Two Kinds of Sunlight

Did you ever hear the expression - "Just what the
doctor ordered?" Usually it refers to some special
vacation or some other good relaxing time.
Yesterday I went to the doctor and he ordered
sunshine. Twice a day I am to be in direct sunight
- before 10 am and sometime between 2 and 6 pm.
The order reads-4 square inches of high blood
flow area must be in direct line of vision to the sun

This morning my husband brought a comfortable
chair out for me to sit in direct line of the sun. My
face and hands soaked up the warmth from the
sunlight. I was delighted because I have spent so
much time inside and now I not only have an
opportunity to be outside but it is actually an
order for me to follow. Best of all this special
place in the sunlight is like "my cathedral"
a place where I can raise my hands in praise
to the Lord as I am surrounded by His
beautiful creation in the woods.

As I think about this sunlight which is good
for my physical well being; I am reminded
how much my spirit and soul need the "Son
Light". Jesus says I am the Light of the world,
He that follows me shall not walk in darkness
but shall have the light of life. I am so glad
that the Son of God came into my life many
years ago giving me light from the darkness
of sin. Yet everyday I need to walk in the
Light of His Word. "if we walk in the
light as He is in the light we have fellowship
one with another and the blood of Jesus
Christ cleanses us from all sin." I John 1:7
I hope that your body gets some sunlight
today and that your soul and spirit also
get some Son Light.

Precious Things

What is the most precious thing to you?
Is it your family or your car, or your home,
or money, or time, friends, reputation,
riches, honor or fame?

Did you know that if you had abundance
of all these things it would not be enough
to pay for the one thing which is more
precious than any thing else in this life?

That which is most precious is the ransom
of your soul. God so loved you that He gave
that which was most precious to Him - His
only son - to redeem your soul from sin,
death and hell. The precious blood of Jesus
paid the price for your salvation.

Christian, do you highly esteem and value
the blood of Jesus - the price He paid for
your soul? Is the Word of God precious to you?
Do you realize that the trials you are going
through are more precious than gold?
Where will you place your values today?

A Dump or a Dwelling Place

In my mind comes the picture of a beautiful
field of bluebonnets mixed with orange Indian
paintbrushes.....a neatly mowed lawn and a
country home with an old fashioned porch.

Down the road away is a house hidden ...
not behind a neat hedge or a pickett fence...
but hidden from view by old rusty vehicles
including a boat...Scrap iron of all kinds
covers the ground.....which place would you
choose to live?

The words came to my mind lately, "Your body
is not a dump". The Bible says that when we
accept the Lord Jesus into our life, the Holy
Spirit comes to dwell in us. "Do you not know
that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit
who is in you whom you have from God and
you are not your own" I Corinthians 6:19
That is awesome!

So the question comes to me, "Am I treating
the temple of the Holy Spirit like it is a dump?"

Have I Denied

Have I denied my Lord, today?
To that question I would quickly say-
No, my Jesus, I would never you deny.
Yet as I think upon my life-
I ponder in my heart,
What does it mean to deny my Lord?

He lives with in me and will never leave
He desires that to Him I cleave;
He is the lover of my soul-
How often do I tell Him so?
He waits to tell me more about His grace
Have I denied Him fellowship?

There are so many things I find to do
To serve my Lord and others, too.
In the busyness of the day;
I try my best to fulfill the task-
My Saviour says, "Why didn't you ask?
Have I denied His order in my life?

I thank you, Lord, that you are faithful
You cannnot deny yourself;
When I fall you pick me up -
That I may learn your ways;
So I pray that every day I wll obey
Have I denied your chastisement?

In this world of trials and temptations
I do not know what tomorrow holds.
Jesus I thank you that you are in control..
When I stand before mere men -
When I stand before your throne
Help me Lord, to not deny Your Name!

PEACE

There is nothing more peaceful than a baby
resting on his mother's shoulder with his eyes
closed. It reminds me of the words of a song
"Rest in the Lord, Oh troubled soul, lean on
the arms of His care...whatever your lot, it
matters not for nothing can trouble you there"

Just before Jesus was to be taken away to die
on the cross, He said to his disciples "Let not
your heart be troubled...peace I leave with you
my peace I give unto you". In this world of
turmoil, heart ache and trouble you may have
peace that comes from Jesus. That peace was
purchased for you when Jesus died on the
cross, arose from the dead and is ascended
into heaven at the right hand of His Father.

