Hi sweetie, I hope you and your family are all well.
Our health is very important and it's important for us to take care of ourselves. I just cleaned a big window in our living room and I could have gone on to clean the next one, but I decided I needed a break. I thought I'd come here and write to you during my break, so here I am!
I read a book a long time ago called "Quiet Places". It's written by a Christian lady named Jane Rubietta. It's really good. I couldn't begin to tell you what it's all about but the main thing is finding those "quiet places" in our own lives and taking the time to just settle down and be quiet. I remember when our kids were small. There didn't seem to be much time for me, for sure and that's probably how it is for you. Even when I'd use the bathroom, the kids were at the door! It's odd though cause I had time to talk on the phone for long periods of time. Hind sight is always 20/20.
Well dear sis of mine, break time is over now. I need to get the next window cleaned. The first one was VERY dirty. It's nice to have more than one clean window to look out of!!
Here's today's mail.......

Garbage In, Garbage Out
This devotional was written by Jim Burns

Whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable-if anything is excellent or praiseworthy-think about such things. —Philippians 4:8

There's a simple principle that says when you put garbage into your mind and life, garbage will come out. When you put good things into your mind and life, then good things will flow out. Your mind matters, and what you put into your mind will ultimately make the difference between peace or distraction. Today take a few minutes to take the advice of Paul and think about what is true, noble, right, pure, lovely, admirable, excellent, and praiseworthy. God's promise to you in verse 9 is that when you think of these things the "God of peace will be with you."

People of peace are people who have learned with God's help to control their mind. They regulate what goes in, and peace prevails. Others choose to put garbage into their mind, and garbage naturally comes out.

Your mind is a powerful source of help and positive energy. Give your mind and thoughts over to God's power and you'll begin to think the thoughts of our Lord and live with the peace from above. Don't waste your precious life with less than what God has to offer. Heed this advice from Romans 12:2:

Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.

GOING DEEPER:
1. How can you apply Philippians 4:8 and Romans 12:2 to your life today?

2. Make a plan for the area you need to work on, and ask God for His help as you claim His promise for peace in your soul.

FURTHER READING:
1 John 2:15, Ephesians 4:23, Ephesians 5:17

These sure are good. I read each one after I paste it in your mail box! with love, Darlene

I just noticed something here on your page that I agree with 100%! It says, "It's not a religion it's a relationship".
Don and I are goin to a hardware store in a few minutes so I don't have time to chat this morning. I think about you often.
love, Darlene
Here's your mail.....The Ultimate Comforter
This devotional was written by Kelly McFadden

Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God —2 Corinthians 1:3-4

Some years ago, I received an email that my uncle was taken to the hospital while vacationing in Rome. As soon as I heard, I knew I needed to get there, since at that time I lived closer than any other of our relatives. Within 24 hours of receiving the news, I was in Rome to be a support for my aunt and uncle. I had no idea what I would do or say. I simply knew I needed to be there and at least I could pray.

I felt God used my prayers to teach me a lesson about words. Words are powerful. The Proverbs warn us to use our tongue wisely. During the week I spent in the Italian hospital, words were sometimes a comfort. However, I quickly realized they were best when rarely spoken. While words are important, they don’t substitute for a hug. No word can share a tear. No word can hold a loved one’s hand. It’s hard to find the right words in the midst of another’s sorrow and pain. In moments like these, presence is often more important than words.

The lesson that the Lord taught me is that He is the ultimate Comforter. Jesus sent the Holy Spirit to give us peace. When we are lost, confused, hurt, sad, scared, tired or misunderstood, He brings comfort. The ultimate Comforter will not offer meaningless words or clichéd responses. His presence in our lives holds us through life’s ups and downs.

Further, I realize own (I think this should say "our own" or "my own"...added by Darlene) ability to comfort rests solely on God. As Paul tells the Corinthians, we can comfort others because God first comforted us. We see God’s comfort at work as He provides us with others to walk beside us and to act as His hands and feet. The support I was able to give my family originated with God, who gave me not only the opportunity to be present, but the strength to share His comfort.

Are you hurting, lost and in need of comfort? Cry out to the Lord! He is already with you. Is someone you know hurting? God calls you to be a comforter, even as He is a comforter to you.

GOING DEEPER:
1. Reread the passage above. Why do you think Paul mentioned sharing in suffering as he speaks of being comforted?

2. Think of ways you can be the hands and feet of Christ to those around you who suffer.

FURTHER READING:
Isaiah 54:10; Matthew 5:3-5; Philippians 2:1-3


a good one as usual.....xoxxoxoxoxo

Hi, I love you Sis!!!! I was here a little while ago and while I was writing to you my computer shut down!!
I am very tired, so I'm just here to drop off the mail...
Missing the Moment
This devotional was written by Robin Dugall

Show me the path where I should walk, O Lord; point out the right road for me to follow. Lead me by your truth and teach me, for you are the God who saves me. All day long I put my hope in you.—Psalm 25:4-5 (NLT)
One morning recently, I began to think about all the stuff that I had to do...the classes to prepare; the talks for the upcoming youth conference I would be speaking at; the projects around the house; the storage unit to organize; and about co-workers to supervise and encourage. Looking over my “to-do” list, I found my heart starting to race and it was only 5:45 in the morning.
I've always been a person who was primarily driven by the horizon: the dreams, visions and hopes of upcoming days where the promise of newness and transformation lie. It has been my passion to be emerging into the life that God wants me to ultimately live; however, the problem with this is that I miss the moments where God is actually attempting to grab my attention. So many times Jesus had to say, "if only you had eyes to see and ears to hear." I've wondered about those words for hours. I understand that Jesus is fully present and that He is trying to call me into participation with Him and His Kingdom. What I have missed, or better yet, ignored, is that Jesus is pulling me into this moment.
God is looking for me to put my hope and trust in Him today, ALL day long, not just tomorrow or when I’m in need of Him. He's challenging me to see all the moments of my life as being filled with meaning. Each moment is filled with the presence of God, but I'm so stuck on vision and dreams that I skim right by them. As a result, I’ve decided to start my days differently. I’m going to start each day by praying, asking God to give me a clear understanding of each moment. I’ll still plan and dream about the future, of course, but I’m going to concentrate more on each moment, as well! How about you? If you find that you’re like me – prone to overlook the moment in order to get to the future – I invite you to join me in this daily prayer.
GOING DEEPER:
1. Think about the day you lived yesterday: Is it possible you missed God moving or speaking to you? How did He try to grab your attention?

2. Why is it that you run so fast in your life? What are you trying to prove? What do you think God would say about that? Take a moment or two and talk to the Lord about your feelings.

FURTHER READING:
Psalm 25; Psalm 4; Genesis 2:1-3; Matthew 14:13-14

Wow, I have tears in my eyes. This is good stuff. xoxoxoxox

Hi, the lady that drops off your mail is staying awake much too late these days.
Here's you mail Sis!

The Test of Time
This devotional was written by Jim Liebelt

But you, dear friends, must continue to build your lives on the foundation of your holy faith. —Jude 20 (NLT)

In numerous towns throughout the New England states you can find big, beautiful old homes that were built in the 1700’s and 1800’s. Thanks to historical committees and the hard work of their owners, many of these homes look virtually the same as they did two hundred years ago.

The seasons come and go with the summer sun beating down on these homes year after year. Wind, rain, snow and ice batter them winter after winter. The homes have weathered repeated blizzards and hurricanes. Yet, they have stood the test of time.

During the years that I lived in New England I found it fascinating that these old homes not only retained their value, but often surpassed the value of newer homes. It has been said that imitation is the highest form of flattery, and in this region when new homes are built, many are constructed to resemble the old ones.

Similarly, our faith is designed to last. Our life of following Christ is not without its seasons or its struggles. Doubts, life circumstances and even crises of faith batter us season after season. Yet, like an antique house, these seasons provide us with an opportunity to strengthen and build value to our lives as we, by faith, invite God’s partnership with us step by step along the way. And, faith that stands the test of time is beautiful to behold. Believers should look to more “seasoned” Christ-followers as role models. In them, we see the value of long-term faith and we can seek to imitate their lives.

Today, remember that God is in the business of building your faith – a faith that will stand the test of time. Invite Him to build your faith whatever experiences this day brings.

GOING DEEPER:
1. In what ways does God want to use your current circumstances or challenges to build your faith?

2. Do you have a role model of long-term faith in your life? If not, who could be this kind of mentor to you? If you do have this kind of role model in your life, thank that person today.


FURTHER READING:
James 1:12, Romans 14:4; 1 Corinthians 11:1, 2; 16:13; Timothy 4:7-8

Goodnight sweetie!! With love, Darlene

Thanks for sending me a letter. You asked how I'm feeling. I'm ok physically but I get discouraged sometimes. Don and I were having a tough time with each other Thursday. I don't think either one of us is beyond it yet. I get discouraged cause we've been married so long, it seems like we should get along better than we do. In the Bible it says, man is born unto trouble as the sparks fly upward, so I guess I shouldn't be surprised.
I don't know why, but today I didn't get the usual mail I get for you. OH wait. Earlier my computer shut down again and I might have had your "homework" minimized when it shut down.
I'm goin to bed soon but if I find it, I'll drop it off.
I love you bunches!!!!!!! Darlene
PS I like the heart you make. Thank you!! I don't remember what it looks like or I'd make one for you too.

Hi there Sis! You might be suprised cause I'm here so early. I know I am!
I hope to continue to bring you your "mail" the next few days, BUT just in case I don't, I want you to know I'm fine. I'm gonna be busy cleaning so I might forget to write or I might fall asleep before writing to you and dropping off your mail.
Don and I are doin better now. Yesterday I told him a couple of things that I had been hurt by. They weren't big deals so I had stuffed them but they were still bothering me. A counselor told me.. if I can pray about my feeling hurt or angry or afraid and they don't bother me anymore, then that's fine....just give them to the Lord and let it go. But if the hurt or angry feelings stay I may need to talk about them with the person involved with those feelings. (I just realized, I didn't pray about the particular thing I talked with Don about.) I'm still glad I talked to him about this butt I wish I had prayed about it first. Talking about my feelings helps me so much and it's helped our marriage too!! I used to stuff so many feelings! I was angry but pretended I wasn't. I was hurt but I stuffed it and got even more angry. All these emotions blocked my joy. I looked at other Christians and wondered why I wasn't happy like they seemed to be. I finally wrote to a popular author to fiind out if he would write a book about Living Forgiven. One of the men that works for him sent me a letter in return and it was very kind. He was compassionate and he gave me lots of Bible verses to help me.
OK, I didn't intend to write a book here!!! lol
Here's your mail my dear friend.

God Loves You Just the Way You Are
This devotional was written by Jim Burns

We love because he first loved us. —1 John 4:19

Once upon a time there was a young girl named Susie. She was a beautiful little girl with the most wonderful doll collection in the world. Her father traveled all over the world on business, and for nearly 12 years he had brought dolls home to Susie. In her bedroom she had shelves of dolls from all over the United States and from every other continent on earth. She had dolls that could sing and dance and do just about anything a doll could possibly do.

One day one of her father's business acquaintances came to visit. At dinner he asked Susie about her wonderful doll collection. After dinner Susie took him by the hand and showed him these marvelous dolls from all over the world. He was very impressed. After he took the grand tour and was introduced to many of the beautiful dolls, he asked Susie, "With all these precious dolls you must have one that is your favorite. Which one is it?"

Without a moment's hesitation Susie went over to her old beat-up toy box and started pulling out toys. From the bottom of the box she pulled out one of the most ragged dolls you have ever seen. There were only a few strands of hair left on the head. The clothing had long since disappeared. The doll was filthy from many years of play outside. One of the buttons for the eyes was hanging down, with only a string to keep it connected. Stuffing was coming out at the elbow and knee. Susie handed the doll to the gentleman and said, "This doll is my favorite."

The man was shocked and asked, "Why is this doll with all these beautiful dolls in your room?" She replied, "If I didn't love this doll, nobody would!"

That single statement moved the businessman to tears. It was such a simple statement, yet so profound. The little girl loved her doll unconditionally. She loved the doll not for its beauty or abilities but simply because it was her very own doll.

