Ohio State

~Tuesday Thoughts~

Among all the crazy things happening in the world, I want to bring to your attention something that happened at Ohio State University this week. Please pray for everyone involved, especially the ones injured.  

"Brothers and sisters, pray for us." 1 Thessalonians 5:25 (NIV) 

Someone to lean on

~Monday Movies & Music~

Shawn McDonald's song "Gravity" (lyrics) is a beautiful reminder that we always need someone to lean on - God. And He will always love us. 

  "I love the Lord, for he heard my voice;

    he heard my cry for mercy.

  Because he turned his ear to me,

    I will call on him as long as I live." Psalm 116:1-2 (NIV)

How about you? Have you turned your problems to God? 

I hope you don't mind

~Saturday Stories~

I battle the urge to tell you 

Because I've been vulnerable not long ago 

And it would only be annoying if I asked 

For support again

But I can't seem to help it 

I'm really sorry if I'm bothering you

Just tell me and I'll stop

But I've thought this through 

And thought that telling you and easing my own pain

Would be worth the slight aggravation it would cause you

Especially since I would do the same for you

So that is why I'm opening up

I hope you don't mind

"Brothers and sisters, pray for us." 1 Thessalonians 5:25 (NIV)

Pray for us

~Friday for Friends~

"Brothers and sisters, pray for us." 1 Thessalonians 5:25 (NIV)

One of the last verses of the letter, hanging around with the verses about praying continuously, rejecting evil, acknowledging hard work, and greeting others with a kiss, 1 Thessalonians 5:25 gives a personal request. It asks to pray. 

How often do we ask others to pray for us? Why do we feel shame in asking for prayers? It is not admitting failure but it sure can seem like it sometimes. We want to portray that we have it all together and do not need help. We want to be as close to self-reliant as possible, even if that means a little less support and a lot more times crying alone. But why not share our needs and have others bathe us in love and in prayer? And why not pray for others, especially when we know how hard it is to open up? 

Never-ending forgiveness

~Thanksgiving Thoughts~

Something I am immensely grateful for is God's never-ending forgiveness. I've been pretty bad at reading Scripture lately, postponing it again and again and again.

God, thank you so much for loving me through my mistakes! Help me try to be more and more like You and more and more in love with You! 

  "The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases;[a]

    his mercies never come to an end;

   they are new every morning;

    great is your faithfulness.

   “The Lord is my portion,” says my soul,

    “therefore I will hope in him.”" Lamentations 3:22-24 (ESV)

Praising Him and serving Him - always

~Monday Movies & Music~

NF has a cool song, "Oh, Lord." Check out the lyrics. 

It's so easy to ask God this: 

  "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?

    Why are you so far from saving me, from the words of my groaning?

  O my God, I cry by day, but you do not answer,

    and by night, but I find no rest." Psalm 22:1-2 (ESV)

And, yes, He hears us. 

But do we serve Him when everything is going well? Do we acknowledge Him in days when everything is "perfect?" Do we bless His Name when He blesses us? Do we talk to God all the time or only in times of struggle?

His love never fails

~Tuesday Thoughts~

Do you ever find yourself so amazingly alone? Like, where is this joy people talk about? Where's this freedom? Where is God, for crying out loud?

It is encouraging to know that, no matter what happens, we do have one constant in our lives. It's true whether we feel like it or not. Whether it has been a good day or a bad day. Whether we have been trampled on or complimented. Wherever we go, whatever happens, nothing can separate us from God's love. That includes our feelings.

"For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons,[a] neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord." Romans 8:38-39 (NIV)

The Newsboys sing a great song about this, "Your Love Never Fails." 

More Beautiful You

~Monday Movies & Music~

Jonny Diaz has a great song, "More Beautiful You." Here are the lyrics. 

  "I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made;

    your works are wonderful,

    I know that full well." Psalm 139:14 (NIV)

  "For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." Jeremiah 29:11 (NIV)

How about you? Do you find it easy to compare yourself to the "perfect version" people say you need to be? Do you ask too much of yourself? Can you remember that God made you wonderful?

