A mission of healing from God by Debbie Bliss (gardenangel)

You have heard of people hearing God speak to them, and you ask them how?  You pray all the time for God to hear your prayers, and think He never answers.  You tell others you just don’t feel God in your life and you feel that He has left you. 

I had a dream that is an answer to a long asked prayer to heal my church and I feel I really need to tell you about it.

When I first walked into my church for the first time I felt at home, I felt like everyone there was a family.  I was going to be a new member to this wonderful warm loving family.  Slowly over time that feeling slipped away.  I don’t remember when or even how it just went away.  I have not gone to church in a long time, but I have never stopped praying for my church to find that family feeling again.

Life of Purpose

A life of purpose is not only a true expression of who you really are

it is your gift to the world

and the world needs what you have to offer.

You can begin by internalizing the fact that there are no accidents,

and that you are indeed here on the planet for a reason.

You have a purpose in this life and in this world,

and your contribution matters.

Jack Canfield.

Always there...

We can't foresee the turning of the tide when problems be set us and tears are cried.
Sometimes life deals from the bottom of the deck filling us with worry and leaving us a wreck.
The enemy seeks to devour and destroy, using deceptions to eliminate our joy.
While walking through the valley, our heads hung low,
The mountain top seems so high, our footsteps slow.
How many times have we traveled this road?
To battle the frustrations of troubles bestowed?
Yet when we come to our darkest hour,
God demonstrates His infinite power.
It doesn't matter how bad things might seem,
He always comes through, our faith to redeem.

God will not fail us in our times of pain.
He'll never forsake us, by our side He'll remain.
So when we find ourselves at a total loss,
Or when the valley seems too wide to cross,
Just remember you're in His love and care,
Look over your shoulder, He's always there!

Author Unknown

The Wrong Furneral

THE WRONG FUNERAL


God doesn't make mistakes. He puts us where we are to be.


They say there are no mistakes, for everything there is a purpose. Makes you think. Enjoy! We'll never know where our paths will take us!


Consumed by my loss, I didn't notice the hardness of the pew where I sat. I was at the funeral of my dearest friend-my mother. She finally had lost her long battle with cancer. The hurt was so intense; I found it hard to breathe at times. Always supportive, Mother clapped loudest at my school plays, held box of tissues while listening to my first heartbreak, comforted me at my father's death, encouraged me in college, and prayed for me my entire life.


When mother's illness was diagnosed, my sister had a new baby and my brother had recently married his childhood sweetheart, so it fell on me, the 27-year-old middle child without entanglements, to take care of her. I counted it an honor. 'What now, Lord?' I asked sitting in church.


My life stretched out before me as an empty abyss.. My brother sat stoically with his face toward the cross while clutching his wife's hand. My sister sat slumped against her husband's shoulder, his arms around her as she cradled their child. All so deeply grieving, no one noticed I sat alone.


My place had been with our mother, preparing her meals, helping her walk, taking her to the Doctor, seeing to her medication, reading the Bible together. Now she was with the Lord. My work was finished, and I was alone.


I heard a door open and slam shut at the back of the church. Quick footsteps hurried along the carpeted floor. An exasperated young man looked around briefly and then sat next to me. He folded his hands and placed the m on his lap. His eyes were brimming with tears. He began to sniffle. 'I'm late,' he explained, though no explanation was necessary.


After several eulogies, he leaned over and commented, 'Why do they keep calling Mary by the name of ' Margaret?'' 'Because, that was her name, Margaret. Never Mary, no one called her 'Mary,'' I whispered.. I wondered why this person couldn't have sat on the other side of the church. He interrupted my grieving with his tears and fidgeting. Who was this stranger anyway?
'No, that isn' t correct,' he insisted, as several people glanced over at us whispering, 'Her name is Mary, Mary Peters.' 'That isn't who this is.' 'Isn't this the Lutheran church?' 'No, the Lutheran church is across the street.' 'Oh.' 'I believe you're at the wrong funeral, Sir.'


The solemness of the occasion mixed with the realization of the man's mistake bubbled up inside me and came out as laughter. I cupped my hands over my face, hoping it would be interpreted as sobs. The creaking pew gave me away. Sharp looks from other mourners only made the situation seem more hilarious. I peeked at the bewildered, misguided man seated beside me. He was laughing, too, as he glanced around, deciding it was too late for an uneventful exit. I imagined Mother laughing..


At the final 'Amen,' we darted out a door and into the parking lot. 'I do believe we'll be the talk of the town,' he smiled. He said his name was Rick and since he had missed his aunt's funeral, asked me out for a cup of coffee.


That afternoon began a lifelong journey for me with this man who attended the wrong funeral, but was in the right place. A year after our meeting, we were married at a country church where he was the assistant pastor. This time we both arrived at the same church, right on time.


In my time of sorrow, God gave me laughter. In place of loneliness, God gave me love. This past June, we celebrated our twenty-second wedding anniversary. Whenever anyone asks us how we met, Rick tells them, 'Her mother and my Aunt Mary introduced us, and it's truly a match made in heaven.'

The Buzzard, the Bat and the Bumblebee

THE BUZZARD:
If you put a buzzard in a pen that is 6 feet by 8 feet and is entirely open at the top, the bird, in spite of its ability to fly, will be an absolute prisoner. The reason is that a buzzard always begins a flight from the ground with a run of 10 to 12 feet. Without space to run, as is its habit,it will not even attempt to fly, but will remain a prisoner for life in a small jail with no top.


THE BAT:
The ordinary bat that flies around at night, a remarkable nimble creature in the air, can not take off from a level place. If it is placed on the floor or flat ground, all it can do is shuffle about helplessly and, no doubt, painfully,until it reaches some slight elevation from which it can throw itself into the air. Then, at once, it takes off like a flash.


THE BUMBLEBEE:
A bumblebee, if dropped into an open tumbler, will be there until it dies, unless it is taken out. It never sees the means of escape at the top, but persists in trying to find some way out through the sides near the bottom. It will seek a way where none exists, until it completely destroys itself.


PEOPLE:
In many ways, we are like the buzzard, the bat, and the bumblebee. We struggle about with all our problems and frustrations, never realizing that all we have to do is look up!


That's the answer, the escape route and the solution to any problem! Just look up. Sorrow looks back, Worry looks around, But faith looks up! Live simply, love generously, care deeply, speak kindly and trust in our Creator who loves us.

Magnolias

I spent the week before my daughter's June wedding running last-minute trips to the caterer, florist, tuxedo shop, and the church about forty miles away. As happy as I was that Patsy was marrying a good Christian young man, I felt laden with responsibilities as I watched my budget dwindle . So many details, so many bills, and so little time. My son Jack was away at college, but he said he would be there to walk his younger sister down the aisle, taking the place of his dad who had died a few years before. He teased Patsy, saying he'd wanted to give her away since she was about three years old!


To save money, I gathered blossoms from several friends who had large magnolia trees. Their luscious, creamy-white blooms and slick green leaves would make beautiful arrangements against the rich dark wood inside the church.


After the rehearsal dinner the night before the wedding, we banked the podium area and choir loft with magnolias. As we left just before midnight, I felt tired but satisfied this would be the best wedding any bride had ever had! The music, the ceremony, the reception - and especially the flowers - would be remembered for years.


The big day arrived - the busiest day of my life - and while her bridesmaids helped Patsy to dress, her fiance Tim walked with me to the sanctuary to do a final check. When we opened the door and felt a rush of hot air, I almost fainted; and then I saw them - all the beautiful white flowers were black. Funeral black. An electrical storm during the night had knocked out the air conditioning system, and on that hot summer day, the flowers had wilted and died.


I panicked, knowing I didn't have time to drive back to our hometown, gather more flowers, and return in time for the wedding.


Tim turned to me. 'Edna, can you get more flowers? I'll throw away these dead ones and put fresh flowers in these arrangements.'


I mumbled, 'Sure,' as he be-bopped down the hall to put on his cuff links.


Alone in the large sanctuary, I looked up at the dark wooden beams in the arched ceiling. 'Lord,' I prayed, 'please help me. I don't know anyone in this town. Help me find someone willing to give me flowers - in a hurry!'


I scurried out praying for four things: the blessing of white magnolias, courage to find them in an unfamiliar yard, safety from any dog that may bite my leg, and a nice person who would not get out a shotgun when I asked to cut his tree to shreds.


As I left the church, I saw magnolia trees in the distance. I approached a house...No dog in sight. I knocked on the door and an older man answered. So far so good. No shotgun. When I stated my plea the man beamed, 'I'd be happy to!'


He climbed a stepladder and cut large boughs and handed them down to me. Minutes later, as I lifted the last armload into my car trunk, I said, 'Sir, you've made the mother of a bride happy today.'


'No, Ma'am,' he said. 'You don't understand what's happening here.'


'What?' I asked.


'You see, my wife of sixty-seven years died on Monday..


On Tuesday I received friends at the funeral home, and on Wednesday . . .


He paused. I saw tears welling up in his eyes. 'On Wednesday I buried her.' He looked away. 'On Thursday most of my out-of-town relatives went back home, and on Friday - yesterday - my children left.'


I nodded. 'This morning, he continued, I was sitting in my den crying out loud. I miss her so much. For the last sixteen years, as her health got worse, she needed me. But now nobody needs me. This morning I cried, 'Who needs an eighty-six-year-old wore-out man? Nobody!' I began to cry louder. 'Nobody needs me!' About that time, you knocked, and said, 'Sir, I need you.'


I stood with my mouth open. He asked, 'Are you an angel? The way the light shone around your head into my dark living room.' I assured him I was no angel. He smiled. 'Do you know what I was thinking when I handed you those magnolias?'


'No.'


'I decided I'm needed. My flowers are needed. Why, I might have a flower ministry! I could give them to everyone! Some caskets at the funeral home have no flowers. People need flowers at times like that and I have lots of them. They're all over the backyard! I can give them to hospitals, churches - all sorts of places. You know what I'm going to do? I'm going to serve the Lord until the day He calls me home!'


I drove back to the church, filled with wonder. On Patsy's wedding day, if anyone had asked me to encourage someone who was hurting, I would have said, 'Forget it! It's my only daughter's wedding, for goodness' sake! There is no way I can minister to anyone today.' But God found a way. Through dead flowers.


'Life is not the way it's supposed to be. It's the way it is. The way you cope with it is what makes the difference.'

Angel of Hope

Angel of Hope

Join hands across the world. Join hearts across the world. Put aside differences. Appreciate that we are all beings of love wanting love and needing love. Look at each other with love and hope, not with hate and despair. Do not judge, just accept. Wrap positive thoughts around each other for comfort and warmth. Come out of the cold and dark to the sunshine of hope. Grow with vibrations of peace and spread them to everyone.

Strength comes when wisdom is gained. Every path leads to a solution. It is an aspiration to help all to the path where inner peace resides.

Love is a powerful word that needs to be heard and felt by many. Many have been on a hard-traveled road. There is hope for all beings. The beacons of the light of love bring hope to those who have no hope at all.

To see should reach and feel their own inner strength and harmony is love itself. Faith is a starting place. Gentleness will occur. A peaceful approach to achievement will be everlasting. Attainment to one’s purpose will unfold with every step and every breath taken. Be a transmitter of love, and hope will occupy your heart.

