Neither do people light a lamp and set it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all those who are in the house. Luke 11:33                                     Good morning, my dear friend,
            In Matthew 5:14, Jesus said, “You are the light of the world.”  This was said in the emphatic tense meaning, you and you alone, are the light.  This morning, let me pose a question to you, “In this darkened world, what kind of light are you?” Do you radiate Christ’s light and love? When you enter a room, is it brightened due to your presence? 
Some people I know are flickering lights depending on the audience or the issue being discussed. Does your stance on social issues flicker?  We must be courageous and speak up for what is right.  In every conflict, we must treat people justly and with love.
I recently had lunch with a friend who said she was conflicted about the Orlando masacre, “After all, they were sinners!” she said with judgment oozing from her self-righteous tongue.  I hesitated, but then summoned my courage and replied that Christ said, “All have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God” and it is my understanding that there is no hierachy of sin.  Now you may or may not believe homosexuality is a sin, but Jesus was emphatic when he insisted that judgment belongs to the Lord (and not to us).
Instead of casting aspersions, let’s look for ways to be a blessing.  There is so much negativity swirling around us on a daily basis, let us, each one of us, bring light and love to the darkness.   Be a bright and shining beacon.  Oh, how our world needs a glimmering spark of hope.  Let us pray together, that the warmth of Christ’s light, and ours, will bring the victims of this tragedy comfort until morning dawns.    
                                                           Be the light the world is seeking,                                                                                                                                                                    Linda to edit.

​ Weeping may last for a night, but joy comes in the morning.  Psalm 30:5                                
Good morning, my dear friend,
Our words have power.  I am reminded of this every time I sit down to write.  I pray that my messages will bring hope to the hopeless,  faith to the wanderers,   and  joy to the downtrodden.  Hope.  Faith.  Joy. 
Where do we find God in the midst of this Orlando tragedy?  You and I get to trust that God will bring light out of the darkness.  I see it coming, just the spark of hope.  Many are recognizing, maybe for the first time, that despite our differences in lifestyle, gender, religion, or country of origin, we all have the privilege of being a beloved child of the most high God.  We are part of a world community that must unite in love.  One flickering example, Chick-fil-a employees volunteered their time on a Sunday to make sandwiches and brew tea for those donating blood despite their views on same-sex marriage. They choose the way of compassion. Different points of view.  Different names for God.   Red and yellow, black and white, we are precious in God’s sight. Hope has no bias, only light.
You and I must grasp tightly to our faith, our belief in the Spirit of God which permeates all souls. Let us search anew for common denominators within denominations.  For values that united instead of divide.  Christ shed his precious blood for all.  And many in Orlando followed this sacrificial offering and gave their blood as life-saving, outpouring gifts of love.  One blood coursing through all veins bringing life to the dying.  That is hope.  That is faith.  And joy?  For the grieving families, darkness will hover for a long time.  Let us pray together, that a glimmering spark of goodness will bring them comfort until morning dawns.    
                                                           Be the light the world is seeking,                                                                                                                                                                    Linda

 May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as your trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.  Romans 15:13                                 

 Good morning, my dear friend,
            For two weeks I have written to you about letting go and trusting God.  Here are three great reasons to do so.  This morning, God longs to fill you with joy.  To fill you with peace.  To fill you with hope.  I believe one of God’s greatest wishes for you on this Monday is for you to be happy.  Joy has been defined as calm delight. It is not giddy, over-the-moon excitement.  Joy is a peaceful mind.  Jesus said, “The thief comes not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly” (John 10:10).  In the Old Testament, Deuteronomy 30:15, God says, “I set before you today life and prosperity, death and destruction.  Verse 20 says, “Now choose life that you may love the Lord your God, listen to his voice, and hold fast to him.”  The good news, no, the great, fantastic, wonderful news of these verses is that God gives life and joy.  And guess what, we get to choose to receive the gifts.  Wow!  That’s easy.  We “get” to trade our burdens for joy.  We “get” to trust. We have the privilege of being a child of the most, high God who longs to bestow blessing on his children.  Joy is ours for the asking.  I’m asking! Are you?  What’s the down side?  You can choose to be the woman/man bent double with burdens.  Or you can leap for joy, carefree, trusting God to lead and guide your life.  It’s a no-brainer.  I’m choosing God.  
​                     Hoping you reach out for a handful of hope,                                                                                                                      Linda

 Rest in the Lord and wait patiently for Him.                                                                                                                                 Psalm 37:7                                                                                                                             
Good morning, my dear friend,
                 Last week I wrote a message to you encouraging you to let go of worry and stress.  Worrying will only give you ulcers.  Rarely does a really good answer come to you when your mind is clouded by stress.  I understand that some of you are dealing with distressing issues—health concerns, a demanding boss who doesn’t appreciate your efforts, not enough cash and too many bills, kids who won’t shut up and a spouse who doesn’t speak.  The ranting thoughts racing in your mind issue doom-and-gloom messages that your life will never get any better, there’s no hope, and nothing will ever change. If I have just described your Monday-blues attitude, right this moment it is time to be still.  Nothing is more important.  God is with you, but you have to acknowledge His presence.  Call His name.  Bow your knee.  Shush!  Be calm.  Breathe!  Deeply and slowly breathe in peace and exhale stress.  God is working, right now, at this very moment.  If you sense in your spirit God direction, by all means take an action.  But sometimes, we just have to wait and trust.  Perhaps the hardest part for you is to open your palms and give your problems to God.  Gently, one finger at a time unclench your fists, offer God your heartache, and scripture promises that in return for your heavy-laden heart, He will grant you rest.  Be willing to let go and let God.  Let’s pray together,
“Father God, I need you now. I am filled with stress and anxiety.  I invite you to come into my turmoil and take these heavy burdens from me.  I lay them at your feet. I receive your gift of peace for my mind and heart. Thank you, Father, for my unfolding, abundant life and for your amazing grace.  Amen.”