a Mighty Word ~ trust

"Trust the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him and He will make your paths straight." Proverbs 3:5-6

Tough day?  Stay with Him; He knows the way. He will get you through it and where you need to be.

we are loved and chosen by God,

may we live like we believe it,

veneal

the old lady in the shoe

"As apostles of Christ... we were gentle among you like a mother caring for her little children." 1 Thessalonians 2:6-7
"Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful." Colossians 4:2
It was a classic moment. Sue thought she had met the little old lady who lived in a shoe.

After being introduced to Sue, my new neighbor, she asked me where i worked. And as we continued talking, she asked how many children i had. My reply of working in a school made her smile; my reply of having about 700 children took her breath away.

We both enjoyed a good laugh as i clarified the distinction and definition of children.

Children, they are precious gifts from God deserving to be surrounded in constant prayer, protection, wisdom and love... by their parents, those by blood and those by heart.

So, here's my prayer for our children, those by blood and those by heart. May you always have the desire, guts and will power to do what is right... to be honest and to help others find their strength in hard times. Be the one who makes a good difference and find the voice to stand up for what's right and true. Don't get dragged in the mud of hiding and doing what's wrong; it can be deadly. Be the one who makes a difference, and possibly a better difference not just for you, but for many others. You were born to live life to the fullest... you were born to be blessed and to bless others. As much as i love you, God loves you even more.

we are loved and chosen by God,

may we live like we believe it,

veneal

let me...

"...never tire of doing what is good." 2 Thessalonians 3:13

"Come here, and let me tie your shoe."  

It was a little thing, and it wasn't in her big job description. Yet, she saw a need and didn't hesitate to fix it. Whether a principal, teacher, staff member, assistant, may doing what is good or right always be at the top of our do list.

Father, numerous situations pass by me every day -- a dangling shoe string, a sore finger, spilt milk, rolling eyes, crocodile tears, pouty lips -- help me see them through Your Eyes and Heart.

See a need?  If possible, take care of it.  Smiles will surely multiply from earth all the way to heaven.

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

Words to Live By... dream

"Delight yourself in the Lord and He will give you the desires of your heart" (Psalm 37:4 NIV)

This week's Weekly Word to Live By is DREAM.  

For some, that word conjures up a smile and feeling of hopeful anticipation; for others, it may denote sadness or disappointment. Yet those who have lived through a few decades of dreams -- both dashed and fulfilled-- recognize that often the fulfillment of our dreams is delayed or detoured for a reason or a season.  

This week, let's take God at His Word and determine to delight in Him. Watch for ways He helps you change the direction of your dream or sets in motion what is required to fulfill it.  Either way, you will have the desires of your heart as long as those desires align with His sovereign will.  

Since I am convinced that God is wiser, more powerful, and more loving than anyone else who could possibly influence whatever dreams I have for myself or my family, I am going to trust His perfect timing and His perfect plan for when or if those dreams come true.  How about you?

For other ways to think about the word DREAM, please join us at https://www.facebook.com/weeklywordstoliveby/ and in our Words to Live By devotional book (pages 145-150).

guest blogger,

Dalene Parker

we are loved and chosen by God,

may we live like we believe it,

veneal

gone, but not forgotten

The LORD said...
"I will not forget you! 

See, I have engraved you on the palms of My hands; your walls are ever before Me." Isaiah 49:15-16

She remembered.  Gone for several years, she had not forgotten us or what we liked.  In our mailbox was a manila folder filled with paper to recycle.  She remembered how we preferred using recyclable paper in our copier. It put a big smile on my face.

What a special feeling, being thought of by someone even when we are not physically with them anymore.  

Gone from our sight, but not forgotten.

So it is with Jesus.  Even though Jesus has been physically gone for over 2,000 years, His Presence and Love is as close as our fingertips... a colorful sunrise, a gentle breeze, majestic mountain peaks, the cooing of a baby, kind acts and words from a friend or even a stranger.  He is All-Present, All-Knowing, All-Powerful. 

May we be Jesus with skin on.  Make someone feel special.  Drop them a reminder -- a call, email, cup of coffee, card, etc. -- that they are not forgotten.  It just might be the encouraging break they need for the day. 

we are love and chosen and not forgotten by God,
may we live like we believe it,
veneal

a Mighty Word ~ passion

"Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength... Love your neighbor as yourself.There is no commandment greater than these.” Mark 12:29-31

Where we spend our time and money reflects our priorities and passion.

May other demands, activities and choices not crowd out, Who loves us best.














Father, may You be found in the center of my heart and actions.  

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

tell me the truth...

"But He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong." 2 Corinthians 12:9-10

Do you really want to hear the truth?

Sam walked up while i was cleaning my glasses. "Wow!  Mrs. Williams, you look a lot different without your glasses on!"

Did i dare ask why?  Absolutely not!

We claim to always want the truth, right?  But sometimes, red bombs explode in our hearts like firecrackers on July 4th.  Sometimes the truth can be scary to hear or to tell.

Even with the simple greeting, "how are you today?", do we actually want the truth?  Or, are we anticipating and hoping for the usual, quick canned response, "I'm fine, thanks. How are you?"

And then there are questions like...

Did you finish your work?
Are the test results good?
What happened to the money?
Do you love me?
Is she well?
How are your children?
Is he addicted to ____?
Are you feeling ok?
Did you enjoy the meal?
Is that the truth?

Whether out of fear, rejection, humiliation, anger or pain we don't always want to tell or hear the truth. Sometimes truth hurts immensely... shredding our hearts and exposing our inability to deal with it.  The truth might reveal a flaw or weakness in our character.  The fact we are not as perfect as we feel we should be or that we are not in control of a situation is something we are hesitate to admit.  

Yet, God, in His infinite wisdom, knew and provided the Way for our shortcomings and faults. He gave us what we needed.... a Savior. Through Him our weaknesses are overcome/conquered through His Strength.  In this Truth, may we breathe easier and be filled with praise remembering despite being flawed, we are awed by a Mighty God.  

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