Sunday's Coming

Good Morning,

Thank you for your prayers, e-mails, gift, and calls; what a blessing you are to us. Your support makes all the difference, so Thank You.

From my reading today, I want to share this by Jim Liebelt:

But I tell you, “Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you in order that you may be sons of your Father in heaven.” –Matthew 5:44-45

The story has been told of a man who while hiking in a desert, stumbled upon a rattlesnake that had become hopelessly wedged between a boulder and some limbs from a fallen tree. The man decided to save the rattlesnake, but in the process the snake tried to bite him. The man tried to free the snake a second time. Again, the snake tried to bite the man. Finally, on the third attempt the man succeeded and still, the snake coiled and attempted to strike its liberator. The man’s companion, who had observed from a safe distance, asked the man why he continued to risk himself to free the snake. The man responded, “The snake was attempting to strike because that is its nature. My nature is to love. Should I cease to love because the snake attempts to strike?”

Jesus demonstrated this same concept–a commitment to living by his own nature regardless of another’s nature–when He gave his life to die on our behalf.

Have a great day, love you, pass it on!
Don

Sunday's Coming

Good Morning,

Thank you for your prayers, e-mails and calls; what a blessing you are to us. Your support makes all the difference, so again, Thank You. 

We began our services last Sunday, we had a great day. It was good to see God at work here.  The park owner was even in attendance. Thanks again for all your help.

In my reading today, I want to share this:

Joy is Yours
By Jim Burns

Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!
—Philippians 4:4

Did you know that over 500 times in the Bible we are commanded to rejoice? The Living Bible says, “Be full of joy.” Every morning I repeat a particular verse in the Psalms to myself. In fact some mornings I say it while looking in the mirror, because I don’t feel joyful. Nevertheless, this verse is forever true and always helpful. 

Here it is:

“This is the day the Lord has made, let us rejoice and be glad in it” (Psalm 118:24).

The truth of that Psalm helps me get my day started on the right track. I have found that if I start my day rejoicing in the Lord, my day will be full of joy. A great preacher once said, 
“The surest mark of a Christian is not faith or even love but joy.”
Did you know that Jesus came to give you joy, a deep, overflowing joy that only comes from God? Jesus said, 
“I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete” (John 15:11).

God’s kind of joy is not a giddy, superficial good feeling. Rather, His joy runs deep. Even during the tough times it prevails in your soul.

Have a great day, love you, pass it on!
Don

Sunday's Coming

Good Morning,

In my reading today from The Sower by Michael Guido, I want to share this:

HELP WANTED

James had unwrapped all of his birthday presents except one. It was a small truck that had a bubble of plastic over it that was sealed to a piece of cardboard. He tried desperately to separate the plastic from the cardboard but had no success. Initially he thought he could separate the two by trying to slip his small finger nail between them. But his nail was too short. Then he tried to carefully squeeze the plastic to see if it would “open up” enough space for him to get his hand on the truck. That plan failed, too. Then he put the plastic bubble on the table and pushed on the cardboard thinking that was the solution. Frustrated, he looked at the little truck with longing eyes. It was a prize that became more valuable each time he tried to unwrap it.
Then he looked up at his Dad and asked, “What can I do to get my truck out of the box?”
“Well,” said his Dad, “you could ask for help.”
Every plan that James tried failed. They all seemed sensible to him, but when he tried to make them work nothing happened. Then he lifted his eyes and found someone who would help him successfully achieve his goal.
“In his heart a man plans his course, but the Lord determines his steps” is worth accepting and applying. We may design detailed, thorough plans to reach our goals, but when we attempt to make them work in our own strength, we become frustrated and discouraged when they fail. It’s better to include the Lord in the planning stage and then work with Him until they are fulfilled.

Prayer: Lord, we all want to succeed in everything we do. May we always include You from the beginning to the end. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Scripture for Today: 

Proverbs 16:9 In their hearts humans plan their course, but the Lord establishes their steps.

We wish we could thank each of you in person for the love, prayers, support, and for just being there for us. There is no way we could do that, so let me say – THANK YOU and God bless each of you for your kindness. Words could never express the appreciation we have for you all. You are family and we thank God for each of you that are a part of our lives.

Have a great day, love you, pass it on!
Don

Beauty in this little park: