None so dumb...

Early this morning I clicked on my PC to watch the ending of a movie I had been viewing from the warm comfort of my bed last night, but had fallen asleep. I jumped back under the covers to enjoy the last 20 minutes of the tale... Last night, when all was quiet, the volume of the sound was set just right, even a bit loud; but this morning I struggled to hear with total distinction what was being said; and because of the crisp chill in the air, I was loathed to get out of bed again to adjust the volume a bit higher; and probably because I was not initially fully awake, I realised that I was not wearing my spectacles; and the thus the picture quality, in my eyes, lacked clarity and focal resolution as well... I popped on my reading glasses and voila! The picture was restored, I could SEE clearly; and amazingly the sound had improved too - I could now, in addition, HEAR everything better! - (I have no idea whether there exists some biological or scientific explanation to support my claim - but it works for me! Try it?) Yay, I didn't have to get out of bed, my world was good again...

It later occurred to me how similar this is to how we LISTEN to God and follow our FAITH in Him and His WORD. We can hear it, and even listen for it, but it becomes muffled. Our immediate circumstances cloud what we hear; the comings, goings and doings of our world prevent us from hearing very clearly, but we're sort of satisfied that, at least, some of it is getting through and we are encouraged by its constancy; yet still we are failing to hear it properly. I believe this is because we lose SIGHT of the big picture, the Master's Plan. We have adopted a distorted VISION and we have stopped SEEING (in our mind's eye too) and holding out for the FULL TRUTH. Evidence of the coming RAPTURE is already all around us - miracles abound - but we have come to prefer our rose-coloured glasses that cut out and sometimes even ignore what we should be hearing, seeing and sharing...

Let's all 'put on, and out, our best pair of glasses' today, and fully see and hear all the wondrous opportunities and revelations God has placed in our paths - I see it as RETURNING YOUR EYES UPON JESUS and PUTTING YOUR BEST FAITH FORWARD - Have an awesome day, y'all! (",)

Sunday morning... coming down.

I got out of bed this morning, Sunday 02 June 2013 @ 08:20 a.m. - I had already been awake since about 05:00 a.m.; but the sounds of the storm still raging outside, had kept me under the covers. My morning prayer, which was conducted from there too, included a line seeking God's indulgence for not (and this always gives me a kick) 'rising up to kneel'...

It would seem the cold, wet weather had cut into my enthusiasm to give thanks from a more reverent position and focus. And it struck me how easily one can be swayed from following your convictions; how fickle and affected you can be - '...the spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak...' in this case. True worship requires all of you; heart, mind, soul and body... I didn't give it my ALL; did God still place any value on my morning prayer? Then another thought struck me; we should not enter into worship to make ourselves feel good about worship - we pray alone; and commune in church - to worship, to have fellowship, to sing praises SO THAT GOD WILL FEEL GOOD! The inspiration it gives one is a spin-off, a by-product... a blessing. (p.s. we please God immensely when we ask for His assistance and share our troubles with Him, too)

I, nevertheless, do believe that God still heard my morning prayer - I probably didn't impress Him as much as I could have, but He heard it... (I did a 'do-over' later) As for the weather's lesson - if something so natural and elemental (even now fully predictable) can sway my convictions and worthy action, how much less does it take for my nature (character) to be diluted by unpleasant and unexpected events and circumstances - betrayal, illness, financial strains, ungratefulness, etc. - makes one blink, doesn't it?

May God bless and guide our attitude and actions today! (",)

Lasting Delight...

Daniel's Gloves

I sat, with two friends, in the picture window of a quaint restaurant just off the corner of the town-square. The food and the company were both especially good that day. As we talked, my attention was drawn outside, across the street. There, walking into town, was a man who appeared to be carrying all his worldly goods on his back. He was carrying, a well-worn sign that read, 'I will work for food.' My heart sank.

I brought him to the attention of my friends and noticed that others around us had stopped eating to focus on him. Heads moved in a mixture of sadness and disbelief. We continued with our meal, but his image lingered in my mind. We finished our meal and went our separate ways. I had errands to do and quickly set out to accomplish them. I glanced toward he town square, looking somewhat halfheartedly for the strange visitor. I was fearful, knowing that seeing him again would call some response. I drove through town and saw nothing of him. I made some purchases at a store and got back in my car.

