​He leads me beside peaceful streams.  He renews my strength.                                                                                                                 Psalm 23:2-3        
Hello Friend,
 
            Last week I suggested that you put on your dancing shoes and waltz with God.  Did you listen for God’s music? Only when we hear God whisper in our ear do we find the joy and rest we all so long for.
 
            Sometimes we get so busy and our lives so stress-filled that we forget to stop and listen for that still small voice.  Sometimes God has to shout, “Hey, who’s leading here?”  In the dance of your daily life, are you tugging and pulling trying to get God to follow your steps?  God might even step on your big toe causing an “ouch” when our steps don’t take us where He is leading.  Haven’t we all had enough stress and pain?
 
            Take time from your busy schedule to listen to God’s melody that he longs to sing to you.  Take a walk in the park, stop by the peaceful stream and allow God to renew your strength.  Psalm 37:23 tells us that “if you do what the Lord wants, He will make certain each step you take is sure.  The Lord will hold your hand in support, and if you stumble, you still won’t fall.”
 
            Be still!  Listen to the music.  Haven’t you run around in circles long enough?  Isn’t it time you danced for joy?
 
Prayer:  Lord, I long to dance with you.  You lead and I’ll follow.  Amen                                                                                                                    Linda                                                                                       
 
 

And when the disciples saw it, they were indignant, saying, for what purpose is all this waste. Matthew 26:8
​
Hello Friend,
            Good morning!  It is the beginning of a brand-new week.  I know you have a to-do list, a job, kids to tend to, housework, and  responsibilities looming heavy upon your shoulders.  Take heart.  I have good news for you.
            In our scripture this morning, Jesus is nearing the time of his suffering and death.  He is sharing a meal with his disciples at Simon’s house when Mary approaches and anoints his head with expensive perfume.   The perfume was probably worth about a year’s wages.  The disciples proclaimed that the perfume could have been sold and the money given to the poor.  And surely that was true.  However, Jesus was blessed by the woman’s outpouring of love.  I think that Jesus was teaching us that in this particular instance, He was worth the extravagance.
            Let me ask you a question.  Aren’t you worth a little extra tender care? Jim and I celebrated our 51st wedding anniversary by going to Castle Winery in Tarpon   Springs.  We tasted wines and savored delicious chocolates and viewed the owner’s elaborate collection of fine art.  What an amazing afternoon!!  Could we have given our money for missions?  Should we have spent our time more wisely serving others?  I believe Jesus is demonstrating for us in these verses that sometimes we need to refresh and renew our souls.  Relationships need tending. So, this week, do something extravagant!  As one of Joyce Meyer’s book title suggests, Eat the cookie!  Buy the Shoes!  Enjoy your life!  Each day is a blessing.
                                                          Live your life joyfully,
                                                                                Linda