Bud, the outcast

"Accept one another, then, just as Christ accepted you, in order to bring praise to God." Romans 15:7

Not only was he new to our school, but he was quite different.  Bud's willful personality wasn't welcomed by all he met.  He was lanky, sneaky and defiant. He was escorted off the grounds several times, only to return later to the rolling eyes at school. I liked Bud for who he was... until he bit me, then i too became leery.  Clearly, school was not the right place for Bud, the orange cat.  But for the two-legged "cats" prowling on the grounds, school is a must. 

Schools, clubs and organizations are composed of people from all walks of life - each possessing an assorted bag of life experiences, producing the unique one-of-a-kind person they are. And unless our bag-of-experiences is identical to theirs,we might fall short in understanding and caring for them as God wishes.

Lord, help me to keep an open mind and heart with all i come in contact with today.  Their are reasons why we are different, and it's okay.  I don't have to know nor understand.  You have asked me to just accept them as they are, as You have me, so to bring honor to You.  And that, my Father, is good enough.

Love your Buds, as He loves us.

have a kind-filled day!
veneal

a Mighty Word

"Share with God's people who are in need.  Practice hospitality." Romans 12:13



Lord, i have because You provide.  Help me to share as freely with others as You do with me.

did you make it?

"On Him we have set our hope that He will continue to deliver us, as you help us by your prayers.  Then many will give thanks on our behalf for the gracious favor granted us in answer to the prayers of many." 2 Corinthians 1:11

In early 1990 a small group of Texas teenagers felt strongly compelled by God to pray for their friends.  They drove to three different schools and prayed for the friends, schools ad leaders around the flagpoles.  Later on that year in September, over 45,000 students in 4 states stepped up to the challenge they made to others to pray.  Now, more that 3 million students/people in over 20 countries participate and pray at schools on what has become to be known as "See You at the Pole" day.

Isn't it amazing what obedience to our Father does?!  One can witness the results of prayers for our school everyday.  God is so faithful, even when we are not.  If you haven't prayed yet, it's not too late.  Whether at school around the flagpole or in your heart, join the others right now in prayer.  May the power of the prayers of many cover our schools and all involved in the care of our children with favor, blessings, protection and guidance.  By the way, YOU have already been prayed for today!   Go about your day with the confidence that God is with you.

have a prayer-filled "See You at the Pole" day!

veneal

loser? never!

"... we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope.  And hope does not disappoint us..."  Romans 5:3-5

We are only a loser when we quit believing and quit trying.  As long as we do not quit, we are a winner.

have a hope-filled day!
veneal

going home... now

"... devote yourselves to prayer" 1 Corinthians 7:5

"It's been that kind of morning?" asked Mrs. Patty.  How did she know??  Was it my wet hair, my sweater half on or the wild look in my eye that told of my frantic morning? Whatever tipped her, she was right.  I needed to pull my frazzled self together, because the day's schedule promised to be long and explosive.  My most pressing question was where to start?  I just wanted to go home... so i did.

When overwhelmed with life, there is one place of comfort and safety we can always retreat.  Home... the home of our heart and soul.  The very place Jesus went when He needed comfort, strength to continue, or peace.  We can go home at any time or any place, when we stop and pray to our Father.  Because home is where the heart is... and as believers, our heart belongs to and is with God.

have a prayer-filled day!
veneal

a Mighty Word ~ JOY

"YOU are a chosen people... a people belonging to God... called out of darkness into His wonderful light." 1 Peter 2:9

Don't live in the misery of what was, but live in the joy of what will be!
CHOOSE JOY, EVERYDAY! 

TODAY is a present from God, open it with a smile!!

wear your whites!

"And what does the LORD require of you?
To act justly, to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God."  Micah 6:8

Labor Day is over and the temperature has dropped... can we still wear white?  Sure!  Ms. Post might disagree, but it's bound to be 95 degrees somewhere on the wonderful earth, and that's good enough for me.  Truly, i've caused the fashion police to shutter for years over my choices. 

Sometimes it's necessary to look beyond our immediate surroundings for answers.  And sometimes we need to be a rebel and to step outside of what the world tells us.  When we answer to a higher calling, we can be assured we are dressed exactly the way God intends.  Man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart.

I think i'll continue to wear my whites as a sign of surrendering my all to God.  What are you going to do with your whites?

have a surrendering-filled day!
veneal