Pray Constantly

 

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Love one another with brotherly affection.

Outdo one another in showing honor.

Do not be slothful in zeal,

be fervent in spirit, serve the Lord.

Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation,

be constant in prayer.

Romans 12:10-12 (ESV)

Words of Paul

The Apostle Paul wrote these words to “ all those in Rome who are loved by God and called to be saints….” (Romans 1:7)

As God’s children, we are to treat each other as if they were our brothers and sisters. He instructs us to do this because we are all God’s children.

Paul further tells us we are to “Outdo one another in showing honor.” When we choose to do something for someone, we should do it because we are led to. We are not supposed to expect something from him or her in return.

Paul tells us we are not to be ‘slothful in zeal,” by this he means that we are not to be slow in passion or enthusiasm.¹

He next tells us to “be fervent in Spirit”.

Being fervent simply means having great depth or feeling.²

He next tells us to “serve the Lord.” Simply stated, we are to work for the Lord, our God.

Now, some of us are unable to do what we used to do for God. For me, I am able to pray and send cards to those who are ill, have lost a loved one, or try to encourage those who seem to be down.

He tells us to “Rejoice in hope,” We are to take pleasure³ in hope and all the good things God allows us to experience.

He, then tells us to “be patient in tribulation,” This is one area of my life that I have struggled with for a long time.

It’s been in recent years that I have found myself to be calm during something that could cause a person much stress. (In the past, I could be a basket case when things got to tense.)

Paul then tells us to “be constant in prayer.” Sometimes, we have to mentally send up sentence prayers to God. At other times we can receive a phone call from someone who asks us to pray for them. We can pray for that need right then. We should always be ready to pray for our brothers and sisters in Christ, as well as those who need to know Jesus.

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1,2,and 3 are taken from Merriam-Webster Dictionary. com Accessed 4/25/2023

A Gift of God’s Grace

 

For the grace of God has appeared that offers salvation to all people. It teaches us to say “No” to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, and godly lives in this present age.

Titus 2:11-12 (NIV)

When we turn over our hearts and lives to Jesus, He gives us His Father’s grace to guide us through our lives. We receive salvation and so much more.

We receive the strength to stand against the worldly ungodliness that, from time to time, we have to face. Yes, as I read this scripture believers can say “No” to the worldly things.

The grace of God teaches us that we can manage in this world when we trust in the Holy Spirit to utilize self-control through Him and live lives pleasing to God before our neighbors and those we see where we do business.

I believe it is important that each follower of Jesus must strive to get closer to God and model our beliefs to those around us. However, I do not say this is easy to do. We have to rely on the Holy
Spirit to guide us through the roadblocks that life throws in our way.

A God-Given Spirit

 

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for God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control. 2 Timothy 1:7 (ESV)

Words of Paul to his spiritual son Timothy.

Paul encourages Timothy to not be ashamed of speaking about God or about his (Paul’s) imprisonment.

God empowers His people to stand for Him and His Word. He still empowers us, His followers, to stand firm in the face of what the world throws at us.

A church I was a part of had a guiding document that included the guiding thought that the church’s calling is to approach the world and change it. Instead, we see the world entering the church and changing it. My present church’s denomination historically has been counter-cultural in its beliefs. Slowly, the world has seen to have crept in and tried to destroy the beliefs and practices we have held dear. Author Charles Colson wrote in some of his books that the colleges of the east coast we founded by churches and originally taught Christian values. Even at the time of his writing, the values, once held dear to the institutions were becoming blurred.

There was a gospel song I heard several years ago that summed up what we must do, it’s title-” The Basics of life”. One line said it all, “Let’s get back to the Basics of life. "We need to do just that!

   

A Gentle and Quiet Spirit

 

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Do not let your adornment be merely outward—arranging your hair, wearing gold, or putting on fine apparel—rather let it be the hidden person of the heart, with the incorruptible beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is very precious in the sight of God. 1 Peter 3:3-4 (NKJV)

Words of the Apostle Peter to those who were dispersed into five regions of Asia Minor.

