Requesting your prayers

My blogging friends and family,  I ask today for prayer for a dear family in my church, as well as our church family.  Very unexpectedly, one of the men in our church, Paul Kuck, went home to be with the Lord after a severe work related accident.  Paul leaves behind his wife Sherri and 3 beautiful young daughters.  Paul was very active in our church, in several capacities.  He was a wonderful man who dearly loved the Lord and loved his family. He was a good friend to many and was loved very much by all. Though we are rejoicing in the knowledge that Paul is with the Lord, our hearts are breaking for his dear sweet family.  He will be very much missed.  A friend and I both had an identical thought yesterday of a memory of Paul playing his guitar and singing with Sherri and the girls at church and what a blessing it always was.   That is just one of many memories he leaves with us.

It is so hard to know just what to say at a time like this.  We question why these things happen, all the while knowing that God truly has a reason for it that we may never know.  His plan for all of us and His timing is always perfect. Someday, when we are called home to be with the Lord ourselves, perhaps we will learn the answers.  In the meantime, we just need to put our trust in the Lord.  “The Lord is near the broken hearted” (Psalm.34:18).

As I thought about the words to share today, I prayed for the Lord’s guidance.  Almost immediately he sent an answer to that prayer!  Two answers actually!  The first was the following post from a dear young friend at church who posted these words and accompanied them with the words to a beautiful hymn!  She has allowed me to share her post in this blog.  (Thank you Missy!)

“Beautiful Hymn, such words that speak right to the soul in the midst of a difficult tragedy. God is more than good, always.”

This hymn is based on Psalm 46:10 Be still and know that I am God which leads me to the second answer to the same prayer. That verse has been on my mind for several weeks but I was not sure why.   I have a prayer card on my desk with the verse on it!  I hadn’t really looked at it today until I prayed and saw the hymn, but then my eyes were drawn right to it!  Love the way the Lord works in our lives! 

 

Please keep this family in your prayers, dear friends, as they grieve over their loss of their husband and father.  Your prayers are appreciated! 

 

“The God of all comfort” comforts us in all our troubles “so that we can comfort others in any trouble” (2 Corinthians 1:3-4).

In Memory: Memorial Day 2014

 

John 15:13

King James Version (KJV)

¹³ Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.

 

Sunny morning on the patio with God

Life begins each morning …

Each morning is the open door to a new world –

new vistas, new aims new tryings

author, Leigh Mitchell Hodges

Today, Friday, was a beautifully sunny, breezy and cool day here in Wisconsin. I spent an enjoyably lazy morning on my patio, spending time with the Lord, reading His word and in some devotionals, all the while enjoying a light breakfast  and my morning coffee.  I was also enjoying the fruits of yesterday’s labors — beautiful new flowers and herbs on my patio along with my table and some relaxing chairs (see pictures above).  I’m already for summer enjoyment and look forward to spending much time relaxing out there.

Psalm 59:16 But I will sing of thy power; yea, I will sing aloud of thy mercy in the morning: for thou hast been my defence and refuge in the day of my trouble.

Morning is such a wonderful time to spend in prayer and devotions.  There is something great about starting out the day with the Lord that just sets the tone for the rest of the day.  I admit I don’t do this every day, but I am working on doing a better job at putting Him first in my life and starting out each and every day with Him.

Song of Solomon 2:12 The flowers appear on the earth; the time of the singing of birds is come, …

I love being surrounded by God’s beautiful creations even if it is just on my tiny patio.  The beauty of the flowers, the mixture of scents of blooming flowers, herbs like basil, lemon thyme (mmm!)and chocolate mint, (yes really!), and the sounds of the birds singing just brighten my day and put a smile on my face.  Praise God for all his creations!  If you zoom in on the photo below, you can get a better look at the chocolate mint. Any ideas on how I can use it as it grows?  I was intrigued by it but haven’t checked on its uses yet.   That should be fun!

I’ve also placed a few flags in some of the pots in honor and remembrance of those who we remember on this Memorial Day weekend; those brave men and women who have fought for our freedom in many wars throughout the years (should I say centuries?) and have now gone on to eternity.  God bless each and every one of them.  May they rest in peace!

source of picture unknown or I would give the proper credit.

