The 365th Day . . .

~ . . . So the evening and the morning were the 364th day. Good Morning, Blogger, G+1, Twitter and FB!  As 2014 slowly takes her final bow, take time to thank God for the lives of those who are, and the memories of those who were . . . ==> "But as it is written: "Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, nor have entered into the heart of man the things which God has prepared for those who love Him." [1 Cor 2:9] [And as you RESPECT and LOVE one another as hard as you can, PLEASE play nice, PRAY for one another, and enjoy this last day of 2014.]

The 364th Day . . .

~ . . . So the evening and the morning were the 363rd day. Good Morning, Blogger, G+1, Twitter and FB!  As the curtains are finally being drawn on 2014, join me as I reflect again on all God HAS done, on all He IS doing, and on all He WILL do in our lives . . . ==> "Oh come, let us worship and bow down; Let us kneel before the LORD our Maker. For He is our God, and we are the people of His pasture, and the sheep of His hand . . ." [Psalm 95:6-7] [And as you RESPECT and LOVE one another as hard as you can, PLEASE play nice, PRAY for one another, and enjoy this 364th day of 2014.]

The 363rd Day . . .

~ . . . So the evening and the morning were the 362nd day. Good Morning, Blogger, G+1, Twitter and FB! On this 363rd day of 2014, might I again suggest that sometimes God has to allow our tears and pain in order to get our attention. But through it all, He weeps with us and for us, because He still loves us in every aspect of the word . . . ==> “. . . As I was with Moses, so I will be with you; I will never leave you nor forsake you." [Joshua 1:5b] [And as you RESPECT and LOVE one another as hard as you can, please play nice, pray for one another, and have a wonderful week.]

The 360th Day . . .

~ . . . So the evening and the morning were the 359th day. Merry Christmas, Blogger, G+1, Twitter and FB! On this 360th day of 2014, please know that I am at least one person in the world who sincerely prays that you are enjoying this Christmas Season. Just believe in the Joy of the Christ Who believes in you . . . [And as you RESPECT and LOVE one another as hard as you can, PLEASE play nice, pray for one another, and enjoy your weekend.]

The 358th Day . . .

~ . . . So the evening and the morning were the 357th day. Good Morning, Blogger, G+1, Twitter and FB! On this 358th day of 2014, please remember that YOU are God's "ulterior motive" for sending Jesus into the world. YOU are the "ulterior motive" for His birth, death, and resurrection . . . ==> "For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved." [John 3:17] [As you RESPECT and LOVE one another as hard as you can, please play nice, pray for one another, and have a great day.]

Yolanda Adams Carol of the bells/ What child is this Medley Lyrics on sc...

~ . . . So the evening and the morning were the 356th day. Good Morning, Blogger, G+1, Twitter and FB! On this 357th day of 2014, as we move closer to Christmas Day, I remember family and friends who are no longer with us. And I thank God that they were here,and that He came so that one day I could see them again . . . ==> "For the Lamb at the center of the throne will be their shepherd; He will lead them to springs of living water. And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes." [Revelation 7:17] [As you RESPECT and LOVE one another as hard as you can, please play nice, pray for one another, and enjoy a wonderful day.]

The 356th Day . . .

~ . . . So the evening and the morning were the 355th day. Good Morning, Blogger, G+1, Twitter and FB! On this 356th day of 2014, I'm reminded once again of the whispers, the crying, and the joy found in a stable long ago. And I bow my head and my heart . . . ==> "Where is He who has been born King of the Jews? For we have seen His star in the East and have come to worship Him." [Matthew 2:2] [And as you RESPECT and LOVE one another as hard as you can, PLEASE play nice, pray for one another, and enjoy this Christmas Season.]

The 355th Day . . .

~ . . . So the evening and the morning were the 354th day. Good Morning, Blogger, G+1, Twitter, and FB! On this 355th day of 2014, I STILL continue to worship Him, just as I would continue a conversation with a friend . . . ==> "Give to the LORD the glory due His name; Bring an offering, and come before Him. Oh, worship the LORD in the beauty of holiness!” [1 Chronicles 16:29] [And as you RESPECT and LOVE one another as hard as you can, PLEASE play nice, pray for one another, and enjoy a wonderful day.]

The 208th Day . . .

~ . . . So the evening and the morning were the 207th day. Good Morning, Blogger, G+1, Twitter, and FB! On this 208th day of 2014, might I suggest to you that if your life were for sale on eBay, someone somewhere would gladly buy it" . . . ==> "Be alert. Continue strong in the faith. Have courage, and be strong." [1 Corinthians 16:13] [And as you RESPECT and LOVE one another as hard as you can, PLEASE play nice and PRAY for one another just one more day.]

The 200th Day . . .

~ . . . So the evening and the morning were the 199th day. Good Morning, Blogger, G+1, Twitter, and FB! On this 200th day of 2014, might I remind you that being knocked to our knees is also within God's will? Or have we forgotten that as Christians, our battle position IS on our knees . . . ==> "So I ask you not to lose heart over what I am suffering for you, which is your glory. For this reason I bow my knees before the Father. . ." [Ephesians 3:13-14] [And as you RESPECT and LOVE one another as hard as you can, PLEASE play nice and PRAY for one another just one more week.]

July 19th

~ . . . Sometimes I have to remind myself . . .

The BEST things in my life

Are NOT things . . .

( . . . Sometimes I Have To Remind Myself . . .)

The 197th Day . . .

~ . . . So the evening and the morning were the 196th day. Good Morning, Blogger, G+1, Twitter, and FB! On this 197th day of 2014, know that it IS okay to feel beaten and broken sometimes. But do not add fear to those feelings. Know that God's love for you is always present. . . . ==> "There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves torment. But he who fears has not been made perfect in love." [1 John 4:18] [And as you RESPECT and LOVE one another as hard as you can, please play nice, pray for one another, and be at Peace.]

The 192nd Day . . .

~ . . . So the evening and the morning were the 191st day. Good Morning, Blogger, G+1, Twitter, and FB! On this 192nd day of 2014, I wonder if we will ever grow tired of "Remembering the Families Of..." and saying "Guns don't kill people..." Must it really hit closer to home first? ...==> "He who testifies to these things says, “Yes, I am coming soon.” Amen. Come, Lord Jesus." [Rev. 22.20] [And as you RESPECT and LOVE one another as hard as you can, PLEASE play nice, pray for one another, and be at Peace.] 

The 191st Day . . .

~ . . . So the evening and the morning were the 190th day. Good Morning, Blogger, G+1, Twitter, and FB! On this 191st day of 2014, as hard as it may seem at times, I challenge you again to keep a SMILE on your FAITH . . . ==> ". . . Do not be afraid. Stand still, and see the salvation of the Lord, which He will accomplish for you today." [Exodus 14:13a] [And as you RESPECT and LOVE one another as hard as you can, PLEASE play nice, pray for one another, and enjoy a wonderful day.]

The 188th Day . . .

~ . . . So the evening and the morning were the 187th day. Good Morning, Blogger, G+1, Twitter, and FB! On this 188th day of 2014, I feel the closer I get to God, the closer I want (and need) to be . . . ==> "But as for me, it is good to be near God . . ." [Psalm 73:28a]  [And as you RESPECT and LOVE one another as hard as you can, PLEASE play nice and PRAY for one another just one more week.]

The 185th Day . . .

~ . . . So the evening and the morning were the 184th day. Good Morning, Blogger, G+1, Twitter, and FB! On this 185th day of 2014, this is my desire . . . ==> "One thing I have desired of the LORD, that will I seek: That I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the LORD, and to inquire in His temple." [Psalm 27:4] [And as you RESPECT and LOVE one another as hard as you can, PLEASE play nice. Enjoy A Safe Independence Day, USA! Everyone else, please remember one another in prayer.]