His words speak of the inner beauty of the believers of Christ. Per his thought, the inner person is what God sees and deems as our true selves.

I am concerned that our world has worshiped youthfulness, forgetting that people age. Madison Avenue (the advertising industry) has caused us to forget the fact that we are aging. Several of my lady friends have aged gracefully. I have a picture of one of them and her husband in our living room.

Now, please do not misunderstand, there are things we might need to do to our skin. However, there are things we need to do to keep our inner self presentable before God.

#Reading God’s Word

# Applying what it says to our heart

# Living out His Word to others

# Seeking His guidance through prayer

Father God, Please help each one of us to be gentle and humble as we go through our days. In Christ’s Name, I pray. Amen

Let Your Gentleness Be Known

 

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Let your gentleness be known to all men. The Lord is at hand.

Philippians 4:5 (NKJV)

As believers, we must not haggle over unimportant details.  One afternoon recently, I had two incidents with a clerk at our CVS store. I had to ask where something was that I could not find. His response was, “Aisle Seven.”

Instead of responing to my query, I felt that he should have accompanied me to the area. That to me is good customer service.

When I checked out, I had two coupons, one of which did not get applied to my bill. I was not in the best frame of mind when I left the store. I did not know that the second coupon was not applied until I had returned home and checked my receipt.

I decided how to handle my response on this. This is not the first time I have had issues with his service.

Then, I read this scripture. I do have some work to do on this gentleness issue. When I was asked to evaluate the service I received (online), I gave the store middle valued response. When I had to evaluate the person who checked me out, I gave that person low markings.

My reasoning for the action I took was as follows:

# I am a senior citizen, in my late 70s. If a person working in a store treats a senior citizen badly, it reflects on the store. I have seen people in the business world help and guide an elderly person through the process he or she has to go through to complete their transactions or even to find what they are looking for.

# I walk with a cane, it is sometimes hard for me to get around. When I have to hunt for the location of a product, I get frustrated when I have looked and still can’t find it.

As I said above, I do have some work to do on this gentleness issue.

Patience and Gentleness

 

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By long forbearance a ruler is persuaded, and a gentle tongue breaks a bone.

Proverbs 25:15 (NKJV)

Moses listened to the Lord and patiently awaited the day that Pharaoh would finally let the Israelite people depart Egypt and head to the land God had promised them.

Hannah exercised patience and faith as she awaited receiving her first-born son, Samuel. Hannah also practiced gentleness, although it was difficult, as she endured the taunts from Peninnah.

When we have stress-causing circumstances in our lives, we have to practice patience and, yes, gentleness in our daily lives. We may have to spend more time with God, as he gently whispers words of comfort, healing and love into our ears as we face overwhelming circumstances in our lives.

When we hear things from others that upset us, we need to apply the rule that our mothers said, “If you can’t say anything nice, say nothing at all.” This was a rule that a lot of us senior citizens heard from early on in our growing-up years. It is a pity that this rule seemed to fall by the wayside during the last half-century

Can we begin teaching this “rule” to children of these times?

He Rewards Faithfulness

 

But, without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe He is and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him. Hebrews 11:6 (NKJV)

When we go before the LORD, we must believe He is who He says He is. The writer of Hebrews tell us without our believing in Him we cannot please Him. When we go before His throne, there are certain things we must believe:

* He will listen to our pleas.

       If our hearts are in tune with Him.

* He will answer our requests.

      In the way that is best for us and His plan.

* He will reward us for our efforts.

      His rewards may be a lightness of heart.

      He may give us new insight into a concern or a problem.

However, we must concentrate on Him while we seek His guidance.

“But you, when you pray, go into your room, and when you have shut your door, pray to your Father who is in the secret place; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly.“ Matthew 6:6 (NKJV)

Sometimes, we can follow Matthew 6:6 when we are in a crowd. Other times we can do obey this scripture by physically removing ourselves from the circumstance that needs our prayer.

