Wednesday, November 29, 2006
Making It Right
Life is such a amazing, mysterious journey.
Just when we think we have everything figured out
we realize how little we know. How much more
we have to learn, how very inadequate we feel
for the tasks we must perform.
Self esteem is a huge problem for many people.
They spend so much time worrying about what
they are not
and worrying about what if they should fail
and remembering all the times they failed,
or who told them bad things about themselves...
That they forget to live the life they have been
given. Their life and thinking is steeped in self
defeat. What a absolute waste of the gift of life.
I have news.. a wake up call... no one is perfect!
The Word of God says all have sinned and fall short
of the glory of God. Everyone you know has failed,
fallen short, done things wrong, been depressed,
let people down, said hurtful words.
So what do we do with that? Do we hate ourselves?
Do we quit trying? Do we give up? Does life
end because we have a wrong mindset?
What if while we are running in this circle of self
defeat, someone around us has a "real" need
and we are too busy, regreting, feeling sorry,
and dwelling on our worries to reach out to them?
What if they need us to guide them? What if we
have been wasting all this time defeating and hurting
ourselves and missed out on the best times of our lives?
Well... many of you have done just that.
It doesn't matter who told you bad things about yourself.
It doesn't matter what flaws you have, they are workable
and fixable.
It doesn't matter what issues you have or problems you
are going through and have gone through.
What matters is what you do with today.
The stark reality?
Only one life, will soon be past
Only what is done for Christ will last.
When you stand before God will you tell Him:
sorry God, I was too busy feeling sorry for myself
to accomplish anything for you while I was on earth.
I let my problems overwhelm me, and the cares of
this life drain me and I spent years allowing it to burden me.
My friend, its never too late to realize God gave you
your life, He made you who you are, you must make
the best of your circumstances, become the best
you can be for who you are and make your life
be your very best life... while there is time.
Don't live beneath your destiny... someone may
be calling out to you, and need you to lead them
into paths of righteousness for His names sake,
and God will give you the strength and the words
to accomplish it...
if you will stop focusing on what is wrong
and focus on what you can do to make life right.
love always,
millie
*****************************************
JUST UP THE ROAD
Just up the road from my home is a field, with two horses in it. From a distance, each looks like every other horse. But if one stops the car, or is walking by,
one will notice something quite amazing.
Looking into the eyes of one horse will disclose that he is blind. His owner has chosen not to have him put down, but has made a good home for him. This alone is amazing.
Listening, one will hear the sound of a bell. Looking around for the source of the sound, one will see that it comes from the smaller horse in the field. Attached to her halter is a small bell. It lets her blind friend know where she is, so he can follow her.
As one stands and watches these two friends, one sees how she is always checking on him, and that he will listen for her bell and then slowly walk to where he is trusting that she will not lead him astray.
Like the owner of these two horses, God does not throw us away just because we are not perfect or because we have problems or challenges.
He watches over us and even brings others into our lives to help us when we are in need.
Sometimes we are the blind horse being guided by God and those whom He places in our lives. Other times we are the guide horse, helping others see God.
Author Unknown
Tuesday, November 28, 2006
The Song of Your Life
Good Morning Everyone,
Everyone has a song within them. The song of their
life, the song of hopes, dreams, failures, hurt and pain.
We sing it whether we know it or not.
Some of the sweetest songs ever composed came
out of great pain and suffering and turned into a revelation
in the heart of those going through that suffering.
Some of the sweetest melodies birds sing are sung
in the night watches. The song of a mockingbird
is beautiful, and they usually sing the most beautifully
in the darkness. A nightingale is said to have the
sweetest melody known to man, and usually sings
during the night hours, a sweet sad melody that
seems born out of sadness. But beautiful enough
to inspire many people to write poems about their song.
Magnificent in beauty, a melody born out of dark moments.
I think many of the times I am most troubled and lay
wakeful I turn it into a prayer. And when the presence
of the Lord ministers to me and comforts me that
all shall be well, and I am not alone, I feel the song
come forth in my spirit even though I have many troubles
to deal with. It is sweet but sad, but hopeful.
How can all these things exist in the human spirit
at the same time?
Because we are many faceted, not even fully
understanding our own emotions. We do understand
our failures and flaws.. and when we address them,
and address our troubles and work on them
and talk to God, it becomes a song of triumph.
Because we have gone through the valley
and entered the mountain of rest and found sustenance.
Sing, sing a song
Sing out loud
Sing out strong
Sing of good things not bad
Sing of happy not sad.
Sing, sing a song
Make it simple to last
Your whole life long
Don't worry that it's not
Good enough for anyone
Else to hear
Just sing, sing a song.
Sing, sing a song
Let the world sing along
Sing of love there could be
Sing for you and for me.
Sing, sing a song
Make it simple to last
Your whole life long
Don't worry that it's not
Good enough for anyone
Else to hear
Just sing, sing a song.
written by Joe Raposo.
My friends, no matter your circumstances, your life
can still be a song. Multi faceted, joyful, sad, triumphant,
resplendant with experience and wisdom.
Make it a song that all can hear, and sing it with
spirit and vitality. Your life is a gift.. treat it that way.
love
millie
Yet the Lord will command His loving-kindness
in the daytime, and in the night His song shall be with me,
a prayer to the God of my life.