The 181st Day . . .

~ . . . So the evening and the morning were the 180th day. Good Morning, Blogger, G+1, Twitter, and FB! On this 181st day of 2014, I want to remind you that healing doesn't mean going back to the way things were before, but allowing the way things are NOW to move us closer to God . . . ==> "Let me hear of your unfailing love each morning, for I am trusting you. Show me where to walk, for I give myself to you.” [Psalm 143:8] [And as you RESPECT and LOVE one another as hard as you can, PLEASE play nice and PRAY for one another just one more week.]

The 178th Day . . .

~ . . . So the evening and the morning were the 177th day. Good Morning, Blogger, G+1, Twitter, and FB! On this 178th day of 2014, I'm thankful for the promise that no matter what I go through in life, I never go through it alone. My Lord and my God is always by my side . . . ==> "Be strong and courageous. Don't be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; He will never leave you nor forsake you.” [Deuteronomy 31:6] [And as you RESPECT and LOVE one another as hard as you can, PLEASE play nice and PRAY for one another just one more weekend.]

The 176th Day . . .

~ . . . So the evening and the morning were the 175th day. Good Morning, Blogger, G+1, Twitter, and FB! On this 176th day of 2014, might I suggest that before you can hold on to God, you've got to be close to God . . . ==> "But as for me, it is good to be near God. I have made the Sovereign Lord my refuge; I will tell of all your deeds." [Psalm 73:28] [And as you RESPECT and LOVE one another as hard as you can, PLEASE play nice and PRAY for one another just one more day.]

Please keep our CrossFlame Youth Choir in your prayers.

The 175th Day . . .

~ . . . So the evening and the morning were the 174th day. Good Morning, Blogger, G+1, Twitter, and FB! On this 175th day of 2014, could it be that maybe our cups just need to be refilled? ...==> "...but be filled with the Spirit, speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord..." [Ephesians 5:18b-19] [And as you RESPECT and LOVE one another as hard as you can, PLEASE play nice, PRAY for one another, and enjoy a great day.]

Please keep our CrossFlame Youth Choir in your prayers.

The 174th Day . . .

~ . . . So the evening and the morning were the 173rd day. Good Morning, Blogger, G+1, Twitter, and FB! On this 174th day of 2014, please remember that God's love and compassion is unconditional and unlimited.  And they come in only one size: Big Enough  . . . ==> "Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful." [Hebrews 10:23] [And as you RESPECT and LOVE one another as hard as you can, PLEASE play nice, PRAY for one another, and enjoy a great week.]

Please keep our CrossFlame Youth Choir in your prayers.

June 21, 2014

~ . . . So the 21st of June 2013 to the 21st of June 2014 was my 52nd year. Good Morning, Blogger, G+1, Twitter, and FB! This morning, as I celebrate 18,992 days of life, I ask that you pray for me, as I pray for you . . . ==> "Likewise the Spirit also helps in our weaknesses. For we do not know what we should pray for as we ought, but the Spirit Himself makes intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered." [Romans 8:26] [As you RESPECT and LOVE one another as hard as you can, please play nice, pray for one another, and enjoy your weekend.]

The 170th Day . . .

~ . . . So the evening and the morning were the 169th day. Good Morning, Blogger, G+1, Twitter, and FB! On this 170th day of 2014, I COULD accept the heartaches and pain that life is serving me.  But instead, I choose to worship . . . ==> "Give unto the Lord the glory due to His name; Worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness." [Psalm 29:2] [And as you RESPECT and LOVE one another as hard as you can, PLEASE play nice, PRAY for one another, and have a great day.]

Please keep our CrossFlame Youth Choir in your prayers.

The 168th Day . . .

~ . . . So the evening and the morning were the 167th day. Good Morning, Blogger, G+1, Twitter, and FB! On this 168th day of 2014, God proves my faith in Him to be a sure thing, even when life is not so good! Come worship Him with me. And bring your "Yet Praise" . . . ==> "Why, my soul, are you downcast? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God." [Psalm 42:5] [And as you RESPECT and LOVE one another as hard as you can, PLEASE play nice, PRAY for one another, and have a great day.]

The 167th Day . . .

~ . . . So the evening and the morning were the 166th day. Good Morning, Blogger, G+1, Twitter, and FB! On this 167th day of 2014, might I remind you that no road is a dead end if it takes you somewhere you may need to go . . . ==> "But He knows the way that I take; When He has tested me, I shall come forth as gold." [Job 23:10]  [And as you RESPECT and LOVE one another as hard as you can, PLEASE play nice, PRAY for one another, and have a great week.]

Father's Day Weekend . . .

~ . . . I'm Just Saying . . .
At what age are you too old to be an Oreo-Kid?
Never mind.  I'm never growing up!
[ . . . I'm Just Saying . . .]

[Thank you, Oreo, for over 100 years of loving us! We love you back!]

The 164th Day . . .

~ . . . So the evening and the morning were the 163rd day. Good Morning, Blogger, G+1, Twitter, and FB! On this 164th day of 2014, knowing myself pretty well, I know that it truly IS amazing that God would consider me His friend. How about you? . . . ==> "When I consider Your heavens, the work of Your fingers, the moon and the stars, which You have ordained, what is man that You are mindful of him, and the son of man that You visit him?" [Psalm 8:3-4] [And as you RESPECT and LOVE one another as hard as you can, PLEASE play nice, PRAY for one another, and have a great Father's Day weekend.]

The 162nd Day . . .

~ . . . So the evening and the morning were the 161st day. Good Morning, Blogger, G+1, Twitter, and FB! On this 162nd day of 2014, I gotta remind you again that our Savior is always just as close as the mention of His Name . . . ==> "The Lord is near to all who call upon Him, to all who call upon Him in truth." [Psalm 145:18] [And as you RESPECT and LOVE one another as hard as you can, PLEASE play nice, PRAY for one another, and have a great day!]

The 161st Day . . .

~ . . . So the evening and the morning were the 160th day. Good Morning, Blogger, G+1, Twitter, and FB! On this 161st day of 2014, I offer another message to the hurting and concerned. Believe in your heart that you're stronger than you think . . . ==> "The LORD is my light and my salvation; Whom shall I fear? The LORD is the strength of my life; Of whom shall I be afraid?" [Psalm 27:1] [And as you RESPECT and LOVE one another as hard as you can, PLEASE play nice, PRAY for one another, and have a great day!]

The 160th Day . . .

~ . . . So the evening and the morning were the 159th day. Good Morning, Blogger, G+1, Twitter, and FB! On this 160th day of 2014, my faith is strengthened by what I see Him doing in the lives of others . . . ==> “I will lift up my eyes to the hills— From whence comes my help? My help comes from the Lord, Who made heaven and earth.” [Psalm 121:1-2] [And as you RESPECT and LOVE one another as hard as you can, PLEASE play nice, PRAY for one another, and enjoy your week!]

The 157th Day . . .

~ . . . So the evening and the morning were the 156th day. Good Morning, Blogger, G+1, Twitter, and FB! On this 157th day of 2014, though you (we) may still hurt spiritually and emotionally, you (we) have to believe that God CAN work it out for us. He still deserves our Praise and Worship . . . ==> “But you, Lord, do not be far from me. You are my strength; come quickly to help me.” [Psalm 22:19] [And as you RESPECT and LOVE one another as hard as you can, PLEASE play nice, pray for one another, and enjoy your weekend.] 

The 156th Day . . .

~ . . . So the evening and the morning were the 155th day. Good Morning, Blogger, G+1, Twitter, and FB! On this 156th day of 2014, I just wanna remind you that God's love for you is free. All you have to do is accept it . . . ==> "Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners; and purify your hearts, you double-minded." [James 4:8] [And as you RESPECT and LOVE one another as hard as you can, PLEASE play nice, PRAY for one another, and enjoy your day.]

The 155th Day . . .

~ . . . So the evening and the morning were the 154th day. Good Morning, Blogger, G+1, Twitter, and FB! On this 155th day of 2014, I'm reminded that one of the hardest things to do is to wait on the Lord. But might I suggest to you that the wisest thing to do is to wait on the Lord . . . ==> "Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen." [Hebrews 11:1] [And as you RESPECT and LOVE one another as hard as you can, PLEASE play nice, PRAY for one another, and enjoy your day.]

The 154th Day . . .

~ . . . So the evening and the morning were the 153rd day. Good Morning, Blogger, G+1, Twitter, and FB! Forgive me on this 154th day of 2014, please know that God paid much too high a price for you to just turn His back and leave you where you are. He's All About You . . . ==> "For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life." [John 3:16] [And as you RESPECT and LOVE one another as hard as you can, PLEASE play nice, PRAY for one another, and enjoy your day.]

The 153rd Day . . .

~ . . . So the evening and the morning were the 152nd day. Good Morning, Blogger, G+1, Twitter, and FB! Forgive me on this 153rd day of 2014, I remind you that even for ME, life is not always good. BUT!! God is ALWAYS God. That alone makes my day. EVERYday . . . ==> "Know therefore that the LORD your God IS God; He is the faithful God, keeping His covenant of love to a thousand generations . . ." [Deuteronomy 7:9]  [And as you RESPECT and LOVE one another as hard as you can, PLEASE play nice, PRAY for one another, and enjoy your week.]

The 150th Day . . .

~ . . . So the evening and the morning were the 149th day. Good Morning, Blogger, G+1, Twitter, and FB! Forgive me on this 150th day of 2014, as I reflect again on all He HAS done, on all He IS doing, and on all He WILL do in my life . . . ==> "Oh come, let us worship and bow down; Let us kneel before the LORD our Maker. For He is our God, and we are the people of His pasture, and the sheep of His hand . . ." [Psalm 95:6-7] [And as you RESPECT and LOVE one another as hard as you can, PLEASE play nice, PRAY for one another, and enjoy your weekend.]

The 149th Day . . .

~ . . . So the evening and the morning were the 148th day. Good Morning, Blogger, G+1, Twitter, and FB!  On this 149th day of 2014, I challenge you to take a moment and just praise Him like you have just totally lost your mind! . . . ==> "Be glad in the Lord and rejoice, you righteous; And shout for joy, all you upright in heart!" [Psalm 32:11] [And as you RESPECT and LOVE one another as hard as you can, PLEASE play nice, PRAY for one another, and enjoy a great day.]

The 148th Day . . .

~ . . . So the evening and the morning were the 147th day. Good Morning, Blogger, G+1, Twitter, and FB! I challenge you to take this 148th day of 2014 to count the many ways that God loves you. In fact, I dare you to even try . . . ==> "The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; His mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness." [Lam. 3:22-23] [And as you RESPECT and LOVE one another as hard as you can, PLEASE play nice, PRAY for one another, and enjoy a great day.]

The 147th Day . . .

~ . . . So the evening and the morning were the 146th day. Good Morning, Blogger, G+1, Twitter, and FB! On this 147th day of 2014, I challenge you to focus on the unconditional love of God that carries you through every moment of every day . . . ==> "This is real love—not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as a sacrifice to take away our sins." [1 John 4:10] [And as you RESPECT and LOVE one another as hard as you can, PLEASE play nice, PRAY for one another, and enjoy a great day.]

The 143rd Day . . .

~ . . . So the evening and the morning were the 142nd day. Good Morning, Blogger, G+1, Twitter, and FB! On this 143rd day of 2014, please remember that you may be the only Jesus someone will see today. Represent Him well . . . ==> "I have become all things to all men, that I might by all means save some. Everything I do, I do to get the Good News to men. I want to have a part in this work." [1 Cor. 9:22-23]  [And as you RESPECT and LOVE one another as hard as you can, PLEASE play nice, PRAY for one another, and enjoy a great weekend.]

The 142nd Day . . .

~ . . . So the evening and the morning were the 141st day. Good Afternoon, Blogger, G+1, Twitter, and FB! On this 142nd day of 2014, know that it IS okay to feel beaten and broken sometimes. But do not add fear to those feelings. Know that God's love for you is always present. . . . ==> "There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves torment. But he who fears has not been made perfect in love." [1 John 4:18] [And as you RESPECT and LOVE one another as hard as you can, PLEASE play nice, PRAY for one another, and have a great day.]

The 141st Day . . .

~ . . . So the evening and the morning were the 140th day. Good Afternoon, Blogger, G+1, Twitter, and FB! On this 141st day of 2014, here's just a reminder that when you're doing all you can to hold on to God, you're not really holding on to HIM.  HE is holding on to YOU . . .==> "That’s right. Because I, your God, have a firm grip on you and I’m not letting go. I’m telling you, ‘Don’t panic. I’m right here to help you." [Isaiah 41:13 (MSG)] [And as you RESPECT and LOVE one another as hard as you can, PLEASE play nice, PRAY for one another, and have a great day.]

The 139th Day . . .

~ . . . So the evening and the morning were the 138th day. Good Morning, Blogger, G+1, Twitter, and FB! On this 139th day of 2014, might I suggest to you that even in times of trouble- ESPECIALLY in times of trouble- God deserves our praise . . . ==> “Why are you downcast, O my soul? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise Him, my Savior and my God." [Psalm 42:11][And as you RESPECT and LOVE one another as hard as you can, PLEASE play nice, PRAY for one another, and have a great week.]

The 136th Day . . .

~ . . . So the evening and the morning were the 135th day. Good Morning, Blogger, G+1, Twitter, and FB! On this 136th day of 2014, as hard as it may seem at times, I challenge you again to keep a SMILE on your FAITH . . . ==> "Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen." [Hebrews 11:1] [And as you RESPECT and LOVE one another as hard as you can, PLEASE play nice, PRAY for one another, and have a great weekend.]

The 135th Day . . .

~ . . . So the evening and the morning were the 134th day. Good Morning, Blogger, G+1, Twitter, and FB! On this 135th day of 2014, seems I need to state once more that just because you have a bad day doesn't mean you have a bad life. If you're reading this today, you are blessed . . . ==> “Give all your worries and cares to God, for He cares about you." [1 Peter 5:7] [And as you RESPECT and LOVE one another as hard as you can, PLEASE play nice, PRAY for one another, and have a great day.]

The 133rd Day . . .

~ . . . So the evening and the morning were the 132nd day. Good Morning, Blogger, G+1, Twitter, and FB! On this 133rd day of 2014, God has given you a new day. Welcome! It's your time for renewal. Your chance to start over . . . ==> "This was the Lord’s doing; It is marvelous in our eyes. This is the day the Lord has made; We will rejoice and be glad in it." [John 4:13-14] [And as you RESPECT and LOVE one another as hard as you can, PLEASE play nice, PRAY for one another, and enjoy your day.]

The 132nd Day . . .

~ . . . So the evening and the morning were the 131st day. Good Morning, Blogger, G+1, Twitter, and FB! On this 132nd day of 2014, no matter what you're going through, no matter how bad it may seem, I implore you to simply listen . . . ==> "Be still, and know that I am God . . ." [Psalm 46:10a]  [And as you RESPECT and LOVE one another as hard as you can, PLEASE play nice, PRAY for one another, and enjoy your week.]

The 129th Day . . .