Everlasting Mercy

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For the LORD is good; his mercy is everlasting, and His truth endures to all generations.

Psalm 100:5 (NJKV)

 

These words come from a Psalm of Thanksgiving. I find comfort in them as I type them. I remember learning this Psalm in the fifth grade.

 

We sing choruses about God’s goodness to us. But do we really understand what we mean? God, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit are the only truly good persons we know of. They are without sin. God endows His children with His goodness so that they can display that goodness to those who need His love axpalnd kindness.

The goodness God showed to the Biblical heroes He can also show to us. What was truth in those times is still truth today. God never changes. We as a nation and a people need to get back to following God. 

We never realize how merciful God is until we know we have received mercy in a way that we cannot explain any other way. I experienced His mercy in this way several times lately.

God will see us through these difficult times.                             

       We must remember God's goodness to each of us. I trust you will enjoy this song.

What God Requires

 

 

He has shown you, O man, what is good; and what does the LORD require of you but to love justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God!  Micah 6:8 (NKJV)

 

God shows us His goodness to us each day. The sun shining through my living room window brings the words, “Thank You, Lord!” to my mind and heart. When I manage to get some good sleep through the night, I try to thank Him for that gift.

 

God shows us His goodness in many ways, ways we often take for granted. What does He expect from us?

 

God expects us to love justly. What does that mean? Could it mean that when we hear of someone doing wrong to another that we are to ask God to deal with this person according to His standard of right and wrong-according to what His justice?

 

The Lord also expects us to love mercy. Could this mean that we are to show mercy to those who have done wrong to us or to others? Showing mercy can be difficult but God expects His children to do it.   

 

He also desires that we “walk humbly” with Him. God wants His children to know that He is perfect and infallible, while we, His children are imperfect and make mistakes.

 

I was reminded of this song as I initially typed this blog entry. I hope you enjoy it.

Patient in Tribulation

 

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Be kindly affectionate to one another with brotherly love, in honor giving preference to one another, not lagging in diligence to one another, serving the Lord, rejoicing in hope, patient in tribulation, continuing steadfastly in prayer. Romans 12:10-12 (NJKV)

 

 Paul writes to the believers at Rome. He also speaks directly to me.

 

 Be kindly affectionate - Speak well to and of those around us. Let them know that we care.

 

with brotherly love Love those around us as we would a sibling or another family member.

 

 in honor giving preference to one another Put another’s wishes, if possible, ahead of yours.

 

 not lagging in diligence, We are to serve the Lord fervently. “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters,” (Colossians 3:23, NIV)

 

 Fervent in spirit, serving the Lord

We are to be aglow with enthusiasm for God. Some people say we should be “on fire” as we work for God and work for Him.

  

 rejoicing in hope responding to news and stimuli with our eyes toward Jesus as He works to fix whatever is wrong.

 

patient in tribulation We sometimes must wait on the Lord to act in harsh circumstances of our lives.

 

 continuing steadfastly on prayer We can never forget the power of prayer. God answers our pleas to Him by doing what is best for the circumstance.  

 

PLEASE NOTE: These thoughts are to help me as much as to help you.

God’s Patience

 

 

The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering (patient) toward us, not willing that anyone should perish but that all should come to repentance. 2 Peter 3:9 (NKJV)

 

I sometimes have mixed emotions about God’s patience. At times, I want Him to act on my requests right then. Other times, I know that the person for whom I am praying might not be ready to receive the healing, or the change in his or her life.

 

God, in His wisdom, sees habits and conditions in our lives and the lives of others that cause Him to wait and gently lead those for whom we pray to the place they need to be.

 

A friend of mine shared with me something that happened to one of her family members. She and I had been praying for him about some needs he has.  It was a wake-up call for that relative; my friend called it sort of an answer to prayer.

