Though spoken originally by Jesus regarding temporal things, this may be taken as a motto for the child of God amid all the changing vicissitudes of his changing history. How it should lull all misgivings; silence all murmurings; lead to lowly, unquestioning submissiveness—"My Heavenly Father knows that I have need of all these things."

From, The Words of Jesus devotional, by John MacDuff

I also wanted to take this time to thank and encourage all pastors who are faithful to the Word and to the flock and haven't sold-out. I know that at times it may seem that you're alone as you face the daunting task of preaching the whole counsel of God (unaltered and undiluted) to a mass of people who would rather just be entertained, but don't give up. There are some of us out here that are grateful for your commitment and hard work and we salute your faithfulness in the Lord. Never give up, never give in, never compromise and never forget, your reward will be great!

Also see this related post.

Live your life in such a way, that when your feet hit the floor in the morning, satan shudders and says, 'Oh no, they're awake!'

With it was one of my favorite verses, Phil 4:13 "I can do all things through Christ, who strengthens me."

]]> http://backstagewriter.wordpress.com/?p=7 Fri, 16 May 2008 05:10:45 +0000 Amy http://backstagewriter.wordpress.com/?p=7 Mission: To bring the Christian music industry together to share encouragement, prayer, ideas, and advice.

What is it? A blogish website called “Backstage Writer” playing off “Backseat Writer,” but it the main target is musicians and industry people.

One to two “posts” a week would be written by and/or for musicians/industry people to provide encouragement (personally and spiritually) as well as advice for musicians on various topics (keeping in touch with family, ordering merchandise, working with the label, and so on).

Why? Everyone’s got a head full of knowledge and the Bible tells us that iron sharpens iron. Let’s work together as brothers and sisters in Christ to pool our experiences to help one another glorify God.

When will it launch? September 2008 (God-willing)

How Can I Get Involved? Since everything is still in the planning stages, it would be great to have your creative mind thinking about what you wanted to know when you started out in the industry, or if you’re starting out what you want to know. Also, what inspires you or a song you wrote (or a song one of the artists you represent has written). What are things that are important to be communicated? What are some struggles that are unique (and not so unique) to industry life? Most importantly, what has God laid on your heart to share. If nothing else, please pray for this project and tell others about how to get involved.

Who should I contact? For now, you can contact Amy Sondova by shooting her an e-mail (amy@backseatwriter.com).

Zen student: “Master, I am very discouraged.”
Master: “Encourage others.”

Certainly one way to increase the level of encouragement is to actively encourage others even when you're not feeling very encouraged at the time. This will require a substantial effort on your part to be an encourager when you are down.

The coaching hint here is - encourage others. Start today. Now there are other elements of encouragement that need to be considered. The encouragement has to be genuine, meaningful, heartfelt, authentic and valuable. In order to encourage effectively means really digging deep into your own soul to find the right words. This may be the difficult part because encouragement has to be more than just words slipping off the lips it will take some real effort to construct a meaningful encouragement statement.

What do you encourage people for? If you have children you probably encouraged your child to master these early tasks, like walking, eating, talking, and reading. It wasn't just a one time event it was a constant stream of positive encouragement. We should encourage people for things working on things that enable them to become better in something. We should encourage people who want to make a positive change in their lives.

Are you ready to encourage others? I hope so, make it a regular gift you give and encourage someone today.

5-15-08
8-14-01

Always purging,removing the selfishness.
This is an ongoing  process of christian living.
Every small success in becoming more Christlike,
weeds out the wordly garden within.
It took many years to learn the selfishness,
that the world teaches.

It takes purpose of heart,and love for  your God,
to begin to cleanse this temple.
Selfishness is a severe taskmaster,
who teaches its lessons well.

Many see no sense in the battles
that go with being a christian.
Of course,if you aren't having Spiritual battles,
then why aren't you questioning
what you aren't doing, to grow?

Were you aware that it only takes one incident
of acting on your faith to see your God
do His thing.Being so overwhelmed, that
He can; and will do what He promises: in His word.
It will take that initial step,like the first placing
your foot upon the water to begin your own action faith!
One time,of testing your faith; and seeing it really work
will change you forever.