God loves you the way Susie loved her doll. God loves you not for what you do but for who you are. You never need to earn God's love. He loves you because you are His special creation because of God's unconditional love you are free to blossom into all He wants you to be. His love has no strings attached.

GOING DEEPER:
1. According to 1 John 4:19 what is our motivation to love?

2. How do you feel when you comprehend God’s unconditional love for you? Take a moment to give Him your praise and thanksgiving for His gracious never-ending, never-fading love for you.

FURTHER READING:
1 John 4:10

Wow, I think this is one of the best!!! lots of love, Darlene

Hi Sis, thanks for trying to write to me, even with (what seems to be) a broken space bar. I'm glad you'll be writing again after you get your computer fixed.
Take good care of yourself! That's an order! lol
I think the rapture will be happening any day now. Of course no one knows when except the the Father.
xoxoxoxoxoxoxo With lots of hugs, Darlene

Hi, I just searched for your "mail" and I can't find it. I think I copied it earlier today so I must have deleted it after that. I probably copied something else after I copied that. I looked all the places I know to look. It's not in my "sent mail" or my "trash", so I don't know where it could be! I hope to have tomorrow's mail here for you. I love you bunches, Darlene

Hi Sis!! I hope everyone in your little family is fine and dandy.
I'm gonna be dropping off your mail, even though your computer is broken. I figure some day soon you'll open your mail.
Here's todays.....
Plugging In
This devotional was written by Jim Liebelt

And so we keep on praying for you, that our God will make you worthy of the life to which he called you. And we pray that God, by his power, will fulfill all your good intentions and faithful deeds. —2 Thessalonians 1:11 (NLT)

More and more, we are a culture that is dependent upon technology. I find that I rely heavily on technology today. Like many people, I own a cell phone, laptop, and a digital camera. These are great tools that I have learned to depend on from day to day. So, there’s no surprise that these electronics are dependent on… electricity. I pretty much run my electronic “tools” on battery power, and generally, it’s not a problem. Yet, if you are like me, then you know it always seems that it’s at the worst possible moment—when we really need to use that camera, make a call on that cell phone or send off one more email—that the batteries inevitably go dead. It’s so frustrating!

Okay, I know that I bring this on myself! I understand that I ought to keep on top of my battery charging, but I just don’t seem to get around to it. I think I ought to have learned by now that I need to keep these tools charged, especially when I can anticipate times when I have tasks that I need to make sure are completed. Often, anticipating the need is the issue, and is exactly where I run into trouble.

This is a simple, average life experience that has a profound spiritual parallel. We understand we are totally dependent on God to empower us to live life as faithful Christ-followers. We know that we have to stay plugged into the power source in order to be able to face the day-to-day challenges that life throws our way. Yet too often we fail to anticipate our spiritual need. We disconnect and attempt to live life in our own strength. And just when we most need God’s life flowing into ours, we find that our spiritual batteries are dead. Then we experience the remorse that comes from knowing better.

Fortunately, God’s power to recharge our lives is not far away. We don’t have to shut everything down, pack everything up and wait for next Sunday’s church service. We can access God’s power wherever we are through prayer. We can find strength in His Word. We can find support and empowerment through His people.

Today, if you find your spiritual batteries are running low, don’t wait. Wherever you are, plug in!

GOING DEEPER:
1. How are your spiritual batteries? Are you in need of recharging?

2. What situations are you facing where you can invite God to fill you with His power?

FURTHER READING:
Ephesians 1:18-21; 1 Peter 1:3; Luke 12:35-40

Bye for now.......I love ya lots, me

Hi Sis!! The house is fairly clean now. I'll wash the kitchen floor later this evening or tomorrow. Then tomorrow I'll be cooking and baking. I kinda like doing that unless I cook or bake for hours! I'll try to take breaks now and then.
I need to get to bed a little earlier tonight so here's your mail Sis...

Remember Who You Are
This devotional was written by Robin Dugall

How great is the love of the Father…he has lavished his love upon us. We are called the children of God. And that is who we are!
1 John 1:3

One of the scenes in a movie that’s on my list of favorites speaks as clearly as anything I have ever read or seen about a person’s identity. In The Lion King, Mufasa the great Lion King appears to his son, Simba, and challenges him to remember who he is. Simba had lost his way in life because he had forgotten what was at the core of his soul. He had neglected to live out who he had been born to be. As a result, the entire kingdom had been stolen and had fallen on desperate times. Only when Simba embraces his true identity was hope restored, not only to his life, but also to the entire lion community. “Simba, remember who you are!”

Do you really know who you are? Have you forgotten whom God has created you and called you to be? The Bible tells us that we are part of an eternal story…God’s story. As part of that story, we have been created to reflect God Himself. We are His representatives in our world.

You and I have huge personal value because we have had our lives cast in the mold of a loving, personal, powerful and holy God. The very characteristics that belong to God, such as dignity, rest, love, creativity, depth of relationships, truthfulness and persistence, among many others, have been graciously imparted to us.

You are not an accident. You are a person who has been spoken into existence out of love and for a purpose. The powerful image of God forming Adam from the dirt of the earth and then blowing the breath of life into his lifeless shell is one that should stick in our minds and hearts. This, in contrast to the messages we receive through advertising, television, magazines and the reality of life that we don’t measure up.

Today, we all have choices to make. Will we listen to the voices of culture that want to convince us of our worthlessness? Will we give in to pressures that want to keep us constantly searching for our worth through products or programs? Or, will we listen to the voice of the One who knows each of us by name and has intimately called us His own? If you are like me, the choice, though obvious, is a difficult one to make. Today, be a person who responds to the God of love. Remember who you are!

GOING DEEPER:
1. How would you describe yourself? What has brought significance to your identity? Do you find your identity in who you are or what you have or do?

2. Spend some moments reflecting on the person God has created you to be.

FURTHER READING:
Isaiah 43:1-4; Isaiah 54:10; Psalm 139; 2 Corinthians 5:15-17; Galatians 2:20

I heard something interesting on the radio today. Joni Erickson Tada was speaking and she said she had a very difficult time undestanding why God would allow her to be parilized. A friend of hers told her something like this...God allows the very difficult times and hard things in life in order to bring about something good. What Jesus went through for us was extremely hard but God worked Jesus being spit on and whipped and then nailed to the cross for good. Our good, so we could be together with Him one day. I hope I remember this the next time I have a tough time.
God can and probably will cause something good to come from it.
lots of love, Darlene

Hi Sweetie, I'm just stoppin by to drop off your mail. I'm tired. It's been a busy day so I need to go to bed early. I'm gonna read this before I go.
Here it is..
Let Freedom Ring
This devotional was written by Kelly McFadden

God alone made it possible for you to be in Christ Jesus. For our benefit God made Christ to be wisdom itself. He is the one who made us acceptable to God. He made us pure and holy, and he gave himself to purchase our freedom.
—1 Corinthians 1:30

The Declaration of Independence pronounced the colonies free from British rule on July 4, 1776. What proceeded and followed this declaration were the historic battles still taught in every elementary school. For six years the colonies shook with the Battles of Concord and Lexington, Bunker Hill and Saratoga. The war finally ended at Valley Forge where British General Cornwallis surrendered to what would be the United States’ first president, George Washington. Two years later the British and the Americans signed a peace treaty in France.

Freedom does not come without a price. Through the Revolutionary War our nation’s freedom was paid for by the blood and sacrifice of the men and women who fought for their dream of what would become the United States. The battles were not easy, and the years took their toll on our young nation. In the end, the price was paid and freedom achieved. By 1781, the Fourth of July was named a national holiday and today fireworks, parades and picnics still mark this celebration.

The Gospel message preaches a similar tune. We have been given freedom in Christ. The freedom we have is freedom from death caused by sin. God sent His only Son to die and shed his blood for us. The ultimate price of freedom was paid through the sacrifice of Jesus Christ on the cross. Although the cost was high, Jesus’ death and resurrection purchased the freedom of anyone who trusts in Him. By faith, we become children of God and co-heirs with Christ. Through Him, we are made pure, holy and blameless – all gifts – God gives to us freely.

Still, with this freedom comes tremendous responsibility. The gift of freedom is not a license to do as you please. Rather, it is a calling to live unselfishly and righteously. Freedom rings when you chose not to indulge all your desires, but chose to live a life honoring to the Lord.

As you enjoy Fourth of July festivities this weekend and celebrate the freedom of our nation, say a prayer of thanks to God for the freedom from sin He has given you and for the life He has given you to live now, and throughout all eternity with Him.

GOING DEEPER:
1. Why is it hard to separate good works from a saving relationship with Jesus? Why does doing good works often make more sense than just having faith?

2. Romans 6:16 states that we are either slaves to sin or to righteous living. What does this mean to you?

FURTHER READING:
Romans 6:15-18, 8:1-4; 1 Corinthians 8:9; Ephesians 3:11-13; Galatians 5:1

These sure are good.

lots of love, Darlene (Sis)

Hi Sis! I didn't drop off your usual mail yesterday, so I am now. I'll drop off today's mail tomorrow!

I'm goin to bed real soon so here's yesterday's mail...

The Holy Spirit
This devotional was written by Jim Burns

And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Counselor to be with you forever—the Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be in you. —John 14:16-17

But I tell you the truth: it is for your good that I am going away. Unless I go away the Counselor will not come to you; but if I go, I will send him to you. —John 16:7

The Holy Spirit is the third person of the Trinity. He is very much on the same level in the Trinity as the Father and Jesus. His role in the Godhead (Trinity) is different, just as the roles of the Father and Jesus. The Father is the Creator and the Son Jesus is the Savior. The Spirit is the Counselor and Comforter.

The Holy Spirit's job is to empower and guide you in living the Christian life. In order to have the power of God working in our lives we must surrender and submit ourselves to the control of the Holy Spirit. We can surrender and submit to the Holy Spirit simply by asking him to fill us with his presence.

Here is a prayer I pray regularly. I hope it will be your prayer today as well.

Spirit of the living God, Take control of me; Spirit of the living God, Take control of me; Spirit of the living God, Take control of me; Melt me! Mold me! Fill me! Use me!

Asking the Holy Spirit to fill, empower, and control your life is connecting with the power source of God. It is putting God in the driver's seat of your life with you in the passenger seat. If you make that commitment, hold on because you are in for the greatest, most exciting, and challenging ride of your life.

GOING DEEPER:
1. What is the incredibly good news in today's Scriptures, John 14:16-17 and John 16:7?

2. Has there ever been a time in your life when you have prayed a prayer like the one I pray? Yes? When and how has it affected your life? No? Then why not make that the prayer of your heart today?

FURTHER READING:
Psalm 108:1-5

Goodnight Charlene! I love you lots, Darlene

Hi Sis! How does it feel being a mommy to be again? I'm sure it's nice but you've had a lot of morning sickness too. One day at a time works for me. Of course I'm not pregnant!! lol
I hope you and your little family are doin real well. Don and I are fine.
I have a prayer request. I have one sister. Her name is Barbara. She came to know the Lord a few months after I got saved but she has turned away. She has two sons and one of those sons (Michael) is terribly sick. He is about 5 foot 10 inches tall and he's lost a lot of weight. My sister called this morning and asked us to pray for him. He's down to about 134 lbs now. He's hurting really bad in his stomach. The doctor's haven't found the problem other than his liver is toxic. They said it's cause he took so many vitamins when he wasn't able to eat much food and the vitamins ended up giving him a toxic liver. I'm concerned not only for my nephew Michael, but also for my sister.
I know if you read this, you will pray so thank you in advance.
Here's your mail.....

Blinders
This devotional was written by Kelly McFadden

That is why I use these parables, for they look, but they don’t really see. They hear, but they don’t really listen or understand. —Matthew 13:13

As my dog, Peanut, got older she began to lose her sight. I remember watching her walk down the hall of our family’s home feeling so sad because she kept bumping into the walls due to her poor vision. After a few weeks of this, Peanut went to the groomers. She came back ready for the summer with a new short haircut. I watched in awe as Peanut trotted in a straight line down the hall, never running into a wall once. Then it hit me: Peanut wasn’t going blind. Rather, the hair in front of her eyes had gotten so long it was blocking her sight.

