A Rejuvenating Summer...

“There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven.”
(Ecclesiastes 3:1)

Summer—a time for a break from the ordinary day-to-day grind! The hot summer days make me lazy. But at times I feel guilty for not being on the go every minute. It’s hard to be still and just be. I'm reminded that even Jesus suggested His disciples needed rest, “Come with me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest.” (Mark 6:31 )

Let’s take time to rejuvenate. Enjoy the priceless moments of sunshine. Dance in the shade. Leave footprints in the sand. Squirt the hose and make water drop rainbows. Sleep in a hammock. Play “kick the can” with the kids. Read a book just for fun.

Time flies and before we know it, we will be hauling out the Christmas boxes. (Only six more months!) Yikes!

So, as you run into the arms of Jesus this summer, let Him swing you around and around. Have fun and enjoy your summer!

Staying in touch with God...

“I seek you with all my heart; do not let me stray from your commands. I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you.” (Psalm 119:10-11 NIV)

I attended Bible Study Fellowship for six years. The study ran September through May. I would study and learn so much about God’s Word during those nine months. My thoughts were fed with Scripture. In response to that daily study time, my attitudes and behavior were much more Christ-like.

Each year when summer arrived, I resolved that I would study one of the books of the Bible on my own. You know, nothing too rigid or outlined. But what I discovered was that without a Bible study book to work through, I drifted away from reading the Bible all together. By the time September rolled around, I was grumpy, crabby, and not so Spirit-filled. Hmmm . . .

I admit I am a slow learner. Finally after years of this cycle, I realized my personality change had something to do with my lack of quiet time spent with the Lord and His Word. This needed to change! What I discovered worked best for me was to have a Bible study picked out before Memorial Day. I chose studies that were not too in-depth, but ones that still kept me in God’s Word.

I would encourage you to do the same thing. Find a Bible study to do this summer while vacationing, sitting by the pool or one that fits your daily routine. I have listed a few great summertime studies. Let’s continue to run into the arms of Jesus this upcoming summer.

No Bones About It...

Spring is in the air! However, more importantly this is the month we celebrate the foundation of our Christian faith—the resurrection of Jesus Christ. Regardless of what James Cameron spouts on TV, there are no bones to be found, because Jesus Christ resurrected from the tomb.

Recently, my home church held a service to help explain the Christian faith. There was a panel of four people who are now believers in Christ. Three of the people on the panel came from different religions. A Jew, a Muslim and a Mormon, explained their previous belief systems. Each religion held one thing in common and that was good works were required to please their god and to enter into heaven. I was the person who represented Christianity. I didn’t have much to say except that Jesus Christ died for our sins, was resurrected, and now sits at the right hand of God, the Father. He did the good work for us, so we might have eternal life. We just have to accept Jesus as our Lord Savior.

Many people said after our Sunday services, “It just seems too easy.”

Yes, hallelujah! It is that easy!

“All honor to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, for it is by his boundless mercy that God has given us the privilege of being born again. Now we live with a wonderful expectation because Jesus Christ rose again from the dead.” (1 Peter 1:3 NLT)

Let’s celebrate Easter!

Linking Arms...

This month as we run into the arms of Jesus, let’s consider whom we might link arms with and bring to the heart of God. Is there someone in your life that needs to know the love of Jesus?

Today, I pondered what my life might have been like if someone had not cared enough to tell me about Jesus and the Cross. The very thought frightens me. I can guarantee I would not be the woman I am today. Jesus rescued me from a life of complete chaos and self-destruction.

Please read the following verses and allow them to speak to your heart.

Go out and train everyone you meet, far and near, in this way of life, marking them by baptism in the threefold name: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Then instruct them in the practice of all I have commanded you. I'll be with you as you do this, day after day after day, right up to the end of the age (Matthew 28:19-20 MSG)

Do you not say, 'Four months more and then the harvest'? I tell you, open your eyes and look at the fields! They are ripe for harvest. (John 4:35 NIV)

However, I consider my life worth nothing to me, if only I may finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me--the task of testifying to the gospel of God's grace. (Acts 20:24 NIV)

Do you know someone who is lost in the crowd? Do you have a friend who needs you to run with them to the heart of Jesus?

Linking Arms with you,

Our Valentine

February brings cold weather...
but warm hearts.

I pray this finds each of you warm and toasty with the love of Jesus filling your hearts to overflowing.

With Valentine’s Day just around the corner, the signs of “love” are everywhere. Let’s remember in this symbolic month of romance that only Jesus Christ can fill our heart’s desire for love. Jesus said, “As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love.” (John 15:9). So no matter whether we are single or married, let’s remain in His love.

Jesus desires to become our Prince, our Valentine, riding in on His white horse for us. Visualize this image of Christ.

I saw heaven standing open and there before me was a white horse, whose rider is called Faithful and True. . . His eyes are like blazing fire, and on his head are many crowns. He has a name written on him that no one knows but he himself. He is dressed in a robe dipped in blood, and his name is the Word of God . . . On his robe and on his thigh he has this name written: King of kings and lord of lords (Rev. 19:11-16).

He is our eternal Valentine! Doesn’t it warm your heart?

Let’s run to Jesus,

New Year = New Approach!

One thing I ask of the Lord, this is what I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to gaze upon the beauty of the Lord and to seek him in his temple.
- Psalm 27:4 (NIV)

I used to make New Year’s resolutions. The resolutions usually centered on losing weight, more exercise, or keeping my ironing from piling up into heaps. Unfortunately, I always reverted to my old behaviors by about the third week in January. Can you relate?

However, I do have one tradition that begins each January. I purchase a new devotional book and prayer journal. These new quiet time tools help me to start the New Year in a fresh approach in seeking the Lord Jesus’ will for the new year. The past is behind me and the future is in God’s hands. It’s a new beginning.

Let’s begin this year together in learning “to gaze upon the beauty of the Lord.”
I have listed in the resource section some of my favorite devotionals that will aid you in your own devotional times. Grab a notebook and jot down your thoughts and prayers as your spend time with the Lord Jesus in 2007.

Not only will they help you to recognize and recall answered prayers, but also they will be a legacy of God’s faithfulness in your life.

Listen, I hear Him calling to us…
"Come with me by yourselves to a quiet place . . .”
(Mark 6:31 NIV)

Happy New Year!