~ . . . So the evening and the morning were the 128th day. Good Morning, Blogger, G+1, Twitter, and FB! On this 129th day of 2014, as I think about His unfailing love for me, I grow weak and fall to my knees in worship . . . ==> "For the Lord is good and His love endures forever; His faithfulness continues through all generations." [Psalm 100:5] [And as you RESPECT and LOVE one another as hard as you can, PLEASE play nice, PRAY for one another, and CALL YOUR MOM THIS WEEKEND!!!]

The 128th Day . . .

~ . . . So the evening and the morning were the 127th day. Good Morning, Blogger, G+1, Twitter, and FB! On this 128th day of 2014, I remind you to NEVER be ashamed or afraid of asking God for what He is exceedingly and abundantly able and willing to give you . . . ==> "Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours." [Mark 11:24]  [...And as you RESPECT and LOVE one another as hard as you can, PLEASE play nice, PRAY for one another, and enjoy your day!]

The 126th Day . . .

~ . . . So the evening and the morning were the 125th day. Good Morning, Blogger, G+1, Twitter, and FB! On this 126th day of 2014, I will continue in my worshiping Him, just as I would continue a conversation with a friend . . . ==> "Give to the LORD the glory due His name; Bring an offering, and come before Him. Oh, worship the LORD in the beauty of holiness!” [1 Chronicles 16:29] [. . . And as you RESPECT and LOVE one another as hard as you can, PLEASE play nice, PRAY for one another, and enjoy your day!]

The 125th Day . . .

~ . . . So the evening and the morning were the 124th day. Good Morning, Blogger, G+1, Twitter, and FB! On this 125th day of 2014, I can stand and face today and every other Monday, because I know that God is already there . . . ==> "Can anyone hide himself in secret places, So I shall not see him?” says the Lord; “Do I not fill heaven and earth?” says the Lord." [Jeremiah 23:24] [. . . And as you RESPECT and LOVE one another as hard as you can, PLEASE play nice, PRAY for one another, and enjoy your week!]

The 122nd Day . . .

~ . . . So the evening and the morning were the 121st day. Good Morning, Blogger, G+1, Twitter, and FB! On this 122nd day of 2014, I find myself needing Him on purpose. Especially on "todays like today" . . . ==> "One thing I have desired of the Lord, that will I seek: That I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the Lord, and to inquire in His temple." [Psalm 27:4] [. . . And as you RESPECT and LOVE one another as hard as you can, PLEASE play nice, PRAY for one another, and enjoy your day!]

The 121st Day . . .

~ . . . So the evening and the morning were the 120th day. Good Morning, Blogger, G+1, Twitter, and FB! On this 121st day of 2014, I would rather stand still in God's shadow than to run forward in man's light. He's just that good! . . . ==> "The Lord has done this, and it is marvelous in our eyes. The Lord has done it this very day; let us rejoice today and be glad." [Psalm 118:23-24] [And as you RESPECT and LOVE one another as hard as you can, PLEASE play nice, PRAY for one another, and enjoy your day!]

The 120th Day . . .

~ . . . So the evening and the morning were the 119th day. Good Morning, Blogger, G+1, Twitter, and FB! On this 120th day of 2014, I encourage you to keep on praying. You may not get what you ask for, but be thankful that God's answers are wiser than your prayers . . . ==> "Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good; Blessed is the man who trusts in Him!" [Psalm 34:8] [And as you RESPECT and LOVE one another as hard as you can, PLEASE play nice, PRAY for one another, and enjoy your day!]

The 115th Day . . .

~ . . . So the evening and the morning were the 114th day. Good Morning, Blogger, G+1, Twitter, and FB! On this 115th day of 2014, once again I want to wish all of you a wonderful day, filled with everything that increases your joy, sets your heart and mind on Christ Jesus and keeps you Feeling Good . . . ==> "Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I will say, rejoice!" [Philippians 4:4] [And as you RESPECT and LOVE one another as hard as you can, PLEASE play nice, PRAY for one another, and enjoy your weekend!]

The 114th Day . . .

~ . . . So the evening and the morning were the 113th day. Good Morning, Blogger, G+1, Twitter, and FB! On this 114th day of 2014, I'm reminded that worrying doesn't take away tomorrow's pain. It only takes away today's joy. Pray. He still moves stones . . . ==> "You will keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on You, because he trusts in You." [Isaiah 26:3] [And as you RESPECT and LOVE one another as hard as you can, PLEASE play nice, PRAY for one another, and enjoy your day!]

The 113th Day . . .

~ . . . So the evening and the morning were the 112th day. Good Morning, Blogger, G+1, Twitter, and FB! On this 113th day of 2014, might I suggest that God is willing and able to rewrite all the pages of your life that you surrender to Him . . . ==> "See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland." [Isaiah 43:19] [And as you RESPECT and LOVE one another as hard as you can, PLEASE play nice, PRAY for one another, and enjoy your day!]

The 111th Day . . .

~ . . . So the evening and the morning were the 110th day. Good Morning, Blogger, G+1, Twitter, and FB! On this 111th day of 2014, I'm reminded that we do not pray without ceasing so that God can hear us, but so that we can hear God . . . ==> "Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you." [1 Thessalonians 5:16-18] [And as you RESPECT and LOVE one another as hard as you can, PLEASE play nice, PRAY for one another, and enjoy a wonderful week!]

The 108th Day . . .

~ . . . So the evening and the morning were the 107th day. Good Morning, Blogger, G+1, Twitter, and FB! On this 108th day of 2014, might I remind you that God will never UN-love you? He paid too high a price FOR you to ever turn His back ON you . . . ==> "But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us." [Romans 5:8] [And as you RESPECT and LOVE one another as hard as you can, PLEASE play nice, pray for one another, and enjoy a glorious weekend!]

The 106th Day . . .

~ . . . So the evening and the morning were the 105th day. Good Morning, Blogger, G+1, Twitter, and FB! On this 106th day of 2014, I'm reminded again that He still moves stones, and He still answers prayers. ALL of them. Just wait . . . ==> "Before they call I will answer; while they are still speaking I will hear." [Isaiah 65:24] [And as you RESPECT and LOVE one another as hard as you can, PLEASE play nice, pray for one another, and enjoy your day.]

The 105th Day . . .

~ . . . So the evening and the morning were the 104th day. Good Morning, Blogger, G+1, Twitter, and FB! On this 105th day of 2014, I'm reminded that the fact that God loves me not BECAUSE of who I am, but IN SPITE of who I am, sets me free to love unconditionally . . . ==> "He who does not love does not know God, for God is love." [1 John 4:8] [And as you RESPECT and LOVE one another as hard as you can, PLEASE play nice, pray for one another, and enjoy your day.]

The 101st Day . . .

~ . . . So the evening and the morning were the 100th day. Good Morning, Blogger, G+1, Twitter, and FB! On this 101st day of 2014, though we still hurt spiritually and emotionally, we have to believe that God CAN work it out for us. He still deserves our Praise and Worship . . . ==> “But you, Lord, do not be far from me. You are my strength; come quickly to help me.” [Psalm 22:19] [And as you RESPECT and LOVE one another as hard as you can, PLEASE play nice, pray for one another, and enjoy your weekend.]

The 98th Day . . .

~ . . . So the evening and the morning were the 97th day. Good Morning, Blogger, G+1, Twitter, and FB! On this 98th day of 2014, might I remind you that you'll never have to be afraid of what tomorrow holds, as long as you know Who holds tomorrow . . . ==> "At day's end I'm ready for sound sleep. For you, God, have put my life back together." [Psalm 4:8 (The Message)] [And as you RESPECT and LOVE one another as hard as you can, please play nice, pray for one another, and have a great day.]

The 97th Day . . .

