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Casting My Care

Lord I continually set before you
My requests and all my needs
With thanksgiving I come unto you
My concerns unburdened to thee

I wait for your intervention Lord
In quietness of soul and mind
And worship at your footstool
Leaving my cares behind

And Lord I express my thanks for you
For all you are to me
I thank you Lord that I matter to you
Though at times I cannot see

Because of the circumstances in life
The things that I go through
I find my eyes are on the storm
When they should be looking to you

So help me Lord each precious day
No matter what life brings me
To carry on with hope and faith
And to rest in you with peace.

But I do not want you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning those who have fallen asleep (died), lest you sorrow as others who have no hope. For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so God will bring with Him those who sleep in Jesus.

. For this we say to you by the word of the Lord, that we who are alive and remain until the coming of the Lord will by no means precede those who are asleep (dead).
. For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first.
. Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air.
. And thus we shall always be with the Lord.
. Therefore comfort one another with these words. (1 Thes 4.13-18)

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His abundant mercy has begotten us again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,

. to an inheritance incorruptible
. and undefiled
. and that does not fade away,
. reserved in heaven for you, who are kept by the power of God through faith for salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.

In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while, if need be, you have been grieved by various trials, that the genuineness of your faith, being much more precious than gold that perishes, though it is tested by fire, may be found to praise, honor, and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ, whom having not seen you love. Though now you do not see Him, yet believing, you rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory, receiving the end of your faith the salvation of your souls. (1 Pet 1.3-9)

Have you not known? Have you not heard? The everlasting God, the Lord, the Creator of the ends of the earth, neither faints nor is weary.

There is no searching of His understanding.

He gives power to the weak, and to those who have no might He increases strength. Even the youths shall faint and be weary, and the young men shall utterly fall,

But those who wait on the Lord shall renew their strength;

they shall mount up with wings like eagles,
they shall run and not be weary,
they shall walk and not faint. (Isa 40.28-31)

Shaking Our Faith

When tragedies happen
and disasters occur
we’re often left in despair,
dazed and discouraged,
depressed and unsure,
wondering why God doesn’t care.

As the earth shifts and groans,
quivers and quakes,
and walls are reduced to rubble,
our faith often falters,
stumbles and shakes
when faced with times of trouble.

We sometimes blame God
for the terrible things
that cause agony and dismay,
forgetting the peace and
healing God brings
to those who don’t turn away.

Through the grief and pain,
all of life’s sorrow,
God remains steady and true,
supporting and lifting
to face each tomorrow,
providing the strength to get through.

God never leaves us
alone to face
the trials this world has in store,
but with mercy, kindness,
goodness and grace,
God’s love does continually pour.

by Connie Arnold

The Cross

In evil long I took delight,
Unawed by shame or fear,
Till a new object struck my sight,
And stopped my wild career.

I saw One hanging on a tree,
In agonies and blood;
He fixed His languid eyes on me,
As near His cross I stood.

Sure never till my latest breath,
Shall I forget that look!
It seemed to charge me with His death,
Though not a word He spoke.

A second look He gave, which said,
"I freely all forgive;
This blood is for thy ransom paid;
I die that thou mayest live."

Thus while His death my sin displays
In all its blackest hue,
Such is the mystery of grace,
It seals my pardon too!

—John Newton

(Jesus said:) "Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid." (John 14.27)

Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time, casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you. (1 Pet 5.6-7)

My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience.
But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing. (James 1.2-4)

A daughter complained to her father about her life and how things were so hard for her. She did not know how she was going to make it and wanted to give up. She was tired of fighting and struggling. It seemed just as soon as one problem was solved, a new one arose.

Her father, a chef, took her to the kitchen. He filled three pots with water and placed each on a high fire. Soon the pots came to a boil.

In one, he placed carrots; in the second, he placed eggs; and the last, he placed ground coffee beans. He let them sit and boil, without saying a word.

The daughter impatiently waited, wondering what he was doing. In about twenty minutes, he turned off the burners.