In Matthew 13, Jesus tells the parable of the four soils. Jesus used this analogy to give unique insight into the ways of God. In this parable, Jesus showed how differently people hear the Word of God. For some, they hear but do not understand. Others hear it, accept it, but fall away quickly because there is no depth to their faith. Still others hear the message, but the worries of life and lust of the world leave no room for God. There are some, however, who hear and understand, producing a harvest that extends beyond them.

Which soil are you? Sometimes, I think I fall into all four categories. There are times when I am thirsty and searching, and it is easy for God’s Word to burrow deep into my heart. Still, there are other times I am too busy to pay attention to the lessons God is teaching me. I am blinded by an outward distraction or worry. It is at those times I become spiritually blinded, stumbling until I am willing to take care of the root problem: the blinders blocking my eyes.

I do not believe spiritual blindness must be a permanent problem. We have the opportunity to see more clearly by removing the blinders from our hearts. We must humble ourselves and ask God to give us a pliable and understanding heart—which is work that He wants to do in our lives. Then, we must follow through and do what we know we need to do.

Trust God to be faithful to continue the work He has begun in you. As a result, you will have eyes that see and ears to hear the greatness of our Lord.

GOING DEEPER:
1. What hinders God’s Word from rooting deep in your heart?

2. What are ways you have seen God’s Word take root in your life when your heart was open to understanding?

FURTHER READING:
Matthew 13:1-23; 1 Corinthians 2:6-10; Ephesians 3:3-9

another good one! lots of love, your older sister!

I am sooooooooooooo glad to hear your news!!!!! I had three girls and one boy!
I have an idea. How about writing your words like this....hi-sis-how-are-you- (with a dash in between each word)
Do you get what I mean? This way you don't need the space bar. Of course it might be that you aren't able to use some of your other keys too.
It was good to hear from you! I love you!
Here's today's mail...

Turn On the Light
This devotional was written by Robin Dugall

This is the message we have heard from Him and announce to you, that God is Light, and in Him there is no darkness
at all. —1 John 1:5

An old parable tells the story of hungry man who lit a candle and sat down to eat a bowl of dates. The man took a bite of a date and saw a worm in it, so he threw the date away and selected another. He took a bite of another date, and it too, contained a worm. So, the man threw this date away as well. Concerned that all of the dates contained worms, the hungry man blew out the candle and quickly ate the rest of the dates. What is the meaning of the parable? People often choose to live in the darkness, in denial, rather than in the reality that light brings.

The Bible says that God is light. That’s a good thing! God is light in that He is holy and pure. As the book of James announces, He is the “Father of lights”…in whom there is no variation, darkness or shifting shadow.

Early on in the Biblical account, God separates light from darkness. He calls the light “good.” Throughout the Bible, darkness is not a good thing. On the cross, during the middle of the day, darkness encompassed the earth, demonstrating the bleakness of the power of sin that Jesus was conquering. Darkness is always a symbol of impurity, ignorance, being lost and evil. Now, that should be a clue to us about how we should live.

We are called by God to live in the light. We are to live in the light of Jesus, choosing to embrace truth, openness, forgiveness, courage and humility. Although we may try to hide from the exposure that God’s light brings to the darkness in our lives, it is light that brings healing. You know that there are areas of your life where God wants to shine.

Today, pray that you can live in His light. Don’t hide out in darkness! Let God turn on His light in and through you!

GOING DEEPER:
1. What are those areas in your life that are hiding in the dark? Where would God like to shine His light?

2. What can you do to live in His light today? How can you represent or shine His light in the circumstances and people in your life today?

FURTHER READING:
John 1:1-13; John 9:1-12; John 8:12; Ephesians 5:8-14


Bye till next time!!! Muuuaaaaahhhhh!! from me

Hi Sis, guess what I did yesterday? lol Ok, you don't have to guess, I'll tell you. I held my first great grand daughter!!! She only a couple of months old so she's still tiny. Her little feet are so precious, I kissed them. Her name is Riley Marie. She's adorable.
I have some mail for you. Here it is.....

Wholehearted, Simple Commitment
This devotional was written by Jim Liebelt

But I am afraid that just as Eve was deceived by the serpent’s cunning, your minds may somehow be led astray from your simple and pure devotion to Christ. —2 Corinthians 11:3

Some years ago, a train in the United Kingdom traveling 117 miles per hour derailed. The crash left four people dead and more than 30 people injured. An investigation showed that track defects had contributed significantly to the cause of the accident. The company responsible for maintaining the tracks was found to have not met its commitments on track repairs.

Half-hearted commitments can end in disaster. I’ve seen it happen over the years, in areas of life ranging from sports to marriage, from friendships to business. All of us, at one time or another, have probably been hurt by others who have made half-hearted commitments.

Most Christians would say they have made a commitment to following Christ. Yet, there are those among us who have made these commitments half-heartedly. Tragically, half-hearted Christians hurts themselves the most. Sometimes they fool themselves about the nature of following Christ. For them, following Christ is an exercise in frustration. It doesn’t seem to work. Sometimes they walk away from the faith. Their faith, as the apostle Paul wrote, has been “shipwrecked.” (1 Timothy 1:19.)

Half-hearted commitment to Christ is nothing new. Jesus himself encountered half-hearted followers. He said to them, “Why do you call me Lord, Lord, but do not do what I say?” (Luke 6:46) Jesus challenged people to be wholehearted about their commitment, counting the cost of following him beforehand. (Luke 14:25-33)

Why is it important to walk in wholehearted, simple commitment to Jesus? Because the “things we do” as Christians can easily become the focus of our faith. It is all too easy to end up committed to a Christian program or church rather than being committed to Christ. Programs and churches can let people down. Jesus never does. It’s all too easy to commit to following the “rules” of Christianity rather than being committed to Christ. Following “rules” can become sterile and confining. Following Jesus is about relationship not rules. Following Jesus brings freedom and life.

Jesus said that following him is a matter of choice, made on a daily basis. (Luke 9:23) Sadly, most people won’t make this choice for it’s not the easiest road to take. But, it is the only choice that leads to real life. It’s the only choice that allows you to become all that God intends for you to be. Today, choose to be devoted to the person of Jesus Christ.

GOING DEEPER:
1. What “things” in life get in your way of simple and pure devotion to Christ?

2. Pray about those “things,” asking God for his strength and grace to focus on being committed to Christ.

FURTHER READING:
Matthew 7:13-14; 13:1-24; Colossians 2:6-23

That was a good reminder about giving our lives to the Lord daily. Also our walk with the Lord is not about following rules, but it's a relationship with Jesus. There's a verse that's been helpful to me.
I know it's in Zachariah (not spelled right) but I forgot where it is. I think it's Zach 4:6 b (the last part of the verse)..."not by might nor by power, but by My spirit saith the Lord of hosts".
Goodnight Charlene!! love, Darlene

Hi Sweetie, I'm just stopping by to drop off your mail then I'm gonna be goin to sleep.
Here it is........

Sweet Slumber or Fright Night?
This devotional was written by Leslie Snyder

I will lie down and sleep in peace for you alone, O, Lord, keep me safe. —Psalm 4:8

Each night around the world, when children go to bed, the imaginary world of monsters, bogeymen, and things that go bump in the night come to life. In fact, this occurrence is so common that some years ago, a movie studio used a humorous flip-flop of this fear to produce a blockbuster hit, Monsters Inc., in which the monsters were afraid of children! In our home my children’s fears range from hearing unidentifiable sounds to thinking a gigantic octopus looms outside of the bedroom window. Most often a reassuring word, a prayer, and a spray of magic “monster-be-gone” will bring back a sense of peace and our house is filled with the sounds of sweet slumber.

Adults often laugh off the fears that seem so real to children. But, the fact is that many adults experience something very similar. After the lights go out and the sound of silence fills the air, we are forced to face the things that hide in the busyness of day. The grown-up monsters of deadlines, pressure at work, addictions, marital strife, abuse, declining health, employment status, financial difficulties, parenting, issues of self-worth and more are very much alive. Fear invades and sleep is not sweet.

The psalmist understood where to place these fears: right in the lap of a loving, protective God. Is this a promise that nothing bad will ever happen? No. It is trusting that God is with us even in the midst of our fears. The first part of Psalm 23: 4 reads, “Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me…” God did not deliver this person from the valley; He walked with him through it.

Tonight, when you are tempted to allow fear to overwhelm you, trust God instead. Speak your fears to Him. Name them out loud and allow Him to walk with you through the fear. Trust that His word is true, and enjoy the night as you sleep in His peace.

GOING DEEPER:
1. What fears keep you up at night?

2. As you identify your fears, turn them over to God and allow Him to carry them for you.

FURTHER READING:
Psalm 23; Matthew 6:25-34; 10:26-33; 11:28–30


I'm a lot like my dad when it comes to sleep. He could sleep almost anywhere and so can I. I am very thankful for this cause I'd much rather sleep than walk the floor if I wasn't able to sleep.
I don't know if that made sense. I'm too tired to read what I just wrote. lol Goodnight...(yawn) Darlene

This is a picture of Don and I on our 50th anniversary! This was taken in 2005. As you can see I'm having fun cause I had just smeared cake all over his face. We're both four years older than this now. You can delete this if you'd like. I had no idea it would come through as large as it is.
Goodnight again. lots of love, Darlene

Hi, I'm sorry I didn't get here yesterday!! It's late AGAIN and I have to wake up early. Don's having 3 teeth pulled in the morrning.
I want to tell you about something I read today before I send this and shut off the computer.
I think it said, 'If you have any doubt, wait and be still'. This helped me a lot. I know the Bible says, be still and know that I am God. It also says something about waiting on the Lord. But at the time I read that, it was as though the Lord was giving me permission to be still and wait. I just thought of another way I could tell you how it helped. It calmed me down and helped me to put more trust in the Lord rather than in my trying.
Ok, I'm goin to bed now for sure!!
Here's your mail.......

Not Exchanged, But Renewed
This devotional was written by Kelly McFadden

The blood of goats and bulls and the ashes of a heifer sprinkled on those who are ceremonially unclean sanctify them so that they are outwardly clean. How much more, then, will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself unblemished to God, cleanse our consciences from acts that lead to death, so that we may serve the living God! —Hebrews 9:13-14

I bought a new jacket only to have the buttons pop off and a hole formed in the side seam. Receipt in hand, I went in to exchange the jacket. The store offered to let me return it, but they no longer had my size to complete the exchange. Not wanting a different one, I walked out with my jacket, determined to fix it.

Repairing the seams and securing the buttons later that evening, I couldn’t help but think of Christ’s sacrifice for people. He could have exchanged us when we sinned. He could have thrown out the broken models and started over from scratch, creating obedient and sinless humans. Yet, instead of exchanging us or tossing us out, He loved us and died for us. He shed His blood so that we could be forgiven. He bore the sin of each person, so that we can have eternal life with Him and be made new. Through His death and resurrection, He provided the means to patch up our imperfections, renewing us, to make us pure and holy in His eyes.

God will not give up on you. He will not exchange you or make hasty, short-term repairs. He will re-create you. Don’t be misled to think you can do it on your own. Bring your brokenness to the foot of the cross, confess your inability to cleanse yourself, and ask the Lord to forgive you. Only He can make you new.

GOING DEEPER:
1. Think about a time you have forgiven someone else. What was it about the situation that allowed you to forgive them?

2.How does confession play a vital role in your life when it comes to forgiveness?

FURTHER READING:
Exodus 30:7-10; Hebrews 10:21-23; 1 John 1:9-10

That was another really good one!! I love you bunches! Darlene

Hi Charlene, I think I've got my days and nights mixed up!! I don't mind too much but I would like to wake up a little earlier and go to bed a little earlier too.
I'm sending in presidents quotes to a group I'm in. I began doing this Wednesday and sent in two of Pres. Washington's quotes. Thursday, I sent in two of Pres. Jefferson's quotes. I was wrong cause Pres. Adams was after Pres. Washington!!
I sent a note to the group with "I goofed" as the subject and I explained how I goofed in the e-mail.
Speaking of mail...here's yours...

The Shoebox
This devotional was written by Leslie Snyder

In your anger do not sin! Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry, and do not give the devil a foothold.
—Ephesians 4:26-27

I read a humorous story about a man and woman who had been married for more than 60 years. They had shared everything. They had talked about everything. They had kept no secrets from each other except that the woman had a shoebox in the top of her closet about which she had cautioned her husband never to open. Over the years, the man forgot about the box until the woman became very sick.

While sorting out their affairs, the elderly man took down the shoebox and took it to his wife's bedside. She agreed that it was time for him to know the contents of the box. When he opened it, he found two crocheted dolls and a stack of money totaling $25,000.

Curious, the man asked her about the contents. "When we were to be married," she began, "my grandmother told me the secret to a happy marriage was to never argue. She told me that if I ever got angry with you, I should just keep quiet and crochet a doll." The man was so moved he had to fight back tears.

Only two precious dolls were in the box. Apparently, she had only been angry with him two times in all those years of living and loving. He almost burst with happiness.

"Honey," he said, "that explains the dolls, but what about all of this money? Where did it come from?" "Oh," she said, "That's the money I made from selling all the dolls."

I’ll admit, I got a good chuckle from this story, but in reality it’s no way to handle conflict in relationships. In the above Scripture, Paul warns us not to end a day angry with another person. He knew the power of anger and how the devil waits to seize any opportunity to increase division among believers. Unresolved anger leads to bitterness, a lack of forgiveness and it causes immeasurable pain to those involved. Today, choose to be a peacemaker and resolve any outstanding conflict.

GOING DEEPER:
1. Spend some time evaluating your relationships.

2. Is there someone in your life with whom you have unresolved conflict? If there is, commit to taking steps to resolve the conflict.

FURTHER READING:
1 Thessalonians 5:13; Hebrews 12:14

That was good. The little story was cute too. love, Darlene

Hi Sis!!! I'm dropping off your mail earlier than I usually do. I need to get awy from this computer chair for awhile. I've been gaining weight and I feel sluggish.
Have you looked up at the sky recently? I've been noticing it a lot today. The Lord created all this and lots more that we don't see yet, but we will one day and it will be so good.
Here's your mail......


Enjoy Life!
This devotional was written by Jim Burns

Do not be anxious about anything but in everything by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. —Philippians 4:6,7

Sometimes I work too hard and take life too hard. Last week I noticed flowers in my backyard in bloom, and I had missed the process of blooming, Life is too short. Sometimes we need to sit back and enjoy God's gift to us. Brother Jeremiah was at the end of his life when he reflected on his many years of Christian service. I keep close to my heart these words he wrote:

"If I had my life to live over again, I'd try to make more mistakes next time. I would relax. I would limber up. I would be sillier than I have been this trip. I know of very few things I would take seriously. I would take more trips. I would climb more mountains, swim more rivers, and watch more sunsets. I would do more walking and looking, I would eat more ice cream and less beans. I would have more actual troubles and fewer imaginary ones.

You see, I am one of those people who live prophylactically and sensibly and sanely, hour after hour, day after day. Oh, I've had my moments, and if I had it to do over again, I'd have more of them. In fact, I'd try to have nothing else. Just moments, one after another, instead of living so many years ahead each day. I have been one of those people who never go anywhere without a thermometer, a hot water bottle, a gargle, a raincoat, aspirin, and a parachute. If I had it to do over again, I would go places, do things, and travel lighter than I have.

If I had my life to live over, I would start barefooted earlier in the spring and stay that way later in the fall. I would play more. I would ride on more merry-go-rounds. I'd pick more daisies."*

GOING DEEPER:
1. Reread Philippians 4:6,7. What is the result of not being anxious, but presenting our requests to God through prayer and petition with thanksgiving?

2. Sometimes we are anxious about life because we are sitting around thinking about it. What specifically can you do today to live life to the fullest? Do it today!

FURTHER READING:
Matthew 6:25-34, Ephesians 6:18, John 14:27, Colossians 3:15

* Ted W. Engstrom, The Pursuit of Excellence (Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1982), p. 90. Used by permission.

I LOVE this one!!!! Enjoy your life!! Take walks and do something you've been wanting to do but have put it off.
Give your kids a hug from me. I love you, Darlene

Hi Charlene, I hope you're able to get into your computer and read these things cause some of them have been real good.
I've got a sinus thing, so I'm just dropping this off and then I'm goin to bed. lots of love and a big hug, Darlene

The Power of A.C.T.S.
This devotional was written by Robin Dugall

It happened that while Jesus was praying in a certain place, after He had finished, one of His disciples said to Him, "Lord, teach us to pray just as John also taught his disciples."
—Luke 11:1

Within the first few months after I dedicated my life to Jesus, I was told that I needed to pray. I had never been taught to pray as a younger person. I had been attending a church where all the prayers were printed in books and recited only in worship experiences by a man in the front of the church, who wore a robe. It was my impression that only trained people knew how to really pray and that if I prayed at all, I had to find a book to use.

No one had ever taken the time to explain prayer to me. That was soon to become a problem when my youth pastor asked me one night at a Bible study, “Robin, why don’t you pray for us?” I went into shock. Shock, however, is not what God has in mind for His followers when it comes to prayer!

In God’s eyes, there is no off-limits to prayer. As Christ-followers, we have been given “bold access” to God. When it comes to prayer, God has given us an open door to pray in any and all ways possible. When I was 17-years-old, I learned a great model for praying that I still find helpful today. It revolutionized my life and still guides me as I come into deeper relationship with God through prayer. It’s called A.C.T.S. and I hope you too, will find it helpful in your own prayer life.

Adoration – All prayer should include worship. Begin with the phrase, "I love (or adore) You, God, because You are… " The goal is to focus on an attribute of God. "Praise Him for who He is, not what He does," I remind myself. We can always find words of adoration in the Psalms.

Confession – We need to remember that we are broken and need healing. Take time in prayer to say, "Lord, please forgive me for…" or "I’m sorry I… " Be as specific as possible. Think back over the day to a time when you did wrong or were disobedient. Confession keeps us humble before God.

Thanksgiving - Teach yourself this important aspect of prayer: thanking God. You can thank God for the good things that have happened during the day or for special people in your life.

Supplication – This is what we most often do during prayer, asking God for “things.” Divide this category into two parts: praying for others and praying for yourself.

GOING DEEPER:
Try the A.C.T.S. method out for a week. See how this method works for your prayer life.

FURTHER READING:
Luke 11:1-13; Psalm 150; Psalm 51

I've heard of this A.C.T.S way of praying before but it doesn't hurt to be reminded. goodnite sis!!

Hi Sis!! It's late as usual. I wonder how you're doing. I hope you get your keyboard fixed soon.
I've had a big day so I'm gonna go now.
love you lots, your big Sis.
Here's your mail...

Prevention or Rescue?
This devotional was written by Jim Liebelt

Let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily hinders our progress.
—Hebrews 12:1b (NLT)

Some years ago, news reports appeared about Aron Ralston, a young man from Colorado who had been hiking somewhere in a remote area of Utah wilderness. During what was intended to be a simple day hike, well within Ralston’s capabilities, he accidentally dislodged a massive boulder that pinned his arm and trapped him for five days. Having run out of food and water, and without any reasonable hope of rescue, Ralston amputated his own arm with a pocketknife he had with him. By cutting off his own arm, he saved his life. Various media reports hailed Ralston’s courage. Some even called him a hero.

Ralston’s courage is undeniable. I don’t think many people would have the courage to cut off their own arm. But, it’s also undeniable that this young man made a basic wilderness hiking error by not telling anyone where he was going. A simple measure of prevention could have saved him a lot of grief and quite possibly his arm.

This story provides a couple of reminders for our own spiritual journeys. The Bible is quite clear in its instruction: we are to “throw off the sin that so easily entangles us.” We are all susceptible to sin. It takes God’s transforming work in our lives to beat destructive and sinful habits. Yet, it also takes courage on our part—courage to admit our sin—and courage to repent and change our thoughts and behaviors.

Beyond this, however, we are also to take preventative measures. We are to do our best not to allow ourselves to become enslaved to sin in the first place. Simple, preventative measures like reading God’s word, prayer, fellowship with other believers and being accountable to one another are key in our pursuit of living holy lives.

I am always encouraged by stories of fellow Christ-followers who have courageously experienced victories over sin in their lives. Yet, even more heartening to me are the examples of others who take sin prevention seriously and are victorious over the many temptations they face each day.

Today, take up the challenge of using preventative measures against temptation and sin in your life. If you are struggling with a sinful habit, have the courage to act by cutting away whatever it is that holds you back from having a better relationship with Jesus.

GOING DEEPER:
1. Are you struggling with overcoming a sinful habit? What actions can you take to help you “cut away” whatever it is that is trapping you?

2. Find a Bible verse (or verses) that can serve as a “preventative measure” against sin in your life today.

FURTHER READING:
Matthew 5:29-30; 1 Corinthians 10:13; Ephesians 4:22-24;
2 Timothy 2:22

Hi Sis, I hope you and your family are all well, including the tiny girl who will be joining your family. Don and I are quite well, thank the Lord.
I have a few more e-mails to send and then I need to go to bed. I wake up very early on Thursdays.

Here's your mail.......
A Firm Foundation
This devotional was written by Leslie Snyder

Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock. But everyone who hears these words of mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on sand. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell with a great crash. —Matthew 7: 24-27

In the past few years, many homes in the drought-weary Midwest have experienced significant “settling,” including our own. We noticed small cracks crawling up the walls, doors not closing tightly, and water seeping into our basement through our foundation seams. In fact, one strong rainstorm created a nice little river valley from our basement into our garage.

Apparently, our back patio had sunk eight inches and was directing water right into our foundation. To address the problem, we hired the “mud-jackers,” contractors who pumped enough mud under our patio to raise it 8 inches in order to direct the water away from the house and down the slope of our yard. We’re hoping the work has fixed the problem, but we’ll have to wait until a good storm comes our way in order to find out.

Life is much the same. We often don’t know how we will weather a storm until after it passes. And if we’re not careful, we miss the clues that point to the weak points in our own foundation. Just as the cracks in our walls, the adjusted door jams, and the river in our basement were indicators that something was wrong with our home’s foundation, so too, things like negative attitudes, prayerlessness and cynicism are indicators that our spiritual foundation is shifting.

A wise person once said, “A Bible that is falling apart belongs to someone who is not.” Become firmly grounded in the Word of God, and when the storms of life come, your faith will remain intact.

GOING DEEPER:
1. Take some time to do a self faith-evaluation. How’s your foundation?

2. Inspect the areas of your life that may show signs of weakness and allow Christ to make the necessary adjustments.

FURTHER READING:
Psalm 1

Take good care of yourself. love, Darlene

Hi Sweetie, I have your "mail" for you! I hope you're lots better than ok.
I need to go to sleep now so here's your "mail". with love, Darlene

Satisfaction Guaranteed
This devotional was written by Jim Burns

Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied. —Matthew 5:6 (RSV)

There is a great promise in today's verse. If you hunger and thirst for righteousness you will be satisfied. In order to be satisfied you've got to pursue righteousness with everything you have. God wants our 100-percent effort. Why is it that I'll give my 100-percent effort on the tennis court or when planning a party, but when it comes to pursuing righteousness, sometimes I coast? When I'm not giving God my best, an empty feeling creeps into my life. Today's promise in Matthew 5:6 challenges me to pull out the stops, roll up my sleeves, and with reckless abandon dive into the arms of the Savior. If I pursue with all my heart and energy what God has placed on my heart, the result will be satisfaction.

I like what Charles Paul Conn wrote:

Whatever it is,
However impossible it seems,
Whatever the obstacle that lies between you and it,
If it is noble,
If it is consistent with God's kingdom,
You must hunger after it
And stretch yourself to reach it.*

GOING DEEPER:
1. What promise does God give us in Matthew 5:6?

2. Pray specifically right now that God would cause you to hunger and thirst for righteousness. If you are sincere in your prayer God will increase your desire to seek Him.

FURTHER READING:
Romans 5:8

* Ted W. Engstrom, The Pursuit of Excellence (Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1982), p. 21.

The Lord spoke loud and clear (in that still small voice) to me in this one. xo's Darlene

Hi mommy to be!!
I'm late as I often am lately.
I still want to send in the quotes to that group and it's getting late. I hope you get your computer keyboard fixed soon.
Please take GOOD care of yourself! lots of love, Darlene
Here's your mail......
Use Your Gifts and Talents
to Help Others
This devotional was written by Kelly McFadden

For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.
—Matthew 11:30


Dr. Don Schoendorfer, founder of Free Wheelchair Mission, put his Ph.D. in mechanical engineering to work by creating a simple, sturdy and inexpensive wheelchair for those in need around the world.

Bob Campbell, real-estate entrepreneur, teamed with his local church, offering business knowledge to build partnerships between numerous organizations to help create a program for emancipated youth to get the education and stability they need.

Andrea Wherry loved to bake cakes. She baked unique and personalized cakes for homeless children on their birthdays, giving them a special day to remember. Her simple act created a birthday ministry to needy children in her community.

The problems of this world can feel overwhelming and out of reach when we read the news or look around us. There are difficult issues that seem beyond our ability to help or do anything. Have confidence in this: God did not call you to be what you are not or to do what you cannot. While you will not be asked to fix all the problems around you, you are called to use the gifts He gave you to serve others.

There are challenges and difficulties when we partner with Christ in this life; however, Jesus reminds us in this verse that His yoke is easy compared to the alternative. He will never give you more than you can bear. While the yoke is a labor tool for oxen, it is a shared tool. The weight will never fall on your shoulders alone. In fact, your primary partner is the Lord. It is He who carries the weight of the burden for you.

Although the world’s problems seem insurmountable, God does not ask us to fix anything. He asks us to use our unique mixture of gifts and talents to help others move from despair to hope. Each time you do the work God has set before you, you are a part of His great plan in bringing hope to a hurting world. Search your heart and see what gifts and tools the Lord has given you to be able to reach out and help others.

GOING DEEPER:
1. What special skills and talents has God given you that you can use to help others?

2. Take time to pray right now to see how God can use your special talents for His glory.

FURTHER READING:
Jeremiah 29:11; Ephesians 2:8-10; 2 Corinthians 5:4-6


Your mail sure is good reading! XO's

Hi Sis, I have a few things to drop off with you tonight. Here's one... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VwqWcn2gbTM
It's Tennessee Ernie Ford singing, many years ago. His little boy is on his right. I think it's adorable.
There are two other things I want to leave with you. The one I'm leaving now is the one I usually leave when I drop off your mail. Here it is..
Love and Worship
This devotional was written by Mike DeVries

Ascribe to the Lord the glory due his name; worship the Lord in the splendor of his holiness. —Psalm 29:2

Have you ever noticed that some of the best conversations happen when you least expect it? Oftentimes, we feel the need to “schedule” some conversation, making sure that we are mentally prepared. Now trust me, I believe that there are times when this is exactly what is needed, yet I wonder… how many opportunities for great conversation have come and gone merely because we were not living fully present, with eyes wide open?

It was Good Friday and our family was in the middle of taking part in a time of worship and reflection with our church community, when my daughter tapped me on the shoulder. She leaned over and whispered in my ear.

“Daddy, why do we worship God?”

Honestly, my first thought was to tell her to be quiet, or perhaps to tell her that we would talk about it later, but I had this feeling deep inside of me that told me I better not miss this moment. So I took it.

I got out of my seat and took my daughter to the back of the room. Together we sat on the floor and talked about worship (quietly enough not to be heard). We talked about worship as more than just singing, though this is often the form that it takes. We talked about worship being something that we do every day, every moment. I told her that it was a chance for us to let God know how much we love Him, and how much we appreciate all that He has done for us.

“So it’s kind of like writing a letter to someone?”

“Yeah, that can be worship too.”

Fast forward now. It’s Easter Sunday. I was watching television. Out of the corner of my eye I saw my daughter, and she was drawing something on a scratch pad. It was a cross, and in bold letters she had written, “I love God and Jesus.”

I thought to myself, “She gets it.”

As I think back, I wonder what might have been if I had not taken an awkward, albeit God-ordained, moment to talk with my daughter. And, I wonder how the world would be changed if more of us, including myself, saw these kinds of moments for what they are – beautifully divine interruptions sent by God. Perhaps that’s something we should pray for, isn’t it?

That was different than they usually are cause there were no questions.
Ok, here's the last piece of "mail" for this evening....

In God We (Nearly) Trust
by Max Lucado

A few days before our wedding, Denalyn and I enjoyed and endured a sailing voyage. Milt, a Miami church friend, had invited Denalyn, her mom, and me to join him and a few others on a leisurely cruise along the Florida coast.

Initially it was just that. Leisure. We stretched out on cushions, hung feet over the side, caught some zzz's and rays. Nice.

But then came the storm. The sky darkened, the rain started, and the flat ocean humped like a dragon's neck. Sudden waves of water tilted the vessel up until we saw nothing but sky and then downward until we saw nothing but blue. I learned this about sailing: there is nothing swell about a swell. Tanning stopped. Napping ceased. Eyes turned first to the thunderclouds, then to the captain. We looked to Milt.

He was deliberate and decisive. He told some people where to sit, others what to do, and all of us to hang on. And we did what he said. Why? We knew he knew best. No one else knew the difference between starboard and stern. Only Milt did. We trusted him. We knew he knew.

And we knew we didn't. Prior to the winds, we might have boasted about Boy Scout merit badges in sailing or bass-boat excursions. But once the storm hit, we shut up. (Except for Denalyn, who threw up.) We had no choice but to trust Milt. He knew what we didn't--and he cared. The vessel was captained, not by a hireling or a stranger, but by a pal. Our safety mattered to him. So we trusted him.

Oh, that the choice were equally easy in life. Need I remind you about your westerly winds? With the speed of lightning and the force of a thunderclap, williwaws anger tranquil waters. Victims of sudden storms populate unemployment lines and ICU wards. You know the winds. You've felt the waves. Good-bye, smooth sailing. Hello, rough waters.

Such typhoons test our trust in the Captain. Does God know what he is doing? Can he get us out? Why did he allow the storm?

Can you say about God what I said about Milt?
I know God knows what's best.
I know I don't.
I know he cares.

Such words come easily when the water is calm. But when you're looking at a wrecked car or a suspicious-looking mole, when war breaks out or thieves break in, do you trust him?

To embrace God's sovereignty is to drink from the well of his lordship and make a sailboat-in- the-storm decision. Not in regard to Milt and the sea, but in regard to God and life. You look toward the Captain and resolve: he knows what's best.

From "Come Thirsty" by Max Lucado

I do hope you'll be able to see and hear the song.
lots of love, Darlene

You have no idea how excited I was when I saw there was a message from you!!!!! I've missed you Sis!!

I'd like to know why you were crying. If you think you can, please tell me why you were crying. You said you couldn't see well cause of the tears. I care very much about you.
About those storms, don't forget Jesus is right there with you in the same boat you're in. Not too long ago it helped me when I remembered that God's Spirit is within me. He understands us like no one else can. Something else that has helped me is this verse...In Him we live and breath and have our being.
Charlene, I really do hope you're taking care of yourself. You're a precious young lady.
I'm sorry I haven't been around to drop off your mail in a couple of days. We had company almost all day yesterday. I loved having them here but I didn't get my sister's mail delivered.
Here's your mail now. with lots and lots of love, Darlene

The Ultimate Lifesaver

By Jim Liebelt

Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends. John 15:13

A June, 2003 article in Reader’s Digest describes the actions of Dave Shoemaker, captain of the 180-foot fishing vessel Galaxy, somewhere off Alaska’s St. Paul Island. The article reads, “When a disastrous engine fire wreaked havoc for the Galaxy and its crew, Captain Shoemaker bravely walked through the smoke and flames with no protection but a bandanna around his mouth to radio for help. Shoemaker continued to put the lives of his crew first and worked to help them to safety despite incurring three broken ribs, extensive burns to his skin, and the increasing chance of going down with the ship. Like a true captain, he made certain he was the last of the crew to be rescued by the Coast Guard, who arrived thanks to his initial Mayday call. The Galaxy was completely lost, but thanks in great part to Shoemaker's courage under fire, 21 of the 25 crew members survived.” Captain Shoemaker, a modern day hero, put his own life on the line in order to save the life of his crewmembers.

Let’s reflect on our ultimate lifesaver, the Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Remember that he willingly suffered, bled and died—taking our own sin and shame on Himself as He hung on a cross— that we might be saved from an eternity of separation from God. In his resurrection from the grave, Jesus broke the power of sin and death—and guarantees rescue— to anyone who believes in Him. He is our most shining example of heroism in action.

Yet, the story doesn’t end here. We, in fact, are destined to become part of the story. For Jesus calls all of us who have experienced His rescue to become part of his rescue team—to act heroically, willingly putting our lives on the line—in order to help rescue others. “Snatch others from the fire and save them,” is how the New Testament book of Jude puts it. It’s a simple act of gratitude for we who have been given a lifeline, to share a lifeline with someone else.

Today, offer a prayer of thanks to Jesus, our ultimate lifesaver and consider someone around you whom you can share your own story of how He has rescued you. You never know. In doing so you just might “snatch someone from the fire.”

GOING DEEPER:
1. Who had the courage to share the news of Jesus with you? Pray, and thank God for using this person in your life. If possible, thank them personally for being willing to be used by God in your life.

2. In your circle of relationships, who might benefit from hearing your story of God’s rescue in your life? Will you commit to sharing your story with this person in the coming week?

FURTHER READING:
John 10:11-18; Luke 9:23-26; 2 Corinthians 5:17-21

It's anazing how the Lord works! I wrote my message to you before I read or pasted the "mail". I mentioned don't forget Jesus is in the boat with you. This mail talks about a fishing boat. and the fact that Jesus is our ultimate life saver.
God bless you. I'm sorry you're sad. with a big hug, me

Hi Sis, I'm goin to bed real soon but I want to drop off your mail first. When did I begin calling this your mail?

Here it is....
God's Daily Miracles

By Jim Burns

Again the Jews picked up stones to stone him, but Jesus said to them, “I have shown you many great miracles from the Father. For which of these do you stone me? Do not believe me unless I do what my Father does. But if I do it even though you do not believe me, believe the miracles that you may know and understand that the Father is in me, and I in the Father."

John 10:31-32, 37-38


Do you believe in miracles? I do. I don't believe that everything called a miracle really is a miracle. In fact, I've been disappointed more than once with something or someone who faked a miracle. But miracles happen all around us every day. Some of the miracles are super-extraordinary; others, like a sunset, the human body or the true love of a man and woman, have become so ordinary that we hardly call them a miracle even though that's exactly what they are.

What is a miracle? A miracle makes an opening in the wall that separates this world and another. A miracle is a wonder, a beam of God's supernatural power injected into history. A miracle is a happening that cannot be explained in terms of ordinary life.

Christ performed at least thirty-five miracles in the Bible: walking on water, healing the sick, multiplying loaves and fish, turning water into wine, and even raising the dead.

Why did Christ perform so many miracles? Did he do it to persuade the people of his power or to solidify their faith? Did he do miracles to dramatically show that God took an interest in his creation? The answer is a simple "yes." Jesus performed miracles in order to give God glory. Perhaps the greatest miracle was the fact that Jesus (the Word) became flesh and dwelt among us. He is the visible expression of the invisible God.

God doesn't always perform miracles at our every petition, but don't underestimate his power either. Next time you seek a miracle, don't forget, he is not a magician - but don't be surprised if his miracle is greater than you ever imagined.

GOING DEEPER:
1. God performs miracles daily. List several of his miracles you've experienced this week.

2. What is a miracle you believe God is accomplishing in your life? How will this glorify him?

FURTHER READING:
Psalm 106:1-12

This was another good one.
Goodnight and sweet dreams. With love, Darlene

Hi little sis, I can't type much cause Don's trying to sleep.
I have some new mail tonight.
I love you and hope you're ok.

He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High
will rest in the shadow of the Almighty
I will say of the Lord, "He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust".
Psalm 91:1-2

Imagine yourself traveling across a desert in the heat of the afternoon sun. You are desperate for a place to rest. You need shelter from the heat. You search the horizon for a tree or a large rock that could provide the comfort of shade.

