Gazing at the stars

The next time you look up at the stars, remember who made them.

Thought for the Day

You say: "I'm always worried and frustrated"
God says: Cast all your cares on ME...
(I Peter 5:7)

Thought for the Day

Sadie and her cousin Coney taking a nap....

Thought for the day:  When you say, "I love you," mean it.

Have a great Saturday!!

Sadie, from last March, taking it easy...

Thought for the day:  Don't believe all you hear, spend all you have or sleep all you want.


Have a happy and safe Independence Day!!

KEEPING THINGS IN PERSPECTIVE

Today we can complain because the weather is rainy or...

Be thankful that the grass is getting watered for free!

Today we can feel sad that we don’t have more money or...

Be glad that our finances encourage us to plan our purchases wisely and guide us away from waste!

Today we can grumble about our health or...

Rejoice that we are alive!

　

Today we can lament over all that our parents didn’t give us when we were growing up or...

Feel grateful that they allowed us to be born!

Today we can cry because roses have thorns or...

Celebrate that thorns have roses!

Today we can mourn our lack of friends or...

Excitedly embark upon a quest to discover new relationships!

Today we can whine because we have to go to work or...

Shout for joy because we have a job to do!

Today we can complain because we have to go to school or...

Eagerly open our minds and fill up with rich new tidbits of knowledge!

Today we can murmur dejectedly because we have to do housework or...

Feel honored because the Lord has provided shelter for our minds, bodies, and souls!

Today stretches ahead of us, waiting to be shaped.

And here we are, the sculptors who get to do the shaping.

What today will be like is up to us.

We get to choose what kind of day we will have!

--Unknown

Which kind of day will you choose?

Friends Forever

Sadie and my sister's dog Coney, enjoying each other's company at the Hartley ranch...

Sadie gets the chair

Sadie rules, sitting in daddy's chair while daddy has to sit on the floor...

Impacting Others for God's Kingdom

I loved this devotional today from Charles Stanley...

Impacting Others for God’s Kingdom

Thursday, November 7, 2013

Colossians 4:6

In our desire to impact people around us, we often look to the example of individuals who have positively influenced our own lives. Many of us have known men or women who created a hunger in our soul to know God better. Seeing what a difference they made in our life, we may wonder if we could ever have that kind of influence on others.

The answer is yes, because God’s Spirit indwells every believer, making it possible for any of us to be effective in significant ways. One way is by simply speaking words of kindness. When you notice that someone is depressed or deeply troubled over circumstances in his or her life, you have the opportunity to say, “I just want you to know that I love you and appreciate you. I know things look black right now, but I’m lifting you in prayer. You are going to make it.” It may not sound eloquent or profound, but just imagine yourself receiving such encouragement in a time of need. Then you’ll get an idea of how meaningful such comments can be.

Another way to make a significant impact is through the church that you attend. Every week, when you contribute to the ministry of Jesus Christ in that fellowship, the Lord utilizes your offering in ways you’ll never be able to measure. He knows how to multiply your gift so it goes much further than you realize.

Because God wants all believers to have impact for His kingdom, He expects you to use the abilities and opportunities He has given you. Where do you begin? Right where you are—start by brightening the corner where you live.

Happy Halloween!

I still maintain that dogs are smarter than most people, and definitely more loving!

I hope everyone has a Happy Halloween!  We bought lots of candy to hand out this evening, but since this is the first Halloween we have been at this house, we have no idea how many trick or treaters to expect.

Have a great day!

Galactic War?

Have a great day!

I'm making a lot of new friends in Ohio...

Thought for the day:

I asked for strength -

And God gave me difficulties to make me strong.

I asked for wisdom -

And God gave me Problems to solve.

I asked for prosperity -

And God gave me a brain and brawn to work.

I asked for courage -

And God gave me danger to overcome.

I asked for love -

And God gave me troubled people to help.

I asked for favors -

And God gave me opportunities.

I received nothing I wanted -

And I received everything I needed.

Have a great day!

Thought for the day

Believers are always under the canopy of God’s grace and love. Nothing we do can change that. At the same time, our behavior and heart condition do determine whether we receive the fullness of His blessings.

Thought for the day

The Lamb who died to save us
is the Shepherd who lives to lead us.

True contentment

Contentment is found in drawing close to the Lord, sensing His approval, and looking forward to hearing, “Well done, good and faithful servant!”

Thought for the day

Human beings are an independent lot. We want things our way, in our time, on our terms. But Jesus said that anyone who wanted to follow Him must deny him- or herself (Matt. 16:24a). Of course, that covers obvious issues like sinful habits and evil thoughts. But it also means we at times decline good things because they come at the wrong time or don’t fit God’s plan.

Thought for the day

No one is more secure than the one who is held in God’s hand.

Some wisdom from Dr. Stanley

Our lives are about fulfilling God’s purpose. Many people miss His awesome plan for them because they choose to follow their preferences. Obedience is sometimes hard, but the struggle and sacrifice are worth it. There is joy and peace for the believer who pleases the Lord and lives by His principles.—Charles Stanley

Thought for the day

The Christian who neglects the Holy Spirit is like a lamp that’s not plugged in.

Attributes of the Holy Spirit

Attributes of the Holy Spirit

• He is present everywhere
• He knows all things
• He has infinite power
• He is equal in every way with the other Persons of the Trinity—the Father and the Son.
• The Holy Spirit is a Person who engages in personal ways with us.
• He grieves when we sin
• He teaches us
• prays for us
• guides us
• gives us spiritual gifts
• and assures us of salvation

Thought for the day

Our relationship with Jesus is to have first place above all else in life. Thoughts, attitudes, and actions are to flow out of our intimate connection with Him. But this is not easy to do. Our own selfish nature clamors for supremacy, and the world with all its temptations encourages us to indulge ourselves. Even while carrying out the Lord’s work, we can lose sight of our first priority–deepening our intimacy with Christ.