stepping up

"Surely the Arm of the LORD is not too short to save nor His ear too dull to hear." Isaiah 59:1

Putting displays up on top of the bookshelves had been an issue. Our arms and legs were too short. But not any more.  We were recently gifted with a stepladder. With our increased height and reach, we can now setup and remove displays without any problems. 

For those hard to reach areas in the library, a stepladder was the perfect solution.  But what about other hard to reach areas in our life? Like those hard to reach -- people, solutions or decisions. Is there a sure-fire solution for these?

Father, when i step up to You in pray, You hear me. You can reach me from wherever i am; Your Arms are never too short for my needs..  Thank you for daily help and guidance in all areas of my life.

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

a Mighty Word ~ strong

"The LORD is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in Him, and He helps me. My heart leaps for joy, and with my song I praise Him." Psalm 28:7 

In His Arms i am strong, i am safe, i am loved.

Thank You, Father.

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

dancing with the stars

"Let them praise His name with dancing and make music to Him with timbrel and harp." Psalm 149:3

There's one big problem with Summer Break... it's the dreaded Summer Reading Slump.  When students break from their reading routine, the brain wanes. Three years ago, to fight the slump and encourage Summer reading, a Fall dance party was planned to celebrate our Summer reading stars.  It quickly became a fun, successful foot-stomping tradition at school.

Father, life can be hard and difficult, and at times down right ugly.  But it doesn't stay that way.  I am thankful for times we can break from routines or stressful times and celebrate.  To laugh and move with a joy-filled heart is pure medicine for the soul.  May we continuously look for occasions to celebrate ...and may we remember daily our greatest reason for celebration is You and Your gift of eternal life.

Shake a leg, swing your head, 

sing a song and thank God!

Praise Him, sun and moon; praise Him, all you shining stars.

we are loved and chosen by God,

may we live like we believe it! 

veneal

taking a stand

"If you do not stand firm in your faith, you will not stand at all." Isaiah 7:9

What does standing firm in your faith mean?
wearing a cross
praying openly
going to  church
being in charge of a worship committee
wearing conservative clothes
singing in the choir
joining a Bible study

Maybe it's as simply as loving one another... as Jesus did.

Jesus said, "By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another." John 13:35

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

keep walking

"...As you have heard from the beginning, His command is that you walk in love." 2 John 1:6  

Walk to School day was a big success for schools all over the country.  The joy and excitement of the walk showed on the faces of students and parents alike as they approached the school together.

And in reaching their destination, refreshment, smiles and chatter followed in the culmination of sweet fellowship. 

Walking together, learning together, working together... whatever we do, when we do it love, God is honored and we are tremendously blessed.

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

feel broken?

"For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do." Ephesians 2:10

Broken crayons still color... 
I heard this truth a couple of weeks, and it's been etched on my heart ever since.  Just look at the richly colored letters above or any colored picture.  The beauty of the crayon colors is not based on the size of the instrument, but on the power of what's inside. 

In this world we all are surrounded by people; many have faced varying degrees of brokenness.  We have watched friends, family, co-workers, neighbors travel down some painful and troubled paths. Through their journey we have witnessed how they have pulled through by holding on to our Father's Hand. Their strength and hope in God shine through the dark season, instilling encouragement to others.  The beauty of their testimony is not from what they do, but from Who they follow and lean on ~ whether broken, empty or whole.  

Give thanks, for we are the handiwork of God. Together with our different stories and experiences, we create an incredibly beautiful testimony of God's love, mercy and grace. As we share, we draw others to God for His greater glory and for their peace.

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

hear this

"Therefore encourage one another and build up one another, just as you also are doing."  1 Thessalonians 5:11
Listen, i only have a couple of things to say right now... 

I really like you, and i think you are making a wonderful difference where God has planted you.
Can you pass this good news on to others, please?
we are loved and chosen by God,may we live like we believe it,veneal