Psalm 42:8
Receive his song my friend, he is waiting to bless
you, sustain you, and guide you.
*******************************************
THREE STRINGS
On Nov. 18, 1995, Itzhak Perlman, the violinist, came on stage to give a concert at Avery Fisher Hall at Lincoln Center in New York City. If you have ever been to a Perlman concert, you know that getting on stage is no small achievement for him. He was stricken with polio as a child, and so he has braces on both legs and walks with the aid of two crutches.
To see him walk across the stage one step at a time, painfully and slowly, is an unforgettable sight. He walks painfully, yet majestically, until he reaches his chair. Then he sits down, slowly, puts his crutches on the floor, undoes the clasps on his legs, tucks one foot back and extends the other foot forward. Then he bends down and picks up the violin, puts it under his chin, nods to the conductor and proceeds to play.
By now, the audience is used to this ritual. They sit quietly while he makes his way across the stage to his chair. They remain reverently silent while he undoes the clasps on his legs. They wait until he is ready to play.
But this time, something went wrong. Just as he finished the first few bars, one of the strings on his violin broke. You could hear it snap -- it went off like gunfire across the room. There was no mistaking what that sound meant. There was no mistaking what he had to do.
People who were there that night thought to themselves: "We figured that he would have to get up, put on the clasps again, pick up the crutches and limp his way off stage -- to either find another violin or else find another string for this one."
But he didn't. Instead, he waited a moment, closed his eyes and then signaled the conductor to begin again. The orchestra began, and he played from where he had left off. And he played with such passion and such power and such purity as they had never heard before. Of course, anyone knows that it is impossible to play a symphonic work with just three strings. I know that, and you know that, but that night Itzhak Perlman refused to know that.
You could see him modulating, changing, recomposing the piece in his head. At one point, it sounded like he was de-tuning the strings to get new sounds from them that they had never made before.
When he finished, there was an awesome silence in the room. And then people rose and cheered. There was an extraordinary outburst of applause from every corner of the auditorium. We were all on our feet, screaming and cheering, doing everything we could to show how much we appreciated what he had done.
He smiled, wiped the sweat from his brow, raised his bow to quiet us, and then he said, not boastfully, but in a quiet, pensive, reverent tone, "You know, sometimes it is the artist's task to find out how much music you can still make with what you have left."
What a powerful line that is. It has stayed in my mind ever since I heard it. And who knows? Perhaps that is the [way] of life - not just for artists, but for all of us.
So, perhaps our task in this shaky, fast-changing, bewildering world in which we live is to make music, at first with all that we have, and then, when that is no longer possible, to make music with what we have left.
By Jack Riemer
Monday, November 27, 2006
Be A Blessing
Good Morning Everyone,
As I pondered the story below today, I thought of
what gift I would most like from my from my friends.
As you get older, you really need less "things"
and more of the truly basic gifts, such as the company
of friends, encouragement, busy things to do,
the joy of life, warm nurturing food, and the
joyful gatherings of family,
these things cost nothing but are
sustaining in so many ways.
After we retired, our income changed so
dramatically, and we learned to be very creative
in the ways we give to others, and to simplify our life,
and to be honest.. it is a good thing.
One of the greatest gifts this list gives me is a listening
ear. How marvelous to know around the world today
people will open this email and find encouragement in it.
What a great gift it is to find encouragement,
what hope that brings to our hearts, and how we
as children of the Most High God should strive to be
reaching out to those around us daily, shedding his light
and love along the path we walk.
Wouldn't it be wonderful if everyone reading this today,
could come here, and we could sing praises to the Lord
today, and share food, and time with each other? We
can surely do that in spirit my friends. Even though
we are far apart, we can rejoice that God has brought
us together, and enabled us to keep in touch this way.
Another thing I savor is knowing I am loved by God,
his child, truly forgiven, truly loved, and truly watched
over daily. There is nothing more precious than this.
I have lost many friends and family already to eternity,
yet they just entered another dimension; the arms
of the Savior. What a joy to know they knew the Lord
and now dwell with him. As I enter this time of year,
where family gatherings are so prominent, so many
of my family are gone. I choose not to spend it in sorrow
or grieving, or thinking about what I don't have,
but live life with a spirit of joy, and counting
my blessings daily.
These are things each of us can do. We all have
gifts, you can absolutely make a difference, no
matter what circumstances are in your life. I have
a dear online friend who has severe parkinsons
disease and is constantly shaking and has a hard
time talking, but he is so full of the joy of the Lord
and witnesses everyday, and loves people everyday.
Don't say you cannot make a difference, you sure can.
What more precious gift is there in this world than
salvation?
At this time of year, don't get caught up in the frenzy
of spending money just to buy some gift someone
may file away and never use. Take time to give
things that truly mean something. Simplify.
Give small dinner parties, invite people over who
have no one, share what you have with others,
give money to those you know are in need.
This is practical christianity, and it brings joy,
true satisfaction, because you know you are
making a difference in this ol world.
When the world seems to be falling apart,
we can show them, that those who know Jesus
personally are sustained by Him, joyful, and giving.
And that our prayers make a difference, a gift for sure.
What a precious light that sheds on the darkness
of this world.
Have a lovely day my friends.
love
millie
Eight Gifts That Don't Cost a Cent ~
In the economy of the heart, these presents are priceless.