During the process of recovery we become aware of our need for a
sheltered place in which to rest. The journey can be exhausting and
disorienting. But we don't know how to rest. It doesn't come naturally to us. We don't know where to find a safe shelter.

Now imagine yourself resting in God's shadow. You are sheltered, safe, at rest. The heat of the desert will not consume you because of God's protection. You can sit and rest in God's loving presence. God is a shade, a shelter, a fortress. You can draw strength and comfort from God's presence.

Rest has the potential of teaching us two essential truths. First, we
are not God. God is God. We are creatures. We are limited, finite,
dependent. It is a good thing to be a creature with needs. Second, when we rest we may learn in new ways that we are loved. Because we are God's children, God loves us. Not because of what we do, but simply because of who we are, we are loved.

I turn to you, Lord
from the heat of the sun
and the pressures of the journey of life.
I turn to you
for shelter
and refuge.
I want to rest in you today.
Be my shelter
O Most High.
Amen.

Copyright Dale and Juanita Ryan


Lots of hugs, me OOOOOOOOOOOOOO these are hugs!!

Charlene, I'm concerned about you. You were in tears when you wrote to me last and you haven't written since. Please tell me why you were crying and if I can tell you something that has helped me I sure will. I care very much about you.
Here's the usual mail....

Consumers or Givers?

By Robin Dugall

Then he said, "This is what I will do: I will tear down my barns and build larger ones, and there I will store all my grain and my goods."

Luke 12:18

A few years ago my wife and I moved to a new state. It was a BIG deal. I don’t know if you have experienced this type of transition in your life in recent years, but if you have, you know exactly what I’m talking about. In fact, just to mention the word “MOVE” strikes terror in most people’s hearts. Moving is stressful…but it is more than that! It is also very revealing.

When the moving company packed up our “stuff” in the moving truck, I stood by the team of workers that labored that day. I kept an eye on all the boxes, furniture and household goods that were being carefully placed in the trailer for its 1000-mile trip. Hour by hour passed as I kept waiting for them to finish. In my angst, I decided to take a walk.

As I started out, I noticed a man with a beat-up van making his way to the large dumpster that was down the street from our house. I’d seen him before. The man showed up weekly in our neighborhood. He would park his van next to every dumpster in the complex and carefully sift through it to find anything that could be recycled for cash. He had been doing it for years. Watching him was a shock to my system. I kept juxtaposing this man and his beat-up van loaded with cans, newspapers and bottles with our HUGE moving van filled with “stuff.”

The moving process helped me realize that I am an addict. I am a consumer who needs to carefully start to look at my possessions in light of the realities of the world, the Church, and the Kingdom of God. We live in a consumer culture. We consume goods, endless cups of coffee, worship services, sermons, Bible studies, church programs, food…the list is endless.

I’m convinced it’s time to move from being a consumer to becoming a giver. I challenge you to join me. Instead of trying to get more things, how about if we decide, starting today, to concentrate on giving more…loving more…reaching out more… and looking at how the Kingdom of God can touch people’s lives through us?

Jesus calls us to be givers rather than consumers. Remember, he said, “Freely you have received. Freely give” (Matthew 10:8).

GOING DEEPER:
1. How much “stuff” do you have in your life?

2. How is God speaking to you about your consumption habit? How can you change your focus toward giving rather than consuming?

FURTHER READING:
Luke 12:13-34; Luke 14:7-11; Luke 16:19-31

I have no idea what this word is "juxtaposing" but other than that tthis wa a really good article. xoxoxoxoxo

Hi Sis, just in case something's wrong with your computer but you're still able to read these I'll send them in.
Charlene, do you suffer from or with depression? I've been depressed lately and it's not easy to handle. Don tries to cheer me up but it doesn't seem to help very often, but sometimes it helps a tiny bit.
Well dear, here's your mail....

Catch Me If You Can

By Jim Liebelt

…always thanking the Father, who has enabled you to share the inheritance that belongs to God’s holy people who live in light. For he has rescued us from the one who rules in the kingdom of darkness, and he has brought us into the Kingdom of his dear Son.

Colossians 1:12-13 (NLT)

The 2002 movie, Catch Me If You Can was adapted from the true story of Frank Abagnale, Jr., who, in the 1960s, spent four years of his late adolescence impersonating an airline pilot, a doctor and a lawyer—all the while writing bad checks around the world to the tune of 2.5 Million dollars. The movie fictionalizes these escapades, and shows Abagnale relentlessly pursued by an F.B.I. agent named Carl Hanratty, who eventually captures Abagnale.

After Abagnale spends some time in prison, Hanratty works to get Abagnale released into F.B.I. custody. Upon release, Abagnale is then transformed into a key F.B.I. expert on identifying fraudulent checks. The movie ends with a caption about how Abagnale and Hanratty are still close friends to this day.

Catch Me If You Can reminds me of another similar story that in many respects is common to all Christ-followers. It is the story of all those who are pursued, captured and transformed by God. God, through His Spirit, pursues each of us relentlessly regardless of how far we’ve strayed from Him through sin. At some point in our story, God catches up with us, and we who respond to the good news of Jesus’ offer of forgiveness and new life have indeed been captured by His love. All who seek to follow Him are transferred into His Kingdom and His service and experience lives transformed by the renewing power of the Holy Spirit. From now through eternity, we are God’s friends.

Today, thank God for your story and for His ongoing presence and work in your life!

GOING DEEPER:
1. What is one area of your life where you have seen God transform you?

2. What is one area of your life that you believe God is pursuing you in order to transform you?

FURTHER READING:
Luke 15:1-7; John 16:7-11; Romans 12:2; 2 Corinthians 3:17-18

This is another good one!! Goodnight Sis! OOOOOOOOOOO's

Hi Sis, I'm worried about you! I don't worry too often but I am now. I sure hope and pray you're alright. I care very much about you. I wish I could simply drop by and see you.
Well, I'll drop off your "mail" now. With lots of love, Darlene

All His

By Kelly McFadden

As he looked up, Jesus saw the rich putting their gifts into the temple treasury. He also saw a poor widow put in two very small copper coins. ‘I tell you the truth,’ he said, ‘this poor widow has put in more than all the others. All these people gave their gifts out of their wealth; but she out of her poverty put in all she had to live on.'

Luke 21:1-4

Each week as I headed to Sunday School as a child, my dad would hand me a dollar for the offering. Most of the time that dollar made it there. But, I remember one Sunday when the basket went around my fifth grade class, and the thought of a donut popped in my head. Concealing the dollar in my pocket, I silently passed the basket on. Later, I bought a donut with the dollar, but I felt too bad for it to taste good.

Giving can be difficult. I can’t imagine what it must have been like for the widow in today’s Scripture to give all she had. Sadly, I think if it had been me, I would have held on to at least some of the money. It is hard to part with money, especially when we feel it is hard earned. As I have gotten older, I have come to understand what I did not as a child, namely that all we have belongs to God. We are simply managers of His provisions while we live this life.

In ancient Israel, the people gave the first and the best of what they had as a sign of gratitude to God. Today, giving is still a way to thank the Lord for all He has given. The amount we give is not as important as the attitude with which we give. We are called to give with an attitude of joy, dedication and thankfulness. Whether we have much or little, God is the Giver of all good gifts. When we change our perspective to one of gratitude, it becomes easier to be a cheerful giver. Search your heart. How is the Lord calling you to give back to His work in an attitude of gratefulness?

GOING DEEPER:
1. What kind of giver are you?

2. Read Romans 12:6-8. How does an attitude of giving go beyond money? What other ways can you give and sacrifice to the Lord?

FURTHER READING:
Acts 20:35; Romans 12:6-8; 2 Corinthians 8:2-5

This was good AGAIN! I love you Sis! Darlene

Hi Sis! I am so very glad you wrote to me. I prayed about you a lot last night. I do hope you're remembering to treat yourself well.

Honey, you are a child of God. If you are being mistreated in anyway, please get help. I took a lot of emotional abuse when *someone was drinking. I'm sure you know who I mean. That wasn't smart for me to take that or any kind of abuse. Really it wasn't good for him or for me. I stuffed a whole lot of anger and fear. I got to the point I was afraid of him yet I loved him. Carrying all that anger wasn't good either. It hurt our marriage.
If any of this pertains to his drinking, please look up Al-Anon in your phone book. Al-Anon is really good. It's for those of us who have all been affected by someonne else's drinking.
Charlene, if none of this pertains to you, then maybe someday you can pass it on to someone else. God bless you sweetheart.

Here's your mail......

Love Life

By Jim Burns

David said about him: "I saw the Lord always before me. Because he is at my right hand, I will not be shaken. Therefore my heart is glad and my tongue rejoices; my body also will live in hope, because you will not abandon me to the grave, nor will you let your Holy One see decay. You have made known to me the paths of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence."

Acts 2:25-28

When I was growing up I believed God was probably "the great killjoy in the sky." My impression was that He was stoic, serious, and usually in a bad mood. Well, I was wrong. Although God is beyond our finite words to describe Him, this I know for sure: God is love. I have a feeling Jesus liked to laugh and enjoy life to the fullest.

These sentences were taken from actual letters received by a welfare department in applications for financial support:

I am forwarding my marriage certificate and six children. I have seven but one died which was baptized on a half sheet of paper.

You have changed my little boy to a girl. Will this make any difference?

I am forwarding my marriage certificate and three children, one of which is a mistake as you can see.

In accordance with your instructions I have given birth to twins in the enclosed envelope.

Mrs. Jones has not had any clothes for a year and has been visited regularly by the clergy.

Sometimes what we mean to say doesn't always come out just right. Have you ever written or said the wrong thing at the wrong time? I have. Like the time I asked a woman at church how many months pregnant she was—and she told me she wasn't pregnant, just a little overweight. Oops!

Is there a reason for today's devotional? Yes, there is. It is dedicated to not taking life so seriously, putting a smile on your face, and considering the possibility that when we laugh, God laughs with us.

GOING DEEPER:
1. Are there any areas of your life that you take too seriously? List them and give them to God.

2. What is the meaning of Acts 2:25-28?

FURTHER READING:
Psalm 16:1-6

I do tend to be serious, how about you? If I'm reacting too seriously concerning you and your fiancee, please forgive me. Please know that it's cause I care. xoxoxoxo's

Hi...it's me again, as if you didn't know. lol

There's a verse that says NOTHING can separate you from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord. Charlene, when God says "nothing" that's exactly what He means.
Think of God's hand holding you. He loves you more than any of us even know how to love. Goodnight. love, me

Hi little sister. I'm just dropping off your mail tonight then soon I'll be goin to bed.
I love you and care about you. I'm still praying for you. Darlene

Captive Love

By Kelly McFadden

Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Honor one another above yourselves. Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. Share with God's people who are in need. Practice hospitality. Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse.

Romans 12:9-14

Ashley Smith had a very unusual day on March 12, 2005. She was returning from a convenience store in the middle of the night, when accused rapist and murderer Brian Nichols took her hostage. What happened in the next few hours was simply a “God-thing.”

As the night wore on, Smith remained calm and took the opportunity to get to know her captor by making conversation. At one point, she asked him if she could read aloud a book she had sitting out. The book was Rick Warren’s The Purpose Driven Life.

In the midst of an unimaginable situation, Ashley Smith practiced what she preached. Perhaps she didn’t know it came from the book of Romans, but she showed Nichols a sincere, brotherly love as she talked with him about his family and his life. At the same time, she also was straightforward with him, suggesting he turn himself in and stop hurting people. She saw through his hardened eyes and saw a man who needed hope. Through her sincere kindness, love and peace, she was an example of Christ. Somewhere in the night Nichols looked at Smith and told her that she must be an angel and, according to People magazine (March 28, 2005), “that he was lost, and God led him right to [Smith] to tell him that he had hurt a lot of people.”

It is so much easier to show kindness and love to those who return our kindness and love. It is easy to go through the motions of etiquette and, speak kindly to someone or pretend to have compassion, when in reality our minds are elsewhere. God calls us to a higher standard. He calls us to genuinely love others around us. This kind of love requires deliberate action and personal involvement. It is this kind of love that brings people to their knees. It is this kind of love that helps people see Jesus in Christians. I believe it is this kind of love that helped save Ashley Smith’s life.

