Today Someone - Two

Today Someone...Patricia Nell Sydney

2010-11-24T04:57:00.000-08:00

Rest in Peace dear Mum.

31 st May 1934 - 26 th September 2010

Ross's tribute to Granny:

Today Granny would not want us to be sad, but rather have us celebrate her life. Her nine grandchildren brought her great happiness, and when we were younger we all used to receive teddy-bears and toys which she sewed for us. Her trademark heart which she sewed on to them was a clear representation of the kind, loving women that she was. I still clearly remember how spoilt we used to get when we went to visit her when she and Pa lived out at Walkerville. She would bake us cakes, buy us sweets and always give us a sticky sweet to enjoy on our way home in the car, much to my dad’s disgust.

The last two years that she lived with us, I really got to know her, talking to her for several hours every week. She would tell me all the stories of her life and would be there for me to talk to about my problems, and was always able to give me a little ‘pick me up’. At the end of everyday she would tell me to look in her cupboard, and everyday there would be a little tub of jellybabies, that she and I used to share.

When there was load shedding and nothing to do at night, Granny and I would play rummy by gas light. As a kid she always used to let me win, but as she got older the roles seemed to reverse and I was the one letting her win.
Granny really loved her food, and I will never forget her meal at the Durban Country Club, despite her lack of sight and her struggle to walk, she still managed to get up to the buffet, not just once, but seven times! Granny had a great sense of humour and didn’t mind our teasing her.

As she grew weaker, she always used to call for me to help her, because she trusted that I wouldn’t let her fall, as it was her greatest fear. I always remember when I went to visit her in her room, her saying, ‘That’s the one I want to see.’ We had a special bond. It broke my heart that I could not take away her pain and suffering. But now she is in a better place, she loved the Lord and was ready to go home to Him. Our loss is Heaven’s gain.

I will always remember you, Granny, as the beautiful woman sitting out on the veranda reading your book, as cheerful as can be. I will always Love you.

Doreen's prayer for her Mum.

Dear Lord,

A familiar noise now startles me,

I sadly turn in anticipation,

Knowing "Granny" won't be back,

Is becoming a daily realisation.

You had seen her suffering,

Looked down at her tired face;

So You lifted her to rest,

In Your special chosen place.

Oh Lord, how we miss her,

Even though she is safe with You.

One more hug, a look, a word,

Will never happen again, it's true.

That does not mean we must forget,

Or hide away feelings, so deep.

Our love for her will never change,

Cherished memories, we'll keep.

The loss we feel is hard to bear,

Each heartache You already know;

You understand our every need,

Your comforting love to us, You show.

One day we will be called home too,

To dwell in Heaven for all eternity.

So we await that glorious day,

When, reunited with "Granny" we will be.

Amen.

Today Someone...RIP Jinxie Belle

2010-06-03T04:48:00.000-07:00

My family gave me Jinxie, a little 6 week old Beagle puppy, for my 49 th birthday.

She had a sweet nature and when she was small I'd carry her around under my arm and call her my fashion accessory - Beagle not Burberry!

She and our two year old Golden Retriever, Jordie, were inseparable. As she got bigger they would spend hours together "gardening"... pulling out irrigation pipes, leaves, branches, whatever they could find, strewing them all over the lawn!

Naughty is the definition of a Beagles nature, and Jinxie was that. She would "steal" tools, slippers, toys and bury them in the garden only to be found again at a later date in a state of disrepair.

A more recent trick of hers was to jump into the open car and see what she could find to run away with.

After the onerous task of getting Granny into the car for a doctors appointment I turned around to find Jinxie sitting elegantly on the back seat ready to go.

I could never be cross with her. One look at that innocent face and all was forgiven.

She was a clever little dog and knew if she waited until the motorised gate to the property had almost closed, she could run in front of the sensor and it would open again. She would then be off like the wind, down the road, ignoring our calls. It had become a game to her. Unfortunately it was her demise, she was knocked down by a passing car and died en route to the vet.

Jinxie you will live on in our hearts and we will always cherish our happy memories of you!

Sweet Blessings From Above

Sweet blessings from above,

In the form of perfect love.

Warm and fluffy, snugly ears,

Bring us comfort through the years.

Love and care is all they need,

They're with us through every deed.

They don't need to be impressed,

They understand us when we're stressed.

They lick the tears from our faces,

They never try to disgrace us.

No matter what mood we're in,

They greet us with a happy grin.

God made these lovely creatures,

We should adopt their caring features.

What a better place this would be,

To live in peace and harmony.

Cherish your pets every day,

In time they will be called away.

And the heartache you may feel,

Will confirm their love was real.

By Doreen Hardie.

Today Someone...Absolution through the Cross

2009-11-23T01:56:00.000-08:00

When we are left with an unresolved situation, where death takes away our last chance of reconciliation, a special type of healing and comfort is needed. We need absolution from our guilt and from the hurts we have received.

Let us look at Paul's example in his letter to Philemon.

[1:18] If he has done you any wrong or owes you anything, charge it to me.

Paul was willing to pay the cost of anything owed to the master by the servant at fault. He would take the whole debt on himself, no repayment was necessary.

Likewise, Jesus on the cross died to take all our sins away and grant forgiveness so that we can have everlasting life.

These unresolved issues we must give to Jesus as He has COMPLETELY paid the price for all our mistakes. What a humbling thought.

We must take ALL our feelings of resentment, lack of forgiveness, retaliation, guilt and hurt, and place them at the foot of the cross.

We must ask God for His forgiveness for all our sinfulness, faults and hurt we caused in this situation.

We must ask for forgiveness for the injustices that were done to us.

We must allow God's GRACE to fill the wounds and heal us.

No amount of money, duty, acknowledgements will bring about this forgiveness and grace except through the cross of Jesus.

How comforting it is to know that we have a Saviour who loves us this much.

It is not easy to accept His forgiveness, we are only human, and these past feelings can seep back into our hearts. But Jesus understands, He lived among us, He encourages us to return to His cross daily in prayer.

We do indeed have a loving Father who in our darkest time of grief brings comfort.

Let us Pray:

Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,

The Father of compassion and the God of all comfort,

Who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those

in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God. [a]

The Lord is close to the brokenhearted

And saves those who are crushed in spirit. [b]

The Lord redeems His servants;

No one will be condemned who takes refuge in Him. [c]

Let us make every effort to do what leads to peace

and to mutual edification. [d]

Therefore let us stop passing judgment on one another. Instead, make up

your mind not to put any stumbling block or obstacle in your brother's way.[e]

If he has done you any wrong or owes you anything, charge it to me. [f]

Grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. [g]

The Lord your God is with you, He is mighty to save.

He will take great delight in you, He will quiet you with His love,

He will rejoice over you with singing. [h]

Therefore we do not lose heart.

Though outwardly we are wasting away,

Yet inwardly we are being renewed

day by day. [i]

Be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. [j]

Be joyful always, pray continually;

Give thanks in all circumstances,

For this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus. [k]

For God so loved the world

that He gave His one and only Son,

That whoever believes in Him shall not perish

but have eternal life. [L]

Now to Him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine,

According to His power that is at work within us,

To Him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations,

For ever and ever!

Amen. [m]

By Doreen Hardie

(New International Version)

[a] 2 Corinthians 1:3-4 [b] Psalm 34:18 [c] Psalm 34:22 [d] Romans 14:19 [e] Romans 14:13 [f] Philemon 1:18 [g] 2 Peter 3:18 [h] Zephaniah 3:17 [i] 2 Corinthians 4:16 [j] Ephesians 6:10 [k] 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 [L] John 3:16 [m] Ephesians 3:20-21

Today Someone...Let Us Encourage One Another

2009-07-22T03:48:00.000-07:00

"Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.

Hebrews 10:25 (NIV).

We are often so involved in our own busy lives that we forget the importance of worshiping together. Daily problems seem bigger than they are when faced alone. The body of Christ is there to encourage you. But all too often there is infighting among the members. We lose interest and go it alone.

This is the temptation of the devil.

The above verse says we should encourage each other all the more as we see the Day approaching!

It would do us well to follow the example of the geese who fly in > formation. As each bird flaps its wings, it creates uplift for the bird immediately following. By doing this, the whole flock adds at least 71 percent greater flying range than if each bird flew on its own. When the head goose gets tired, it rotates back and another goose flies point. Also, the following geese honk from behind to encourage those up front.

If we worked together as a team, each one leading in his particular strengths, following and encouraging others in their strengths and weaknesses with no criticism or condemnation we too might be able to expand God's kingdom here on earth by 71 percent or more!

Today someone prays;

Dear Lord,

"Let us not give up meeting together,

As some are in the habit of doing,

But let us encourage one another...

As we see The Day approaching."*

Let us work together as a team,

Each one taking his turn to lead;

Like geese when they fly south,

Rotating leadership to keep up speed.

Let us be supportive group members,

Followers and encourager's to those up front.

Birds know each one ahead creates uplift

Increasing the flying range by a large amount.

The tired head goose rotates back, another leads,

The ensuing geese honk encouragement.

Let us use this example and assist each other,

Leading, following, and multiplying in contentment.

To the sick or wounded who can't keep up,

Fellow members must lend help and protection.

Stay and pray, comfort each one,

Until they are again able to join in the formation.

When one individual drifts away from the group,

He feels the drag and resistance of flying alone;

Let us encourage him back into the flock,

To feel the uplifting power he had once known.

"For where two or three come together

In My name; there I am with them."**

With Christ's presence among us,

He emboldens us, who are we to condemn.

Amen

*Heb 10:25

**Matt 18:20

(By Doreen Hardie)

Today Someone...There will be signs

2009-06-12T07:03:00.000-07:00

Luke 21:25"There will be signs in the sun, moon and stars. On the earth, nations will be in anguish and perplexity at the roaring and tossing of the sea.
26Men will faint from terror, apprehensive of what is coming on the world, for the heavenly bodies will be shaken.
27At that time they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory.
28When these things begin to take place, stand up and lift up your heads, because your redemption is drawing near."

Run, run, run...
We must escape the evil!
Run, run, run...
We can get away from the devil!

Follow us, quickly now...
We know the route to take!
Follow us, quickly now...
Don't make a fatal mistake!

Push, shove, flee...
Make way for me ahead!
Push, shove, flee...
Don't leave me with the dead!

Panic, desperation...
I fall into these traps!
Panic, desperation...
All my beliefs collapse!

Stay calm now child...
You still have a choice!
Stay calm now child...
Listen to My voice!

Step aside, make way...
I've given you free will!
Step aside, make way...
My work you can fulfil!

Return to My ways...
Don't listen to evil lies!
Return to My ways...
Forsake the devil's guise!

Feel My peace within...
It comes from the Holy Spirit!
Feel My peace within...
Chosen with merit!

(By Doreen Hardie)

Psalm 23: 4 Even though I walk through the valley
of the shadow of death,
I will fear no evil, for You are with me;
Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.

Amen.

Today Someone...Today not Tomorrow

2009-05-12T04:43:00.000-07:00

Today Someone prays...

Dear Lord,

O that today we would listen

To the leading of God's voice;

He alone can guide us

And make our hearts rejoice.

Failing to be obedient

May bring others hurt;

When the needs of mankind

We selfishly desert.

Don't put off 'til tomorrow

What we can do today;

Another chance may not

Come our way.

A visit to a sick friend

Is easily achieved;

Who knows when we

May be suddenly bereaved.

Today someone desperately

Needs our love & comfort;

Tomorrow our sympathy

May give them no support.

A tempted friend in his struggle

Calls out for help from you;

Guide him from shame & sorrow

Through what you say and do.

It is today that we must tell

Of the great love of Jesus;

Leading others to Him,

He alone can save us.

Learn well the meaning of now,

Tomorrow may be a fatal word;

Many hopes and lives wrecked,

By not doing when we "heard".

Amen.

(By Doreen Hardie)

A Time for Everything

For everything there is a season,

a time for every activity under heaven.

A time to be born and a time to die.

A time to plant and a time to harvest.

A time to kill and a time to heal.

A time to tear down and a time to build up.

A time to cry and a time to laugh.

A time to grieve and a time to dance.

A time to scatter stones and a time to gather stones.

A time to embrace and a time to turn away.

A time to search and a time to quit searching.

A time to keep and a time to throw away.

A time to tear and a time to mend.

A time to be quiet and a time to speak.

A time to love and a time to hate.

A time for war and a time for peace.

Yet God has made everything beautiful for its own time. He has planted eternity in the human heart, but even so, people cannot see the whole scope of God’s work from beginning to end.

(Ecclesiastes 3:1-8; 11)

So be obedient to the leading of God's voice.

Today Someone...You Alone

2009-04-02T06:28:00.000-07:00

Today Someone praises God for sending His Son, Jesus, to die on the cross for the sins of man.

I am set free, forgiven, redeemed through His precious blood. Thank You Jesus!

"Behold ~ your King!"

(John 19:14)

Alone...Jesus stood in the Hall of Judgment.

Alone...there were no witnesses for the Defense...no concerned family or friends.

The only voice was for the prosecution.

And the jury? A howling mob bent on crucifixion.

As we see our Lord standing there, with His noble brow bleeding from the crown of thorns, the "royal" purple robe, draped over Him in mockery, bloodstained from the leaden whip...we see His Love...for He stood there alone...for you and for me.

It was alone the Savior prayed in dark Gethsemane;

Alone He drained the bitter cup and suffered there for me.

It was alone the Savior stood in Pilate's Judgment Hall;

Alone the crown of thorns He wore, forsaken thus by all.

Alone upon the cross He hung that others He might save;

Forsaken then by God and man, alone, His life He gave.

Can I reject such matchless love? Can I His claim disown?

I'll give my all in gratitude, and leave Him not alone.

Chorus:

Alone! Alone!! He bore it all alone!

He gave Himself to save His own,

He suffered, bled and died, Alone! Alone!

(Ben H. Price)

Beloved Lord Jesus,

Your love for me as you stood alone, accused for my sin, brings me to my knees in repentance for all the selfish, thoughtless sinful deeds of my life.

Thank You, my Savior and Lord, for I know I will never be left alone, forsaken by our God and Father ~ for You have paid it ALL!

(From Joy in His Presence)

"You Alone"

Dear Lord,

You alone

Saw my sinful life,

You alone

Freed me from strife.

You alone!

You alone

Came from above,

You alone

Showed perfect love.

You alone!

You alone

On Calvary's tree,

You alone

Died there for me.

You alone!

You alone

Rose from the dead,

You alone

Banished sin and dread.

You alone!

You alone

Bought my salvation,

You alone

Freed every nation.

You alone!

You alone

Risen to Heaven,

You alone

My sins forgiven.

You alone!

You alone

I must repay,

You alone

With my thanks today.

You alone!

Amen.

(By Doreen Hardie)

Today Someone...Enjoy The Moments

2009-03-10T23:55:00.000-07:00

Today Someone heard the Lord say,

"Enjoy the moments!"

"What moments, Lord?" She asks.

"Times spent with Me, my dear child.

Once I've washed away your sin

your time can be spent joyously with Me.

Seize the moment!"

Psalm 53

1 The fool says in his heart,

"There is no God."

They are corrupt, and their ways are vile;

there is no one who does good.

