The Perfect Morning Prayer

“Well, Lord, it's gonna be me and You again today; more You than me, for You know how I am. So, if You don't mind, I'm going to trail along behind You, for I have not been this way before. And I hope that by day's end, when I lay my head on my pillow, that I have not gotten myself into something that will take me the rest of my life to get out of. The only way that could happen is for me to not watch where You're walking. And Lord, may I not look up and see that I am here and You are over there! Should such happen, please wait and let me catch up. Amen!"

Joyful Expectation

Psalms 25:3 "Yea, let none that wait on thee be ashamed..."

Years ago, one of the characters in a popular comic strip was looking forward to an upcoming event. Throughout the strip the character’s excitement continued to grow. At the end of the strip the character stood with his head down and a look of disappointment upon his face. When asked by a friend what was wrong, the character replied, “I found that my expectations far exceeded the actual event.”

What happened to this comic strip character will not happen to the child of God who is trusting in God’s promises. What God has planned and prepared for those who love Him will blow them away! We must remember that the difficulties, hardships and trials that we are presently going through are only pages in the story of our lives. We must be patient and read on, waiting with excitement and expectation for what the final chapters will bring.

God will never betray our trust in what He has said, and as we wait upon Him to fulfill His promises, we do not need to fear disappointment. In the end, we will not be let down by the expectations of our faith. Everything He brings to us will be more than we could ever ask or think. Since what God has for us will exceed our expectations, it means we can never expect too much.

Psalms 30:5 "... weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning."

S.D. Gordon tells us, “Trust trusts God when it doesn’t understand what He is doing." As you wait for the fulfillment of His promises, you don’t have to wait in gloom or misery. Even if you don’t understand the things that are happening around you, you can trust Him in joyful expectation for the fulfillment of what God has promised to do.

Romans 8:18 "For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us."

That's God...

Have you ever been just sitting there and all of a sudden you feel like doing something nice for someone? That's God talking to you through His Holy Spirit.
1 John 4:7 "Beloved, let us love one another."

Have you ever been down and out with nobody around to talk to? That's God wanting you to talk to Him.
Psalms 34:18 "The Lord is nigh unto them that are of a broken heart, and saveth such as be of a contrite spirit."

Have you ever been thinking about somebody that you haven't seen in a long time and then you see them or receive a phone call from them? That's God.
Proverbs 17:17 "A friend loveth at all times..."

Have you received something wonderful that you wanted but didn't ask for; like money in the mail, a dept that has mysteriously been cleared, or a coupon to a department store whre you had just seen something that you needed but couldn't afford? That's God knowing the desires of your heart.
Phil. 4:19 "But my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus."

Have you ever been in a situation and you had no clue how it was going to get better, wondering when the hurting and pain would end? When you look back on it, you can see that you were never alone... that's God passing you through tribulation to see a brighter day.
Hebrews 13:5 "...I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee."

False friends..

"False friends are like our shadow, keeping close to us while we walk in the sunshine, but leaving us the instant we cross into the shade."

God has blessed my life with many "true" friends. I love you all very much.

Valentine's from GOD

Valentine's Day is over, but I just couldn't go to bed without sharing some of these pictures that I have been collecting this week.

I have the greatest Valentine of all and I am determined to have the relationship with Him that He has been longing for. I never have to feel alone for He is with me. He will never leave me or forsake me. He is the Friend that sticketh closer than a brother and He cares for me more that I can even imagine.

God... the perfect Valentine

He is a gentleman,

He is confident

He is a Provider and Protector

He is rich and powerful

He owns everything; there is nothing He wouldn't do for me!

He perfects all things concerning me

He anticipates my wants and needs

Every day He tells me and shows me how much He loves me

I don't have to perform in order to earn His love!

He keeps all of his promises

No one can influence His opinion of me

He is the ultimate intimate partner

He can't "disown" me because I am a part of Him

He prepares a table before me (Selah)

He covers me and doesn’t expose me.