~ . . . So the evening and the morning were the 96th day. Good Morning, Blogger, G+1, Twitter, and FB! On this 97th day of 2014, I find it hard to breathe each day without telling you what's waiting for you tomorrow . . . ==> "I have told you these things so My joy may be in you and your joy may be full.” [John 15:11] [And as you RESPECT and LOVE one another as hard as you can, please play nice, pray for one another, and have a great week.]

The 94th Day . . .

~ . . . So the evening and the morning were the 93rd day. Good Morning, Blogger, G+1, Twitter, and FB! On this 94th day of 2014, I remind you that God is still in the "Stone-Rolled-Away" business. And He'll do whatever it takes to get His love wherever you are . . . ==> “For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord." [Romans 8:38-39]  [And as you RESPECT and LOVE one another as hard as you can, please play nice, pray for one another, and have a great weekend.]

The 93rd Day . . .

~ . . . So the evening and the morning were the 92nd day. Good Morning, Blogger, G+1, Twitter, and FB! On this 93rd day of 2014, might I remind you that the first step isn't really a BIG step. And every NEXT step is JUST a step. . . ==> "(Jesus) replied, “...Truly I tell you, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you.” [Matthew 17:20] [And as you RESPECT and LOVE one another as hard as you can, please play nice, pray for one another, and enjoy your day.]

The 92nd Day . . .

~ . . . So the evening and the morning were the 91st day. Good Morning, Blogger, G+1, Twitter, and FB! On this 92nd day of 2014, I remind you to NEVER be ashamed or afraid of asking God for what He is exceedingly and abundantly able and willing to give you . . . ==> "Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours." [Mark 11:24] [And as you RESPECT and LOVE one another as hard as you can, please play nice, pray for one another, and enjoy your day.]

The 91st Day . . .

~ . . . So the evening and the morning were the 90th day. Good Morning, Blogger, G+1, Twitter, and FB! On this 91st day of 2014, I need to remind someone that when we can't find the words to pray, find comfort in knowing that He knows our hearts . . . ==>  ". . . We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit Himself intercedes for us with groans that words cannot express." [Romans 8:26]  [And as you RESPECT and LOVE one another as hard as you can, please play nice, pray for one another, and enjoy your day.]

The 90th Day . . .

~ . . . So the evening and the morning were the 89th day. Good Morning, Blogger, G+1, Twitter, and FB! On this 90th day of 2014, I challenge you to trust God, knowing that His answers are wiser than your prayers . . . ==> "But as for me, I trust in You, O Lord; I say, 'You are my God.'" [Psalm 31:14] [And as you RESPECT and LOVE one another as hard as you can, please play nice, pray for one another, and enjoy your week.]

The 88th Day . . .

~ . . . So I was thinking . . .

Being reunited with old friends
Is a subtle reminder of how much God loves us,
Caring even about our lost toys and forgotten dreams.
(. . . So I was thinking . . .)

The 87th Day . . .

~ . . . So the evening and the morning were the 86th day. Good Morning, Blogger, G+1, Twitter, and FB! On this 87th day of 2014, I want to remind you again that God loves each and every one of us, as if there were only one of us . . . ==> "For God so loved (your name here) that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life." [John 3:16] [And as you RESPECT and LOVE one another as hard as you can, please play nice, pray for one another, and enjoy your weekend.]

The 86th Day . . .

~ . . . So the evening and the morning were the 85th day. Good Morning, Blogger, G+1, Twitter, and FB! On this 86th day of 2014, knowing that I need it, I'm so glad that He has it. And He offers it freely. Grace . . . ==> "Through the Lord’s mercies we are not consumed, because His compassions fail not. They are new every morning; Great is Your faithfulness." [Lamentations 3:22-23] [And as you RESPECT and LOVE one another as hard as you can, please play nice, remember me in prayer, and enjoy your day.]

The 85th Day . . .

~ . . . So the evening and the morning were the 84th day. Good Morning, Blogger, G+1, Twitter, and FB! On this 85th day of 2014, if I belong to God, His love for me is enough to keep me loving my neighbor as myself . . . ==> "So now I am giving you a new commandment: Love each other. Just as I have loved you, you should love each other." [John 13:34] [And as you RESPECT and LOVE one another as hard as you can, please play nice, remember me in prayer, and enjoy your day.]

The 84th Day . . .

~ . . . So the evening and the morning were the 83rd day. Good Morning, Blogger, G+1, Twitter, and FB! On this 84th day of 2014, might I remind you that sometimes God has to allow our tears and pain in order to get our attention. Listen, learn, and let Him write His story on your heart . . . ==> “Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth!" [Psalm 46:10] [And as you RESPECT and LOVE one another as hard as you can, please play nice, remember me in prayer, and enjoy your day.]

The 83rd Day . . .

~ . . . So the evening and the morning were the 82nd day. Good Morning, Blogger, G+1, Twitter, and FB! On this 83rd day of 2014, I challenge you again to focus on the unconditional love of God that carries you through every moment of every day . . . ==> "This is real love—not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as a sacrifice to take away our sins." [1 John 4:10] [And as you RESPECT and LOVE one another as hard as you can, please play nice, remember me in prayer, and enjoy your week.]

The 79th Day . . .

~ . . . So the evening and the morning were the 78th day. Good Morning, Blogger, G+1, Twitter, and FB! On this 79th day of 2014, no matter how far you've walked down the path, when you find that it's the wrong path, turn around . . . ==> "Repent therefore and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, so that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord..." [Acts 3:19] [And as you RESPECT and LOVE one another as hard as you can, please play nice, remember me in prayer, and enjoy your day.]

The 78th Day . . .

~ . . . So the evening and the morning were the 77th day. Good Morning, Blogger, G+1, Twitter, and FB! On this 78th day of 2014, we NEED to believe in hope. After all, doesn't hope represent our faith reaching out of our darkness? . . . ==> "Be strong and take heart, all you who hope in the Lord." [Psalm 31:24] [And as you RESPECT and LOVE one another as hard as you can, please play nice, remember me in prayer, and enjoy a wonderful day.]

The 76th Day . . .

~ . . . So the evening and the morning were the 75th day. Good Morning, Blogger, G+1, Twitter, and FB! On this 76th day of 2014, might I suggest that our love for God can only be as strong as our love for the person we like the least . . . ==> ". . . I have become all things to all people so that by all possible means I might save some." [1 Corinthians 9:22] [And as you RESPECT and LOVE one another as hard as you can, please play nice, remember me in prayer, and enjoy your week.]

The 73rd Day . . .

~ . . . So the evening and the morning were the 72nd day. Good Morning, Blogger, G+1, Twitter, and FB! On this 73rd day of 2014, it's gonna be hard. But don't surrender to what you're going through. It's only temporary. God has an "After This" after that! . . . ==> "[You] are hard-pressed on every side, yet not crushed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed—" [2 Cor. 4:8-9] [And as you RESPECT and LOVE one another as hard as you can, please play nice, remember me in prayer, and enjoy your weekend.]

The 72nd Day . . .

~ . . . So the evening and the morning were the 71st day. Good Morning, Blogger, G+1, Twitter, and FB! On this 72nd day of 2014, begin your prayers like an ongoing conversation you've been having for years with a close Friend . . . ==> "No longer do I call you servants . . .; but I have called you friends, for all things that I heard from My Father I have made known to you." [John 15:15] [And as you RESPECT and LOVE one another as hard as you can, please play nice, remember me in prayer, and enjoy your day.]

The 71st Day . . .

~ . . . So the evening and the morning were the 70th day. Good Morning, Blogger, G+1, Twitter, and FB! On this 71st day of 2014, as I face another day, I'm reminded that God still calms the storms. But sometimes He calms His child . . . ==> "He makes me to lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside the still waters. He restores my soul . . ." [Psalm 23:2-3a] [And as you RESPECT and LOVE one another as hard as you can, please play nice, remember me in prayer, and enjoy your day.]