2 God looks down from heaven

on the sons of men

to see if there are any who understand,

any who seek God.

3 Everyone has turned away,

they have together become corrupt;

there is no one who does good,

not even one.

4 Will the evildoers never learn—

those who devour my people as men eat bread

and who do not call on God?

5 There they were, overwhelmed with dread,

where there was nothing to dread.

God scattered the bones of those who attacked you;

you put them to shame, for God despised them.

6 Oh, that salvation for Israel would come out of Zion!

When God restores the fortunes of his people,

let Jacob rejoice and Israel be glad!

Enjoy The Moments

Do not dwell on your sinful past,

The Lord has had mercy on you;

Things forgiven should not last,

So rejoice now in all that you do.

Look at your life, in God's light,

Clothe your cares with thanksgiving;

Remember, to Him you are a delight,

With Him, each day is worth living.

Let God's Spirit straighten out your life,

Filling it with colour & new enhancements;

Trust Him to see you through pain & strife,

And bless you with enjoyable moments.

Resist the enemy, those who make you fall,

God's Word is your effective weapon;

Wait patiently, listen for His call,

The Lord is the only One to rely on.

All your victories come from above,

Bringing new life and salvation;

Feel your Heavenly Father's love,

Praise Him with joy and jubilation.

And enjoy the moments!

Amen.

(By Doreen Hardie)

Today Someone...Without Love

2009-02-02T04:35:00.000-08:00

A baby is born,

Parents unite.

Swaddled in love,

Such a delight.

A child graduates,

Parents so proud.

Becoming an adult,

Changes allowed.

Wedding bells ring,

Promises of love,

New vows are made,

To God up above.

A new life begins,

Love goes around.

Grandparents coo,

Glorious sound.

Parents pass on.

Deep in the heart

Happy memories,

Right from the start.

Safe in His arms,

The One we trust,

To believe in Him,

An absolute must.

GOD is LOVE,

Our Everything.

Without LOVE,

We have nothing.

NOTHING AT ALL!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

(1 John 4:7-10)

Dear friends,

Let us love one another,

because love comes from God.

Whoever loves is a child of God and knows God.

Whoever does not love does not know God,for

GOD IS LOVE.

And God showed His love for us

by sending His only Son into the world,

so that we might have life through Him.

This is what love is:

it is not that we have loved God,

but that He loved us,

and sent His Son to be the means

by which our sins are forgiven.

(Romans 5:8)

God demonstrates His own love for us in this:

While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

If you have not asked Jesus into your life to be your Lord,

there is no better time than present.

Just pray a simple prayer like this:

Holy Father,

I am in need of a Saviour.

I know I am a sinner and repent

and ask forgiveness for all my sins.

I know Jesus Christ died upon the cross for my sins.

I ask You now, sweet Lord Jesus,

to come into my life and be my Saviour.

I want to be like You.

In Jesus'name I pray,

Amen.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

GOD is LOVE,

Without LOVE,

We have NOTHING AT ALL!

(by Doreen Hardie)

Today Someone...Be not Afraid

2009-01-15T01:37:00.000-08:00

Today someone shares a message for 2009.

Dear Brothers & Sisters,

Cast out evil,
Fear and dread of hurting those
harbouring things not of God.
Be not afraid.

The Lord your God is with you.
He is in you.
Your strength and salvation.
Be not afraid.

Make a joyful noise to the Lord.
Praise His mighty name.
Sing of His glories.
Be not afraid.

And peace will befall your household.
Peace will be restored to your land.
God's peace will rest on everyone.
Praise His holy name.

Alleluia!
Jesus is victorious through
the cross and resurrection.
Praise His holy name.

Salvation is our gift.
Fall prostrate before the Lord.
He will forgive our sins.
Praise His holy name.

And we will dwell in the house
of the Lord forever.
Amen.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

There is so much evil abounding all around us;
in our homes, in our churches,
in our schools, at work
...supposedly safe places.

We need to ask God to open our eyes
to evil deception.

We allow small things, not of God,
to become acceptable in our lives.
They soon become "the norm" and we
fail to see from whence they come.
These little things begin to grow
until they dominate our lives.

Things start to go wrong.

Our peaceful way of life falls apart.
We sink lower and lower into dispair.
We no longer hear the voice of Him who loves us.
We forget how to pray.
The Bible grows dusty on the shelf.

We must not be afraid.
We must stand up and fight.
Greater is He that is in us,
than he who is in the world.

Jesus is just waiting for us to turn back to Him.
He wants to hear us beg for His forgiveness.
He wants to fill us with His peace and love.
He wants us to receive His promise of salvation.

Start today!
Turn back to God.
Sing His praises out loud.
Read and quote from the Bible.

Be not afraid.
Praise His holy name.
And God's peace will be upon you!

By Doreen Hardie

Today Someone...Christmas 2008

2008-12-10T21:22:00.000-08:00

Dear Friends,

Wishing you and your loved ones
A blessed Christmas
And a peaceful New Year.

Love & Blessings,

Doreen, Doug and family.

Today Someone remembers Jesus Birth;

Jesus, great beyond all splendour,
Was born of man, humble and poor.
Riches for a manger He did surrender,
Palace courts for a stable floor.

O God, who is beyond all praising,
For love's sake, sent His Son as man;
A lowly life He lived, but sinners raising
Heavenwards, according to God's plan.

Lord God, love beyond all telling,
Saviour and King we worship Thee.
Immanuel, within us dwelling,
Make us what You would have us be.

Let us Pray;

Dear Lord,

This Christmas we come to You,
With thanksgiving in our hearts;
You provide for all our needs...
This year and as the new one starts.

Let us no longer dwell on things
Ungodly, to which we may aspire;
But look upon the babe in a manger,
He is all that we should desire.

We thank You, loving Father,
For sending us Your only Son
To be born in a humble stable,
Through His life, our souls are won.

Now we ask You Lord to show us,
Your will for the year to come;
As we start afresh this New Year,
May we be all You want us to become.

Amen.

(by Doreen Hardie)

Today Someone ...Thank you Lord Jesus!

2008-11-14T04:44:00.000-08:00

Dear Lord,

Today someone prays for the faithful in Christ Jesus:

Praise be to God the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,

May His Grace and peace be with you;

He has blessed you with every spiritual blessing

In the heavenly realms for all that you do.

He chose you before the creation of the world

To be holy and blameless in His sight.

He predestined you to be adopted as His child,

In love, through Jesus Christ, our light.

God in His pleasure and free will-

Gave you His glorious grace,

By sending His beloved Son Jesus,

To die for your sins and disgrace.

Through His painful death on the cross,

His blood bought you redemption.

You were included in Christ when you heard

His word of truth, the gospel of your salvation.

Having believed, you were marked with His seal,

The promised Holy Spirit,

Who guarantees your inheritance-to the praise of His glory.

Nothing is earned by your own merit.

All things in heaven and on earth

Come together under one head;

With the Spirit of wisdom and revelation,

Along His path you are led.

The working of God's mighty strength,

Raised Jesus from the dead

And seated Him at His right hand,

So that you may have salvation instead.

He reigns above all power and dominion,

Every authority and title that's given;

Throughout the ages God has placed all things

Under Jesus, on earth and in heaven.

I pray that your heart may be enlightened,

By the hope to which you are called,

The riches of His glorious inheritance

On you He has outpoured.

Amen.

Ephesians 1

Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God,
To the saints in Ephesus, the faithful in Christ Jesus:
Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

Spiritual Blessings in Christ

Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ. For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. In love he predestined us to be adopted as his sons through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will— to the praise of his glorious grace, which he has freely given us in the One he loves. In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God's grace that he lavished on us with all wisdom and understanding. And he made known to us the mystery of his will according to his good pleasure, which he purposed in Christ, to be put into effect when the times will have reached their fulfilment—to bring all things in heaven and on earth together under one head, even Christ.
In him we were also chosen, having been predestined according to the plan of him who works out everything in conformity with the purpose of his will, in order that we, who were the first to hope in Christ, might be for the praise of his glory. And you also were included in Christ when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation. Having believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God's possession—to the praise of his glory.

Thanksgiving and Prayer

For this reason, ever since I heard about your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all the saints, 16I have not stopped giving thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers. 17I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better. 18I pray also that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints, and his incomparably great power for us who believe. That power is like the working of his mighty strength, which he exerted in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms, far above all rule and authority, power and dominion, and every title that can be given, not only in the present age but also in the one to come. And God placed all things under his feet and appointed him to be head over everything for the church, which is his body, the fullness of him who fills everything in every way.

Thank you Lord Jesus!

Dear Friends,

Let us be thankful today for God's saving grace.

It is not through our own merit that we are saved but by grace alone.

Thank you Lord Jesus!

We have to accept His death and resurrection,

as His ultimate sacrifice, so that our sins can be forgiven.

Thank you Lord Jesus!

We have to acknowledge that we are sinners.

Our sins nailed Jesus to the cross. When we ask for forgiveness, He forgives.

Thank you Lord Jesus!

We have to be open to the infilling of His Spirit.

He sent His Holy Spirit to be with us, our guide and comforter.

Thank you Lord Jesus!

We need to share His Word with others,

so that they too may share in the inheritance of God's kingdom.

Thank you Lord Jesus!

"For God so loved the world that He gave his one and only Son,

that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life."

(John 3:16)

Thank you Lord Jesus!

(by Doreen Hardie)

Today Someone...A Gift of Love

2008-10-21T23:21:00.000-07:00

A dedication to my great-niece, Camryn Rose Montague,

born 19 October 2008, in Sydney, Australia.

May God bless her always!

God's Word says;

Children are a heritage of the LORD:
and the fruit of the womb is His reward.
(Psalm 127:3)

...Pour out your heart like water
in the presence of the Lord.
Lift up your hands to Him
for the lives of your children...
(Lamentations 2:19)

Train a child in the way he should go,
and when he is old he will not turn from it.
(Proverbs 22:6)

Do not provoke your children;
bring them up in the training
and instruction of the Lord.
(Ephesians 6:4)

And all your children will be taught of the LORD;
and great shall be the peace of your children.
(Isaiah 54:13)

Words of Wisdom;

These are beautiful words of wisdom;
Try to live by them,
and bring your child up in His word.
With God's guidance, how can you go wrong?

He is a loving Father.
As a parent you know
how much you love your child;
How much greater then,
is the love of God for us,
His children.

"Let the little children come to me,
and do not hinder them, for the
kingdom of God belongs to such as these."
(Mark 10:14)
He's just waiting to become our
best friend and Saviour!

You have been blessed with the responsibility
Of raising your child for His glory.
Do it well, and enjoy each and every day
As a blessing from God above.

Love changes Everything!

I was merely a woman,
God sent you as my child;
I am now a mother,
Gentle, loving and mild.

I was just a man
Until you came along;
Now I am a father,
Protective and strong.

We were a couple,
You have made us three;
With you, God has blessed us,
We are now a family.

Our house has become a home,
Our garden, your playground;
Life won't ever be the same,
Now that you're around.

Children are a blessing,
Sent from God above;
Changing our lifestyle,
Filling our days with love.

(By Doreen Hardie)

Let us Pray...

Dear Lord,

You have blessed us
With Your "Gift of Love".
A little angel sent down
From our Father above.

How do we thank You,
For our precious child?
So beautiful and perfect;
On us You've surely smiled.

Dependant on our nurturing,
Inquisitive of all that's new.
Eating, sleeping, growing;
Lord, made in the image of You.

Guide us as we teach her,
On Your path to walk.
May You be reflected
In her relationships and talk.

We are now parents,
Grow us in Your way;
So we may be Your example,
To our child every day.

Amen.

(By Doreen Hardie)

Today someone...Save me, O God

2008-10-01T01:56:00.000-07:00

Dear Lord,

Today someone calls to You
For the salvation of his soul.
In his anguish, he looks for You,
As You can make him whole.

His throat is parched from calling,
Do You hear his voice?
His eyes fail, looking for the Lord,
Will he ever again rejoice?

"You, God, know all my faults,
My guilt is not hidden from You!
May those who believe, not fall,
Because of the sinful things I do!"

He is scorned by those who now hate him.
He is mocked for having done wrong.
He endures his shame for God's sake,
He's become a stranger to the throng.

"Dear LORD, I pray to you,
To answer me with Your salvation.
In your great love, O God,
Show me favour over this evil nation."

God will pour out His wrath
On those who harm His children.
He will blot them from His book of life,
Guilty, never to be forgiven.

"I will praise God's name in song
And glorify Him with thanksgiving.
He has come to save His people who,
In God's way, are faithfully living."

Amen.

(Based on Psalm 69)

Tell My People to feed My lambs...

"My flock is thirsting for a revelation of Me,
go forth and feed My lambs, refresh My sheep.
The time is coming when they will not follow the
Shepard's voice, to the water...to the food of life.

You must work now while there is yet time.
Any little bit of inspiration to another that
comes through Me will not go astray.
Trust in Me, share My Word with everyone.

Yes, share with everyone you encounter...
do not be afraid, do not be ashamed,
do not be embarrassed...I am with you.
Trust in Me the Lord God Almighty,

AND DO MY WILL."

(Revelation 14: 19-20)
19 So the angel swung his scythe on the earth
and stripped the grapes and gathered the
vintage from the vines of the earth
and cast it into the huge winepress
of God's indignation and wrath.

20 And the grapes in the winepress
were trodden outside the city, and
blood poured from the winepress,
reaching as high as horses' bridles,
for a distance of about 200 miles.

"I want My harvest of souls to be great.
Says the Lord...

I want the evil one to be ashamed of the
river of blood that pours forth from his
harvest that will be crushed in the
wine-press outside My gates.

I do not want him to have a harvest
two hundred miles long and five feet deep.
Turn those away from fulfilling their evil
desires and receiving the judgement reserved
for ‘him who deceives’.

Turn them to My riches in Glory,
so that they may fully understand
the love and MERCY of the
Almighty God!"

...And Pray

Dear Lord,

Today I come before You on bended knee,
I am a sinner, too dreadful for You to see.

You, Lord, set the example so great,
Gave me the free choice to imitate.

But each day I fall far short of You,
In my actions, all I say and all I do.

I cry out to You for forgiveness,
I am so ashamed of my sinfulness.

You died upon the cross me,
From all sin You set me free.

Jesus You rose to heaven above,
Dying for my sin, Your gift of love.

As my Saviour, come into my life,
Free me from this sin and strife.

Keep me in the palm of Your hand,
I know sweet Jesus You understand.

As I face each day anew,
I want to be more like You.

Amen.

By Doreen Hardie

Today Someone...Where Are We Going In Our Grief?

2008-09-08T01:31:00.000-07:00

A familiar noise now startles me,

I sadly turn in anticipation,

Knowing you're not coming back,

Has become my daily realisation.

Days, months, years go by,

Still, heart-broken, I long for you.

One more hug, a look, a word,

Will never again happen, it's true.

That does not mean I must forget,

Or put away my feelings, so deep.

My love for you will never change,

Special memories in my heart, I'll keep.

Sometimes I can talk of you,

Other times the tears just flow.

Losing you was the hardest thing,

I've had to face in life, you know.