Deep within me, the Spirit of God kept speaking to me: 'Don't go back to the office until you've at least driven once more around the square.' hen with some hesitancy, I headed back into town. As I turned the square's third corner, I saw him. He was standing on the steps of the church, going through his sack.

I stopped and looked; feeling both compelled to speak to him, yet wanting to drive on. The empty parking space on the corner seemed to be a sign from God: an invitation to park. I pulled in, got out and approached the town's newest visitor.

'Looking for the pastor?' I asked.

'Not really,' he replied, 'just resting.'

'Have you eaten today?'

'Oh, I ate something early this morning.'

'Would you like to have lunch with me?'

'Do you have some work I could do for you?'
'No work,' I replied 'I commute here to work from the city, but I would like to take you to lunch.'

'Sure,' he replied with a smile.

As he began to gather his things, I asked some surface questions. Where you headed?'
St. Louis '

'Where you from?'

'Oh, all over; mostly Florida ..'

'How long you been walking?'

'Fourteen years,' came the reply.

I knew I had met someone unusual. We sat across from each other in the same restaurant I had left earlier. His face was weathered slightly beyond his 38 years. His eyes were dark yet clear, and he spoke with an eloquence and articulation that was startling He removed his jacket to reveal a bright red T-shirt that said, 'Jesus is The Never Ending Story.'

Then Daniel's story began to unfold. He had seen rough times early in life. He'd made some wrong choices and reaped the consequences.. Fourteen years earlier, while backpacking across the country, he had stopped on the beach in Daytona... He tried to hire on with some men who were putting up a large tent and some equipment. A concert, he thought.

He was hired, but the tent would not house a concert but revival services, and in those services he saw life more clearly. He gave his life over to God

'Nothing's been the same since,' he said, 'I felt the Lord telling me to keep walking, and so I did, some 14 years now.'

'Ever think of stopping?' I asked.

'Oh, once in a while, when it seems to get the best of me But God has given me this calling. I give out Bibles That's what's in my sack. I work to buy food and Bibles, and I give them out when His Spirit leads.'

I sat amazed. My homeless friend was not homeless. He was on a mission and lived this way by choice. The question burned inside for a moment and then I asked: 'What's it like?'

'What?'

'To walk into a town carrying all your things on your back and to show your sign?'

'Oh, it was humiliating at first. People would stare and make comments. Once someone tossed a piece of half-eaten bread and made a gesture that certainly didn't make me feel welcome. But then it became humbling to realize that God was using me to touch lives and change people's concepts of other folks like me.'

My concept was changing, too. We finished our dessert and gathered his things. Just outside the door, he paused He turned to me and said, 'Come Ye blessed of my Father and inherit the kingdom I've prepared for you. For when I was hungry you gave me food, when I was thirsty you gave me drink, a stranger and you took me in.'

I felt as if we were on holy ground. 'Could you use another Bible?' I asked.

He said he preferred a certain translation. It traveled well and was not too heavy. It was also his personal favorite... 'I've read through it 14 times,' he said.

'I'm not sure we've got one of those, but let's stop by our church and see' I was able to find my new friend a Bible that would do well, and he seemed very grateful.

'Where are you headed from here?' I asked.

'Well, I found this little map on the back of this amusement park coupon.'

'Are you hoping to hire on there for a while?'

'No, I just figure I should go there. I figure someone under that star right there needs a Bible, so that's where I'm going next.'

He smiled, and the warmth of his spirit radiated the sincerity of his mission. I drove him back to the town-square where we'd met two hours earlier, and as we drove, it started raining. We parked and unloaded his things.

'Would you sign my autograph book?' he asked... 'I like to keep messages from folks I meet.'

I wrote in his little book that his commitment to his calling had touched my life. I encouraged him to stay strong. And I left him with a verse of scripture from Jeremiah, 'I know the plans I have for you, declared the Lord, 'plans to prosper you and not to harm you; Plans to give you a future and a hope.'