"I can't be who God wants me to be"

~Saturday Stories~

"Well, you know a tree is an apple tree when there are apples on the tree, right? It's the same idea. ... When somebody really loves God and wants to follow Him, there's evidence. Things you see in their life that show you that's what's in their hearts. None of us will be perfect, but you will see true Christians trying to follow God." -Beka's dad, The Masquerade

"I can't do it. I can't be who God wants me to be."

"Sometimes it seems all wrong at the time. And sometimes it is wrong. I personally am so grateful that God takes us from where we are. As long as we put our hand in His and let Him lead us, He will." -Jacie and her mother, Stuck in the Sky

"...I'm the only one who can fix my life now - and keep it fixed. Well, with the help of God, that is. I'm fully aware that I can't do this alone. Thank God I don't have to!" - Emily, Faded Denim

How about you? Is there evidence that you follow God? Do you let Him lead you? Are you grateful that we can't and are not expected to be perfect? 

God bless y'all! 

Love is better than hatred

~Friday for Friends~

  "Hatred stirs up conflict,

    but love covers over all wrongs." Proverbs 10:12 (NIV)

Let us love each other! 

About this election

I want to gather up a bunch of stuff I've shared on Facebook about the U. S. election this year. I did vote; I do not think it necessary for me to mention who I voted for. Let us remember who the King is!

PLEASE, let us not hate each other here in the States. And let us trust our Savior with our future!

These were shared with my personal Facebook page. Here is my blogger Facebook page .

Mandie and the Secret Tunnel by Lois Gladys Leppard

~Saturday Stories~

"“Don’t get so close, Amanda. You might fall in.” Her mother grasped the back of her long, dark skirt. Mandie tried to pull free. Her tear-filled blue eyes sought a glimpse of her father through the homemade coffin resting by the open grave. “I want to go with you, Daddy!” she was mumbling to herself. “Take me with you, Daddy!” she tugged at her long, blonde braid in her grief."

When her father dies, Mandie is left with her unfeeling mother and cruel sister. Things don’t get better when she is sent to a neighbor’s farm two miles away to live. Mandie’s two friends are Joe, an old schoolmate and a great comfort, and Uncle Ned, her father’s faithful Cherokee friend. Will she be able to run to safety with Uncle Ned? Will she finally get to know the truth about her family? Where does the secret tunnel lead to? Most importantly, does God still love her?

Mandie and the Secret Tunnel, the first of the forty-book Mandie series, teaches important life lessons. Why does God take our loved ones? Is it because we did something wrong? Will God love us after this? Can we trust God fully? The whole focus of the book isn’t so much on God, but He is certainly very important. This story will entertain the younger teenager as well as show that God really cares.

“The LORD is my shepherd, I shall not want.” Psalm 23: 1

Learn more about Lois Gladys Leppard.

Rest

~Friday for Friends~

I heard a passionate speech on these three verses this week. Let us come to Him when we are tired and let us tell others about this caring God who wants us all to know Him!  

"“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”" Matthew 11:28-30 (NIV)

Priceless

~Wednesday Movie~

I am sorry that I did not post on Monday; life got busy. 

Here is my review of the just-released movie Priceless.  

Life hasn't worked. It just hasn't. His wife has died, and his daughter is taken out of his custody. Finally finding a job, James is fine with the requirements: haul a truck, ask no questions, get good cash. But when he figures out exactly what - or who - he is hauling, James has to face his conscience head-on and face the consequences of either choice. 

Priceless explores a topic we so often avoid: sex trafficking. It emotionally ties you to what is a reality for so many around the world. While James fights to save the two girls form sex trafficking, it is hard not to think of the countless others who are basically powerless over their lives and over their bodies. The movie reminds us that God can be with us no matter the difficulties or our past mistakes. And He can use us to make change.

No nude scenes, but rape is implied. There is some violence. This movie is not appropriate for children.

Watch the captivating trailer. Read the book Priceless, listen to the song, and check out the band behind this movie.  

Do you have a story about sex-trafficking? What can you do about this?

Gentleness: let it be evident

~Tuesday Thoughts~

"Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near." Philippians 4:5 (NIV)

How about you? Do you make your gentleness evident?