Just when I feel I can't go on,

The pain's too much to bear.

The Lord sends me His Comforter,

I can talk to Him in prayer.

There's not a feeling He does not know.

Or a heartache He's never endured.

He understands our every need,

Our happiness He has secured.

One day He'll lift us up to Him,

To dwell in Heaven for all eternity.

Oh how I long for that glorious day,

When united with my loved one I will be.

(By Doreen Hardie)

The apostle Paul in 2 Corinthians 1:3-5 is most encouraging when he says;

~“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our affliction so that we will be able to comfort those who are in any affliction with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.

For just as the sufferings of Christ are ours in abundance, so also our comfort is abundant through Christ.”~

God doesn't promise us tomorrow, but He does promise us eternity filled with love we cannot comprehend.

Our grief can point us toward timeless truths that will help us weather future storms.

Through our trials, God bids us to choose:

Do we believe, or do we not?

Will we be bold enough to love, daring enough to serve, humble enough to submit, and strong enough to acknowledge our limitations?

Can we surrender our concern in things that don't matter so that we might devote our remaining days to things that do?

What is man that Thou art mindful of him?

We don't know much, but we know this:

No matter where we are, no matter what we do, no matter how bleak or frightening our prospects, each and every one of us, each and every day, lies in the same safe and impregnable place, in the hollow of God's hand.

JESUS IS THE WAY, THE TRUTH, AND THE LIFE,

NO ONE COMES TO THE FATHER

EXCEPT BY HIS SON WHO DIED FOR YOU !

IF YOU WERE TO DIE TODAY DO YOU KNOW

FOR SURE WHERE YOU'LL SPEND ETERNITY ?

Today Someone...Contemplation

2008-08-24T03:36:00.000-07:00

As I sit here and contemplate,

My thoughts drift back, you see,

To childhood friends and animals,

The way life used to be!

First loves and forever friends,

Childlike promises made to keep.

I wonder if they remember me,

Or hold me in their hearts, so deep.

Family times and memories,

Built up in days gone by.

How the way of life has changed,

It causes me to sigh!

Now I've raised my own,

And sent them on their way.

I pray for happiness and safety,

As on life's path they stay.

I glance into the mirror;

When did those lines appear?

Time has flown by so fast,

I've lost many I hold dear.

Grandparents, aunts and uncles,

Many friends, young and old.

A tear slips down my cheek,

So many memories left untold.

The day I came to know the Lord,

Was such an important event.

When God's love surrounds you,

From sin you can repent.

Then glory of Heaven awaits you,

Soon from this world you'll leave,

Without sadness or bitterness,

As eternal happiness you'll receive.

So when you see me sitting there,

A vague look on my face,

I'm contemplating my loves, my loss,

My life and God's amazing grace.

(By Doreen Hardie)

Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,

Who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ.

For He chose us in Him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in His sight.

In love He predestined us to be adopted as His sons through Jesus Christ, in accordance with His pleasure and will—

To the praise of His glorious grace, which He has freely given us in the One He loves.

(Ephesians 1: 3-6)

In my sitting-room I have a bronze statue of a lady sitting, staring into space.

It's titled "Contemplation".

My Mum and I frequently sit and chat about life.

Some things we share, others are better left unsaid.

Often she just sits, and if I question her, she says;

" I'm just thinking my thoughts."

We all need to make some quiet time in our day to "think our thoughts";

To contemplate on God's grace and love.

What are we if it were not for Him?

God created us.

His Word, the Bible, is our daily guidance.

And at the end of the day He will take us Home to spend eternity with Him.

Make some time today to contemplate on all God has done for you.

Today Someone...A time of Loss

2008-07-24T02:11:00.000-07:00

Victoria Katherine Petzer

22/09/1980 - 17/07/2008

My Dearest Friends,

Blessed are those who mourn,

For they shall be comforted.

(Matthew 5:4)

Grief is the price we pay for love!

To love deeply is to grieve our losses deeply.

We wonder when grief hits hard, why did this happen?

To remind us of the brevity and fragility of life...

To deepen the faith of those who carry on...

It's hard to answer when everything seems dark.

All we want at this moment is to be relieved of our inner pain.

We feel separation anxiety.

We want life with our loved one in it...

We are afraid of the unknown.

Mourning means facing what hurts us, but remember God is here to comfort us.

Weeping may endure for a night,

but joy cometh in the morning.

(Psalm 30:5)

Morning always comes!

Your grief will ease with time.

It's not that you'll forget, it's that you'll remember it differently.

Your tomorrows are in God's hands, and He'll be there for you when every other support has gone.

Times and seasons change, but not "the God of all comfort."

He's promised never to leave you.

So be encouraged, today He'll be with you wherever you go!

May God bless you and bring you comfort.

Love & blessings,

Doreen.

Please visit our "Haven of Refuge Comfort Support Group"

Mommy Please Remember This

Dear Lord,

Today someone comes before You

With a heavy heart of grief.

Victoria has been called home to You

Our aching hearts need some relief...

Mommy I see you grieve for me,

For now I've gone away.

I understand you'll miss me so,

We always expect death another day.

Remember me the way I was;

Your sweetest little girl.

With long blond hair & twinkling eyes,

Around & around I loved to swirl.

Inside of me a tom boy lurked,

Although you dressed me in lace;

When given half the chance,

I preferred mud on my face.

The years went by so quickly,

And all my studies were through.

I enjoyed many adventures,

As into a woman I grew.

Now I have no worries,

About having to grow old.

I hope many happy stories

Of my life may still be told.

Each morning when you wake,

And a tear for me you shed.

Thank God for loaning me to you,

And for the life of love we led.

He's our Father, He understands;

He saw His Beloved Son die too.

He will be your comfort...

He will your happiness renew.

Mommy please remember this,

Don't think we're far apart;

With each little memory of me,

I'll be here in your heart.

Your little girl,

Victoria.

Amen.

Written for my dear friend Lis on the loss of her 27 year old daughter,

Victoria. 22/09/1980 - 17/07/2008.

No words can express the grief we feel, with you at the loss of Victoria.

She is not far away, with each memory, in our hearts she'll stay.

Today Someone...God of All Comfort

Dear Lord,

Today someone prays for comfort,

For those who have suffered loss.

God our Father in heaven understands,

He saw His Son die on the cross.

He knows the pain you are feeling,

His soul cries out to you.

He's holding you close to His heart,

He is carrying you through.

God, the Father of compassion,

Enfolds you with His comfort...

He tells you not to sorrow hopelessly,

Because eternal life, His Son has bought.

Our loved one's bodies have fallen asleep,

Their spirits have gone to be with the Lord.

When Jesus returns, He'll bring the dead,

And their bodies will be their eternal reward.

Although we weep at the death of a loved one,

Jesus understands, He wept for Lazarus...

His followers knew it was a sign of His love.

Let us grieve too, at our loss.

Right now you feel weary and empty,

There's a void that cannot be filled.

Each day feels so long and so lonely,

The pain within won't be stilled.

"Blessed are those who mourn,

For they will be comforted..."

These promises the Lord has given,

As your tears from Him can't be hid.

With God we need not fear,

No sadness should cloud our minds,

For each moment lies in His hands,

With Him, peace is what we'll find.

So cast all sorrow upon Him,

Fret not about what tomorrow may bring,

For the Lord watches over His children,

With Him, we can face anything.

Amen.

(By Doreen Hardie)

Today Someone...Happy Father's Day

2008-06-13T07:09:00.000-07:00

1 Kings 8:57

May the LORD our God be with us as he was with our fathers; may he never leave us nor forsake us.

1 Chronicles 12:17

But if you have come to betray me to my enemies when my hands are free from violence, may the God of our fathers see it and judge you."

Nehemiah 9:32

"O our God, the great, mighty and awesome God, who keeps his covenant of love...

Malachi 2:10

Have we not all one Father ? Did not one God create us?

We call God our Father.
This Father's Day let us remember to praise and thank God for treating us as His children.
He has always seen to all our needs as a loving Father.
We often fall short of God's expectations,
but like a gentle Father He guides us on the right path.

Matthew 6: 9-13

"This, then, is how you should pray: "

'Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name,

your kingdom come,

your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.

Give us today our daily bread.

Forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors.

And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.'

We call our father's Dad.
This Father's Day let us show our Dads how much we love them.
Let us thank them for their support and guidance in our lives.

Dear Lord,

Father's are a lot of fun,

Keeping their children on the run.

Always finding something for them to do,

Teaching them to discover things that are new.

As children get older, Dad's tactics change,

He shows them how their life to arrange.

Independence is what they must learn,

So they can cope with life's every turn.

Then they are ready to flee the nest,

Dad is proud, they've turned out the best.

But he's just a phone call away,

To give advice, and he's there to pray.

He will always love his little ones,

His grown up daughters and his sons.

God blessed him with these special gifts,

Many a time his memory to them drifts.

Even when Dad's hair begins to grey,

His children listen to what he has to say.

Wisdom over the years he has learned,

Respect from his children he has earned.

Remember your Dad this Father's Day,

Young or old, we all should say,

"Dad I love you, and thank you for being you!

I'll be praying for you in all that you do!"

By Doreen Hardie.

Today Someone...The Miracle Of Life

2008-05-19T02:34:00.000-07:00

Amy had been poorly for five months. She had been to a variety of doctors who tried all sorts of medication to no avail.
Eventually, one "wise" physician discovered her malady.
Relieved, Amy sat looking at the doctor across his desk.
She had no idea of the shock she was about to receive.

"It's nothing serious," he said, "You're pregnant!"

Most woman wait anxiously to hear these words...
it's the greatest news when you are hoping to start a family.
Amy protectively held her stomach.
She could not believe what she was hearing.
What was she going to tell Matt?
What was she going to tell her parents?
What would her workmates think?
She had just bought a place of her own with the help of her Dad, would he disown her?
How would she manage the repayments?
Would she have to stop working?

"What did you say?"

"You're pregnant!" he repeated.

"How can I be? I've been sick and on medication for months."

"Oh!" the doctor said, a frown clouding his face as he scanned the details in her file, "I see...and you're not married."

Amy swallowed hard.

"I can get you an abortion because there is a good chance your baby could have been harmed by the drugs you were taking in your first trimester," he went on, "You see that is when the major formation of the fetus occurs..."

None of this was making any sense to Amy, she just wanted to get out of there...to clear her head...to let all this information sink in.

After driving around aimlessly for half an hour, she devised a story she would tell her friends when she got back to the office.

"The doctors say they have really messed up with my diagnosis, they say I must have an abortion because they have harmed the fetus with the medication they have put me on, because they hadn't discovered I was pregnant."
Her voice trembled as she bravely held back her tears.

The office was silent.

"So you will murder this precious child of God," one fearless voice piped up,
"just because the doctor wants to get rid of his mistake and make things right again. Think about it Amy, nothing happens accidentally. God is testing you. You have to trust Him that this baby is the gift He wants you to have...or you can murder it and live with that on your conscience for the rest of your life!" continued the twenty year old.

The office had slowly emptied; the others did not want to get involved in this sensitive debate.

"But what if it's badly deformed and will have no quality of life...what then?" Amy cried.

"God is a merciful Father, if He feels you are strong enough to handle a special needs baby He will provide you with the strength. If God feels this little child of His will suffer needlessly He will take him home to be with Him, it's God's decision whether your baby lives or dies not yours. Doctors have been incorrect before, tests have been proven wrong!" continued Anna.

That evening Amy phoned Anna in tears.

"Matt doesn't want a child, he agrees with the doctor that it should be got rid of so we can continue with life as it is, with no complications. His family doesn’t know about our relationship, neither does mine. We don't want to tell them like this."

"Well don't come crying to me when your world falls apart because of this decision. You know your parents will find out. What will they think of you for not confiding in them on this most important decision in your life?
They love you, Amy!
Sleep on it and we'll chat in the morning."

The next day, a tired, strained looking Amy booked some anti-natal tests and scans.

"I just want to know some facts about this fetus before I make up my mind, this is my decision alone." She told Anna, who responded with a warm comforting hug.

It was a tense, emotional week for the two girls.
Then one bright, sunny morning Amy walked into the office, she looked different, she was glowing and smiling.

"Anna come and see the scans of my beautiful, perfect, baby boy. I'm 24 weeks pregnant and all is progressing normally the gynecologist said."

They both looked in awe at the pictures of his little face, a perfectly forming hand was held up to his ear. There was no mistaking this was a real baby. Amy had seen and heard his heart beating during the examination in the doctor's rooms.

Amy proudly held her slightly bulging tummy, "I love him so much!" she exclaimed.

"Even if it's just you and me, baby boy, we're going to make it!"

Anna smiled and praised God for this miracle of life.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

This is a true story.

"Amy" is now the proud, single mother of her little boy.

She has the full support of her loving family who are grateful for her decision not to abort her baby.

The father, sadly, wants nothing to do with his son.

I want to thank you Lord, for this new life.

May this little boy grow in your image and likeness and come to know

you as his personal Savior.

Amen.

Claire, I am proud of the way you stood up for God's word on unborn life.

(By Doreen Hardie)

PRAYER FOR BIRTHRIGHT

O God,

Creator of the universe, we praise and thank you for the gifts of life, love and grace.

Strengthened by these gifts, inspire us to be sensitive to the needs of women who are pregnant and afraid.

Bless these mothers with the courage and strength to choose life for their unborn babies.

We ask this in the name of Jesus.

Amen.

PRAYER FOR UNBORN LIFE

O GOD OF LIFE AND LOVE,

You have given us the power to bring new life into the world.

But all too often the mother's womb, that should be a nursery of life,

becomes instead a place of it's destruction.

Help us to remove this evil and ensure respect for all life made in

Your image and likeness, called to fulfil its promise on this earth,

and destined to find a home with you for all eternity.

We ask this through Jesus Christ Your Son our Lord.

Amen.

Today Someone...Jesus Prayed

2008-05-14T06:41:00.000-07:00

John 17:20-26

Lifting up his eyes to heaven, Jesus prayed saying:

“I pray not only for these disciples, but also for those who will believe in Me through their word, so that they may all be one, as You, Father, are in Me and I in You, that they also may be in Us, that the world may believe that You sent Me.

And I have given them the glory You gave Me, so that they may be one, as We are one,
I in them and You in Me, that they may be brought to perfection as one, that the world may know that You sent Me, and that You loved them even as You loved Me.

Father, they are Your gift to Me. I wish that where I am they also may be with Me, that they may see My glory that You gave Me, because You loved Me before the foundation of the world.

Righteous Father, the world also does not know You, but I know You, and they know that You sent Me. I made known to them Your name and I will make it known, that the love with which You loved Me may be in them and I in them.”

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

What an awesome prayer, straight from God's Word, the Bible.
Jesus praying to His Father for us, for all mankind...
from His initial disciples, to us, to the generations that will come after us.

Jesus twelve disciples knew Him personally, they knew and believed God sent Jesus, and was within Jesus. They had witnessed this love, this power.
Greater truths were yet to be revealed to them in the events of Christ's death, resurrection and ascension into heaven.
Jesus' love is further revealed in the sending of His Holy Spirit to be with them, and us, and all generations.

