i must tell you...

"Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God." Philippians 4:6

Today is not a regular, or easy devotion.  When i checked my email, i discovered some very disturbing, sickening news. American Family informed and asked me to sign a petition regarding a "Saturday Night Live" skit.  To my  horror, the comical skit mocked my Jesus and portrayed Him in a horrific role as a bloody avenger. It was outright blasphemy.  A link to the site is below.

http://action.afa.net/email/online.aspx?cid=2169&mid=15006126&tid=aa&utm_source=smAFA&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=2169

Ironically, before the email, i was dabbling on a devotion regarding relationships.  And the truth - we can't control other people, but we can control how they affect us - kept coming to mind.  I am praying and striving hard to focus on this fact. After i signed the petition, i went to SNL's facebook page and entered my comment, "my God is awesome and holy... and He has something i can hardly fathom - forgiveness for deliberate and senseless acts, such as yours. His forgiveness is big enough even for this. I pray you realize what you are doing."  

I don't like it when others talk badly or ridicule "my Daddy", but as His child, i don't think He wants me to act like them. We are called to be like Him. That forgiveness thing... it is big. And so is prayer.   Praying for the ones who participated with the skit, and for all who saw it. May their eyes and heart be opened to His Truth.

Father, help me to be bold... in acting right, doing right and trusting You in all things.

have a right-filled day!
veneal

a MIghty Word ~ do it

"Do  some  most  part  half  your portion  what you want  what's fair EVERYTHING without complaining or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure, children of God without fault in a crooked and depraved generation, in which you shine like stars in the universe as you hold out the word of life..." Philippians 2:14-15

Life is...
not about fairness, but righteousness
not about our way, but God's way 
not about conquering, but surrendering to God
not about independence, but dependence on God
not about our glory, but His.

have a doing-filled day!
veneal

do you still have flakes?

"A friend loves at all times..." Proverbs 17:17

School delayed two hours... 
all hope for those dreamy words melted away yesterday along with snow flakes, under a warm, sunny sky.  Yet i am not too bothered because many flakes still surround me.  Flakes, like you.

Several years ago i realized all my true friends are flakes. Like the snowman, flakes help to form and shape us into who we are. Without flakes there would be no snowman.  It takes flakes to make a snowman into what it is, flakes are what hold the snowman together, and flakes stick to the snowman to the very end.  

That's exactly the kind of friends i do and want to have... flakes.  "Flakes" to build me up when i am down, flakes to brighten up my days, and flakes who are hard pressed to stick with me through the difficult time, especially during meltdowns.  So, to all my flakes, thank you!  Thank you for sticking with me through seasons of testing; thank you for encouraging me when i have been discouraged; thank you for dancing with me during times of joy; thank you for your prayers during heart ache; thank you for helping to make me who i am.  Flakes are great!  And you, my friends, are the best! Take time to thank the flakes in your life.

have a wonderful flake-filled day!
veneal 

You are a part of my life... always.

STOP! in the name of love

"He who covers over an offense promotes love, but whoever repeats the matter separates close friends."  Proverbs 17:9

STOP bickering....  and listen with an objective heart.
STOP discouraging...  and encourage.
STOP ignoring...  and acknowledge each other.
STOP nagging...  and be silent.
STOP criticizing...  and give complements.
STOP with the cold shoulder...   and give a hug.
STOP lying...  and be honest.
STOP blaming...  and forgive.

"Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins."  1 Peter 4:8...

because as we have learned from our Best Friend and Father above,
A friends loves at ALL times... no matter what.
 
have a love-filled day!
veneal

you're the one!

Happy Valentine's Day, my Child!  You are the cherished love of My life!  I wrote this Valentine with just you in mind.

My dear sweet (your name),

Rejoice! For I have made this day for you!  (Psalm 118:24)

You have been blessed in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ.  I chose you before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in My sight.  (Ephesians 1:4)

Trust in Me with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding and I will make your paths straight. (Proverbs 3:5-6)

Since I am for you, who can be against you?  (Romans 8:31)

Who or what shall separate you for My love?  Shall trouble or hardship? No, never!  (Romans 8:35)

I will tend to you like a shepherd does his flock.  I will gather you in my arms and carry you close to My heart. (Isaiah 40:11)

When you are tired and weary, come to Me, and I will give you rest.  (Matthew 11:28)

Whatever yoke you are under, I will free you from it.  I will redeem you with an outstretched arm and with mighty acts of judgment.  You are mine, and I am Your God.  (Exodus 6:6-7)

I will keep you from all harm and watch over your life always.  (Psalm 121:7-8)

It is My prayer that you may grasp how wide and long and high and deep My love is for you.  (Ephesians 3:17-19)

always on your side and for you,

Dad

Need more affirmations regarding His love for you? Just pull out His Book. It's a love letter written just for you. 

have a thank-filled day!
veneal

does He, or does He not?

does He really love me??

YES!!! keep counting the ways...

(your name), My dearly loved Child,   (Ephesians 5:1)

You have been fearfully and wonderfully made by Me.   (Psalm 139:14)

Nothing and no one will separate you from My love! ... 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!   (Romans 8:35 39)

I will meet all your needs.  (Philippians 4:19)

I will fulfill My purpose for you with an unending love.   (Psalm 138:8)

Even to your old age and gray hairs I am He, I am He who will sustain you... carry you... and rescue you. (Isaiah 46:4)

I will never forget you! See, I have engraved you on the palms of My hands.  (Isaiah 49:15-16)

As I watch over you, I will not sleep nor slumber.  (Psalm 121:4)

Live with the confidence of knowing who you are and whose you are... My Child.  (1 Peter 2:9)

Keeping looking up, My Child, I am here for you always.  (Deuteronomy 31:6)

forever your Dad

have a peace-filled day!
veneal

wild about you!

Reduce your stress, and bask in the love of the One who loves you best. Face it, God is wild about you! If He had a coffee mug, your name would be all over it.

Dear (your name),

As a bridegroom rejoices over his bride, so I rejoice over you. (Isaiah 62:5)

I have loved you with an everlasting love; I have drawn you with loving kindness.(Jeremiah 31:3)

I will be with you wherever you go. (Joshua 1:9)

I have chosen you to be my treasured possession. (Deuteronomy 7:6)

Do not be afraid, for I will fight for you. (Deuteronomy 3:22)

I will rescue you because I delight in you. (Psalm 18:19)

You are the apple of my eye. (Psalm 17:8)

Forever your heavenly Dad

have a joy-filled day!

veneal