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Me-Maw Thoughts

Number 551

November 2, 2021///

QUOTES TO PONDER:

GOD SAYS: Whatever you are worrying about, I have a plan. I am bigger than your fears. I am stronger than your obstacles. Have Faith and keep going.

Your level of Peace is directly related to your level of Trust in God. The more you Trust God, the more Peace you will experience.

There is nothing that wastes the body like worry, and one who has any Faith in God should be ashamed to worry about anything whatsoever.

TODAY I CHOOSE: CALM OVER CHAOS, SERENITY OVER STRESS, PEACE OVER PERFECTION, GRACE OVER GRIT, FAITH OVER FEAR.

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As you have already grasp I want to talk about Peace today.  Who does not want Peace? Both all around them, in the world we live in and deep inside. 

If we could bottle Peace and sell it, we would not be able to keep up with the orders! Peace flows from some people and escapes others.  Peace in our world seems a fantasy and many times our homes are in tumoil!

But the awesome Truth is that Peace is free.  Peace was paid for by Jesus Christ on the Cross! We do not have to buy it or strive for it or declare it out of reach! We just receive it and walk in it as we release ourselves to the guidance of the Lord Jesus and realize that we serve a Mighty God who Loves us unconditionally!

John 14:27 (KJV)
Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.

A few years ago, our church was giving out water and soft drinks on the square in the town where our church is located. It was sweltering hot but there were people who were almost afraid to take the refreshment because they could not believe it was free! They would say things like, “are you sure” or “for free?”.

How many of us are suspicious when some is advertised as free? We expect and look for a catch!

But may I tell you the Peace of God, that the world or its systems cannot give, is totally free, paid for in full. It is a gift to be received with Joy and Gladness!

A gift is to be received. Do not doubt. Trust, walk in Peace! Do not fear, ask God to fill you so full of His Love that Peace overcomes all other emotions!

Philippians 4:7 (KJV)
And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

Think about that! Peace keeps our hearts and minds thinking on the eternal and the good instead of focusing on the bad.

Colossians 3:15 (KJV)
And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful.

Peace will create in us a thankful spirit that is not leaning on the wisdom of this age but on the wisdom from above which gives Peace!

James 3:17 (KJV)
But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then PEACEABLE…..

Those of us who call ourselves Christians are not immune to worry, fear and turmoil deep inside. But we should know that our Heavenly Father desires to fill us with His Peace.

When the worry, turmoil, or just feeling out of sorts invades we must take that as a signal that we are to come aside and spend a few minutes in His Presence and let Him restore our Peace in a world that is anything but Peaceful!

My desire for you as the Holidays approach and the conditions we see in the world systems try to overcome our attitudes and emotions is the same that Paul wrote many times in the Epistles.

2 Thessalonians 1:2 (KJV)
Grace unto you, and peace, from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

The world does not give you Peace and the world cannot take it away!

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Father, I come in the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth and thank you for your Peace! Thank you that is not something the world can understand but something they can see!  Fill each person who reads this with incredable Peace that will overflow to others. May each of us walk in Trust, Faith and the Truth that your Love is unfailing and your Grace is abundant and amazing.  Amen

WALK IN PEACE!

Love, MeMaw

Me-Maw Thoughts

Number 550

October 26, 2021///

Ephesians 6:10 (KJV)
Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might.

Today, I want to share my thoughts on this one portion of scripture!

Everyone I know desires to be strong. To have strong bones and the strength to take care of all the daily and even special task we have! We want strong hearts and body functions and a strong and alert and active mind!

Some desire to carry it further and be strong runners or swimmers or sports players or weightlifters! Some just want strength for the day and to care for their family!

However, I have never heard anyone say they wanted to be weaker! Who would want to not be able to move or engage in the daily life duties and pleasures we have!

No matter what our situation is in life, we all desire to be strong in body and mind!

Even a newborn begins to move its limbs and exercise its lungs at birth, and if a baby were not to be able to move, cry, and eat, the little boy or girl would not grow and his or her limbs would wither and be useless!

We see doctors, join gyms, go on exercise plans, and diets to be strong. We take vitamins and supplements to aid in the strength of our body!

A child grows stronger each year and is thrilled when he or she can do things they could not do before!

Bottom line: all people want to be stronger in body and mind!

But not all people put action behind the desire to be strong. We may desire a strong body while feeding ourselves unhealthy food, moving our bodies as little as possible and engaging in habits that we know will hurt these bodies the God of the Universe created!

