Where were you???

I know this a bit of a change from the norm, but worth discussing. Normally, feedback is limited, but today I ask...what were you doing when you heard about the 9/11 attacks?

I remember driving up Hanging Rock Hill in Madison, Indiana. After dropping our pup off to check his broken leg, I was driving home listening to Garth Brooks "The Dance" when they broke in on the radio, "there has been a plane crash into a tower of the World Trade Center in NYC...no word on whether it was an accident or purposeful...stay tuned and we'll keep you updated"...

The rest of the day, my grandma and I spent following the news channel coverage. It was such a feeling of..."how can this be happening to us?(as a nation)" all day long. I remember the total shock when the first tower began to fall, then before long the second.

Now, seven years later, I still get choked up about what happened that affected so many people on that tragic day. So, once again, comment back and let me know where you were and your lasting memories of that day.

If you suffered a personal loss in the 9/11 attacks, my thoughts and prayers are with you this day.

Show His marvellous works...

Psalms 9:1 & 2..."I will praise thee, O Lord, with my whole heart; I will show forth all thy marvellous works. (2) I will be glad and rejoice in thee: I will sing praise to thy name, O thou Most High."

This passage made me stop and think...do I show forth His marvellous works??? When I am carrying burdens of my own, what shows? The cares of this world? The weariness of my body? My human emotions? Or, do I show the majesty of the Mighty God I serve?

The past week has been a struggle physically. There have been sleepless nights, worries, and pet issues...goes with the territory, right? My prayer is that my walk with God allows those burdens to be unseen. We are to cast all our cares upon Him and keep going.

This scripture reminds us we are to be glad, singing our praises to His name. It doesn't qualify itself by saying when we feel like it. It doesn't say only on Sunday mornings, evenings, or even Wednesday nights. It says show His works...sing...rejoice...be glad.

We always have the assurance of knowing the outcome of all this...HE WINS!!! So, be of good cheer, and let it show...

Stuck in the mud...

Psalm 69:1-3..."Save me, O God; for the waters are come into my soul. (2) I sink in deep mire, where there is no standing: I am come into deep waters, where the floods overflow me. (3) I am weary of my crying: my throat is dried: mine eyes fail while I wait for my God."

I know this seems like a down message to be sending out, but to the contrary, we see that when we are down in the dumps God hears us. He wants to hear our cries in earnest. He wants to be in a close relationship with us. If you are close to someone you share the good and bad with them.

Take this illustration...if you're walking down a creek bed and get stuck deep into the mud, how can you get out? The harder and harder you try to get out, the deeper and deeper you get. You need something to hold on to and pull you to the dry ground. God's hand is there waiting for you to reach out.

It may seem like you are all alone at times, but not by His will. If we seclude ourselves in our pity, all we do is withhold His hand from helping. Open up to God and let Him help in good and bad times.

Too many times, the bad times are when we reach out. You know, we need to share our victories as well as our defeats with our Father in heaven. He would love to hear from you when things are good. Let Him be a part of everyday!

My eyes are to Thee...

Many of you know that a group from our church went to the "Returning to God" conference this past weekend in Moore, OK. One of the things that stuck out to me for the time was our personal prayer time in our lives. God spoke to my heart about being sincere in my life, both in speech and action.

This morning, my reading comes from Psalms 141:8-10..."But mine eyes are unto thee, O God the Lord: in thee is my trust; leave not my soul destitute. (9) Keep me from the snares which they have laid for me, and the gins of the workers of iniquity. (10) Let the wicked fall into their own nets, whilst that I withal escape."

If we keep our eyes upon the Lord in all we do and ask for His guidance, we can escape the sin that the world tries to indwell us with. Too many times, we as Christians try to make it by how WE live and OUR actions. True, good actions aren't a bad thing, but when led by human efforts, have the ability to fall. God's way is not our way. His thought are above our thoughts and are above reproach.

To be triumphant in your walk, lay down your burdens upon Him. In our prayers, we need to be open and sincere. Not only our prayers, but also our walk. Read verses 1-4 of this chapter when you get the chance...it's all about turning over to God and being steadfast.

May we every day be willing to put our lives in God's hands to lead us. May our eyes be on His will. Alow God to be your escape from the nets of the wicked.

If you ever have a need or prayer request, feel free to drop a line that I can know how to pray for you. Your feedback is also appreciated!

The potter's hands...

This morning, I have been doing some reading in Jeremiah. In chapter 18, I found the subject for today. Let's start reading in verse 1...

" The word which came to Jeremiah from the Lord, saying,
(2) Arise and go down to the potter's house, and there I will cause thee to hear my words.
(3) Then I went down to the potter's house, and, behold he wrought a work on the wheels.
(4) And the vessel that he made of clay was marred in the hand of the potter: so he made it again another vessel, as seemed good to the potter to make it.
(5) Then the word of the Lord came to me, saying,
(6) O house of Israel, cannot I do with you as this potter? saith the Lord. Behold, as the clay is in the potter's hand, so are ye in mine hand, O house of Israel."

This is another message of hope for every believer. No matter what you do, if you are willing to be used, the potter can mould you into a vessel for His best use.

It can be painful, as when a potter remakes a marred creation. He literally must break it in pieces then restart the process. That is what God does when need be. It does take a broken, contrite spirit to be used of God. Unfortunately, sometimes it's God that has to do the breaking.

The upside is that no matter where you are, God can use you. This is evident in my life. Long ago, I heard the call of God on my life, but was unwilling to give my all. After over 8 years of running, I came back to find Him standing there waiting with arms wide open. Since then, the road hasn't always been easy, but God has promised not to leave me or forsake me.

He gives the same promise to you! If God can use someone like me, He can use anyone. I am amazed and humbled everyday that the Maker of all has a plan which includes me. He has a plan for you, too. Open your heart to Him and heed His calling.

If I can say a prayer for you today, please let me know. I will keep any requests private and confidential. May you be blessed today.