Who Are You?

graphic can be purchased at: Scrappin Doodles

In an unguarded moment do you say unkind words?

That is YOU

Under stress (once in awhile) do you "fly off the handle?"

That is YOU

When you see a person who looks dirty, what are your thoughts?

That is YOU

How do you react when you are criticized?

That is YOU

If you think you are a loving and kind person and a good Christian ~ you're only as good as your reaction to undesirable situations. That is the REAL YOU.

Light for Today: If You fail under pressure, your strength is too small. Proverbs 24:10 NLT

Bible Practice

graphic purchased at: Wrapped To Perfection

We need to put the Bible into practice. We might have great Bible knowledge but unless we put our knowledge into practice it is worth nothing. Let's be DOERS of the Word.

Light for Today: Do not merely listen to what the word says and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. James 1:22 NIV

Love From The Heart

graphic purchased at: Aimee Asher

Have you ever noticed that if people are not on your heart they are on your nerves? If your husband isn't on your heart he is on your nerves? That is just about the way it is. The same for your friends. If they are not on your heart they are are on your nerves. Real love for them starts by trying to understand them. Really listen to what they are saying to you. Some people you find almost unlovable. Are you really trying to understand them? Most people have a reason for acting like they do. Our love must go beyond the natural ~ it must be a supernatural kind of love. A love that comes from God. That is the only kind of love that really lasts. God's love is not something you can work up on your own. It must be poured into you by the Holy Spirit. as you live close to God every day. This kind of love understands, cares and tries to help. This kind of love lasts through all sorts of tough circumstances and heartaches. This is the very best kind of love.

Light for Today: It is right for me to feel this way about all of you since I have you in my heart. Philippians 1:7 NIV

Are You Happy?

We all pursue happiness and yet we can hardly describe it. What really is happiness? True happiness has little to do with our circumstances. It has more to do with inward harmony. True happiness is being one with our Creator. He knows us better than we know ourselves. True happiness isn't dependent on another person. It isn't out of reach or hiding. True happiness is found in normal and small activities of our lives. We need to look upward and inward.

Light for Today: Happy are those who respect the Lord and obey Him. You will enjoy what you work for, and you will be blessed with good things. Psalms 128: 1-2 NCV

Kindness

graphic from: Gem's Cottage

Give me understanding,

enough to make me kind,

so I may judge all people

with my heart and not my mind.

Helen Steiner Rice

Be very careful about making critical remarks. More often than not they hurt.

Light for Today: He will judge your people in righteousness. Psalm 72:2

Miracles

Jesus Calming The Storm

With God

All Things Are Possible!

That's really true ~ The Bible says.

Light for Today: I am the Lord, the God of all mankind. Is anything too hard for me? Jeremiah 32:27

Power

Prayer Is Powerful!

Love Is Powerful!

Combine them and you will see

many miracles.

Light for Today: Whatever you ask in My name, that I will do. John 14:13

True Friends

A friend is someone we turn to

when our spirits need a lift,

A friend is someone we treasure,

for our friendship is a gift.

A friend is someone who fills our

lives with beauty, joy, and grace

and makes the world we live in a

better and happier place.

Author Unknown

Light for Today: Friends are needed both for joy and for sorrow. (Samuel Paterson)

Pray In Secret

Find a room in which to pray where no one even knows you are praying. Shut the door and talk to Jesus in secret. Here you can tell Jesus anything and everything. Tell Him all your sorrows and heartaches. But don't forget to thank Him for all your blessings and joys. They are many.

Light for Today: But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you. Matthew 6:6

Secretly Woven

A butterfly slowly slips from its cocoon and flutters away. It passed through a transforming process while hidden from sight. God makes each one of us in secret also. He shapes us exactly as He wants us and how we can be of use to Him in the future. We are an expression of His love. We should never question our worth ~ we are important to God. He created us with special qualities and talents unique to us alone. We are of utmost importance and have a very special work to do.

Light for Today: He brought me out into a broad place and delivered me, because he delighted in me. Psalm 18:19 NRSV

Jump For Joy

artist: Grandma George

Did you know that whales thrust their enormous bodies into the air? Those who study whales have come to the conclusion they do this for the pure joy of it. They love the way the sun feels on their skin and enjoy the rush of air. We, too, should jump for joy! No matter our circumstances we need to remind ourselves of the many blessings that God has given us. His love, His peace, and His promise that He will always be with us. For all the many times He comforts, encourages and leads us. We truly do have lots to jump for joy about.

