My Place of Grace

Unknowingly, I dropped a crumb of a chip on the ground. A few minutes later I looked to find this team of ants taking the spoils back to their nest. I watched them work for a long time. these little creatures pulled and nudged this large feast with all they had. This display of strength and perseverance reminded me that God is our provider and in Christ nothing is ever wasted. Like the ants we need to keep our eyes on the prize(Jesus, eternal life) and never give up. Things may look impossible but with God's help and perspective we can make it through.

I'm a bridge kind of person. Making connections, creating a way for people to get from one side to the other. Carrying them safely along the way till they are established on the other side. Thinking about it, isn't that what Jesus was? He was our bridge to restored relationship with our Heavenly Father. He was the greatest, strongest bridge I know and I am thankful for His example of true humility and love for us to follow. Thank you Jesus for being our bridge to eternity.

Jesus, you are my rock, the foundation on which I am built. Unmovable, unshakable, steady, secure. Helping me to endure. Jesus, you are my fortress which around me stands. Strong, sturdy, impenetrable, reinforced. Shielding me from evils course. Jesus, you are my defender, who fights for me. Unwavering, protecting, confident, sure. My fearless warrior through the war. Jesus, you are my comfort, who eases my hurt. Encouraging, loving, soothing, healing. Gently held in you're hand, concealing. Jesus, you are my joy, who makes my heart sing. Blessing, revealing, surprising, giving. My whole reason for living! Jesus, you are my strength, which never fails. Faithful, trusting, patient, true. In you there is nothing I can't do. Jesus, you are my peace in the midst of life's storms. Encompassing, calming, trustworthy, present. On my voyage through the unpleasant. Jesus, you are my redeemer over sin and death. Victorious, persevering, uncrushable, triumphant! Overthrowing the impos...

But he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me. 2 Corinthians 12:9 It is very easy to get caught up and overwhelmed with all life throws at us, but the battle in our own minds is probably the most brutal of all battles many of us may ever face. It's fierce and merciless at times. How we think about our circumstances can be far more damaging than the circumstance itself. When we go into this battle armed with the God's truth, understanding God has a purpose already planned out for us to achieve the goal of bringing His kingdom full circle, our battle becomes an honor to fight. Knowing that our response to each circumstance we face can be a testimony to God's Power and every choice we make in it will either bring God glory or defame Him really shines new light on the battle. With the eternal mind set, it is no lon...

As the Christmas holiday approaches, our minds are set on preparation. Preparation of what is the question? Preparing for company, buying gifts, baking cookies, cleaning house, decorating, wrapping, visiting friends and family, setting up the tree, the advent wreath? All these examples are ways we prepare for the holiday season. But wait! Are forgetting the most important preparation, that is the preparation of our heart. Are we preparing the way of the Lord? I have been thinking about what this exactly means. How do we prepare the way of the Lord? Well being prepared means to make things ready. Is my heart ready? Do I have my priorities in order? Is Jesus first and foremost in my life? Christmas is a time we celebrate Jesus' birth. We can't think about Jesus' birth without also thinking about His life, his reason for coming, His death on the cross and His resurrection. He came to prepare the way for us to enter the kingdom of heaven. His life by example shows us what we ne...

2 Corinthians 9:15 -"Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift!" Thanksgiving, a time to remember the bountiful provision of our Heavenly Father. No matter where you are this Thanksgiving Day, no matter what circumstance you find yourself in, You can be sure that God is right there with you. He has made you, designed every detail, planned every step, and is calling out to you to draw close to Him. God has provided a way for every one in the whole world to know Him, by sending His only Son to become a sacrifice for each one of us. The greatest provision for our lives that has ever been given. Whatever circumstance you find yourself in this day. Be assured, that our Great God is there, waiting for you to run to Him. Go, lay down all your burdens, all your joys and all your thanks and praises before Him, The one who gives life and the one who saves life. Thank You God! For your Indescribable Gift! Life in You through Jesus Christ Your Son! Blessed be Your name Lord over Heaven...

"Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the desert and streams in the wasteland. Isaiah 43:18-19 Our past experiences have a way of shaping us into who we are. The problem is, most of the time those experiences do not measure up to who we really are in Gods eyes. When we come to Christ, we are made into a new creation. ( 2 Corinthians 5:17 - Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come! ) We are called out of our old ways of thinking and living. The places in our lives where we've been stuck, God is bringing in the WD-40 and unsticking us. When we are lost in the desert, He takes that vast expanse before us and separates the sand, making a definite visible path right before our eyes. When we are drowning in the toxic wasteland of our past and everything around is oozing green, threatening to eat the flesh right off our bones...

