I Believe in Miracles

Posted on September 19, 2011 by 4Seasons2013

I wanted to share the following with my readers because I believe in the everyday miracle of HIS love. Do you?

Believe in Miracles
by Mary Lou Carney

“It’s a miracle!” Those words are sure to get attention wherever they’re uttered. After all, most of our lives are spent with things happening in predictable ways: summer follows spring; we wake from sleep each morning; birds sing and rabbits hop. We operate within the laws of the universe, knowing that sunsets and sunrises are as inevitable as allergy season.

The Gospels record more than three dozen miracles centered around Jesus, including:

· The virgin birth (Luke 1:26-38)

· Changing water into wine (John 2:1-11)

· Healing many who were sick with various diseases (Matthew 9:1-8; Mark 3:1-6; Luke 8:43-48)

· Raising the dead (Luke 7:11-17; Luke 8:49-56; John 11:1-44)

· Calming the stormy sea (Matthew 8:23-27)

· Feeding 5,000 men and their families (Matthew 14:16-21)

· Walking on water (John 6:16-21)

· Defeating death with his own resurrection (Matthew 28)

But what about today? Do miracles still exist? Absolutely! Christian people around the world encourage each other with true stories of God’s power to protect and heal.

The biggest miracle of all, though, is one we experience daily: God’s love for every one of us — a love that is undeserved but oh-so-very real. “See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are!” (1 John 3:1).

Why has God chosen to love and adopt us flawed creatures? It’s a mystery…and a miracle.

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Lessons in the Rain

Posted on September 17, 2011 by 4Seasons2013

“Let my teaching fall like rain and my words descend like dew, like showers on new grass, like abundant rain on tender plants.”–Deuteronomy 32:2 (NIV)

When my grandchildren spend the night with me, it is an opportunity for us to spend quality time together. I’m always amazed at the information they inhale as readily as we breathe in the fresh air when we spend time in God’s great outdoors.

Currently, Cheyenne and Brennan are attending church activities with me on Wednesday nights where they are learning more about the Bible. Bible Time Quiz Kids, designed for first and second graders to learn about God’s Word, uses games and contests to help the children memorize scripture and learn Biblical facts. To make it fun, females and males vie to win points. They are also learning practical application for their daily living.

While reading the Bible and memorizing scripture is important, we need to learn to apply it to our daily lives. As my grandchildren and I were out for an early morning walk recently, it began to sprinkle. Still about a mile from shelter, we started racing for my house as it began to rain harder. We were about 200 yards from my house when the rain stopped suddenly.

My grandson, who had a small wooden cross around his neck, a cross I had brought back to him from my recent mission trip to Costa Rica, said, “Nana, it worked.” When I asked Brennan what worked, he replied, “My prayers.”

Puzzled, I asked him about the answered prayers. He replied, “I was holding the wooden cross in my hand as we ran and I asked God to stop the rain.”

My heart leaped with joy as I realized that this precocious six-year-old knew the power of our Heavenly Father. He had asked and God had responded. I don’t believe in coincidences; however, I do believe God hears and answers prayers in response to our belief. While He doesn’t answer every prayer, I truly believe He answered my grandson’s prayers in response to his childlike faith.

Jesus says, in Matthew 19:14, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.”

What about you? Do you have childlike faith?

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Do It Again, Lord

Posted on September 9, 2011 by 4Seasons2013

I would like to share with my readers this prayer, written and delivered by well-known pastor and author, Max Lucado. The prayer was written for America Prays, a national prayer vigil held Saturday, September 14, 2001.

Dear Lord,
We’re still hoping we’ll wake up. We’re still hoping we’ll open a sleepy eye and think, What a horrible dream. But we won’t, will we, Father? What we saw was not a dream. Planes did gouge towers. Flames did consume our fortress. People did perish. It was no dream and, dear Father, we are sad.

There is a ballet dancer who will no longer dance and a doctor who will no longer heal. A church has lost her priest, a classroom is minus a teacher. Cora ran a food pantry. Paige was a counselor and Dana, dearest Father, Dana was only three years old. (Who held her in those final moments?)

