Pray, love and give thanks

I urge you, first of all, to pray for all people. Ask God to help them;
intercede on their behalf, and give thanks for them. -1 Timothy 2:1, NLT

I've seen so many people so wrapped up in their politics that they forget that the names they throw out so easily about their opposing party may be hitting a friend directly between the eyes. While there may be differing opinions, we can certainly still respect and love one another. There are so many hurting from such a wide variety of concerns, some very public and others equally private. Let's pray for one another...share our views with respect and love and give thanks for the very differences that give us the creative force to be able to come up with solutions working together, communicating in love and understanding. Make today a better day than yesterday and not nearly as good as tomorrow. God bless you. 

Every Day Faith

Often of late, I've been in need of wisdom - for words, actions and direction. I know it is promised when we seek the Lord, but when referring to this promise, we are also called to have faith and do not doubt.

⁵If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him. ⁶But when he asks, he must believe and not doubt, because he who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. ⁷That man should not think he will receive anything from the Lord; ⁸he is a double-minded man, unstable in all he does. James 1:5-8

The words of a wise man speaking on faith came to mind. He asked - what is the first thing you do when you walk into a dark room? We all answered pretty much in unison that it is to switch on the light so that you can see where you are going. He then showed us the faith we initiate when reaching for the switch and our expectation that the room will be illuminated. Certainly, we do exhibit faith every time we reach for a light switch. In fact, we are surprised if the light does not come on. It is with the same expectation that we should go before the throne with our request for wisdom...with the assurance that God will answer our prayer. Further, we should actually feel the relief as we know His answer is coming and He will reveal the way and illuminate our path. Certainly, God is not a switch to be turned or manipulated, but rather we should hold the faith we do when turning on a light switch in the One who Is and Was and Will be - the Alpha and Omega. He is so much more trustworthy than what we see with our eyes before us.

I hope today holds much light, wisdom and faith for you.

Please don't forget to sign in to the blog - I will be adding more soon. Meanwhile also enjoy this offering from the Brooklyn Tabernacle Choir: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qdO2cRXVHII. Carol Cymbala wrote this song at one of her darkest hours - not knowing what was to come, but knowing her history with God.

Saying Thank You - Every Day!

While tomorrow is a day devoted - once a year - to saying thank you for all that we recognize as blessing in our lives, how much more wonderful would everyday be if we celebrated in attitude and action in the same way? Would there be more smiles and greetings to neighbors and strangers? Would there be more gratitude-filled prayer? Would we be a greater blessing to those around us if we rose each morning to say thank you: first to our Maker and then throughout our day?

I'm taking the challenge and standing on the truth. "My voice You shall hear in the morning, O Lord; in the morning I will direct it to You, and I will look up." Psalm 5:3

Enjoy the music in the link below. It is the Brooklyn Tabernacle Choir and I am hoping you will be blessed. I know their music in glorious praise blesses me and I am grateful!

http://www.last.fm/music/Brooklyn+Tabernacle+Choir