'Thanks, man,' he said. 'I know we just met and we're really just strangers, but I love you.'

'I know,' I said, 'I love you, too.' 'The Lord is good!'

'Yes, He is. How long has it been since someone hugged you?' I asked.

A long time,' he replied

And so on the busy street corner in the drizzling rain, my new friend and I embraced, and I felt deep inside that I had been changed.. He put his things on his back, smiled his winning smile and said, 'See you in the New Jerusalem.'

'I'll be there!' was my reply.

He began his journey again. He headed away with his sign dangling from his bedroll and pack of Bibles. He stopped, turned and said, 'When you see something that makes you think of me, will you pray for me?'

'You bet,' I shouted back, 'God bless.'

'God bless.' And that was the last I saw of him.

Late that evening as I left my office, the wind blew strong. The cold front had settled hard upon the town. I bundled up and hurried to my car. As I sat back and reached for the emergency brake, I saw them... a pair of well-worn brown work gloves neatly laid over the length of the handle. I picked them up and thought of my friend and wondered if his hands would stay warm that night without them.

Then I remembered his words: 'If you see something that makes you think of me, will you pray for me?'

Today his gloves lie on my desk in my office.. They help me to see the world and its people in a new way, and they help me remember those two hours with my unique friend and to pray for his ministry. 'See you in the New Jerusalem,' he said. Yes, Daniel, I know I will...

'I shall pass this way but once. Therefore, any good that I can do or any kindness that I can show, let me do it now, for I shall not pass this way again.'

'Father, I ask you to bless my friends, relatives , e-mail and network buddies reading this right now. Show them a new revelation of your love and power. Holy Spirit, I ask you to minister to their spirit at this very moment. Where there is pain, give them your peace and mercy. Where there is self-doubt, release a renewed confidence through your grace, In Jesus' precious Name Amen.'

This story is so touching I felt each of you would enjoy it greatly.

GOD BLESS YOU, MY FRIENDS... AND YOUR FAMILIES!!!

You, yes you... are you the one I've been looking for?

The more time you give to something, the more you reveal its importance and value to you. Time is your most precious gift because you only have a set amount of it - you are effectively giving a portion of your life. So we must prove our relationships are important by investing time in them. In our relationships love is spelt 'T-I-M-E'. Love is focused attention and it concentrates so intently on another that you forget yourself at that moment - it says I value you enough to give you my most precious asset - my time. You can give without loving, but you cannot love without giving. Love means giving up - yielding my preferences, comfort, goals, security, money, energy or time for the benefit of another.

Sin does disconnect us from intimate fellowship with God; but that is not the reason for His seeming absence. This is normal; it's a part of the testing and maturing of your friendship with God. Albeit painful and disconcerting; it is absolutely vital for the development of your faith. A common mistake Believers make in worship is seeking an experience rather than seeking God.

Saying, 'I'll be there in spirit', means nothing, it's worthless. On earth your spirit can only be where your body is. If your body isn't there, neither are you - you are no longer of this world...

The most wonderful of all things in life, I believe, is the discovery of another human being with whom one's relationship has a glowing depth, beauty, and joy as the years increase. This inner progressiveness of love between two human beings is a most marvelous thing, it cannot be found by looking for it or by passionately wishing for it. It is a sort of Divine accident. - Sir Hugh Walpole

That is the singular selfish bliss I pray for to God everyday - someone I can watch over; as He watches over me; someone who will love me more for that ~SB

“Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up.” -James 4:10

Upfront and personal...

‎"...for if that which you seek, you find not within yourself, you will never find it without." - Unknown

It is important that when pursing our own self-interest we should be “wise selfish” and not “foolish selfish”. Being foolish selfish means pursuing our own interests in a narrow, shortsighted way. Being wise selfish means taking a broader view and recognizing that our own long-term individual interest lies in the welfare of everyone. Being wise selfish means being compassionate. - DL

How do I see myself? From a side askance view or facing it all? - check the pic have a good look..., I did and avoiding yourself is the last thing you want to do ~ SB

Happiness keeps you sweet. Trials keep you strong. Sorrows keep you human. Failures keep you humble. And God, keeps you going.

“Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.” -Philippians 4:8

To You...

Prayer is the most important tool for your mission in the world. People may refuse our love or reject our message, but they are defenseless against our prayers!

Praying for you ~ SB

“Whoever claims to love God yet hates a brother or sister is a liar. For whoever does not love their brother and sister, whom they have seen, cannot love God, whom they have not seen. And he has given us this command: Anyone who loves God must also love their brother and sister.” -1 John 4:20-21

Never stop loving ~

Never stop hoping ~

On and from my knees...

Hi, it's the real Stafford here...

It's my turn to beg and implore forgiveness. My turn to ask for an undeserved moment of compassion from all those I have wronged. I confess my weaknesses and throw myself at your mercy.

I finally understand the psychological turmoil my vanity and excesses have caused, and beg the withdrawal of all applications and ill-thoughts against me to be lifted and set aside. I ask for my chance to leave and continue my journey with the little dignity I have left, and fulfill my true role in life. I request reprieve to make recompense and re-examine my place...

I was lost and by real soul-searching (thank-you Lord for the peace) have refound my Saviour, our Lord Jesus Christ, who refound Stafford, and relieves this blight upon his life with new hope that it will all be OK.

My best wishes and prayers go out to all I have transgressed against, and my sincere thanksgiving to God for His undying grace and love.

I ask this, not that I am worthy of it, but in growing hope that you will assist in further delivering me from my plight and wretched state.

May the Grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Love of God and the Fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with us all, always, as the Master sees fit. I release my sin into Your hands Loving Father.

Amen


Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance.” -James 1:2-3

May the Peace that transcends all understanding be with us always ~ Stafford 

My Affidavit

To my Soul and its Nemesis

Inasmuch as you declared I was the only one who can hurt you - I acknowledge this fear you hold... And hereby publicly admit to my weak human behaviour in using it in a misguided and wrongful manipulative way to fulfill my submissive unrealistic wants - as you know, I retracted and destroyed all tangible and intangible menace I proclaimed I could and would declare.

You have however carried out your threat and wounded me greatly... You have shared, in part, mistruths and self-construed criticisms about my person, and details of my private life, with strangers. You did to me what you implored I not do to you. I can probably forgive that; but using my relationship with God to temper my miscalculated actions; that only God may forgive you.

I pray I see the light; as I seek to understand this irrational and unfounded fear you still hold so close and seem to nurture; a fear that corrodes all hopes and sneers at dreams; I pray to see the sense in it, before I am self-convicted to defend myself to myself; and then even perhaps to the world beyond myself... Unfortunately this time, the truth will out, the defense of my accusers' litany and sworn script, is out out my hands.

Have mercy, dear Lord, show some mercy!

Because I know this could never be your sole untainted heartfelt  wishes or doing... ~ SB

First keep peace with yourself, then you can also bring peace to others. - Thomas Kempis

Reputable Prayer

It is only in recent years that I have been enlightened to the benefits of preparing myself for prayer. To first think about what I have to, need to, pray about – to get clear in my mind what is worthwhile to declare before GOD and what I truly desire of  Him to undertake on my behalf; and what to relieve me from. This in no way infringes upon the little prayers I need to utter throughout my day; in fact it is a summary of all those; and most times fills the thanksgiving aspect of my big prayer. God hears and addresses them all anyway!

Any concern too small to be turned into a prayer is too small to be made a burden. – Corrie ten Boom

I find the ‘big prayer’ more suited for early morning (before the start of my day) – the preparation the night before; and the slim-lining thereof as I drift off to sleep – when most of us I guess utter a ‘little prayer’ for deliverance to the next day?