We are sad, Father. For as the innocent are buried, our innocence is buried as well. We thought we were safe. Perhaps we should have known better. But we didn’t. And so we come to you. We don’t ask you for help; we beg you for it. We don’t request it; we implore it. We know what you can do. We’ve read the accounts. We’ve pondered the stories and now we plead, Do it again, Lord. Do it again.

Remember Joseph? You rescued him from the pit. You can do the same for us. Do it again, Lord. Remember the Hebrews in Egypt? You protected their children from the angel of death. We have children, too, Lord. Do it again. And Sarah? Remember her prayers? You heard them. Joshua? Remember his fears? You inspired him. The women at the tomb? You resurrected their hope. The doubts of Thomas? You took them away. Do it again, Lord. Do it again.

You changed Daniel from a captive into a king’s counselor. You took Peter the fisherman and made him Peter an apostle. Because of you, David went from leading sheep to leading armies. Do it again, Lord, for we need counselors today, Lord. We need apostles. We need leaders. Do it again, dear Lord. Do It Again, Lord

Most of all, do again what you did at Calvary. What we saw here on that Tuesday, you saw there on that Friday. Innocence slaughtered. Goodness murdered. Mothers weeping. Evil dancing. Just as the ash fell on our children, the darkness fell on your Son. Just as our towers were shattered, the very Tower of Eternity was pierced. And by dusk, heaven’s sweetest song was silent, buried behind a rock. But you did not waver, O Lord. You did not waver. After three days in a dark hole, you rolled the rock and rumbled the earth and turned the darkest Friday into the brightest Sunday. Do it again, Lord. Grant us a September Easter.

We thank you, dear Father, for these hours of unity. Disaster has done what discussion could not. Doctrinal fences have fallen.Republicans are standing with Democrats. Skin colors have been covered by the ash of burning buildings. We thank you for these hours of unity. And we thank you for these hours of prayer. The Enemy sought to bring us to our knees and succeeded. He had no idea, however, that we would kneel before you. And he has no idea what you can do. Let your mercy be upon our President, Vice President, and their families. Grant to those who lead us wisdom beyond their years and experience. Have mercy upon the souls who have departed
and the wounded who remain. Give us grace that we might forgive and faith that we might believe. And look kindly upon your church. For two thousand years you’ve used her to heal a hurting world. Do it again, Lord. Do it again.
Through Christ,
Amen.

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Why We Should Never Forget

Posted on September 9, 2011 by 4Seasons2013

“The Lord is my light and the one who saves me. So why should I fear anyone? The Lord protects my life. So why should I be afraid? Evil people may try to destroy my body. My enemies and those who hate me attack me, but they are overwhelmed and defeated. If an army surrounds me, I will not be afraid. If war breaks out, I will trust the Lord.” (Psalm 27:1-3, NCV)

Do you remember where you were on September 11, 2001? If you were alive on that day, I am almost certain you can recall the events that unfolded that morning when a terrorist attack brought down the Twin Towers in New York City. I remember running late for work that morning. I had overslept. As I hurriedly dressed, I was listening to the national news when the second plane crashed into the World Trade Center. I was in shock when I, along with the rest of the nation, realized it was no accident that two planes had been flown deliberately into these buildings.

Many have questioned why God would let something like this happen. Why were thousands of innocent people killed that day, including the firefighters and other rescue personnel who came to the aid of the victims still trapped inside? Why do bad things happen to good people? Why are evil people intent on destroying others? These questions have been asked before and I am sure they will be asked again in the future. Even the wisest minds in the world cannot answer these questions.

One thing believers should remember is that God is always with us. In the midst of trials, we can cling to His promises. I like this anonymous quote: “God didn’t promise days without pain, laughter without sorrow, or sun without rain, but He did promise strength for the day, comfort for the tears, and light for the way. If God brings you to it, He will bring you through it.”

One 9/11 widow, Deena Burnett, said, “No matter what we face, God is always with us, giving us the spiritual strength we need.”

