Author Archives: Patricia Ann

Reaching Out

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A couple of days ago I wrote a post about praying for the men and women who serve us in the capacity of rescue. Without realizing it at the time this includes members of my own family. Two of my grandsons-in-law are police officers and one is a firefighter. It makes me happy to write these words. It makes me happy that in addition to my own prayers for these young men, there will be many others now praying for them because one EMS member stood up in church and asked a congregation for prayer.

There have been times before when I have used this blog to reach out to the WWW community to pray for someone in deep need. Today it is just a reminder to include our emergency workers in prayer while praying for our own friends and families; prayer for those who serve us so admirably, putting their lives on the line every time they don their uniforms, or in some cases, plain clothes.

It is simply a way of reaching out.

Image result for praying hands

Sharing is Caring

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Every once in awhile I come across blogs or articles that touch me so much that I like to share them. While clearing out my “in-box”, I came across this one from UP! A Daily Devotional by Matthew Ruttan (MatthewRuttan.com/Up). It’s about Holy Spirit. Matthew talks about how Holy Spirit can be vague or confusing to some people, or indeed, many people, and then goes on to write an analogy to encourage better understanding of this spiritual being. And so I give you “Come, Holy Spirit”.

August 26, 2015

Come, Holy Spirit

Psalm 51:11
“Do not cast me from your presence or take your Holy Spirit from me” (NIV)

Thought
The Holy Spirit doesn’t get talked about very much.

And yet…

The Holy Spirit is God, a part of the Trinity, the Lord’s renovating personality and power… but we shy away from talking about him.

Why?

To some people the Holy Spirit seems vague or confusing—and so, not knowing much about him, they stop inquiring.

So today I want to encourage you like this:

Imagine I’m walking down the street with my son, Benjamin. Then I pick him up in my arms, tell him I love him, and hug him. We just enjoy each other’s company for a few minutes. Then I put him down and we keep walking.

Was Benjamin more my son when I held him in my arms than he was when he was just walking along? Of course not. But in terms of his awareness, there definitely was a difference. No question.

Why?

Because in my arms, he was directly aware of and experiencing his relationship with me.

This analogy comes from a 17th century pastor named Thomas Goodwin. And I love it. Here’s how it applies to you.

When the Holy Spirit becomes a part of your life, you can sense the embrace and love of your true Father. You are aware that you are his child. Therefore, you develop intimacy with him.

Today, why not invite the Holy Spirit inside of you, and ask him to make you aware of the embrace, love and steady guidance of your strong Father in every step.

It’s not necessarily a feeling—but it is a personal awareness.

Is that missing in your life right now?

If you’re standing in a room in the dark, the dimensions and furniture remain the same. But everything changes when you turn on the light.

Come, Holy Spirit…

by Matthew Ruttan

I invite you to extend the invitation…you won’t be disappointed.

Pray For Those Who Treat You

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Many years ago I began praying for Ambulance, Fire, and Police cars whenever I saw them or heard sirens, either close by or at a distance; well, not actually the vehicles but their occupants, and ultimately the people they were going to rescue.

Last Sunday, our church had as a guest, a representative from the EMS. (Emergency Medical Services) This young man spoke to our children before they went to Children’s Ministry, and then to our congregation. He was articulate, informative and obviously a very caring person.

What struck me the most was that he asked for prayer; prayer for his profession and colleagues. It touched me in a way that made me thankful for the prayers I sent their way, and for further prayers that would now be forthcoming.

What a blessing these men and women are to us on a daily basis, going about their business of saving lives, and encountering sometimes horrific scenarios which often leave them traumatized.

These are people we often take for granted, and now that we know they need our prayers, let us pray for those who treat us.

 

One Day at a Time

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After having recent conversations with people about the trials in their lives and how they are trying to cope, I remembered the following lyrics to a great song, “One Day at a Time”. This song got me through some pretty trying times in the first part of this twenty-first century and it seems right to share it here.

One Day at a Time

I’m only human, I’m just a woman (man)

Help me believe in what I could be and all that I am

Show me the stairway I have to climb

Lord for my sake, teach me to take one day at a time.

One day at a time sweet Jesus, that’s all I’m asking of you

Just give me the strength to do every day what I have to do

Yesterday’s gone sweet Jesus and tomorrow may never be mine

Lord, help me today, show me the way one day at a time.

Do you remember when you walked among men

Well Jesus you know if you’re looking below, it’s worse now than then

Pushing and shoving, violence and crime

Lord for my sake, teach me to take one day at a time.

One day at a time sweet Jesus, that’s all I’m asking of you

Just give me the strength to do every day what I have to do

Yesterday’s gone sweet Jesus and tomorrow may never be mine

Lord, help me today, show me the way one day at a time.

The song was written by Marijohn Wilkin in collaboration with Kris Kristofferson.

http://www1.cbn.com/devotions/end-my-rope-one-day-time

The Upside of Setbacks

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“Setbacks have an upside” is a great life lesson. This from yesterday’s message in Our Daily Bread monthly magazine. I know from personal experience that this statement has merit. Others have told me that the same has been true for them. When a setback takes place in life, our first question is, “What the heck is this all about?” And then the question turns into an indignant statement, “This is so unfair!”

I could give some examples here, but choose not to, except to say that all my setbacks have had an upside, even though it was definitely not evident at the time. So those of you who are facing one of life’s setbacks, don’t lose sight of the fact that the upside is just around the corner.

Steve – A Blessing in Bloggersville

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Today, I’d like to pay homage to a new friend in Bloggersville. His name is Steve. Steve is recovering from a hip and leg injury suffered from a fall in July. Steve thinks he is behind in replying to other people’s bogs, but believe me, he is way ahead of the game. This young man (he sounds like a young man) is the epitome of encouragement to me; always commenting positively on so many of my posts that it keeps a permanent smile on my face.

Steve is a Christian and introduces himself this way:

THE TRUE LIGHT!

I am happy to share my Christian faith with you in various ways. I belong to a non-denominational group of Christians modeled after the New Testament church described in Acts chapter two. My intent is to worship God while in service to others. I believe in promoting Godly love, because the Lord God IS love! Please contact us here or at our website for more information! Thank you so much!

https://thetruelight2014.wordpress.com/

I am happy to share Steve’s site with you because he writes profoundly beautiful and inspiring works.

Wishing you well with your recovery, Steve, and thank you for shining your light on My Precious Life.

The Guest of Honor

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You are invited to a dinner party along with several other distinguished guests. The guest list includes the who’s who of scientists, theologians, poets, physicians, musicians, the likes of who are listed below. These are some of my favorite people.

Helen Keller     (1880-1968)     deaf, blind, activist, author, lecturer

Albert Einstein      (1879-1955)     theoretical physicist

Florence Nightingale      (1820-1910)     founder of modern nursing

Frederick Banting     (1891-1941)     co-discoverer of insulin

Mother Theresa     (1910-1997)     saint and champion of the poorest of the poor

Norman Vincent Peale     (1898-1993)     minister and author of The Power of Positive Thinking

Celine Dion     (1968-present)     Canadian singer/songwriter

George Frideric Handel     (1685-1759)     Baroque composer of Messiah

Harriet Beecher Stowe     (1811-1896)     author of best selling novel Uncle Tom’s Cabin

John McCrae     (1872-1918)     Canadian author of the famous poem, In Flanders Fields

Mary Magdalene     (dates unknown)      Biblical figure who traveled with Jesus and his followers

The guest of honor is Jesus.

Will you be attending?