letter of comfort

God hears and responds to our tears and pain.

May His Words below provide you with whatever strength, comfort and guidance you might need too. 

Dear Child,

At the time it happens, I am there.  (Isaiah 48:16)

I will sustain you and I will rescue you.  (Isaiah 46:4)

Do not grieve, for My joy shall be your strength.  (Nehemiah 8:10)

I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.  (Isaiah 41:10)

I am with you and will watch over you wherever you go.  (Genesis 28:15)

I have sent forth My Word and healed you; and rescued you from the grave.  (Psalm 107:20)

He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty.  (Psalm  91:1)

I am the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth; those who hope in Me will renew their strength.  They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint. 

(Isaiah 40:28, 31)

I am your hiding place, I will protect you from trouble and surround you with songs of deliverance.  (Psalm 32:7)

I am close to the brokenhearted and save those who are crushed in spirit." (Psalm 34:18)

I will answer you; and deliver you from all your fears." (Psalm 34:4)

I will heal the brokenhearted and bind up their wounds... I am mighty in power; My understanding has no limit." (Psalm 147:3,5)

I love you with an everlasting love,

Your Father 

When we are down, let us keep looking up. May God keep opening our eyes to His many blessings, especially at a time such as this.  I am convinced He is still in control of everything and will work out all things to the good for those who love Him and who have been called according to His purpose.  May we rest in His peace and trust Him in all things.

prayers and love to all

God's Healing Touch

The psalmist wrote, 
"Though you have made me see troubles, many and bitter, you will restore my life again." Psalm 71:20  (also read:  Psalm 71:17-22)

In light of much pain and hurting in our area, i am sharing a devotion i wrote after the loss of my mother.  God bless all as He brings healing...


Following my mother’s surgery, I returned to work. I thought her recovery was assured. The next day I learned that she awoke asking for me. But before I could return to her, she unexpectedly slipped into a coma and never woke up. We didn’t get to share a last conversation or reminisce about the blessings of our life together and talk about our hopes for the future. I was crushed. I was shocked. I was angry.

We are often told that time will heal grief, but how and with whom we spend our time makes a difference in that healing. Through prayer and reading God’s word, I was able to find direction, strength, and hope in dealing with the pain of my mother’s death. Talking with others who had experienced similar pain also brought comfort. I have also found that living in ways that honor my mother is helpful and meaningful. This practice has placed her in a healthy, wonderful place in my heart.

Thanks to God and faithful friends, my wounds have healed.

Prayer: Dear Father, thank you for providing us with peace in our grief. We seek to be filled with your Spirit always. amen. 


friend, we are loved and chosen by God, 
veneal

it's okay...

"And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose." Romans 8:28

Failures... we all experience them.  But they are not what define us.  What we do afterwards is what determines the person we are.  And we have a Mighty God who is working out everything for our best and His glory. 

friend, we are loved and chosen by God,
veneal

a Mighty Word ~ PRAYER

"Finally, all of you, be like-minded, be sympathetic, love one another, be compassionate and humble. Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult. On the contrary, repay evil with blessing, because to this you were called so that you may inherit a blessing." 1 Peter 3:8-9

Sometimes doing what is right seems hard and impossible... but with God all things are possible. 


Praying for comfort, strength and guidance in the hours and days ahead for people in Charleston and here.


friend, we are loved and chosen by God,
veneal

gray skies today

"My soul is weary with sorrow; strengthen me according to Your Word." Psalm 119:28

The sky is certainly gray today, as our land is flooded with tears of heartache for all in Charleston, SC.  Words fail to describe the immense pain.

Father, wrap Your loving Arms tightly around the many hurting today and the days to come.  There are no good answers for the innocent lives lost.  We look to You for healing, guidance and strength. You, are our Rock and Eternal Hope.  Help us, Father, we are relying on Your Promises.  Thank You.

 friend, we are loved and chosen by God,
veneal

failed relationship... not

"For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord." Romans 8:38-39


 “the trust relationship between this workstation and the primary domain failed”

Recently the above statement appeared on my computer.  How thankful i am it will never be true of my relationship with God.

Thank You, Father, for always loving and never failing me.


friend, we are loved and chosen by God,
veneal

and they grumbled....

