Keep your foot [give your mind to what you are doing.
                                                                                        Ecclesiastes5:1 (Amp)


Hello Friend,

      Sometimes when I am writing, my mind wanders.  Our washer and dryer had to be replaced and that set off a chain reaction of needed repairs.  First, we needed new vents and electrical.  Then, Jim decided that this would be a good time to have our dryer vent cleaned.  And, of course, the vent-cleaning people discovered that the vent on the roof is rusted allowing water to flow down the line, saturating the lint, and making is difficult to float up the vent and outside.  Now a roofer is coming.  What started as a simple replacement of old appliances is now a major money-draining-from-our-pocket hassle.  And so as I try to write, my mind keeps floating up to the clouds somewhere, which is where I wish our lint was going. 
 
     As you read this message, is your mind wandering? Do you have difficulty concentrating? Occasionally, more often than I would like to admit, while doing  Bible study, I realize that I have read an entire passage and it has just been words—entering my mind and floating off somewhere—and instead of understanding the message,  my mind if being attacked by random thoughts such as, “I wonder. . .  I wonder if I turned the burner off when I scrambled my eggs. I wonder if I should wear a sweater to work.”  What is capturing your mind today?    Is it worry? Focus!   Colossians 3:2 tells us to “set your minds and keep them set on what is above (the higher things), not on the things that are on the earth.” And peace will rule in your heart.

                                                                    Struggling to keep my mind on what I am doing. 
                                                                                    Lord, help me, I pray,


                                                                                                              
Linda

 You’re addicted to thrills?  What an empty life! The pursuit of pleasure is never satisfied.                                                         
                                                                                                  Proverbs 21:17 (Message)
 Hello Friend,
       As I sit in my wicker rocking chair in the stillness of my screened porch writing, I
feel relaxed and at peace with the world.  How could I not?  I am surrounded by the trickling of the fountain, the gentle breeze is quiet enough that my Bible pages are not blowing, and I have my mug of peach iced tea. This is a joy moment.

       Yesterday on facebook a friend wrote, “In 2013, I just want to be happy!” I am not sure what that means.  To me, happiness is fleeting and based on circumstances.  If I am getting a fat bonus this year, I am happy?  If I take a vacation to Italy, I am happy?  Yet we all read of those with means grasping for more—more excitement—more toys—more high moments and often resort to drugs or alcohol to maintain that peak of excitement. Too often we look for fleeting happiness as evidence of God’s presence . . . of his blessing.  Friends, God has far deeper purposes in our lives than transient happiness.
         
       Jesus said, “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give unto you . . .so that they may have the full measure of my joy within them” (John 17).  Simone Weil defines joy as “the sweetness of contact with the love of God.”  Sitting in my chair communing with God brings me joy. I am content.  This year when we are tempted to look for happiness in all the wrong places, let us stop and reflect on the true source of our peace and joy—our Lord and Savior.  We are blessed beyond measure.  In 2013, I just want to bask in His Presence.  Joy to the World, the Lord has come!                         
                                                                                        Blessed beyond measure,

                                                                                                                                  Linda 

His faith is strong, and he trusts in the Lord.  He is not worried or afraid.                                          Psalm 112:7-8


Hello Friend,

Just now I was earnestly in prayer.  I was beseeching God to fulfill my request. 
I kept presenting my desired outcome to a particular situation over and
over.  I believe God is good. I know that intellectually.  I espouse that belief in messages and sermons; however, I was still worried and afraid. I wanted my way—my desired outcome.  I finally decided to quiet my mind and rest in the Lord and this thought came floating across the stream of my consciousness: “God knows the desires of my heart.”  Okay, then what do I do with that insight.


 I must trust deep in my gut what I speak with my mouth.   Regardless of the outcome that I think should occur, I must submit my will and allow God to be God.  How much easier to say than do!  So my prayer language changed from begging to affirming. God is love.  God is good.  Letting go and releasing—while not easy—is necessary if I want to let go of worry and
fear.

Prayer   Let peace reign in my heart, O God.  I trust you.    I surrender to You today my health, family, skills, gifts, and time. I surrender my need to be in control.  May Your will be done, Amen.                                                         
                                                     
                                                                                                                                Linda