 

God uses what He can to allow people to see their need and adjust their lives to be used by Him.  God must do this in His own time and His own way. We must learn to be patient and let Him work out the problems because His way is best.

 

Patience’s Perfect Work

 

 

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My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. But let patience have its perfect work that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing. James 1:2-4 (NKJV)

 

As believers in Christ, we are faced with many trials as we go through life. We learn to rely on God to take us through them.

 

As those trials become part of our past, we come to realize that we grow in our strength and our faith because of those trials. 

                                      

We learn that we need to be patient in order for God to work in our lives. When we are impatient, we miss the lesson God has for us.                                              

I am reminded of a small sign I heard of that a woman had by her kitchen sink. It depicted a small boy. Above his head appear the words, God give me patience. In his had is a megaphone and on that megaphone is the word “NOW!” This always brings a smile to my heart.

 

Sometimes, I can be like that small boy; except, I want patience yesterday or even last week. However, having gone through some health issues these past few years, I have learned that I must be patient. The best way to practice patience is to wait upon the LORD.                                                                                                                                                      

Patience, Comfort Through Scriptures

 

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For whatever things were written before were written for our learning, that we through the patience and comfort of the Scriptures might have hope. Now may the God of patience and comfort grant you to be like-minded toward one another, according to Christ Jesus, that you may with one mind and one mouth glorify the God and the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.

                                                                                                                                                                Romans 15:4-5 (NKJV)

 

These are the words of Paul penned to the believers at Rome.

 

He tells them that the thoughts written by earlier writers have been saved and handed down so that we may learn from them. We can learn patience, wisdom, hope, and comfort through reading the Psalms and the Proverbs. By reading Paul’s letters, we can learn how to respond to the temptations of society. By reading the Gospels, we learn of Jesus’ ministry and how He chose to take our sins onto Himself in order that we will be able to enter heaven to be with Him.

 

Paul also mentions that we become ‘like-minded’ with one another as we study God’s word.

 

I am presently reading a book to review that deals with fining peace in our lives. The author points out that peace can be achieved through obedience. In the past few years, I have had both these words as my ‘word for the year’. I am enjoying this book as I continue to recover from COVID.

 

Paul’s Description of Love

 

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Love suffers long and is kind; love does not envy; love does not parade itself, is not puffed up; does not behave rudely, does not seek its own, is not provoked, thinks no evil, does not rejoice in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth, bears all things, believes all things, endures all things. Love never fails. But whether there are prophecies, they will cease, whether there are tongues, they will cease, whether there is knowledge, it will vanish away. 1 Cor 13: 4-8 (NKJV)

 

Paul describes the highest attributes of love.

 

 love suffers long

 The King James Version says, ‘long suffering’, this translates to the modern phrase ‘is patient’.

 

 and is kind

When we show kindness to others, we show love to them. Our action may be very small, but it may mean the world to that other person.

 

 love does not envy

When we love as Jesus loves and another person receives something that is good, a loving response is for us to be happy for them.

 

 love does not parade itself, is not puffed up

When we love as Jesus loves we are not to call attention to ourselves or what we have done, especially when that something makes us look good in the eyes of others.

 

 does not behave rudely

When we truly love as Jesus loved will not do anything that another person would consider rude.

 

does not seek its own,

When we show the love of Jesus, we do not do things with selfish motives.

 

 is not provoked,

When we love like Christ, we can’t let another person ‘push buttons’ and cause him or her to get angry.

 

thinks no evil,

When we truly love with the love of Christ, we will not say bad things or wish them on those around us.

 

does not rejoice in iniquity,

 When we love as Christ loves, we will not be happy when anyone around us sins.

 

but rejoices in the truth, when we truly love as Jesus does, we are grateful for the truth that sets us and those around us free from their struggles and their sins.

 

 bears all things

When we love as Jesus loves, we learn to be strong and wait for His outcome to a circumstance.

 

believes all thing

When we love as Jesus loves, we believe all the good things we know about others.

 endures all things.

