in 2024, Lent begins today and ends March 30. I have written a book called “Restore my Soul Psalms” for Lent. It is original psalms designed as prayers and a journal for you to record your thoughts in sketches or words to enhance your prayer time during Lent. I will post the Psalms each day here on my website or you can purchase your copy on Amazon or from me if you’re local.
MY PSALM 300: KEEP ME CLOSE
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Most of us stayed up too late last night. We’re a bit blurry-eyed, definitely tired, and either euphoric at come-behind victory or depressed, deflated, disappointed and in denial that the hard-fought contest is over and the outcome is now history.
The kitchen’s a mess. All the food prepared (most of it bad for our diets) was quickly stashed in containers, plastic bags, or stuck on dishes waiting for us to pry it lose and destroy the leftovers or keep munching…..
In these troubling times (is if in this fallen world there have not been issues all along) it is comforting to know that God is a very present help in times of trouble and is with us every moment. We often fail to remember, and fall down in worship to His Almighty power and presence, that He not only created the world and all that is in it, He nourishes, watches over, harvests, and brings to fruition the things he…..
So, let’s take stock! How are we doing at the end of the first month of 2024? Remember all the good wishes of New Year’s Day, the wishes for peace, prosperity, and happiness?
We are almost finished with the first month. How are you doing?
It’s been an up and down month for me. I am dealing with a sister who is “marooned,” it seems in a rehab center in upstate New York. She was hoping to go home following…..
This was one of those days– little sleep, too much to do today just to keep up, and then another shoe dropped. Need I say more?
After a sweet time of prayer with my small group this morning, I was feeling somewhat better, reminded of God’s strength, grace, power, mercy, and the huge Godincidences that show me God’s love even when I’m too blind to see it. God opened my eyes in three ways after I got home.
One, He…..
I begin my day by sharing a Bible verse to my children and grandchildren. Today’s verse is: “Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously” And my other text this morning is Blessed are those who are merciful, for they will obtain mercy. And Blessed are the pure in heart for they will see God, an Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called the children of God.” and then,…..
So enjoyed guest pastor Randy Pope’s sermon yesterday at Covenant Church. He reminded us yet once again that God uses even bad things for good, and that God is sovereign over all things. His example of Joseph, as a forerunner of Christ endured the same cruelties and betrayals, yet God used each difficulty as a blessing to show us God uses bad things to accomplish good. Yes, even the difficulties of life can be redeemed to show God’s grace, mercy,…..
One of the most fun things I’ve done lately is teaching a memoir-writing class at the senior living center where I now live. It’s a hoot!
We’re blessed with an activities director who loves to keep the residents engaged, having fun, using their time wisely, and enjoying each others’ company. I suspect people like Wendy are few and far between, but she’s a gem. As my husband and I have met people here from all over the country, all over…..
There are two occasions when our family gets together during the holidays: Thanksgiving and New Years. Not only is there feasting, and I mean all day feasting–hors d’oerves, — all those things which are off limits full of calories, fat, and deliciousness the rest of the year, and a huge dinner late in the afternoon. When I…..
There’s a certain relief after the Christmas stuff is put away and life as we knew it before the holidays resumes. I know I am happy to put away the tree, ornaments, nativities, and busyness of the holiday season. It seems the whole time from Thanksgiving to New Years is a blur of activity and concerts, and “gotta do’s” and gifting and receiving, and deadlines and…and….and. About October I start dreading all that the season has become.
I heard a…..