He fished the carrots out and placed them in a bowl. He pulled the eggs out and placed them a bowl. Then he ladled the coffee out and placed it in a bowl.

Turning to her he asked, “Darling, what do you see?”

“Carrots, eggs, and coffee,” she replied.

He brought her closer and asked her to feel the carrots. She did and noted that they were soft.

He then asked her to take an egg and break it. After pulling off the shell, she observed the hard-boiled egg.

Finally, he asked her to sip the coffee. She smiled as she tasted its rich aroma.

She humbly asked, “What does it mean Father?”

He explained that each of them had faced the same adversity, boiling water, but each reacted differently.

The carrot went in strong, hard, and unrelenting. But after being subjected to the boiling water, it softened and became weak.

The egg had been fragile. Its thin outer shell had protected its liquid interior. But after sitting through the boiling water, its inside became hardened.

The ground coffee beans were unique however. After they were in the boiling water, they had changed the water.

“Which are you?” he asked his daughter.

“When adversity knocks on your door, how do you respond? Are you a carrot, an egg, or a coffee bean?”

How about you?

Are you the carrot that seems hard, but with pain and adversity do you wilt and become soft and lose your strength?

Or are you the egg, which starts off with a malleable heart? Were you a fluid spirit, but after a death, a breakup, a divorce, or a layoff have you become hardened and stiff? Your shell looks the same, but are you bitter and tough with a stiff spirit and heart?

Or are you like the coffee bean? The bean changes the hot water, the thing that is bringing the pain, till its peak flavor reaches 212 degrees Fahrenheit. When the water gets the hottest, it just tastes better.

If you are like the bean, when things are at their worst, you get better and make things better around you.

When people talk about you, do you give praises to God?

When the hour is the darkest and trials are their greatest, does your worship elevate to another level?

How do you handle adversity?

Are you a carrot, an egg, or a coffee bean?

GOD BLESS

If Our Greatest Need Had Been…

If our greatest need had been information,
God would have sent us an educator;

If our greatest need had been technology,
God would have sent us a scientist;

If our greatest need had been money,
God would have sent us an economist;

If our greatest need had been pleasure,
God would have sent us an entertainer;

But our greatest need was forgiveness,
So God sent us a Savior.

Anxious? Take Vitamin A.
Romans 8:28 And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.

Blue? Take Vitamin B.
Psalm 103:1 Bless the LORD, O my soul; And all that is within me, bless His holy name!

Crushed? Take Vitamin C.
1 Peter 5:7 casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you.

Depressed? Take Vitamin D.
James 4:8 Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners; and purify your hearts, you double-minded.

Empty? Take Vitamin E
Psalm 100:4 Enter into His gates with thanksgiving, And into His courts with praise.

Fearful? Take Vitamin F.
Isaiah 41:10 Fear not, for I am with you; Be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, Yes, I will help you, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.’

Greedy? Take Vitamin G.
Luke 6:38 Give, and it will be given to you: good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over will be put into your bosom. For with the same measure that you use, it will be measured back to you.”

Hesitant? Take Vitamin H.
Isaiah 52:7 How beautiful upon the mountains Are the feet of him who brings good news, Who proclaims peace, Who brings glad tidings of good things, Who proclaims salvation, Who says to Zion, “Your God reigns!”

Insecure? Take Vitamin I.
Philippians 4:13 I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.

Jittery? Take Vitamin J.
Hebrews 13:8 Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever.

Know nothing? Take Vitamin K.
Psalm 100:3 Know that the LORD, He is God; It is He who has made us, and not we ourselves; We are His people and the sheep of His pasture.

Lonely? Take Vitamin L.
Matthew 28:20 teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Amen.

Mortgaged? Take Vitamin M.
2 Corinthians 12:9 And He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.

Nervous? Take Vitamin N.
Hebrews 13:5 Let your conduct be without covetousness; be content with such things as you have. For He Himself has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.”