This is no different from the notes (mental and/or written) I would/should prep for a business meeting, a speech, etc; or even a date. It is indeed prudent to be mindful, when communicating with God, that He already has my answer before I pose my question, even before I request His favour on some issue; He has already probably manifested and shown me this answer by what has already happened in my life; or what has failed to happen. I amazingly understand better my troubles and ambitions; and I am able to prioritise my prayers; truthfully even abandon some petty and unnecessary ones. Clarity…

In truth the preparation for prayer; I reckon I should view it as divine meditation; holds the crux to a successful meeting / audience with God. I almost never walk away with an unanswered question or without a new idea about how to approach my dilemmas – a new sense of hope has emerged and any emptiness of knowledge (the way forward) has been filled.

Almighty God, unto Whom all hearts be open, all desires known, and from Whom no secrets are hid; cleanse the thoughts of our hearts (the true mind) by the inspiration of Your Holy Spirit, that we may perfectly love You and worthily magnify Your Holy Name – through Christ our Lord, Amen.

I pray that God may bless and enhance your day ~ SB

Whatever is begun in anger - ends in shame. – Benjamin Franklin


Anger is fear manifested - and ultimately leads to hate - which leads to my ultimate demise... - Lord have mercy, Stafford

The Purpose Driven Life - Day 35 – God’s power in your weakness

God loves to use weak people.

We are all flawed and imperfect - baggaged with physical, emotional, intellectual, spiritual, financial and relational limiting weaknesses.

Usually we deny our weaknesses, defend them, excuse them, hide them, and resent them. We think that God only wants to use our strengths; but He also wants to use our weaknesses for His glory.

God loves to use imperfect, ordinary people to do the extraordinary things in spite of their frailties or any other inherited limitations; or that which they are powerless to change – God is never limited by our limitations!

+ Admit your weaknesses.

Instead of living in denial or making excuses, take the time to identify your personal weaknesses – make a list. You are only human; surely you can admit your shortcomings to yourself?

+ Be content with your weaknesses.

Being content with weakness doesn’t seem to make sense – don’t you think?

But this contentment is an expression of faith in the goodness of God. Whenever you feel weak, God is reminding you to depend on Him – weaknesses prevent arrogance, keep us humble, keep our egos in check and govern us from going too fast and running ahead of God – He deliberately allows them in your life for the purpose of demonstrating His power through you.

Furthermore; our weaknesses encourage fellowship between believers and increase our capacity for sympathy and ministry.

Your greatest life messages and your most effective ministry will come out of your deepest hurts – the things you’re most embarrassed about, most ashamed of, and most reluctant to share – the very tools God can use most powerfully to heal others.

+ Honestly share your weaknesses. (Saw this one coming, eh?)

The more you let down your guard, take off your mask, and share your struggles, the more God will be able to use you in serving others.

When you do reveal your failures, feelings, frustrations and fears; you risk rejection – but the benefits are worth the risk.

Humility is not putting yourself down or denying your strengths; rather it is being honest about your weaknesses. Pretentiousness repels but authenticity attracts, and the vulnerability is the pathway to intimacy.

(This I have experienced firsthand – deep personal admissions from a dearly beloved, that I was blessed to be made privy to, had a huge impact on realigning myself to that person; and to a whole new world in general)

Our strengths create competition, but our weaknesses create community.

You can impress people from a distance, but you must get close to influence them – the most essential quality for leadership is not perfection, but credibility.

+ Glory in your weaknesses.

Instead of posing as self-confident and invincible, see yourself as a trophy of grace – fill your heart with praise for Jesus, who understands every weakness and for the Holy Spirit, who helps us in our weakness.

If you want God to bless you and use you greatly, you must be willing to ‘walk with a limp’ for the rest of your life, because God uses weak people; and none of us can be perfect!

Come share in my imperfection… Love ~ SB

The final nail...

When a man is going downhill, everybody will give him a push...

And most times it's those he loves best...

"Take care. u r always in my prayers."

And graciously God reaches out His hand to the broken and downtrodden - we just have to ask ~Sammybear

Lord, keep me from the habit of thinking I must say something on every subject and on every occasion.

Release me from craving to straighten out everybody's affairs.

Keep my mind free from the recital of endless details- give me wings to get to the point.

I ask for grace enough to listen to the tales of others' pains. Help me to endure them with patience. But seal my lips on my own aches and pains- as they increase and my love of rehearsing them becomes sweeter as the years go by.

