Category: faith

Can we feel God?

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“I struggle…..I want to feel closer to God…..maybe that feeling….that yearning is all there is, maybe that is enough.”  From the TV show Madam Secretary.

feel GodWe all yearn for closeness with God. We want to feel His presence. We wish we could feel Him holding us….and yet it is rare if ever we actually feel that way. Sometimes we have that mountaintop experience but even the disciples had to come down. Life intrudes. The thing is whether will feel it or not God is always there….always holding us. So we need to turn loose of wanting a certain feeling and just choose to know He is there. We will still yearn for Him and maybe that is enough.

Loving God, sometimes we want to feel your presence…want some assurances….want writing on the wall. Forgive us for our feelings and teach us to accept your presence whether we feel it or not. AMEN

Maintain a Sense of Humor

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sense of humorGod definitely has a sense of humor. Just when you think that you have everything in place the whole plan falls apart. I am sure that God wants us to stay flexible and follow His plan. Sometimes it is not the plan that we had in mind or even wanted to follow. When things hit us like a pie in the face we have to maintain a sense of humor. We have to be able to laugh at ourselves, wipe the pie off our faces and follow God.

 

 

Loving God, I am sure that you laugh at us a lot but hope that we can get up and do your will. Help us to learn to move ourselves out of the way and follow you.

Lean on God

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hang onLife is not a bed of roses. Things happen that cause us pain. We can get discouraged. But God never promised that life would be perfect. He did promise that he would be with us every day. His strength is there for us no matter what. Take a deep breath and lean on Him. He can take it!

Loving God, thank you for being there every moment. We are blessed that you carry the burden when we can’t. AMEN

There is Always Hope

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There was never a night or a problem that could defeat sunrise or hope.

Bernard Williams

hope

God made a covenant with the people of Israel. He promised them a future with descendants. He promised that he would never leave them. He sent his son to take on our sins. He did everything he could to let us know his love for us. Remember those promises. The sun will rise tomorrow and there is always hope. Hope can support us when things look bleak. God give us hope.

Gracious Lord, you did everything to show us your love. Remind us that you are with us always and in your presence is hope. AMEN

Don’t Be Afraid to Love

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We are afraid to care too much, for fear that the other person does not care at all. Eleanor Roosevelt

gods love never ends

None of us wants to love where there is no love in return. Many times we are afraid to get in too deep….afraid of being hurt. The thing is that we have to take a chance or else spend out life with no experience of love at all. It helps to understand that the one sure love is the love of God. His love will never fail us. We may not always feel it for feeling are mercurial but he is there. He has promised us that nothing can ever separate us from his love. He keeps his promises.

Loving God, help us to remember that your love is steadfast and always with us. Teach us to love others as you have called us to do. AMEN

Act as if

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Act as if what you do makes a difference. It does.

William James

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A number of years ago a Quaker friend said to me “act as if,” She was talking about how we act every day. If we act as if we are happy we may end up feeling better. If we act as if God is important in our lives just the action can cause us to draw nearer to Him. What we do and how we behave does make a difference. Look in the mirror each morning and choose how you will act that day.

Wondrous Lord, help us to choose each day to act in a Christian way. Remember, we may be the best Christian example someone knows.

Listen and Face the Unknown

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Whoever you are: some evening take a step out of your house, which you know so well. Enormous space is near.

Rainer Maria Rilke

face the unknownStaying in our comfort zone is so easy. God, however, frequently calls us to step out into the enormous space. God is not an easy taskmaster. If we really listen and hear what we are being called to do it can be pretty scary. Don’t be afraid. No matter what God will be there with us. Take that step into the unknown.

Amazing God, how often we do not listen to you. Please help us, not only to hear your voice above the noise in our life but also to do as you ask.

 

Know You Are Loved

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The love of liberty is the love of others; the love of power is the love of ourselves.

William Hazlitt

power corrupts

There are so many people striving for power. It seems to be an  addiction that consumes everything. . Nothing satisfies except more power. I wonder if it even satisfies those who become president.  In the struggle to be on top people are not important. This is such a devastating way to live. I’m not even sure that those who live this way actually love themselves. This is not the way God calls us to live. We are called to love God and love others. In the process we are also asked to love ourselves because God love us. His love provides us with all the self worth we need. We just have to recognize it.

Loving God, thank you for seeing us as your children and for loving us. Help us to know your love and be fulfilled. 

Lean On God

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We could never learn to be brave and patient, if there were only joy in the world.
Helen Keller

I am sure that I would not be happy in a world where everything is perfect. I’m afraid it would be boring. God never promised us that our whole life would be easy or free of problems. He just promised to be with us. I always think of the 23rd Psalm. “Though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death I will fear no evil…for thou art with me.” God is with us each and every day no matter what.

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Loving God, thank you for always being with us. Help us to understand that you are there and that we can lean on you. 

Don’t Starve

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Life is a banquet, and most poor suckers are starving to death!

From Auntie Mame

 live itThis is so true. I wonder how often we stop to savor just being alive. Are we thankful for what we have instead of longing for what we don’t have.? Most of us in this county are so blessed compared to those living in third world countries. My husband and I live in Panama for a while (many years ago)  and it made me decide that everyone in this country should have to live  in a place of horrible poverty and need for a least a year.

Take time to be aware of your blessings. Thank God always.

Loving God, forgive us for our lack of vision. We do not see the good around us as often as we should. Help us to see our blessings and give thanks. AMEN