"So the people grumbled against Moses, saying, 'What are we to drink?'" Exodus 15:24

"Are we there yet?"  "I'm hungry." "I want to go home." "Why are we going there?" "I want to go somewhere else."  "This trip is too long." "ARE we there YET??"

If you have embarked on a trip this summer, especially with children, the above comments probably are not strangers to your ears.  Often we let life at the moment define our emotions, thoughts and decisions. No matter how well we explain how awesome a trip will be, the weary travelers can wear out the planner.

Moses surely got his ears filled with constant moaning from the Israelites on the journey to the Promise Land.  As time past, they were more interested in the next meal than the mission. The discomfort on the road threw dust on their memories as slaves.  Several detours lessen their desire to gain freedom.  If only they could keep their focus on God and trust Him... His plans for them exceeded all their needs and greatest dreams.

Father, sometimes we focus on the smudges of the moment, and it robs us of the joy You desire for us.  I need to remember life is not so much about the comfort or happiness of the moment, but trusting Your provisions for my life.  What's to come with You is worth the wait and journey.  As i look up to You today, i thank You.

friend, we are loved and chosen by God,
veneal

a Mighty Word ~ roots

"So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live your lives in him, rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness."  Colossians 2:6-7

As believers, we all have different gifts and talents God has equipped us with in serving Him. We may look different and bloom differently, but rooted in Him, we are all beautiful.



 



You are a breath of fresh air, the Holy Spirit, to another... 
and God smiles.



friend, we are loved and chosen by God,
veneal

unfiltered love

"He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the human heart; yet no one can fathom what God has done from beginning to end." Ecclesiates 3:11

 
Did you notice the sky late yesterday afternoon? The view out my window spilled an eerie yellow haze on everything. So strange the view it pulled me outside to see it better.  The clouds in the sky were mesmerizing.  I took numerous photos, trying to capture the magnificent beauty. My unfiltered, simple photos simply don't do justice to what i witnessed.  I hope you saw the actual view with your own eyes.




 


 




I found the sky much like it's Maker...
 indescribable in its beauty and majesty.  

Father, words are inadequate in describing the beauty and joy in knowing You.  As i prepare my God story for sharing, i am fumbling for the perfect words to explain how much You mean to me. Words, like pictures, can be inadequate. Guide me in drawing others to Your Light so they can feel and know Your immense Love. Help me tell and live in a way to attract others to You.  I pray all come and see You up close and personal; then, they will know.

friend, we are loved and chosen by God,
veneal

a Mighty Word ~ HOPE

"Against all hope, Abraham in hope believed... he was strengthened in his faith and gave glory to God, being fully persuaded that God had power to do what He had promised."  Romans 4:18, 20-21

Oh, to have the faith of Abraham... that is what i am after. There's could be nothing sweeter.

His promises are real.  Thank You, Father!


friend, we are loved and chosen by God,
veneal

a Mighty Word ~ ReFresh

The Lord said...
"I will refresh the weary and satisfy the faint." Jeremiah 31:25

The strength of His Arms, the rolling hills of His Peace, the warmth of His Heart, the gentle breeze of His laugh, the sunny delight of His Love... 
be filled with His Spirit and be refreshed to the fullest.

friend, we are loved and chosen by God,
veneal

a Mighty Word ~ rest

Jesus said...
"Come to Me all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest." Matthew 11:28

I'm taking Him as His Word. I hope you are too.

friend, we are loved and chosen by God,
veneal

Last bell

As the final bell rings this school year, i join Paul in this prayer for you... my sisters and brothers in Christ.

 "I thank my God upon every remembrance of you, always in every prayer of mine making request for you all with joy, for your fellowship in the gospel from the first day until now, being confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ... you all are partakers with me of grace. For God is my witness, how greatly I long for you all with the affection of Jesus Christ.

And this I pray, that your love may abound still more and more in knowledge and all discernment, that you may approve the things that are excellent, that you may be sincere and without offense till the day of Christ, being filled with the fruits of righteousness which are by Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God." Philippians 1:3-11

amen.

Thank You, Father, for Your unconditional love.  We can always depend on You to cover us no matter where we are.

friend, we are loved and chosen by God,

veneal