Hebrews 11 - "I Can Only Imagine"

What a long night or I guess maybe it was a short night if you think in the lines of sleeping. I usually do not have an issue with sleeping. There wasn't anything in particular on my mind. Just a lot of thinking done which morphed into praying. I started thinking about heaven. What it will look like? Will we know one another? I've always been taught there will be no need for daily things such as food. Jokingly I have said things about not have my chocolate anymore will be a bummer but we all know what I will have will be much better than chocolate. I am so jealous of my Momma being there before me. I wondered what she was experiencing in her new body. Being in His presence 24/7 will take on a new meaning when I will actually see Him. Hearing His voice in person will be different. I cannot even begin to imagine life there. I do think it will be more glorious than anything we could ever imagine. I have the song "I Can Only Imagine" on my mind this morning...

Surrounded by You glory

What will my heart feel

Will I dance for you Jesus

Or in awe of You be still

Will I stand in your presence

Or to my knees will I fall

Will I sing hallelujah

Will I be able to speak at all

I can only imagine

This song was inspired by the life and death of Bart Millard's father. As long as we have breathe on this earth we have hope in Jesus. That hope leads us into life with Him for eternity as we allow Him to be our King of Kings and Lord of Lords. We read in the eleventh chapter of Hebrews of people who have gone on to be with the Lord due to their great faith on this earth. The chapter ends with speaking of something better God has in store for those who live for Him. I am blessed in the knowledge my Momma is getting her something better and look forward to the day I will be there with her. When I took this picture last night, I saw Jesus in the bright spot in the midst of the dark clouds. Woo hoo!

Dear Jesus, Thank You for the blessings of yesterday and the ones ahead today! Thank You for the work Doug and I accomplished at the church and the insurance agency yesterday! Cleanse me so You can fill me to overflowing with more of You. May people see/hear You through my words, actions, attitude, and thoughts. I pray Your strength over many going through difficult days. My sisters Linda, Sally, and Mary; my brother Richard; Ben and Colleen; Pete and Delores; Steve; Cait; Rhonda; Mike; Norma Hall; Jack and Paula; Sharon Sebolt and her parents; some young ladies with anxiety; a young man out of rehab; Mary Lilley; a husband/father separated from his wife; Brooklyn; Kristen Batten; April; families in turmoil; Gay and Doug; Sherry; and many others. I also pray healing prayers over many dealing with ‘c’ and/or going through treatments…Audrey; Chrissy’s cousin; Shirley Jones; Little Ivy; Little Judson; Little Roselynn; a young girl in our community; a lady whose breast cancer has returned; a lady diagnosed with stage two breast cancer; a lady diagnosed with throat cancer; Mr Mullett; Marybeth's friend; David; and Damon. I pray for: Rebecca as she awaits surgery; Dan as he awaits biopsy results; Sue with the loss of her husband; the Long family; Becky; Russ; and a couple having marital issues. Thank You for continued healing for Pastor Tommy and Pam and for Dee's granddaughter! I pray special blessings of strength and peace over Leslie and her family. Thank You for being My Something Better! Amen.

Psalm 3 - "Strength of My Life"

