…you are deeply known and fully loved!

Bible and Quote - April 27 - May 1
     'Bible verse and quote' from Jan Couns

Though I walk in the midst of distress, You will revive me. Psalm 138:7a It is our want of watchfulness for the coming of God’s help that we are ever overwhelmed by the tasks, or difficulties, or sorrows of life. Alexander Maclaren, 1826-1910, British Baptist expository preacher The Lord will accomplish what concerns me. Psalm 138:8a In every area, allow God to define for you and show you the fullness of His provision. Henry Blackaby, Canadian evangelical pastor, author Psalm of David - O Lord, You have searched me and known me. Psalm 139:1 God…

Rest
     'God's Words For US' from Cecelia Lester

“The LORD replied,” My Presence will go with you and I will give you rest.” Exodus 16:14 (NIV) As a senior citizen, I find myself sometimes taking morning naps. Sometimes this happens out of necessity; other times, it just happens. Rest is important to us as human beings. We fortify our physical bodies when we have restorative sleep. It actually helps our bodies to heal itself. When our children were very small, an afternoon nap gave them a chance to revitalize themselves and we were able to get somethings done…

Is Your Life More Than A Dash?
     'Chip Shots from the Ruff of Life' from Tom Kelley

My parents are buried in a cemetary some three hours from my current home. My wife and I try to make it to their gravesite at least twice a year to make sure that there are flowers on the stones. Every time we go I look long and hard at their tombstone. It reads, "William Nelson Kelley; February 17,1921 - March 25,1998; Dorothea Margaret Kelley; January 6,1923 - December 14,2002." I lived with my parents for the first twenty-one years of my life. I remember all the things that we did during that time period as well as all the things we did after that time period. It's…

Mothers Day, 2017
     ''Winging It' from Stan Smith

There are lots of mothers in the Bible, some good and some not. For the "not good" you can think of folks like Jezebel or Lot's wife. But there were some really good ones. Take, for instance, Hannah. She prayed that God would give her a son and, in so doing, vowed to give him back to God (1 Samuel 1:10-11). That's a devoted mother. She highly valued children and wept for not having one, but more highly valued her God and believed that a child is a gift from God. She did quite literally what all good mothers must do in spirit as well; she gave her child to God. …

Charaktocracy, Part 2
     'The Way' from Kevin Pauley

The reason I left you in Crete was to set right what was left undone and, as I directed you, to appoint elders in every town: someone who is blameless, the husband of one wife, having faithful children not accused of wildness or rebellion. For an overseer, as God’s manager, must be blameless, not arrogant, not quick tempered, not addicted to wine, not a bully, not greedy for money, but hospitable, loving what is good, sensible, righteous, holy self-controlled, holding to the faithful message as taught, so that he will be able both to encourage with sound teaching and to refute…

The Incorruptible Word (3-29-11)
     'Today's Little Lift' from Jim Bullington

"Since you have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit in sincere love of the brethren, love one another fervently with a pure heart, having been born again, not of corruptible seed but incorruptible, through the word of God which lives and abides forever, because 'All flesh is as grass, And all the glory of man as the flower of the grass. The grass withers, And its flower falls away, But the word of the LORD endures forever.' Now this is the word which by the gospel was preached to you." (1 Peter 1.22-25). In the text just quoted, Peter identifies…

This Book tells Us About God, About Man and About Ourselves.
     'Word from Scotland' from Sandy Shaw

We come to Daniel Chapter 4 and verse 27 – As we have been reading of this incident in the life of King Nebuchadnezzar, where we see both judgment and concern, a question arose in my mind. What about all the poor people in the cities? What about all those who were suffering in Babylon at this……

Forgiving self... is that biblical?
     'Refreshment in Refuge' from Gina Burgess

Someone once pointed out to me that the notion of forgiving yourself was not a Biblical principle. I hunted and searched for hours trying to find something in the Bible about forgiving oneself. The closest I came was David’s Psalm 51 when he asked God to create in him a clean heart and to renew a right spirit within him. When you compare his Psalm 32 in verse 3 When I kept silence, then my bones became old, through my howling all day. We see the consequences of unconfessed sin. But that is different from forgiving one’s self for past transgressions which we have confessed…

Affectionately and Watchfully
     'Voice of Inspiration' from Andy Castro

Isaiah 46:3-4 (NLT) "Listen to me, all you who are left in Israel. I created you and have cared for you since before you were born. I will be your God throughout your lifetime until your hair is white with age. I made you, and I will care for you. I will carry you along and save you. 1 Peter 5:6-7 (Amp) Therefore humble yourselves [demote, lower yourselves in your own estimation] under the mighty hand of God, that in due time He may exalt you, …

The Implant Age?
     ''Christ in You...'' from Dale Krebbs

It has been suggested by some that since technological advancement is escalating at such an increasing rate, something must done to enable commerce to verify the true identity of anyone using a credit card or other medium to facilitate commerce safely. Several suggestions include an eye implant, or a chip installed in the hand, or perhaps an implant in the head of a potential buyer or seller to facilitate verification of someone performing a transaction. Those who dishonestly attempt to circumvent the common verification methods seem to be becoming more and more complicated.…

The Birth Of A Hero
     'Inspiration For You' from Randy Mitchell

When you think about your personal heroes, what names come to mind: a parent, sibling, action figure, military veteran, or stranger you witness saving a life? Maybe it’s the elderly lady selflessly serving free Thanksgiving meals inside the homeless shelter, an ER Doctor working exhaustively for three days straight, or just someone that reaches out their car window at an intersection handing over a dollar bill to a stranger in need. No matter who they are, we all want, and wish for someone who’s larger than life. Heroes come in many shapes, forms and patterns,…