By Samara Anjelae

So brothers and sisters, since God has shown us great mercy, I beg you to offer your lives as a living sacrifice to Him. Your offering must be only for God and pleasing to Him, which is the spiritual way for you to worship. Do not change yourselves to be like the people of this world, but change within by a new way of thinking. Then you will be able to decide what God wants for you: you will know what is good and pleasing to Him and what is perfect. Romans 12:10-11, 13

Dear Lord,

Take these words that I have written and help me to explain how you opened my eyes. How you helped me to become that beacon of light to all I meet so that I may give them the same hope and peace you have given me.

Lord you were with me when my light went out and I could not find my way. I felt your presence leading me even though I did not know where You were leading me.

At first Lord I fought with you, I wanted to keep control of everything and there was a gentle tug of war. In time it became clear where you were leading me and I joyously followed You.

Since that dark time I have tried to be that person for others, that person that brings people to your light. You have taught me well and many have now come to you, not with my faith or on my path but following their own path as you have laid it before them. When you were teaching me I was the kind of person who thought everyone needed to be the same as me. You showed me that everyone has their own path and through you they will find the right one.

I see so many who are lost and have lost all their hope. I go to them and share my story. I listen to their story and try to give them a little of my hope like a seed I carefully plant it and hope that it grows. I tend it like a good gardener would and sometime it grows to a strong hope that is alive and whole. Many times it gets off to a good start them withers and dies, and no amount of tending can get it to grow again. But you have taught me to not give up even as the hope dies there still might be a small piece deep inside still holding on to that hope. I might not see it till once again it shines.

When someone comes to know you Lord and I have been a light for them to find you it makes me glow. I see that hope and peace in them and many times they will thank me for bringing that hope back into their life. I tell them it is not anything I have done, it is the Lord working through me, I am a vessel for his light to lead the way to the Lord.

The Lord gives me the words like he is now to bring back that hope and peace to all that I meet who are lost in the dark like I was.

I feel so blessed and I praise my Lord every day for helping me to see His light and for leading me to a path that I can be a small light out of the darkness and to the light of the Lord. For I’m not perfect, I’m human and still make mistakes. Sometime my little candle gets dim and I lose my way again. Then I pray and I see the light ahead again and I know it’s my Lord leading me back to the right path again.

To me that is what a good gardener should be someone who plants the seeds for the Lord and helps them to grow to know Jesus Christ our Lord. The Lord knows that even a good gardener can have seeds that won’t grow or seeds that will never be as strong as other seeds, but we should never give up on our garden for we were once a seed that God helped grow and he never gave up on me and I thank Him every day for that. I thank him for all the many wonderful blessings God has brought to my life.

I truly believe that the day my health and life changed God was with me leading me and although I resisted I’m so happy I finally came to His light.

Right now it seems the whole world is in the dark. So many are going through so many trials and have lost their way. Those of us who carry the light of the Lord our God and Savoir need to seek out those that are lost and give them hope and peace. Each of us should help even one person into the light of the Lord and out of darkness.

When I met someone in the darkness I take their hand, I help them sow a tiny seed of hope and teach them how to make it grow in the warm sunshine.

Will you join me in the garden and help others plant a seed of hope? I promise you it’s the most wonderful job you’ll ever have.

The Garden Angel

The Man Beside the Window

Two men, both seriously ill, occupied the same hospital room. One man was allowed to sit up in his bed for an hour each afternoon to help drain the fluid from his lungs. His bed was next to the room's only window.


The other man had to spend all his time flat on his back. The men talked for hours on end. They spoke of their wives and families, their homes, their jobs, their involvement in the military service, where they had been on vacation.


Every afternoon, when the man in the bed by the window could sit up, he would pass the time by describing to his roommate all the things he could see outside the window.


The man in the other bed began to live for those one hour periods where his world would be broadened and enlivened by all the activity and color of the world outside.


The window overlooked a park with a lovely lake. Ducks and swans played on the water while children sailed their model boats. Young lovers walked arm in arm amidst flowers of every color and a fine view of the city skyline could be seen in the distance.