" But now in Christ Jesus you who were far
off are made near by the blood of Christ. For
He is our peace...having abolished in his
flesh the enmity, even the law of command-
ments contained in ordinances; for to make
in himself of two one new man, so making
peace; And that he might reconcile both
unto God in one body by the cross, having
slain the enmity thereby; And came and
preached peace to you". Ephesians 2:13-17

THINKING OF YOU

Have you ever had someone on your mind in
such a way that you find yourself thinking
about them almost every moment of the day?
Perhaps, it is a family member that you
haven't seen for a long time or someone who
has been very ill....Perhaps it is your teen-ager
who will be graduating from high school and
then off to college....perhaps it is a friend who
is going through a trial. How tender your
thoughts are toward that person; how you
long to hear from them and to know how
everything is going for them. How often
you call upon our heavenly Father to meet
them in their need.

Did you know that you are constantly on the
mind of your heavenly Father? He even
knows our thoughts. His thoughts toward us
are not thoughts of condemnation but for
salvation, for healing, for deliverance, for
victory in our lives. He knows our weaknesses
and the longings of our hearts; He sees our
tears as well as our times of joy; He wants to
walk and talk with you about everything that
is on your heart.

"How precious and weighty also are Your thoughts
unto me O God! how vast is the sum of them....
If I could count them, they would be more in number
than the sand. Many, O LORD my God, are the
wonderful works which you have done, and Your
thoughts toward us; no one can compare with You!
If I should declare and speak of them, they are too
many to be numbered." Psalm 139:17-18; 40:5
It is awesome to realize that God is constantly
thinking of us.

My God Alone is Worthy

My God alone is worthy
My God alone is worthy
My God is worthy of all praise

My God alone is holy
My God alone is holy
My God is holy in all His ways

My God is ever faithful
My God is ever faithful
My God is faithful to His Word

My God alone is righteous
My God alone is righteous
My God is righteous, true and just

His Name is Jesus
His Name is Jesus
His Name is Jesus Christ the Lord

He gave His life for you
He gave His life for me
He died upon the cross of Calvary

He arose from the dead
He arose from the dead
He triumphed over death and hell

My God is alive today
My God is alive today
My God is alive forever

He is coming soon again
He is coming soon again
To rule and reign in righteousnes

Trust in Him today
Trust in Him today
He is the Truth, the Life , the Way

What Is Important

When Jesus comes it will not make a
difference whether every wrinkle or stain
is out of my tablecloth; however, Jesus is
looking for a church that is without spot
and wrinkle. It is the attitude of my heart
that matters. Do I have a servant's attitude
or an attitude of pride which is focused on
what others will think about me.

When Jesus comes, whether each strand of
my hair is in place, whether my clothes are
perfectly matched will not be important;
I must not forget that Jesus has provided
the wedding garment....I am clothed in His
righteousness. I must focus on Jesus that
others would not be drawn to myself but
see His beauty in my face.

When Jesus comes if the children's toys are
not all picked up, the last pan of cookies
has burned in the oven, and your day has
had all kinds of interruptions; just remember
that Jesus said, "Let the little children come
unto me". If He finds you with your children
gathered in your arms while you tell them
of His love what a blessing that will be.

My Brother's Feet

When I was resting on my couch this morning
I felt the warmness of the sun shining through the
window. It especially felt good on my bare feet.
Then I began to think about some other feet....

Feet with no shoes on cold prison floors,
Feet blistered and torn with festering sores,
Feet that are running through jungles and field,
Feet that are weary and hardly can walk....

These are the feet of my brothers and sisters
Their feet are following the Lamb wherever He goes
Their feet are shod with the Gospel of peace
They keep going to the ends of the earth

I thought about the woman whose
teardrops fell as she washed Jesus feet,
As I kneel in prayer for my persecuted family
May I "wash their feet" with tears of love...

Let Today Be A Day of Thankfulness

Today is a day of thanksgiving
Today is a day of praise
Today is a day of joyfulness
I will sing unto you, Lord........

Thank you, Jesus, Thank you, Lord
Thank you for salvation,
so precious and so free
Yet it cost you more
than I can comprehend
For you to die upon the cross
from sin to set me free;

Thank you for your healing power,
Thank you for your grace,
Thank you for every circumstance
you allow in my life today
Thank you that you teach me your way.
Thank you for your presence
even when I cannot feel it.