Jesus prayed to His Father for us:
that we may believe that God sent Him;
that we may know that God sent Jesus because He loved us;
that we may share in the perfection of God's glory revealed in Jesus;
that we may know God and His love through the sacrifice of His Son, Jesus.

How then can we reject our own salvation bought by the blood of Jesus on the cross for our sins, because of the love of His Father, God?
Jesus prayed that all mankind may come to know God's saving love through sharing His Word with others.

Are you going to spread Jesus' Word so all men may be united as one in God's love for eternity?

For this unity, and our salvation, Jesus prayed to His Father.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Dear Lord,

Today someone comes before You

With humility in her heart.

How much the Father loves us,

Is clear, right from the start.

He sent His only Son, Jesus,

To be our guiding light.

He lived here in this world,

A brother in our sight.

He put our needs before His own,

As he taught us everyday

Of God's unending love

And how we should pray.

Then He'd find a quiet place,

And heavenwards, lift His face;

His Father's love would surround Him

And fill Him with His grace.

How obedient You were, Lord,

Accepting Your Father's will;

Help us to be more faithful,

You saved our souls from ill.

May we spread Your Word, Lord,

Boldly, not secretly;

So others may share in Your glory,

United, for all eternity.

Amen.

By Doreen Hardie.

Today Someone...My best Friend

2008-04-03T06:00:00.000-07:00

Dear Lord,

Today someone prays for her best friend...

When I was still a young girl

With pony-tails in my hair,

Jesus gave me my best friend

With whom my life I'd share.

God knew the responsibilities

Of things I could not foresee,

So He sent a special person

To walk each step with me.

We were there for each other

Through times of family strife.

We studied hard together,

Preparing ourselves for life.

The wedding bells sounded

As down the aisle we walked.

Planning for our future,

We talked, and talked, and talked.

Our family was extended,

With babies one, two and three.

They have truly been blessings,

Our special gifts from Thee.

Lord You've walked beside us,

Every step of the way.

Your love resides within us,

You guide us when we stray.

Where the years have gone,

I really do not know.

But our love grows deeper

As along life's path we go.

Now I want to thank you

For your love so strong and true.

I would not be who I am today

If God hadn't given me you.

Happy Anniversary, to the love of my life!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Today, 3 April 2008, is our 26th Wedding Anniversary.

I can truly say that God has blessed me with the most wonderful husband and father to our children.

Marriage, like life, is not always easy...it is something you have to work at.

Never put your partner down to others or to their face, we are all human and we all make mistakes from time to time, and it is in those times we need the support of our partner, not ridicule.

Never go to sleep angry with each other, always try to resolve any misunderstanding you may have encountered in the day before you go to bed.

Kiss your partner and tell him you love him every day. (or her)

Stand by each other in sickness and in health, in prosperity and adversity, in happiness and in grief.

Spend quality time together, with family and with friends.

Remain best friends, laugh together, share secrets, hold hands and continue making plans for your future.

Uphold your partner in prayer before God and ask Him to bless each day of your marriage.

Today Someone...The Masquerade

2008-04-01T09:30:00.000-07:00

I had been the victim of school bullying.

My parents changed my school and I hoped that the years of bullying were over.

Then it started…the taunts, the whispers, the sneers…

No more! I screamed into my pillow. No more! Please!...

Then the mask…

The simplicity of it was; that no matter how afraid, insecure, or vulnerable I felt,

no one would see. They would only see the mask.

The mask was inspired by my brother’s primary school reader, “The Troll under the Bridge”.

I became; “Billy the Goat – the grass is always greener on the other side”. That was my mask.

Billy the Goat was an instant hit.

He was crazy, rebellious, aggressive, daring, and most of all…he was fearless!

Billy could drink more than anyone else, he was crazier and funnier than most.

He was a good sportsman too!

The mask embedded itself, and was in a way, desperately massaged into place.

Ah…to be accepted! To be part of the ‘in’ crowd.

The status!

I must say, that I never allowed any form of bullying to take place from my group.

I hated bullies, I suspect it was just that I couldn’t handle anyone else going through the same things that I went through.

The years passed and into adulthood I ventured, wearing my mask.

Even I was unaware of who the real me was any more.

Drink, drugs, broken relationships...

Who was I ?

I found myself in church, I had been given my last chance to change.

I took it...

As I gave myself to Jesus, and I accepted that my sins were forgiven something happened.

The mask of deception and fear that become so intertwined,

so embedded in my life that I couldn’t remove it, came off.

It was as if the Lord had slipped His Hand under the mask and supernaturally just popped it off.

I felt vulnerable, afraid, guilty, shamed, convicted of sin, and insecure.

However, I had never felt so free.

I felt this huge burden lift from me.

I had received the miracle of being reborn.

I was a new creation.

(Extracts from "Justin’s Mask-erade"

A brief biography of Justin Lippiatt.)

The Painted Face.

With painted face and huge red nose,

His tummy wobbles under bright, baggy clothes.

His over-sized shoes cause him to trip,

His belly goes "Pop" and he quivers his lip.

Happy children laugh with delight,

Because he is such a funny sight.

Tumbling about and falling down,

Everyone loves the clumsy old clown.

His painted face is his disguise

No one can guess if he's silly or wise.

What are his feelings deep within?

Is he sad beneath that grin?

Each new day as you face life's tasks

Do you go out wearing your masks?

Feigning an image you know is not true

Just to please others all around you.

But there is One who knows you inside,

And with you He will always abide.

With God there is no need for pretence,

Because He brought you into existence.

Face life, be who you are,

With God within, you're better by far.

Others will then show you respect,

And bright, happy days you'll come to expect.

(By Doreen Hardie)

Today Someone...Your rod & Your staff, they comfort me.

2008-03-02T22:22:00.000-08:00

Blessed are those who mourn, For they shall be comforted.

(Matthew 5:4)

Grief is the price we pay for love!

To love deeply is to grieve our losses deeply.

We wonder when grief hits hard, why did this happen?

It's hard to face each new day when everything seems so dark.

All we want is to be relieved of the pain.

Each day only seems to get worse as we realise that our loved one is never coming home.

We won't hear that familiar voice again, or feel that comfortable warm embrace.

Weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning.

( Psalm 30:5)

Morning always comes!

Your grief will ease with time.

You will begin to see why the Lord called your loved one home when He did.

You may be grateful that he isn't around to witness certain changes.

When facing new challenges, you may find yourself saying,

"I'm glad, he's not here to see this. He would never tolerate that."

You'll never forget your loved one, even as life moves on.

You'll remember their passing differently, with more gratitude and less grief.

God's love and timing are perfect, we must not lose our trust in Him.

He knows how much each of us can bear, and He calls us home at His appointed time.

Being Christians, we have God's promise of everlasting life.

Our salvation was bought by Jesus death on the cross for our sins, and His glorious resurrection.

Our loved one's bodies have fallen asleep, their spirits have gone to be with the Lord.

When Jesus returns, He'll bring the dead, and their bodies will be their eternal reward.

Once life gets back to "normal" you feel so weary and empty, and the void left by your loved one's passing can't be filled.

Put your trust in God and do not fear or let your sadness cloud your mind.

Give Him each moment and you will find the peace and comfort you need.

Remember that times and seasons may change, but "the God of all comfort" will never change or leave you.

So be encouraged knowing that He'll be with you wherever you go!

An Invitation.

The Lord has prepared a mansion for you,

And sent an invitation,

The blessings you will receive there,

Will be beyond your wildest expectation.

Angels will be gathered at the gate,

To joyously welcome you home.

And God the Father, in all His glory,

Will be seated on His throne.

There you will find the peace you seek,

Love and harmony.

The pain and struggles of life will be gone,

Happiness is all you will see.

Thoughts of Heaven bring hope

Of living with God forevermore.

So be ready to receive His invitation,

When He comes knocking at your door.

Accepting Jesus died upon the cross for you,

Your sins to take away.

Asking for God's forgiveness now,

Will open Heaven's door for you one day.

And you will dwell in the house of the Lord

FOREVER.

Amen.

Please visit "Haven of Refuge Comfort Support Group"

Today Someone...14 February 2008

2008-02-14T10:20:00.000-08:00

A Thankful Heart.

All our Valentine cards have lovely pictures of hearts on them...pink, red, lacy or plain.

Hearts depict love, but we also use them as a symbol of thanksgiving.

A thankful heart.

There are many passages in the Bible about being thankful, so today as I look at these hearts I am reminded that God wants us to turn to Him with thankful hearts.

Shout for joy to the Lord, all the earth,

Worship the LORD with gladness;

come before Him with joyful songs.

Know that the LORD is God.

It is He who made us, and we are His;

we are His people, the sheep of His pasture.

Enter His gates with thanksgiving

and His courts with praise;

give thanks to Him and praise His name.

For the LORD is good and His love endures forever;

His faithfulness continues through all generations.

(Psalm 100)

Give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus.

(1 Thessalonians 5:18)

So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live in Him, rooted and built up in Him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness.

(Colossians 2:6-7)

Let us pray:

Dear Lord,

Today someone kneels to pray,

On this St Valentine's Day,

For a thankful heart, for every blessing

That You have so freely sent my way.

Sometimes I'm unaware,

Of all You do for me.

If it weren't for Your grace, Oh God,

Where would I be?

God's Word dwells within me,

As each new day I start.

I sing songs of praise to the Lord,

With gratitude in my heart.

You clothe me with patience, kindness,

Humility, gentleness and compassion.

You teach me to forgive,

Just as You pardon my sin.

Over and above all these virtues,

You dress me with Your love.

Which binds them all together,

In perfect unity from above.

As members of one body,

We are called to live in peace.

The love and peace of Christ,

From our hearts we now release.

In this world of pain and strife,

Who knows what tomorrow may bring?

With an ever thankful heart,

God's praises I will continue to sing.

Amen.

"Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind; and, Love your neighbour as yourself."

(Luke 10:27)

Have a blessed St. Valentine's Day.

Today Someone...The Way it Was.

2008-02-01T20:38:00.000-08:00

As children we follow our parents example,

Their outlook on life becomes our view too.

We didn't know any different.

It's just the way it was.

The Blue Bus for whites, the Green Bus for blacks.

We sat in the bus shelter, they stood in the sun.

We were served first, they waited their turn.

It's just the way it was.

We lived in residential areas, they lived in locations.

White schools, black schools.

Freedom for us, curfews for them.

It's just the way it was.

They waited on us at table,

And ate off tin plates in the yard.

It did not worry me, I was a child;

It's just the way it was.

Times and attitudes have changed,

And my children scorn at the way we lived;

They don't know how we accepted that

It's just the way it was.

As we look to the future,

What are their children going to say

About the life they have accepted because,

It's just the way it was.

Dear Lord, let us pray for peace,

Your love to fill our land.

Teach us to reject the injustice of accepting

It's just the way it was.

And Lord, may the new tomorrow bring

Repentance and acceptance in all our hearts;

May Your message of love be passed on,

This is the way it should be.

Amen.

Racism seems to be a world-wide problem...I grew up with it in South Africa.

Many of us have experienced the injustices of racism and it is up to us not to pass this attitude on to our children to be perpetuated through the generations. This is easier said than done as attitudes become ingrained from childhood.

I'm not a politician and I can't quote from History, all I can do is share the love God has for others.

Jesus is the example we must follow, He came not to condemn but to forgive.

He was criticised for spending time with those deemed "unacceptable".

He is Love.

God loves everyone unconditionally.

What father would give up his own son to a cruel, painful death to save sinners?

As a parent, I don't think I could sacrifice one of my children like that.

Jesus, His Son, did not argue but willingly gave up His life so that our sins could be forgiven, and our eternal salvation could be bought with His blood.

ALL of mankind is saved through Jesus' death and resurrection, not just a select few, a certain race, a specific culture...

For there is no difference between Jew and Gentile—the same Lord is Lord of ALL and richly blesses ALL who call on Him, for, "Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved." (Romans 10:12-13).

That if you confess with your mouth, "Jesus is Lord," and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.

For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved.

(Romans 10:9-10).

If an individual has converted to Christ, and left his old ways behind, then he is my brother or sister in Christ, it has nothing to do with skin colour.

Let us add to our family, new brothers and sisters, by following Jesus' example, by letting His love shine through us and by rejecting...

THE WAY IT WAS.

Today Someone...2008 - This New Year

2008-01-11T01:48:00.000-08:00

Dear Lord,

Today someone prays, at the start of 2008,

That you will discover the plans the Lord has for you.

Plans to prosper you and not to harm you,

Plans to give you hope and a future.

"For I know the plans I have for you", declares the Lord,

"Call upon Me, come and pray to Me, and I will listen to you.

Seek Me with all your heart, and you will find Me.

I will be found by you, and I will bring you back from captivity."

"Build houses and settle down;

Plant gardens and eat what they produce.

Marry and have sons and daughters;

Find wives for your sons, give your daughters in marriage."

"Seek peace and prosperity;

Do not be deceived by false prophets;

Do not listen to your dreams,

I have not sent them," declares the Lord.

"Listen to the Word of the Lord,

Do not do outrageous things;

Do not commit adultery with your neighbour;

Do not speak lies in the Lord's name."

"I will gather you from all nations and places, I will bring you back to Me.

If you, who are called by my name, will humble yourself and pray,

Seek My face and turn from your wicked ways,

I will hear from heaven and I will forgive your sins."

Amen.

This prayer is based on the text of the letter that the prophet Jeremiah sent from Jerusalem to the surviving elders among the exiles and to the priests, the prophets and all the other people Nebuchadnezzar had carried into exile from Jerusalem to Babylon. (Jeremiah 29).

It is a word of encouragement from God to His people to get their priorities right and then He will bless them.
This message is echoed many times in the Bible, in both the Old and New Testaments . It is as meaningful for us today as it was for those in exile back then.

How? You may ask.

So often problems, work, relationships and the business of daily life cause us to lose sight of God.
Food has to be put on the table;
Exams have to be passed;
Homes need to be cleaned;
Distances need to be travelled;
Deadlines need to be met.

"I will pray later!"
"I will pray at Church on Sunday!"
"I will go to Church this Christmas and pray!"

The distance between the times we spend with God gets greater until we don't even realise we have pushed Him out of our lives.

We are all guilty of this...right back to the Bible days of those in exile.

Does God give up on us?

No.
All through the Bible God calls on His children to humble themselves and pray.
He wants us to make the decision to change and return to Him.
He promises to bless us in many ways when we turn to Him in prayer.
He says He will give us a heart to know Him, that He is Lord.
He is such a generous Father, God makes it so easy for us to know Him.

BUT...
He has given us the free choice to accept Him as our Lord and Saviour.
As we go into this new year...2008...let us choose to have God as the centre of our lives.
Let us begin and end each day in thanksgiving to Him for our salvation.

I want the Holy Spirit to transform me so that Christ is the Lord of every moment of every day.
I want God to become the be-all and end-all of my existence, the Alpha and Omega of my life.

Do you?

“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation;
The old has gone, the new has come!”
(2 Corinthians 5:17)

Today Someone..."His Wings"

2007-09-04T07:05:00.000-07:00

The Lord gave me the vision of wings, "His wings", not the wings of birds, not the wings of angels.
In Psalm 36:7, the Bible mentions God's wings;

"How precious is Your steadfast love, O God! The children of men take refuge and put their trust under the shadow of Your wings."

