many shades of gray

"Gray hair is a crown of splendor; it is attained in the way of righteousness."  Proverbs 16:31

Looking over the audience, it was obvious gray comes in many wonderful shades.

Gray hair is honored by God...
but gray behavior is not. 

God is black and white on how we should treat each another.
 
"Do not let an unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building other up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen." Ephesians 4:29

Father, help me live, act and speak in a way that honors You.  May i be more concerned with the removal of gray thinking and behavior than gray hair.   Give me the heart to keep more gray on my head and not in my head.

Love one another as you love yourself... Be imitators of God...


friend, we are loved and chosen by God,
veneal

In other words...

Why?? How could this happen? Where were you, God?

These are questions we all have at some time in our life. Questions, no person can answer. Answers, no reasonable person can fathom.  So, where can we turn for sanity and peace? Consolation and comfort can only come from our Father. Just listen to His Words...

"Jesus wept." John 11:35
The Lord says..."at the time it happens, I am there." Isaiah  48:16
"Therefore we are always confident and know that as long as we are at home in the body we are away from the Lord." 2 Corinthians 5:6

In other words, Jesus cries with us.  He knows and understands all our sufferings.  We are never alone... not for a day, not for an hour, not for a second.  And one day, in the blink of an eye, we will see and be with Him.

Jesus said... "In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world." John 16:33
"There will be terrible times in the last days.  People will be... boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient to their parents, without love,without self-control..." 2 Timothy 3:1-4 
"You, dear children, are from God and have overcome them, because the One who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world." 1 John 4:4

In other words, Satan is active in our world. He knows his days are numbered and is furiously working to snuff out God; but God's victory is guaranteed.

"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
Jesus said... "Go into all the world and preach the good news to all creations. " Mark 16:14
"God our Savior, wants all men to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth." 1 Timothy 2:3

In other words, God can and will use everything, good and bad, to fulfill His purpose - growing His Kingdom.  He desires for all to spend eternity with Him and not in the darkness of hell. Death is a fact, the only question is the destination.

"The Spirit helps us in our weakness.  We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit Himself intercedes for us with groans that words cannot express." Romans 8:26
"Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God." 2 Corinthians 1:3-4

In other words, God who comforts us, helps us comfort others.

"And the angel said to them, 'Do not be afraid.  I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people.  Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; He is Christ the Lord." Luke 2:10-11

In other words, because of Jesus' birth, death and resurrection, we have the gift of eternal life.  And in the face of tragedy and pain, this grace and mercy of our God restores hope and peace to broken lives.  

Thank You, Father, for the only gift i truly want... Jesus, my Savior.  He has the power to heal the heart, restore the spirit and comfort the soul.

friend, we are loved and chosen by God,
veneal

Riding high

"Do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God.
I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with My righteous right hand." Isaiah 41:10

With boo-boos on both her knees, her daddy snugly wrapped his arms around her legs and carried her high on his shoulders down the hall to her classroom.

How thankful i am, our Heavenly Father does the same for us.

No matter what the pain, why the tears, where the hurt, when the fall... God carries us safely where we need to go.

friend, we are loved and chosen by God,
veneal

a Mighty Word ~ HELP

"There is no one like the GOD of Jeshurun, who rides on the heavens to help you and on the clouds in His majesty." Deuteronomy 33:26

Can you see this?? Just close your eyes now and envision our God riding on the clouds to our rescue. Not walking, not strolling, but riding to us at the speed of light.

A God who will move heaven and earth to get to us and provide for our needs, bandage our hurts and love us unconditionally... that is the God we are blessed to call, Father.

When we are incapable, our God is able.
When we are ready to give up, our God is going strong.

He cares, He can, He will.  BElieve Him.


friend, we are loved and chosen by God, 
veneal

Free in green

"It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery." Galatian 5:1

Wearing the green... eating party food... dancing the jig... is that all there is to St. Patrick's Day?

Actually the roots of St. Patrick's Day stem from a British Christian child, kidnapped and kept in slavery in Ireland.  After  he finally escaped, he later returned so to care for the Irish people and teach them about God.  Due to his dedicated kindness, he later became St. Patrick.

Below are resources on truths regarding St. Patrick.

• Here's a 2-minute video from the History Channel you can show in class.
•  St. Patrick - Catholic Online 
• How the Irish Saved Civilization, by Thomas Cahill

And why the shamrock? St. Patrick used it to explain the Holy Trinity, one God in three divine beings, the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit.

Whatever we feel enslaved to in life, God can grant us the freedom to overcome it in His love and strength.

Now, that's something to celebrate!



friend, we are loved and chosen by God,
veneal

at a lost?

God said...
"See, I have engraved you on the palms of my hands; your walls are ever before me." Isaiah 49:16

3 months and 22 days ago, and she still remembers...

"Mrs. Williams, did you find your bracelet?"  Bre asked.
"No, i haven't."
"I'm going to make one for you.  Is it okay if i just put your children's initials on it?"


Feeling overwhelmed, isolated, rejected, misplaced or lost?  Don't worry, God has you. He has not forgotten you or your situation. He is working things out for your best and His glory. 

My lost bracelet is not forgotten, but more importantly, neither are we.  As my children's name were engraved on my charms, so we are engraved on the palms of God.

Father, even when we don't feel at peace or see it, may we have just enough faith to know it because we know you.  Year-by-year,day-by-day, minute-by-minute... You are our Peace.

friend, we are loved and chosen by God,
veneal


...please pray for the Hartell family, Spartanburg High School and Pacolet Elementary School

Who said? Seuss said!

"… we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us." Romans 5:3-5

Oh, Dr. Seuss, how did you know?
the many injustices the earth would unfold.

Thanks for your colorful, zany characters a-plenty,
a dose of truth from them have taught many.

Be kind to others, do as i say,
love one another, and forgive each day.

Being right in life shouldn't be our mission or goal,
but a right relationship with others is worthy we're told.

And thank you also for encouraging and letting me know,
being different is okay, God has great plans for all in His show!

Hardships, questions and trials are a part of our life,
but if we follow the right One we will have more peace than strife.

So, today we celebrate you, Dr. Seuss... and oh, the places we'll go,
reading and believing with Him allows freedom, grace and love to grow.

friend, we are loved and chosen by God,
veneal