God woke me this morning with the prompting to read Psalm 3. David wrote this Psalm at a time he had to flee his son Absolum. There were so many times David felt 'beat up' by his enemies and yet he never gave up trusting God. This Psalm begins with him humbling himself before the Lord in the first two verses. Verses three and four show him realizing how God helps him and then verses five and six show how he realizes God is his safe place. The last two verses are entitled "The Secret of Strength" in The Passion Translation. God is our strength no matter what we go through. A 'secret' in that strength is allowing Him to be who He desires to be in our life. He desires to stretch our faith through difficult days so we will trust Him more. When our enemies seem to not want to back down, He is there to give us exactly what we need to glorify Him. In Psalm 3 there are breaks between each section entitled "Pause in His presence" which is exactly what we need to do. It is in His presence we find more of Him. We will experience more of His love when we stop and bask in His presence. We will experience more of His wisdom when we stop and listen. We will receive more of His clarity when we stop and be still before Him. Enemies come in so many different ways. Some come in people who are out to hurt us. Others come in the thoughts the enemy puts in our mind. Others come in the expectations we put upon ourselves. I felt 'icky' yesterday and wanted to cry all day long. I miss hearing my Momma's voice. I miss being able to call her when I'm having MS tingling and her making things all better. Yesterday as I started getting mad at myself for the tears and the feeling down the Lord reminded me it had only been a week yesterday since she took her last breath on this earth. One week. I know from past experience grieving will continue but I also know it gets lesser as time goes on. One week is not long and I need to remember that. I had my Momma for sixty-one plus years. She was a constant in my life that will no longer be. Even though I do not have her physically with me I do have memories to reflect upon which I am thankful. Not everyone has what I had in my Momma. I must remember that and be thankful for the gift God gave me in her. David began Psalm 3 lamenting but ends it with glorifying God. I lamented throughout the day yesterday and I pray I ended the day as David. Today is a new day. I pray it is a day full of God-blessed memories and that I make God proud of me. I know the way to do that is to be in His presence and allow Him to be my strength. I am reminded of a song Vertical Worship sings called "Strength of My Life" and feeling very blessed...

You are the strength of my life
You flood the darkness with light
I throw myself on Your never failing love
You are the strength of my heart
I'm running into Your arms
I throw myself on Your never failing love
I will walk and, not grow faint
Through the valley, You will make a way
You are always, holding onto me

Dear Jesus, Thank You for the blessings of yesterday and the ones ahead today! Thank You for bringing Doug into my life at the perfect time! Thank You for wiping my tears and being here in these 'hard' days without my Momma! Cleanse me so You can fill me to overflowing with more of You. May people see/hear You through my words, actions, attitude, and thoughts. I pray Your strength over many going through difficult days. My sisters Linda, Sally, and Mary; my brother Richard; Ben and Colleen; Pete and Delores; Steve; Cait; Rhonda; Mike; Norma Hall; Jack and Paula; Sharon Sebolt and her parents; some young ladies with anxiety; a young man out of rehab; Mary Lilley; a husband/father separated from his wife; Brooklyn; Kristen Batten; April; families in turmoil; Gay and Doug; Sherry; and many others. I also pray healing prayers over many dealing with ‘c’ and/or going through treatments…Audrey; Chrissy’s cousin; Shirley Jones; Little Ivy; Little Judson; Little Roselynn; a young girl in our community; a lady whose breast cancer has returned; a lady diagnosed with stage two breast cancer; a lady diagnosed with throat cancer; Mr Mullett; Marybeth's friend; David; and Damon. I pray for: Rebecca as she awaits surgery; Sue with the loss of her husband; the Long family; Becky; Russ; and a couple having marital issues. Thank You for continued healing for Pastor Tommy and Pam! Thank You for being My Strength! Amen.

Isaiah 43:18-19 - "Truth Be Told"

I woke up this morning with a song I heard yesterday on the radio that I can relate to. It's called "Truth Be Told" by Matthew West. He wrote of the song:

“I grow up and I become a public figure, and I sing and I write books and I have a podcast and my voice is heard by a lot of people,” West reflects. “There’s a tendency once again to pretend, even if you’re struggling, because it’s not easy for anybody, let alone having a public platform to admit when you’re struggling in any area of your life. That really brings about kind of this nagging feeling in your life that you’re living something less than an authentic version of who you are."

