lost his head

"You have searched me, Lord, and you know me. You know when I sit and when I rise; you perceive my thoughts from afar. You discern my going out and my lying down; You are familiar with all my ways....Where can I go from your Spirit? Where can I flee from your presence?

If I go up to the heavens, You are there; if I make my bed in the depths, You are there. If I say, “Surely the darkness will hide me and the light become night around me,” even the darkness will not be dark to You; the night will shine like the day, for darkness is as light to You.^"  Psalm 139:1-8

The big jerk got my attention.  An initial quick check revealed everything in place, when my charm bracelet got caught in the metal table.  But the next afternoon, i noticed a charm missing.  The bracelet, a gift from my Mother, is a fixture on my wrist for over 18 years.  Attached are the head charms of my children, my gems.  To lose anyone's head was a multiple stabbing of my heart.  
 

As i prayed, i quickly returned to where the jerk occurred.  And there it was next to the wall in the leaves ~ his head.  The painful jerk that had damaged, also alerted me where to search.

Father, do i sometimes jerk in Your Hands and tumble to dark places?  You are aware of every move i make and every thought that flows in my head.  You always know where to look for me when i fall away from You.  There is no hole deep enough or forest thick enough to hide me.  Thank You for Your endless pursuit of me when i am lost. How thrilled i am to be loved and found by You!

have a grate-filled day!
veneal 

a Mighty Word ~ not alone

The Lord says...
"'Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are mine.
 When you pass through the waters, I will be with you;
and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you.
When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze.
 For I am the Lord your God, your Savior...'" Isaiah 43:1-3


We are not promised a trouble-free life, but we are promised to never be alone during our trials, hardships and disappointments.  Thank You, Father.  When we are weak, we are strong because of You.

have a peace-filled day!
veneal

LattiMORE

"For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." Jeremiah 29:11

Like most red-blooded Americans i enjoy sports and yell my lungs raw for my teams.  Saturday was one of my most crushing days ever.  Not because my teams lost, but because a rival college football team appears to have lost an incredible young man... on the field.  Marcus LattiMORE has always been an opponent for me in high school and college... on the field.  Yet, he is a person i hold in up most respect due to his integrity, honor, values and faith.  He is the person you want your children to watch and desire to be like, no matter what color  jersey you favor.  Great, game-maker players with godly values are a rarity... on the field and off.

One can not help but to ask why.  Why does this happen to such an awesome person who has the opportunity to impress so many people in a positive, faith-filled way?  We live in a world so desperate of LattiMORE's.

We have one choice, to do what undoubtedly LattiMORE will do.  Trust God with His plans. Being a remarkable Running Back is a platform that made LattiMORE a household name. Many will be watching to see how he handles this situation.  Football, at its best, is a passing season in anyone's life; a relationship with Jesus Christ is a touchdown for eternity.  

If i were a betting person, i would bet all i have on the fact that Marcus LattiMORE will continue as a Running Back... A Running Back for our Father as his testimony has others Running Back to our Father.  God wants MORE of LattiMORE, but in a way different from others. His great commission, go and make disciples of all the earth, just took another running start with one of His own, Marcus LattiMORE.  

So, run, LattiMORE, run!  We are all behind you and will be cheering you on every step you make.  I just know God has an extraordinary plan in store for you... on His field.  May others find MORE of God through you.

May what we witness through LattiMORE be the inspiration we all need to conquer the disappointments and failures in our life, as we relinquish our personal desires to His desires... and play on a field with heavenly results.

have a pray-filled day!
veneal

what can we afford?

What’s free, of tremendous value, but is getting more rare each day? 
 
Manners… there isn't a good excuse for anyone not to have them.  We can choose it, and all it might cost is something we can stand to lose... a little pride.


"Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love." Ephesians 4:2

have a kind-filled day!
veneal

a Mighty Word ~ gentle

“Rejoice in the Lord always.  I will say it again.  Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all.  The Lord is near.” Philippians 4:4-5


As a believer, may one of our most notable strengths be gentleness.

have a gentle-filled day!
veneal

renew, please

"Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me." Psalm 51:10

Can you renew my book, please?  It's a request i hear daily behind the check-out counter and one i gladly honor.  Reading a lengthy book can be a daunting task, but sometimes the request is due to a lack of reading from being sidetracked. Either way, renewing it is a positive sign.  It signals the student has not given up and wants additional time to finish the story.  There is no penalty or fine for this action, only the reward of completing the story.

Lord, sometimes i get off track with You and take a ride on my personal-agenda train.  And when that ride gets bumpy and uncertain, i realize how much i need You. Thank You, for always allowing a way back to You.  Thank You, for seeing a renewing of my heart and spirit not as a weakness, but as a strength to persevere in our story.  Because of You, i know the ending will be glorious!

have a faith-filled day!
veneal

a Mighty Word

"The LORD is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in Him, and I AM HELPED." 
Psalm 28:7


When we think we don't have enough, we need only to remember He is always enough ~ always.

i am certain...

"Now choose life, so that you and your children may live and that you may love the Lord your God, listen to His voice, and hold fast to Him.  For the LORD is your life..." Deuteronomy 30:19‑20

I am certain of the faithfulness of our Father.

I am certain of His goodness, mercy, grace, and unconditional love.

I am certain His promises to us are true... all of them.

I am certain He is aware and cares about every minute detail in our life.

I am certain His will and purpose will be accomplished.

I am certain Jesus died for all my sins... those in the past, now, and the ones to come.

I am certain prayer is answer by God... in His perfect way and perfect time.

I am certain i am a child of God... and not of the deceiver.

I am certain He works in our lives through others.... you, are proof of that.

I am certain that the "Son" is still present even on cloudy days... though covered, He is never gone.

And, i am certain my Mother is home with God, and i will see her again.

Thank you, Mother, for sharing your faith, love and guidance in living with me... not by telling, but by showing. Your sweet presence and face have been missed three years today, but i carry you in my heart every second.  Thank you for choosing life in Him, so i can live too.     

God is so incredibly good ALL the time. 

have a prayer‑filled day!

veneal

don't worry

"Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for His compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness." Lamentations 3:22-24

If you got up this morning with yesterday’s worries… you need to go back to bed.  It’s a brand new day, and God has chosen to share it with you!  May there be singing instead of tears; trust, instead of fear; and peace, instead of worry.

But I will sing of Your strength, in the morning I will sing of Your love; for You are my fortress, my refuge in times of trouble.

have a song-filled day!
veneal

a Mighty Word

"But thanks be to God, who always leads us in triumphal procession in Christ and through us spreads everywhere the fragrance of the knowledge of Him." 2 Corinthians 2:14

 

There's a sweet aroma in the air... and it's you, my sisters and brothers in Christ!  Keep spreading His love to others.

 

have a sweet-filled day!

veneal 

 

 

 

unfulfilled promises

"I will walk among you and be your God, and you will be my people." Leviticus 26:12

I would like to be your classroom President.  If you vote for me, I promise to...

Classroom politics are not much different from grownup politics.  Students make many promises to their classmates as they strive to be elected for an office.  Promises, like... no weekend homework, more recess, longer lunches, ice cream every day.

What are they thinking?  Yes, these promises sound wonderful, but they are not realistic.  Maybe, they are thinking... what does it really matter?  Maybe they have experienced enough broken promises to think who really cares, who bothers to keep their promise.  I know i've experienced broken promises to me, as well as, broken my share of promises to others.  May we all strive to be better examples and be a person of our word... a true promise keeper.

Let us draw on the strength that there is One who always keeps His promise.  One we can totally depend on.  One who will never let us down or mislead us.  Aren't we blessed to have a Perfect Example to follow!  Thank You, Jesus!

have a promised-filled day!

veneal

a Mighty Word ~ HOPE

"For everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through endurance and the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have HOPE."  Romans 15:4

The same God that was faithful to His people in the past is still God. And He will be faithful to us today and in the future.  Believe and give thanks!

veneal

are you under the influence?

"The mind of sinful man is death, but the mind controlled by the Spirit is life and peace... and, those who are led by the Spirit of God are sons/daughters of God." Romans 8:6,14

Saying that a person is "under the influence" usually has a negative connotation.  We tend to think of the unhealthy use of substances.  But what about being under the influence of other factors?  Factors or interests such as peer pressure, monetary gain, career status, social climbing, etc.?  In one way or the other, most all of us are under the influence of something or someone.

There is one influence in our lives that is always good, and we can only stand to gain from.  If we allow ourselves to be Spirit led, we are promised a life of peace.  And the benefits don't stop there.  By being influenced and led by the Spirit, we also stand to gain love, joy, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.  I don't know about you, but i find that offer to be priceless and worth seeking, and one that will lead to everlasting satisfaction.

have a Spirit-filled day!

veneal

impossible task

"Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus." Philippians 2:5

Do you know him?  Totally impossible to please or get along with, always has a better idea, arrogant, and "always" right.  Who could possibly like him, much less love him?

So thankful Jesus does not have that attitude with me.

As a Christian, a follower of Christ, we must strive to think, act and be Jesus with skin to all in our path.  And when we do, serving others will be done in joy and love instead of duty or obligation.

have a joy-filled day!

veneal

a Mighty Word

"A cheerful look brings joy to the heart..."  Proverbs 15:30



Of all the things you wear, your expression makes the biggest impact.

have a joy-filled day!
veneal

strong or weak?

"Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be courageous; be strong." 
1 Corinthians 16:13

Pencil rapping on your neighbor's head in not a library activity.  When i told the students to stop, they both quickly started defending their action by saying, "he started it." It wasn't worth a conversation to determine the truth, since they both were actively engrossed in their music making and entertainment talents. The weak decision of one had easily influenced the other.

When a person's foundation is weak, how easily it is to be swayed in the wrong direction by those he is around.  As we see, we so often do.  Bad company corrupts good character.  A person with a strong foundation can make the right decision, no matter what another person does.  And they also know when to get up and find a new seat.

have a strong-filled day!
veneal

a Mighty Word

"The LORD your God has chosen you out of all the peoples on the face of the earth to be His people, His treasured possession."  Deuteronomy 7:6


We are His treasure... because He says so.

have a joy-filled day!
veneal

the call

"'You will seek Me and find Me when you seek Me with all your heart. I will be found by you, ' declares the Lord, 'and will bring you back from captivity.'" Jeremiah 29:13-14

 

The call... most of you know what i'm talking about. 

The past eight weeks, my co-worker, Hayley, struggled with her Momma's deteriorating health.  The prognosis... heaven bound. I completely understood and encouraged her to spend all the time possible with her Momma, but inwardly i fought resentment. Picking up her workload wasn't the issue; jealousy was -- jealousy of precious time she got to shared with her Momma. Then the time came; i got the call from Hayley -- her Momma had gone home to our Father. 

The call unleashed even deeper emotions in me, like the sudden eruption of a volcano.  Three years ago this month, i loss my Mother unexpectedly. I remember receiving the call telling me she would not make it through the day.  That moment is seared in my  mind and heart forever, from where i was standing to what i had own. The pain of not sharing final thoughts, wishes and good byes still burns intently in my heart... the unanswered questions, the empty hugs, the whys, the emptiness.   And then, there's the continuing frustration of unresolved, family issues and deteriorating family relationships due to her absence.  The call has the power to crumble our world to meaningless dust. But it does not have to be that way.  It certainly isn't God way.