This simple checklist can help measure how you are nurturing your relationships.
The Gift of Listening
But you must really listen. Don't interrupt, don't daydream, don't plan your response. Just listen.
The Gift of Affection
Be generous with appropriate hugs, kisses, pats on the back and handholds. Let these small actions demonstrate the love you have for family and friends.
The Gift of Laughter
Clip cartoons. Share articles and funny stories. Your gift will say, "I love to laugh with you."
The Gift of Solitude
There are times when we want nothing better than to be left alone. Be sensitive to those times and give the gift of solitude to others.
The Gift of a Favor
Everyday, go out of your way to do something kind.
The Gift of a Written Note
It can be a simple "Thanks for the help" note or a full sonnet. A brief, handwritten note may be remembered for a lifetime.
The Gift of a Compliment
A simple and sincere, "You look great in red," "You did a super job," or "That was a wonderful meal" can make someone's day.
The Gift of a Cheerful Disposition
The easiest way to feel good is to extend a kind word to someone.
~author unknown~
Sunday, November 26, 2006
Unfathomable Hope Is Ours, If We Choose
Unfathomable Hope Is Ours, If We Choose
copyright Millie Plastaras 11/26/2006
Your Mercy, O Lord, will hold me up,
In the multitude of my anxieties within me,
Your comforts delight my soul.
Psalm 94:18-19.
God's mercies are new every morning,
in this verse it even says they hold us up.
Wow.. do you feel like you are being held and sustained this
morning? Why not? It all gets down to one point,
where you are putting your trust.
Everyone seems to have a multitude of anxieties anymore,
it is common, but how people deal with it is a different
subject altogether.
His comforts should be delighting our soul, refreshing
our spirit, reminding us we are a child of the King of Kings.
Light is sown for the (uncompromisingly) righteous
and strewn along their pathway,
and for the upright in heart ( the irrepressible joy
which comes from the consciousness of his favor
and protection.
Rejoice in the Lord, you (consistently) righteous -- upright
in heart and rightstanding with God -- and give thanks
at the remembrance of His holiness.
Psalm 97:11-12
My dear friends, if you are not feeling his comfort
and if his joy is not sustaining you
if you are not feeling rest within your spirit
you have allowed it to be stolen right out of your
spirit. If you are not feeling your path is strewn
with light, perhaps you are going down the wrong path!
I hear many people say, I cannot read the Bible,
I am too upset, I am too busy, there is too much
going on in my life, I cannot concentrate.
I hear people say, I cannot take time to pray,
I am too weary, I am too worn down, it doesn't
seem to work anyway.
No wonder you have no victory, you have
given up the very tools that bring it about!
God promised joy for the uncompromisingly righteous.
Perhaps your very problem this morning is
you have compromised your spiritual life and
lost your rightstanding before God,
you have relinquished joy and found sorrow,
you have relinquished hope and found despair,
you have relinquished the Word of God, and
recieved the spirit of fear,
you have relinquished righteousness and found
the ways of the world creeping into your
spirit and thinking.
The only way to cure this is to bow before God,
repent, and be uncompromising in your pursuit of Him.
Fill up on his Word every chance you get. Recognize
when you do not read His word your spirit becomes
depleted, run down, loses hope, it is drained of
his joy and inspiration.
Don't sit and tell the world your great despair
and your overwhelming problems.
Stand and tell the world Jesus overcame the
world and has a plan for mankind and for each
individual. Jesus is Lord of all!
Your problems should not rule and reign He should!!!
Talk to God every chance you get.. so that He
may protect you, inspire you, guide you, fill you with
hope and purpose. Neglect of prayer is the way
to despair. Trust me.. I see it in the letters I get,
in the people I meet, in the despair I read in the
faces of people around me.
Not realizing it, they have strayed far from God
and allowed their problems to rule their spirit
rather than the peace of God.
You are the only one who can change that. You
are the only one who can take yourself back to God
and before His throne, pleading your case before
Him, and finding great comfort in His presence.
If you think you are the only one who has problems,
you are not. You need to quit focusing on them
and realize God has work for you to do, and there
are people lost and dying out there without
knowledge of God.. and they are getting no help
from you cause you are too busy rehearsing your
problems to everyone who will listen.
Instead practise the presence of God,
speak His word out loud to your problems,
and remember He is God, nothing is impossible to Him.
Don't limit Him by your despair,
find unlimited hope and strength in each prayer.
Casting you care (throwing it away, giving it to Him,
never picking it back up) by releasing those burdens
you were never meant to bear, to your heavenly
Father, and then going out and doing meaningful
things with your life rather than wringing your hands
and letting the joy seep out of your spirit.
God shall prevail and bring light and hope and
mercy and joy to the uncompromisingly righteous.
Compromise destroys.
Faith builds and brings hope.
Remember
Only one life, will soon be past
Only what is done, for Christ will last
copyright Millie Plastaras 11/26/2006
Your Mercy, O Lord, will hold me up,
In the multitude of my anxieties within me,
Your comforts delight my soul.
Psalm 94:18-19.
God's mercies are new every morning,
in this verse it even says they hold us up.
Wow.. do you feel like you are being held and sustained this
morning? Why not? It all gets down to one point,
where you are putting your trust.