I do not want to ever live "something less than an authentic version" of myself. Sometimes that is hard such as with the loss of my Momma. I not only lost my Momma but my friend and confidant. I lost someone who even though we were seven hundred miles apart we were still connected daily through phone conversations until she went into the nursing home. I am feeling such loss. There is so many things that were put off over the last couple of months due to being in Ohio a lot, scheduling her night care while she was still home, making sure she was taking her medicine and eating even from across the miles, etc. I am overwhelmed with trying to play 'catch up' and get things accomplished yet still figure out this grieving process. You would think I would have it 'down pat' by now with all the losses I have experienced in less than three years. Part of me feels like wanting to run away from life and sleep, rest, do nothing, etc. I know that is not possible but I also know I have to have some self-care in my daily routine in order to grieve. Yesterday as I waited on Doug at the DMV I walked. I was determined to get a walk in at the water later in the day but that didn't happen with many phone calls happening and then board meeting last night. I was disappointed in the outcome of the day in many ways but especially with not getting a 'real' walk. God speaks to me through nature and I know if I would have been out in it yesterday my disposition would have been so much better. Today is another day. Once again I will strive to have self-care in my day. God desires us to take care of ourselves. His Word tells us in Proverbs 4:23, Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it. These words show the importance of taking care of ourselves. I was thinking this morning about how we must love ourselves in order to take care of ourselves. That may sound strange to people but when you think about Luke 10:27 it tells us we are to love our neighbor as ourselves. We can't love others if we don't love ourselves first. I was reading an article that talked about how it is essential we take time to make sure our physical, mental, emotional, financial, and spiritual bodies are healthy. When we do this, we will realize the ability to love others better. God's Word gives many examples of Him practicing self-care. Exodus 31:17 and Mark 6:30-45 tells us He rested. Sometimes, as a pastor, I feel like I can't take time for myself because people need me. Mark 4:35-41 shows Jesus resting even though there were many who needed Him. The words to this song are what I'm feeling these days...

I say, "I'm fine, yeah, I'm fine, oh, I'm fine, hey, I'm fine"
But I'm not, I'm broken

This picture Doug took of me Saturday at Stan Hywet Gardens has great meaning. God has told me many times over these last three years that I will be 'fine' as I lean into His strength. He gave me Isaiah 43:18-19 to ponder upon. Right now I feel like I am in the wilderness in these days without my Momma on this earth. I do not want to just 'wander around' but I also know I need to allow God to do something new in me. I know I need to be open to His healing. I think about the caterpillar who thinks life is over only to emerge into something more beautiful. I know I will come out stronger after experiencing this loss. I also know God is here to encourage me through these tough days. I know these things but my heart aches. To think I will never hear my Momma say, 'I love you Sheila Babe!' brings tears. 

Dear Jesus, Thank You for my husband who loves me well! Thank You for another day of life ahead! May I carve out time for self-care today. Cleanse me so You can fill me to overflowing with more of You. May people see/hear You through my words, actions, attitude, and thoughts. I pray for many going through difficult days to realize the need for self-care. My sisters Linda, Sally, and Mary; my brother Richard; Ben and Colleen; Pete and Delores; Steve; Cait; Rhonda; Mike; Norma Hall; Jack and Paula; Sharon Sebolt and her parents; some young ladies with anxiety; a young man out of rehab; Mary Lilley; a husband/father separated from his wife; Brooklyn; Kristen Batten; April; families in turmoil; Gay and Doug; Sherry; and many others. I also pray healing prayers over many dealing with ‘c’ and/or going through treatments…Audrey; Chrissy’s cousin; Shirley Jones; Little Ivy; Little Judson; Little Roselynn; a young girl in our community; a lady whose breast cancer has returned; a lady diagnosed with stage two breast cancer; a lady diagnosed with throat cancer; Mr Mullett; Marybeth's friend; David; and Damon. I pray for: Rebecca as she awaits surgery; Sue with the loss of her husband; the Long family; Becky; Russ; and a couple having marital issues. Thank You for continued healing for Pastor Tommy and Pam! Thank You for being My Care Taker! Amen.