As we age it may be easier to just neglect doing good for our mind and bodies. As we age, we are told to keep our minds alert by using them and our bodies need some movement, even just walking!

But to be strong we must act, watch what we feed our bodies, move, and engage our mind!

Compare that to the spirit man, which is the inner part of each of us! We give our hearts to the Lord Jesus by trusting in his sacrifice on the cross to pay for all the wrongs in our lives. When we do that, we are born again or have a new and better life flowing within.

That will never be taken away!

However, just as babies we are weak in faith and wisdom when we first give our hearts to the one who loves us most! We must grow by spiritual exercise and food!

Just as a baby’s limbs would grow useless without exercise and food, our spirit man will be useless without some intentional attention given to it!

Let us look at what that means!

1 Peter 2:2 (KJV)
As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby:

The word of God, the Bible is powerful and is the food for growth! Just as we would not miss a day eating, we should read and digest a part of scripture each day. As a new Christian even a small portion of scripture daily will encourage and give you a firm foundation and strength for the day!

We exercise by letting that word we have digested, take root and flow through our actions of Love, Faith, Kindness and Joy! We exercise by putting the word into practice being the hands and feet of Jesus!

As we do just a little and growth begins to take place, a greater result will be seen in our daily lives! We will see the fruit of being strong in the lord and in the power of His might!

We need to pray daily, talk to the Lord God Almighty as we talk to our best friend. Telling Him our cares, concerns and needs and thanking Him that He is able and will give us direction and help us in every way! Strengthen the relationship with your Heavenly Father by communicating. Then listen to the impressions deep within you as the Father gives you direction and pours His Love on you!

My desire is that none of you who read this just struggle to survive but be Strong in the Lord and the Power of His Might!

Ephesians 6:11 (KJV)
Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.

The scriptures list the armor and its function. I will just list them here, but check out Ephesians 6:14-18

Stand therefore with:

truth, righteousness, peace, faith, salvation, Spirit, word of God,
praying always!

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Father, help us to grow strong and in the power of your might! In Jesus Name! Amen!

Grow Strong! Love, MeMaw

Me-Maw Thoughts

Number 549

October 19, 2021///

I want to share with you today some thoughts I had about oxygen.

As you know oxygen keeps you breathing, and your lungs take oxygen in and let oxygen out. That is the normal oxygen. Then there is the oxygen that is from a machine.

Back in August when my husband Ronald was taken to the hospital with Covid and pneumonia, he was put on huge amts of oxygen from a machine.

One of the explanations about what was happening was that Covid damages the lungs and prevents them from taking oxygen in and out like normal. The oxygen administered from outside the body, helps the lungs expand and aids the healing of them.

As he has been recovering after coming home with an oxygen machine, we have been able to reduce the amt of oxygen consistently until now it is used very little and soon not at all.

Bear with me as I try to explain the thought God gave me about this.

We are created to have life, strength, and all we need to face life within us as we release ourselves to the Lord Jesus Christ.

John 10:10 (KJV)
The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.

But just as infections get our bodies sick, the enemy brings things in our lives to bring our spiritual bodies down. To rob us of the abundantly life that should be flowing from deep within us.

We become spiritually sick and cannot continue on our own. At this point some turn to habits of drugs and alcohol. Some turn to crime or evil of all kinds. Some get to the edge of giving up the life given by almighty God. Some do not fall into bad habits but are so discouraged they just give up.

The life of the Spirit is no longer operating in their being.

We, who are strong in the Lord at this time in our lives, can be the Doctors and Nurses to administer the oxygen of the Lord Jesus from without them.

We can feed them the word, encouragement, and prayer. We can snatch them back from the enemy of all that is good.

We can lift them up and help them to be all they were created to be.

The scripture says it like this!

Galatians 6:2 (KJV)
Bear ye one another’s burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ.

Galatians 6:2 (MSG)
Stoop down and reach out to those who are oppressed. Share their burdens, and so complete Christ’s law.

As we do this, just as my husband got stronger and stronger as he exercised and rested, we can guide people to know and exercise the word in their lives and to rest in the Lord and lean on Him for their strength.

Just as Ronald kept depending less and less on outside oxygen, those we are helping build up in the Lord Jesus will need us less and less as they develop their own relationship with Jesus Christ and His Word!