I had lunch today with one of my oldest and dearest friends. We don't see each other often but she's one of those friends that is etched so deeply in my heart that no amount of time apart can separate us. We met in high school and have been through marriage and children, separations and divorce, death, traumas, tears and worries, Lots of fun times and always lots of laughter! Friendships are a treasured gift given to us by God. He commands us to love Him first and then to love others. He places those others strategically throughout our lives. It got me thinking just what does it mean to love them. I've been thinking a lot lately about loving. Not romantic loving, but real heart to heart loving, the way Jesus did. I fear I fail miserably to really love my fellow man at times...like today for instance...as i was driving to meet my friend for lunch, I saw a homeless man standing in the pouring rain, holding a sign: "Will work for food." I have seen him there before a...

Day # 2 of promises. Oh there are so many, we are so blessed. Many of us don't realize all the promises God makes to us if we just know and follow His direction. Psalm 50:15 - Call upon me in the day of trouble; I will deliver you and you shall glorify me. Psalm 91:14 - Because he has set his love upon Me, therefore will I deliver him. The promise: God will deliver us! Take us from our troubles and set us on a rock high above our enemies. now this is not a literal rock, but rather a state of being. the outer circumstances of our troubles may not go away immediately, but the peace God brings to it helps us through. Our part: There are things we need to do in order to take hold of God's promises. In Ps . 50 He tells us we need to call out to Him. We need to share our troubles with Him, ask for His help and direction. In Ps . 91 , He says those who set their love upon God will be delivered. Setting our love on God means out hearts must be set on Him we need to give our hearts t...

I have a little box full of Bible promises. When I pull one out, it gives a promise from God. Today's promise tells me that I shouldn't worry when I am called to speak. He will provide the words when the time comes. When we put our trust in Jesus, He lives in us. We are hooked up, plugged in, and equipped. Abiding in Him gives us power to do all the things He wants us to do. He works through us. God will give us what we need, when we need it! They key...Keep our eyes and heart set on Him. The promise states in Matthew 10:19 -"Take no thought how or what ye shall speak; for it is given to you in the same hour ye shall speak it." Another Promise just popped in my head, this one is from the book of Philippians 4:13 - "I can do everything through Him who gives me strength." Jesus works through us and we are strong in Him. What a promise, what a treasure! Dear Lord, Thank You for wanting to live in us. Help us to always remember You are there. When we find ourse...

God has a wonderful plan for me, I just don't know what it is... There are so many things I want to try, but those I succeed with are few. I guess through trial and error, I'll figure out what God wants I will try not to get frustrated with myself when I fail to follow them through. It doesn't mean I'm a failure, or that I'm not good enough. God applauds me for trying, comforts me when I fall and cheers when I get back up. He walks behind and before me and surrounds me on either side. When things don't work out and I'm empty, He is faithful to refill my cup. Maybe it's Gods way of saying, this is not the thing for me So let it go and try something else, don't let discouragement get in the way. Nothing I do will be wasted, though it may not be God's plan I'll keep seeking His will for the answer every time I pray. -Mary Drei...

***This is my 18 yr old son*** Three teenage boys, who happened to be 2 of my sons and one of their friends, and I went to the funeral of one of their friends yesterday. The funeral home was filled with teens gathering to pay their last respects. My children are ages 16 and 18 and they are pretty much your typical, strong, self confident,can do all, teenage young men, as were most of the kids there that day; but as I took my seat in the back of the room, I saw them with fresh eyes, God's eyes. This day in their lives was probably a turning point for most of them. When we are young death is usually the farthest thing from our minds. Teens especially come at life with an attitude of invincibility . "It can't happen to me" thinking clouds their choices. On this day, though, that changed for many of them. Their walls of cockiness and self imposed strength came tumbling down. The minister directed his talk towards them and each one sat quietly and respectfully listening t...