Can you recall a time when God allowed something to happen in your life and you simply couldn’t understand? Did you question, “Why did this happen to me?”

Ten years have passed since the terrorist attacks rocked our nation. As individuals and a nation, good things have come out of that painful experience. Lessons have been learned during a difficult time. Those lessons have changed lives forever. We may not have all the answers to our questions, but we can rest in peace, knowing that our Heavenly Father will see us through in our darkest days.

King David knew this well and in Psalm 40:1-3, he writes:

I waited patiently for the Lord;
he turned to me and heard my cry.
He lifted me out of the slimy pit,
out of the mud and mire;
he set my feet on a rock
and gave me a firm place to stand.
He put a new song in my mouth,
a hymn of praise to our God.
Many will see and fear the Lord
and put their trust in him.

Have you put your trust in the Lord?

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Count Your Blessings instead of Sheep

Posted on September 6, 2011 by 4Seasons2013

“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.”–Ephesians 1:3

One of my favorite songs, sung by Bing Crosby in “White Christmas,” is “Count Your Blessings Instead of Sheep.” If you’ve ever had insomnia and wrestled with your covers, tossing and turning until dawn peeked through your window, you might try Bing’s suggestion and count your blessings instead of sheep. It works for me.

Blessings, ah those sweet, sweet blessings that we sometimes take for granted. Let’s count all the ways we are blessed.

  • Do you have a roof over your head?
  • Do you have a job?
  • Do you own at least one running automobile?
  • Do you have food in your refrigerator?
  • Do you have loved ones who care about you?

What else can we count?

  • Can you hear the sounds of nature or a distant train?
  • Can you see the beauty of a hawk flying overhead or the bouquet of wildflowers picked for you by a precious child?
  • Can your feet take you places you’ve never been as well as on the well-worn paths you have already trod?
  • What about your hands? Have you examined your hands lately and realized how blessed you are that you have two that can be used for work, for hugging or for petting your beloved dog.

Now think about God’s greatest blessing. He has blessed us beyond measure in the form of His Son, Jesus Christ, who came to set us free.  And, we, in our busyness sometimes forget to say, “Thank you, Father.”

Let us remember our blessings, counting them daily, especially as we drift off into sweet slumber. For what do you have to be thankful? Leave me a comment below and share your blessings.

Also, check out this link to Holley Gerth’s latest blog entry about blessings.

 

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Ten Ways to Look Younger

Posted on September 3, 2011 by 4Seasons2013

I would like to share this wonderful piece called “Ten Ways to Look Younger” with my readers. The author, Lavon Hightower Lewis, is a friend of mine. She resides in Vinita, Oklahoma.

1.      Put a smile on your face. Proverbs 15:13, “A happy heart makes the face cheerful.”

2.      Treat everyone equally well. James 2:9 nkjv “If you show partiality, you commit sin.”

3.      Watch what you say. Ephesians 3:29 “Let no corrupt word proceed out of your mouth.”

4.      Look everyone in the eye and have a firm handshake. Keep your word. A deal is a deal. You can’t buy integrity. Proverbs 19:1, “Better is the poor who walks in his integrity than one who is perverse in his lips and is a fool.” 

5.      Give a lot of hugs and kisses. II Corinthians 13:12 “Greet one another with a holy kiss.”

6.      Act loving to everyone. Ephesians 5:1-2, “Therefore be imitators of God as dear children and walk in love.”

7.      Quit worrying about everything. Philippians 4:6 niv, “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.”

8.      Stop thinking about the bad things that are happening in the world, and start thinking about good things. Philippians 4:8, “Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.”

9.      Practice contentment with what you have. Paul said in Philippians 4:11-12, “I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content. I know how to be abased, and I know how to abound. Everywhere and in all things I have learned both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need.”

10.  Recognize that you can’t do any of these things consistently without Jesus Christ as your Savior. Paul said, “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” Phil. 4:13.

Your body is going to grow older, but your spirit, the real you on the inside, is young and beautiful. The more you live the life of love, the younger you will look until you will be young enough for God to call you to your heavenly home.


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