Thursday, March 12, 2009
DRINKING FROM MY SAUCER
I've never made a fortune
and it's probably too late now.
But I don't worry about that much,
I'm happy anyhow.
And as I go along life's way,
I'm reaping better than I sowed.
I'm drinking from my saucer,
'Cause my cup has overflowed.
I don't have a lot of riches,
and sometimes the going's tough.
But I've got loved ones around me,
and that makes me rich enough.
I thank God for his blessings,
and the mercies He's bestowed.
I'm drinking from my saucer,
'cause my cup has overflowed.
I remember times when things went wrong,
My faith wore somewhat thin.
But all at once the dark clouds broke,
and the sun peeped through again.
So God, help me not to gripe about
the tough rows that I've hoed.
I'm drinking from my saucer,
'Cause my cup has overflowed.
If God gives me strength and courage,
when the way grows steep and rough.
I'll not ask for other blessings,
I'm already blessed enough.
And may I never be too busy,
to help others bear their loads.
Then I'll keep drinking from my saucer,
'Cause my cup has overflowed.
by John Paul Moore
1:23 AM
Monday, March 2, 2009
IS YOUR LIFE BALANCED?
Jesus grew in wisdom and in stature and in favor with God and all the people. Luke 2:52
A balanced life is characterized by order, peace, and wholeness. The various parts of life are as they should be and where they should be. Each part of the balanced life gets the right amount of time and effort at the right time. It’s not giving each part of life the same amount of time that makes life balanced; it’s giving each part the necessary allotment of time.
The life of Jesus is an excellent model concerning balance. Throughout his life, Jesus was under constant pressure. Friend and enemy alike pursued him. Yet, when examining his life as recorded in Scripture, one sees that he never hurried, that he never had to play catch up, and that he was never taken by surprise. He managed time well, bringing it under control, because he knew the importance of balance. Jesus’ life was well rounded. He grew intellectually, physically, spiritually, and socially.
Does your life reflect a balance? Do you make time for intellectual growth? If you are too busy to read a book or engage in study that stimulates the mind, you are too busy. Do you make time for physical health? Many people burn out because of improper personal maintenance. Don’t be another fatality on the emotional highway. Take care of your physical self. Do you make time for your relationship with God? Do you feel too busy for prayer, Bible study, meditation, or devotions?
Psalms 46:10 “Take time and know that I am God.” A popular hymn gives this advice: “Take time to be holy, speak oft with thy Lord . . . Take time to be holy, the world rushes on,” but do we do it? Do you make time for primary relationships? Is adequate time provided for your spouse, family, and friends?
Only you can answer those questions honestly. And, only you can take the necessary steps to bring order, harmony, and balance back in your life. Start today.
Abtracted from New Living Translation Leadership Devotional as @ 26 Feb 2009
8:00 PM
Wednesday, February 25, 2009
WHEN YOU THOUGHT I WASN'T LOOKING
When you thought I wasn't looking, I saw you hang my first painting on the refrigerator, and I immediately wanted to paint another one.
When you thought I wasn't looking, I saw you feed a stray cat, and I learned that it was good to be kind to animals.
When you thought I wasn't looking, I saw you make my favorite cake for me and I learned that the little things can be the special things in life.
When you thought I wasn't looking, I heard you say a prayer, and I knew there is a God I could always talk to and I learned to trust in God.
When you thought I wasn't looking, I saw you make a meal and take it to a friend who was sick, and I learned that we all have to help take care of each other.
When you thought I wasn't looking, I saw you give of your time and money to help people who had nothing and I learned that those who have something should give to those who don't.
When you thought I wasn't looking, I saw you take care of our house and everyone in it and I learned we have to take care of what we are given.
When you thought I wasn't looking, I saw how you handled your responsibilities, even when you didn't feel good and I learned that I would have to be responsible when I grow up.
When you thought I wasn't looking, I saw tears come from your eyes and I learned that sometimes things hurt, but it's all right to cry.
When you thought I wasn't looking, I saw that you cared and I wanted to be everything that I could be.
When you thought I wasn't looking, I learned most of life's lessons that I need to know to be a good and productive person when I grow up.
When you thought I wasn't looking, I looked at you and wanted to say, 'Thanks for all the things I saw when you thought I wasn't looking.'
Little eyes see a lot.
Each of us--parent, grandparent, aunt, uncle, teacher or friend--influence the life of a child.
How will you touch the life of someone today?
4:00 PM
Thursday, April 10, 2008
There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven: A time to be born and a time to die, a time to plant and a time to uproot, a time to kill and a time to heal, a time to tear down and a time to build, a time to weep and a time to laugh, a time to mourn and a time to dance, a time to scatter stones and a time to gather them, a time to embrace and a time to refrain, a time to search and a time to give up, a time to keep and a time to throw away, a time to tear and a time to mend, a time to be silent and a time to speak, a time to love and a time to hate, a time for war and a time for peace. (Eccl 3:1-8 NIV)
LORD, I know I need to be more patient and trust You to complete what You have begun in my life. But that is especially difficult in times when it feels like nothing is happening at all! The right thing at the wrong time can be as damaging as the wrong thing at any time. So please do whatever You need to do to get me where I need to be when I need to be there, and help me trust Your timing and not be anxious in the meantime.
In Jesus' name, Amen.
1:46 PM
Wednesday, April 9, 2008
When my problems of the day surround
And the cross starts to weigh me down
I turn to you
I turn to you
When I can’t tell what’s wrong or right
Where the answer should be black and white
I turn to you
I turn to you
My source of strength
My point of light
My ray of hope
My peace of mind
The silent voice to speak the truth
When I need love
I turn to You
I turn to you
When the soul is broken deep within
When I need what the world can’t give
I turn to you
I turn to you
When this life brings me to my knees
And I need two arms to carry me
I turn to You
I turn to you
I turn to you
To calm the wind and rain
To accept what I cant change
To feed my soul with faith
I turn to You by Richie Mcdonald
6:03 PM
Tuesday, January 8, 2008
"I have made you a tester of metals and my people the ore, that you may observe and test their ways. They are all hardened rebels, going about to slander. They are bronze and iron; they all act corruptly. The bellows blow fiercely to burn away the lead with fire, but the refining goes on in vain; the wicked are not purged out. (Jer 6:27-29 NIV)
LORD, when I feel like I am "in the fire", help me remember that it may be You refining me for some greater purpose than I can see now.
Purge and burn the impurities out, even if it hurts, and make me fit for the purpose You desire for me.
I rejoice that while I am not what I have been, I am also not yet what I am going to become. (You may have to remind me of that again in challenging and difficult times.)
In Jesus' name, Amen.
6:39 PM
Sunday, December 23, 2007
This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger." Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests." (Luke 2:12-14 NIV)
LORD Jesus, although a lifetime of thanksgiving and praise would not be adequate for what You have done for me, accept these words of thanks and this offering of praise today, and help me comprehend the full measure of what You have done for me. You became like me, so that I could become like You. Awesome! You made my salvation possible and gave me hope of eternal life with You when I had no hope otherwise. Really wanna thank You... In Jesus' precious name, Amen.
Go tell it on the mountain
Over the hills and far away
Go tell it on the mountain
That Jesus Christ is born
The shepherds all were watching
Over their sheep at night
When a guiding star shone from heaven
And they followed that holy light
Got tell it on the mountain
Over the hills and everywhere
Go tell it on the mountain
That Jesus Christ is born
They found a lovely manger
Where the humble Christ was born
And God sent out salvation
On that blessed Christmas morn
He brought with Him forgiveness
He live to show us the way
He came to redeem all creation
And to wash all our sins away
10:35 AM