Everyone seems to have a multitude of anxieties anymore,
it is common, but how people deal with it is a different
subject altogether.
His comforts should be delighting our soul, refreshing
our spirit, reminding us we are a child of the King of Kings.
Light is sown for the (uncompromisingly) righteous
and strewn along their pathway,
and for the upright in heart ( the irrepressible joy
which comes from the consciousness of his favor
and protection.
Rejoice in the Lord, you (consistently) righteous -- upright
in heart and rightstanding with God -- and give thanks
at the remembrance of His holiness.
Psalm 97:11-12
My dear friends, if you are not feeling his comfort
and if his joy is not sustaining you
if you are not feeling rest within your spirit
you have allowed it to be stolen right out of your
spirit. If you are not feeling your path is strewn
with light, perhaps you are going down the wrong path!
I hear many people say, I cannot read the Bible,
I am too upset, I am too busy, there is too much
going on in my life, I cannot concentrate.
I hear people say, I cannot take time to pray,
I am too weary, I am too worn down, it doesn't
seem to work anyway.
No wonder you have no victory, you have
given up the very tools that bring it about!
God promised joy for the uncompromisingly righteous.
Perhaps your very problem this morning is
you have compromised your spiritual life and
lost your rightstanding before God,
you have relinquished joy and found sorrow,
you have relinquished hope and found despair,
you have relinquished the Word of God, and
recieved the spirit of fear,
you have relinquished righteousness and found
the ways of the world creeping into your
spirit and thinking.
The only way to cure this is to bow before God,
repent, and be uncompromising in your pursuit of Him.
Fill up on his Word every chance you get. Recognize
when you do not read His word your spirit becomes
depleted, run down, loses hope, it is drained of
his joy and inspiration.
Don't sit and tell the world your great despair
and your overwhelming problems.
Stand and tell the world Jesus overcame the
world and has a plan for mankind and for each
individual. Jesus is Lord of all!
Your problems should not rule and reign He should!!!
Talk to God every chance you get.. so that He
may protect you, inspire you, guide you, fill you with
hope and purpose. Neglect of prayer is the way
to despair. Trust me.. I see it in the letters I get,
in the people I meet, in the despair I read in the
faces of people around me.
Not realizing it, they have strayed far from God
and allowed their problems to rule their spirit
rather than the peace of God.
You are the only one who can change that. You
are the only one who can take yourself back to God
and before His throne, pleading your case before
Him, and finding great comfort in His presence.
If you think you are the only one who has problems,
you are not. You need to quit focusing on them
and realize God has work for you to do, and there
are people lost and dying out there without
knowledge of God.. and they are getting no help
from you cause you are too busy rehearsing your
problems to everyone who will listen.
Instead practise the presence of God,
speak His word out loud to your problems,
and remember He is God, nothing is impossible to Him.
Don't limit Him by your despair,
find unlimited hope and strength in each prayer.
Casting you care (throwing it away, giving it to Him,
never picking it back up) by releasing those burdens
you were never meant to bear, to your heavenly
Father, and then going out and doing meaningful
things with your life rather than wringing your hands
and letting the joy seep out of your spirit.
God shall prevail and bring light and hope and
mercy and joy to the uncompromisingly righteous.
Compromise destroys.
Faith builds and brings hope.
Remember
Only one life, will soon be past
Only what is done, for Christ will last
Friday, November 24, 2006
Comfort And Joy
copyright Millie Plastaras
9/1/2005
Comfort and Joy
There is a wonderful Christmas song, that speaks of
comfort and joy.
As I was pondering on those words today God gave
me such a urge to write on it tonite.
Comfort and Joy are companions. We find one,
we should have the other.
Comfort does not totally depend on a comfortable
home, lots of possessions, money or even how many
people we know or what a great job we have.
Comfort depends on our state of mind.
Paul said:
Not that I am implying that I was in any personal want,
for I have learned how to be content (satisfied to the
point where I am not disturbed or disquieted) in whatever
state I am.
I know how to be abased and live humbly in
straitened circumstances, and I know how
to enjoy plenty and live in abundance. I have learned
in any and all circumstances, the secret of facing
every situation, whether well-fed or going hungry,
having a sufficiency and to spare or going without
and being in want.
I have strength for ALL things in Christ who EMPOWERS ME,
I am ready for anything and equal to anything through
Him who infuses inner strength into me,
(that is, I am self sufficient in Christ's sufficiency)
Philippians 4:11-13
Wow. Is that powerful or what?
How do we come to that state of mind where we
can be content no matter what hits? It is huge mental
discipline, bringing every thought captive to the things
of God. It is also realizing God is in control, and whatever
is ahead, we know above all else, He will not leave
us or forsake us. (Hebrews 13:5)
Basically … our sufficiency, our total dependency and
hope is from him. Not from our circumstances,
not from our friends, nor family, not from what we own
or don't own. Our hope is From Jesus Christ who came
to take away the sins of the world. He said when He left
this world He would send another comforter, The Holy
Spirit to guide us and lead us into all truth.
So how do we access the Holy Spirit?
The minute we receive salvation through Jesus Christ
that Holy Spirit dwells within us.
And I will ask the Father, and He will give you
another comforter (counsellor, helper, intercessor,
advocate, strengthener and standby) that He may remain
with you forever.