 

Because of Jesus’ love for the people God had created, He went to the cross to make us acceptable (sinless) before His Father. When we love someone, we attempt to tolerate their unkind thoughts and their bad behavior.

 

Love never fails.

The Love of God is eternal. Even when we mess up, He is there waiting for us to seek forgiveness of our wrongdoing and then guidance to make things right with those we have hurt.

 

prophecies. . . will cease

As a teenager, I heard some ‘profound’ prophecies that never came to pass. We have heard some prophecies in the recent past that also have not happened. God is in control.

 

 tongues. . . will cease

When we all learn to love as Jesus did, we will be able to live our lives without hearing “wagging tongues”, we will be so busy praising God and doing new tasks He will assign us.

 

 knowledge. . . will vanish away We know procedures of certain activities we do to get through our jobs, through our daily chores, through raising our children. As technology has changed those procedures, those new ways may also be done away with when Christ comes again.

 

 

God Is Love

 

God Is Love

 

He who does not love does not know God, for God is love. In this the love of God was manifested toward us, that God sent His only begotten Son into the world that we might live through Him. In this is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins. Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another.

1 John 4:8-11(NKJV)

 

God personifies love. When a believer thinks of love, he or she looks to Him. In looking to the LORD God, we learn that love is THE main attribute He has.

 

In dealing with others, we must remember that about God. He loves us even when we are unlovely. My best friend was teaching a class of children on the love of God. She named some people who had done some terrible unlawful acts to others. As she named them, she asked, “Does God love that person?” The answer in each instance was, “Yes!”

 

God loves the vilest criminal as much as He loves you and me. We wonder how that is possible. God loves everyone because He made them, the murderer, the thief, the insurrectionist, the thieves, and the ones who violate others.

 

Eucharisteo: I Give Praise

 

Simple Life Heartenings

This is something from my past writings. You may remember it. 

 

For My Savior

            First and foremost, I want to lift up the name of Jesus. He left heaven’s glory to come to earth to teach us about His Father and how we can live for Him.

 

            Because Jesus died for our sins, we can enjoy freedom from the guilt of sin. A close friend of mine asked me a question about another person’s role in our church. The next morning, I found the answer.

            I called her and said, “You asked me a question last night. I found the answer this this morning.” Her response was, “That’s all right, I don’t need to know. I gave that over to God.” I know she could do this because of what Jesus did for her.

            Jesus teaches us each day how we should live. The Shepherd guides us through troublesome times of our lives. The Teacher instructs us when we don’t understand certain circumstances. The Comforter soothes us when our hearts are broken. The Physician heals us from diseases. The Protector keeps us warm and safe.

 

            In my lifetime, Jesus has acted in the above roles innumerable times. I thank Him for each

 

Christian Community

As I sit here on a dreary November day, what does God want me to write about? Thus far this year, He has given me 895 gifts and blessings that I know of. I recently joined the church I have attended since its creation in 2006. We attended one of the forerunner churches for almost four and a half years before the merger of two existing congregations.

            It always impresses me with the way Christians accept others into their fold. I saw this at a writing conference. Everyone was there for the same purpose—to learn how to better present God through their writing. The people were warm and hospitable. The faculty was outstanding. Even one of the speakers, with whom I didn’t see eye to eye, had some good points for us.

            On Wednesday mornings, a group of us meet for prayer. Several years ago, one of the women still has both parents living. This daughter faced one of her parents having his health fail. When I was at that writing conference, I attended a workshop, given by a man who happened to write a book about his experience of watching and caring for his mother as she went through the dementia process. I purchased that book, thinking I could read it myself and then donate it to the church library. I found myself telling this dear sweet Christian sister that I would let her have it first. Her husband is now critically ill. Our church prays for this couple.

            In our faith community, people pray, for however long it takes, for that need. When someone has praise, we all rejoice with them. One Sunday, we heard two women give testimony that someone in their families was cancer free. Another one said she experienced freedom for the first time in a long time.