Matthew 28:18-20 - "The Commission"

The last few days have been filled with so many emotions. Sadness yet joy. Frustration yet understanding. So, so many emotions have been experienced and so much physical energy spent. After getting in at 4:45 AM from a delayed flight I wasn't sure how I was going to present the sermon God gave me yet once again He provided the strength needed. After napping/resting in the afternoon we went into town for a walk and of course some ice cream. Returning home I worked on board stuff while Doug made dinner. As soon as dinner was over I climbed into bed and woke feeling better after eleven hours of sleep. Today is another day. There are two 'must do' tasks and the rest of the day will be used to rest. The last few months have been hard on my body with multiple trips to Ohio. They have been hard on my emotional being with getting married and then losing my Momma. They have been hard on my mental being because my brain is effected by tiredness. They have stretched my financial being but I know my husband has everything under control so I do not have to fret. The one part of my being that I can honestly say is solid is my spiritual being. I am so thankful for the way God speaks to me through other people, things I read, etc. I am especially thankful for Him speaking to me through nature. Doug and I have started a self-guided devotional centered on nature and how God speaks to us. I am so excited for this new part of our journey. I am excited to focus on God's Word with my husband and to expand both of our ways of thinking. I believe God brought us together for many reasons and one of them is to grow both of us spiritually. Matthew 28:18-20 was given as the commission for the new church year for not only my church family as a whole but for each of us individually. When I took this picture on our walk last night, I thought about how God makes us all different. These flowers are the same type yet they each have their own different color. They were planted at the same time yet they are of different sizes. That is exactly how God creates each of us. We may be the same race, sex, age, etc. yet we are different. God will use each one of us as we allow Him. He will open doors that need opened and close those that need closed as we allow Him. The 'secret' to a full relationship with God is us being submissive and willing to walk in obedience to His will. The day I realized that was a glorious day. Woo hoo! As I begin a new day I look forward to wherever God takes me. I am excited to see how I can make an eternal impact on people. Sometimes seeds are planted in lives and we never know the outcome. This last week when we received a note from a waitress that said, "I truly feel the strength inside of you" I was blessed in abundance. We prayed for her situation and immediately God answered those prayers. Not only were the prayers answered but she saw God in the midst of the answers. This is why I desire to he His hands and feet. I want to make a difference in people's lives. Something as simple as asking someone how you can pray for them can change their day but can more importantly change their life. There is the old saying about today being the start of the rest of your life. I want to make sure if there is anything I have missed in the past for God I do not miss it today. If there is anything He desires of me to say or do, I will realize it. The song "The Commission" is on my mind this morning...

Don't forget the things that I taught you I′ve conquered death and I hold the keys Where I go you will go too, someday But there′s much to do here before you leave

Dear Jesus, Thank You for Your love, mercy, and grace! Thank You for the rest received last night and for Doug taking such good care of me! Thank You for the way You will go before me today as I go to the DMV to get business taken care of and tonight as I lead the board meeting! Thank You for empowering me through this newness without my Momma here on this earth! Cleanse me so You can fill me to overflowing with more of You. May people/see You through my words, actions, attitude, and thoughts. I pray Your peace over many going through difficult days. My sisters Linda, Sally, and Mary; my brother Richard; Ben and Colleen; Pete and Delores; Steve; Cait; Rhonda; Mike; Norma Hall; Jack and Paula; Sharon Sebolt and her parents; some young ladies with anxiety; a young man out of rehab; Mary Lilley; a husband/father separated from his wife; Brooklyn; Kristen Batten; April; families in turmoil; Gay and Doug; Sherry; and many others. I also pray healing prayers over many dealing with ‘c’ and/or going through treatments…Audrey; Chrissy’s cousin; Shirley Jones; my pastor friend with daily chemo; Little Ivy; Little Judson; Little Roselynn; a young girl in our community; a lady whose breast cancer has returned; a lady diagnosed with stage two breast cancer; a lady diagnosed with throat cancer; Mr Mullett; Marybeth's friend; David; and Damon. I pray for: Rebecca as she awaits surgery; Sue with the loss of her husband; the Long family; Becky; Russ; a couple having marital issues. Thank You for continued healing for Pastor Tommy and Pam and for the little one with seizures discharged from the hospital! Thank You for being My Commissioner! Amen.