Overwhelmed? Take Vitamin O.
Romans 12:21 Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.

Perplexed or puzzled? Take Vitamin P.
John 14:27 Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.

Quitting? Take Vitamin Q.
1 Corinthians 16:13 Watch, stand fast in the faith, be brave, be strong.

Restless? Take Vitamin R.
Psalm 37:7 Rest in the LORD, and wait patiently for Him; Do not fret because of him who prospers in his way,

Scared? Take Vitamin S.
1 Samuel 22:23 Stay with me; do not fear. For he who seeks my life seeks your life, but with me you shall be safe.”

Tired? Take Vitamin T.
Isaiah 40:31 But those who wait on the LORD Shall renew their strength; They shall mount up with wings like eagles, They shall run and not be weary, They shall walk and not faint.

Uncertain? Take Vitamin U.
Isaiah 43:10 “You are My witnesses,” says the LORD, “And My servant whom I have chosen, That you may know and believe Me, And understand that I am He. Before Me there was no God formed, Nor shall there be after Me.

Vain? Take Vitamin V.
Acts 5:16 Also a multitude gathered from the surrounding cities to Jerusalem, bringing sick people and those who were tormented by unclean spirits, and they were all healed.

Wondering what to do? Take Vitamin W.
Micah 6:8 He has shown you, O man, what is good; And what does the LORD require of you But to do justly, To love mercy, And to walk humbly with your God?

eXhausted? Take Vitamin X.
1 Timothy 4:7 But reject profane and old wives’ fables, and exercise yourself toward godliness.

Yearning for hope? Take Vitamin Y.
Psalm 23:4 Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; For You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.

Zapped? Take Vitamin Z.
Titus 2:14 who gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from every lawless deed and purify for Himself His own special people, zealous for good works.

GOD BLESS

I am so sorry for your loss. Rest assured you are not losing your mind, and it is completely normal to experience pain, confusion, and the feeling of being overwhelmed. Tears and anger are an important part of the healing process. Grief is not a sign of weakness. It is the result of a strong relationship and deserves the honor of strong emotion. Remember, it takes time to fully absorb the impact of a major loss. You never stop missing your loved one, but the pain eases after time and allows you to go on with your life.
I have lost several people who were very close to me in a short time, and I have learned that it is good to stay busy, and seek the help of others. You cannot rush your feelings, but it is very important to allow yourself to express these feelings. At first it may seem helpful to separate yourself from the pain, but you cannot avoid grieving forever. Someday those feelings will need to be resolved, but remember grief does not come with a time limit and the best that any of us can do is take it one day at a time.
Talk with friends, focus on pleasant memories, pray, talk with a minister, and seek the help from a counselor if necessary. You may also want to consider a grief group, which will allow you to be with others going through the same thing.
You have taken a big step by reaching out, and this will help in the healing process. I will be praying for you, and I am here if you need to talk.

GOD BLESS

No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it. (1 Cor 10.13)

O LORD, You have searched me and known me.
You know my sitting down and my rising up; You understand my thought afar off.
You comprehend my path and my lying down, And are acquainted with all my ways.
For there is not a word on my tongue, But behold, O Lord, You know it altogether.
You have hedged me behind and before, And laid Your hand upon me.
Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; It is high, I cannot attain it.

Where can I go from Your Spirit? Or where can I flee from Your presence?

If I ascend into heaven, You are there;
If I make my bed in hell, behold, You are there.
If I take the wings of the morning, And dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea, Even there Your hand shall lead me, And Your right hand shall hold me. (Ps 139.1-10)

1. Wake Up!!
Decide to have a good day.
"This is the day the Lord hath made; let us rejoice and be glad in it." Psalms 118:24

2. Dress Up!!
The best way to dress up is to put on a smile.
A smile is an inexpensive way to improve your looks.
"The Lord does not look at the things man looks at. Man looks at outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart." I Samuel 16:7