Yes,the road is narrow,and not easy,
but now you never walk it alone.
You were on that wide road before
you found Him,remember?

My brothers and sisters,do not weary
of the good fight.
Remember the price, He paid for us always.

"For God so loved the world,that He gave
His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth
in Him should not perish,but have everlasting life."

John 3:16

Maranatha,

lampwicke     xxx

Thanks for shining a light on those dark corners daddio.

Jean has been telling me about your running adventure and I have been on your blog a few times and I have noticed lately your not having the "drive" that you had in the past.  You said you were trying to get it back into gear.

First off, let me just say that I think it totally ROCKS that you are stepping up and doing this.  It is such a fun thing once you get into it!  As lame as it may sound, I'm proud of you

So I thought I would share my reflection on running with you.  This is how it goes:

You start off with this grand idea of pushing yourself to a limit that everyone around you finds silly "what for?" "how far?" "are you punishing yourself for something, did you do something wrong?" and you start off with these goals of somehow finishing the race first, or some sort of ticker tape parade (I just always see that, I just want one).  So you start training and you make a few footsteps in the right direction, you start to improve, you take a 1 day break and your back to square one, how fair is this?  Your body always hurts, you find pain in places that you didn't even care about or know were there.

So you decide that your going to keep going...pushing towards this end, this final goal.  You get a date set and find the perfect race (of course the description says rolling hills but fast and mostly flat, you later realize they are filthy liars and it is uphill in all directions and only something that Indiana Jones should be able to get through) and you put down 40-60 dollars of your hard earned money for a sticker and shirt.

The day of the race comes and you have followed a pre-race diet that should at least cure cancer.  So there you are standing at this line with a bunch of people in what can only be described as how a cow feels at it's last few moments before doom.  You're tired (races start early afterall) your body feels odd from the over carbed meals you have eaten in the last couple of days and your anxious.  You here CRACK and your ready to run, except no one is moving.  Oh yeah, were in the middle holding pin and you wait, then finally baam!  Off you go. 

The starting miles go so quickly and easy.  As you continue to go, it gets rough, then painful, then to a point where you are ready to walk off and say "well at least I started"  You start to find targets to hit and when you get there, you find another.  The last half of a mile might as well be the whole damn race again from the way your body feels and then you finally see it, the finish line.

And this really comes to my point.  You get there and cross over, and it all changes.  You go from you the person who signed up for a race to you, a runner.  They give you a trophy that is made out of low grade metal and some really thin material to put around your neck.  I've realized that this cheap symbol holds more value than most things in life.  It is, to me, the equivalent of college diploma for your body.  It is your completion, your accomplishment.  You don't win, your not first (there is no ticker tape parade) but you walk to your car so much taller than when you started.  You're a champion.

Running is one of those strange things, and perhaps the only sporting event that I know of that everyone who makes it over that line wins.  You win for your own reason (better time, first completed race).  You see things out there that seem like a better time and place.  I mean, as a women you can just walk over to a bush, bend down and urinate!  People will just run right by and some may even wave, no one cares.

I guess my points is, good job, keep it up and just put one foot in front of the other until you cross that line

In His Sight

In His sight, thou art still precious,
Oh beloved, tempest-tossed,
When the rivers would o'erflow thee,
And it seems that all is lost.
God still cares! His love is changeless,
Though all human love should fail--
Fiery darts of Satan wound thee
‘Til thy very heart doth quail!
In His sight thou art so precious;
God remembers, treasures still
All these long, rich years of service;
Faith as stable as the hills!
There is no retirement in His kingdom, 
There is no rejection in His plan;
So keep that tender, holy spirit,
And pray for me whene'er you can!

1. Teresa, my amazing friend who just lost her dad, came by and several people hugged, loved, and comforted her
2. Pastor Aaron, our fearless worship leader, spent time with a young muscian who just wanted swing by to jam on the acoustic guitar for a bit
3. Mark, my incredible husband and talented (but humble) band leader, focused on his heart before worshiping
4. Kate, my beautiful friend and Associate Children's Pastor, made time to love on Teresa and catch up with me
5. Chrissie, my friend and faithful Elevate intern, stepped in where she was needed and graciously picked up for Teresa in a time of need

This was all in a couple of hours of work at our chuch. If this is just a glimse of the amazing people and love flowing from this ministry, then I know I'm in the right place.