Luke 1:37 - "Goodness of God"

My dear Momma was more than my Momma. She was my friend, my confidant, my sounding board, and my hero. Her life was full of both 'good' and 'bad' things but most of all it was full of the love of God. She trusted God no matter what and was an example for all of how to allow God to be the center of her life. I remember a period of time when her and Daddy attended the Nazarene Church with us. The doctrine of sanctification was brought to life for both of them. They had lived for God but that teaching cemented being 'sold-out' to Him for them. I remember when they returned back to Orrville Christian Church she told me she felt like she had more to share through the experience. Once again I am reminded of how she was open to change and to learning. In the beginning of her getting a computer I never heard her say once, 'I will never learn how to use this' but instead saw her look at it as a challenge she would conquer. I am glad I have the same sort of spirit where very little looks impossible to me. I know if God wants me to do something it is possible. I also know I am not on my own strength to do anything put before me. Yesterday morning I had three 'melt-downs' before even getting out the door to go to the funeral. I said, 'I can't do this' and Doug reminded me I was not alone. He told me he was with me and most importantly God was with me. I am so thankful God brought him into my life when He did. The timing was perfect! I was able to not only get through the day because of God placing Doug in my life but I was able to glorify God throughout the day. This picture was taken last evening as we sat on Momma's porch for our final time. I shared memories of my Momma and Daddy with Doug. We laughed and there were a few tears shed. I want our marriage to be strong like their's. I want Doug and I to grow in our relationship through the 'tough' times we will face just as they did. Their faith grew over the years through circumstances no one should have to go through such as my sister being murdered. I don't know what is ahead for us but this morning's conversation about God being the center of our future encourages me greatly. I am excited for the days ahead. In the last forty-one days we have gone through getting married with ceremonies in both Ohio and South Carolina, buying a new vehicle, seeing Momma move to the nursing home, selling his house and combining our two households from 700 miles apart, selling Momma's house and getting it emptied out, and Momma leaving this earth. That is a whole lot of life changes and yet we are stronger in our relationship than before. God is so, so good and nothing is impossible with Him being the center of life. I look at this picture and see the dark circles under my eyes and pray for God to restore my physical body from these last few weeks with rest and relaxation. I am so thankful Doug is here to take care of me as he does. I am grateful God knew I needed a  mate, promised him to me a year ago, and in His perfect timing brought him into my life. This morning God is blessing me with the song "Goodness of God"...

Cause all my life You have been faithful
And all my life You have been so, so good
With every breath that I am able
Oh, I will sing of the goodness of God

Dear Jesus, Thank You for being my strength yesterday to not just get through Momma's funeral but to glorify You throughout the day! Thank You for Doug who reminded me I was not alone and for speaking through Ben and Amelia! Thank You for all who came to Momma's calling hours/funeral and for the way You ministered to all of us! Thank You once again for Dan and Pam opening their home up to us! Cleanse me so You can fill me to overflowing with more of You. May people see/hear You through my words, actions, attitude, and thoughts. I pray for many who are going through difficult days to be filled with Your presence. My sisters Linda, Sally, and Mary; my brother Richard; Ben and Colleen; Pete and Delores; Steve; Cait; Rhonda; Mike; Norma Hall; Jack and Paula; Sharon Sebolt and her parents; some young ladies with anxiety; a young man out of rehab; Mary Lilley; a husband/father separated from his wife; Brooklyn; Kristen Batten; April; families in turmoil; Gay and Doug; Sherry; and many others. I also pray healing prayers over many dealing with ‘c’ and/or going through treatments…Audrey; Chrissy’s cousin; Shirley Jones; my pastor friend with daily chemo; Little Ivy; Little Judson; Little Roselynn; a young girl in our community; a lady whose breast cancer has returned; a lady diagnosed with stage two breast cancer; a lady diagnosed with throat cancer; Sue Danhoff’s husband Harv; Michele with breast cancer; Mr Mullett; Marybeth's friend; David; and Damon. I pray for: Rebecca as she awaits surgery; the Long family; Becky; Russ; a couple contemplating divorce and another couple having serious issues. Thank You for continued healing for Pastor Tommy and Pam and for the little one with seizures discharged from the hospital! Thank You for being My Goodness! Amen.