When Nothing Is Left God Is Still There

The last few weeks we have had some beautiful
sunny days with temperature in the 70's. I was
thinking, probably we will not need to use our
wood stove any longer this spring. This
morning was a bit cooler so my son faithfully
started a fire in the wood stove.
About noon I glanced out the kitchen window and
noticed a small pile of little branches lying in a
scattered pile. I realized that these were the
same kind of branches which were used in the
woodstove. The thought came to me, "Are
these all we have left for the stove?" Then I
pictured in my mind a story in the Bible.

In this story God sent the prophet Elijah during
the time of famine to a widow woman to provide
food for him.He found the woman gathering a
few sticks so that she could go and could bake
some bread for herself and her son. She had
only a little oil and a handful of flour. When
this was gone she told the prophet that she
and her son would eat and die. At Elijah's
word, the woman prepared him food first and
according to the Word that God had given
Elijah, the bin of flour and the jar of oil did
not run out until the time of rain.

I am reminded of another story when Jesus
was in the temple and he saw a widow woman
put her last mite into the offering. This consisted
of her entire living. Do we not serve the same
God of Elijah? In these days of economic
uncertainty do we have faith to give first to
the Lord and believe that He will provide for
us even as He did for the widow?

Lift Up Your Voice

Lift up your voice unto the Lord
who in His holy temple dwells;
Lift up your voice in humility
with hearts of truth and purity;
Lift up your voice unto the King
with praises to Him sing.

Lift up your voice in prayer
For those who are oppressed
That they may know their cry is heard;
Lift up your voice in strength
Be not afraid to stand
For truth and righteousness.

Lift up your voice that all may hear
the gospel message true and clear
That none may say, "I never knew";
Lift up your voice, proclaim the Word
that Jesus Christ salvation brings
Be not ashamed to make Him known.

"I cried unto the Lord with my voice
and He heard me out of His holy hill"
Psalm 3:4

Who Can Make it Happen?

As I stepped out on to the deck I noticed how
much the Aloe plant has been growing .
When I took a closer look I noticed that there
are three buds on the plant. I didn't know
that Aloe plants had blossoms. I
wonder what color will the blossoms be?

In my curiosity I am reminded of an
incident when a small child opened up
the bud of a rose, expecting to see a
beautiful flower; however, the flower
was not fully developed so instead
of a beautiful rose was only separate
pieces. Only God can cause the buds
of a plant to open into beautiful blossoms.

If a shell is broken open before the baby
bird or chick is fully developed only
death is evident. Only God can cause the
baby to crack open the shell when it is
fully developed.

Sometimes in our life we encounter trials
that seem to last so long. Perhaps we try
to "help God out" in some way thinking
we can make it happen and things get really
messed up. Last night I saw the most beautiful
rainbow. I am reminded that God always keeps
His promises! Only He can make it happen.

All that I need

I don't need to analyze, I just need to realize
that you are fully able, Lord
to touch me and make me whole;
To believe that you are working out
your purposes in my life

Bringing me to the place where
I realize that I can do nothing
in my own strength,
All that I am, all that I need
comes from you, Lord

I have so many ideas of how it should be
But you know the beginning, the end
and all that is in between.
What you choose to reveal is precious to me
Your thoughts are true; your Words are life.

All That I Can Do

Just praising Jesus ,
Just praising you, LORD
That is all I can do.

When my strength fails
and I don't understand;
Knowing you are there
to hold my hand
I can trust you
to see me through
Then all I can do is to praise you, Lord.

When my mind is full of information
Yet I have no explanation;
Then it is time to turn my attention
to you who holds all wisdom;
and to rest in you, knowing
the answer is on the way;
Then all I can do is to praise you, Lord.

In every circumstance and situation,
In joy or tribulation;
There is one thing that is certain;
I was made to praise you, Lord
I was made to glorify your name.
So there is one thing I am learning
Then all I can do is to praise you, Lord.

"Even everyone that is called by my name
for I have created him for my glory, I
have formed him; yea, I have made him.
This people have I formed for myself; they
shall show forth my praise".Isaiah 43:7,21

"You are worthy, O Lord, to receive glory
and honor and power: for you have created
all things, and for your pleasure they are
and were created." Revelation 4:11

A TRUE STORY WITH NAMES CHANGED

Great grandmother, Mary held little 6 month old
Susan tenderly on her shoulder. Susan was very
listless with no appetite at all ; her skin was
developing a horrible rash with a yellow tinge;
having been in and out of the hospital Susan's
doctor's had given her little hope of surivial.