Let's encourage those who work at making our churches and ministries a success.

Tell me something great about your church or ministry!

"He reached down from on high and took hold of me; He drew me out of deep waters.  He rescued me from my powerful enemy, from my foes, who were too strong for me.  They confronted me in the day of my disaster, but the Lord was my support. He brought me out into a spacious place; He rescued me because He delighted in me."  Psalm 18:16-19

What a relief to realize that the Lord knows exactly how to rescue us - just like He did for the psalmist!  Some situations are just too much for us...even when we try with all our might, we still need help.  When we come to those times it is good to think about the different ways He can rescue us:

• When I am in over my head, overwhelmed and and about to give up - His sees the total picture from above.  He has perfect perspective in my situation.  He sees every detail and at just the right moment, He stretches out His hand to grab hold of me and pull me to safety.
• When I am struggling with the personal battles of my life and it seems like everything coming against me is too powerful to overcome - He comes to stand at my side using His strength to help me.  He provides all the back up I need to stay in the battle until victory is won.
• When I feel pressed on every side...weighted down and can hardly breathe - He leads me to a wide open place where the air is clear and I can breathe deeply, be refreshed, and gain perspective.

Even more amazing is the fact that He chooses to do all of this because He cares for me - He delights in me!  Even when I make mistakes or struggle with bad habits or I am surrounded by problems, He still loves me!  He is always listening...and when He hears my cry for help - He comes to the rescue!

One additional note:  For those of you who have Aaron Loy's CD "Increase My Faith" -  the song "Rescue" is the #8 cut and it reflects the above thoughts.  For those of you who don't have this CD, it is available on iTunes and definitely worth a listen!

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My first one is .......

"She turned the knob with tiny fingers that were smudged with dirt from the garden...."

Have been getting a lot of medical attention the past few days. Just tests being done for my upcoming visit to my cardiologist in early June. Wore a holter monitor for a 24 hour period. That is no big deal, you just have a bunch of electrodes attached to your chest, that lead to a tape recorded type thing you wear on your belt. It monitors your heart activity for the time, so the doctor can see its actions over that extended period without you having to be in the hospital. Also went for a MRI on my heart. The gentleman running it was kind enough afterwards to let me see a few images of my heart as they see it on in the test. He took a moment to point out the various chambers of the heart etc.. It is really neat seeing images that you know are of your own heart and seeing it beating away. So here is my "totally unqualified opinion", I could see it was beating away so I am fine, end of story.

Vi is away at least until next Monday, she is attending the funeral of her ex mother-in-law. This was a lady that did plan a big part in her life for many years and is the grandmother to Vi's children. So she is I suppose partly there for herself and partly there for her kids. My condolences to the entire Ouellette family.

I watched a very interesting TV show last night. As its title "Mayday" may indicate it is about disasters or near disasters in which an airplane is in desperate trouble and possibly crashes. It is a documentary sort of program and not fiction. It contains dramatizations of actual events and even interviews with survivors. This episode in particular caught my attention as it happened right here. A passenger jet bound for here in Winnipeg was forced to make an emergency landing in Gimli a small town north of here. It was the tremendous skill of the pilot that saved the day. The plane was brought down safely.

What really caught my eye was the interviews with some of the passengers. Obviously, they knew the plane was in trouble and that they were making an emergency landing. They spoke of the fear they felt and of the feeling they were about to die. One man spoke of how he was filled with regrets, regrets of things done or not done, things said or unsaid. They spoke of how their lives were changed from that moment on, life was no longer seen in the same way. One gentleman even went as far as to say words to the effect, that with the exception of the birth of his child or children, he sees it as one of the greatest days of his life. Obviously, it was a great day in that he and all others survived. It went beyond that to being one of the greatest days of his life because of the profound effect it had on him. Life became more appreciated, seen from different eyes and appreciated.