He wrapped me in His wings; I could feel the Lord envelop me in His protective wings as I prayed. A soft, downy warmth, like you get from a feather filled quilt as you wrap it around you on a cold Winter's evening.

Why wings, I asked?

Wings of birds lift them up out of dangers way; enfold and protect the young; ward off attacks from the enemy and carry them to new heights.

God does the same for us when we trust in Him as our Father.
He has redeemed us through His Son, Jesus, and does not want harm or evil to befall us.
Through His grace alone, we are saved and have His promise of salvation when we accept Him into our lives.
He lifts us to a new level in our relationship with Him...BUT the road we must follow can be tough with many dangers and temptations thrown in our way.

When we pray we ask and thank God for His protection on us, our families, our friends, our churches...

How wonderful to feel and know that His protective "wings" are always around us.

The Lord sometimes gives us a glimpse of His presence, to sustain us throughout the day and all our days.

Are you walking in the shadow of His wings?

Dear Jesus,

By Your grace alone,

You lift me up to You,

You redeem me through Your love,

And swaddle me in Your wings.

Whenever I feel weary,

Afraid, worried or alone,

I call on the Name, above all Names,

And You caress me with Your wings.

When family are away from me,

And burdened for them I feel,

Your Spirit descends upon them,

Encircling them in Your wings.

My dear friends, I pray,

That you may have this peace,

Trust in Him to keep your needs

Under the shadow of His wings.

When you need uplifting,

Turn to our wonderful Lord,

He'll envelop you in His love,

And surround you with His wings.

Now sit very quietly,

As you wait upon the Lord,

You too will feel Him draw near

To enfold you in His wings.

Amen.

You too, Oh Lord, give us "wings".

Isaiah 40:31

But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength;

they shall mount up with wings as eagles;

they shall run, and not be weary;

and they shall walk, and not faint.

(By Doreen Hardie)

Today Someone...We are all one in Christ Jesus.

2007-07-03T03:16:00.000-07:00

"There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free person, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus. (Galatians 3:28).

On 29 May 2006 the Lord gave me a message. It was about my personal growth in Him and my concerns about the wonderful people I know, from other religions, who pray, do good deeds and acknowledge Jesus as a prophet but not as the Saviour. I feel that God wants me to share this message. It is a very sensitive topic and I'm not well educated in other religion's beliefs. All I know is that we serve a God of love and mercy.

"As long as they are hearing and praying I will not harden their hearts.

Do not judge them.

Show them love and compassion, not in words, let My love shine through.

Keep yourself pure, be merciful, not proud...

continue to see the vision that all people are made in My likeness,

none are unclean in My sight...

I am the Saviour of the World, the Lord, Jesus Christ,

let Me lead them unto Me as I have desired.

Amen."

I feel God has placed a responsibility on our shoulders, as Christians, to be a Christ like example to others who know of Him but have not accepted Him as the Messiah or as their personal Saviour. The Lord is able to use us if we allow ourselves to be willing vessels in His service. He wants others to encounter His saving grace in their lives, through our obedience to Him.

I have come across some wonderful Christians from other religions who are true examples of the mercy of Jesus saving blood. They continue living in their communities, abiding by the laws therein, but testifying to the saving grace of Jesus.

We are entrusted by God to witness to others, in our community, our work places, our schools, the love and salvation that only comes through His grace when we acknowledge our sinfulness and accept Jesus as our personal Saviour.

Dear Lord,

Today someone prays for all of mankind.

You, Lord, were sent by Your Father in heaven into this world.

You know our human frailties because You lived as one of us.

Yet You remained blameless before God.

Dear Jesus by Your painful death on the cross,

And Your glorious resurrection

You have set us free from the damnation of sin.

Let us therefore bear witness to this fact.

"It is through faith that all of us are God's children

in union with Christ Jesus...

So there is no difference between Jews and Gentiles,

Slaves and free men, between men and women.

We are all one in union with Christ Jesus.

If you belong to Christ,

Then you are the descendants of Abraham

And will receive what God has promised."*

Lord help us to be an example,

of Your saving Grace

To everyone we encounter today.

Amen.

*Gal 3:26-29

Today Someone...Mother Teresa's worthy life.

2007-07-03T03:14:00.000-07:00

On 10 September 1946 Jesus revealed to Mother Teresa His heart's desire:

It was His "thirst", His infinite longing to be loved by the most forgotten, abandoned and rejected among His children, the poorest of the poor.

He spoke to her with great clarity and urgency about her new mission. The Missionaries of Charity.

"Come, be My light. I cannot go alone. They (the poor) don't know Me so they don't want Me. You come, go amongst them. Carry Me with you into them. How I long to enter their holes, their dark, unhappy homes."

Jesus wanted Mother Teresa to start a new congregation whose members, as He told her;

"would be My fire of love amongst the very poor - the sick, the dying, the little street children. The poor I want you to bring to Me, and the sisters that would offer their lives as victims of My love will bring these souls to Me."

What a witness Mother Teresa became to God's love. She and her followers were so united to God, so as to radiate Him, even in the greatest darkness.

Now I hear you say, "I can never be a Mother Teresa."

BUT God sent Mother Teresa and now sends each one of us:

"You come, go amongst them."

We too are to be carriers of His light, love and compassion to others.

Mother Teresa's words encourage us even today:

"Give Jesus your heart to love and your hands to serve. Be His light, His fire of love amongst the poor."

How do we do this in today's busy, modern lifestyle?

Mother Teresa left us with this advice:

This love begins at home. The family is the place to learn Jesus. God has sent the family-together as husband and wife and children-to be His love.
"Let love and faithfulness never leave you; bind them around your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart." (Proverbs 3:3)
The "poor" can be in our own families. Give them always a happy smile; give them not only your ears but also your heart.
In our love of neighbour, people will be able to recognize Jesus. Kindness has converted more people than zeal, science or eloquence.
We must be examples of His kindness, His forgiveness, His understanding and His love, so that others will be able to recognize Jesus, welcome Him into their lives and enjoy His love, joy and peace.
"I believe in person to person. Every person is Christ for me, and since there is only one Jesus, that person is the one person in the world at that moment." Said Mother Teresa.

When Mother Teresa received her Nobel Prize she was asked,

"What can we do to promote world peace?"

She replied,

"Go home and love your family."

Anyway

People are unreasonable, illogical, and self-centered.

-Love them anyway.

If you do good, people will accuse you of selfish ulterior motives.

-Do it anyway.

If you're successful, you win false friends and true enemies.

-Succeed anyway.

The good you do will be forgotten tomorrow.

-Do good anyway.

Honesty and frankness will make you vulnerable.

-Be honest and frank anyway.

What you spend years building may be destroyed overnight.

-Build anyway.

People really need help but may attack you if you help them.

-Help anyway.

Give the world the best you have and you will get kicked in the teeth.

-Give the world the best you've got anyway.

(by Mother Teresa)

Dear Lord,

Today someone remembers;

Blessed Teresa of Culcutta,

Jesus called you to "be His light,"

by loving and serving Him

wholeheartedly in the poorest of the poor,

and so satiating His thirst for love and souls.

Grant that I may also be like you,

a carrier of His light, love and peace to others,

radiating His tender mercy to my brothers and sisters

who live in darkness and pain.

Mother Teresa untiringly repeated,

"God still loves the world through you

and through me today."

May she accompany us from Heaven

and help us to be God's light,

love and compassion in the world.

Amen.

Today Someone...Tell My People to feed My lambs.

2007-03-23T03:20:00.000-07:00

My flock is thirsting, thirsting for a revelation of Me, go forth and feed My lambs, refresh My sheep.

The time is coming when they will not follow the Shepard's voice, to the water...to the food of life.

You must work now while there is yet time.

Any little bit of inspiration to another that comes through Me will not go astray.

Trust in Me, share My Word with everyone you encounter... do not be afraid, do not be ashamed, do not be embarrassed...I am with you.

Trust in Me the Lord God Almighty, and do My Will.

I want My harvest of souls to be great.

I want the evil one to be ashamed of the river of blood that pours forth from his harvest that will be crushed in the wine-press outside My gates. I do not want him to have a flood two hundred miles long and five feet deep.

(Revelation14:20)

Turn those away from fulfilling their evil desires and receiving the judgement reserved for ‘him who deceives’.

Turn them to My riches in Glory, so that they may fully understand the love and MERCY of the Almighty God!

...Be an example.

Dear Lord,

Today Someone stands up for God's Word;

Let me be like...

He who professes to have knowledge of God,

He who styles himself as a child of the LORD.

The wicked say,

“Let us beset the just one, he is obnoxious to us;

He sets himself against our doings,

Reproaches us for our transgressions.

To us he is the censure of our thoughts;

Merely to see him is a hardship for us,

Because his life is not like that of others,

And different are his ways.

He judges us debased;

He holds aloof from our paths as from things impure.

He calls blest the destiny of the just,

And boasts that God is his Father.

Let us see whether his words be true;

Let us find out what will happen to him.

For if the just one be the son of God,

He will defend him and deliver him

from the hand of his foes.

With revilement and torture, let us put him to the test;

That we may have proof of his gentleness and try his patience.

Let us condemn him to a shameful death;

For according to his own words,

God will take care of him.”

These are their thoughts, but they err;

For their wickedness blinds them,

and they know not the hidden counsels of God;

Neither do they count on a recompense of holiness,

Nor discern the innocent souls’ reward.

Amen.

Revelation 14: 19-20.

19So the angel swung his scythe on the earth and stripped the grapes and gathered the vintage from the vines of the earth and cast it into the huge winepress of God's indignation and wrath.

20And the grapes in the winepress were trodden outside the city, and blood poured from the winepress, reaching as high as horses' bridles, for a distance of about 200 miles.

Today Someone...A Compassionate Heart.

2007-03-19T22:38:00.000-07:00

This is compassionate love:

In compassion, we contact the authorities when we see children being abused, even though their parents might retaliate.
In compassion, we take meals to a sick neighbour, even though his illness is making him cranky and he's likely to lash out at you.
In compassion, we speak up for someone who's been misunderstood and rejected, even though we'll become the next target of condemnation.
In compassion, we advocate for employees who are being ill treated by their employers, even though we'll be disdained or fired or blacklisted for stirring up trouble.

Anything less than this is unChrist-like. When we get nailed for doing good deeds, we are truly being like Jesus.

We're taking our compassion all the way to the cross. We are taking CHRIST'S compassion to the crosses that He wants us to carry with Him.

Our compassion is His. Our crosses are His. We are intimately united to Him when we suffer for the sake of love.

Take a bold step forward in compassion:

Dare to follow your heart where others need the caring touch of Jesus.
Look for opportunities to be Jesus for others in ways that you've avoided before.
Stretch your ability to face the cross because of love for others.

The word "compassion" means "with passion"

--- you are with Jesus in His holy Passion!

by Terry A. Modica.

For current Good News Reflections,

subscribe at www.gnm.org

A Compassionate Heart.

Dear Lord,

Today someone prays for

a compassionate heart.

Grant in her a Christ-like

love for others.

Let her hear,

really hear the cry from the heart of others.

Let her understand,

really understand what her neighbour is experiencing.

Let her know,

really know how long her friend has been suffering.

Let her love,

really love all those you put in her path today.

Let her respond,

really respond with love,

Understanding and the compassion

that can only come from You,

Our Lord, Jesus Christ.

Amen.

(Phil 1:9-10)

And this is my prayer:

That your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight,

So that you may be able to discern what is best

And may be pure and blameless until the day of Christ.

Today Someone...Depression.

2007-02-12T22:14:00.000-08:00

Today Someone wants to share some thoughts on the debilitating illness...

DEPRESSION.

I am not in the medical profession...

I am not in the psychiatric profession...

I have never suffered from depression...

BUT

As the years have passed by, I have come in contact with this "syndrome", for want of a better word, many times.

I have been a "victim" of depression although I've never suffered from it. "How so?" You may ask.

Any family who has had a member afflicted by this condition will tell you that it causes the whole unit to suffer. It's very much like when we hurt a limb, our whole body feels the discomfort and pain.

Some parts over compensate to try to relieve the pressure the pain is causing...this is fatiguing as it is not naturally equipped for this dual functionality.

Some parts become immune to the pain in order to see to the daily functioning of the rest of the body.

Some parts have sharp outbursts of protest when a nerve touches its area causing discomfort.

Some parts come out in sympathy and mimic the disability.

All in all a very unhealthy situation...but the body copes albeit it in a dysfunctional way. Likewise with the family.

In the early stages of depression the family and patient often deny that there is anything wrong, as an unsettled spirit comes over the family.

The first reactions to depression are..."Oh pull yourself together, you've got nothing to be THAT miserable about".

As the weeks pass by, the patient descends into an uncontrollable deepening abyss of despair.

I feel even the medical profession are not 100% sure as to the cause of depression but have found a way of alleviating the symptoms through medication. I praise God that He has blessed man with the ingenuity to manufacture such drugs which so often are the starting point of healing in the depressed person's life.

-Chemical imbalances;

-Illness;

-Extremely difficult life situations;

-Nothing.

These are a few things I've heard stated as being the cause or trigger of someone's depression.

So often the family is ashamed to mention it is going through the turmoil of depression...there seems to be a stigma attached to it...they alienate themselves from others at a time when they most need support.

I share the following tips with others who are facing this crisis with a family member:

In this state they don't appreciate anything you try to do to help...

do it anyway.

They can be illogical and argumentative...

don't argue back, be understanding.

They can be despondent and heartbroken...

give comfort, don't tell the person to pull themselves together.

They can hate themselves and life...

nothing you say will convince them otherwise, just put your arms around them and tell them how much you love and appreciate them.

They can be ashamed and apologetic...

tell them there is nothing to apologise for as they were there for you in times of need.

They can say that you don't understand what they are going through...

tell them you know, but nevertheless you are there for them 100%.

They can be clingy and insecure...

try to keep a 'normal routine', but be conscious to have someone available for them at all times, as they can become extremely frightened. Be sensitive to this need and make time for them.

The above are not easy to do. It can take many months for things to 'feel' right again.

You will be surprised how many families go through this.

So what do we as Christians do when faced with Depression in a member of our family?

I have been criticised for advocating medication. I feel that any counselling is useless until the afflicted person has regained a state of calmness in which he can logically discuss his feelings. Carefully controlled and monitored anti-depressants may help a person reach this stage. Sometimes a root cause or trigger for depression can be discovered and dealt with by a professional or Christian counsellor. In many instances we never discover why a person suffers from depression. If long term medication is necessary, treat it sensibly, as you would for any other illness, under the supervision of a Doctor. Try to avoid a 'roller-coaster' attitude to medication, going on and off it as your mood changes, as this so often leads to an unnecessary increase in dosage.

As Christians we must prayerfully hand the situation to God.

In the Bible we see King David experiencing the symptoms of depression.

"My soul is full of troubles, and my life draws near to the grave. I am counted with those who go down to the pit; I am like a man who has no strength". (Psalm 88:3,4)

"I am troubled, I am bowed down greatly: I go mourning all the day long"..."I am feeble and severely broken; I groan because of the turmoil of my heart" (Psalm 38:6,7).

Like King David we must find hope in the Lord and embrace His healing.

"O Lord you have brought my soul up from the grave; You have kept me alive, that I should not go down to the pit" (Psalm 30:3).

"I will be glad and rejoice in Your mercy, for You have considered my trouble; You have known my soul in adversities" (Psalm 31:7).

"Draw near to my soul and redeem it" (Psalm 69:18).

Pray for an upliftment in the person's spirit every day. Tell him you are praying for him. As he improves, encourage him to pray with you. Only God can deliver and heal, but He can use you as His instrument of restoration.

I feel prayer and support can help sustain long term results.

'I waited patiently for the Lord; and He inclined to me, and heard my cry. He also brought me up out of a horrible pit, out of the miry clay, and set my feet upon a rock, and established my steps. He has put a new song in my mouth - praise to our God; many will see it and fear, and will trust in the Lord.

(Psalm 40:1-3)

Let us Pray;

Dear Lord,

Today someone

prayerfully upholds families

going through the trials

of depression.

It is an affliction one would not

wish on one's worst enemy.

It reduces one to the lowest

emotional state imaginable.

But You, our Lord God Almighty,

Have heard the cries of your children

from the depths of their despair.

Throughout all ages, You have heard this cry.

You alone can lift them

out of this misery.

You alone can restore their spirits.

You alone can heal their hearts today.

Thank You Jesus

for Your loving kindness;

You are the Rock of ages,

Let all emotions be anchored to You.

You bring new life,

You bring new joy,

You bring contentment

to our lives once more.

Amen.

Today Someone...A Christmas Miracle.

2006-12-12T06:53:00.000-08:00

Today someone shares a Christmas miracle with you...may it be an encouragement to those of you who feel that nothing can solve the problems that you are facing right now...there's no need to despair, our Lord Jesus does still draw near...

Christmas falls in Summer here in sunny South Africa. It is our holiday season where we spend time out of doors, at our pools, the beach or visiting the wonderful tourist attractions our country has to offer.

My story goes back thirteen years now, but the emotions it evokes are still very real. You know that feeling when you remember exactly what you were doing when you received 'the news'...

December 16th is a Public Holiday here and in our family it became the tradition to put up our Christmas decorations on that day.

It was hot and I was in a bad mood because the workmen who had been fitting a sky-light in our family room ceiling...the room where the Christmas tree took pride of place...had not finished on time. I had my three little children, aged between two and seven, nagging at me because they wanted to decorate the tree.

I answered the ringing phone in an aggressive tone...

"Hello Doreen, it's Mum...I've just come from your sister's house...I've got bad news...they found Karyn in the fishpond..."

"Is she dead?" came my stunned response.

"They're at the hospital now...the outcome doesn't look good...please pray!"

My sister's family is a 'yours, mine and ours' situation; with her husband having three teenagers from his first marriage; my sister's seven year old son; and their twenty month old daughter, Karyn.

They had returned from their holiday earlier in the day. Their house was full of people, what with all the children being with them this Christmas...everyone was bustling about unpacking the car, sorting out the washing, getting lunch...when my sister realised that the little one was no longer playing at her feet. Her first reaction was to look out the window at the swimming pool, she wasn't there. She ran to the other window...and to her horror saw Karyn floating face downwards in the fishpond.

In the whirlwind of emotional confusion that followed, Karyn's seventeen year old brother started CPR and was assisted by a neighbour until the paramedics and ambulance arrived. She was convulsing badly, and my shocked sister was advised that this was a sure sign of brain damage...if she 'made it'.

We all prayed like we've never prayed before...for a miracle in this little girl's life...a life that had barely begun.

In intensive care, Karyn was put into an induced medical coma and given extra oxygen for three days. The damage from the near-drowning would only be diagnosed if or when she came out of the coma.

My sister and her husband had to return to the rest of their family. You can imagine their anguish during this time. When the phone rang, their anxiety rose, the nurse on the other end of the line tried to reassure them that all was well...she was phoning because she needed to know what a "tottie" was. Karyn had opened her big brown eyes and asked for her "tottie" ( her bottle of milk). Needless to say they rushed to the hospital, and Karyn was discharged. The Lord had heard the prayers of the faithful and had given them back their precious daughter...in perfection.
That was the best Christmas present we have ever received.

BUT the miracle does not end there;

Karyn, now a beautiful teenager, fifteen next birthday...has an academic scholarship to one of the best High Schools in our country where she consistently achieves an A aggregate.

We are eternally grateful to our awesome, miracle producing God and our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ.

Matthew 9:18 & 25
18... a ruler came and knelt before Jesus and said, "My daughter has just died. But come and put your hand on her, and she will live." 25... He went in and took the girl by the hand, and she got up.

All things are possible...only BELIEVE.

Let us Pray;

Dear Lord,

You alone can achieve the impossible,

Create the unbelievable,

And calm the destructible.

We acknowledge the greatness of Your power.

You can raise the dead,

Heal the sick,

Cleanse the sinner,

Through Your grace and love.

We praise You for Your greatness,

We thank You for Your gentleness,

We stand in awe of You

Our miracle producing God.

Thank you Lord for Your caring

yet almighty touch in our lives.

Amen.

Today Someone...Little Christian.

2006-11-29T03:54:00.000-08:00

Update 2010

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by: Sharon Boschert Clark

November 2006

Dear Lord,

Today someone upholds Little Christian's healing before You.

Thursday, November 23, 2006
Little Christian born Nov. 17, 2006 had open heart surgery this morning in Cincinnati, Ohio Children's Hospital. The doctor prepared the family for a 4 to 6 hour lengthy surgery. The baby went on the by pass just fine and the operation took a total of 3 1/2 hours...He came off the bypass and is in recovery. I just spoke to his grandmother and they are waiting to go back and see him in ICU. They left the baby's chest open in case there are complications and will close him up after 48 hours...So far everything looks good. The Cardiologist has operated on babies hearts for over 20 yrs. He had the best two surgeons he could have Jesus first and the medical doctor next…

Friday, November 24, 2006
Christian is in critical condition, he is hooked up to all kind of monitors and each one is putting some medication in him, please continue to keep him in your prayers.

Saturday, 25 Nov 2006
Please remember Little Christian as they surgeons close up his little chest that has been open since Nov 22nd when the open-heart surgery was done. Thank God he is now stable...God has and is hearing our prayers. Thank you to each one of you who have lifted this baby up before the Lord...The family sends their love and appreciation and asks that you please continue to pray until "Little Christian" is out of ICU.

Monday, November 27, 2006
Little Christian's chest is closed...There was a 10% chance they would have to restart his heart, which did NOT happen...he is resting and doing well. This is the latest update as of last night...please continue to pray. I received a letter from Kiersten, little Christian's, big sister (11 yrs old);
Thank you so much for your prayers, I could never thank you enough as much as I mean it!!! Thank you again!!! You all are so nice and we are grateful for that!!!

Wednesday, November 29, 2006
Christian's grandmother, is at the hospital…The baby's head is swollen and his chest is swollen again. They told her that he has two (2) blood clots in his neck. I prayed and am asking you all to agree with us in prayer that God, will intervene speedily, one more time, and give this little baby a Miracle. They are going to try to dissolve the blood clots…Please pray that it is successful. God can dissolve them by his Name and by his Word...I believe that and I am trusting God. Please join me in prayer now in the Spirit of Agreement in Jesus' name…

Friday, 1 December 2006
They are going to do ultrasounds today to check the blood clots and also going to check his brain to see if there is any new bleeding in the brain. Please keep praying for this little one, I will update after the test today. God Bless all who have prayed for him.
...He had a brain ultrasound it came back good, Thank God for all he he has done for little Christian.

Sunday, 3 December 2006
The arteial line is coming out of Christians heart today...This is wonderful news, we may get to start holding him now! God is a wonderful God, thanks to all who have held Christian in their prayers.
We get to hold Christian, he is staying stable, he sure is a little fighter. With God on his side he is sure to be a winner!!!

Thursday, 7 December 2006
I just received a phone call from Sharon, Little Christian's grandmother… There are complications with the shunt that was placed in the baby's heart during open heart surgery…He is in a 3 hour test now … please pray that all will go well. The baby's swelling is not coming down and is a great concern.
Thank you for praying…Christian just came through the tests. It was not the shunt in his heart…It was the blood clot which was massive. They put a balloon in there and he has good blood flow right now. Thank you for your continued prayers.
I just spoke to Sharon and she told me that Little Christian is in serious condition. They did a heart cath. a little while ago and found that the blockage was a massive blood clot. They put in a balloon in to open the artery...the baby is very swollen and they have discovered many small blood clots and do not know what is causing them. Again, they are trying to dissolve them. Please do pray...Your prayers are deeply appreciated.
I received a call late last night that the baby was once again stable. His blood pressure had dropped and several nurses ran in to work on him...His blood pressure most of yesterday was critically low but, stabilized last night. I am sure it is due to the immense sincere prayers of the saints and the faithfulness of our God…Please continue to pray for the baby, he is still in critical shape...I will keep you updated as I know.

Saturday, 9 December 2006
I received a call this morning regarding Little Christian... He is in critical condition and has taken a turn for the worse. His little body has developed many blot clots from the chest upward. His arteries in his neck have several…The doctors are puzzled as to what is causing them. They are now treating them aggressively knowing that two dangerous things can happen…the brain could start bleeding and a piece of the blood clot could break off and travel through his body and become lodged somewhere to cause heart failure. They are treating him with an adult dose of Heparin and something else to try to dissolve the clots...They have not witnessed anything like this before...He is very swollen...much more than before and the nurses say it is very painful to him.
They have prepared the mother and grandmother that the baby might not make it...Kristy, the baby's mom, asked that I be called and please ask everyone to pray for Christian. They are testing his blood and think the clotting could be a genetic effect or hereditary... They really don't know....He is only about 3 weeks old now. He needs a miracle...Please, please help us pray and touch God for this little baby boy...Your prayers are deeply appreciated and needed right now...every moment is critical. I will inform you all as I know more.
I spoke to Sharon last night and she said that Little Christian was stable again for the moment but is in much pain from the swelling. The good news is there is no bleeding in his brain as they thought this could be a serious side effect from the aggressive treatment to dissolve the blood clots...The massive blood clot seems to be a little smaller...thank God and that is hopeful. He is a very sick little baby and still needs a miracle. His grandmother is believing God with us and is confessing faith. I will update you as I hear from them. Your prayers and concern are deeply appreciated and needed.

Sunday, 10 December 2006
I just spoke to Little Christian's Grandmother and she said the baby is improved a lot since last night even though he is still critical. Much of the swelling has gone down…he is still swollen but nothing like he was...God is moving and the baby is stable right now...The doctor took an echo of Christian’s brain and heart today and said it looked good. We want to thank everyone for praying and believing God for this little baby...Please do CONTINUE to PRAY for him until he is out of this crisis.

Tuesday, 12 December 2006
This the latest update on Little Christian. The doctors are running echoes and ultrasounds daily to watch his progress and check for bleeding in the brain and the possibility of more blood clots developing. The past couple of days everything looked good. No bleeding in the brain and the heart looks good. He has developed pneumonia but is being treated for that with antibiotics.
The family and I appreciate every prayer and word of encouragment...Please continue to pray for Little Christian that God will completely heal him and that he will be able to be moved out of ICU and go home...

From Sharon (Christian's grandmother)

They gave him a bath and dressed him in one of his little outfits. He is a handsome little boy. He has some pneumonia but he is on antibiotics and they say he will be fine. The swelling was really down. He opened his eyes several times where he could not open them before when he was really swollen.

Sunday, December 17, 2006
Christian is doing great, he has alot of congestion, the tube in his nose is his feeding tube, they will be removing it soon. He has a lot of secretions still, they keep sucking out his nose and mouth, they are giving him a little oxygen to help him but no vent, he is breathing all on his own. Thank God he has never left Christian and proctects him every minute. I gave him his first bottle last night of some pedialite, he sucked on his bottle really good, didn't want to let it go.

Tuesday, 19 December 2006
They are giving him a bottle, he is doing great, Thank God!! he is such a little fighter. we are holding him all the time now and rocking him. I think he is spoiled already. He he, thats what they are for, right?

Friday 22 December 2006
He may come home in 2 weeks... but he may come home with a feeding tube, please pray he does not need that, I will be a nervous wreck trying to make sure nothing happens with a feeding tube. They say I will have to give him a blood thinner shot everyday and I really hate that, but that has to be done. Thanks for all your prayers!!!

Monday, 25 December 2006
They moved Christian out of ICU today!!! What a great Christmas present!! He is doing very good! Praise God for all His Blessings! I hope God helps me to to take care of him and helps me with whatever comes my way in doing so. Please pray that everything works for the good of the Lord! Thanks and Merry Christmas!!!

Let us Pray;

Dear Father God,

We pray that You uphold little Christian

in Your healing hands.

You alone can touch him

and make him whole and well.

Through the Sacred Heart of

Our Lord, Jesus Christ,

We pray for complete healing

Of little Christian’s heart.

You are a compassionate Father,

You understand the anguish of this family,

As You witnessed the suffering

of Your own dear Son too.

Make this family whole.

You know their many needs.

Uphold Kristy and lead her back to You.

Bless Sharon in all she'll have to do.

We give thanks to the Lord, for He is good.

His love endures forever.

Give thanks to the God of heaven.

His love endures forever.

-Psalm 136:1&26-

Amen.

Today Someone...The Christ within us.

2006-11-22T08:11:00.000-08:00

Today someone wants to share the Christ within us...

In life we just never know whom our Lord, Jesus Christ is going to have us ministering to when we are sensitive and obedient to His leading.

Therefore it is important for us to understand and be aware of the Gift of God, the fullness of Christ that is within us.

We need to allow Him to minister through us.

Our words and actions must originate from the Christ within.

There should be no input from the flesh as He is the Hand that does the ministering, we are simply the glove.

His are the Words that do the ministering, we are simply the mouthpiece.

We must have it settled in our hearts exactly Who we have within us and the extent of His power to minister to others through us.

The Christ within us must be glorified; …on the day He comes to be glorified in His holy people, He will be marvelled at as His glory is reflected in all who believe. (2 Thessalonians 1:10).

This includes us too because we believe that His glory is visible in us, His people.

Those whom we minister to are looking for something deeper in their lives, something that will satisfy their ‘thirst’. They are looking for a 'revelation' of Christ...the Christ they see within us.

As Jesus answered in the Scriptures, "Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again, but whoever drinks the water I give him will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give him will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life." (John 4:13-14).

He who believes in Me from his innermost being shall flow springs and rivers of living water. If anyone is thirsty, let him come to Me. (John 7:38).

This response cannot merely be a declaration of doctrine, an announcement of our human understanding of a spiritual concept... it must flow from our life experience that He is the God who hides Himself in us...He is the Christ living within us… He is the source of the living water flowing through us.

We must live our daily lives as an example to others that our bodies are the dwelling place of our Lord, Jesus Christ. We must greet the Christ we see within others with His love and respect. We must be obedient to His calling.

He is our hope of glory!

Let us Pray;

Dear Lord,

You are the Christ in us,

Our Redeemer,

Our Saviour.