This has been a rather rambling group of rambling thoughts.  Some days are like that, aren’t they?  Have a wonderful Memorial Day weekend friends and family, and thank God for all the beauty around us and for those who we remember who fought for the freedoms we have in this country.   Be safe!  Love to all!

There is an End!

I found this to be very encouraging! How easy it is for us to think our problems will never end no matter what they may be. As Vincent says in this piece, whatever has a beginning has an end. Have faith that God will put an end to whatever the problems are. Have faith!

Vincent Egoro

“ For surely there is an end; and thine expectation shall not be cut off.” – Proverbs 23:18 (KJV)

Oh how I particularly like this scripture, especially the King James Version. The same way every product released and sold in the market has an expiry date, or a shelf life; a day or time when it’s no longer considered effective, or functional, God is saying to somebody today; There is going to be an end to that shame, that reproach, that challenge you’re facing . It doesn’t matter how long you’ve had that trouble, whatever has a beginning has an end. Maybe you’ve been sick for a while, you’ve done all things medically right, but that sickness won’t go, and it’s threatening your peace, your family, your finances, but God says, I am going to put an end to it. Or maybe you have a family member who has become a…

View original post 257 more words

Armed Forces Day

Thank you to all current and past members of our armed forces! You are loved and appreciated!

Pacific Paratrooper

TODAY, BEING ANOTHER PART OF MILITARY APPRECIATION MONTH, IS CALLED ARMED FORCES DAY.

THE FIRST ARMED FORCES DAY WAS CELEBRATED 29 MAY 1950 (one month before the start of the Korean War).  ARMED FORCES WEEK BEGINS ON THE 2ND SATURDAY OF MAY AND ENDS THRU THE 3RD SATURDAY.  Due to their unique schedules, the NATIONAL GUARD & THE RESERVE units may celebrate this at any time during the month.

Col. Don Campbell & members of the US Army 4th Infantry, 9 April 2008 (Hussein capture)

PRESIDENT DWIGHT DAVID EISENHOWER, 1953 –  “Today let us, as Americans, honor the American fighting man.  For it is he – the soldier, the sailor, the Airman, the Marine – who has fought to preserve freedom.”

If you do NOT normally fly your flag everyday, make this day one that you do!  Even a small one sitting in your window shows your heartfelt…

View original post 198 more words

You are the Dream (….to my children for Mother’s Day)

Grab your tissues when you read this beautiful poem!

Be a blessing

Great thought!

osarobohenry

View original post

My one year anniversary! Time flies!

Wow!  I just received a message from Word Press wishing me a happy one year anniversary!   The year has certainly flown by.  What a year it has been!

I started out a year ago with the thought that although I would never consider myself a writer, it might be fun to learn about blogging and would be a great way to put my random thoughts about my experiences and my walk with the Lord into a journal type setting.  My desire was that perhaps some of what I write might be helpful or be a blessing to someone.

Was I ever surprised, and still am, when others started following my blog, many of whom shared that they were helped or received a blessing from something I shared; that they could relate to things I’ve said. I feel blessed to have made acquaintances and developed friendships with fellow bloggers all over the world!  A great example is the wonderful feeling I had, and still have,  during my recent surgery and recovery in knowing that people, friends and family alike, were praying for me on FIVE continents!  That is just so awesome and mind-boggling!   I cannot thank you enough!  You all made a big difference in how the Lord helped me with my recovery.

God bless you all for caring so much and for making me feel like I am truly a part of this blogosphere we all share. I have learned so much and continue to learn from you all. So many of you have played a significant role in my growth as I grow ever closer to our Lord Jesus Christ.  I thank God for you every day.  So, Lord willing, here’s to another year of growth and many blessings for each of us.    You make me smile! As C.S. Lewis says “Friendship is unnecessary, like philosophy, like art… It has no survival value; rather it is one of those things that give value to survival.”

I thank my God, making mention of thee always in my prayers.  Philemon 4.

Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. (Proverbs 3:5)

 

 

Surround yourself with people who make you a better person

So very true! Check out the rest of Henry’s blog too!

osarobohenry

View original post