The 70th Day . . .

~ . . . So the evening and the morning were the 69th day. Good Morning, Blogger, G+1, Twitter, and FB! On this 70th day of 2014, I find myself needing Him on purpose. Especially on days like Everyday . . . ==> "And those who know Your name will put their trust in You; For You, Lord, have not forsaken those who seek You." [Psalm 9:10] [And as you RESPECT and LOVE one another as hard as you can, please play nice, remember me in prayer, and enjoy your day.]

In Case You Didn't Know

~ . . . In Case You Didn't Know . . .

Falling down is not a setback,

But a forward movement into a position of

Remembering where our strength lies.

( . . . In Case You Didn't Know . . . )

The 66th Day . . .

~ . . . So the evening and the morning were the 65th day. Good Morning, Blogger, G+1, Twitter, and FB! On this 66th day of 2014, might I suggest that falling down is not a setback, but a forward movement into a position of remembering where our strength lies . . . ==> “My flesh and my heart fail; But God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever." [Psalm 73:26] [And as you RESPECT and LOVE one another as hard as you can, please play nice, remember me in prayer, and enjoy your weekend.]

The 65th Day . . .

~ . . . So the evening and the morning were the 64th day. Good Morning, Blogger, G+1, Twitter, and FB! On this 65th day of 2014, I'm reminded that sometimes God has to allow our tears and pain in order to get our attention. In the meantime, we must be patient and believe that He IS working it out . . . ==> “Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth!" [Psalm 46:10] [And as you RESPECT and LOVE one another as hard as you can, please play nice, remember me in prayer, and enjoy your day.]

The 64th Day . . .

~ . . . So the evening and the morning were the 63rd day.  Good Morning, Blogger, G+1, Twitter, and FB!  On this 64th day of 2014, I'm being reminded daily that no matter what I'm going through, hard as it is to believe, I am not alone . . . ==> "... Don't be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; He will never leave you nor forsake you.” [Deut. 31:6] [And as you RESPECT and LOVE one another as hard as you can, please play nice, remember me in prayer, and enjoy your day.]

The 63rd Day . . .

~ . . . So the evening and the morning were the 62nd day. Good Morning, Blogger, G+1, Twitter, and FB! On this 63rd day of 2014, when I can't find the words to pray, I find comfort in knowing that He knows my heart . . . ==> ". . . We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit Himself intercedes for us with groans that words cannot express." [Romans 8:26] [And as you RESPECT and LOVE one another as hard as you can, please play nice, remember me in prayer, and enjoy your day.]

The 62nd Day . . .

~ . . . So the evening and the morning were the 61st day. Good Morning, Blogger, G+1, Twitter, and FB! On this 62nd day of 2014, I'm thankful for the reminder that no matter what I go through in life, I can never go through it alone. The Lord is always by my side . . . ==> "I will lift up my eyes to the hills— From whence comes my help? My help comes from the Lord, Who made heaven and earth." [Psalm 121:1-2] [And as you RESPECT and LOVE one another as hard as you can, please play nice, remember me in prayer, and enjoy your week.]

The 56th Day . . .

~ . . . So the evening and the morning were the 55th day. Good Morning, Blogger, G+1, Twitter, and FB! On this 56th day of 2014, I'm reminded that God's blessings are sometimes found in the rainbow, and sometimes in the rain . . . ==> "Why are you downcast, O my soul? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise Him, my Savior and my God." [Psalm 42:5-6a] [And as you RESPECT and LOVE one another as hard as you can, please play nice, remember me in prayer, and enjoy your day.]

The 55th Day . . .

~ . . . So the evening and the morning were the 54th day. Good Morning, Blogger, G+1, Twitter, and FB! On this 55th day of 2014, I'm reminded that we would see the sun is always shining if we would only dare to rise above the clouds . . . ==> "Do not gloat over me, my enemy! Though I have fallen, I will rise. Though I sit in darkness, the Lord will be my light." [Micah 7:8] [And as you RESPECT and LOVE one another as hard as you can, please play nice, remember me in prayer, and enjoy your day.]

The 52nd Day . . .

~ . . . So the evening and the morning were the 51st day. Good Morning, Blogger, G+1, Twitter, and FB! On this 52nd day of 2014, I'm reminded that true faith involves walking in the footsteps of the One Who walked on water, knowing that He's there to rescue me . . . ==> "When you pass through the waters, I will be with you. When you pass through the rivers, they will not flow over you . . ." [Isaiah 43:2a] [And as you RESPECT and LOVE one another as hard as you can, please play nice, remember Ernestine Battle in prayer, and enjoy your weekend.]

The 51st Day . . .

~ . . . So the evening and the morning were the 50th day. Good Morning, Blogger, G+1, Twitter, and FB! On this 51st day of 2014, knowing who you really are, aren't you glad that God's love for you does not depend on you? . . . ==> "The Lord has appeared of old to me, saying: “Yes, I have loved you with an everlasting love; Therefore with lovingkindness I have drawn you." [Jer. 31:3] [And as you RESPECT and LOVE one another as hard as you can, please play nice, remember me in prayer, and enjoy a great day.]

~ . . . In the midst of an ongoing personal struggle, allow me this feeble attempt to maybe encourage you, while trying again to encourage myself . . .

"Trusted With Trouble"

Once upon a time, there was you.  And you lived where you did, with the people you were with, and you lived how you lived.  And one day something happened that changed your life: you had an encounter with Jesus!  You struggled at first, not sure how to live from that day on.  But soon everything just seemed to fall into place.  And everywhere you walked the sun seemed to always shine, it seemed there was always a gentle breeze blowing, birds seemed to always be singing in the trees, and all seemed right with the world.  And you lived happily ever-after . . .  Yeah!  As if!

Wouldn’t it be nice if our walk with the Lord made it seem like everywhere we went the sun would always shine, a gentle breeze would always blow, birds would always sing, all would be right with the world, and we would live happily ever-after?  Wouldn’t it just be wonderful if our walk with the Lord created around us a “once-upon-a-time” kinda thing?  Yeah.  But in reality life happens.  Even as we strive to walk with the Lord, life happens.  And sometimes it seems more than we can bear.  In fact, sometimes we can even get to the point where we feel that God has deserted us.  “Oh, no!  Not me!  I’ve NEVER felt that way!”   Sure some may deny it.  But if we can get past the persona that we display for others, if we can put aside that holier than the word “thou” attitude, we’ll recognize that we have indeed felt that way.  And probably more often than we care to admit . . .   God knows I have.  So what does it profit me to say I have not?  Having that feeling is not a permanent denial of His existence, but a temporary doubting of His power.  And it’s not a decision to run out on God, but a feeling that you’ve run out of  God . . .

What do you do when you feel you’ve run out of  God?  Have you ever felt that the problem was too great?  Have you ever felt like God said you’re on your own with this one?  Have you ever felt like the situation was your doing, and He shouldn’t even be asked to help anyway?  Have you ever felt that maybe you cried out to Him once too often?  Have you ever felt so very far away from His presence?  What do you do when you feel you’ve run out of God?

Come with me to the 23rd chapter of Job.

1 Then Job replied:

2 “Even today my complaint is bitter; 

   His hand is heavy in spite of my groaning. 

3 If only I knew where to find Him; 

   if only I could go to His dwelling! 

4 I would state my case before Him 

   and fill my mouth with arguments. 

5 I would find out what He would answer me, 

   and consider what He would say to me. 

6 Would He vigorously oppose me? 

   No, He would not press charges against me. 

7 There the upright can establish their innocence before Him, 

   and there I would be delivered forever from my judge.