Ecclesiastes 3 - "Scars In Heaven"

Today is a day I have dreaded for a long time. I know there is a time for all to be born and a time for all to leave this earth. I also know when our physical bodies are done here we receive new ones in heaven when we are in relationship with God. I know these things yet it is still so hard to comprehend life without my Momma on this earth. I remember when my Daddy left us I had such a void in my days without his phone calls. The few weeks my Momma was in the nursing home without a phone started preparing me for no phone calls from her. I am so grateful for times when Pam called me while with her so I could talk to her. "I love you, Sheila Babe' will forever be engrained into my mind. Last night hearing "I love you, Grandma Sheila" will also be engrained into my mind. What a fun evening with Ben, Emily, and the kids with dinner at Ming Hing and then swimming at their hotel. Oh how I treasure time with them. I have my Momma as a great example to follow in being loved by her children and grandchildren. Last night as we were eating dinner Pam told Ben how well behaved his children are and it made me so proud. I could not agree more with that statement. As we played in the pool after dinner I was so blessed as I looked over and saw Doug and Ben talking and laughing as I played with the kids. It was just what I needed before going into the day ahead today. I know there will be tears and that's OK. God reminds me frequently that tears are cleansing. I know the tears that fall will be both out of sadness and for joy. I am so thankful my Momma is no longer in pain. I am thankful she will never deal with fibromyalgia or arthritis again. I am thankful for friends who love on me well in these situations. No matter how much my head knows the words of Ecclesiastes 3 are true my heart still hurts. Throughout the day yesterday I caught myself singing or humming "Scars In Heaven" and feeling so close to my Momma. She made me so proud with the way she embraced change. I have a picture I took without her knowing it from last summer with her watching her church service on-line singing to a contemporary song. Woo hoo, Momma! There are not a lot of ninety-two year olds that could use a computer let alone watch church services on-line. There are also not a lot of ninety-two year olds that embraced the 'new' music they way she did. I always say, 'When I grow up I want to be like my Momma' and truly mean it! I want to love Jesus like does so that I will love people like she did. I want to embrace change with an open mind no matter what others may say. I want to be loved by all who know me because they can feel my love for them. I am so grateful for these words...

The only scars in heaven, they won't belong to me and you
There'll be no such thing as broken and all the old will be made new
And the thought that makes me smile now even as the tears fall down
Is that the only scars in heaven are on the hands that hold you now

Dear Jesus, Thank You for the blessings of yesterday and the ones ahead today! Thank You for Doug loving me so well through these tough days! Thank You for my walk yesterday with Pam, our dinner with Dan, Pam, Ben, Emily, and the kids along with our time at the hotel pool afterwards! Thank You for the way You are going to be my strength through the time of Momma's funeral today and in the days ahead without her on this earth! Cleanse me so You can fill me to overflowing with more of You. May people see/hear You through my words, actions, attitude, and thoughts. I pray Your strength over many going through difficult days. My sisters Linda, Sally, and Mary; my brother Richard; Ben and Colleen; Pete and Delores; Steve; an infant life flighted due to seizures; Cait; Rhonda; Mike; Norma Hall; Jack and Paula; Sharon Sebolt and her parents; some young ladies with anxiety; a young man out of rehab; Mary Lilley; a husband/father separated from his wife; Brooklyn; Kristen Batten; April; families in turmoil; Gay and Doug; Sherry; and many others. I also pray healing prayers over many dealing with ‘c’ and/or going through treatments…Audrey; Chrissy’s cousin; Shirley Jones; my pastor friend with daily chemo; Little Ivy; Little Judson; Little Roselynn; a young girl in our community; a lady whose breast cancer has returned; a lady diagnosed with stage two breast cancer; a lady diagnosed with throat cancer; Sue Danhoff’s husband Harv; Mr Mullett; Marybeth's friend; David; and Damon. I pray for: Rebecca as she awaits surgery; the Long family; Becky; Russ; a couple contemplating divorce and another couple having serious issues. Thank You for continued healing for Pastor Tommy and Pam! Thank You for being My Strength! Amen.

