Each one should test their own actions.  Then they can take pride in themselves alone, without comparing themselves to someone else. Galatians 6:4-5
Good morning beautiful friend,
        This morning I have a question for you.  How often do you look in the mirror and say to yourself, “Mirror, Mirror, on the wall, who is the fairest of them all?”  Don’t be so quick to say, “Me, Never!”  My bet is that you do.  You may not be taunted by the Wicked Witch, but those devil thoughts do come often to mind.
         Be real with me.  Those thoughts that say, I could be happy “if only” if were skinnier, blonder, taller or younger threaten our contentment.  Are you drowning in comparisons?  No jealous thought is ever life-affirming.  James 1:15 tells us that comparing our looks, social status, finances, etc., actually leads to death.  Death of peace.  Death of self-confidence.  Death of joy.  We can’t celebrate the life we have been given; we can’t celebrate our uniqueness if we are coveting another.
        Friend, this day, I want you to know deep in your heart that you are beautiful, gifted, and deeply loved by God.  You are the best you, precious in God’s sight.  Look in the mirror and smile.  Celebrate you!
                                          Loving you always, Linda



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​8 Be well balanced (temperate, sober of mind), be vigilant and cautious at all times; for that enemy of yours, the devil, roams around like a lion roaring [[a]in fierce hunger], seeking someone to seize upon and devour. 1 Peter 5:8
Dear Worried Friend,
          Recently, I had friends for lunch and we were discussing the topic, “What you don’t know about me.”  One sweet friend confided to the group that she spends hours at night fretting about things that may or may not happen in the future.  I get it.  On some level we all have anxiety about the unknown--what might happen someday.  That word “someday” is the real culprit.  It results from our failure to live in the now. Another way the devil steals our joy is when you and I focus on a current problem and give it way too much power.  We put that issue front and center in our mind.  We allow it to grow so big that we can’t see everything else around it.   When we worry about the future or blow a problem out of proportion in the now, we miss the joy that Jesus promised to each of us.  Jesus affirmed that in this world you will have tribulation, BUT, be of good cheer. 
          Friends, I implore you, don’t allow satan to suck up all of your joy. He will devour you if you allow those anxious thoughts free reign in your mind.  Choose joy.  Make up your mind to find little bits of good in this world.  When it is raining in your life and in your mind, raining fear, raining anxiety, raining doubt, choose to look for the rainbow.  Tiny miracles happen every day. When dark thoughts loom, memorize a life-affirming scripture.  Call a friend and ask for prayer.  Your emotional balance is at stake.  Do not suffer alone.  Reach out.  I promise you that joy will come knocking at the door of your mind longing to come in and stay.  It is okay to welcome joy. Tell satan to get behind you, you are trusting God for a sunny day.      Linda

​Hello Dear One,
          I care about you.  I understand your struggles and your fears.  My pain may be different from yours, but we all go through difficult times and we need someone to listen to us.  Listen beneath the words.  Don’t be fooled by smiling faces.  You can’t see a breaking heart, but you can hear it.    You can’t love people without listening to them.  Last year hate crimes in America spiked 17%.  That is unacceptable!   Love your neighbor of a different social status, race, religion, or sexual orientation.   Linger beside them to hear their struggles.  Don’t try to fix their problem or minimize their pain.  Just link arms and walk with them. That’s loving your neighbor.  Seriously, what the world needs now is love!  Not just for some, but for everyone.  Not just a cliché’ or silly words to a song, God mandates it!
                                                         Linda

Romans 10:13 – “for everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”
                                                                                                                                                                                    Good Morning Friend,

     It has been 2000 years since Jesus was crucified, buried and resurrected.  That 1st Easter Sunday, as the women went to the grave,

· Off in the distance stood an empty cross – the promise that their sins were forgiven.  A MIRACLE.
· At the end of their journey was an empty tomb – the MIRACLE of their eternal life.
· Inside the tomb were empty burial clothes.
The MIRACLE that they would once again have a close personal relationship with Jesus Christ – their living Savior.
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The promises that they discovered that day, you too can have today:
You too can know the freedom of forgiven sins
 You too can know the promise of eternal life in heaven
You too can know Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior.
My question to you this morning is this:  will you take God at his word?
            This morning, if you have never accepted God’s promises for your life, He is waiting, probably wondering, "For heaven’s sake, what is taking you so long?" Don’t wait another day, do it today.  Believe in the miracles of Easter and know the joy of eternal life in Jesus Christ.
                                                            Have a blessed Easter, my friend,
                                                                        Linda

