The Cycle of Life

There is a time to be born, and a time to die.

Glenn Frey, a founding member of the Eagles, died this week. Hearing the news, fans called radio stations to share memories. I could not contain my tears.

Frey was the lead vocalist of the Eagles' hit song "Peaceful Easy Feeling." I have special memories attached to this rock classic. On our first date, my first husband, Michael,  played it on his guitar. It was the song I chose for our Mother-Son dance when my son married.

The day following Glenn Frey's passing,  my friend, Beth, became a first-time grandmother. There's a "New Kid in Town," and her name is Joey.

The cycle of life continues.



David wrote in Psalm 139, "...You created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother's womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well. My frame was not hidden from you when I was made in the secret place. When I was woven together in the depths of he earth, your eyes saw my unformed body. All the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be."

God already knows the plan, the purpose, the personality, the thoughts, the gifts of this little one. God has already "wired" this child. Little by little, we'll watch the unfolding of this baby girl's life as a new flower opens its petals, and we will discover what her Creator already knows.

Legacy of Prayer- A Spiritual Trust Fund for the Generations by Jennifer Kennedy Den is about praying for your descendants, even those yet unborn. I pray for our grandchildren to know the Lord, His Word, His Ways, and His Will. I have learned this: God intends for us to impact future generations. Long after passing from this life, our influence still remains. May our influence honor our Creator.

There is a time to be born, and a time to die...it's the Cycle of Life.

My "Meditation" Journey- The First Steps

My 2016 ONE WORD is "Meditate." After reading Psalm 4, the latter part of verse 4 resonated with me:

"...Meditate within your heart on your bed, and be still."

 

I prayed the Holy Spirit would remind me to meditate in the night. During the night, when I awoke, I thought of the baby raccoon that took shelter on our front porch earlier that morning. Separated from its mother, the young raccoon appeared healthy, uninjured, and unafraid of people. It also seemed the little creature was lost and unsure how to care for itself. Animal control picked it up, and it would either be turned out in a field, or cared for by a wildlife rehabilitator until it was older.



As I remembered the raccoon cub, I considered these truths about creation:

 

God feeds the sparrows.

"Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they?" Matthew 6: 26.

 

All creatures belong to the Lord. 

"For every animal of the forest is mine, and the cattle on a thousand hills." Psalm 50: 10.

 

Man has God-given dominion over animals.

"Rule over the fish of the sea and the birds of the air and over every living creature that moves on the ground." Genesis 1: 28b.

 

All creation groans as it waits for Christ's return.

"The whole creation has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time." Romans 8: 22.

 

All creatures will praise God.

"Then I heard every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and on the sea, and all that is in them, singing: 'To him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb be praise and honor and glory and power, for ever and ever!' " Revelation 5: 13.

 

The baby raccoon was alone and out-of-place. It took refuge from the cold, and huddled on the door mat. However, our Creator cares for this little cub.

 

God' people have a shelter when we're alone, distressed, confused, or wounded. The Lord God is our refuge and strength. Our Creator loves and cares for us.

 

As I meditated in  my bed, I considered my Awesome God. I felt peace and reassurance. It is good to remember the Lord in the night.

 

 

 



Meditate - My ONE WORD New Year's Prayer

 



I read on social media the word that kills relationships is BUSY. I'm good at BUSY. My calendar is full of BUSY-ness. Often, I BUSY my mind with grievances, fear, and anxious thoughts about circumstances I cannot control. I need improvement on MEDITATING on God's Word. MEDITATE is my ONE WORD for the New Year.

 

The Bible says, "Do not let this Book of Law depart from your mouth, meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. then you will be prosperous and successful." Joshua 1: 8 (NIV). "Hagah" is the Hebrew word for "meditate." It means "to groan, growl, utter, muse, mutter, meditate, devise, plot, speak." Biblical meditation involves speaking God's Word, as well as contemplation, hearing from the Holy Spirit, and applying truth to our lives. Biblical meditation fills our minds with God's truth. Benefits include fruitfulness (Psalm 1: 1-3), understanding (2 Timothy 2: 7), wisdom (Psalm 119: 97- 99), and peace (Isaiah 26: 3).

 

Each New Year is filled with challenges and blessings. As I focus my thinking on God's truth, I can face these challenges with confident expectation in God's promises and blessings. My prayer is that God's people will keep their focus on the LORD of their salvation.

 

Father God, you are our loving Creator, and we are awesomely, wonderfully made in your image. Your works are wonderful! Great is your faithfulness!

Forgive us for making BUSY-NESS our idol. Forgive us for concentrating on our hurts, fears, anxieties, and troubles. Forgive us for complaining and ingratitude. Thank you for your mercy, grace, and forgiveness. We rejoice in your salvation!

In this New Year,  motivate your people to meditate on your commands and promises. Help us to focus our thoughts on things that are true, honorable, and right. May we consider things that are pure, lovely, and admirable. Help us to think about things that are excellent, and worthy of praise.

Thank you for the peace we experience when we keep our minds on you. Thank you for blessing our obedience.

We thank you for your protection, provision, and presence! Guide us in the New Year. In the name of Jesus, our Lord and Savior...amen!

 

 

Happy New Year! May 2016 be filled with God's blessings for you and your family!

 

What is your 2016 ONE WORD?

Words for Me

"Therefore encourage one another and build each other up..."

1 Thessalonians 5: 11 (NIV)

 

 

"Are you a praying grandmother?" asked the young woman. Her name was Alicia.