As the man by the window described all this in exquisite details, the man on the other side of the room would close his eyes and imagine this picturesque scene.


One warm afternoon, the man by the window described a parade passing by. Although the other man could not hear the band - he could see it in his mind's eye as the gentleman by the window portrayed it with descriptive words.


Days, weeks and months passed.


One morning, the day nurse arrived to bring water for their baths only to find the lifeless body of the man by the window, who had died peacefully in his sleep. She was saddened and called the hospital attendants to take the body away.


As soon as it seemed appropriate, the other man asked if he could be moved next to the window. The nurse was happy to make the switch, and after making sure he was comfortable, she left him alone. Slowly, painfully, he propped himself up on one elbow to take his first look at the real world outside. He strained to slowly turn to look out the window besides the bed.. It faced a blank wall.


The man asked the nurse what could have compelled his deceased roommate who had described such wonderful things outside this window.


The nurse responded that the man was blind and could not even see the wall.. She said, 'Perhaps he just wanted to encourage you.'


Epilogue: There is tremendous happiness in making others happy, despite our own situations. Shared grief is half the sorrow, but happiness when shared, is doubled. If you want to feel rich, just count all the things you have that money can't buy. 'Today is a gift, that is why it is called The Present.'


unknown

The Concert

When the house lights dimmed and the concert was about to begin, the mother returned to her seat and discovered that her child was missing. Suddenly, the curtains parted and spotlights focused on the impressive Steinway on stage. To her horror, the mother saw her little boy at the keyboard, innocently picking out 'Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star.'


At that moment, the great piano master made his entrance, quickly moved to the piano, and whispered in the boy's ear. Don't quit . . keep playing. Then, leaning over, Paderewski reached down with his left hand and began filling in a bass part. Soon his right arm reached around to the other side of the child and he added a running obbligato. Together, the old master and the young novice transformed what could have been a frightening situation into a wonderfully creative experience.


The audience was so mesmerized that they couldn't recall what else the great master played. Only the classic Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star. Perhaps that's the way it is with God. What we can accomplish on our own is hardly note worthy. We try our best, but the results aren't always graceful flowing music. However, with the hand of the Master, our life's can truly be beautiful.


The next time you set out to accomplish great feats, listen carefully the voice of The Master, whispering in your ear, 'Don't quit . . Keep playing.' May you feel His arms around you and know that His hands are there, helping you turn your feeble attempts into true masterpieces. Remember, God doesn't seem to call the equipped, rather. He equips the called. Life is more accurately measured by the lives you touch than by the things you acquire. So touch someone by passing this little message along.


May God bless you and be with you always and remember 'Don't quit . . Keep playing.'

That's God

"HE IS TRULY GOOD!  ISAIAH 40:31
 Have you ever been just sitting there and all of a sudden you feel like doing something nice for someone you care for? THAT'S GOD talking to you through the Holy Spirit.
 Have you ever received something wonderful that you didn't even ask for, like money in the mail, a debt that had mysteriously been cleared, or a coupon to a department store where you had just seen something you needed, but couldn't afford? THAT'S GOD knowing the desires of your heart.

Have you ever been in a situation and you had no clue how it was going to get better, how the hurting would stop, how the pain would ease, but now you look back on it. THAT'S GOD passing us through tribulation to see a brighter Day.

Bank Account

A 92-year-old, petite, well-poised and proud man, who is fully dressed each morning by eight o'clock, with his hair fashionably combed and shaved perfectly, even though he is legally blind, moved to a nursing home today. His wife of 70 years recently passed away, making the move necessary. After many hours of waiting patiently in the lobby of the nursing home, he smiled sweetly when told his room was ready.

As he maneuvered his walker to the elevator, I provide a visual description of his tiny room, including the eyelet sheets that had been hung on his window.

'I love it,' he stated with the enthusiasm of an eight-year-old having just been presented with a new puppy.