After I gave my life to the Lord and during my years as a pastor, I can recall some wonderful times with the Lord.  We would laugh together, cry together, walk and talk together, sit and share deep conversations together, and dance . . .  How we would dance together!  It was a wonderful journey where all seemed right with my little world . . .  Then life happened, and it seemed that everything I knew, everything that made me who I was turned to sand.  And though I tried so desperately to hold on, it all slipped through my fingers.  And as I stood in the desert wondering what had happened and how it could have happened, I suddenly came to realize that the desert sand was not the dance floor that I had gotten so used to.  I suddenly came to realize that the laughter and the music had stopped, and there was nothing left but the tears.  There was obviously a problem, but was it something I had said or done?  And then came the feeling that maybe, just maybe this problem was bigger than God.  Or maybe He hadn’t even seen the problem, because He had already left me, and had gone to dance with someone else.  Or maybe I had just taken up too much of His time.  And suddenly I was met with the feeling of being totally alone . . . the feeling that I had run out of God.  What do you do when you feel you’ve run out of God?

Let's go back to the 23rd chapter of Job.

8 “But if I go to the east, He is not there; 

   if I go to the west, I do not find Him. 

9 When He is at work in the north, I do not see Him; 

   when He turns to the south, I catch no glimpse of Him.”

So I thought, “Well, at least I still have my family and closest friends”.  But how many of you know that when trouble comes . . . (Amen, somebody?).  So as I stood there crying in the desert, some of those who I felt would NEVER leave my side– They had left my side, my back, my front, my top, and my bottom!  And on top of everything else I was going through, they stood on a distant shore yelling out to me all the things that I must have done wrong.  And I kept silent, though at times they even had me doubting myself.  Ahhh, but there came a fullness of time.  And in that fullness of time God said,

“Vince, I have never left your side.  This was only a test.  I was trusting you with trouble.  And I trusted you with trouble because I knew that you would never leave My side.”   He said,“I knew what you were going through, when you were going through it, and where you were going through it.  And it hurt me to watch you go through it.  But none of it was about you.  I needed other people to see you go through it and to see how you would come out on the other side.”

And immediately I heard Job say:

10 “But He knows the path that I take; 

   when He has tested me, I will come forth as gold.”

So what do you do when you feel you’ve run out of God?  Well you come to the realization that you CAN'T run out of God, and you understand that you HAVEN'T run out of God.  You stand still and see the salvation of the Lord, knowing that the God you serve is greater than the mess you're going through.  Take a deep breath and consider Job.  Then get back to trusting the God Who trusted you with trouble.  [vsm (revised 2014)]

My Son Dancing at Open Mic Night

~ . . . This is a sample of what my son does with a Gift God gave Him. And remember, there are more Gifts in YOU than the ones you have already discovered . . .

The 45th Day . . .

~. . . So the evening and the morning were the 44th day. Good Morning, Blogger, G+1, Twitter, and FB! On this 45th day of 2014, I'll just reply to all He HAS done, to all He IS doing, and to all He WILL do . . . ==> "Oh come, let us worship and bow down; Let us kneel before the LORD our Maker. For He is our God, and we are the people of His pasture, and the sheep of His hand . . ." [Psalm 95:6-7] [And as you RESPECT and LOVE one another as hard as you can, please play nice, remember me in prayer, and Happy Valentine's Day.]

The 43rd Day . . .

~ . . . So the evening and the morning were the 42nd day. Good Morning, Blogger, G+1, Twitter, and FB! On this 43rd day of 2014, In times of struggle, when you're doing all you can to hold on to God, are you really holding on to HIM? Or is HE holding on to YOU? . . . ==> "For I am the Lord your God who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, Do not fear; I will help you." [Isaiah 41:13] [And as you RESPECT and LOVE one another as hard as you can, please play nice, remember me in prayer, and enjoy a great day.]

The 42nd Day . . .

~ . . . So the evening and the morning were the 41st day. Good Morning, Blogger, G+1, Twitter, and FB! On this 42nd day of 2014, as I still lay wounded on the battlefield, I reach out to encourage you with these words . . . ==> "Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.” [Deut. 31:6] [And as you RESPECT and LOVE one another as hard as you can, please play nice, remember me in prayer, and enjoy a great day.]

The 37th Day . . .

~ . . . So the evening and the morning were the 36th day. Good Morning, Blogger, G+1, Twitter, and FB! On this 37th day of 2014, I'm reminded that one of the hardest things to do is to wait on the Lord. But might I suggest to you that the wisest thing to do is to wait on the Lord . . . ==> "Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen." [Hebrews 11:1] [And as you RESPECT and LOVE one another as hard as you can, PLEASE play nice, pray for one another, and enjoy a great day.]

The 36th Day . . .

~ . . . So the evening and the morning were the 35th day. Good Morning, Blogger, G+1, Twitter, and FB! On this 36th day of 2014, as hard as it may seem at times, I challenge you to keep a SMILE on your FAITH . . . ==> ". . . Do not be afraid. Stand still, and see the salvation of the Lord, which He will accomplish for you today." [Exodus 14:13a] [And as you RESPECT and LOVE one another as hard as you can, PLEASE play nice, pray for one another, and enjoy a wonderful day.]

The 35th Day . . .

~ . . . So the evening and the morning were the 34th day. Good Morning, Blogger, G+1, Twitter, and FB! On this 35th day of 2014, I STILL say the best decision I ever made was to accept Jesus Christ as my Lord and Savior. No turning back. No turning back . . . ==> "Oh, taste and see that the LORD is good . . . " [Psalm 34:8a] [And as you RESPECT and LOVE one another as hard as you can, PLEASE play nice, pray for one another, and enjoy a wonderful day.]

~ . . . As we take refuge in our own little corners, we've forgotten that America was built with "bricks" from EVERY corner of the world. We are America. America is US. We are The US of America. Thank you, Coca-Cola, for the reminder . . .

The 34th Day . . .

~ . . . So the evening and the morning were the 33rd day. Good Morning, Blogger, G+1, Twitter, FB and Path! On this 34th day of 2014, might I suggest to you that simply knowing the price of God's love should be enough to shame us into living right . . . ==> "But God demonstrates His own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. . . ." [Romans 5:8] [And as you RESPECT and LOVE one another as hard as you can, PLEASE play nice, pray for one another, and enjoy your week.]

The 32nd Day . . .

~ . . . And it makes me walk right . . .

Worse than committing the sin
Is knowing the man who then watches me
From my bathroom mirror. . .
(. . . And it makes me walk right . . .)

The 31st Day . . .

~ . . . So the evening and the morning were the 30th day. Good Morning, Blogger, G+1, Twitter, FB and Path! On this 31st day of 2014, might I suggest again that your walk with Christ should not be a discussion more than an experience . . . ==> "I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God . . ." [Galatians 2:20] [And as you RESPECT and LOVE one another as hard as you can, PLEASE play nice, pray for one another, and enjoy your weekend.] 

The 29th Day . . .

~ . . . So the evening and the morning were the 28th day. Good Morning, Blogger, G+1, Twitter, FB and Path! On this 29th day of 2014, I share another message with the hurting and concerned. Keep in mind that we're still stronger than we think . . . ==> "The LORD is my light and my salvation; Whom shall I fear? The LORD is the strength of my life; Of whom shall I be afraid?" [Psalm 27:1] [And as you RESPECT and LOVE one another as hard as you can, PLEASE play nice, pray for one another, and enjoy your day.]

The 28th Day . . .

~ . . . So the evening and the morning were the 27th day. Good Morning, Blogger, G+1, Twitter, FB and Path! On this 28th day of 2014, my faith is strengthened by what I see Him doing in the lives of others . . . ==> “I will lift up my eyes to the hills— From whence comes my help? My help comes from the Lord, Who made heaven and earth.” [Psalm 121:1-2] [And as you RESPECT and LOVE one another as hard as you can, PLEASE play nice, pray for one another, and enjoy your day.]