As painful memories surfaced like fresh, i felt myself losing control.  But, i was exactly where God intended me to be... totally in need, dependent on Him and His provisions. After the call, i was facing the most demanding workday of the week --  while weak in my  mind, body and soul.  AND THIS IS WHAT I SAW THAT DAY FROM HIM:

* I was blessed to work side-by-side with a substitute teacher, a strong sister-in-Christ, who filled my empty soul with loving encouragement from above
* prayer from other sisters who saw my distress
* special coffee for the morning from Little River Roasting
* delicious pumpkin bread, left from the day before
*  the finding of a homemade book marker saying, "find Faith in everything you do"
*  after not listening to any CD for over a year, accidently (not) listen to a CD, "Audience of One", that ministered to my hurting soul with each word and note it offered.

WHEN WE SEEK HIM, WE FIND HIM.  He nourished me mentally, emotionally and physically.

Why am i exposing my heart  so openly to you today? Because maybe someone needs to be reassured GOD IS WITH US, through our turbulent days.  God wants to care for our every need and hurt, we need only turn to Him.  He can and will remove and save us from whatever holds us captive.  In Him, we will be free!!  Thank You, Jesus!!!

have a thank-filled day!
veneal

the brightest Star of all!

And Jesus said...
"I have sent my angel to give you this testimony for the churches, I am the Root and the Offspring of David, and the bright Morning Star."  Revelation 22:16   

Father Above, You are my Eternal Shining Star…
When life is hard, you guide me through the jungle of fear.
When life is dark, you hold me close and Your Light fills me with warmth.
When life seems hopeless, you sustain my spirit with Your Peace.
Thank you, Father, for always giving me what I need.
You are truly the Light of salvation for all!

I will tell others of Your glorious love!
veneal

Mighty Word - Unity

"May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you a spirit of UNITY among yourselves as you follow Christ Jesus, so that with one heart and mouth you may glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ." Romans 15:5


Grumbling divides a group and evaporates their strength… leaving Satan as the only victor with their defeat.

have a unified-filled day!
veneal

SEEING stars

"Do everything without complaining or arguing, so you... shine like stars in the universe as you hold out the word of life..." Philippians 2:14-16

Through whose eyes do you SEE?  Ever since God tapped my heart with a telling-mission, i've experienced a change in my eyesight. When He placed a desire to inspire and encourage teachers, He also provided me with new eyes. With them, i constantly wonder how God SEES what i am SEEING. His Presence is ever before me; and therefore, His Peace is too.  The difference in perspective is God-mazing.

With the world demanding less tolerance of our Father in public, do we have a choice in our response? Would you like to SEE more of God in your daily life? It starts with our heart and vision.  It is possible to SEE Him all day, no matter where we are.  For example, walking down the hall at school recently, a bulletin board caught my eyes.  The headline, "We are stars, watch us shine", had AMEN! written all over it.  Can you SEE what i mean?  If not, let God know you want to SEE more of Him in your world too. 

He wants to be in everything we do.  When we SEE Him, others SEE Him too through us.  Then, we will all be SEEING stars.

have a God-mazing-filled day!
veneal

a Mighty Word

Jesus said...

"For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also." Matthew 6:21

 

 

Is there a way to survive failure and disappointment from myself and others? Absolutely.

When we make God the treasure we seek, our heart will be at peace and rest.  Thank You, Father!

 

have a rest-filled day!

veneal

Communication BREAK~down

"We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groans that words cannot express.  And He who searches our hearts know the mind of the Spirit..." Romans 8:26

He was speaking Chinese to me, but not really.  Even though he could have... being our school's Chinese teacher.   Yet conversing English-to-English with each other, we struggled to communicate.  His spoken need fell on my confused ears.  The more we tried to understand each other, the worse it got.  With mutual embarrassment, we both gave up.

Lord, how thankful i am for your Holy Spirit and Your understanding of my every request and word, no matter what flows from my lips.  Whether it's words, cries, moans, whimpers, or even screams, You hear it all.  You know and understand my heart and all within it precisely.  What incredible confidence and peace i have knowing You hear me and will respond in a way that is best for me!  Thank You, Lord.

have a understanding-filled day!
veneal