Inspirations

But while he was still a long way off,  Luke 11:20 "But while he was still a long way off,"   this phrase has been running through my head today. It's in the parable of the prodigal son. When the son decides to go home,  The father who has been longing for the day his son would return home, sees him coming down the road. He was dirty, hungry, and worn out from the life, he had been living. In the midst of this, is the phrase "But while he was still a long way off," It paints a picture of love, of forgiveness, of mercy. The son had not arrived home. I get the picture of each of us when we start seeking Christ. Unworthy, stripped bare, showing the scars that this world has left on us. Limping dejectedly home knowing we deserve nothing. But I also see the Father not waiting till we are home and cleaned up relaxing in a chair to come to us. instead, he is so excited to see us  that he drop...

Thanksgiving is over         the turkey is gone. Families have likely gone home           By now, there is barely any indication that Thanksgiving even occurred except for the turkey leftovers that you'll be eating till Christmas. As we transition from Thanksgiving to Christmas, my prayer is that Thanksgiving will invade our hearts giving us peace,                     Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts,                since as members of one body you were called to peace.                And be  thankful .  Colossians 3:15 and makes us glad,                      Let us come before him with  thanksgiving and                          ex...

Thank you, God, for children!    I love watching them.   Children know how to have fun.   Uninhibited by the cares of the world, they fully engage in play.   They do funny things with caring what anyone else will think.    Children are fearless.   They are authentic.    Children do not come with a censure.   You just never know what they will say.   They just say what they think.    Children have an innocence about them.   They do not see in shades of grey as often as adults do.   Things are right or wrong, good or bad.   They love as God loves, without conditions.    Thank God for children,  for their faith, love, honesty,  and genuineness, and their love of life.   I am learning to be more like a child and not take things too seriously.    Children are a blessing fr...

Today I'm thankful for blessings. Little gestures that brighten my day It may be a kind word or a smile. I'm thankful for the blessings that I didn't anticipate like coaching a quiz team, or having four children. Homeschooling. These are things that as I look back, I would never change them, unless I could have them last longer. Thank you for the treasures they have become. Thank you, God, that I did not miss these blessings

Thank you, God, for creating in each of us,    from the beginning of time, a desire to be free. Free from tyrants and bullies, free to come and go as we please,  to worship as we want; to make our own choices. Thank you for the desire to be free spiritually. yet,  I often live in slavery and fear. Thank you, God, for paying the price for our spiritual freedom, freedom from fear and its power. I long to be free of this world, Thank you, God, that the day will come when I will be unshackled from all of the trappings of this world. and I will be as free as a butterfly.

Today, I am thankful that we live in a country  where the citizens can choose  who they want to be our leader. Although at times it can be a struggle when the person you would choose  is not the same as others, I am thankful for this privilege of deciding who will be our leader. I am also thankful that  no one becomes a leader  without your knowledge or permission. I am also grateful that  the choices are not permanent, we can choose different leaders in the next election.

I am thankful that  no matter where we go, anywhere in the world, We can always find a connection  that draws our hearts to one another. That connection is our hope in Jesus. It makes us part of God's family. Time and distance  and sadly, sometimes, differences of opinion and even death may separate us from our mother, father, sister or brother.  in those times, I am thankful that we still have our church family. It is amazing  that no matter where we are whether at work, school, in a new town when we find a Christian,  there is an unseen connection. Suddenly,  the world can seem less hostile and cold. This person that you just met  is your brother or sister in Christ. I am grateful for the gaps that they fill in our lives.   We can share hugs and hurts. We strengthen each other when we feel weak. Thank you, God, for a forever family.  and that nothi...