Blog Archives

“17th Century Nun’s Prayer” (Source unknown)

2/23/2015

LORD, thou knowest better than I know myself, that I am growing older, and will someday be old.

Keep me from getting talkative, and particularly from the fatal habit of thinking I must say something on every subject and on every occasion.

Release me from the craving to try and straighten out everybody’s affairs.

Keep my mind free from the recital of endless details – give me wings to get to the point.

I ask for grace enough to listen to the tales of others’ pains. They are increasing, and my love of rehearsing them is becoming sweeter as the years go by.

I dare not ask for improved memory, but for a growing humility and a lessening cocksureness when my memory seems to clash with the memories of others.

Teach me the glorious lesson that occasionally I may be mistaken.

Keep me reasonably sweet. I do not want to be a saint – some of them are so hard to live with – but a sour old woman (or man) is one of the crowning works of the devil.

Make me thoughtful, but not moody; helpful, but not bossy.

With my vast store of wisdom, it seems a pity not use it; but Thou knowest, LORD, I want a few friends at the end.

Give me the ability to see good things in unexpected places, and talents in unexpected people. And give me, LORD, the grace to tell them so.

Tamar Miller

True Love

2/16/2015

My husband, a wonderful man, gave me roses and a card that he made himself for Valentine’s Day. He said he looked for a card but couldn’t find one he liked. The card made me cry. Not only did he take the time to make it but I know the words in the card were from his heart.

Real love is the giving of ourselves, willingly, sacrificially and wholly. Love is active; it takes work on our part, work that may never be returned. Love is more than words; it is a commitment.

This reminded me of God’s love for us. He set the example of true love by giving us His Son, Jesus. Jesus was willing to take the punishment for our sins and then offer us life with Him. He gave sacrificially by leaving heaven and then dying on the cross for us. He did all this knowing there would be those who would chose not to accept His gift.

Mark 12:30-31 says “Love the LORD your God with all your heart, and with all soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength”. The second command is this; “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” This means even our enemies. It is easy to love our families and friends, to love them sacrificially but those enemies are hard to love. Yet we are called to love them and tell them about Jesus. The more of Jesus love we give the more love He gives us to share.

Let’s spread God’s love around and see how much it will grow.

Ruby Cripe

The Reclaimed Heart

2/10/2015

Now that we have finished the study, Denise asks if we’ve come to realize how valuable our hearts really are and reminds us that we must be on an uncompromising pursuit of our hearts. Protecting and guarding them at all costs.

A shutdown heart is nothing more than a distracted heart. Distractions are means of keeping us from our God designed purpose. Fear is a distraction. Weariness, anger and shame are also distractions.

Distractions are schemes of the enemy to keep us from being present. Did you ever realize when you were working very hard or praying diligently for a specific thing you wanted to accomplish through God’s will, the enemy will constantly put distractions in your path?

There are also schemes of the enemy to keep us from being present with our family, our gifts and callings, our children, even our hearts.

Reclaiming our heart is a God designed way of being present, of laughing, living and loving. For God is present in all the details of your life and your story.

Carol Bridges

The Weary Heart

2/2/2015

I hope you have been listening to the short video lessons that accompany these recent blogs. Denise came to the realization that she was feeling weary, because she was doing something that wasn't hers to do. When she took it to the Lord, he asked her to surrender it.

I think for myself that my weariness is more emotional than physical. Weary in dealing with difficult personalities. Weary in concern for my aging parents. Weary with well meaning advice on complicated issues. These are the things that leave me feeling misunderstood, alone, and weary.

That's when I most need to seek the heart of my Heavenly Father. He alone understands perfectly. He can guide me perfectly. He extends his grace to me, so that I can extend grace to others.

"And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up. So then as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to those who are of the household of faith." Galatians 6:9, 10

Beverly Chesnut