I have heard a saying, "you never really appreciate something until you loose it or are about to loose it." I am not sure when that phrase was coined if it was intended to include life, but it certainly does apply.

Why does it seem to take something as serious as a near death experience to make so many of us realize what we have or can have in this life. I have had 4 heart attacks, each was a wake up call to me but I just didn't see it that way at the time. Instead of seeing it as a wake up call, I chose to see it as a hindrance almost like an inconvenience that I just didn't have the time to deal with. I went as far as to do my best not to even let it get in the way of my life and I just carried on business as usual. With time I even began to almost wear my "suffering" like a badge of honor. Sort of like, look at me and how much I have had to endure. I wasn't really looking for pity or sympathy or anything like that. I am not even sure what it was I was looking for if anything. Maybe, respect and admiration for how "tough" I was. I wore my suffering "badge" with pride. I strutted around proudly proclaiming: "Four heart attacks, bi-pass surgery........ couldn't put me down I am to strong to tough for that." Granted 2 of the heart attacks were relatively minor as heart attacks go but the other 2 were massive. OK, I am not totally stupid, I did realize each time that this was another sign I must change my life and life style and after the first two, I did change it at least for a couple of weeks. I discovered that actually making a real change to your life, take time, energy, work and determination. I always used the excuse, I just don't have the time or the energy and quickly slipped back into my old ways, fast food etc.. I guess that shows a lack of determination or will to actually bring changes into my life. It almost seemed some how that I became complacent about this whole issue, by the time heart attack numbers 3 and 4 came along, I just seemed to accept them. It became almost like I just accepted that this was the way my life was intended to be and there was really nothing I could do about it anyway or if there actually was anything I could do about it, it was to late now to even bother. I just I suppose accepted that this is my life and there is really nothing I can do about it, I am just destined to my fate, might as well just accept the fact. Poor me, I have a bad heart and will not live to a ripe old age." Now I look back with regret at each of the wake calls I got and didn't heed. I regret having somehow allowed my life to I suppose get into a rut when it came to life style as it pertained to my health. I knew I should be making changes but somehow became to familiar with the rut I was in. It was my rut and I was comfortable there as unhealthy as it was. It was just easier to stay in and follow "my rut" to where ever it took me. Now that I am hear and can see where my rut has led me the regrets come in. I knew I was continuing to stoke the furnace in an unhealthy way, but just carried on in my rut. Seeming to lack the strength, the courage, the determination, the very will to get out and improve my life. Looking back now it all does seems so ridiculous, but that is where my head was at that time and I can say at that time because I am a different person today.

If you are going to make changes in your life be they big or small, first and foremost it takes the desire to do so. I think this can come about by first recognizing any unhealthy areas in your life. Looking at these areas to see if you have yourself just slowly become complacent about accepting an unhealthy life style. I hope when this is seen it will create a desire or wish to change. Please, if any part or even all of your life is in an unhealthy rut, have the courage, the strength, the energy and the determination to get out. Granted our individual rut in life is our rut and is possibly come to be within our comfort zone. With enough time we can be taught to accept anything, no matter how bad and it gradually becomes a part of our comfort zone, our individual rut, that with which we are familiar.

First off making any change can seem scary, it takes us out of our familiar area of feelings. It does take courage but it is so worth it. How often have I heard or read someone say: "I just don't have the strength or the energy any more, it is just easier to give in and accept." Also I have real others may often oppose us making changes in our life's, likely I think mostly out of selfish or fear based thinking. So yes, it will take courage, strength and determination. But, we do all have that in us, we really do, believe it or not, depending on how you feel right now, know you do have it in you.

I am not sure if I hear this somewhere or read it or maybe it is my own creation, I am not sure. I will make up a totally wild scenario to illustrate my point. Think about a day in which you have been at your lowest for energy, so beat down, so tired you could do nothing but accept and endure what ever is thrown at you. Just no energy to fight or even object to really anything.