May others see Your Glory,

As Your love shines through us.

May Your graciousness

Be reflected in our lives.

We pray that the living waters

bubbling within us,

May draw those who thirst

To You for all eternity.

Lord, hide Yourself in us,

We are Your instruments of ministry.

You are the hand, we are the glove,

Use us now, we offer our lives to You.

Not our will but Thy will be done.

Amen.

Today Someone...Rivers of release.

2006-11-17T05:32:00.000-08:00

"An Angel of the Lord, stood astride the earth. He took a two-edged Sword, hoisted the hilt above his head, and plunged it into the earth. The angel then leaned on the hilt and split the earth in two halves. A red river poured out of the fissure. There were two streams of the red river as it flowed. The one stream was blood, the other stream was rubies."

God has heard our cries for breakthrough, and He is answering by releasing His Rivers of power.

He is releasing waters of hope, refreshing, healing and deliverance.

The enemy does not want us to experience the thresholds of breakthrough God is taking us to, and he is trying to squeeze the life out of us as we go through the narrow place.

It is like the time of birthing, when a baby is isolated in darkness before his delivery, he experiences a narrow place. It is terrifying, lonely and unfamiliar.

Yet, in order to come forth into his place of growth, he has to go through the squeeze. Then he breaks through in a flood of water into his new life...

We are going through the threshold into a greater place of enlargement.

God is pouring out His rivers of breakthrough on our behalf.

We need to break out of patterns of containment and old cycles.

The rivers overflow upon us and break us through the obstacles which block breakthrough.

The Lord is opening a door in the high places as we are being called to "go up higher!"

God is calling us to experience His glory and to receive new levels of revelation.

These are the days when God is building great faith and moving us from one level of glory to another.

It is a river that releases God's glory and supernatural grace and represents His Light upon the earth.

We must become properly positioned, at His feet, meditating on His Words.
The words we speak will no longer fall to the ground and die, but become alive, active and full of power.

The flood gates have opened. Doors to our breakthrough are opening...

The tide is comeing in again, it is a mighty high tide, and the Lord will bring blessings and happiness to the lives of those who are faithful.

Be encouraged, these are awesome times in God!

By: Justin Lippiatt.
Sandie Freed.
Doreen Hardie.

Let us Pray;

Dear Lord,

Today Someone wants to share a word of encouragement;

Others give thanks to God for you always

when they mention you in their prayers.

Because they continue to hear of your love

and of your loyal faith

which you have toward the Lord Jesus

and which you show toward all God's consecrated people.

Your participation in, and sharing of your faith,

may produce and promote full recognition and appreciation

and understanding and precise knowledge of every good thing

that is ours in Christ Jesus and unto His glory.

For others have derived great joy and comfort

and encouragement from your love,

because the hearts of your fellow Christians

have been cheered and refreshed through you.

The Lord is confident of your obedient compliance,

knowing that you will do even more than is asked.

Amen.

(Philemon 1)

Today Someone...Prayer.

2006-11-12T05:02:00.000-08:00

Today someone wants to share some thoughts on prayer:

The more we pray, the more we want to pray; and we want to pray properly.

The two people who went up to the Temple to pray in Luke 18:9-14, teach us that there is a good and a bad way of praying:

The Parable of the Pharisee and the Tax Collector.
9To some who were confident of their own righteousness and looked down on everybody else, Jesus told this parable:
10"Two men went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector.
11The Pharisee stood up and prayed about himself: 'God, I thank you that I am not like other men—robbers, evildoers, adulterers—or even like this tax collector.
12I fast twice a week and give a tenth of all I get.'
13"But the tax collector stood at a distance. He would not even look up to heaven, but beat his breast and said, 'God, have mercy on me, a sinner.'
14"I tell you that this man, rather than the other, went home justified before God. For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted."

A healthy hunger for prayer flows over into a longing, not only to become someone who prays, but someone whose prayers connect to every aspect of ones' life. One then realizes that real prayer should make a real difference to ones' life and the lives of others. Praying for others is one of the best ways of loving people. When we love others we show our love for God.

Our God is a God who loves beyond anything we can imagine. We need to learn to respond spontaneously to our God who calls us friend.

We can only learn how to pray by praying.

I just want to talk to you Lord

Dear Lord,

Whenever I want to talk to You,

I come to You in prayer,

Because prayer is a conversation,

A little chat with You.

There is nothing to fear,

Nothing I can't say,

Nothing I can hide,

I share everything with You.

My burdens, my joys,

Some failures and successes;

Happy times, sadness,

Trials that put me to the test.

Then little by little,

My worries are lessened,

My burdens are lifted,

I'm filled with the light of You.

Oh, what friendship,

Oh, what happiness,

Oh, what love I share

When I talk to You each day.

Amen.

Praying for Others

Dear Lord,

Someone kneels before God in prayer,

You already know his care.

So I pray and intercede to You,

Knowing You can see him through.

Bless him in his troubled state,

To his loved ones may he relate.

Tenderness, compassion and care,

Are the gifts You want him to share.

I will not stop praying for him,

May wisdom fill him to the brim;

A worthy life may he live,

Always willing to forgive.

Grow him in the knowledge of You,

His spiritual understanding renew.

Strengthen him with Your glorious might,

To do good works in Your sight.

Fill him with patience and endurance, I pray,

So he may come to serve You every day.

Giving thanks to the Father above,

Who has saved him through His love.

Amen.

Praying for Yourself

Dear Lord,

I come before You on bended knee,

I am a sinner, too dreadful for You to see.

You, Lord, set the example so great,

Gave me the free choice to imitate.

But each day I fall far short of You,

In my actions, all I say and all I do.

I cry out for Your forgiveness,

I am so ashamed of my sinfulness.

You died upon the cross for me,

From all sin You set me free.

Jesus You rose to heaven above,

Dying for my transgressions, Your gift of love.

As my Saviour, come into my life,

Free me from this sin and strife.

Keep me in the palm of Your hand,

I know sweet Jesus You understand.

As I face each day anew,

I want to be more like You.

Amen.

Today Someone...God's Flowers.

2006-11-02T11:07:00.000-08:00

Today someone wants to share a bouquet of God’s flowers:

1 Corinthians 3: 6-7;

I planted the seed, Apollos watered it, but God made it grow.

So neither he who plants nor he who waters is anything, but only God, who makes things grow.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I love looking at flowers. Red roses are my favorite flowers. The

thought came to me this morning that we see flowers all day long and

they aren’t the ones that are planted in the ground. The flowers are

people. We may have planted the seed for them to accept Jesus as

their personal Saviour; others are watering them, but it is God who is

growing them.

What are we doing with the people that God has given us to nurture?

Are we watering them every day with forgiveness, understanding,

kindness, tenderness and encouragement? Do we love them with

unconditional love as Jesus has told us? Do they see and hear Jesus

in our actions and in our words?

The most important thing we can do for anyone is to pray for them. We

can help them and encourage them but only Jesus can fix what is

wrong. He is the only one who can see deep into our hearts, in the

places that we keep hidden from our family and friends. Whatever your

burdens and heartaches are today, our Saviour is waiting for you with

open arms. He Loves you so much and is longing for you to come to

Him.

Are you watering God’s flowers with love and compassion?

Do people see Jesus on your face, or do they see the ugliness of satan on your face?

Have you watered someone for Jesus today?

Our pastors water us but we also need to water people by the things we say to them and the things we do for them.

Have you hugged someone for Jesus today?

More important, have you told Jesus you love Him and given Him a hug?

Joanne Lowe.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

The Lord guides us to‘plant’ the needs of others, like seeds in a barren field;

He wants us to tend them, water and nurture them and to pray for His blessing on their lives. Then He will make them grow and florish into the most beautiful flowers in His kingdom; through His love and grace alone...

1 Corinthians 3:5-9, says it is not important who does the planting or watering,

as long as one does the work the Lord has given him to do.

God is the only important element, as it’s through His saving grace that the seed may grow and the plant bear fruit.

How unsatisfactory an offering it would be to our Lord,

if these seeds were planted without love and compassion.

We must sincerely say to our brothers and sisters;

“I love you, and I will uphold your needs in prayer.

He has entrusted me to care for you...to pray for you,

So that you may blossom in His love..."

Plant the Seed

Pursue your plan...plant the seed...in simplicity and humility!
With tenacity achieve a work worthy of God.
Leave a visible mark.

In barren ground...plant the seed...harvest the crop!
He died on the cross...was raised from death...brought eternal life!
From desolation...resurrection...hope!

The man who plants hope...grows happiness!
Do it in serenity of spirit.
Plant the seed...create a forest!

Through your generosity, be worthy.
Persevere with no recompense.
Leave a legacy!

(By Doreen Hardie.)

Let us Pray;

Dear Lord,

Today someone shares with You

A cherished garden she tends -

It is planted with the love of family and friends.

The memories and dreams we treasure and share

Are like beautiful roses found blooming there.

The comfort and care on which we depend

Is given with love between family and friends.

The sunshine of laughter and rain of a tear

Only make our love grow with each passing year.

We may all be ourselves with no need to pretend

Because of the love of family and friends;

They notice the rainbows and weather the showers.

They overlook weeds and praise all our flowers.

The most valuable thing is the time that we spend

Tending this garden with family and friends.

When counting our blessings, we know from the start

That family and friends come first in our heart.

Amen.

Today Someone...His Calling.

2006-11-01T04:51:00.000-08:00

Today someone wants to share a ‘calling’…

Extract from:

Standing with the Mantle of Pentecost preparing to cross over into the Promised Land...

Rev. Gerri Janeway.

Text: 2 Kings 2: 1-15

One of the worst places to be in is "indecision". It is time to get in or get out, stop and sit down or make up your mind you are going all the way at any cost.

It is decision-making time for some...Others are in the heat of the battle…Fighting battles they never expected to fight...Battles with the church leaders, other ministers, religious spirits, even that old Jezebel spirit, herself. Many are being assaulted by pastors, evangelists, so-called prophets and false teachers, planted in the church by satan to discourage you and stop you...Some are being intimidated to believe that they cannot fulfill their destiny, their call of God upon their lives...That they don't have what it takes…That they aren't as good as the one who mentors them.

"Listen", the devil is a liar, he is the accuser of the brethren...If God has called you, God has equipped you to go forth and do His work. It is not in education or influence, it is not in personality or what you have or who you know.

It is in Christ alone. He is the Author and Finisher of our faith...It is not by might nor by power, saith the Lord...It is the Anointing of God that accomplishes the work...If we run, if we minister, if we sing, preach, or do anything without the anointing, all we have done is entertain people. Without the anointing we cannot win the battle ...

God is looking for someone who will be committed; someone who isn't afraid to take a little persecution; someone who is sick and tired of being just average and accepting things as status quo; someone who is not satisfied and who wants to be more useful in the kingdom of God; someone who is ready and able to do "spiritual warfare"... to rescue souls and set this generation free; someone, who has been enlightened; someone who has had their spiritual eyes and ears opened to see the needs of humanity and hear the cry of the desperate; someone who has had a Spirit of Compassion birthed in them. Matthew 10:1 & 7-15...It is time for the true ministers of God to go forth and preach the Kingdom of God is at hand...it is time to cleanse the leper, heal the sick and raise the dead...

We were given the Mantle of Pentecost (ministry) and Jesus gave us the anointing (the Holy Spirit) to go with it. We have His authority to use the Mantle. We have a delegated responsibility. Matthew 16: 15-20...”Go ye into all the world and preach the Gospel...."

The Comforter came at Pentecost when the Holy Spirit fell ... This is the last Mantle to fall. We have the Mantle in our hands, now what are we going to do with it?

We have the keys to the kingdom, the power to bind the powers of darkness and loose the presence of God.

We have the Revelation and Vision.

What are we going to do with it?

We are standing by the river and ready to cross over.

Do you have what it takes to pick up the mantle and part the waters and cross over into the promise of God?

It's in your hand!

Let us Pray;

Father Almighty,

You alone have given the mantle of Pentecost (ministry)

and the anointing to go with it (Holy Spirit).

We have Your authority to use The Mantle.

It is Your Wisdom that we now seek as we stride out boldly

to achieve all that You have pre-ordained for our lives.

We have followed the mentor,

we have not tarried in mediocrity,

it is time to take up the mantle and be recognized

for the purpose the Lord has laid on our lives.

God has equipped us to go forth and do His work.

It is the anointing of God that will accomplish this.

We need to be committed and preach

the kingdom of God is at hand.

We have the revelation and the vision…

Lord give us Your wisdom to do Your will with it.

Open our eyes, ears hearts, minds and spirits

to Your leading.

Lord we do not want to procrastinate in

“indecision”.

We must take up our cross

and follow You…

Amen

I am instructed to take up the cross daily and follow Him.

When I think about all that Jesus went through on my behalf,

I am empowered to be more faithful on my own journey of life.

I can accept the injustices that I experience because He accepted unjust condemnation.

I can pick up my cross and carry on despite my many falls on the way.

The perseverance of Jesus, on His journey to Calvary, gives me the strength to keep going.

He has given me people along the way to help me…

who lift me up in prayer, support me in times of difficulty,

and share in the blessings God has given me.

Today Someone...His Healing Touch.

2006-10-26T12:44:00.000-07:00

Dear Lord,

Today someone wants to share

HIS HEALING TOUCH.

As there is a history of Glaucoma eye disease in my family, and being over 40, and the optic nerves showing slight damage, the ophthalmologist sent me for a routine brain scan at our local Clinic. He wanted to make sure he was treating me correctly and that there was no other underlying cause of the problem.

It’s not a very pleasant procedure, as those of you who have been through it will know, but I was not worried.

I lay perfectly still in this claustrophobic machine for what seemed to be an eternity, listening to the banging and knocking noises of the scanner as it did its’ ‘thing’.

I thought it was over when the Radiologist came in, but he began asking me all sorts of questions:

“Why are you having this Scan?”

“Where else do you have lesions?”…

“I’m going to inject you with a dye and redo the scan for a clearer view…”

I was totally bewildered, but before I could say a word he had disappeared, I had been injected with dye, and was back in the noisy machine for another 45 minutes. This time I was worried!

“All done,” came the cheery voice of the assistant, “you can go home now and we will forward the results to your ophthalmologist.”

I spent an agonizing two days waiting for Dr. P. to contact me, suspicious that something abnormal had shown up on the scan. It had, three dark lesions behind the eyes and nose. They were of a nature that the radiologists, ophthalmologist, and the subsequent Brain Surgeon had never seen before.

I felt numb and my husband, Doug, was devastated. Our friends and family rallied around him with an outpouring of support…but they ignored me…not knowing what to say in such a situation.

I withdrew, feeling scared and alone, deserted by those I loved. Those were the longest, loneliest two weeks of my life. It impacted on me personally as I became increasingly insecure and a lack of trust in those I loved grew. That feeling of utter loneliness was what drew me close to my Lord again some months later.

Luckily my story has a happy ending…after another barrage of scans on the latest machines, supervised by the Neurosurgeon…they discovered that the three sinuses that lie deep within the skull had not filled with air as I developed, but with mucous, and would not cause any problems whatsoever to my health.