3.Shut Up!!
Say nice things and learn to listen.
God gave us two ears and one mouth, so He must have meant for us to do twice as much listening as talking.
"He who guards his lips guards his soul." Proverbs 13:3

4. Stand Up!!
... for what you believe in.
Stand for something or you will fall for anything.
"Let us not be weary in doing good; for at the proper time, we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good..." Galatians 6:9-10

5. Look Up!!
....to the Lord.
"I can do everything through Christ who strengthens me". Philippians 4:13

6. Reach Up!!
... for something higher.
"Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not unto your own understanding. In all your ways, acknowledge Him, and He will direct your path." Proverbs 3:5-6

7. Lift Up!!
... your Prayers.
"Do not worry about anything; instead PRAY ABOUT EVERYTHING." Philippians 4:6

GOD BLESS

Back in the fifteenth century, in a tiny village near Nuremburg, lived a family with eighteen children. Eighteen! In order merely to keep food on the table for this mob, the father and head of the household, a goldsmith by profession, worked almost eighteen hours a day at his trade and any other paying chore he could find in the neighborhood.

Despite their seemingly hopeless condition, two of Albrecht Durer the Elder’s children had a dream. They both wanted to pursue their talent for art, but they knew full well that their father would never be financially able to send either of them to Nuremburg to study at the Academy.

After many long discussions at night in their crowded bed, the two boys finally worked out a pact. They would toss a coin. The loser would go down into the nearby mines and, with his earnings, support his brother while he attended the academy. Then, when that brother who won the toss completed his studies, in four years, he would support the other brother at the academy, either with sales of his artwork or, if necessary, also by laboring in the mines.

They tossed a coin on a Sunday morning after church. Albrecht Durer won the toss and went off to Nuremberg.

Albert went down into the dangerous mines and, for the next four years, financed his brother, whose work at the academy was almost an immediate sensation. Albrecht’s etchings, his woodcuts, and his oils were far better than those of most of his professors, and by the time he graduated, he was beginning to earn considerable fees for his commissioned works.

When the young artist returned to his village, the Durer family held a festive dinner on their lawn to celebrate Albrecht’s triumphant homecoming. After a long and memorable meal, punctuated with music and laughter, Albrecht rose from his honored position at the head of the table to drink a toast to his beloved brother for the years of sacrifice that had enabled Albrecht to fulfill his ambition. His closing words were, “And now, Albert, blessed brother of mine, now it is your turn. Now you can go to Nuremberg to pursue your ream, and I will take care of you.”

All heads turned in eager expectation to the far end of the table where Albert sat, tears streaming down his pale face, shaking his lowered head from side to side while he sobbed and repeated, over and over, “No …no …no …no.”

Finally, Albert rose and wiped the tears from his cheeks. He glanced down the long table at the faces he loved, and then, holding his hands close to his right cheek, he said softly, “No, brother. I cannot go to Nuremberg. It is too late for me. Look what four years in the mines have done to my hands! The bones in every finger have been smashed at least once, and lately I have been suffering from arthritis so badly in my right hand that I cannot even hold a glass to return your toast, much less make delicate lines on parchment or canvas with a pen or a brush. No, brother … for me it is too late.”

More than 450 years have passed.

By now, Albrecht Durer’s hundreds of masterful portraits, pen and silver-point sketches, watercolors, charcoals, woodcuts, and copper engravings hang in every great museum in the world, but the odds are great that you, like most people, are familiar with only one of Albrecht Durer’s works. More than merely being familiar with it, you very well may have a reproduction hanging in your home or office.

One day, to pay homage to Albert for all that he had sacrificed, Albrecht Durer painstakingly drew his brother’s abused hands with palms together and thin fingers stretched skyward. He called his powerful drawing simply “Hands,” but the entire world almost immediately opened their hearts to his great masterpiece and renamed his tribute of love “The Praying Hands.”

The next time you see a copy of that touching creation, take a second look. Let it be your reminder, if you still need one, that no one - no one - - ever makes it alone!

Blessings to those who sacrifice so that another may succeed. And blessings on those who truly appreciate the sacrifices made by others on their behalf.

"The Quiet Place"

How lovely it is in the forest;
The wind softly blows through the leaves,
And it whispers to me, "This is God's land;
And here there are none that deceive.
"Here you'll find quiet and beauty,
A squirrel quickly scampering by,
How clearly God's wisdom is shown here,
You may see if you'll open your eyes.

"The babbling brook sings a new song;
The wind blows in sweet harmony.
If you've never considered God's wisdom,
Open your ears, they may help you to see.

"The crackling sound that your foot makes;
The mocking bird singing a tune,
The howl of the fox when the day is far past,
Baying a song at the moon.

"In the midst of all this there is quiet;
Not just the kind you can hear,
But the kind that sinks deep in the soul of a man.
You are closer to God than you were.

"Consider the filtering sunlight
Through the leaves of the trees just above.
If you open your heart it will tell you
That all this was created in love.

"You may drink from the stream; it's clear and it's pure.
It's cool, and the taste is so sweet.
God planned it that way. He knew you'd be here,
And your needs he was happy to meet.

"The air's cool and crisp, caressing you now,
And beckoning you to breathe deep.
If through all of these things God has spoken to you,
You may find it hard not to weep."

So I fell on my knees and gave praise to Him there,
"Lord, Thy ways are better than mine.
And when I return to the place man has built,
I'll remember this place, and I'll make my ways Thine."

author Donna Chappell

The Sweetest Thing

The sweetest thing on earth
Is not that child upon your knee,
Nor yet the loved one who each day
Walks side by side with thee.

It’s not the morning sunrise,
Nor the rose bedecked with dew,

The breeze that brings the
Honeysuckle’s fragrance unto you.

The sweetest thing’s God’s love
for that small bundle on your knee,

To learn how, when life’s tempest comes,
He’ll calm the troubled sea.

So let Him walk upon the troubled
Waters of your mind.

Give Him your heart, and very soon,
Life’s sweetest thing you’ll find.

(Jesus said:)
"Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.
Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth.
Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be filled.
Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy.
Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.
Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.
Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Blessed are you when they revile and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely for My sake. Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you." (Mt 5.3-12)

 in response to Mimzy...   The huge post way fine, that's what this site is all about, sharing opinions, and I found your post very insightful. I do understand the passion when speaking about a topic close to our heart, and I am the same way concerning prayer and God.
The lack of prayer/lack of God in the classrooms has been an issue for me, and I do understand that there are many different types of religions and beliefs. I have been at both sides of the coin and have attended public & private school. I chose to remain in the private school because I felt there was a lot lacking through public education, but that was my choice and it did not come easy. My mother and I both worked to enable me to have what I felt I needed, which began with the morals, values and Christian upbringing that started at a very young age. I know all of our circumstances are different. Our needs, goals, and desires are achieved differently, and I am speaking in regards to my life, not anyone else.
We do all need to be active, and that's starts with being informed, and making sure we vote. Regardless of the problems that we all face I do feel blessed to live in this country.
Thanks for sharing.

Bruised Children

Bask in me
You
A sweet young girl with tender eyes
Banished to her room, alone, she cries
Somewhere inside her spirit dies
I think this is a shame

She listens as her mom and dad
Yell at her and say she’s bad
It’s all her fault when they get mad
She thinks she is to blame

A little boy with dark sullen stare
Listens as they curse and swear
Just wishing he could hide somewhere
Why do they call him names?

He once was happy. Would sing a song
He had good friends who tagged along
What has happened? What went wrong?
Why is his family strained?

A tender girl, a precious boy
Should only know of love and joy
Play and laugh and share their toys
They should not know this pain

Harsh, angry words. Mean, cruel tones
Hurt much more than sticks and stones
Breaking more than children’s bones
I think adults should refrain

When as parents, we lose control
And we destroy those tiny souls
How will they ever be made whole?
How will they laugh again?

by Lisa
(N.H.)