Now, keeping in mind your energy levels at that moment, and picture this. You suddenly see a child across the street in great danger, you know you can save the child from great harm by having the strength and energy to rush over there, I think that energy would suddenly be found within, drawn on an you would have it in you to rush over. Picture this again, you are at that same energy level and a loved one or a close friend calls in true dire and desperate need of help. Somehow, I think it is most likely that the hidden apparently hidden energy would appear to do for another what you knew needed to be done. Everyone knows that given the right circumstances and an issue that is important enough, we find the energy from within. I am certainly not trying to make it sound like it would be easy, but it can be done and deep inside we all know that. It is just easier to give in to the feelings of the moment, to exhausted. We know if forced to we could in fact find this hidden energy to help another, why can't we use that same energy to help ourselves. It is not necessary or healthy to always put the needs of others before those of ourselves.

If you see any part of your life, your relationships, your work environment as being unhealthy, recognize it for what it is and resolve to stop it. Start making positive changes and start now, you do have the energy to do it. It may even start with little baby steps, but each step is in fact a step in the right direction, you can do it.

Depending on the type of changes you are making, you very well may need outside support. Seek out and go to that support, utilize that support, take comfort and support where it is offered and available. It is not a sign of weakness to turn to others for help when needed. It is in fact a sign of strength, acknowledging a problem and taking what ever steps are necessary to correct it.

Each of us individually is ultimately responsible for our own lives, our own actions or inactions. Please, see this. It is easier to just give in to life, give in to others, let them basically make our decisions for us. With that we are giving up responsibility for our own lives. I suppose making your own decisions can be more difficult as then we no longer have the excuse when if one of our decisions didn't work out, "well it is not my fault, he/she made me do it. He/she is not ultimately responsible for the decisions in our lives, each of us individually are. It is our life to live, our happiness to find or our unhappiness to accept

Accept responsibility for your life, you can only grow to become a stronger, a better, a healthier person and happier person. It is worth the effort, PLEASE DO IT, FOR YOUSELF

I placed this video before my own words because Marvin Sapp says this so perfectly... he so superbly sets the tone for this post that my hope is that you play the video and let it minister to the hurt child in you. While you read these words, listen to what he is saying. You know as well as anyone that there is no reason that you can name this side of heaven as to why you made it through all you have gone through. You know better than anyone that you considered so many other ends and alternate lives... but to be standing here today, living out loud and striving everyday to be more than a simple statistic is a testimony to the work of God in your life.

And it does not matter that you still struggle to feel His presence. It does not matter that when you were being abused, you could not believe in Him. It does not matter that there are still scars to heal and nights when you cry out "Who is this God?" It only matters that He is and He is here... was there... with you... always. He kept you from ending your life prematurely. He kept you from disease. He kept you from a abortion. He kept you from prostitution. He kept you from mutilation. He kept you from promiscuity.

Whatever it is you are not, know that it was God and God alone that protected you. Know that it was God and God alone who held your hand in the dark of night as what was done to you. Know that it was God and God alone that walked the streets with you, keeping death at bay when you ran away. Know that it was He and not another that brought you through.

I know one thing for sure, I am here today only by the grace of God. I tried to end my life, and yet here I am living proof everyday that there is life after. All we have to do is hold on.

Listen to what Marvin is saying. From everything that he has suffered, he has gained strength and wisdom. He says he is better. And, watch this now, he says he made it. Know that you can make it. No matter what it is that is plaguing you, whatever the trouble is in your life, whatever you are going through or have endured, you will make it. I dare you... shout now.

05/14/08
Something Understood
Jill Carattini

"Do you see this woman?"  The question confronted me as if it were aimed as
much at me as the guests around the table.  Jesus was eating at the house
of a religious man who had invited him to dinner.  They were reclining at
the table when a woman who was very easily remembered for her flaws came
stumbling over the dinner guests, making her way to the feet of Jesus.
Weeping over them, she broke a costly vial of perfume, wiping his feet dry
with her hair.  Who didn't see her?  Who didn't notice her
strange commotion?  Who among them didn't immediately recognize how out of
place she really was?  Yet he asks, "Do you see this woman?" (Luke 7:44).
Apparently, Jesus saw something the rest did not.

