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June 24th, 2018

6/24/2018

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Then God looked over all he had made, and he saw that it was very good!
                                                                                        Genesis 1:31

Good Morning Friend,
        How often we say to each other in greeting, “Good Morning.”  It’s habit. Even when we’re not feeling it inside, we utter a polite salutation. Lately, I have found nothing good about my mornings.  Jim’s pain level is usually at its worst and I’m busy getting his pills, his ice pack, rubbing salve on his back, getting his walker, and on and on.  And inside, nothing feels good.
        And then, Thursday I purposely awoke with a new attitude.  Enough already with being down, not my nature, I was going to be up.  Not some crazy kind of delusional thinking, just a change in perspective.  I, on purpose, decided to find the “good” in my morning. 
        Five times, you recall, God stands back, as it were, and takes stock of his creation. Each time the text says, “And God saw that it was good” (verses 4, 12, 18, 21, 25). And when all was finished and man and woman were created in his own image, it says, “And God saw everything that he had made, and behold, it was very good.”  So, I took stock.  And behold, I saw much that was good, and very good. 
        Friends, you and I must choose where to put our focus.  Our attitude is a choice we make and is not based on our circumstances.  We can choose to make it a good morning.  Look around you right now and discover what is good, and even very good.   And Joy in the Morning will follow.
                                                       Loving you always,
                                                                            LInda
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June 17th, 2018

6/17/2018

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This is the day the Lord hath made, let us rejoice and be glad in it.                                                           Psalm 118:24

Hello Dear One,
        Are you rejoicing today?  If not, let me point a judgmental finger at you and ask, “Why Not?”  If you have faith, put a smile on your face and all will work out according to God’s plan. That is what some of your Christian friends might say, but not me. 
        Let’s you and I be real.  Life is messy and hard.  This season of my life is difficult.  My dear one, Jim, has been in the hospital three times in the last month and in severe pain.  He had back surgery which isn’t seeming to relieve his suffering.  And when you love someone deeply, you suffer with them.  So how does a Christian respond to life’s challenges?  I say, “Be real.” 
        First, I am in continual prayer for healing.  I believe God hears my prayers.  I also know that we don’t always get the answer we seek.
        Next, I wrote a dear friend who lives just a few miles from me and is going through her own very real difficult season.  I shared my heart with her.  It is important to be honest with a trusted friend who understands your need to vent and one who won’t judge, and who also knows she can unload to me when her strength is waning.
        Lastly, I am allowing this season to propel me deeper into my faith.  After venting to my friend, I turned to my on-line Bible study and God answered me with this prayer by Sheila Walsh: 
Prayer for the Week

Jesus, thank You for the incredible compassion You show to us when we are in trouble, when our shame is out there for all to see, when we’ve blown it, and when we are devastated by loss. You are so kind. You are so loving even when we are in the lowest places of fear, doubt, grief, or disgrace. Help us to be honest with You in prayer. We don’t want to fake it or cover it up any more. We just want Your arms around us. We love you, Lord. Amen.
          Dear one, if you are in pain, you don’t have to fake it!  Be real. Be honest with a trusted friend and with God.  God did make this day, and we can rejoice that in this difficult season, we are loved by trusted friends and by our Father.
                                        Learning to lean,
                                                             Linda
 
 
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June 10th, 2018

6/10/2018

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                             MOVE AHEAD
Then Moses summoned Joshua and said to him in the presence of all Israel, “Be strong and courageous, for you must go with this people into the land that the Lord swore to their ancestors to give them, and you must divide it among them as their inheritance. 8 The Lord himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.”

Hello Dear One,

Sometimes, the Lord says to move.  And moving is scary.   Even when it is a good move—to a new job or a new house—there is always trepidation about the unknown.  One of my dear ones is leaving her job and moving to a new opportunity with great pay and lots of benefits, but there is always that turning of our head and looking backward and asking, “What if?” And looking back is not a good thing.  Remember Lot’s wife.   Lot ran, his daughters close behind. “But his wife, from behind him, looked back, and she became a pillar of salt” (Genesis 19:26). She lagged behind. She turned and watched the flaming sulfur fall from the sky, consuming everything she valued. Then it consumed her.  The Hebrew for “looked back” means more than to glance over one’s shoulder.  Friends, the past can consume us when we dwell with fondness and wish “if only we could go back.”  Well, we can’t!!!!

Jim and I are getting older and sometimes wish we had the stamina of our youth.  How does that help our current situation?  It doesn’t.  We are to be courageous and look forward.  Go into the wilderness camp and seek adventure. And be grateful for our blessed today.  For the Lord is with us. 

Friends, if you are in transition, relish the moment. Don’t become a pillar of salt. Move forward, and the Lord will guide your steps and be with you on your new path.
                                        Courageously looking forward,
                                                                        Linda

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June 03rd, 2018

6/3/2018

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                        A Love Note                                      Just for You
 
Philippians 4:8 says, “Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable--if anything is excellent or praiseworthy--think about such things.”

Hello Dear One,
        This week I wish to again reflect on the above scripture, focusing on the phrase, “whatever is noble. . .think about such things.  I am aware that what I think controls my moods and my actions.  My thoughts may not always be noble, but I can choose to change them and act with noble intentions.  According to Webster, noble means great, elevated, being above every thing that can dishonor a reputation; as a noble mind, noble deeds of courage.
        When I am tempted to speak harshly, I can choose to hold my tongue and wait till I gain control of my thoughts.
When I am tempted to keep the extra money the cashier mistakenly handed me, I can act with nobility and return it.
        When I am tempted to gossip, I won’t.  Think on these things!
Friends, we won’t always act with nobility but it is a journey I am willing to undertake.  Will you come with me?      Love you bunches,    Linda

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