GOING DEEPER:
1. Think about a person in your life who is hard to love. How can you spend time this week praying for him or her?

2. Why is it so important to be an example of Christ’s love to others?

FURTHER READING:
Amos 5:15; 1 Timothy 1:5; Philippians 2:3; 1 Thess. 4:9

another good one!!!! Hugs to you!

Hi "mama to be". I hope you're well and content. Don and I went to a little girl's birthday party today. She turned 4 today. This little girl's name is Abigail....most of us call her Abby. She's our grand daughter through marriage. She's a bit shy but she's beginning to talk a bit with me.
Well sweetie, it's time for me to go to bed, so here's your mail.
lots of love, Darlene

Come and Be

By Mike DeVries

The LORD said to Moses, “Come up to me on the mountain and stay here, and I will give you the tablets of stone with the law and commandments I have written for their instruction.

Exodus 24:12

There’s a fascinating place in the Scriptures. God calls Moses to come up to Him on top of a mountain in order to receive the laws and commandments God has for His people. At first glance, it looks like God is merely calling Moses to climb the mountain to receive the tablets of stone, but there is something so much bigger going on.

The phrase “stay here” in this text is better translated by the phrase, “be here” or “exist here.” So this has led scholars over the years to wrestle with what Moses is actually being asked to do. Is God calling him to climb the mountain to merely get the tablets of stone, or is He asking of Moses something much more profound?

In essence, God is asking Moses to climb the mountain, not merely to collect a few tablets of stone, but to come up and be there – to exist there. He is asking Moses to come up and to be fully awake, fully alive, and fully present with God in that moment. He is asking Moses to live fully awakened to the fact that he is in the very presence of God, the creator and sustainer of all, in the here and now.

God knows that we live our lives at a breathless pace, rushing from one place to another. In essence, what God is saying to Moses is simply this: “Don’t miss it.” Don’t miss what is going on all around you. Don’t be so focused on somewhere else that you miss the very moment that you are in. Like Moses, our tendency would be to climb the mountain, thinking the whole time about what might on the top, only to reach the top, thinking about what might happen when we get back down. All the time, we miss the mystery of the present moment.

What would it look like to live a life that is fully present? What would it look like to see God all around you, to live in the mystery of the present moment? I wonder how that would change our perception of what is important in this life.

Today, may our prayer be, God, awaken me to who You are and what You are doing in this world. Help me not to be looking forward to something or somewhere else. Help me not to miss it. Help me not to miss You.

GOING DEEPER:
1. What keeps you from living fully awake, fully present?

2. What does it mean to you to live fully awake to the presence of God all around you?

FURTHER READING:
Exodus 24:12-18; Psalm 46:8-11

This is a powerful reading!! With a hug, me

Then we will no longer be infants, tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching
and by the cunning and craftiness of men in their deceitful scheming.
Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will in all things grow up
into him who is the Head, that is, Christ.
From him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work.
Ephesians 4:14-16

"Why can't you grow up?!" Parents sometimes express their anger and impatience with their children in this way. But, it is not a shameful thing to be a child. To acknowledge our child-like-ness is to acknowledge our limits and our dependency. It is to make room for wonder, trust and joy in our lives. If that is what it means to be a child, then we need more of it.

But there is also a sense, as in this text, in which to be child-like is
to be immature or unstable. It is a good thing to grow-up. Not because it is shameful to be a child, but because growth is part of God's plan for us. Being "tossed back and forth" is an exhausting way to live. We need to find some way to live without being "blown here and there".

Growing up is hard work. The reason for this, as this text suggests, is that growing up is closely connected with learning to speak the truth.
Honesty is a central dynamic of growth and recovery. Increasing our capacity for honesty is not an easy process. But, as we speak the truth in love, we will experience some dramatic changes in our relationships.
We will find a more intimate relationship with God - we will 'grow up
into Christ'. And we will also find ourselves 'joined and held together'
in a community of faith.

Help me to be a child, Lord,
Help me to face my dependencies and my limits.
But, help me to grow up as well.
I'm tired of being tossed back and forth.
I want more stability than being blown here and there.
I want to have stable, healthy relationships with you, and with others.
So, build within me a capacity for honesty.
Help me to speak the truth in love so that I can grow up.
Amen.

Copyright Dale and Juanita Ryan

Here's your usual mail.. The other was something I thought you'd like. love, Darlene

Let My Words Be Few

By Leslie Snyder

And when you pray, do not keep on babbling like pagans for they think they will be heard because of their many words. Do not be like them, for your Father in heaven knows what you need before you ask him.

Matthew 6:7-8

Simple prayers say it best. Regarding prayer, one person said, “Prayer is not asking. It is a longing of the soul. It is daily admission of one’s weaknesses. It is better in prayer to have a heart without words than words without a heart.”

Consider the following quotes:
“Let me remain as empty as possible so that God can fill me up.” Mother Theresa

“Dear God, I like the Lord’s prayer best of all. Did you have to write it a lot or did you get it right the first time? I have to write everything I ever write over again.” Lois*

“Dear God, Did you mean for the giraffe to look like that or was it an accident?” Norma*

Too often we get caught up in over thinking our prayers, and can become paralyzed, preventing us from simply, but boldly, going to God in prayer. Rather than coming before God with the cries of our heart, we struggle to find the right words and, out of frustration, forgo opportunities to talk to God. Be reminded today that simple prayers are often best. Remember the simplicity of how Jesus instructed His disciples to pray:

Our Father in heaven,
Hallowed be your name,
Your kingdom come,
Your will be done
On earth as it is in heaven.
Give us today our daily bread.
Forgive us our debts,
As we also have forgiven our debtors.
And lead us not into temptation,
But deliver us from the evil one.
Matthew 6:9-13

GOING DEEPER:
Too often, we get caught up in saying the right words in prayer instead of just praying. Today, just pray.

FURTHER READING:
Romans 8:26; Psalm 28:6-7

*Children’s Letters to God by Stuart Hample and Eric Marshall; Workman Publishing, 1991

Hi Sis, how are you doing these days?
I'm gonna be goin to bed soon. We been pretty busy most of the day and I'm tired.
Here's your mail....

What Are You Chasing After?
By Jim Liebelt

Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more important than food, and the body more important than clothes?

Matthew 6:25

Here’s a reminder (author unknown) to keep perspective on your pursuits in life…

The story has been told of a banker who was vacationing in a small coastal village. While walking near a pier he observed a small boat with just one fisherman. Inside the boat with the fisherman were several yellow-fin tuna. The businessman complimented the fisherman on the quality of his catch and asked how long it took to catch them. “Only a little while,” he replied.

The businessman then asked why he didn’t stay out longer and catch more fish. The fisherman said he had enough to support his family’s immediate needs. “But what do you do with the rest of your time?” the banker asked. The fisherman responded, “I sleep late, fish a little, play with my children, take a nap in the afternoon, and stroll into the village each evening with my wife where we relax and sing and I play guitar with our friends. I have a full and busy life.”

The businessman scoffed, “You should spend more time fishing and with the proceeds, buy a bigger boat and with the proceeds buy a fleet of boats. Instead of selling your fish to a middleman, you could sell directly to a processor. You could eventually open your own cannery. You would control the product, processing and distribution. You could leave this small village and move to a big city where you could run your expanding enterprise.”

The fisherman asked, “But how long will this take?” The businessman replied, “15 to 20 years!” “But then what?” asked the puzzled fisherman. The banker laughed and said, “That’s the best part. You can sell your business and retire and move to a small coastal fishing village where you could sleep late, fish a little, play with your kids, take afternoon naps, stroll to the village in the evenings with your wife where you could relax, sing and play guitar with your friends. You would have a full and busy life.”

The fisherman smiled at the businessman, quietly gathered his catch and walked away.

What are you chasing after in life? How (and with whom) you spend the bulk of your time may reveal much about your priorities. Jesus said, “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” Matthew 6:19-21

What kind of treasures are you building? Are they temporary or will they last forever?

GOING DEEPER:
1. Make a list ordering your life’s priorities. Are you satisfied with your priorities? Are your time and relationship investments in synch with your priorities? Are your priorities in synch with God’s values?

2. What, if anything, needs to change in your life to get your priorities straightened out?

FURTHER READING:
Matthew 6:19-34; 1 Timothy 6:6-8; Hebrews 13:5


This was another one that spoke to me. love, Darlene

Hi Sis!! I'd kinda like to hear from you. It's been awhile since you've written to me and I get concerned. I'm not worried yet, just concerned.
Here's your mail sweetie. with lots of love, Darlene

Celebrate This Heartbeat

By Jim Burns

Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what was behind and straining toward what is ahead I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.

Philippians 3:13,14

I like what the psalmist wrote so long ago: "This is the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it" (Psalm 118:24). Each day you live is a gift from God. There will never be another today—so make the most of today. Live life to the fullest. It seems like the majority of people today are paralyzed by their past and are always looking for a brighter tomorrow while not making the most of today. I think the words of this Christian song make a lot of sense.

I'm gonna celebrate this heartbeat
‘Cause it just might be my last.
Every day is a gift from the Lord on high,
And they all go by so fast.
So many people drifting in a dream,
I only want to live the real thing.
I'm gonna celebrate this heartbeat
And keep movin' on,
Look toward tomorrow 'cause the past is gone.
If I laugh, it's no crime-
I've got great news on my mind.
It's a hope that never fades away.
Now I don't understand
All the mysteries of the Master plan,
But I'm sure the Master does,
So that's okay.*

Because God has promised to take care of your tomorrow, you can celebrate life to the fullest today.

GOING DEEPER:
1. Paul tells us in today’s verse to "forget what is behind". What has happened in your life in the last week, month or year that you need to forget?

2. What has happened or will happen in your life today that you can celebrate? If you are having a tough time thinking of something, just remember that the GOD of the universe loves you-now that is worth celebrating!

FURTHER READING:
Matthew Psalm 118:24; Romans 8:28; Hebrews 6:1;
Luke 9:62

* Randy Stonehill, Celebrate This Heartbeat (Waco: Word Records, Inc., 1984)

Charlene, I'm here a lot earlier than I usually am.
There's a fantastic sunset this evening so I'm planning on goin out there to watch the sun as it sets lower. I did this recently and I listened to the silence. There were birds singing a little. It was nice out there.
Here's your mail......love, Darlene

Sinking Pride

By Kelly McFadden

Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall.

Proverbs 16:18

The story of the Titanic was legendary well before the 1997 movie starring Leonardo DiCaprio and Kate Winslet appeared on the silver screen. Even before the Titanic sailed, this ship was destined to be remembered. It was the largest, most luxurious ship of its time. So confident in its structure, the Titanic’s builders did not include enough lifeboats in order to preserve more room on deck for passengers. It has been reported that one man said, “God Himself couldn’t sink this ship.” Known as the “unsinkable ship,” the Titanic set sail in 1912. Convinced that it was invulnerable, the ship’s crew sent its passengers back to their cabins, even after striking an iceberg. We know the rest of the story. The Titanic sunk. Over 1,500 people died in the icy water of the North Atlantic the night Titanic went down.

In this age of technology and invention, it is easy to think we don’t need God. People continue to become more and more self-reliant. Sometimes it can be hard to see why we need God, when we can do so much on our own. As people, we seem more capable than ever before. Never in history have the words “self-made” rung so true. Look around you; we have forgotten our need for the Lord.

However, the Bible warns us that pride comes before a fall. Lessons from history have shown us that pride catches up with us. The proud tend not to account for their weaknesses. It is usually these weaknesses that come back to haunt the proud and lead to their demise. “Let the nations know they are merely human,” sings David in the Psalms. Don’t become like the Titanic. Beware of feeling and thinking that nothing can stop you, that you are unsinkable. Keep in mind that not one passenger on the Titanic expected to perish on the voyage.

There is such thing as ungodly pride. This is the pride that does not recognize the need for your Savior. The hardest part about this pride is that, too often, by the time it is recognized, it’s already too late…we are already falling.

GOING DEEPER:
1. What are ways you have become a believer in yourself rather than a believer in God?