The 27th Day . . .

~ . . . So the evening and the morning were the 26th day. Good Morning, Blogger, G+1, Twitter, FB and Path! On this 27th day of 2014, I'm still believing in a God Who has this habit of reaching back into what we call the past and making it right for our future . . . ==> “And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.” [Romans 8:28] [And as you RESPECT and LOVE one another as hard as you can, PLEASE play nice, pray for one another, and enjoy your week.]

The 24th Day . . .

~ . . . So the evening and the morning were the 23rd day. Good Morning, Blogger, G+1, Twitter, FB and Path! On this 24th day of 2014, allow me to encourage YOU, while I try to encourage ME . . . ==> “No, despite all these things, overwhelming victory is ours through Christ, who loved us.” [Romans 8:37] [And as you RESPECT and LOVE one another as hard as you can, PLEASE play nice, pray for one another, and enjoy your weekend.]

The 23rd Day . . .

~ . . . So the evening and the morning were the 22nd day. Good Morning, Blogger, G+1, Twitter, FB and Path! On this 23rd day of 2014, though I am still hurting spiritually and emotionally, I still believe that God CAN work it out for me. He still has my Praise and my Worship . . . ==> “But you, Lord, do not be far from me. You are my strength; come quickly to help me.” [Psalm 22:19] [And as you RESPECT and LOVE one another as hard as you can, PLEASE play nice, pray for one another, and have a great day.]

A Fireside Kinda Faith

Sometimes life takes us to places we don't really care to be. Even as Christians we sometimes find our feet in the fire and our faith on the floor. We cry, we hurt, we can't eat, we don't want to speak, we can't sleep. And depending on the size of the flames, we may even find it hard to pray. Have you never been there before? Well come. Stand here next to me on the corner of Fireside Drive and Faith Avenue. I have something I want to share with you . . .

[Please Read Daniel 3]

Lately many of you may have been wondering about my daily posts, which have simply said, "~ · · · Don't call. I will not answer. Please just continue to pray for me, and He will hear . . . Thank you." Well no it's not a contest or some kind of a "chain post" that you'll see others posting. I really am in need of your prayer support. Even as I'm writing this, there may be someone somewhere making my furnace "seven times hotter". A "furnace" that I really don't care to walk into. Christian or not, I really don't carry the desire to prove my faith in this fashion. I've gone through hell before (see my Note "Trusted With Trouble"), and I distinctly remember telling God, "Thank You for bringing me through that. Should you decide to trust me with trouble again, please don't." And yet, here I am . . .

"(13) Then Nebuchadnezzar became very angry and called for Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego. And they were brought to the king. (14) Nebuchadnezzar said to them, “Is it true, Shadrach, Meshach and Abed-nego, that you do not serve my gods or worship the object of gold that I have set up? (15) Now if you are ready to get down on your knees and worship the object I have made when you hear the sound of the horns and harps and all kinds of music, very well. But if you will not worship, you will be thrown at once into the fire. And what god is able to save you from my hands?” [Daniel 3: 13-15]

As I've mentioned before, in times like these, and based on experiences I've had in the past, I found it easy- well maybe not easy, but routine- to pray the words of David in Psalm 42, or the words of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego in Daniel 3. But something is different about this furnace. This furnace has a thermostat that appears to have been melted and made useless by the flames. And the blame is partly mine. And it already feels seven times hotter. A bit too hot for comfort as I continue to pray, and try to keep my faith.

There it is. Did you catch that? It's the "trying to keep my faith" that brought me to you today.

"(16) Shadrach, Meshach and Abed-nego answered and said to the king, “O Nebuchadnezzar, we do not need to give you an answer to this question. (17) If we are thrown into the fire, our God Whom we serve is able to save us from it. And He will save us from your hand, O king. (18) But even if He does not . . .” [Daniel 3:16-18a]

I've come to realiz that in my past experiences I've been able to pray the words of Shadrach, Meshach and Abed-nego because I could see and believe that God was gonna bring me through. I didn't know the WHEN, but I could almost see the HOW He was gonna do it. But what happens to a Christian's faith when "even if He does not" begins to look more and more like "maybe He WILL not"? In reading the rest of Daniel 3, you'll see that Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego were indeed cast into the fiery furnace. You'll also see that they walked back out of the furnace without even the smell of smoke on them. But they didn't know they would be walking back out. Sure, they believed in a God Who could save them. But they had a "fireside kinda faith" that said, "But even if He does not . . .". And that's what I pray I have- that "fireside kinda faith". I think I have it. But I'm still human enough to be just not sure. (In any case, you'll understand that I'm still praying that I won't have to find out!)

So I'm asking you to stand here next to me on the corner of Fireside Drive and Faith Avenue. I'm asking you to support me as I go through this. I don't know if He'll save me from the furnace, or if He'll send me through it. But I need prayer warriors to pray my strength in the Lord. I need prayer warriors to strengthen my "fireside kinda faith". That faith that will stand firm. Because today, my "even if He does not" looks more and more like "maybe He WILL not". And my tears flow over my feet in the fire, and my faith on the floor . . . (vsm 2014)

The 14th Day . . .

~ . . . So the evening and the morning were the 13th day. Good Morning, Blogger, G+1, Twitter, FB and Path! On this 14th day of 2014, I'm reminded that I am God's masterpiece. His prized possession. And so are you . . . ==> "And God saw everything that He had made, and, behold, it was very good. And the evening and the morning were the sixth day." [Genesis 1:31] [And as you RESPECT and LOVE one another as hard as you can, PLEASE play nice, pray for one another, and enjoy a wonderful day.]

The 13th Day . . .

~ . . . So the evening and the morning were the 12th day. Good Morning, Blogger, G+1, Twitter, FB and Path! On this 13th day of 2014, I remind you that there's still a blessing on the other side of through . . . ==> "But He knows the way that I take; When He has tested me, I shall come forth as gold." [Job 23:10] [And as you RESPECT and LOVE one another as hard as you can, PLEASE play nice, pray for one another, and have a great week.]

The 11th Day . . .

~ . . . So the evening and the morning were the 10th day. Good Morning, Blogger, G+1, Twitter, FB and Path! On this 11th day of 2014, I pray Health, Strength , and Peace to you all. But especially to Maya Mells . . . ==> "And He said to her, “Daughter, be of good cheer; your faith has made you well. Go in peace." [Luke 8:48] [And as you RESPECT and LOVE one another as hard as you can, PLEASE play nice, pray for one another, and enjoy your weekend.]

The 10th Day . . .

~ . . . So the evening and the morning were the 9th day. Good Morning, Blogger, G+1, Twitter, FB and Path! On this 10th day of 2014, as I continue walking into this new year, I invite you to join me as I strive to walk yet closer to Him . . . ==> "But as for me, it is good to be near God. I have made the Sovereign Lord my refuge; I will tell of all your deeds." [Psalm 73:28] [And as you RESPECT and LOVE one another as hard as you can, PLEASE play nice, pray for one another, and enjoy your weekend.]

The 9th Day . . .

~ . . . So the evening and the morning were the 8th day. Good Morning, Blogger, G+1, Twitter, FB and Path! On this 9th day of 2014, I'm reminded that we are ALL sinners in constant need of receiving (and sharing) God's grace . . . ==> "Moreover the law entered that the offense might abound. But where sin abounded, grace abounded much more . . ." [Romans 5:20] [And as you RESPECT and LOVE one another as hard as you can, PLEASE play nice, KEEP WARM, pray for one another, and enjoy a great day.]