Saving Grace

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We all want to be safe, right? Safe from all harm and evil; safe from bad judgement and poor decisions; safe from Satan’s wily ways. That’s where saving grace comes in. Although it doesn’t eliminate the former, it makes those things easier to deal with. Here are a few examples of how to come by this saving grace:

Believe in the Lord Jesus and you will be saved – you and your household. Acts 16:31

For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God. Ephesians 2:8

For the grace of God has appeared that offers salvation to all people. Titus 2:11

“My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” 2 Corinthians 12:9

But we believe that we are saved through the grace of the Lord Jesus, in the same way as they also are.” Acts 15:11

In closing, here is a little prayer for the day: “God grant me the grace to live this day in your strength.”

Happy Sunday.

Happiness Times Two

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Today is International Day of Happiness. Who knew this? I have been on the planet for eighty-four years and have never heard of this day. I wonder why.

Today is also the first day of Spring; another reason to be happy. Who doesn’t love to be happy? Let’s take advantage of this timely duo and have a Happy Saturday.

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Notes from a Spiritual Journal

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Any kind of journaling is a release of thoughts, memories, gleanings; a way of putting things into perspective for future reference. Spiritual journaling is particularly productive because of its subtle way of enlightening once the words are out of the mind and onto the page. Here are a few examples dictated by gifted thinkers:

Faith is characterized by people believing God’s word regardless of their personal circumstances. Father Peter Coughlin, Catholic Priest.

God will give you an idea that will challenge you to live by trust. Robert H. Schuller, Hour of Power

He is your best friend who brings out of you the best that is in you. Henry Ford

No problem is too big for God’s power, no person is too small for God’s love. Robert Schuller

We defeat ourselves, or gain victories by the thoughts we think. Norman Vincent Peale

Through His word and the guidance of the Holy Spirit, God will teach us what is right and enable us to do it. Our Daily Bread magazine.

The most important thing of all things to possess is peace of mind. Peace of mind includes all other good things. Emmet fox

Some of the best advice ever given: “Be still and know that I am God.” Psalm 46:10

Happy Sunday.

Strong Quotes

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Strength is a powerful word; not just physical strength, but moral strength and spiritual strength as well. Sometimes we need help to keep up our strength, and sometimes that help comes in the form of words spoken by others.

You never know how strong you are until being strong is your only choice. Bob Marley, singer/songwriter.

Strength is a matter of a made up mind. John Beecher, author.

Hope is the only thing stronger than fear. Suzanne Collins, American author and screenwriter.

Courage isn’t the strength to go on…it is going on when you don’t have the strength. Napoleon Bonaparte

“He gives power to the weak and strength to the powerless.” Isaiah 40:29

The weak can never forgive. Forgiveness is the attribute of the strong. Mahatma Gandhi

Happy Saturday.

Saved by the Bell

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Do you ever wonder where idioms come from? I googled ‘saved by the bell’ and found this:

The origination of the phrase comes from the world of boxing where the rounds are of a short duration and often boxers are saved because of the signalling of the bell to say that the round is over. The opposite party cannot throw another blow when the bell has rung and hence the other side is merely saved by something that happened outside rather than his own efforts. The phrase is speculated to have originated in the 1950’s. Source: theidioms.com

And then there’s saved by the Word, not an idiom but a scriptural fact as in Roman’s 10:9. Happy Sunday.

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Clap Your Hands

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Today is the last day of February! It brings a smile to my face and joy to my heart. Spring is on the way! Even the trees of the fields will soon clap their hands as Isaiah tells us. Enjoy the day, whatever it holds for you, and be sure to clap your hands as you envision Spring in the air and Covid-19 out of it. Happy Sunday.

“You will go out in joy and be led forth in peace; the mountains and hills will burst into song before you, and all the trees of the field will clap their hands. . ” Isaiah 55:12 NIV

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Precious Memories

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Life is full of precious memories.

Since 1965 Unchained Melody by the Righteous Brothers has been one of my favorite songs, and my youngest son, even in his teens, was aware of this. He was born in 1967.

At his wedding in 2000 he chose this song as the mother and son dance. As you can guess, I was very touched.

I just heard the song yesterday, after a long time, and it brought tears to my eyes as I recalled one of my most precious memories, dancing with my youngest son at his wedding to his thoughtful choice of my favorite song. I hope you have the luxury of recalling some precious memories today. Happy Saturday.

All Things Bright and Beautiful

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“All things bright and beautiful, all creatures great and small; all things wise and wonderful, the Lord God made them all.” Cecil Frances Alexander (1818 – 1895)

And God said, “Let the water teem with living creatures, and let birds fly above the earth across the vault of the sky.” Genesis 1:20

An Alabama photographer captured stunning photographs of a cardinal so rare that experts have referred to it as ‘one in a million.’ (Pinterest)

No matter the source, all things bright and beautiful are a sight to behold these days. Happy Sunday.

It’s the Little Things

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Have you ever wished for some little thing that would enhance life in some small way? I mean a really little thing of no consequence, really. It happened to me twice recently.

I had bought a small Christmas cactus in December, its four inch pot wrapped in holiday foil. When the season was over I removed the foil to discover an ordinary dark plastic container with a barcode on it, and I had nothing on hand to place this eyesore in. That’s when I wished for a new pot to put the plant in.

The other wish was even smaller. A couple of my pens were running out of ink and my thought was the need for more pens. However in both cases, with Covid-19 lockdowns in effect I was not about to go out shopping for such frivolous items that I could live without.

On Valentine’s day a bouquet of Edible chocolate covered strawberries arrived at my door in a four inch lime green pot!

Yesterday my mailbox contained advertising material from a Real Estate company. The package included a notepad and pen!

Sometimes it’s the little things that make our days a little bigger. Happy Saturday.

A Final Squeeze

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I spoke to a lady yesterday whose husband died in January. He was in Long Term Care, and visiting wasn’t an option because of Covid-19 closures. However, she did get a call from the home to come quickly on January 31st because her husband was very weak.

Shanta was able to hold his hand, sing to him and quote scripture, all the while holding him in love and prayer. She felt gentle little squeezes from his fingers throughout this time, and then there was a very definite strong pressure before his hand went limp in hers. It was a poignant time for my friend as her husband bid her farewell with a final squeeze.

Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted. Matthew 5:4

Happy Sunday.