The late seventeenth century poet George Herbert once described prayer in
a detailed list of stirring metaphors.  Among the first lines, prayer is
described as "the soul in paraphrase, heart in pilgrimage."  At those
words I cannot help but picture the woman lying prostrate at Christ's
feet.  As she poured out the perfume, so she poured out her soul.  Her
prayer was one without words, her worship spilled out as tears upon his
feet.  Onlookers saw a sinful woman, and an extravagant waste.  Jesus saw
a heart in pilgrimage, a prayer understood.

I remember the first time I was unapologetically honest with God; my head
was bowed but my hands were metaphorically pounding against his chest.  In
silent reflection, I shouted internally.  I told God I was jealous.
Everyone around me seemed to be experiencing the still, small voice, the
gentle touch of a Father’s hand, the assurance of God’s glory and power,
the confirmation of a hope and a future.  But I couldn't feel God’s
presence, or hear God’s voice.  I had more questions and uncertainty than
answers and assurance.  It seemed as though I was relating to an empty
throne.  Like an attention-starved child, I yelled at God for existing,
for forgetting to love me, for failing to understand.

In Herbert's list of words, my prayer this day was perhaps more fitting
"reversed thunder" or "Christ-side-piercing spear.”  My words pled for the
presence of God, for the love and will of a good creator in my life, for
complete access to the loving Father I believed was real.  But what I was
asking for sharply--and quite irreverently--required the death of the
Father’s innocent Son.  I spoke in ignorance and in anger, making claims
like Job without understanding.  I was not as interested in hearing at
that point as I was in shouting.  But God heard.  Responding to my
interrogation, God revealed my true question.  I was tired of being the
stepchild, and yet I had been keeping the Father in my mind as something
more like a distant uncle.  Seeing me, God showed me what I did not see.

"Do you see this woman?" Jesus asked as the others were questioning her
resolve and reputation.  "I tell you, her many sins have been
forgiven--for she has loved much" (Luke 7:47).  In the story that calls
our hearts and eyes to attention, we find that the woman not only saw God
when others did not, but more significantly, God saw her when others did
not.  Pouring out all she had at the feet of Christ, weeping at the sight
of her massive debt in the face of an innocent man, her silent prayer was
interpreted, and answered.  Then Jesus lifted her head and said to her,
"Your sins are forgiven" (7:48).

Fittingly, George Herbert concludes his grand description of prayer as
"something understood."  At the feet of God, our broken words and hobbling
metaphors are translated.  Whether we know what we mean or what we say, God
hears and knows and translates our own hearts to ourselves.  Our tears and
our groans come before the throne of a Father where we are heard and
lifted as children understood.

Jill Carattini is senior associate writer at Ravi Zacharias
International Ministries in Atlanta, Georgia.

Today on The Word Transfer broadcast Danny Bond takes a look at the gift of Mercy.

[audio http://www.thevinecf.com/radioprogram/005 MAY/wxfr pgm 05-15-08.mp3]

Many Christians go for years without a clear understanding of the gifts of the Holy Spirit. These messages take us through a comprehensive examination of the teaching of Paul the Apostle in Romans 12 as well as 1 Corinthians 12.

In the US call 1.888.682.9004 to order an unedited copy of this message or the entire 12 cd series. Click on The Vine Christian Fellowship link for more contact information.

Hopefully, you have heard that God loves You. Unfortunately, our culture has done a pretty good job of confusing the meaning of that word. People fall in love with others over their looks, their clothes, the car they drive, the way they talk, or the way they make someone feel. We see in the movies and on TV that love responds to something else. When those stimuli that brought on the feeling of love go away, so does the love. God does not operate that way. God does not respond. He initiates. 

When we had nothing to offer God, He provided grace. When we could produce nothing that would attract God, He loved us anyway. Grace (and God’s desire to offer it to us) was thought of before we thought of turning our back on Him. He pursues; He reaches out; He loves; He offers grace. 

Paul probably had never seen some of the people reading this letter. Yet he could still say “grace to… you ….” How could he do that if he didn’t know some of these people? He did that because he knew God had grace to offer to everyone who was willing to accept it. 