As she rocked the baby Mary recalled many
times when her Heavenly Father had been
there to hear her cry. Although the trials
had been deep, her faith had become very
strong. She knew what it was to lose her
own little ones from disease; to lose her
home through a fire; to go through many
hardships. Mary knew in her heart that
God had a plan for Susan. She called upon
the Lord in faith believing that God would
answer her prayer.

A few days later Susan was admitted to another
larger hospital in a city where a specialist was
available to care for her; however, after several
days the specialist also gave no hope for Susan's
recovery. One evening Susan's mother, Gloria
passed by a tent revival meeting as she was on
her way to the hospital. Gloria stayed and
listened; faith and hope rose in her heart as
she heard that the Lord Jesus is able to heal
today. She asked the evangelist to pray for
her little Susan.

When Gloria arrived at the hospital she was
greeted with the words , "Have you come to
see our miracle baby?" At the exact time
that the evangelist prayed for Susan, her
condition had changed. From then on she
was able to keep food down, her skin rash
disappeared and color was normal. She
began gaining weight. God had heard the
cry of great grandmother Mary and of Susan's
mother.

Susan grew to be a healthy young lady.
She would listen to her mother tell
about how God had healed her when
she was a baby. One day Susan
decided she would like to trust the
the Lord Jesus to be her Saviour.

Now Susan knows that she can pray with
faith for her children and grandchildren.
She knows that her God is the same God
of her mother, her grandmother and
her great grandmother. He is faithful
to every generation to those who call
upon His Name...His name is JESUS.

"When I call to remembrance the unfeigned
faith that is in you, which dwelt first in your
grandmother...and in your mother..and am
persuaded is also in you."

MIRACLES

Many miracles in the Bible we see
When Jesus fed the multitude and
calmed the sea;
He opened blind eyes and made the
deaf to hear;
Healed the sick and caused
the lame to walk;
Cleansed the leper and
raised the dead;
Jesus is the same today
with Him all things are possible;
These mighty acts still go on
as on Jesus name we call.

But the greatest miracle of all
Is to have the very nature of God
when we invite Him - to live
within our innermost being;
He comes with His own righteousness
to set us free from condemnation
He comes with perfect peace
to replace anxiety and fear;
He comes with healing for the
spirit, soul and body;
He comes with hope that is always sure
To those who trust Him, He will
never fail.

Perfectionism or Love?

In the alcove by my dinning room table two
curtains made of green and white gingham
design upholstery fabric hang over three
windows;which keep out the sun and heat
in the summer and keep out the cold in the
winter. When the curtains are open they
are tied back into bows with 3 inch wide
strips of white eyelet trim I was very
particular that the bows were each tied
exactly the same way...just so! One day
a dear family member wanted to help
me by pulling back the curtains in the
morning and tying the eylet bows.
Then she went in the other room. I
quickly walked over untied the bows,
and tied them "my fashion". Then
I noticed a sad face and understood
that when that someone special
wanted to help me I had not really
accepted that loving gesture but
had hurt her by insisting on
everything being exactly my way.

The verse comes to my mind. " What
does the Lord require of you?
but to do justly, and to love mercy,
and to walk humbly with your God".
Micah 6:8 The Scripture teaches that
we should do everything as unto the
Lord, so of course He wants us to do
our tasks to the best of our ability
However, when we put perfectionism
ahead of mercy and loving kindness we
become like the Pharisees who lived
by the letter of the law.

IF

If I never experience any pain;
I will not know His healing
"I am the Lord who heals you"
Exodus 15:26

If I never experience any suffering;
I will not know His comfort;
"Blessed be God, even the Father
of our Lord Jesus Christ....the
God of all comfort".
II Corinthians 1:3


If I never experience any lack;
I will not know His provision.
"My God shall supply all your
need according to His riches
in Christ Jesus. " Philippians 4:19


If I never experience any fears;
I will never know His peace.
"Peace I leave with you, my
peace I give unto you..let not
your heart be troubled,
neither let it be afraid."
John 14:27


If I never experience weakness;
I will not know His strength.
"My grace is sufficient for you ;
for my strength is made perfect
in weakness. "
II Corinthians 12:9



If I never experience rejection;
I will not know His acceptance
"I have loved you with an
everlasting love". Jeremiah 31:3
" And to know the love of Christ
which passes knowledge".
Ephesians 3:19


If I never experienced any temptation;
I would not know His victory.
"Now thanks be unto God who
always causes us to triumph in
Christ". II Corinthians 2:14

A Time to Leave

On the wall by my computer is a beautiful
picture of my four precious grandchildren.
They are walking hand in hand across the
driveway on our field. My husband says
they are stepping out into life. ...

many times we have to leave the comfort zones
of our lives and go forward step by step
to follow Jesus. As I think about this
I am reminded of.....

my first time away from home without
knowing anyone else at a Bible camp
250 miles from home ( this decison
made a lasting effect on my life).......
Leaving my twin sister to go to a
different college than she would
be attending.......

