Even the sparrow finds a home,
and the swallow a nest for herself,
where she may lay her young,
at your altars, O Lord of hosts,
my King and my God.
—Psalm 84:3 (NRSV)
A Gardener’s Prayer
Thank you, God, for sun and showers.
Thank you for each lovely flower.
Thank you for each stately tree.
Though all these, you speak to me.
—A Gardener’s Prayer—
Hear and Obey
Jesus] said, “Blessed rather are those who hear the word of God and obey it!”
—Luke 11:28 (NRSV)
Psalm Sixty-three-three
Because your (God) steadfast love is better than life, my lips will praise you.
—Psalm 63:3 (NRSV)
A prayer for children
I would love for you to join me in prayer for the children of the world.
Holy Heavenly Father, bless the children in our families and those far and wide. We know Jesus died for children around the world. That your Love is without borders or boundaries. We give thanks for your promises and gifts given to all. We stand in awe of your truth. We ask you to bless the children both in womb and out of womb around the world with your mercy and grace. I am remembering in your Word Rachel could be heard weeping for the children. Let our voices be heard before your throne for children and parents in deep distress and your help be guided by your wisdom for thy Kingdom come thy will be done on earth as in heaven. 🙏🏻 Teach us how to pray, love, give, care as we join the spiritual battle for the children of the world. Just as many of us are safely holding ours with joy, prayers and faith would You please hold the children of war. In your Holy Name we pray.
Thought to Ponder
“The world watches, condemns, and though lack of truly serious action…. condones.” SS (His thought in context of our communication was related to the ongoing war in Ukraine)
I love my pen pal friend that reminds me often of profound thoughts. It just seems I’m always sitting like Jonah under a fig leaf for shade when this young man, a traveler, a believer in the death and resurrection of Christ Jesus pens me a thought to ponder. To be truthful it seems like a ‘worm thought’ to attack my shade.
*Jonah 4:5 “Then Jonah left the city and sat down east of it, where he made himself a shelter and sat in its shade to see what would happen to the city. 6) So the LORD God appointed a vine, and it grew up to provide shade over Jonah’s head to ease his discomfort, and Jonah was greatly pleased with the plant. 7)When dawn came the next day, God appointed a worm that attacked the plant so that it withered away and leave him exposed to the scorching rays.”
I have read that Jonah’s discomfort was not so much the physical discomfort from the heat, but rather the condition of his mind, the vexation and disappointment under which he was suffering. I think God thought the same. Look what God did! He communicated in truth so Jonah could see.
9 “Then God asked Jonah, “Have you any right to be angry about the plant?”
I do,” he replied. “I am angry enough to die!”
10) But the LORD said, “You cared about the plant, which you neither tended nor made grow. It sprang up in a night and perished in a night. 11) So should I not care about the great city of Nineveh, which has more than 120,000 people who cannot tell their right hand from their left, and many cattle as well?”
*if you are not familiar with the Book of Jonah its a great read where good triumphs over evil
Give you Everything
“Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need.” Matthew 6:33 NLT
Love is
1 Cor13 4) Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. 5) It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. 6) Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. 7) It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. 13)And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.
She only drives about six hours to drive him wherever he wants to go. (Patient) She obeys when she hears, “ you make sure my suits, shirts and ties are always clean and pressed for the occasion. And, my shines shined!” (Kind) This day was his brothers funeral. (It does not dishonor) A little tumble on the floor with carpet burn face didn’t stop love. (Not Proud)
A book of love covering the full Chaper of Love could be written about this chap and his life of love. We could find a few flaws in his life along the way, and yet there is more to love than quoted above. As we read the full love chapter we will see how Dad and daughter found resolve within the walls built by God in this chaper of Hope for all peoples throughout the universe.
(“Love does not demand its own way. It is not irritable, and it keeps no record of being wronged.”)
He served in military. He understands John 3:16
that Jesus’ earth life is for the world not just love moments at a wedding ceremony where someone reads from these words. That’s a part of the beauty but so is serving your country, community and wherever you are called.
A very busy daughter. She’s a grandmother herself. Has a husband serving a hugh county as judge. Their lives are packed with the honorable duties of life. Yet, she serves and honors her Dad with faith, hope and love.
I want to add this love is rooted and grounded in faith in Christ Jesus where the well of love springs from. Dad knew and knows the power of the well that never runs dry. Jesus told Dad’s story well when speaking to the woman at the well that was forever changed by Jesus’ love for her. She uses her story to tell others about the living water found in Jesus. (John 14)
There is even more to the power of Jesus’ love as he gives us his commitment of love saying, “I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never be hungry again. Whoever believes in me will never be thirsty” (John 6:35, NLT).
This Dad was and is a church goer he finds sustenance for himself, family and community by gathering to learn, pray and live out his commitment of love! He would share his wisdom with you graciously “it’s never to late for love!”
1 Corinthians 13:5 NLT
https://bible.com/bible/116/1co.13.5.NLT
Think about…
Philippians 4:8
“Finally, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.
Have you ever posted in your daily view and tried to find “excellence?” Why did the writer make a point in saying, “if there is any?”
Was writer speaking to you or me? Join me in a trial run! Today, will we find “any excellence?” If so, will we post to share? Maybe, we find a whole basket full daily but fail to gather praise in our repertorial speech? And, thoughts? That would call for, “wonder why?”
“
Sara’s thoughts for 2022
Invite the Holy Spirit to oil our wings so you can take flight in 2022! SM
I shared this with a friend and they responded,
“I read that Michael Jordan says, “you miss 100% of the shots you don’t take”
I would say the same we miss 100% of the flights we don’t take as believer in the work of The Holy Spirit.
The prophet Isaiah says, “But those who trust in the Lord will find new strength. They will soar high on wings like eagles. They will run and not grow weary. They will walk and not faint.”
Isaiah 40:31 NLT
Always remember these stats, the best baseball major hitters only get 3 hits out of ten! Got to always step up to the plate.
Be greatly blessed in 2022!
I shared this with a friend and they responded,
“I read that Michael Jordan says, “you miss 100% of the shots you don’t take”
I would say the same we miss 100% of the flights we don’t take as believer in the work of The Holy Spirit.
The prophet Isaiah says, “But those who trust in the Lord will find new strength. They will soar high on wings like eagles. They will run and not grow weary. They will walk and not faint.”
Isaiah 40:31 NLT
Always remember these stats, the best baseball major hitters only get 3 hits out of ten! Got to always step up to the plate.
Be greatly blessed in 2022!
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