'Mr. Jones, you haven't seen the room; just wait.' That doesn't have anything to do with it,' he replied.

Happiness is something you decide on ahead of time. Whether I like my room or not doesn't depend on how the furniture is arranged.. It's how I arrange my mind. I already decided to love it. It's a decision I make every morning when I wake up. I have a choice; I can spend the day in bed recounting the difficulty I have with the parts of my body that no longer work, or get out of bed and be thankful for the ones that do.

Each day is a gift, and as long as my eyes open, I'll focus on the new day and all the happy memories I've stored away just for this time in my life.

Old age is like a bank account. You withdraw from what you've put in. So, my advice to you would be to deposit a lot of happiness in the bank account of memories!

Thank you for your part in filling my Memory bank. I am still depositing.

Remember the five simple rules to be happy:
1. Free your heart from hatred.
2. Free your mind from worries.
3. Live simply.
4. Give more.
5. Expect less.

PUSH

A man was sleeping one night in his cabin when suddenly his room filled with light, and God appeared. The Lord told the man he had work for him to do, and showed him a large rock in front of his cabin. The Lord explained that the man was to Push against the rock with all his might...


So, this the man did, day after day. For many years he toiled from sunup to sundown, his shoulders set squarely against the cold, massive surface of the unmoving rock, Pushing with all of his might. Each night the man returned to his cabin sore and worn out, feeling that his whole day had been spent in vain.

Since the man was showing discouragement, the Adversary (Satan) decided to enter the picture by placing thoughts into the weary mind: (He will do it every time) "You have been Pushing against that rock for a long time and it hasn't moved." Thus, he gave the man the impression that the task was impossible and that he was a failure. These thoughts discouraged and disheartened the man.

Satan said, "Why kill yourself over this? Just put in your time, giving just the minimum effort; and that will be good enough."


That's what the weary man planned to do, but decided to make it a matter of Prayer and to take his troubled thoughts to The Lord.


"Lord," he said, "I have labored long and hard in Your Service, putting all my strength to do that which you have asked. Yet, after all this time, I have not even budged that rock by half a millimeter. What is wrong? Why am I failing?"


The Lord responded compassionately, "My friend, when I asked you to serve Me and you accepted, I told you that your task was to Push against the rock with all of your strength, which you have done. Never once did I mention to you that I expected you to move it. Your task was to Push. Now you come to Me with your strength spent, thinking that you have failed. But, is that really so? Look at yourself. Your arms are strong and muscled, your back shinny and brown; your hands are callused from constant pressure, your legs have become massive and hard.


Through opposition, you have grown much, and your abilities now surpass that which you used to have. True, you haven't moved the rock. But your calling was to be Obedient and to Push and to exercise your Faith and trust in My Wisdom. That you have done. Now, I, my friend, will move the rock."


At times, when we hear a Word from God, we tend to use our own intellect to decipher what He wants, when actually what God wants is just Simple Obedience and Faith in Him. By all means, exercise The Faith that moves mountains, but know that it is still God Who Moves The Mountains.


When everything seems to go wrong... just P.U.S.H.! When the job gets you down... just P.U.S.H.! When people don't do as you think they should... just P.U.S.H! When you can't find the right work. Just P.U.S.H.! When your money is "gone" and the bills are due... just P.U.S.H!When people just don't understand you... just P.U.S.H!


P = Pray
U = Until
S = Something
H = Happens


"Though no one can go back and make a brand new start, anyone can start from now and make a brand new ending."

Letter from God

To: YOU
Date: TODAY
From: GOD
Subject: YOURSELF
Reference: LIFE


This is God. Today I will be handling All of your problems for you. I do not need your help. So, have a nice day. I love you.


P.S. And, remember... If life happens to deliver a situation to you that you cannot handle, do Not attempt to resolve it yourself! Kindly put it in the SFGTD (something for God to do) box. I will get to it in MY TIME. All situations will be resolved, but in My time, not yours.


