"They made their hearts like flint so that they could not hear the law and the words which the LORD of hosts had sent.                                                                                                           Zechariah 7:12
 
Good Morning, sweet friend,
     This week, I have been focused on gratitude.  Instead of grumbling and complaining, I am murmuring words of praise.  It has been humorous at times. For example, “I thank you, Lord, that I am stuck in traffic because at least I have a car and a place to go.”  And the devil whipped in, “and you’ll be late.”  To which I replied, “and I praise God that I will make a grand entrance.”
     Staying focused on the positive opens my heart to communication with my Father. I want my heart to be soft toward God and His leading.  My affirmation this week has been:  I give thanks for all that I have and all that I shall be.  I am open to God’s direction.  Why not make it yours this week?  Soften your heart towards God, hear His voice, and promptings.  He knows best.  Trust Him.    Linda
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Anyone who intends to come with me has to let me lead. You’re not in the driver’s seat; I am. (The Message).
                                                                                                                                                    Matthew 16:24
Hello, my friend.
     Are you a backseat driver?  Ok, I know that I am.  Just ask Jim!   Except that I am usually in the passenger seat with my head bobbing in every direction watching traffic and the side mirrors as well.  I want to be in control.  Let’s look at two scenarios:
First, I want you to imagine a woman who is trying to wrestle the driver’s wheel away from her husband (me). Now imagine a woman who is sitting in the passenger’s seat allowing her husband to drive without complaining, correcting or cursing. Which one do you think is experiencing rest? The one who trusts and is sitting in the passenger’s seat, of course. She is enjoying the scenery.  But, the other woman doesn’t have time to enjoy a thing because she is too busy trying to be in control. But if she would only choose to trust, she could rest, too. Which woman will you be like? When you trust and decide that you will let God drive, there is a natural rest that will occur.
     So how about you, my friend, your choice?
                                Linda
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​With unfailing kindness, I have drawn you to myself.
                                                                                                                                        Jeremiah 31:30
Good Morning My Precious Friend,
     I woke feeling sunny today.  I pray that you did also.  For a while now, sunny has felt foreign to me.  Darkness. Cloudy.  Overcast.  It has been difficult to feel the sun’s warm rays.  When we are honest with ourselves and the world, we all experience those times, so waking to the dawn this morning was a blessing. 
     I have been doing the work to rise from the gloomies.  Maybe you are in that place at this moment.  Let me assure you, the sun will come out.  There is a plan for your life. And even if you don’t feel it, God’s love is warm and precious.  Even if you don’t discover the cure for cancer, or get the dishes done today, God’s love is constant and abiding with you now.  You are an amazing soul.  And He loves you just as you are.  You don’t have to fix anything right now.  Just Be!  Be in His Presence and rest.  Let Him love on you. You may be going through some difficult stuff, but you are not alone.  He is with you always.  Praying that your sunny day is just around the corner.                                                                                                                                                                                            Linda

Perhaps this is the moment for which you have been created.
​                                                                                                          Esther 4:14
 
Hello Dear One,
        There’s an old story about a pilot who came over the intercom and said, “Good news ladies and gentlemen:  We’ve got a very strong tailwind and are making excellent time.  The bad news is that our navigation equipment has gone down, so we have no idea where we are.”
        Some people move through life pursuing their purpose.  There is no doubt which way they are headed.  Others are on the road to destruction.  They become obsessed with work, electronics, or sports.  Others pursue money and/or fame.  Some are addicted to their favorite sitcom to the exclusion of all else.  Drugs and alcohol and all of the above can be numbing behaviors.  Sometimes we are so sure we are headed in the right direction only to discover that we are on the fast track to nowhere.  How far do we have to travel before we stop and ask for direction?
        Here is the great news!  Romans 12:2 states that “we are to be transformed by the renewal of the mind.”  You have two choices.  You can adhere to what the culture determines valuable or be transformed by God and embrace the value He planted in you to begin with.  You were created with a plan and a purpose.  Stop for a moment and ask yourself, “Am I pursuing what the culture values or am I pursuing God?  What is my final destination?  Am I on the right path?  Or lost? Prayer will connect you to the navigation tower.  Will you stop and ask for direction?
                                             Linda

Cast all your anxiety on him because He cares for you.  `                                                                 1 Peter 5:7

Hello Dear One,
     A question for you:   What do you need to let go?
     Some things were not meant for you to carry.  They are just too heavy.  What do you need to release to God right now?  Write it on the balloons.






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​ Now see the balloon as soaring into the heavens.  When you let go, something magical happens.  You give God room to work.  Breathe.  Count to 10.  Let the worry and anxiety go.  Do it as often as necessary till peace finds a home in hour heart.  I’ll be praying for you.                                                                                                                                                                                         Linda

​ "You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your strength, and with all your mind; and your neighbor as yourself” (Luke 10:27). 
 
Hello weary one,
          Yes, we have been busy, so busy being the Good Samaritan, with our jobs, endless house work, caring for children and/or aging parents, that we might have missed an important part of the above scripture: “Care for your neighbor as yourself.”
           Jesus demonstrated the need for self-care.  When He was tired from a day of healing the sick, He went to the mountain by himself.  When He was thirsty, He stopped by a well for a drink.  When He needed companionship, He visited friends in Bethany.  He told Martha to stop her fussing in the kitchen and come sit down with Him.  You, and me too, need to get comfortable making our needs a priority.  We can’t give tender care to others while we ourselves are overwhelmed. 
          Years ago, I used to sing beautiful lyrics to an old crooner’s ballad, “She may be weary, women do get weary, wearing the same shabby dress, so when she’s weary, try a little tenderness.”  Friend, give yourself what you most need right now.  Some tenderness.  Sit with pen in hand and write what you most long for.   Do you need a day away?   Can you manage a relaxing bubble bath?  Or a walk on the beach with a buddy? 
          Sometimes, our most pressing need is for spiritual refreshment.  Jesus understands how you feel. He knows that life can be difficult and sometimes downright unmanageable.  He said, “Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you’ll recover your life.”  Same verse, different translation: “Come to me if you are heavy laden and I will give you rest” (Matt. 11:28)   Christ’s simple answer to our complex burdens, “Come.”                                                                                                     Linda

​“I want you to be concerned about your next-door neighbor.  Do you know your next-door neighbor?”
                                                                                                                   Mother Teresa
Hello Friend,
          Jesus gave us one great commandment, "you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your strength, and with all your mind; and your neighbor as yourself” (Luke 10:27).
          God expects us to not only care for our neighbor, but to see as neighbor anyone who is in need.  Mother Teresa has been called “The Saint of the Gutters” during her lifetime because of her charitable work with the poor.  Pope Frances said. "She bowed down before those who were spent, left to die on the side of the road, seeing in them their God-given dignity. She made her voice heard before the powers of this world, so that they might recognize their guilt for the crime of poverty they created."
          So, this week, I ask you to ponder, “Who is my neighbor and what is their need?”  Do they need my time, attention, or financial assistance?  Will you be the Good Samaritan for someone this week?
                                       Embracing my neighbor,
                                                            Linda