Let us fearlessly and confidently and boldly draw near to the throne of grace that we may receive mercy for our failures.                                       Hebrews 4:16
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Good Morning Friend,
            I have great news for you.  God is not mad at you.  He is a God of second chances.  This Monday morning, you get a do-over.  The past week’s failures are behind you and you have a clean slate.  Won’t you take this opportunity to create a new beginning? 
            I have been watching the Olympics and one story touched my heart.  Miguel Duran Navia’s dream appeared to end before it started when he was seemingly disqualified from the men’s 400 meter freestyle.  Swimming has a no-false-start rule, meaning anybody who false starts is disqualified and out of the race. While waiting for the gun to start the race, Navia started to rock forward and fell into the pool, but some Olympic judges with kind hearts gave him a second chance.  Even though Navia didn’t win the race, he got to fulfill his dream of swimming in the Olympics. 
            Friends, can you imagine how much God wants you to succeed?  How much He wants you to try again?  How much he wants you to see life as an adventure to be savored and enjoyed?  If painting is your passion, do it!  If losing weight is your challenge, give it another try.  If you have failed in the past, the Judge is giving you a second change.  And his heart is filled with compassion when you slip-up.  Just don’t give up!!!  This is your life.  Live it with enthusiasm and joy.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                   Linda

Be ye kind to one another. Ephesians 4:32
 
 
Good Morning Friend,
          For  some reason which I have yet to understand, the above scripture is still embedded in my thoughts,  “Be kind to one another.”  Perhaps, my heart is burdened by the suffering I see all around.  I wish people were kinder, less violent, less judgmental, less selfish, less indifferent to plight of others.   I firmly believe each of us has a responsibility to touch someone’s heart, to lift their spirit, to lend a hand whenever possible.  Remember scripture tells us each “to carry our own lead, but to bear one another’s burden” (Gal. 6:5).  
            I love the following  story about Jesus. Matthew 14: 13-21
And when he went ashore he saw a great throng; and he had compassion on them, and he healed their sick. And when it was evening, the disciples came to him and said, "This is a lonely place and the day is now over; send the crowds away to go into the villages and buy food for themselves. Jesus said, They need not go away; you give them something to eat".
            Three beautiful words, “Jesus had compassion.”  His intention was to heal the sick, comfort the brokenhearted, forgive sins and lift the burden of guilt.  To enhance the lives of others.  The disciples wanted Jesus to send the people away, #but Jesus said, YOU tend to them.  He tells us, “Feed my lambs, care for the widows, visit those in prison, clothe the naked.  Show some compassion. Take an action.
            We all intend to become disciples, but busyness often gets in the way of action.  On your dayplanner, schedule in a time for  discipleship. There are a multitude of ways to serve.  Make kindness and compassionate care for others your goal.
                                                                        Linda

Be ye kind to one another. Ephesians 4:32
 
 
Good Morning Friend,
            Continue reading, I didn’t accidently resend last week’s message.  The heading is the same, but the content of the message has a different focus, I promise.  Two ideas I hit upon in the previous devotion were intention and action.  You may have had every intention of selecting one of the acts of kindness suggested last week, but did you follow through with an action?   Intention invites you to engage your mind purposefully. Perhaps you may need to shift the way you think.  If you intend to act kindly, you must first have the intention to become a loving person.  To live well, I believe we must, on purpose, think God thoughts.  Psalm 118:24 tells us, “This is the day the Lord has made, let us rejoice and be glad in it.”  Rejoice that in your heart resides love, joy, peace, goodness, faithfulness, and kindesss. Make it your intention to seek inner peace.  Be gentle with yourself. Choose the thoughts you are going to dwell upon. Learn to meditate and be still.  Become calm.  Learn to love and accept yourself, (warts and all).  Jesus said he fills our hearts with joy, to the full and overflowing, enough to share. So, out of your abundantly joyful, peaceful heart,  then, take an action step.  Forgive another.  Let go of hurts and failures. Seek peaceful, gentle relationships.
            My friend, what is your intention this morning? To spread love?  To savor your work?  To hug your children (even grown ones) and affirm how much you love them?   Intentionally be a loyal friend and spouse.  Bring them joy with your words and actions.  Create peace in your home.  Make your world a better place. I know you can!  Make it your intention to be a loving disciple.
                                                                                                Linda