The spirit of Truth, whom the world cannot receive
(welcome, take to heart) because it does not see Him,
nor know and recognize Him, for He lives with you constantly
and will be in you.
John 14:16 - 17
My friend, knowing almighty God has sent the great
comforter to dwell within us to lead us into all truth,
to guide and direct us, and tell us what to do,
should bring awesome praise from our lips..
How very blessed we are.
We must find our sufficiency in him.
As the world changes, and grows worse. We will
see many things, floods, famines, earthquakes,
typhoons, hurricanes, floods, pestilences, disease.
We cannot allow a spirit of fear to take root.
For God has not given us a spirit of timidity (cowardice,
of craven, cringing and fawning fear) but He has
given us a spirit of power and of love and
well balanced mind and discipline and self control.
2 Timothy 1:7
I can remember a time where my family was hit
with so many tragedies I was knocked to my feet.
I heard God speaking to my heart as clearly as could be.
You can either be full of fear or full of faith.
You can fall apart or you can believe everything you
have read about me. I am your sufficiency.. pray in
faith, cling to me, trust, do not let go of me, do not look
to the right or the left.. Rebuke the spirit of fear,
rebuke the spirit of death, walk in my way, walk in my
love, walk in power and a sound mind, I am your
sufficiency, I am all you need.
From that day on, I learned that. There are days
where I fall apart, and God needs to remind me.. hey..
did you forget? I am on the throne, I am in control,
I am almighty God, I am the great I Am, I am all you need.
It is in that thought.. joy returns.
Joy returns because our hope is in Jesus Christ.
We can rest in that.. He is driving, we are just taking
the trip. No matter what is ahead.. we will never
be alone. If we are not here on earth.. we will be
with him in heaven. There is nothing to fear.
He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High
shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty.
Psalm 91:1
He shall cover thee with his feathers, and under His
wings shall you trust. His trust shall be thy shield and thy
buckler, thou shall not be afraid for the terror by night,
nor for the arrow that flies by day, nor for the pestilence
that walks in darkness, nor for the destruction that waits
at noonday.
A thousand shall fall at thy side, and ten thousand
at thy right hand, but it shall not come nigh thee.
Psalm 91:4-7
There shall no evil befall thee, neither shall any
plague come nigh thy dwelling. For He shall
give His angels charge over thee, to
keep thee in all thy ways.
Psalm 91:10-11
Be not afraid of sudden fear, neither of the desolation
of the wicked, when it comes. For the Lord shall be
thy confidence, and shall keep thy foot from being
taken. Proverbs 3:25-26
In righteousness shall you be established. You shall
be far from oppression, for you shall not fear, and from
terror, for it shall not come near thee.
Isaiah 54:14
Believe it and receive it and live in it.
Then God is your sufficiency.
Or reject it and live in that and fear.
Then comfort and joy will not enter your dwelling.
It is your choice.
What kind of God are you serving?
I am serving one who is all sufficient.
I need not be afraid.. and he has the same promises
for all who believe. We need never fear.
In God I have put my trust, I will not be afraid what
man can do to me
Psalm 56:11
Just trust
Remember
Only one life, will soon be past
Only what is done for Christ will last
9/1/2005
Comfort and Joy
There is a wonderful Christmas song, that speaks of
comfort and joy.
As I was pondering on those words today God gave
me such a urge to write on it tonite.
Comfort and Joy are companions. We find one,
we should have the other.
Comfort does not totally depend on a comfortable
home, lots of possessions, money or even how many
people we know or what a great job we have.
Comfort depends on our state of mind.
Paul said:
Not that I am implying that I was in any personal want,
for I have learned how to be content (satisfied to the
point where I am not disturbed or disquieted) in whatever
state I am.
I know how to be abased and live humbly in
straitened circumstances, and I know how
to enjoy plenty and live in abundance. I have learned
in any and all circumstances, the secret of facing
every situation, whether well-fed or going hungry,
having a sufficiency and to spare or going without
and being in want.
I have strength for ALL things in Christ who EMPOWERS ME,
I am ready for anything and equal to anything through
Him who infuses inner strength into me,
(that is, I am self sufficient in Christ's sufficiency)
Philippians 4:11-13
Wow. Is that powerful or what?
How do we come to that state of mind where we
can be content no matter what hits? It is huge mental
discipline, bringing every thought captive to the things
of God. It is also realizing God is in control, and whatever
is ahead, we know above all else, He will not leave
us or forsake us. (Hebrews 13:5)
Basically … our sufficiency, our total dependency and
hope is from him. Not from our circumstances,
not from our friends, nor family, not from what we own
or don't own. Our hope is From Jesus Christ who came
to take away the sins of the world. He said when He left
this world He would send another comforter, The Holy
Spirit to guide us and lead us into all truth.
So how do we access the Holy Spirit?
The minute we receive salvation through Jesus Christ
that Holy Spirit dwells within us.
And I will ask the Father, and He will give you
another comforter (counsellor, helper, intercessor,
advocate, strengthener and standby) that He may remain
with you forever.
The spirit of Truth, whom the world cannot receive
(welcome, take to heart) because it does not see Him,
nor know and recognize Him, for He lives with you constantly
and will be in you.