The Holy Spirit, who inspired Paul to write the letter, also knew that countless other people would read this letter. He knew you would read it. He extends this offer to you, whoever you are. Grace, God’s radical acceptance of sinful man, comes to us by faith. We do not earn it; we cannot pay for it; and we do not have to repay it. It is a free gift. 

So grace to you. Enjoy it. Bask in it. Believe it. 

1 Kings 1:5–6
view in context

Encouragement for Today

Many Scriptures contain examples of what not to do. This is one of them. Here we see the fruit of David's neglect and lack of parental discipline: Adonijah's rebellion. David may have been a good king, but he wasn't a good father. He never even asked Adonijah what he was doing (and the verse indicates this was a pattern). This kind of egregious parental neglect leads only to trouble and heartbreak. The antidote, implied by what David didn't do, is simple attention, interest, and discipline when the parent perceives the child is going astray.

]]> http://brucefong.wordpress.com/?p=448 Thu, 15 May 2008 10:28:36 +0000 brucefong http://brucefong.wordpress.com/?p=448 After spending many miles on the road it was time to stop and fill up my gas tank. My calendar called for more travel in the days to come so a full tank of gas made sense. In my plans I knew exactly which station I would visit for a fill up.

I left the office later than usual. That has its benefits. First, the freeway traffic is noticeably lighter. Second, most likely I was anticipating that the gas station would be lightly visited since most people would be home for dinner. I was wrong.My choice of a gas station was strategic. It traditionally has some of the lowest prices. Also, it has eight lines and sixteen gas pumps. Even when it’s busy the flow is always quite fast. I was wrong again.

When I rounded the corner, I couldn’t believe my eyes. The lines at this gas station were backed up to the drive way entrance. Behind each one of the pumps, there were lines that were six vehicles deep.

I was tempted to roll on by and come back at another time. Then, I looked at my gas gauge. It was the better part of valor to stop and wait in the longest lines that I have ever seen here at my first choice for gas.

Once I found my place in line, I put my transmission into neutral. Then, I looked around at my neighbors, each stoically waiting for their painful moment. There wasn’t a single happy fact to be found. I wouldn’t describe them as sad, rather I would call it resigned-to-be-annoyed.

Then, I looked ahead at those who were filling up their vehicles. Their countenance was decidedly animated. Some were shaking their heads in disbelief. Others were totally disgusted.

Finally, it was my turn to pump my own gas. The price per gallon startled me. Today, the price for gas was just pennies away from $4.00 per gallon. It was higher than it had ever been before in my lifetime here in the good ol’ USA.

Once the automatic pump stopped, I rounded the price up and had trouble trying to land the pennies on a five or zero. It moved too fast! After several tries the grand total of a full tank was more than I have ever paid for this vehicle.

I looked back at the next driver, shrugged my shoulder and felt pity for her and her full-sized SUV. She returned my sympathy with a head cocked to the side, accompanied with a deep sigh. Then, I strapped on my helmet, pulled on my gloves, straddled my seat and drove off grateful that the Lord has given me a motorcycle to ride.

Your love and Your faithfulness astound me; they know no bounds.

I was so glad when I went over to Iris' at Sting my Heart and discovered that her theme for this week's TT was love. The subject of Your love can never be exhausted.

I want to thank You for all You have done in my life. First You gave me Jesus and allowed me the privilege of knowing You. What is more, each time I mess up and let You down, You don't turn Your back on me or give up on me. Instead, You wrap Your arms around me and lead me back to loving You.

You shower me with blessings on every side of my life. What did I do to make You love me this way? That is grace is it not? That You give me a family that believes in me no matter what I do; friends who are ready to stand by me through whatever; peace even when things are not going the way I want them to. Grace...

This is just my opportunity to publicly acknowledge You and Your love. Thank you Lord Jesus for who You are. I appreciate You. Thank You for my sisters (and brothers) on the Internet; people Your love has joined together. Thank You for all that You are and ALL You will continue to be in my Life.

Love,

Sharon.