            I participate in the church’s visitation ministry. Today, we saw eight people, three nursing home patients, four assisted living facility residents. Several of these are close to or in their nineties. My visitation partner and I try to go every other week. I enjoy hearing them talk about their families, or stories of their youth.

            God was good to me when he led me to our church. He always has something special for me each week. He calms me as I worship Him and makes my journey smoother as I follow Him. For this, I am thankful.

 

God’s Provision

            God gives us words to say when he needs us to speak to someone on His behalf. We had a neighbor who feared her son’s departure for basic training for the U. S. Army. She and I had several talks about what she was feeling. Often, I reminded her that all she felt went with being a mother. Just before his departure, she received baptism. At one point, early in his training, he was very down-in-spirit. She told him, “Go to church tomorrow.” As she and her family prepared to go to his graduation from basic training, she found out he was planned on also receiving baptism while they were all together just prior to his graduation.

            One of my Spiritual Gifts is encouragement. Sometimes, thoughts for encouraging others come easy and sometimes I must pray to find them. Either way, I know the LORD gives me the words.

            I follow a gluten-free diet due to intolerance to grains that contain a certain protein (gluten), namely wheat, barley, rye and some oats. When we have had scrambled eggs for a meal, Hubby couldn’t understand why I couldn’t make toast in our toaster the same way he did. I started using our microwave to basically warm the gluten-free bread. Our anniversary is this month. He recently took me out to a store and bought me a toaster oven. This is something I did not ask for.

            I sometimes have sleepless nights. When I have a good night’s sleep, I know it comes as a gift from God. Even if I can’t fall right to sleep, when I do, I awaken feeling refreshed.

            If each of us were to examine our lives, we would see how God provides for us. He is ready to fulfill any need we have according to His will for our lives. Occasionally, God even takes care of a want we might have. As we go into this season of giving thanks, let’s remember that we can do that all year long. Doesn’t God provide for us every day?

            God lavishes each of us with all we need.

June Reflections

 

Bing Images

 

General Thoughts on June

 

June was an interesting month. We had warm weather, hot weather, and not-so-warm weather.  I managed to get in some porch time on the warm days.

 

 My Book Reading

 

Thus far this year, I have read 15 books. Eight of the books were fiction. I am reading a series from Guideposts called Mysteries of Lancaster County. The stories are set in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania.

Three sisters live in their late parent’s home and operate a store called Secondhand Blessings. Along with reselling items for the home, vintage clothes, and whatever people consign with them or they purchase from people in the area, they also sell baked goods that one of the sisters creates.

 

Seven books were Christian books. One of which I read for the second time. Two were small gift books, one of which was on prayer. One of the regular books was on Prayer. One was encouraging the readers to remain faithful through the difficulties of life. One was a devotional book aimed at women who had breast cancer. One was a book I selected to review. One was a classic.

 

The last weekend of the month was incredibly quiet for us. The power pack that controls our Internet, Television, and Telephones (landline) chose to stop working. My best friend said I was living in medieval times. When I texted our son about the circumstance, I said I felt as if I lived on Gilligan’s Island. This happened on Friday night. We could not get a technician to come until Sunday.

 

 A Project

 

One of the ladies on my shepherd list for church suffered a stroke a few months ago. Her younger son moved her down near his home. The last time I talked to her, she said she was going to an assisted living facility down there. I called her son and he hoped to get her into one. Before I talked to him, I got the idea that I wanted to do something for her. God gave me the idea to make a grapevine wreath for her front door. I had some silk flowers that I have not used, and I purchased some bushes of baby’s breath. I ordered and am awaiting a grapevine wreath base. It came and it needs some help, it is too drab for what I want to do.