Do all things without grumbling and faultfinding and complaining. . .                                                                                  Philippians 2:14
Good Morning Friend,
            This week, I want to discuss with you what I call the “word sins” listed above.  These are words that are useless and even damaging to self and others, carelessly-spoken words that are not pleasing to God.  Not as important as the bigger sins such as adultery, stealing, or murder, yet, they are more important than you may think.  When we complain, we are basically saying we don’t like what God is doing and don’t trust his leadership and guidance in our lives.  Much like the Israelites whose journey to the promised land should only have taken 11 days but took 40 years, we blame others for our lack of progress.  God allowed them to stay in the wilderness because they had a bad attitude. 
            Do you have an issue with word sins?  How often do you complain?  Do you find the speck in your brother’s eye more often than the log in your own?  Are you a grumbler?  For several week, I have been dealing with gunk: coughing, sinus headache, and body aches.  And, I have been complaining.  And complaining.  And yes, this morning, God convicted me of my “word sins.”  I have been cranky and faultfinding. My words have not been pleasing.  At first, I was discouraged about my attitude, but now I am thankful that I am sensitive to the work of the Holy Spirit and can realize my sin, confess, and start this week with a fresh attitude.
            So, friend, are you careful with your words?  Are you aware of how much you complain or fault-find?   I want you to do an experiment with me. This week, keep a tally chart of your word sins.  Awareness is the first step to change.  Maybe it’s time to get a new attitude.  God’s promises are before you; claim them now.
                                                                                             Linda
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​Thou art my hiding place and my shield: I hope in they word.    Psalm 119:114
 
Hello Dear One,
 
          It is my prayer that this morning’s reading finds you content and relaxed and ready for a new week.  The theme for my April calendar this month is hope.  We must always cling to hope.  As many of you know, Jim has been suffering with extreme back pain.  This latest operation in January did help with his balance and strength, but when we wake each morning, we are never sure if this is going to be a day of suffering or a brief respite when life seems a little easier.  In the midst of all this is the on-going struggle with closing on the old house and re-settling in our new home.  You understand.  I am sure that your life has struggles at times and singing “Keep on the sunny side, always on the sunny side” just doesn’t cut it.  So, what works? 
 
          I believe that first of all, we must admit our despair and not deny it.  If necessary, see your doctor for medication and/or a counselor to learn survival skills.  There is no shame in seeking help when life’s struggles become overwhelming. And know, deep in your heart of heart, that you will overcome.  You will walk through and out of that dark valley.  Believe, all things are possible.  You have strength that you didn’t know you possess.  Your faith is strong enough to move mountains.  Never give up hope. A new day will come.  Weeping will last for a night, but joy will come in the morning.  I promise.  I’m with you.  Don’t struggle alone.  Reach out for Jesus, He’s with you always.                                                                                                                     Linda

​To the woman who touched his garment and was healed, Jesus said, Daughter, thy faith has made thee whole.”   Mark 5:34
Hello weary one,
          It is Monday and many of us are beginning our week exhausted.  We need the touch of Jesus.   We have come close to him, but we have not touched him. Some of you may seeking healing of body, mind or soul. Some may seek guidance. Some need faith to stand up under the tensions of life. Some of you seek forgiveness and a new beginning.  All of us need to touch Christ for some reason or other. 

          You might be thinking “How can we touch Christ?”

        First, give God a chance. Take you problem, whatever it may be and approach him through prayer. In the telling, be absolutely honest and sincere.                                                                                                                    Second, believe with all your heart that he hears your prayer.   Remember, he heard the poor woman who only touched the hem of His garment.  Believe with all your faith that He cares what happens to you.    Believe that God answers prayer.
       Third, you must be willing to wait patiently for the Lord.  He does not answer every prayer on Sunday Evening.  You may have to wait until Friday.  But wait. And when he speaks to you, accept his answer and do what he says.
          When you faithfully do those 3 things, you will feel his power flowing into you.  He is still able to heal, in every way, those who will press in to touch the hem of His garment.   Reach out and touch Him, He’s reaching out for you.                                 Linda