John 14:16 - 17
My friend, knowing almighty God has sent the great
comforter to dwell within us to lead us into all truth,
to guide and direct us, and tell us what to do,
should bring awesome praise from our lips..
How very blessed we are.
We must find our sufficiency in him.
As the world changes, and grows worse. We will
see many things, floods, famines, earthquakes,
typhoons, hurricanes, floods, pestilences, disease.
We cannot allow a spirit of fear to take root.
For God has not given us a spirit of timidity (cowardice,
of craven, cringing and fawning fear) but He has
given us a spirit of power and of love and
well balanced mind and discipline and self control.
2 Timothy 1:7
I can remember a time where my family was hit
with so many tragedies I was knocked to my feet.
I heard God speaking to my heart as clearly as could be.
You can either be full of fear or full of faith.
You can fall apart or you can believe everything you
have read about me. I am your sufficiency.. pray in
faith, cling to me, trust, do not let go of me, do not look
to the right or the left.. Rebuke the spirit of fear,
rebuke the spirit of death, walk in my way, walk in my
love, walk in power and a sound mind, I am your
sufficiency, I am all you need.
From that day on, I learned that. There are days
where I fall apart, and God needs to remind me.. hey..
did you forget? I am on the throne, I am in control,
I am almighty God, I am the great I Am, I am all you need.
It is in that thought.. joy returns.
Joy returns because our hope is in Jesus Christ.
We can rest in that.. He is driving, we are just taking
the trip. No matter what is ahead.. we will never
be alone. If we are not here on earth.. we will be
with him in heaven. There is nothing to fear.
He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High
shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty.
Psalm 91:1
He shall cover thee with his feathers, and under His
wings shall you trust. His trust shall be thy shield and thy
buckler, thou shall not be afraid for the terror by night,
nor for the arrow that flies by day, nor for the pestilence
that walks in darkness, nor for the destruction that waits
at noonday.
A thousand shall fall at thy side, and ten thousand
at thy right hand, but it shall not come nigh thee.
Psalm 91:4-7
There shall no evil befall thee, neither shall any
plague come nigh thy dwelling. For He shall
give His angels charge over thee, to
keep thee in all thy ways.
Psalm 91:10-11
Be not afraid of sudden fear, neither of the desolation
of the wicked, when it comes. For the Lord shall be
thy confidence, and shall keep thy foot from being
taken. Proverbs 3:25-26
In righteousness shall you be established. You shall
be far from oppression, for you shall not fear, and from
terror, for it shall not come near thee.
Isaiah 54:14
Believe it and receive it and live in it.
Then God is your sufficiency.
Or reject it and live in that and fear.
Then comfort and joy will not enter your dwelling.
It is your choice.
What kind of God are you serving?
I am serving one who is all sufficient.
I need not be afraid.. and he has the same promises
for all who believe. We need never fear.
In God I have put my trust, I will not be afraid what
man can do to me
Psalm 56:11
Just trust
Remember
Only one life, will soon be past
Only what is done for Christ will last
The Perfect Gift
Good Morning Everyone,
What is the best gift you can give someone?
Is it new clothes? New Car? New home?
There are many people out there shopping today
in a frenzy seeking to please everyone with just
the "right" Christmas gift. In their shopping hungry
mind ... materialistic gifts will do the trick.
Yet when I talk to people on the Internet... I see a
few very real needs, that cannot be addressed with
anything you can buy at a store.
People need someone to listen to them. Everyone
wants to talk, no one wants to listen ... no one wants
to hear about someone else's needs.
People need affection. They need hugs, and to know
someone cares personally about them, they need
connection.
People need forgiveness. I don't know of one person
out there who isn't flawed, hasn't done things wrong,
and doesn't themselves need forgiveness. And we
must always remember God said if we don't forgive
others he will not forgive us -- could there be a bigger
penalty for holding on to grudges?
People need prayer. They need people who care
enough to get on their knees and intercede for each
other, to truly fight the good fight of faith. Not to
just tell someone you pray ... and pat them on the hand
and then walk off and instantly forget their anguish.
What kind of Christian behavior is that anyway?
People need to quit fighting over doctrine, and their
differences, and go out and live for God, love others,
give to those less fortunate, get into God's word and
to speak healing into the lives of others through their words
and deeds.
This is practical Christianity. Getting down to basics.
Walking the walk. Talking the talk. No games.
No agenda ... putting Christ first ... instead of our own
motives.
How precious that is in the sight of God. How we must
strive for it.
Give someone the perfect gift this Christmas
season ... notice them, notice their needs, listen to their
heart, and forgive everyone you are holding something
against.
I can guarantee you, it is the most personally freeing
and deeply satisfying feeling their is.
Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.
Don't expect things in return ... do it because it must
be done ... and you are God's hand extended.
We all have work to do ... giving the perfect gift ... right
from the heart of God.
love
millie
**************************************************
ABC's
A-lthough things are not perfect
B-ecause of trial or pain
C-ontinue in thanksgiving
D-o not begin to blame
E-ven when the times are hard
F-ierce winds are bound to blow
G-od is forever able
H-old on to what you know
I-magine life without His love
J-oy would cease to be
K-eep thanking Him for all the things
L-ove imparts to thee
M-ove out of "Camp Complaining"
N-o weapon that is known
O-n earth can yield the power
P-raise can do alone
Q-uit looking at the future
R-edeem the time at hand
S-tart every day with worship
T-o "thank" is a command
U-ntil we see Him coming
V-ictorious in the sky
W-e'll run the race with gratitude
X-alting God most high
Y-es, there'll be good times and yes some will be bad, but...