 

"Yes," I replied.

 

"I just wanted to encourage you." She explained that after God heard her grandmother's prayers, God answered, rescuing the girl from danger and destruction.

 

I thanked and hugged her. Her sweet words brought tears to my eyes.

 

She said it again... "I just wanted to encourage you."

 

As I considered our encounter, the impact of Alicia's words hit me.

 

"I just wanted to encourage...you."

 

Alicia's words were for me. Not a generality. Not for the masses. They were personal. Specific words spoken at a specific time to a specific person. Me.

 

"Encourage" means to help, comfort, strengthen by consolation, to call someone for aid, to exhort, to admonish.

 

Allow these words to comfort and strengthen you today...God hears your voice (Psalm 6: 9; 18: 6; 34: 6; 116: 1). And not only does God hear, God turns (bends down) His ear to us, and saves (Psalm 116). The psalmist responded with praise, thanksgiving, and commitment (Psalm 116: 17- 19).

 

May we rejoice in the LORD, draw strength from His Word, and encourage one another.

 

And to Alicia's grandmother, wherever you are, because of your prayers...I was touched. For that, I thank you.

 

LORD God, our Creator and Father, thank You for Your Word that teaches us Your Will. Forgive us for speaking thoughtless and hurtful words. Help us to control our tongues and to be careful about what we say. Help us to speak encouraging words that build up and help others. May our words be life-giving and bring healing to those who hear. Remind us to speak words of praise and thanksgiving to You. During this Christmas season, may our kind, loving, gentle words be gifts to others. In the Name of Jesus, our Prince of Peace...amen.

 





Give Thanks!

"Give thanks to the LORD, call on his name;

make known among the nations what he has done,

and proclaim that his name is exalted." Isaiah 12: 4 (NIV)

God's people are instructed to pray with thanksgiving. As we pray, we remember and affirm God's character, and thank Him for the things He has done. Make Him part of your daily conversation with those you encounter.

The LORD is:

Great, Gracious, & Good (Psalm 147: 5; 25: 8; Exodus 34: 6)
Immutable, & Infinite (Mal. 3: 6; Matt. 19: 26; Psalm 139: 7-12)
Victorious (Col. 2: 15)
Eternal, & Excellent is His Name (1 Tim. 1:17; Psalm 8: 1)


Truth (John 14: 6)
Holy, Holy, Holy (Rev. 4: 8)
Almighty (Rev. 1: 8)
Name above all others (Philippians 2: 9)
King, & Kind (Psalm 47: 7; Titus 3: 4- 6)
Supreme, Sovereign, & Salvation (Psalm 99: 2; 27: 1; Job 42: 2)



Eternal LORD, you are our maker. You love us with an unfailing love. You are gracious and good. Great is your faithfulness!

Forgive us for ingratitude, complaining, and treating you with dishonor. Have mercy, and cleanse us from sin.

Thank you for your mercy, grace, and forgiveness. Thank you for your Presence. You are near!

Remind us to tell others of your love and kindness. Help us turn to you for help and trust you.

In the almighty name of Jesus, amen!


What about God will you declare today?

A Pumpkin Carving Prayer

Our grandkids stayed with us during their fall break. We visited a pumpkin patch, and each child chose a small pumpkin to decorate with stickers and markers.

We also carved a bigger pumpkin using a "Pumpkin Prayer" to remind us of God's love and ask Him for help.

 

 

 

I found the prayer on DLTK.   It's a great website for children's crafts and activities.

 

As the pumpkin is carved, children ask God's help to learn about Him, see His love, hear His word, and tell others about Him. They are reminded Jesus removes their sin and forgives them. Placing the candle inside reinforces Jesus' light shining in them.

The "Pumpkin Prayer" is a simple and fun way to nurture a child's spiritual development. Blessings to you and yours this autumn season!

What "pumpkin" traditions does you or your family have?

 

First Friday: Praying for our Spiritual Leaders

 

"I will give you shepherds after my own heart, who will lead you

with knowledge and understanding."

Jeremiah 3: 15 (NIV)

 

 

Our spiritual leaders are gifts from God. These men and women prepare us "for works of service, so that the body of Christ my be built up" (Ephesians 4: 11-12). How often do we express our gratitude to those God has given us? 

 

October is "Pastor Appreciation Month." We can show our support and thanks to our pastors and ministry leaders by giving them a gift, performing a service, and  encouraging and praying for them.

 

This month's "First Friday" prayer is for our spiritual leaders.

 

 

Our loving heavenly Father, thank you for the gift of pastors. Thank you for their calling and their hearts to serve.

 

May our shepherds demonstrate holiness, meekness, patience, and gentleness. May the fruit of your Spirit be evident in their lives. Fill them with your wisdom. Increase their love and compassion for your people.

 

I pray your servants will devote themselves to prayer and to preaching your word. Give them courage to speak your sound doctrine and to correct those who contradict your truth. May they hold firm to your word.

 

Provide resources, strength, good health, healing, rest, and refreshment. Bless their families and protect them from evil. Keep them safe, and may they always find refuge in you.

 

Help us to remember that our spiritual leaders are human.  Help us to extend grace and forgiveness when we are offended. Forgive us for neglecting to appreciate and pray for our pastors. May we submit to those in authority, so that their service may be a joy. In the name of Jesus, our Lord and Savior...amen.

 

 

What do you appreciate most about your pastor?