Standing at the altar on my wedding
day, making the committment to
leave my mom and dad to cleave
to my husband......
Watching our children step upon the
school bus their first day of
kindergarten.......

Tears shed months before they
graduated from high school,
knowing they would be leaving
home.......

Leaving our home in Wisconsin
to move to Texas ( 1000 miles
from our friends and relatives).......

Stepping into an airplane going
across the ocean (leaving behind
all familiar culture) to carry the
precious Word of Life......

These times mean so much to
us...bring back so many precious
memories; yet there is another
leaving that transcends all others....

Someday soon we will be leaving
this life
And all the sweet memories
will dull at the sight
At the splendor of heaven
with glory so bright

When we see the face of
Our Saviour so dear
From griefs of the past
HE will wipe every tear
Trials will be finished at last

So let us be cleaving
in His love believing
that He is preparing
us to be leaving
What a glorious sight
Face to face
Him to be seeing

IT's All In JESUS

It's all in Jesus
He is all I need
It's all in Jesus
He is my righteousness,
my joy, my peace.
It's all in Jesus
He is my victory.

It's all in Jesus
He is all I need
It's all in Jesus
My salvation and my healing,
Whatever I am needing
Wisdom He is supplying
He is my Provider

It's all in Jesus
He is all I need
In times of sorrow,
In times of grief,
In times of success and happiness
It's all in Jeus
He is my Friend

What Current Am I In

It was so wonderful to be outside in the fresh
air and sunshine. As I walked along I was
thinking, Is there something, Lord, that you
want to talk to me about, today? Nothing
came to my mind.

I had walked a little ways down the driveway
when I heard a voice say, Do you mind if I
walk with you? I welcomed my husband.
As we walked he pointed out to me many
things which I hadn't noticed....someone
riding a horse out on the road....

He told me his plans... what he would like to
do around our place; we talked about the
work that needed to be done. Then he told
me how much it meant to him that I spent
that time with him.

As we sat in the yard swing, my husband
looked up in the sky to see what way the
wind was blowing. He said, Sometimes
the current on the ground is different
than the current in the air. I believe
that is what you wanted to tell me,
today, Lord.

The wind is a reminder of the Holy Spirit.
Sometimes the "current " of my mind is
full of my own plans and thoughts.
Help me Lord, to be in the "current"
of hearing your voice, listening to
your plans. Help me to realize how much
it means to you, Lord, when we walk
together in the same "current".

READY

Ready to meet you
Looking forward to seeing your face
Looking to neither the right or left
Being distracted with anything less
than obeying your voice
Your love poured through my hands and feet
Giving to those who have nothing to eat

Jesus are you foremost in my thoughts?
To please you, let it be the goal of my heart
To hear your voice say , "well done"
Be all that really matters.
Let your love permeate my being
So that all that others are seeing
Is the likeness of your image through my life

FACES

As I looked at the faces of my grandchildren ,
running to meet me at the airport, I saw happiness,
eagerness, joy. Each one was eager to carry something
Caroline carried my flowered bag- Andrew carried
Harry's back pack, Brennan carried my camera bag.
We were going to stay at their home for four and one
half days. Later on I noted other facial expressions
which told me what was going on in their minds.
Andrew had an inquisitive look when he asked me a
question. Brennan had a determined look when he
was tearing open the wrapping paper on his birthday
gifts. Caroline had a teasing look when she
interrupted the game that was being played.

We went to ChunkeCheeses for Brennan's birthday.
So many people ...so many faces. As I watched the
crowd I noted faces with furrows of anxiety written
over their brows, eyes searching for peace, weary
expressions on their faces. I thought about the
multitude of people in this world. I thought about
how Jesus loves them and is not willing that any
should perish but all have eternal life.

Once I heard the expression that "our eyes are the
window of our souls." When Moses came down
from the mountain from the presence of God, his
face shone . When we ask Jesus into our life He gives
us a new spirit. From that Spirit of Christ in us shines
the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.

My prayer: Dear Lord, Please help me to not let the
cares, trials and sorrows of this life so cloud up the
expressions of my soul so that others cannot see the
glory of the face of Jesus Christ in my eyes.