​Be self-controlled and alert.                                                                   I Peter 5:8
 
 
Good Morning Friend,
                 The above verse is going to be my guiding force this week.  In so many areas of my life, I need to watch my mouth.  Recently, I was at my doctor’s office for my yearly physical and was told that I am pre-diabetic.  Before my doctor prescribes medicine, I am to try to monitor my eating limiting bad carbs and counting fat grams each day.  Day one was a ……disaster.  I had purchased Kobe beef and made Jim and I burgers for lunch.  THEN, after consuming the whole burger, I looked at the fat and calories.  WHAMO!!!  430 calories and 70 fat grams—not counting the bun and cheese.  What an eye opener!  This week I intend to be alter and much, much more self-controlled.   Of course, I am not sure what my Tuesday post will be like.  But for now at least, I am alert. Perhaps that is always a good first step.
            What about you, my friend, in what way to you need to monitor your mouth?    Do you need to be alert to the amount of sugar you consume? Or alcohol? Or sedatives or tranquilizers?
            Maybe it’s not what is going into your mouth, but what is spewing forth.  Perhaps, the words leaving your lips might be a bit judgmental.  Or coarse language spills out when tired or angry.  Or self-defeating words flow continually leaving you depressed or guilt-ridden. 
            Let me give you a word of encouragement. The verse preceding our theme this morning is: “Cast all your anxiety on Him for He cares for you” (verse 7).  We don’t have to carry this burden alone.  If we come to our Father, He will help us.  We can do all thing (make all changes necessary) through Christ.  With God nothing is impossible.  We can monitor our mouth.  Working through changes and relying on God for strength.                     Linda

​Joy in the Morning
 
IF MY PEOPLE WHO ARE CALLED BY MY NAME HUMBLE THEMSELVES AND PRAY AND SEEK MY FACE AND TURN FROM THEIR WICKED WAYS, THEN I WILL HEAR FROM HEAVEN, WILL FORGIVE THEIR SIN, AND WILL HEAL THEIR LAND!
                                                                2 Chronicals 7:14



​Good Morning Friend,
                 Those of you who are regular readers of my blog know that I am seldom political.  That is not my calling.  However, I feel a deep urging within my spirit to comment on the moral decay of our country.  And I am asking you to earnestly be in prayer that decency and civility will be restored before God says, “Enough already” and decrees a punishment that we so truly have earned.  Our country, the country I love, is sick! Our country has fallen into grave and serious sin! Most of us, if we would search the depth of our souls, know it! It stares us in the face from the tv set and the computer every day! Our ears are filled with it… just walk down the hall of almost any high school or listen to what is playing on I-pods! I’m not a prude or a killjoy, I’m just trying to live a decent life! 
            And don’t even get me started on the candidates who are running for the highest office in our country. It literally feels like the foundations of this country are being ripped apart while our so-called leaders squabble and posture and pander and preen and call each other names like kindergartners. Won’t you join me in praying for our country to repent and turn from their ways and remember who is the true and mighty and gracious Leader of our nation.  I believe the transformation of our moral code in American must begin with individuals having the courage to speak up.  Let’s restore our nation to Godly values.  Please pray!
                                                                                                             Linda 

Joy in the Morning
What you are doing is not good.   Exodus 18:14
 
 
 
Hello Friend,
                I love spending time with you on Monday mornings.  Even just a few moments together sharing the Word is a great way to start our week.  If you are like me, you have a to-do list a mile long and perhaps feeling a little stressed.  Why stop and read a devotional?  Because the Word of God is relevant to our lives today—this moment. 
            Moses was a doer.  In charge of many things.  People were counting on him.  Seeking his wisdom.  People stood around him from morning till evening. When his father-in-law saw all that Moses was doing for the people, he said, “What is this you are doing for the people? Why do you alone sit as judge?” Moses tried to justify his workload.  But his father-in-law replied, “What you are doing is not good. The work is too heavy for you; you cannot handle it alone.  Listen now to me and I will give you some advice, and may God be with you” (Exodus 18:16-18).  What Moses’ father-in-law suggested in a nutshell was delegate.
            Friend, you and I cannot carry the load of our world on our shoulders.  You and I must learn to say yes to the important tasks.  And sometimes we must learn to say no.  Gently, sharing my true desire to help, but realizing my own limitations, I am now using the phrase penned by Lysa Terkeurst, “While my heart wants to say yes, the reality of my time makes this a no.” 
            Let me be your encourager.  God has ordained certain tasks that only you can accomplish.  Look at your schedule this week and determine your priorities according to His will for you and your skillset.  Then, breathe and allow others to share the load.  You will discover peace and joy, overflowing, enough to share.                                                                                                                              Linda