There have been so many times I've found myself on my knees before God. Lost would be the best description of how I've felt in those times. As I have spoken with others about their own life struggles I realize I am not alone. We all feel lost sometimes. Life can become so confusing,burdensome, chaotic, scary, and just plain overwhelming. In God's word, David The Psalmist, describes his despair and troubles from the depths of his heart. He lays it all before God, holding nothing back. David is considered a man after God's own heart. Why? I think because he was honest with God about who he was, He wasn't afraid of sharing his heart with God. He trusted That hi God would understand and take care of Him. David cried out to God in all situations. He praised God, he thanked God, he sought God and he worshipped God. David was far from perfect and yet God chose him as King over His people. God is not looking for perfect little robot people, He's looking for our hearts. ...

I've often wondered(I do a lot of that) why God let's so much trouble come to His world. Before I became a Christian I had in my mind that in following God everything would be OK. Obviously these fantasy thoughts of mine never materialized and after accepting Christ, Satan brought this disillusionment of mine front and center. Now why is it that I should think life be all rosy for me? In the Gospel of John Jesus is trying to tell his Disciples that he will be leaving them and they will be scattered from there comfortable surroundings, from all they know. Jesus further and very plainly states point blank, "In this world you will have trouble" The things He says directly before and after this somewhat distressing statement creates a buffer for us, Jesus gives a promise and an explanation of His promise. Lets Look at this passage in John 16:33 - "I have told you theses things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I h...

Rushing traffic, flashing lights, Crowded side walks, what a sight! People people every where Hurrying, scurrying here and there. Busy, busy all the day Never time to stop and pray. We rarely greet our fellow man For that may interrupt our plan. What is it that we're living for? We fill our days, but there must be more. As I stand and watch this harried scene. People all together, yet alone it seems. Each person on their shoulders bear Their own burden, their own care. If only we could switch our gears, From high to low as God endears- Then our relationships would surely grow, As we let life run with the Spirit's flow. Our focus then would be on God, Blocking off the road that Satan trod's. For he's the one roaming back and forth, Making busyness seem the source of worth. Yet if we take the time to see... Our life in Christ is value's key. So let's slow down and cherish time. Wasting it would be a crime. God gives life and takes away, Make time for Jesus everyda...

Readying myself to head for the Jersey Shore for a couple of days. Packing my bags, making sure I don't forget anything. Taking great care folding my clothes, and double checking that I've remembered the camera, a book, the GPS, the cellphone and charger, toll $, suntan lotion and the like. My mind has been busy and focused on this task, the preparations, and the beautiful prize that awaits me in a couple of hours, when I am finally sitting in the warm sand watching the waves roll in. Somewhere in the middle of all theses preparations, Jesus popped in my head. His name and face were there. A gentle reminder. I stopped my scurrying around and thought for a moment. I've forgotten surely the most important thing. I forgot to invite my best friend. If only I would take as much time and care in preparing for my eternal destination. Checking and double checking, taking care to remember why I am able to go there in the first place. Jesus should be the first thing in my mind every...

Sometimes I wonder in which direction the Lord is leading. There are so many things I want to accomplish while here on this earth, but are they the things God wants for me? I don't want to waste my time and efforts on temporal things. Our time here is short and there is so much work to do. I wish that God would make His path for me clear with signs and arrows and all. but I guess if He made it that easy I wouldn't seek Him earnestly, I wouldn't have to listen for His voice as hard; and our time together would be cut short. The thing I want to most accomplish while I'm here is to daily become more and more like Jesus in the way I speak, act, and love; bringing glory and honor to God the Father, lifting Him up and making Him famous, so that every ear that hears and eye that sees will never be able to mistake Him or His voice. I want to help gather sheep to His flock, help build his kingdom. Lord Jesus, what can I do to serve You? Please direct my path. Fill me with Your S...

Matthew 11: 28,29 -- 28"Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. 29Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. I'm running to you Jesus, today has been so hard and heart breaking. My son, Steven, the third of my 4 sons, has been battling mental illness for about 5 yrs. He's been hospitalized 5 times and today will be the 6 th . Today Steven got upset over the fact that his father asked him to leave an I pod that didn't belong to him here at home, while Steven went to work. He and his dad went back and forth and Steven finally gave it to his dad. This episode upset Steven so much that he went into his rage mode, pacing, swearing, kicking things, talking to himself, going in and out the door and the like. The last time he stormed out, my youngest son ran in and said"mom, Steve just dumped Gasoline all over himself and took off running down the street threatening...