIs sight, He will hold me fast;

Those He saves are His delight, He will hold me fast.”

Hopefully, this story will encourage each of us to hold to Him as He promises to bind our wounds, heal our hearts, never leave or forsake us, and stick by us like gorilla glue. Being held fast by God, with faith, hope, and love in our hearts, is the right place for me and you.

We don’t need to fret - even when we don’t know what to do or what’s next in our seemingly - out of control world. God’s got it all under control and will hold us fast.

Psalm 139:9-10 seems the perfect ending for His precious promise of holding us fast.

“If I rise on the wings of the dawn, if I settle on the far side of the sea, even there your hand will guide me, your right hand will HOLD ME FAST”

Let us serve the Lord...keeping Him first in our lives - not last!