 

Getting Back to “Normal”

I attended an ecumenical women’s group meeting at the end of June.  I also sat down and organized my thoughts for this blog. I am slowly feeling like I have some energy. I have two follow-up appointments in July. Our son is going camping over the long weekend of July 4^th. He said he would be home the next weekend. He has not been home since March. We did see him for a short time when we went down there two weeks ago. We had supper with him, and he came to our hotel room for a while.

 

Pockitudes, etc

 

One of my blogging friends, Dawn, over at Enthusiastically, Dawn, https://enthusiasticallydawn.com/ wrote about some small journals (pockitudes)https://www.pockitudes.com/ she found back in January. I liked the format of them. I know someone who may benefit from using one. So, I ordered a package.

 

One of my Facebook friends has a new book coming out in early October. I had given a copy of his last book to my best friend for Christmas. She liked what he said in the book. So, I pre-ordered two of them, one for me and one for her. I am doing my Christmas shopping early this year. I have also ordered and received a book for our son.

 Baking

I have spent some time in May and June making cranberry muffins. I had to refrain from doing that due to Hubby’s blood sugar and I found out what caused my cancer. It was estrogen. I asked the radiation doctor, when I had to see her recently, how, at my age could I have estrogen in my body. She told me that estrogen was made by fat cells. Therefore, no more muffins or cookies for me (for a while, anyway).     

Spiritual Gifts

 

 

Snow aftermath in late April

                Just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not have the same function, so in Christ we who are many form one body, and each member belongs to all others. We have different gifts, according to the grace given us. If a man’s gift is in prophesying, let him use it in proportion to his faith, if it is in serving, let him serve; if it is teaching, let him teach; if it is encouraging, let him encourage; if it is contributing to the needs of others, let him give generously; if it is leadership, let him govern diligently; if it is showing mercy, let him do it cheerfully.   Romans 12:7-8 (NIV)

Have you ever met someone who helped make life easier for you? I am speaking of when we are in difficult circumstances.

In dealing with nurses, I decided a long time ago they are called by God and given special gifts to perform their many tasks.

The Apostle Paul gives us a picture of the attitude with which a person needs to practice his or her gift. Have you ever been around someone who did not seem to be in the right position for their makeup? I have had that experience in several situations of my life. It was not a fun place to be.

On April 21, I had an appointment for my third day of radiation treatments. (I had two a day.) About 20 minutes before my appointed time, the phone rang. It was the nurse from the Cancer Care Building. Overnight, our state was hit with a very-late-season snowstorm. The place lost power due to the heaviness of that snow. This caused the scanning machine they used on me not to work properly. They needed me to come 30 minutes later for my morning session.

 

The whole time I was in treatment that morning, I felt cared about as well as cared for. They did not seem to know when the problem would be remedied. We were all in this together. They exercised their gifts to help me through that week. They had to use a different machine on me for two days (four treatments).

 

I learned several years ago that Spiritual gifts were given to us by the Holy Spirit for our employees, not our enjoyment. I believe we followers of Jesus should learn to use our gifts for the sake of the Kingdom every day.

 

Book Review: The Beauty of an Uncluttered Soul

 

Written by Carla Gasser, Illustrated by Vivian Kammel

 

Carla Gasser has done outstanding work on this book. She guides the reader through a devotional study of the Fruit of the Spirit. She does this by making this more than a devotional; she makes this book a Bible study as well.

 

Ms. Gasser draws on several scriptures for each Fruit of the Spirit. She also cites several other author’s works to bring the reader to a better understanding.

Vivian Kammel has created a masterpiece on almost every page of the book. She used watercolor illustrations of florals. At one point she placed succulents on the pages. On another, she painted peaches.

 

I would recommend this to anyone who is serious about their walk with God. I believe it could be studied in a group study as well as an individual study. Ms. Gasser suggests this be a nine-week study. She has given us a lot to digest about each quality we call the Fruit.

 

This book is available online at Amazon.com in the hardback and Kindle forms.

            (Click on the ‘look inside’ link to see the beauty of the illustrator’s work.)

 

It is also available at Christianbook.com in hardback and eBook forms.