He wrote His loving words down so that I'll never forget how He feels

about me.

NOW THAT'S LOVE!!!

Kids Thoughts on LOVE

The proper age to get married :

• "Eighty-four, because at that age, you don't have to work anymore, and you can spend all your time loving each other in your bedroom." (Judy, 8)
• "Once I'm done with kindergarten, I'm going to find me a wife." (Tom, 5)

What do people do on a first date?

• "On the first date, they just tell each other lies, and that usually gets them interested enough to go for a second date." (Mike, 9)

When is it okay to kiss someone?:

• "You should never kiss a girl unless you have enough bucks to buy her a big ring and her own VCR, cause she'll want to have videos of the wedding." (Jim, 10)
• "Never kiss in front of other people. It's a big embarrassing thing if anybody sees you. But if nobody sees you, I might be willing to try it with a handsome boy, but just for a few hours." (Kally, 9)
• "It's never okay to kiss a boy. They always slobber all over you...that's why I stopped doing it." (Jean, 10)

Is it better to be single or married?

• "It's better for girls to be single but not for boys. Boys need somebody to clean up after them." (Lynette, 9)
• "It gives me a headache to think about that stuff. I'm just a kid. I don't need that kind of trouble." (Kenny, 7)

Why it happens between two particular people:

• "No one is sure why it happens, but I heard it has something to do with how you smell. That's why perfume and deodorant are so popular." (Jan, 9)
• "I think you're supposed to get shot with an arrow or something, but the rest of it isn't supposed to be so painful." (Harlen, 8)

The question, "What’s falling in love like?" :

• "Like an avalanche where you have to run for your life." (Roger, 9)
• "If falling in love is anything like learning how to spell, I don't want to do it. It takes too long." (Leo, 7)

Thoughts on love and good looks:

• "If you want to be loved by somebody who isn't already in your family, it doesn't hurt to be beautiful." (Jeanne, 8)
• "It isn't always just how you look. Look at me, I'm handsome like anything and I haven't got anybody to marry me yet." (Gary, 7)
• "Beauty is skin deep. But how rich you are can last a long time." (Christine, 9)

Why lovers hold hands:

• "They want to make sure their rings don't fall off because they paid good money for them." (Dave, 8)

What do you really think of love?:

• "I'm in favor of love as long as it doesn't happen when “The Simpsons” is on television." (Anita, 6)
• "Love will find you, even if you are trying to hide from it. I have been trying to hide from it since I was five, but the girls keep finding me." (Bobby, 8)
• "I'm not rushing into being in love. I'm finding fourth grade hard enough." (Regina, 10)

What are some personal qualities necessary to be a good lover?:

• "One of you should know how to write a check. Because even if you have tons of love, there is still going to be a lot of bills." (Ava, 8)
  

How to make someone fall in love with you:

• "Tell them that you own a whole bunch of candy stores." (Del, 6)
• "Don't do things like have smelly, green sneakers. You might get attention, but attention ain't the same thing as love." (Alonzo, 9)
• "One way is to take the girl out to eat. Make sure it's something she likes to eat. French fries usually work for me." (Bart, 9)

How can you tell if two adults eating dinner at a restaurant are in love?:

• "Just see if the man picks up the check. That's how you can tell if he's in love." (John, 9)
• "Lovers will just be staring at each other and their food will get cold. Other people care more about the food." (Brad, 8)
• "It's love if they order one of those desserts that are on fire. They like to order those because it's just like how their hearts are on fire." (Christine, 9)

What are most people thinking when they say, "I love you." ?

• "The person is thinking, Yeah, I really do love him. But I hope he showers at least once a day." (Michelle, 9)

Survive Valentine's Day as a Single Parent

Each year, Valentine's Day seems to become even more commercialized. From heart-shaped candy boxes to jewelry ads, it's easy to believe that everyone around you has found true love.

The key to surviving this holiday, though, is to look beyond all that and redefine Valentine's Day in a way that is meaningful for you.