2. Ask God to reveal the prideful areas in your life.

FURTHER READING:
Genesis 11:4-9; Psalm 9:20; Psalm 62:9-12

Wow!! Darlene

Hi sweet Sis! Would you please send me a note so I know you're ok? I care very much about you. I know you're busy but when you have a little time, please take a minute and let me know you're alright.
I found this and thought of sending it to you instead of your usual mail. lots of love, Darlene or big Sis!

Here I am! I stand at the door and knock.
If anyone hears my voice and opens the door,
I will come in and eat with him and he with me.
Rev. 3:20
Some people enter without knocking. It happens. Our boundaries have not always been respected. As a result, we have built some significant defenses. Our doors have multiple locks. When needed, they can be latched, barred, bolted, double bolted and sealed securely.
As we begin the healing process, however, we begin to experiment with allowing our defenses to come down. We unlatch one lock at a time.
Nothing is more helpful in this process than having people who respect our boundaries - people who will knock and wait patiently for an answer.
So, this picture of Jesus is full of good news for us. Jesus stands at
the door and knocks. It is pure invitation. God does not invade. God
does not demand. God does not manipulate. God gently, persistently knocks. God says 'here I am, I would like to spend time with you'.
Recovery is a process of learning to trust God. Trust grows slowly. We can't do that all at once. But perhaps today we can listen carefully for a knock. Tomorrow we may be able to manage a "who is there?". And, with persistence, we will some day sit at table with God and enjoy God's loving presence.

Lord, thank you for knocking.
Thank you for respecting my boundaries.
And, thank you for knocking persistently.
It takes me a while to respond
because my doors have so many latches.
Give me courage this day
to open the doors of my life to you.
Amen.
Copyright Dale and Juanita Ryan

nice family :) blessed r you ....praise God

Hi Sis, Don and I are probably goin to ouur friend's house tomorrow moring pretty early so I need to get to bed early this evening.
Don's helping the man tile their bathroom walls. This man and his wife are good friends of ours. They're the ones we play Hearts with.
Well dear, here's your mail...

Where Are You?

By Mike DeVries

We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ’s behalf: Be reconciled to God.

2 Corinthians 5:20

One day, I was watching the news on television. I saw a report about refugees. The images I saw were disturbing—millions of faces, thousands dying daily from malnutrition and lack of basic medical care. A question ran through my mind: “God, if you’re a God of love, then where are You in all this? Have You forgotten your children?”

While watching the report, I wondered why situations like this happen if God is truly sovereign and in control. Either God is not completely in control, or He has somehow chosen to allow the atrocities that we see in this world to exist. Either way, it’s hard to understand.

As I wrestled with this, it occurred to me that the story of the Scriptures is about a God who is present and active in human history. God is not essentially somewhere else, but is active and present in this world. We see this in Jesus, do we not? The incarnation of God in Jesus sent a clear message, “I care. I have heard your cry, and I’m here to do something about it.”

As I was sitting on my couch watching those images and asking those questions, another thought came. Perhaps I was asking the wrong question. Rather than asking, “Where is God?”, the better question may be posed by God, “My people, where are you in the midst of all this?”

Paul taught this concept in 2 Corinthians 5:20. Take another look at today’s verse. We, the Church, are to be the physical representatives of God on earth. If the world wants to know what God is like, the first place it should look is the Church. We are to embody the message and spirit of Jesus. As His representatives, God is making His dream for this world through us, not apart from us. I guess you could say that the Church is not only supposed to proclaim the message, we are to live the message.

Perhaps the next time we approach a situation in life and ask, “God, where are You in all this?”, if we are quiet enough to hear the voice of God, His reply might be, “I’m right here in the middle of it. Where are you?”

May we be the kind of people who embody the message of God for the world, and who run to be God’s hands and feet, reaching out to others in His name.

GOING DEEPER:
1. Take a few moments to consider what it might look like for the Church to be the embodiment of God on earth.

2. How should this change the way we live? How might this change the way you live?

FURTHER READING:
Exodus 19:3-6; Ephesians 2:8-10; 1 Peter 2:9-10

Wow!!

Hi sis, how are you? I'm concerned about you. Would you please write to me so I know you're ok?
Here's your mail....

Keep On Serving!

By Jim Liebelt

“(Caleb said,) So here I am today, eighty-five years old! I am still as strong today as the day Moses sent me out; I’m just as vigorous to go out to battle now as I was then. Now give me the hill country that the Lord promised me that day.”

Joshua 14:10-12

Today’s Scripture passage is about Caleb who had been one of the 12 spies that Moses sent to scout out the land God had promised to give the Israelites. Upon their return, Joshua and he alone gave good reports of that land. As a result only these two—out of their entire generation—were allowed by God to enter the “promised land” and to take possession of it. Fast-forward past those forty years and the scene painted in Joshua 14 has Caleb, at 85-years-old, still vigorous, still ready to serve, still ready for more.

When I read about Caleb these days, I think about a friend of mine. His name is Bob Oertel. I met Bob in the summer of 1999 while we were working together at a Group Workcamp in Vermont. Bob was a volunteer photographer; taking pictures of the various work crews of teenagers that are participants during the weeklong camps. In those days, Bob spent 3 or 4 weeks a summer serving at various workcamps, driving long distances between camps, sleeping on a cot in a classroom, working the long hours typical of a workcamp volunteer. I was impressed by Bob’s heart and energy for serving, for at the time he was in his eighties.

I’ve been out of the camp loop for a few years, so not long ago I searched the Internet to see if I could find whether Bob was still actively participating in workcamps. After all, he’d be 90-something now. And, I found him. A news article from Bob’s hometown told the story of a workcamp that he had been instrumental bringing to their town. According to the report, Bob has volunteered at 31 workcamps in the past 17 years.

Bob is on my list of heroes. Because of his willingness to serve, Bob continues to make a difference in the lives of people. He is truly a modern-day Caleb. And I want to be like him when I grow up.

The attitude of serving in the name of Christ knows no age limit. Sure, there may be health issues that limit a person’s ability, but I cannot find any Scripture that encourages people to sit on the sidelines, regardless of age. There is no “mandatory retirement” age for the Christian life! Jesus wants us to make a difference in his name – as long as he gives us life! The only requirements are an attitude of service in Jesus’ name and the willingness to act upon the opportunities He provides.

GOING DEEPER:
1. What, if any, unreal obstacles have you created to serving God where you are (like age, experience, or time commitments)?

2. Identify opportunities for service that you currently have.

FURTHER READING:
Joshua 14; James 3:13; Matt. 16:24-25, Psalm 34:11-

Something good for me to think about. hugs, me

Hi!! It was very good hearing from you! I hope you get to feelin better! The next time you write to me, please remind me when your little one is due. I forgot.
Don just went to bed and he wants me not to type when he's tryin to sleep, so I need to drop off your mail and say goodnight.
I love you, Darlene

The Lord Who Heals

By Jim Burns

The Lord said, "If you listen carefully to the voice of the Lord your God and do what is right in his eyes, if you pay attention to his commands and keep his decrees, I will not bring on you any of the diseases I brought on the Egyptians, for I am the Lord, who heals you.”

Exodus 15:26

Our Lord has sometimes been called the "Great Physician." One of the names for God in the Old Testament is Rapha, meaning "the Lord who heals." Some of us in the Christian faith have misunderstood his job description as a healer. You and I are both aware of the fact that there are thousands of walking physical miracles where God has demonstrated his healing power. Cancer is healed, the lame walk and literally sometimes the blind have been given back their eyesight. The way I read the Bible, we are commanded by God to pray for the healing of the sick; sometimes, but not all the time, there is an instantaneous healing.

I see the "Great Physician" more like most modern-day doctors. They examine us, consult with us, work on us, and even oversee our rehabilitation. Rapha—God—has the same job description.

God examines us… He watches over us and examines our every need.

God consults with us… He guides our life and, often through circumstances, gives us direction. He listens to our requests and responds.

God works on us… Sometimes we need to be disciplined. He is constantly giving us help to become whole.

God oversees our rehabilitation… Once we are on the way to wholeness and healing, he doesn't leave us but watches over us and protects our healing.

I don't know about you but I'm glad He is called Rapha: the Lord who heals.

GOING DEEPER:
1. Describe a few situations when you have experienced God as your healing physician.

2. What do you think Exodus 15:26 really means?

FURTHER READING:
Psalm 107:19-22

Another good one!! OOOOOOOO those are hugs!

Hi Charlene, I was reading some of your messages on my page and I noticed you wrote to me on July 28th and told me that you have a new keyboard. It had been broken before then. Then a couple of days ago you wrote that your keyboard is broken. I'm confused. I hope you're ok.
Here's your mail. love, Darlene

"So then, let us not be like others, who are asleep but let us be alert and self-controlled"
1 Thessalonians 5:6

The first step toward honesty is to pay attention. In the words of this text, the choices we face are either to sleep or to be alert and
self-controlled.

There are days when we would rather 'sleep'. There are days when the emotional numbness of denial seems less painful then the alertness required by recovery. Couldn't we just 'let it ride' for a day? Couldn't we just 'sleep' for a while?

Sometimes people encourage us to 'sleep'. "Why are you still paying
attention to that? It was a long time ago!" Or "Why are you still
'holding on' to that? Just forgive and get it behind you." Wouldn't it
be great to get this over with quickly and not have to pay attention to it anymore?

There is a rest, a serenity, that comes from God. But it comes from
'alertness' not from 'sleep'. God's peace is not like the 'sleep' in
this text. This sleep is denial, it is avoidance, it is distraction, it
is pretending, it is death. Being alert means that we allow ourselves to see and hear, to use our senses and mind and heart. It means that we pay attention to what is happening inside of us and around us. The text urges us to be alert, to pay attention. Pay attention, it urges, even if life is painful, even if it is not what we want it to be.

Lord, help me to pay attention today!
Help me not to put my feelings to sleep.
I want to be aware of my thoughts and feelings, Lord.
I want to be able to experience both the pain and joy of life today.
Help me to pay attention.
Amen.

Copyright Dale and Juanita Ryan

www.alainsnewsletter.com

I get a letter from this place pretty often. If you want to write them, I guess you'll need to put this link in your search bar.
I had copied a reading but then copied something else over it. I'll send one again tomorrow.
Tilll tomorrow then. With a hug,Darlene

Hi Charlene, this isn't the usual thing I send. I'll send that later.
This is a good thing to read, and then practice. I know I need to be more honest in lots of ways.

No more lying then. Everyone must tell the truth to his fellow believers because we are all members together in the body of Christ.
Ephesians 4:25

Honesty is essential to recovery. Honesty is essential to intimacy. But honesty is not easy.

We were not created to be isolated, independent creatures. We were created to be interdependent. We need each other. And in order for us to be helped by others and to be helpful to others, we need to practice honesty. That means we must learn how to talk to each other about our thoughts and our feelings and our needs. We must learn to talk about our struggles and failures, about our dreams and our successes.

Honesty is the soil in which intimate relationships grow. It creates the possibility of being known and loved for who we really are. But it is also full of risks. If we tell the truth about ourselves, people may not listen. They may not want to know. They may not understand. They may judge and reject. They may dislike us. They may give us simple answers to unanswerable questions. They may repeat what we have said to others.

We hesitate to be honest because we have experienced these things in the past. Our feelings may have been minimized. Our thoughts may have been devalued. Our reality may have been denied. But in order to grow healthy relationships, in order to heal and recover, we need to begin to take risks. Learning honesty will be a process for us. It will not come quickly. But as we practice the disciplines of honesty we gradually become more secure in telling the truth.

I am tired of lying, when it would be just as easy to tell the truth.
But I am afraid of honesty, Lord.
It's not as easy as it sounds.
Help me to pursue honesty today.
Help me to be honest with you.
Help me to be honest with myself.
Help me to build a community of faith
where honesty is the norm.
Build in me a capacity for truth.
Amen.
Copyright Dale and Juanita Ryan

Charlene, I hope you're being honest with me about your keyboard being broken again.
I'm going to be honest with you. When you've sent me those notes, using your broken keyboard, I was able to read them fine. So, unless you have a hard time pressing the keys, it would be fine with me for you to use your broken keyboard.
I know how busy a mom can be with a family to care for and all that goes with that. I wouldn't want you to ever stop doing something for them in order to write me a note. What it comes down to is this....I miss hearing from you. love, Darlene