Teach me the glorious lesson that occasionally it is possible that I may be mistaken.

Keep me reasonably sweet; I do not want to be a saint - some of them are so hard to live with - but a sour old person is one of the crowning works of the devil.

Give me the ability to see good things in unexpected places, and talents in unexpected people. And, give me, O Lord, the grace to tell them so.

Make me thoughtful, but not moody; helpful, but not bossy. With the wisdom I consider to have collected, it seems a pity not to use it all- but Thou knowest, Lord, that I want a few friends at the end.

Amen

I'm so glad I didn't have to share this with my Dad...

And now I lay me down...

The truth is hard

the truth is awkward

the truth is painful

the truth always hurts...

Sometimes no matter how much something is hurting, to let it go, hurts even worse.

You try not to be that person who you don't know, don't like, don't even recognise. Try not to act scary or damaged; that would make you a victim.

You just do what they expect - say your lines and go on - get past this. But keep in mind that you can only take so much - until it's not worthwhile anymore...

The truth will set you free...

God help and bless us all ~ SB

Lest we forget...

May the Grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Love of God and the Fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you always, Amen

The 5-Finger Prayer

1. Your thumb is nearest you. So begin your prayers by praying for those closest to you. They are the easiest to remember. To pray for our loved ones is, as C. S. Lewis once said, a "sweet duty."

2. The next finger is the pointing finger. Pray for those who teach, instruct and heal. This includes teachers, doctors, and ministers.  They need support and wisdom in pointing others in the right direction. Keep them in your prayers.

3. The next finger is the tallest finger. It reminds us of our leaders. Pray for the president, leaders in business and industry, and administrators. These people shape our nation and guide public opinion. They need God's guidance.

4. The fourth finger is our ring finger. Surprising to many is the fact that this is our weakest finger; as any piano teacher will testify.  It should remind us to pray for those who are weak, in trouble or in pain. They need your prayers day and night. You cannot pray too much for them.

5. And lastly comes our little finger; the smallest finger of all which is where we should place ourselves in relation to God and others. As the Bible says, "The least shall be the greatest among you." Your pinkie should remind you to pray for yourself. By the time you have prayed for the other four groups, your own needs will be put into proper perspective and you will be able to pray for yourself more effectively.

Nothing is more reasonable and more loving than to plead with the rebellious creatures of  GOD; that they turn and give their devotion to the King of Kings who will have the last say in this world...

Let go... give it all to Jesus...

I heard a story about a monkey.  This monkey had become a problem to the farmer and was stealing the farmer's goods.  The farmer decided to set a trap and catch the monkey.  He placed a jar (with a narrow opening) containing peanuts in a place where the monkey would find it.  The monkey came along and slipped his hand into the jar and grabbed a handful of peanuts.  With his hand full of peanuts he was no longer able to remove his hand from the jar and could not run away with this jar on his hand. The monkey would not let go of the peanuts.  The farmer caught the monkey.

• This is how we are in life.  We hold onto the past and the good things we have known and experienced and we cannot let go.
• This in turn holds us back and does not allow us to step into the "NEW" that God has for us.
• This is a trap in life
• We need to get to the point where we say: "God, You have brought me this far and I can confidently face the future and know that You will be with me!"
• ISAIAH 43:18 FORGET THE FORMER THINGS; DO NOT DWELL ON THE PAST.
• There are no guarantees in life and the past is no guarantee for the future
• We need to have the courage to let go and trust God believing that He has something new.

Prayer:  Dear Lord, help us to recognize the new things you want to do, and make us alert and bold to be able to take hold of them!! Amen.

BEING IN LOVE

Well, I told THE LORD that I love Him today. And He said to me, 'How much do you love me? You haven't told anyone how good I've been to you. You haven't shared how perfect my love is. You haven't spread the good news that I am always there to listen to your problems.

You haven't told your family how I helped you pay your bills when you didn't have a high paying job, or how I got you a better one. You haven't shared with anyone how I took away that addiction that would have cost you not only your job, but also that man/woman that was just what you were looking for. So how much do you really love me?'

