Taking a Day for God

 

June 29

 Our men’s group facilitator says, "Take a day this week and let it be God's day. Say, ‘God this is your day, it all belongs to You.' Let God control the day. Experience His grace. Listen.      

 Of all the days God has been with me, finally I'm proclaiming a day for God. Tomorrow is God’s day.

 "Search me, O God, and know my heart;

Try me, and know my anxieties;

And see if there is any wicked way in me,

And lead me in the way everlasting." (Psalm 139:23-24)

                             Julie's Prayer

 June 28

 She fled to Florida by bus with one suitcase. Julie didn’t give her last name still fearing reprisals from her abuser.

“I needed a car and prayed specifically for a clean four-dour Camry, so I could take people to church. "And God I prefer a brown or beige one."

 

An organization which receives donated cars, calls her. When she arrives she sees truly a gift from God waiting. It was a Camry, four-door, beige and fresh from the car wash.

 “And whatever things you ask in prayer, believing, you will receive.” (Matthew 21:22)

Are You in a Bad Place?

 June 27

 “I’m in a bad place,” After listening to his story Joy kneels before him and prays. He sits stiffly, his wife cries.

 At communion a month later our pastor invites all. “I want you to feel welcomed with a hug from the Lord himself.” Our friend comes down the isle tears streaming down his face and wraps his arms around an elder at the communion table and bawls. He is with his God again.

 “God brought me up out of a horrible pit, out of the miry clay, and set my feet on a rock, and established my steps.”(Psalm 40:2)

                                         Positive Strokes

 

June 26

We all need encouragement.

We are attending a new church in Osprey. The pastor is inexperienced. One day we agree not to second-guess this young enthusiastic pastor's sermons but to be part of his support team.

 

At the next service we sit in the second row smiling.(Not my gifting) We beam during the young pastor’s message. He pauses, and says, "At times I see the radiance of God in other people, like right now I see God in the faces of Mal and Joy." 

 

Go Figure!  

 "For the gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable." (Romans 11:29)

 

"Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only

what is helpful for building up others that it my benefit those who listen."

(Ephesians 4:29)

A Message from Johnson's Bench

Weekend of June 22

 We call it Johnson’s Bench. It sits in a cemetery in Newington ,CT. The inscription reads:

“Sit ye here at sunset and dusk

Far from the maddening crowd.

With this peaceful tranquility

Commune with God.”

 

Joy and I would do that from this bench. The Johnson grave markers record the passage of human time while the trees indicate the change of the seasons.

 “Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will by no means pass away.” (Matt 24:35)

 



 

 

 

We have been warned

 

June 21

 Today is the longest day of the year. The days will start getting shorter again. It is the order of our universe, happens every year.

 

 The Bible tells us that this order will all come to an abrupt end someday.

 This dire prediction takes on a distinct probability since astronomers discovered a huge asteroid falling through space, which could collide with our planet later in this millennium. We have been warned.

 “And the stars from heaven fell… and every mountain and island was moved out of its place.” (Revelation 7:13-14.)

What to do? Read 2Peter:3:14,17-18NIV)



                                         Yard Sale

 June 20

 This isn’t your typical yard sale. All he owns is in the front yard. He is desperate. 

He has six dollars and won't see a pay check for a week. He needs gas to get to work Monday,

his water bill is overdue and he has a needed prescription waiting. 

 

 When I arrive he asks, “will you pray with me? I’m upset.” I ask the Lord to help my friend through this. Two hours later his phone rings. He returns saying, “That was a lady who wants me to paint her house. I gave her a bid four months ago and she calls today.” Go Figure! My friend tears up and so do I. The yard sale is over.

 “Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.” (Matthew 11:30)