Psalm 46 - "Into The Sea (It's Gonna Be OK)"

Another morning waking up feeling exhausted. The emotions of this time are causing havoc on my body. I told Doug this morning some day I will be rested again. I don't know how soon that will happen but I am so ready for it. I apologized to God for whining about it because I feel guilty when I voice such things. His response, 'It's OK, Daughter.' Several time yesterday Doug said, 'It's going to be OK.' The term 'OK' can mean so many different things. It can mean no matter what is happening in life God is with us. Another meaning is things may never be the same as they once were yet they can still be good. Right after Doc passed Paul shared with me a song that had just came out called "Into The Sea (It's Gonna Be OK)" which is on my mind this morning...

From beginning to the end
You're so close
You have never let me down
And you won't
In the valleys, in the shadows, I know
You're so close
You're so close
Though the mountains may be moved into the sea
Though the ground beneath might crumble and give way
I can hear my Father singing over me
"It's gonna be OK, it's gonna be OK"

Yes! Life will be OK even though my world changed drastically Tuesday morning. I am so thankful for the way God brought Doug into my life prior to this time. I am grateful for his support and to have someone to make decisions. I am grateful for the means to be able to fly instead of having another drive in the truck. I am grateful for Tom who is more than the pastor and part of our family. I am grateful for a 'down time' last night to introduce Linda and Junior to Jackie and Tim. I am grateful for Dan and Pam opening their home up to us. God takes care of every little detail of what is needed to make everything OK. Woo hoo! My Momma and my Daddy taught me well to trust God. They taught me to love others with His love and I strive to do so. Psalm 46:1-3 are words I ponder upon frequently. They read in the New Living Testament: God is our refuge and strength, always ready to help in times of trouble. So we will not fear when earthquakes come and the mountains crumble into the sea. Let the oceans roar and foam. It's Gonna Be OK...yes it is! No matter what the day ahead holds it will be OK because God already knows every aspect of it.

Dear Jesus, Thank You for the blessings of yesterday and the ones ahead today! Thank You for: safe travels; Staci's hug when I got off the plane; Doug being with me; our time with Linda, Junior, Jackie, and Tim; seeing Jenna and the littles; Tom being more than a pastor; and Dan and Pam opening their home to Doug and I! Thank You for whatever You have in store today that will be 'OK' however it transpires! Cleanse me so You can fill me to overflowing with more of You. May people see/hear You through my words, actions, attitude, and thoughts. May Your strength continue to be with my family and all going through difficult times. My sisters Linda, Sally, and Mary; my brother Richard; Ben and Colleen; Pete and Delores; Steve; Cait; Rhonda; Mike; Norma Hall; Jack and Paula; Sharon Sebolt and her parents; some young ladies with anxiety; a young man out of rehab; Mary Lilley; a husband/father separated from his wife; Brooklyn; Kristen Batten; April; families in turmoil; Gay and Doug; Sherry; and many others. I also pray healing prayers over many dealing with ‘c’ and/or going through treatments…Audrey; Chrissy’s cousin; Shirley Jones; my pastor friend with daily chemo; Little Ivy; Little Judson; Little Roselynn; a young girl in our community; a lady whose breast cancer has returned; a lady diagnosed with stage two breast cancer; a lady diagnosed with throat cancer; Sue Danhoff’s husband Harv; Michele with breast cancer; Mr Mullett; Marybeth's friend; David; and Damon. I pray for: Rebecca as she awaits surgery; the Long family; Becky; Russ; a couple contemplating divorce and another couple having serious issues. Thank You for continued healing for Pastor Tommy and Pam! Thank You for being My Strength! Amen.