Here are some suggestions:

1. Celebrate Each Child's Uniqueness

Of course we tell our kids that we love them, but do we tell them that we notice them? Think of some of the unique talents and qualities you observe in each of your children and use the occasion of Valentine's Day to celebrate how they've grown. After all, part of loving someone is really knowing who they are on the inside, so make this holiday an opportunity to share the gifts you see developing in each of your children.

2. Make a special Valentine's day dessert.

I grew up associating baking with a sign of love, and I still like to make something special for my kids on Valentine's Day. This year, we're going to make heart-shaped cookies. Basically, almost any dessert can be tailor-made to celebrate Valentine's Day just by using a heart-shapes. So whether you consider yourself a novice or a pro, consider celebrating Valentine's Day with something sweet to eat.

3. Do something creative.

Instead of purchasing Valentine's Day cards for one another, take the time to make your own homemade cards. This is a great gift idea for grandparents, teachers, and baby sitters and for each other.

4. Get Together with friends.

Most of the holidays throughout the year are times we spend with family members. Make Valentine's Day the holiday you celebrate with the friends who've supported and encouraged you throughout the year. Pick a time close to Valentine's Day and gather your friends together. Honor each guest with a special card and share why they have become so important to you.



5. Remember the Forgotten

Do something different and unexpected. Go to the dollar store and purchase valentines for a local nursing home,. As alone as you may feel during the Valentine season, there are always people who feel worse. Thinking of them before yourself can help you to not only survive Valentine's Day, but make it an occasion of hope and celebration.

Little League Tryouts 2010

I am anxiously waiting to hear the words, “Play Ball” for Little League season 2010. I think that I am even more excited than David for the games to begin. There’s nothing like sitting in the fresh air watching your kid play sports.

Saturday was try-outs for this year, where the coaches watch the kids play ball and then pick out the players they want on their team. He did an awesome job when it came his turn to show them what he could do. They have the kids start out batting, and they have them bunt the first two pitches. David nailed both of his bunts as I cheered from the sidelines and he gave me his, “Please don’t embarrass me” look. Then they told him to hit away. He hit all but one of the pitches while I bit my tongue and just beamed with pride. Then the coaches had all the kids line up and run from home-plate to 2^nd base while they timed them. David ran it in 7 seconds flat. He also played a little infield and outfield determined to stand out from the rest.

This will be David’s first year in the Majors, although he did play on the Southern League “All-Star” team last year so he was able to experience playing with the better players. He’s ready to play with the big boys now. It’s going to be a GREAT year!!!

This World Is Not My Home

"I am a stranger in the earth" (Ps. 119:19).

The Psalmist of our text was saying this world was not his home. If you are a Christian, it’s not your home either. We just passing through. We are strangers and pilgrims (1 Pet. 2:11; Heb. 11:13). Our citizenship is in heaven (Phil. 3:20). We are“fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household of God”(Eph. 2:19). Christ has “made us sit together in heavenly places” (Eph. 2:6). We are in the world, but we are not of the world. We are twice-born in a world of once-born people.

We are like a deep sea diver who is underwater and outside his natural environment. He could not live if he weren’t linked to his life supply above. That’s the way we need to live. If we are to survive, we must stay linked to Jesus who is our life. The Bible says we’re not to set our affections on things beneath, but on things above where Christ sitteth at the right hand of the Father (Col. 3:1).

How's your lifeline? Where are your affections? David said,"I have set my affection to the house of my God" (1 Chron. 29:3). That is about as close to "home" as you can get this side of heaven.

By Pas. Al Hughes

Letting Go...

"Letting go doesn't mean giving up... it means moving on. It is one of the hardest things a person can do. Starting at birth, we grasp on to anything we can get our hands on, and hold on as if we will cease to exist when we let go. We feel that letting go is giving up, quitting, and that as we all know is cowardly. But as we grow older we are forced to change our way of thinking. We are forced to realize that letting go means accepting things that cannot be. It means maturing and moving on, no matter how hard you have to fight yourself to do so."