Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where he prayed.                                                                           Mark 1:35
Good Morning, Dear Soul,
          My hope is that you woke this morning with your heart carefree and light.  Some of us are just naturally optimistic and happy, looking on the bright side. But many, myself included, must work at being centered and calm.  Raised in a chaotic family, my natural tendency is anxious anticipation of the next catastrophe.  However, with age and maturity, I have learned the best way to start my day is to follow Jesus’ example. I go to the family room with coffee in hand, center myself in the quiet, and study and pray.  I emerge a much nicer person. 
          There is an old hymn lyric that asks, “O soul are you weary and troubled? No light in the darkness you see?  There’s light for a look at the Savior, and life more abundant and freer.  Turn your eyes upon Jesus.” 
          Friend, I urge you to start each morning with your eyes fixed upon Jesus.  Find true peace in your hectic life.  And Jesus is the way.
                                                                   Love ya,  Linda
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Jesus said, “I have told you these things so that you may have peace.  In this world you will have trouble. But take heart!
                                                                John 16:33 NIV
 
 
Good morning, sweet soul, 
          Life is precious.  Each day is a gift.  Scripture teaches us to number our days.  Why?  I believe God wants us to understand that our time on earth shouldn’t be wasted in futile wishes.  I wish I had a better car.  I wish my son would behave.  I wish I . . .
          Yesterday I met with a recently bereaved widow.  She said she would like the Serenity Prayer included in her husband’s funeral service.  She cannot change the fact that her husband of 49 years is deceased.  Only acceptance will bring her peace. 
          Friends, you and I suffer when we want things to be different from what they are.  Sometimes, we need to pray for courage to continue on a difficult path we did not choose.   Wishing things were different only causes us pain.  If your tribulation is within your power to change, by all means, take the first step and the next till you resolve your difficulty. On your journey, I wish you the peace of Christ.
                                                         Linda
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I love you with an everlasting love.  Jeremiah 31:3
 
 
Good morning, sweet soul, 
 
          Happy almost Valentine’s Day!  This entire week, our minds will be on love.  Lost love.  Wishing for love.  Celebrating love for others, but I want you to try a new thought.  Celebrate love for yourself.  It’s okay.  It’s not selfish.  In fact, you are really honoring God when you love his creation. You are valuable.  Try this:  look in the mirror this morning and give yourself a big radiant grin.  Stand tall.  Be proud. And if you have fallen short, know this, God says, “I will build you up again.”  Be brave.  Be bold.  Proclaim, “I am loved by God. I am worthy.  I am wonderfully made.”  Now I want you to behave as if you are wonderful, powerful, brave, and awesome, because you are!  Come on, just try it.  Shout it from the rooftop, “God love me.  I love me.”                                                                                                                                                          And I love you too.                     Happy Valentine’s Day,                                                                                                                  Linda xo xo x
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