Sunday Writings......5/29/16

Good morning...
       Today was eventful and enjoyable. I met my friend Diane for breakfast. We had a great time, and talked for more that two and a half hours. It is not often that you can do that and part feeling you have been blessed by your time with someone.

       Then I went to an oriental grocery store called 99 Ranch. The minute I walked through the door I could smell fish. They have live fish swimming in huge tanks. However the fish I could smell were in bins of ice, but not behind a glass. I cannot stand fish, so it was a stretch for me. Still I could appreciate the style of it all as fascinating and unusual.

       I rounded my day off at a music store where I took my violin to have it  seen and evaluated. My friend, Jody, had found out that I played the violin as a child. She is the worship leader in our Women's Focus Ministries Retreats. She asked me to build up my skills so that I could play during worship. We will see how that goes.

Sometimes God hands you an event filled day that is enjoyable from start to finish. Today was that kind of a day...a gift from God.

Have an enjoyable Memorial Day weekend and thank God for the people who have thought and died to give us the life that we have.

Here is another of His gifts for you...a spectacular Sunday to enjoy.

God bless from
Corinne




The Devotional component of the Sunday Writings is titled, "War." It was written bu Jan Andersen. Here is a quote from her writing, "Throughout history there have continued to be conflicts and police actions and wars, etc., between people and regions and countries.  As we celebrate Memorial Day in the U.S. this weekend, we remember those who lost their lives fighting for us."

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  Today's Devotional   

"WARS"

written by

Jan Andersen

There has been conflict of some sort ever since the first family started - not the President's family - Adam and Eve's family, specifically their sons, Cain and Abel.  Cain murdered Abel because he was jealous of how God favored Abel's sacrifice from his flock over Cain's fruits of the soil.  It was not because God was a carnivore and not an herbivore!  Abel gave God the very best of his flock, fat portions from some of the firstborn of his flock, whereas Cain apparently just brought some of what he grew, not necessarily the choicest selections.  This was the outward act, but beyond that was what was in his heart.  Cain deceived Abel into going out to the field with him and killed his brother there. Then he tried to deny to God that he knew what had happened. Throughout history there have continued to be conflicts and police actions and wars, etc., between people and regions and countries.  As we celebrate Memorial Day in the U.S. this weekend, we remember those who lost their lives fighting for us. 

We often have hostilities within our own circles.  There may be skirmishes at work with other people.  Perhaps we have fights with our friends that sometimes destroy those relationships.  Struggles may occur within our own families - those ties that bind may even end up choking someone!  Some of these hostilities may be justified, while others may not.  Then there are those internal conflicts we have within ourselves.  Weaknesses always lurk somewhere within us, since the fall of Adam and Eve brought sin into the human race.  We fight against our defective desires and flaws, temptations and doubts.  When we come upon life's challenges, we may fear or lose hope instead of trusting in God.  Even though we know what is right or wrong, there is always a battle raging within us against Satan.  We are not perfect and never will be on this earth.  

Jesus came to earth to fight for us against Satan.  Unlike us, Jesus was able to fulfill the law by being a perfect human.  As the spotless Lamb, He was sacrificed on the cross in our place to pay the punishment for our sins.  We should remember the ultimate sacrifice of his life for us this weekend as well.  However, unlike our fallen soldiers, he rose again from the dead.  He has defeated the devil so that we can have eternal life with him in heaven.  

There will continue to be wars until the end of life on earth, both in the world as well as within ourselves.  We will continue to fall short, but God helps us turn to him and freely forgives us.  Faith in God is all that we need, and even that he gives to us through his Spirit.  As this world passes away in the end, God will yet remain and we will be with him in heaven!

Matthew 24:6-8, 35 (NIV)  [Jesus said]: "You will hear of wars and rumors of wars, but see to it that you are not alarmed.  Such things must happen, but the end is still to come.  Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom.  There will be famines and earthquakes in various places.  All theses are the beginning of birth pains... Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away."

Dear Father in heaven, thank you

Dear Father in heaven, thank you for your protection in our battles on earth.  Give us strength and perseverance to fight when needed, and faith in your promise to always be with us and help us through.  May we forever be grateful for your forgiveness when we fail and your power to remain faithful.  Thank you also for your eternal word to guide us on the path of righteousness.  In Jesus' name, Amen.

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  Humorous  Innocence From the Mouths of Babes   

I was squatting in the store looking at stuff on the bottom shelf, and my 2-year-old yelled, “Mommy, are you making poop?!”

“My little cousin was holding my dog when she said, ‘If I squeezed him as hard as I love him, he would explode.’”

“When I asked my 3-year-old what he thought heaven was like he said, ‘Everyone drives a monster truck all the time.’”

“My niece saw me take off my shirt and, pointing at my chest, asked, ‘How come you got a beard on there?’”

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   Snippets of Spiritual Insights  from Beverley   

Sometimes when "life" calls me. I simply don't answer. Sometimes I "sit it out" instead. I make the choice- to not participate. I feel like I'm making a statement. A silent one. With actions. Instead of words.

What I love is how certain Freinds "hear" me. Anyways. They see my actions. And accept my silence. They honor my wishes. And let me be. Whatever I am "being" at the time.

They don't leave me out. They don't go on. Without me. They simply continue. To carry on. While keeping me. Close. To them. Until. That magical moment- when the warmth of their love. And the delightful sound. Of their laughter. Draw me back in.

Back. Into life. Back into participating. Once again. With the group. And back into actively pursuing. My difficulties. And not allowing. My difficulties. To pursue me. Into being silent. Or into feeling stuck. Without a plan- and without a purpose.

Today I am grateful. For these Friends. For their love. And for their courage. For the strength they have. Together- in numbers. Together- in purpose. To pull me along. With them. Until- I can once again find the strength I need. To take my place. Beside them.  

(c) Beverley A. Napier

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   Today's Inspiring Graphic   

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Prayers are lifted up daily for 

you by the Devotional Writers 

and the Monthly Writing Staff

of Women's Focus Ministries.