Once the matter is placed into the box, do not hold onto it by worrying about it. Instead, focus on all the wonderful things that are present in your life now.


If you find yourself stuck in traffic, don't despair. There are people in this world for whom driving is an unheard of privilege.


Should you have a bad day at work; think of the man who has been out of work for years.


Should you despair over a relationship gone bad; think of the person who has never known what it's like to love and be loved in return.


Should you grieve the passing of another weekend; think of the woman in dire straits, working twelve hours a day, seven days a week to feed her children.


Should your car break down, leaving you miles away from assistance; think of the paraplegic who would love the opportunity to take that walk.


Should you notice a new gray hair in the mirror; think of the cancer patient in chemo who wishes she had hair to examine.


Should you find yourself at a loss and pondering what is life all about, asking what is my purpose? Be thankful. There are those who didn't live long enough to get the opportunity.


Should you find yourself the victim of other people's bitterness, ignorance, smallness or insecurities; remember, things could be worse. You could be one of them!


Should you decide to send this to a friend; Thank you. You may have touched their life in ways you will never know!


Now, you have a nice day. God

Thought for the Day by Garden Angel

I received one of those question things last night and it really got me thinking. The one questions was what are you afraid of? The sender wrote "being alone". I thought about it and I sent the same reply. Then after I sent it I thought; is that really what I'm afraid of? For as a Christian I am never alone. God is always with me to talk to, to walk with, to cry with and to share all my pain with, He is always with me no matter what.


Then I thought, what am I afraid of? Death, no not really for I know I will be in heaven with my Lord and Savoir. Is it pain? no, to me pain lets me know that I'm alive, and I know there is no pain worse than what the Lord my God suffered for me on the cross.


I guess what I'm really afraid of is losing the ability to communicate with others.


When I first got sick with HE I lost the ability to speak clearly. I prayed so hard for God to give me back my speech. Of all the things that first terrible round of HE took it was the one thing I wanted back the most. It took a yr and a half to find a dr who was willing to try treating me.


After treatment the first thing that came back was my speech. I have praised God everyday since then. For if I can't tell you how my life has changed since I got this mysterious disease what purpose do I have. I need to tell you how God has guided me though the darkness into the wonder of His light. With out speech how can I tell you the wonder of it all. For I truly believe that when I got HE it was for a purpose. It was to bring His light to all my new FMily, to all who have lost all hope and are lost. I try to bring God's light to anyone lost in the darkness. For even if there is pain and suffering, hopelessness and despair there can still be hope.


2 Corinthians 4:8-9
We have troubles all around us, but we are not defeated. We do not know what to do, but we do not give up hope of living. We are persecuted, but God does not leave us. We are hurt sometimes, but we are not destroyed.


2 Corinthians 1:34
Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. God is the Father who is full of mercy and all comfort. He comforts us every time we have trouble, so when others have trouble, we can comfort them with the same comfort God gives us.


Thought for the day...Have you asked God what his purpose is for you? And have you really listened to His answer

The Frog

I was told a story about a lady in the hospital who was near death when an area Chaplain came to visit her. This Chaplain was a very young female with long blond hair. She listened to the lady who was ill and left her a small gift for comfort It was a tiny ceramic frog The next day one of the people from the lady's church came to visit. The lady told her friend about the beautiful young Chaplain who had come to visit her The friend was so impressed with the way the lady had improved and felt the need to talk to the young Chaplain. In her search to find the young gal, she was repeatedly reassured that the chaplains are never very young and that there was never a gal that fit the description given.Upon returning to the lady in the hospital, a visiting nurse entered the room and noticed the ceramic frog. The nurse made the comment 'I see you have a guardian angel with you.' As she held the little frog. We asked why she made the comment and we were informed that the frog stood for:(F) Forever ( R) Rely (O) On (G) God