Z -ion waits in glory...where none are ever sad!
"This is the covenant that I will make with them after those days, saith the Lord, I will put my laws into their hearts, and in their minds will I write them;" - Hebrews 10:16
Thursday, November 23, 2006
Being Thankful Anyway
Happy Thanksgiving Dear Friends,
Are any of you having a hard time being thankful today?
Suppose someone gave you a assignment today,
and you had to complete the assignment for tomorrow
to happen? Suppose it was such a necessity that
you knew you had to put it as your first priority or nothing
else in your life would go right? You would have to
take it seriously, and adjust your thinking to accomplish
the necessary task.
Remember that movie groundhog day? Where the
same day kept repeating over and over until the main
character in it, recognized his own flaws, and changed?
He became so different over a period of time, introspective,
realizing he had been a thoughtless, unkind, selfish
person to people most of his life. Watching the day
repeat itself over and over made him work on
changing himself internally, and learning to be kind,
thoughtful and thankful for each new day.
Suppose someone told you to have
A Attitude of Gratitude? Could you? Do you want
to? Or do you enjoy wallowing in your sorrows?
If I asked for a show of hands, I would be willing to
bet (although some won't admit it) that a lot of you
somewhat enjoy feeling sorry about your situation.
Are we supposed to be thankful?
OH Come let us sing to the Lord!
Let us shout joyfully to the Rock of our Salvation.
Let us come before His presence with Thanksgiving;
Let us shout joyfully to Him with psalms (singing).
For the Lord is the Great God!!
And the Great King above all gods.
In his hand are the deep places of the earth;
The heights of the hills are His also.
The sea is His, for He made it;
and His hands formed the dry land.
Oh Come let us worship and bow down,
Let us kneel before the Lord our Maker.
For He is our God,
and we are the people of His pasture.
And the sheep of His Hand.
Psalm 95:2-7
A attitude of gratitude is praise for what we do have,
for what God has done, and for what is yet to come.
It is not focusing on what we don't have,
it is not focusing on what people have done to hurt us,
it is not focusing on what we have lost,
it is not focusing on our circumstances.
It is rising above our circumstances,
and have a attitude of thankfulness for the new day,
for the small blessings of each moment, for our
breath, our heartbeat, for a meal, a change of clothes,
a home, for the love of others,
but above All, that God would love us so dearly
He gave his only son to die for our sins ... unworthy
that we were, he loved us beyond our faults
and into our point of need, and when we ask forgiveness
it is promised.
We have all been dealt a certain hand
a certain set of circumstances
our life being what it is, we can choose to succeed or fail,
we can choose to love or hate
we can choose to forgive or carry grudges
we can choose to be thankful or feel sorry for ourselves.
All of these things compose the texture of our life,
what would you choose?
With the hope of each new day, put on a new
attitude of gratitude.
It is the only way to succeed at life.
And the only way we should enter into the presence of God.
For God dwells in, and loves the praises of His people.
Oh come let us worship and bow down,
Let us kneel before the Lord our maker
For He is Our God (Our hope, strength, guide, Father,
and daily source) and we are the people of His pasture
and the sheep of His hand.
Happy "Thanksgiving" Everyone,
Go out into this day, and make it shine, it is a gift
to you from God, your gift in return is living life
to the fullest, even when circumstances may be hard.
Be a light.. so that others will see Jesus in you
and want the victory that comes from abundant
thankfulness even in the hardest days.. for we
know God is our Shepherd, and He will provide.
Just trust.
Love
millie
Proverbs 3:5-6
***********************************************
"Thank You's"
Every day be thankful for what you have and who you are.
Even though I clutch my blanket and growl when the alarm
rings, I give thanks that I can hear. There are many who
are deaf.
Even though I keep my eyes closed against the morning light
as long as possible, I give thanks that I can see.
Many are blind.
Even though I huddle in my bed and put off rising, I give
thanks that I have the strength to rise. There are many
who are bedridden.
Even though the first hour of my day is hectic, when socks
are lost, toast is burned and tempers are short, my children
are so loud, I give thanks for my family. There are many who
are lonely.
Even though our breakfast table never looks like the pictures
in magazines and the menu is at times unbalanced, I give
thanks for the food we have. There are many who are hungry.
Even though the routine of my job often is monotonous, I give
thanks for the opportunity to work. There are many who have
no job.
Even though I grumble and bemoan my fate from day to day
and wish my circumstances were not so modest, I give thanks
for life.
--Author Unknown
******************************************************************
Dear God:
I want to thank You for what you have already done.
I am not going to wait until I see results or receive rewards, I am thanking You right now.
I am not going to wait until I feel better or things look better, I am thanking You right now.
I am not going to wait until people say they are sorry or until they stop talking about me, I am thanking You right now.
I am not going to wait until the pain in my body disappears, I am thanking You right now.
I am not going to wait until my financial situation improves, I am going to thank You right now.
I am not going to wait until the children are asleep and the house is quiet, I am going to thank You right now.
I am not going to wait until I get promoted at work or until I get the job, I am going to thank You right now.
