i know who the True Winner is... do you?

 "The Lord reigns forever;

    He has established His throne for judgment^.
  He rules the world in righteousness
    and judges the peoples with equity. 
The Lord is a refuge for the oppressed,
    a stronghold in times of trouble.
Those who know Your name trust in You,
     for You, Lord, have never forsaken those who seek You." Psalm 9:7-10

 Pray, vote and trust God.

Whatever the outcome, keep looking to God.  Even if  "the system" is not reliable, our God is.

The One on the Almighty throne can't not be shaken.  Our Savior and King survives any turmoil and disaster and saves all who comes to Him.

He/She will have no fear of bad news; his/her heart is steadfast, trusting in the LORD. 

Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding...

And He will be your Peace. 

we are loved and chosen by God,
may we live like we believe it,
veneal

election eve

 "...if My people, who are called by My name, will humble themselves and pray and seek My face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land."2 Chronicles 7:14

Election Eve... finally.

It has been a grueling, bitter battle. Houses, families, friends, coworkers hotly divided on issues and candidates.  Who is right? In reading and listening to the many comments and remarks, one thing is clear, people are passionate about their beliefs.  Our individual fabric is woven and colored by the events and emotions we have personally experienced.  And naturally we side with those whose viewpoints most match and affect us... that's just human nature.  

Tomorrow we will not all vote for the same person.  Yet, i'm at peace; because in the grand scheme of things, i trust God has the final Word. One way or the other, with blessings or discipline, we will witness His Hand on our land.  It's important for us to stay united as we pray to God for truth, obedience and discernment as we pursue His wisdom and guidance. We also need to pray for our leaders to seek God and not to be like a god. Our choices are imperfect people; but may our prayers deliver us a leader with a teachable, listening heart and spirit that honors God.

Pray with all your heart, and vote. Whatever happens on Tuesday (or any day), keep looking up. Let's remember Who is still holding the world firmly in His Grip and give thanks.  God's Will will be done.

we are loved and chosen by God,

may we live, love and do like we believe it,
veneal

the day after

"Even a child is known by his actions..." Proverbs 20:11

It's the day after Halloween - it will be easy to detect which children had too much candy.

As a child of God, i want to be known by my actions too...

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

I know exactly what i need to survive today and everyday.

JUST GIVE ME JESUS...

If you find yourself coming unraveled at the edges, go to the One who can and will mend you back together.  Just a few minutes alone with God can soothe the soul and restore peace.  Now, that's something to really scream about!!

we are loved and chosen by God,

may we live, love and do like we believe it,
veneal

once upon a pumpkin

"When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, "I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life." John 8:12

There are many who think Halloween is dark. I rather focus on the light it radiates as rendered by a favorite Halloween tale, how believers are like pumpkins...

First, God picks you from the "pumpkin patch". All the outside influences/dirt of our former life must be removed. Old ways are washed away, and all things become new.

Then, He carefully removes all the “yucky stuff” (sin) from the inside.  He changes us from the inside out by the Power of His Word. Seeds of doubt, hate, greed, and fear are removed and replaced with the seeds of faith, hope and love. After Jesus is invited inside, you begin to experience the changing power of God’s love in your life.

Next, He carves a new smiling face.  With Jesus, who is called the Son of Light, lives inside of us, He shines through our life for all to see. Our countenance is changed by the power of His presence in our life, and it's evident to all.

Let your light so shine before men that they may be able to see your good works and glorify your Father, who is in heaven.

Shine on my friends and have a de-LIGHT-filled Halloween.  The world desperately needs to see God by His light in us.

we are loved and chosen by God,

may we live, love and do like we believe it,

veneal

feeling rattled?

"He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds. He determines the number of the stars and calls them each by name.  Great is our Lord and mighty in power, His understanding has no limit." Psalm 147:4-5

He who numbered the stars, has also numbered each bone and created each cell in our body.  We may get rattled and even knocked down, but because of Him, we are not destroyed!

Thank You, Father, for keeping me together through all the bumps and shakes in life.  No one understands or loves us better than You.

we are loved and chosen by God,

may we live, love and do like we believe it,

veneal 

the monster within

"Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord’s will is.... and be filled with the Spirit... Sing and make music from your heart to the Lord, always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ." Ephesians 5:15-20

The scowl on her face said it all.  She did not like the teacher's suggestion, even though it was in her best interest.  Practicing math skills 20 minutes a day sounded boring and was stealing her play time.

I

It's easy to let our emotions and personal desires lead us down a dark, ugly path of anger, jealousy, conceit, selfishness, temper, hatred or meanness.  All which can leave a nasty taste in (and out of) one's mouth and bitter look on the face.  Who wants that?

Father, please help remove the monsters within me.  They have no place in serving You.  Instead fill me the sweet fruit of the Spirit... love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control.  These possess the power of healing instead of fright.

we are loved and chosen by God,

may we live, love and do like we believe it,

veneal

who am i?

"Put on then, as God's chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony. And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God." Colossians 3:12-17

"Who am i?" or "Who are you?"  

These are routine questions asked this time of year.  Yet, they are imperative year round.

Whatever the answer... daughter, sister, mother, cousin, wife, friend, employee, teacher, aunt, grandmother, neighbor...  all are important and meaningful.

However, whatever we are is elevated to incredible JOY,  LOVE and FULLNESS when we remember FIRST we are a Child of God and belong to Him. It makes all other things possible and even better.

With Him, we are more.

we are loved and chosen by God,

may we live, love and do like we believe it,

veneal