Category: hope

Hope and Love

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Romans 5:3-5New International Version

3 …………… we[a] also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; 4 perseverance, character; and character, hope. 5 And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us.

Reading this morning this jumped out at me. I am so stressed but rely on God to keep me in his care. I wouldn’t have managed this long without him. This verse reminds me that all this is not wasted but will result in the glory of God. I have always believed that everything that we go through readies us to use our experiences to help others. My knowledge of how to weather the storm can be passed on. And what I pass on is filled with God’s love as that is what brings me through.

I lean on the hope that this too will pass and there will be better times in the future. I have been so supported by my family that I can never repay the love and caring shown to me. Their love has been added to God’s to uphold me. It is what has sustained me.

My husband also knew what must be done in spite of his desire to stay in our home. I think he knew what was coming and wanted me safe and secure. His love has also given me strength. I miss him but know that he helped me to do what was best. His love supported me for almost 59 years and will continue to do so. I know that I was and am loved.

Just a prayer

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Tonight, Lord, I look for your peace. My life has changed so drastically in the last few months but most on my mind is my daughter’s breast cancer and waiting for news tomorrow of how far this has gone and what is to be next.

My heart longs for your healing grace and the love I know you bear for me and my family. Let us feel the touch of your presence to ease our hurting hearts and remind us that no matter what you will be present each and every day. AMEN

Hope is always there

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Psalm 33: 20-22
20 Our soul waits for the Lord;
    he is our help and shield.
21 Our heart is glad in him,
    because we trust in his holy name.
22 Let your steadfast love, O Lord, be upon us,
    even as we hope in you.


Hope is a word to cling too. So many of us are in a time of trial but there is hope. It is out there drawing us in....reminding us to hold on....its voice heard calling. The Lord forgets not our names. We have each been called and our name is known and always remembered.

Don’t let go. Hold on. Hope is there just waiting.

Loving God

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safe in the arms

Once again I am thinking about the prayer from the New Zealand Prayer Book. There is one phrase that has had me thinking for quite a while. I suspect that I will keep on thinking about it.

“Loving God in whom is heaven”

What a unique way to see heaven. Not as streets lined with gold or some other image that we might conjure up….but God himself/herself. In God is heaven. Being drawn into God to become part of all creation. I love that idea.

I am sure there are other ways to interpret this phrase but that is the one I am pondering now.

Sing, pray, wash

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People have been posting things to do to help us to wash our hand properly. For me this is not hard. There are several things I enjoy doing and have taught them while I was at the church as parish nurse.

This is one of my favorites. Just one verse will do.

 

Saying The Lord’s Prayer is also good.

For children I always told them Jesus Love Me.

There are so many things that will work. I hope you find something that you enjoy and get in the habit of washing well and continue when this is all over. May you and yours be safe and filled with God’s peace during this time of anxiety.

And there is hope

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Romans 5: 4-5

4 and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, 5 and hope does not disappoint us, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit that has been given to us.

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Many of us have something to endure right now. This verse tells us that “endurance produces character.” This is very true. Whenever we go through a trial we come away with new insights, new ideas, and new compassion. By enduring we understand better those who have endured before us. We have insight we can use to help others.

Take what you have learned and share your compassion.

The peace of God

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The world is a scary place. Even more so now. People are frightened of catching this new virus. In reality, so am I. My husband and I are in a vulnerable part of the population being older.

The truth is we can’t spend all of our time being afraid. Things happen every day and something that goes wrong may have nothing to do with Corona Virus. We have to keep our perspective. God has promised to be with us not matter what. We need to spend our time focusing on good things and not spend our time in fear. God’s peace with uphold us.

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“Fix your thoughts on what is true and honorable and right. Think about things that are pure and lovely and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise. Keep putting into practice all you learned from me and heard from me and saw me doing, and the God of peace will be with you.” (Philippians 4:8-9).

Prepare

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Isaiah 12:2-3

Surely God is my salvation; I will trust, and will not be afraid, for the Lord God is my strength and my might;   he has become my salvation. With joy you will draw water from the wells of salvation. And you will say in that day:  Give thanks to the Lord,  call on his name;  make known his deeds among the nations;  proclaim that his name is exalted.

prepare

During this advent season we have to keep the message out there. This season is about the birth of Christ. It is a time of preparation. Not just buying gifts, decorating, and cooking. It is about preparing ourselves. Take time to experience the aticipation, the expectation. Christ is coming!