Let us Lift Them UP with our Prayers

God is a true artist:  "You think that is a marvelous creation? Look at this one!"  Some blessings may seem small while others seem large.  I was sitting at my desk looking out the window at the leaves that have changed their colors. What a Blessing to enjoy! God is a true artist! While I praised God for one of his creations, he sends another.  I had another creation visits and stay in place for several minutes. Do you see the little creation that seems like a large blessing to me?

Deutrronomy 6:4-5  4  “Hear, O Israel: The  Lord  our God is one  Lord ; [ a ]   5  and you shall love the  Lord  your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your might.   Everyone has something that causes them pain, or embarrassment. Even the person who appears to have everything has a ”thing” that they battle against and hide from the world. You are not the only person with a “thing”. Be kind, Be understanding, Be forgiving! What is your thing? You know the "thing" that we don't want the world to know about. We desperately try to hide it from others. For some of us it might be something that happened to us or something we did years ago.  Something bad happens to all of us, our family or friends. It causes pain and other negative reactions but we get to the point that we have to forgive. We don't forgive so they feel better, we forgive so we can move on and stop rehashing the pain. They caused the pain once but we have revisited the pain over

Jesus Visits Martha and Mary 38  Now as they went on their way, he entered a village; and a woman named Martha received him into her house.   39  And she had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet and listened to his teaching.  40  But Martha was distracted with much serving; and she went to him and said, “Lord, do you not care that my sister has left me to serve alone? Tell her then to help me.”  41  But the Lord answered her, “Martha, Martha, you are anxious and troubled about many things;  42  one thing is needful. [ e ]  Mary has chosen the good portion, which shall not be taken away from her.”  RSV Here in the mountains of western North Carolina, spring usually means warmer weather. Of course, we have had snow in April once or twice. It is not supposed to happen that way. It should be the way it is supposed to be.  We like knowing what is going to happen in life don't we?    Often, we pray: God may your will be done.  Father, show us what you want us to do

  Did you see what God just did? You didn't? Often We are so busy with cooking, cleaning, working and checking on loved ones, that we miss watching all the wonderful things that God created and those moments where his children share the goodness that he shared with us.  I am sure you are just as busy as I was or maybe busier. However, life made me slow down a little. I never knew how much I was missing. There is a lot of joy and goodness around us. Yes, we hear and see so much negative in this world but there is positive goodness all around you. Look!  I started making myself take mini breaks to pay attention to the moments that I had been missing, what was around me. These moments bring us back to the joy and goodness that our souls need to refresh and refuel! Take a few minutes during lunch, in the morning or evening to stop , sit and look at what God did! Look at people being kind to others, squirrels racing, birds flying, people helping others or sharing a smile. Keep your eyes

  The Best is Yet to Come . I received this story from a dear friend. I want to pass the fork to you. Woman and a Fork There was a young woman who had been diagnosed with a terminal illness and had been given three months to live. So as she was getting her things 'in order,' she contacted her Pastor and had him come to her house to discuss certain aspects of her final wishes. She told him which songs she wanted sung at the service, what scriptures she would like read, and what outfit she wanted to be buried in. Everything was in order and the Pastor was preparing to leave when the young woman suddenly remembered something very important to her. 'There's one more thing,' she said excitedly.. 'What's that?' came the Pastor's reply. 'This is very important,' the young woman continued. 'I want to be buried with a fork in my right hand.' The Pastor stood looking at the young woman, not knowing quite what to say. That surprises you, doesn&#

The Best is Yet to Come . I received this story from a dear friend. I want to pass the fork to you. Woman and a Fork There was a young woman who had been diagnosed with a terminal illness and had been given three months to live. So as she was getting her things 'in order,' she contacted her Pastor and had him come to her house to discuss certain aspects of her final wishes. She told him which songs she wanted sung at the service, what scriptures she would like read, and what outfit she wanted to be buried in. Everything was in order and the Pastor was preparing to leave when the young woman suddenly remembered something very important to her. 'There's one more thing,' she said excitedly.. 'What's that?' came the Pastor's reply. 'This is very important,' the young woman continued. 'I want to be buried with a fork in my right hand.' The Pastor stood looking at the young woman, not knowing quite w