a Mighty Word ~ humble

"... clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, because, God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble." 1 Peter 5:5 

We are bigger in His eyes, when we are smaller in our own.

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

Words to Live By... relate

"If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone."  Romans 12:18

It must be that I need practice. Once again, I have the opportunity to relate to someone who has verbally attacked me for a perceived injustice.

Naturally, I want to defend myself. More than that, I would love some reassurance that I am in the right. A small part of me would even like to see my "challenger" squirm when the truth becomes evident. And yet...

A wise friend's words point me in a better direction:  "When someone wrongs you, don't nurse it; don't curse it; don't rehearse it.  Just reverse it."  How?

When I stop replaying in my mind the negative situation which stirred up bad relations, I can "reverse the curse" by praying God will bless the one I'm having trouble relating to.  Of course, He can also dissolve any tension and resolve any issues which are stealing my joy and peace.  I just need to keep my relationship to Him open and honest, and He will take care of the rest.

This week, as we activate the word RELATE, let's make a point of living at peace with everyone, as far as it depends on us.  For more ideas on how to RELATE, please join us on the Weekly Words to Live By Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/weeklywordstoliveby/ and/or in the Words to Live By devotional (139-144).

guest blogger, Dalene Parker

we are loved and chosen by God,

may we live like we believe it,

veneal

Just so you know:  This past September with my Daddy in the hospital, four hours away, for 59 days, i was struggling to write devotions on Mondays.  God-incidently, i was approached by Dalene Parker, friend and co-author of Words to Live By: One Word A Week, to be a guest blogger on Mondays to share from her book. God answered both our needs.  Including her in my devotions for Salt Shakers was a natural extension. Dalene and i have partnered together on many writing projects, and we both share the same objective:  Honor God; encourage others. Neither of us cares who gets the credit, so sometimes we share each other's work on our own sites without making it clear whose words are being conveyed.  So just in case you noticed any difference in style or emphasis on Mondays, now you know.  We hope you will celebrate this partnership as we do, and if something either of us writes "hits the spot," then give God the glory and share with others!

Since the word of the week is RELATE, just thought this was a good time to share with you this precious relationship.

grab your hat, and let's go!

" 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 goal,
but a right relationship with others is worthy to hold.

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,
because reading and believing with Him allows freedom, grace and love to grow.

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

keep going...

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

It's Thursday, and my feet, fingers, brain all feel a bit fried.  Book Fair has been a great success this week thanks to wonderful volunteers, family and friends.  BUT, as i pause, i must say, i am "dog" tired...  and we aren't done yet. 

But, i am revved up to continue.  Why, you ask?  It's not because i am ready for the end, but it's because of the wonderful encouragement during the journey.  I've been treated to "Special" coffee, biscuits, donuts, chocolate and lunch.   But as big of an encouragement nourishment for my body is for me, it's not the largest.  

My greatest feeding really comes from the students, rather a spiritual nourishment.  In this technology savvy world, their continued genuine enthusiasm for books dazzles me every year. Some drag in a variety of family members everyday, some bring in crumbled money from their personal savings, some buy books for younger siblings, and some rush home eager to snuggle up with a new book and read.  With all the sadness we are bombarded with these days, i give tremendous thanks to survive a week surrounded with such pure joy, good works and Good News. 

Father, may we never tire of doing good.  Thank You, for planting seeds of nourishment along the way.  And thank You, for the best book of all... Your Word.

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

ready for a change?

"May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you the same attitude of mind toward each other that Christ Jesus had..." Romans 15:5
 

In case you haven't heard, i changed jobs.  But it's only for this week.  Currently, i am a book store clerk, not a media assistant.  Our school Book Fair is a huge fund raiser and requires all our effort and time.  The transformation from library to book store is magical -- like someone sprinkling Tinkerbell's pixie dust everywhere.  I'll be ringing up more books on the cash register from the Book Fair than i normally checkout from our shelves... and that's a lot of books!

Do you embrace change with an open heart? I must admit, i don't.  I prefer the comfort and familiarity of routines.  I like knowing what is expected, feeling confident in my task, while experiencing little uncertainty or fear.  But, there are times when change is necessary or unavoidable. We can't end all the changes in our life, but we can change our attitude regarding them.

Father, strengthen us with all the unsettling changes we face.  Help us start by trusting You with what's ahead and embracing a change in attitude.  May it produce sweet results, and bring peace to our soul.

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

a Mighty Word ~ sweeter

"But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere. Peacemakers who sow in peace raise a harvest of righteousness." James 3:17-18

Cotton candy clouds. Heaven got a bit sweeter...

when another child of His arrived home.  

Thank You, Father, for Rev. Billy Graham. How blessed we were to have his godly presence, passion and purpose on earth with us.  He made a difference in my life and millions of others.

we are loved and chosen by God,
may we hear His Call and live like we believe Him,
veneal

Words to Live By... pray

 "From inside the fish Jonah prayed to the LORD his God. He said: 'In my distress I called to the LORD, and He answered me.'" Jonah 2:1-2

This week's Word to Live By is PRAY.   Although prayer may already be a familiar habit you employ daily, or even hourly, it's always good to take a fresh look at an old friend.

Let's start with a not-so-fresh look inside the not-so-friendly fish which swallowed Jonah: I can only imagine the dark, the slime, the smell surrounding Jonah as he jostled around in the belly of that fish, still untangling the seaweed from around his head as he hunkered down in his new habitat for three days and nights. Not exactly luxury accommodations, were they?   

And yet, God used that period of tremendous discomfort to bring Jonah to his senses:  ""When my life was ebbing away, I remembered you, LORD, and my prayer rose to you, to your holy temple. Those who cling to worthless idols forfeit the grace that could be theirs. But I, with a song of thanksgiving, will sacrifice to you.  What I have vowed I will make good. Salvation comes from the LORD." And the LORD commanded the fish, and it vomited Jonah onto dry land" (Jonah 2: 7-10).

This week as we pray, let's ask the Lord to bring to our attention any situation in which we have not been obedient, any worthless idols we might be clinging to.  Pray He will help us "make good" our vows.  And pray, thanking Him that in His time, He relieves us from our distress, untangles our anxious thoughts, and puts us back on dry land!

For more fresh thoughts about the word PRAY, please read pages 133-138 in Words to Live By:  One Word a Week by my friends Linda Gilden and Dalene Parker.

we are loved and chosen by God,

may we live like we believe it,

veneal