I am not going to wait until I understand every experience in my life that has caused me pain or grief, I am going thank You right now.
I am not going to wait until the journey gets easier or the challenges are removed, I am thanking You right now.
I am thanking You because I am alive.
I am thanking You because I made it through the day's difficulties.
I am thanking You because I have walked around the obstacles.
I am thanking You because I have the ability and the opportunity to do more and do better.
I am thanking You because You have not given up on me.
I am thanking you because you loved me enough to give
up your only son for me, that I might have forgiveness
of my sins, and hope for eternal life.
I am thanking you because you never leave me nor
forsake me.
I am thanking you because you love me just as I am,
and continue steadfastly in my life, when the whole
world seems to walk away.
I am praising you for your goodness, and mercy,
and give you all the honor and praise.
God is just so good, and He's good all the time.
***********************************************
Just walk it.
Just talk it.
Just preach it.
Just teach it.
Just tell it.
Just live it.
Just give it.
Just wear it.
Just share it.
Just shout it.
Just sing it.
Just proclaim it.
Just prove it.
JUST DO IT.
Live For Jesus!
Wednesday, November 22, 2006
Abundant Forgiveness
Good Morning Everyone,
When you were a child, did you ever do something so
wrong, you felt your parents could never forgive you?
And when you told them, you probably got yelled at
or disciplined, but after that, did they not hold you
and love you? And gave you another chance to
start over, and love you as much as ever?
The remarkable thing about God is His love for us.
His love is so far beyond our comprehension. His
word promises there is no condemnation to those who
are IN him. This means that once we ask Jesus to
come in our hearts and be our Savior, and we repent
of our sins, confessing them, and turning away from them,
that we have no more condemnation hanging over our
head. It is all forgiven, buried, gone. Cleansed away
by the precious blood of the Lamb, Jesus Christ.
So when you think, because you have made mistakes,
or sinned, that you are worthless, or less than honorable,
or no good, think again. God offers us a fresh start
every time we confess those sins. He offers us a new way
of life. And if we can learn to leave those sins behind
and take a new path with Him guiding us, and teaching us,
the mistakes will become less and less. Because we will
choose to be more careful in our speech, and in our
actions, and we will seek first, God's will.. not ours.
My friends, God loves you so much. No matter what
you have done, what things you are hiding. No matter
what you have said or how you might have sinned.
God will forgive you, if you ask, and are truly repentant.
No games, no hidden agendas, true repentance is necessary.
And then? Your sins are gone. You have a new clean
life, and a heavenly Father who loves you beyond your
wildest imaginations. He loves you dearly. You are His,
called by your name, a child of the King of Kings.
Embrace Him for all you are worth :)
love
millie
Be free, let the past be the past.
There is no condemnation to those who love Jesus.
Don't allow the condemnation in your mind, home or life
ever again.
For the son of man is come to seek and save that which
was lost.
Luke 19:10
Forgiveness Is Near
I have heard of a girl who in a evil hour left her mother, won
by the promises of some villain, and traveled to a large city.
And there went down to the lowest depths. At last, sad at heart,
broken of spirit and perishing with hunger she thought she would
creep back and see the old home again, and die.
Of course her mother would never receive her anymore, but
nobody in the village would know her, and it would be good to see the cottage and the flowers of the garden and to hear
the birds sing again.
And so with heavy heart and wearied steps she wandered
on until she reached the little village. It was night when
she got there. Footsore and faint she could just stand by
the gate, and dark as it was, the stars would give light
enough to see the place -- and there she would stand and
try to feel again as she had done long ago.
But as she came near, a light glimmered along the path,
and she saw it was her mother's cottage. Long ago her
mother must have gone to bed. What did this mean?
And wondering she came on, and she found the gate
wide open, and the gate had always been carefully shut,
and noiselessly she crept up to the door. It was on the
latch, the door that always used to be bolted and barred
at night. She stepped inside and whispered "Mother."
Ah, it was enough, the arms were about her neck.
Their tears mingled together, and love as deep and true
and full as ever, welcomed her home and loved her
into goodness. And she found that ever since she had
left her home that door had been on the latch, that
gate was left wide open, and in the window was the
candle set to guide her steps. This was a mother's love,
but very far beyond that ... is our heavenly Savior's great love
for us.
******************************
I have often felt that many things that bring us to our knees,
teach us while we are down there to learn to pray.
These possibilities are open to everyone.
Don't tell God you are not good enough, do what He asks.
Don't tell God to send someone else, He asked you.
Don't tell God you don't have time to pray, He said seek me first.
Don't neglect the things of God. He said we are to
pick up His cross daily and follow Him.
Don't tell God anything is bigger than His ability.
God is the Great I Am, I am whatever you need.
There is no pit so deep, God's love is not deeper still.
Not my will but thine oh Lord.
´°`·.,¸¸,.·´°`·.,¸¸,.·´°`·.,¸¸,.·°°´·.,¸¸,.·´°`·.,¸¸,.·´°`·.,¸¸,.·´°
Happy moments, praise God.
Difficult moments, seek God.
Quiet moments, worship God.
Painful moments, trust God.
Every moment, thank God
X EVEN WHEN YOU CAN'T SEE HIM...GOD IS THERE! O
(run your mouse across the x to zero and highlight it )
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