You may wonder why I’m sharing this with you.

Very often we make the mistake of not ‘being there’ for those in need, through fear or because it’s too painful to ourselves.

We can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God. - 2 Corinthians 1:4.

The loving thing we can do when someone is in pain is to share their pain…to ‘be there,’ even when we've nothing to offer except our presence.

We are born with a natural empathy for those who are hurting. We all have the compassion to be moved by the troubles of others.

Look carefully at all those involved in a difficult situation, sometimes those who are ‘being strong’ for others are suffering the most, in silence, not wanting to let the side down.

Ask God to make you more sensitive to the needs and hurts of those around you.

Don’t be afraid to ask, “How does this make you feel?”

It might just be the opening someone needs…it was for me…many months later…then only did I receive ‘true healing’…the healing only God can bring, complete physical, mental and spiritual healing…just because someone cared…just because someone prayed!

All praise be to the Lord Almighty for His healing touch!

Amen.

Let us Pray;

Dear Lord,

Today someone wants to be aware

of the burdens in the lives of others.

Everyone has to shoulder a problem

at some stage in their life.

I want to be there to lighten

the load of those around me.

The Lord has blessed me

by carrying my heaviest burdens.

Likewise I can support others

as they face their daily trials.

In this way I will obediently

observe the law of Christ.

For if I think myself to be somebody,

when I am nobody, I deceive myself.

I must examine my own conduct and work

To find satisfaction in doing something commendable.

Lord make me a blessing

to the broken and discouraged.

Please guide me so that I might find my place

and my way of serving to Your glory.

For whatever I sow, that is what I will reap.

Amen.

(Galations 6:2)

Today Someone...Hope

2006-10-16T01:01:00.000-07:00

The Life of HOPE

(28/08/2006 - 15/10/2006)

Sorrow looks back,

Worry looks around,

Faith looks up!

And HOPE abounds…

Please could we pray for this little, baby girl. She is going to do great things for the Kingdom of God, and the Lord has called her to be a change maker - an apostle. That said, the devil is desperately trying to attack this child, and prevent her from fulfilling God's plan and purpose. We need to intercede, and pray with purpose.

PRAYER:

We speak healing in Hope's body - in the name of Jesus.

We confess Your favour and success in her life Lord,

and we pray that even as a baby

Your miracle working power would be evident in her life.

We speak blessing into her life,

and into that of her family,

and that she would fully attain all that You have

planned and purposed for her life.

She will be considered a friend

of the Most High God,

and she will lead Your people out of bondage

and secure their feet upon the Rock.

(Justin Lippiatt.)

Ephesians 6:10-11 –

Be strong in the Lord and in His mighty power. Put on the full armour of God

so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes.”

Lord Jesus Christ,

We humbly ask You to secure the Spirit

You so abundantly bestowed on your apostles, in Hope;

So that she may grow with a zeal for Your glory

and the salvation of souls.

Inflame little Hope, whom You have chosen,

so she may become a saint in Your likeness,

And may Your Spirit strengthen and heal her.

Amen.

Colossians 1:3 –

“We give thanks to God and the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, praying always for you,”

DIARY OF HOPE'S SHORT LIFE.

Our baby HOPE is going to have to have heart surgery…either tonight or early in the morning…being prepped now for surgery and to move her the La Bonor Hospital…near where she already is…Please do pray...Will let you know as we know. She has a hole in her heart and it is enlarging. Everything else seemed ok...while she is strong enough they want to do the surgery...that is the message we just received.

Thank you for your prayers and words of encouragement and prophecy concerning little HOPE…I just got the call from Tennessee that HOPE is out of surgery and the doctors say all went perfect...Your concern and prayers are greatly appreciated by all of our family...Thank you for having all prayed for HOPE. God heard our prayers one more time and intervened. I will keep you updated…Please continue to pray for her strength and speedy recovery...God Bless…I am sending you pictures of HOPE for you to see how small she is at one pound and 3 ounces.

Thank you so much for sharing this…Testimony of Dana Blessing; “Do you smell that?”
It means a lot and will hold it in our hearts as we watch and believe the Lord for Little HOPE to have such a testimony as well.

19/09/2006
We just got word this evening that Little Hope is not doing well...She is not gaining weight as she needs to due to a perforated bowel…can't operate as she is too weak…can't give her the nutrients she needs because it will cause infection in the bowel…She again has not voided but one ounce this evening and needs another touch from God. Please help us pray and believe the Lord for her…She is a little fighter and we are praying again for another miracle. Her blood pressure is not stable and she is very weak.

22/09/2006
Little HOPE", our premee that was born 8/28/06 and weighed one pound and one ounce, is still holding her own…she needs surgery to correct the perforated bowel...but, cannot have the surgery until she is more stabilized again…She is back on the ventilator...Cannot breath long periods of time on her own without hyperventilating which is not good for premies...can cause brain damage and tire her heart out. She is weak and needs strength to overcome...recovering from the heart surgery...That has taken a lot of her but, she is still fighting and holding on…Please do continue to pray that she will gain strength and weight and be able to survive the more evasive surgery for the bowel repair. This is important to her survival. Waiting on the pediatric surgeons to give the ok to go ahead but, right now she is not able to endure the surgery because she is too weak. Please do continue to pray. Thanks for caring and mostly for praying. Every prayer is greatly appreciated...We are believing for a miracle for Hope.

27/09/2006
Thank you for your prayerful concern and helping us touch God and for uniting our faith…God bless you...Little Hope is still holding on and stabilized…We are believing God for a miracle...X-rays are being done tomorrow, I think, to see if her bowel has begun to heal itself...If that is the case then she will not have to undergo that invasive surgery to correct the perforated bowel...Her bowels have begun to move the past 3 days…This is a good thing...There was a tube in her bowel to extract the stool...If the x-rays show that there is no stool going anywhere it should not, then she may not have to have this surgery unless the healing causes scar tissue that could cause a blockage and have to have surgery at some later time…I believe if God heals this bowel then He can make sure it functions properly with no further complications…Your continued prayers for HOPE are deeply appreciated.

15/10/2006
Little Hope has taken a turn for the worse...is not expected to live...has between 20 minutes and 2 hours...Doctors have done all they can do...Need a miracle for this 6 week old baby...premie of one pound…Please do pray and help us touch God.

15/10/2006 4pm
My family and I want to thank each and everyone of you have prayed for my great grandbaby and us...The baby, HOPE, died about 2 hours ago...Please do continue to hold our family up in prayer during our time of grief...Your concern and prayers are deeply appreciated.

God Bless you one and all.
Rev. Gerri Janeway

A Prayer for Hope:

God looked around His garden and found an empty place.

He then looked down upon the earth and saw your tiny face.

He put His arms around you and lifted you to rest.

God's garden must be beautiful. He only takes the best.

It broke our hearts to lose you but you didn't go alone.

Part of us went with you the day God took you home.

If tears could build a stairway and heartaches make a lane,

We'd walk a path to heaven to be with you again.

Amen.

We all feel your loss. Hope had become part of many lives and led others to seek God in their daily needs.
People opened up to me with their requests for prayer because of Hope. Her life was special and not lived in vain.
She will be missed by us all.

May the Lord hold your family close to Him in a special bond of love during this sad time.
Love,
Doreen.

Dear Lord,

Today someone feels a sadness in her heart.

She knows it was Your will to call Baby Hope home.

Tiny Hope, clung to life for just six weeks…

God drew near, held her tiny body against Him

When she was too frail for her family to hold.

People prayed, but her chances were slim.

God breathed love and blessings into her life,

Bringing about miracles, she didn't live in vain;

Unsaved souls turned to Jesus,

As they prayed for Hope in her pain.

Hardened hearts softened to the call,

As they went on bended knee;

Finding an opening to express a longing

For the Lord, through Hope’s need.

Who are we to question why

A short life to some is given;

By being born too early,

Hope led others to heaven.

We thank You Lord,

For giving us Hope,

In our hearts, in our lives,

And in our walk with You.

Amen.

Today Someone...Justin's vision.

2006-10-13T06:28:00.000-07:00

Dear Lord,

Today someone wants to share Justin's vision;

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 21, 2006

A vision...

I was inside a drop of pond water. I could see Daphnia, Hydra, and other little organisms scurrying around busily - legs paddling, antennae flicking about. My view zooms out through the lenses of a microscope, to me sitting looking through the microscope, Zoom out again, to the building I'm sitting in, then the world (view of planet earth), then the solar system revolving around our sun, then our solar system within our galaxy, then the galaxy within the universe filled with galaxies, then God looking at a drop of water - our universe.

The Lord's voice:

"Just as you would look and see the smallest of creatures in a drop of water, so I see you. The difference is that I KNOW YOU! I have always known you. I know how you are, and where you are. I know what you feel - your joy, your suffering, your pleasure, and your pain. Do you not realise I AM? I AM bigger than your imagination, bigger than your problems, and far bigger than your solutions. The words - eternity and eternal - are too small.

I have set a place aside for you which surpasses every snippet of Heaven I have ever shown or revealed to you!

I AM!

What is the Kingdom of Heaven? Can you perceive the Kingdom of Heaven... My Heaven? My Son talks to you about My Kingdom, and He is revealing mysteries that you have not yet had revelation about. Meditate upon that...

Do not view me only as your Father, nor as your friend...I AM! Those who fear me in reverence, will see MY Glory. Those that search for Me in MY Word and in the spirit will find ME, and MY Grace.

Yes, I AM!

Can you not see that I AM within you? Do you not conceive my love for you - that I have chosen YOU!

Chosen YOU!

You! My friend and my child...

Whatever you feel, or experience, ask, open your lives to receive Me - fully - to receive My will for you ON EARTH, AS IT IS IN HEAVEN!

My will for you is bigger than your comprehension.

Consider, and embrace I AM!"

SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 24, 2006

A Verse…

(Haggai 2)

18 ... from this twenty-fourth day of the ninth month,...

19 I will bless you.'

20 The word of the LORD came... 21 that I will shake the heavens and the earth. 22 I will overturn ... I will overthrow...

23 " 'On that day, I will make you like my signet ring, for I have chosen you,' declares the LORD Almighty."

Amen.

Today Someone...Love.

2006-10-13T06:18:00.000-07:00

Dear Lord,

Today someone wants to share a view about

LOVE:

I grew up in an undemonstrative family, that didn’t mean we didn’t love one another, we just didn’t show it, or say it…those three important little words…

I LOVE YOU.

We live in a sinful world where it has become unacceptable to say these precious words to certain people without the meaning being misconstrued. Woman to woman, man to man, and sometimes even man to woman, as they are then thought to harbour sexual desires for each other if they say, I love you. This societal scourge has made it uncomfortable for people to use these words to express their feelings outside of the family. It is a shame, as God’s greatest gift to us is love; He commands us to love one another, just as He loves us.

The following extract from Darrin Salle’s poem, Love, describes ‘love’ perfectly;

LOVE:

Love, to me, is not something in a book,

Something old, or stale, or weak,

Nor something exclusively feminine or soft,

And not feeble, timid or fearful.

It is not to do with the loins,

It is not to do with the head,

It is not to do with forced actions,

And it is nowhere in a lusty eye…

It resides in an indefinable spot in our chest,

Sometimes in our belly.

It is not tangible enough to be grasped with the hand,

But is more solid than the gold too many of us trust in…

To love, is to become a conduit for the eternal,

To handle the only heavenly commodity found on earth,

To feel the steady pulse of the universe,

To touch, and be touched, by the hand of God…

In all creation, nothing is more weather resistant,

More useful, more appropriate,

More adaptable, more enduring,

More ingenious, or more precious…

It is simple to handle,

Increases the more you give it away,

Always arrives with hope, joy,

And encouragement as companions…

It is fair and just,

Balanced and perfect.

It upholds and carries good,

And utterly opposes evil.

When people ask, Who is God?

I don’t think of a far off spirit being.

I think of His hand touching me inside,

And I understand why God is called Love.

The Lord has called me to ‘plant’ the needs of others, like seeds in a barren field; He wants me to tend to them and water them. 1 Corinthians 3:5-9, says it is not important who does the planting or watering, as long as one does the work the Lord gave him to do. God is the only important element, as it’s through His love and grace alone that He can make the seed grow and the plant bear fruit. How unsatisfactory an offering it would be to our Lord, if I felt no love towards others, whose needs He has entrusted to me. How wonderful it would be if I could sincerely say to my brothers and sisters; “I love you, and I will uphold your need in prayer.”

LET US PRAY;

Dear Lord,

If I have not love, my speech is no more

than a resounding gong.

I may have faith to move mountains,

but if I have not love, I am nothing.

If I give all I possess to the poor

and surrender my body to the flames,

but have not love,

I gain nothing.

Love is patient, love is kind.

It does not envy, it does not boast,

It is not proud, It is not rude,

It is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered.

Love keeps no record of wrongs.

It does not delight in evil

but rejoices with the truth.

It always protects, always trusts,.

Love always hopes,

always perseveres.

Love is eternal.

Lord, bless me with a love like this.

Amen.

(1 Corinthians 13: 1-13)

Today Someone...My testimony.

2006-10-13T06:09:00.000-07:00

Dear Lord,

Today You want someone,

And that someone's me,

To share with others

My testimony.

Doreen Teresa Hardie.

I was born to a Catholic father and an Anglican mother, the middle of three children. My Mum raised her children as Catholics, although she did not attend church herself. I had a very disciplined church life. This along with a Convent school education, and Catholic retreats, enticed me to consider a vocation as a nun as I had developed a very close relationship with our Lord…BUT God had other ideas, He gave me Doug…and we started dating in 1975.

My parents divorce and Doug being a Presbyterian, led the two of us to worship in Pentecostal churches, where I developed an even closer walk with Jesus. The Lord kept us pure in our relationship until we married in 1982 and He has blessed us with three wonderful children; Claire, Grant and Ross.

Due to the many moves we had, through secondments and transfers by the bank Doug worked for, we changed churches many times. This along with being a busy, sometimes working mother lessened my commitment to the Lord. I became very erratic in my church attendance and my prayer life dwindled.

In 2005, life’s uncertainties, loss and illness left me feeling low and empty. Doug persuaded me to talk to a Christian counselor, who worked with him, about my feelings. The wonderful love of Christ within him shone through and enlightened me, so when he asked me why I thought I felt this way, I knew it was because I had let God slip out of my life…Thus this feeling of complete and utter loneliness.

Now I’ll never be lonely again…my friend, Jesus, is walking by my side. I am instructed to take up the cross daily and follow Him. When I think about all that Jesus went through on my behalf, I am empowered to be more faithful on my own journey of life. I can accept the injustices that I experience because He accepted unjust condemnation. I can pick up my cross and carry on despite my many falls on the way. The perseverance of Jesus, on His journey to Calvary, gives me the strength to keep going.

He has given me people along the way to help me…I thank Him for family and friends who are a special part of my life…who lift me up in prayer, support me in times of difficulty, and share in the blessings God has given me.

I have gone full circle…as I’m now happily worshipping in the Catholic Church again…

The Lord uses me to intercede for others in prayer and His blessings are many.

To God be all the glory, thanksgiving, love and praise, for He pours out His Grace and favour on me…just because He loves me.

Amen.