So, I said I would share with my friends and family (for starters) just how wonderful, perfect, understanding, patient, loving, unselfish, considerate and forgiving GOD really is. He has blessed me with a family that loves me and friends that I can confide in. But even more than that, He has saved me from destruction I couldn't even see coming.

He gave to me the peace of knowing Him, and He has never broken a promise. Truly He is the best thing that has ever happened to me. And I stand in my stadium today to tell to you all,

'I LOVE THE LORD!'

Be blessed   

A PRAYER

Lord, keep me from the habit of thinking I must say something on every subject and on every occasion.

Release me from craving to straighten out everybody's affairs.

Keep my mind free from the recital of endless details- give me wings to get to the point.

I ask for grace enough to listen to the tales of others' pains. Help me to endure them with patience. But seal my lips on my own aches and pains- as they increase and my love of rehearsing them becomes sweeter as the years go by.

Teach me the glorious lesson that occasionally it is possible that I may be mistaken.

Keep me reasonably sweet; I do not want to be a saint - some of them are so hard to live with - but a sour old person is one of the crowning works of the devil.

Give me the ability to see good things in unexpected places, and talents in unexpected people. And, give me, O Lord, the grace to tell them so.

Make me thoughtful, but not moody; helpful, but not bossy. With the wisdom I consider to have collected, it seems a pity not to use it all- but Thou knowest, Lord, that I want a few friends at the end.

Amen

When you show honor and recognition where it's due, there is a commanded blessing that God releases back into your own life.

My Retirement Plan - by imanative

My retirement plan
Is the word of God
On which I stand

Jesus said,
See the birds
that feed off the land

See the lillies of the field
Who grow each day
With the mornings dew

God loves you
More than these

So, would he not, take care of you?

They worry not
They know
God will supply their needs

So trust in your Creator
And allow HIM to
Set you free

Develop the relationship
Drop to your knees
And ask HIM to bless me

Show me Lord, please
How to know you
How to follow you

How to love you

So at the end
With me

YOU WILL BE WELL PLEASED

DEAR GOD: - Thank You

Don't speak defeat over your life. Declare God's promises of victory over your life. You may feel weak, but God is strong & on your side!

I want to thank You for what You have already done. I am not going to wait until I see results or receive rewards; I am thanking You right now. I am not going to wait until I feel better or things look better; I am thanking You right now I am not going to wait until people say they are sorry or until they stop talking about me; I am thanking You right now...

I am not going to wait until the pain in my body disappears; I am thanking You right now. I am not going to wait until my financial situation improves; I am going to thank You right now. I am not going to wait until the children are asleep and the house is quiet; I am going to thank You right now. I am not going to wait until I get promoted at work or until I get the job; I am going to thank You right now. I am not going to wait until I understand every experience in my life that has caused me pain or grief; I am thanking You right now. I am not going to wait until the journey gets easier or the challenges are removed; I am thanking You right now.

 I am thanking You because I am alive. I am thanking You because I made it through the day's difficulties. I am thanking You because I have walked around the obstacles.

I am thanking You because I have the ability and the opportunity to do more and do better.  
 

I'm thanking You because FATHER, YOU haven't given up on me...

OUR FAMILY ARMOUR

PRAY THIS POWERFUL PRAYER ALOUD AND TRUST GOD TO SEE YOU THROUGH.

In the name of JESUS CHRIST we bind every seducing, oppressive and tormenting spirit and break every curse spoken over this family, and we silence every stubborn and rebellious spirit that raises itself up against the knowledge of GOD.

Every spirit of sickness and disease bows this day to the name of JESUS.

We do not doubt in our hearts but believe and speak in agreement concerning this family.

This family is consecrated to GOD and He is well able to keep that we commit to HIM.

We see one another as valuable and precious to GOD, and we accept and LOVE each other just as we are.

We proclaim deliverance, healing and restoration to each member of this family and we release one another to be everything GOD intends us to be.

God wants us to ask. Be bold today and ask for God's favour, His blessings, His increase. Release your faith! What are you asking Him for?