Light for Today: The Lord is my strength and my shield; in him my heart trusts; so I am helped, and my heart exults, and with my song I give thanks to him. Psalm 28:7 NRSV

What Really Matters

graphic purchased at Gems Cottage

Athletes are trained to put their attention on what really matters ~ to win. They often have to look past the pain and continue playing in order to finish the game. We, too, can loose sight of what really matters by focusing on disappointment. We want to nurse our injury and give in to hopelessness. We forget that others are counting on us to stay in the game. With God's help and love we can look past the pain and find a new level of strength and courage.

Light for Today: They that sow in tears shall reap in joy. He that goeth forth and weepeth, bearing precious seed, shall doubtless come again with rejoicing, bringing his sheaves with him. Psalm 126:5-6

Broccoli & Rice Casserole

Today is Sewing Circle Day and I'm taking this scrumptious casserole for our potluck. It is a favorite among the 'Sisters" and the dish is almost always cleaned out. Try it!

Photo from Campbell's Kitchen and recipe adapted from them also

Broccoli & Rice Casserole

1 onion, chopped

1 tablespoon margarine

1 can (10 3/4 oz.) cream of chicken soup

3/4 cup milk

1 jar (8 oz.) Cheese Whiz

salt & pepper to taste

1 1/2 cups Minute Rice

1 package (14 oz.) frozen broccoli, thawed

Brown onion in margarine. Add rest of ingredients and mix well. Pour into 11 x 7 inch baking dish sprayed with cooking spray. Bake, covered, at 350 degrees for 30 minutes. Yield: 8 servings.

Light for Today: A man should never be ashamed he has been in the wrong, which is but saying in other words that he is wiser today than he was yesterday. Alexander Pope

My Rock

All the way my Saviour leads me; Cheers each winding path I tread,

Gives me grace for every trial, Feeds me with the living bread.

Though my weary steps may falter, And my soul a-thirst may be,

Gushing from the rock before me,

Lo! a spring of joy I see.

( Fanny J. Crosby & Robert Lowry)

Jesus is our rock and no matter what befalls us He is before us. He will be our guide. He loves us and does all things well.

Light for Today: Thou shalt remember all the way which the Lord thy God led thee. Deut. 8:2

Humility

Our outward appearance or the size of our bank account is of little importance to God. He has a different standard for our hearts and lives. He teaches us that humility leads to greatness.

Light for Today: Though the Lord is supreme, He takes care of those who are humble, but He stays away from the proud. Psalm 138:6 NCV

Run With Patience

The word patience tells us that the race will be long and difficult. It will take our full dedication. We must bury our sorrows and be active in service. Our patience will be perfect when we can minister to anothers joy. When we can be a rainbow in our own cloud.

Light for Today: "Let us run with patience." Hebrews 12:1

God Cares

As we journey through life we all face troubles and cares. Sometimes these cares leave us overwhelmed and feeling desperate. We must remember to put our hope in God. When we are struggling He walks beside us and steadies us. Sometimes He carries our burdens and sometimes He carries us. We are never alone. He is always with us, sharing our cares and lightening our load.

Light for Today: The good man does not escape all troubles-he has them too. But the Lord helps him in each and every one. Psalm 34:19 TLB

SAFE

A mother lion's eyes never leave her cubs as they romp playfully around her. The instinct to guard and protect them is constant. She leaves them only long enough to find food in the darkest hours of the night. God watches over us even more carefully than the most watchful lioness. His eyes are always on us. In the midst of danger and choas, His presence brings hope and peace. When we call on HIm for help, He comes quickly to rescue us and show us the way to safety.

Light for Today: For He will hide me in the day of trouble; He will conceal me under the cover of his tent; He will set me on high on a rock. Psalm 27:5 NRSV

Be Still

artist: grandma george

Have you ever been completely alone with God? When you are completely still, alone and speechless, unable to even ask one question, then God can teach you. As you journey with God the only thing that He intends to be clear is the way He deals with your soul. We must quiet all our intellectual questions so He can teach us.

Light for Today: Be still and know that I am God...Psalm 46:10

My Garden Spot

God gives each one of us a garden spot to nurture. The size is of no significance. How we take care of it is of utmost importance. We are God's hands, feet and mouth. Without us to do the work, our garden spot would be full of weeds. Lots of little spontaneous deeds that make life easier for the next person make our garden beautiful. We need to take care of our garden the way God wants us to care for it; then it will be full of many beautiful flowers and lovely paths. Many people will be encouraged to follow Jesus because of our beautiful garden.

Light for Today: Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which isin Heaven. Matthew 5:16 KJV

Leap In The Dark

Leap In the Dark

If we plan to do something worthwhile for Jesus there will be times that we will have to risk everything. We will need to take a leap in the dark ~ a leap by faith. Once we obey, we will find that what He asks of us is common sense.

Light for Today: "Lord I will follow You, but..." Luke 9:61