Like a runner in a race, we can be running this road of life and see a brother or sister struggling to go on or fallen by the wayside. We can choose to keep running toward the goal of finishing well, or we can stop, lend a hand, and help the fallen and struggling to finish the course.

The apostle Paul said: 2 Timothy 4:7 (KJV)
I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith:

What is fighting the good fight of faith? Is it running as hard toward the finish as we can without regard to those around us?

NO! It is running with the eyes of compassion doing all we can to help others also complete this course and keep the faith.

Romans 14:7 (KJV)
For none of us liveth to himself, and no man dieth to himself.

Think about it and look around today and see someone you can lift up and help on down the road.

As you are reading this, maybe you are the one ready to give up. Just please know how much God loves you and has good things for you.

Reach out to someone you know is in a good place in their spiritual life and do not be afraid to be honest and open about how you are feeling. We find strength with each other.

If you want to reach out to me for encouragement and prayer, email me and I will be glad to help you.

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Father, May each of us reach out today to help someone or to receive help to be all that you created us to be. Fill each of us with the awareness of your Love and care for us! In Jesus name I pray! Amen!

Love, MeMaw

Me-Maw Thoughts

Number 548

October 12, 2021///

Yesterday, late afternoon I went to pick up groceries from the Walmart pickup.

If you are not familiar with that: you order online, reserve a pickup time and they notify you when it is ready, and you let them know what parking space you are in when you arrive.

Since the pandemic began that has been our mode of getting groceries. In addition, we have used Instacart a few times.

So as the young lady was loading groceries into our trunk, I realized with great agitation that I only had one dollar in cash in my purse and I always like to tip them for their work.

As I was mentally chastising myself for not remembering this earlier so I could correct it, the still small voice inside me whispered, “what do you have”?

I realized I had a gift card for a chick-fil-a sandwich, and I proceeded to get it out. When the young lady came to the window to hand me the bread so it would not get smashed, I apologized for not having cash but told her, here is a gift card for a chick-fil-a sandwich.

Her eyes lit up as she told me that was her favorite!

It all boiled down to what I had!

That reminded me of two instances in the Bible I want to point you to!

The first is the widow who told Elisha that the creditors were about to take her sons as payment for debt. Elisha asked her: 

2 Kings 4: 2 (KJV)
And Elisha said unto her, What shall I do for thee? tell me, what hast thou in the house? And she said, Thine handmaid hath not any thing in the house, save a pot of oil.

Then at her obedience to use what she had, God multiplied and supplied more than she needed.

The second is after Jesus came and was resurrected, Peter and John encountered a man lame from birth at the temple gate asking for gifts of money from people who were going to pray.  Peter and John realized they had what the man needed, and it was not money!

Acts 3:6 (KJV)
Then Peter said, Silver and gold have I none; but such as I have give I thee: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth rise up and walk.

The man was healed and went leaping, running, and praising God!

WHAT DO YOU HAVE IN YOUR HANDS, OR YOUR SPIRIT, OR YOUR HOME, OR WHAT ARE YOUR ABILITIES?

What do you have that you can use to glorify God and/or ease someone’s burden?

When we know Jesus Christ as our Savior, we have Peace, Love, Compassion and Anointing that can make someone’s day and most importantly point them to the giver of real life.

May I tell you that the greatest gift you can give your family, friends, neighbors, acquaintances, employers, or employees is the knowledge of Jesus.

Because Jesus can meet all of their emotional, spiritual, financial, physical and every need or desire they have!

John 10:10 (KJV)
The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.

Not drag through life but abundant life is what Jesus came to give.

WHAT DO YOU HAVE?

 Do you know the giver of life? Can you let Him live through you so you can spread that life to others?

May we understand that all that we have and all our Blessings inside us and outside us come from His hand!

How can you use what you have? Ask Him, listen and obey!!

If my MeMaw thoughts lately have been preachy, blame it on the time we are living in. People need the Hope that is found only in Jesus, and we have that if we have trusted Him. Use what you have!!

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Father, in Jesus’ name I come. Help me and each person who reads this to use whatever we have to help hurting and hopeless people to find the better way, the way to real life. Help each of us as we help in tangible ways to project the Love that you have for each of your creations! Amen

What do you have? Love, MeMaw

Me-Maw Thoughts

Number 547

October 5, 2021//

Franklin Graham just finished a “GOD LOVES YOU, ROUTE 66 TOUR”! This was in eight cities on the historic route 66 of the United States.

As I looked at updates and photos from each meeting, my heart was encouraged by the hundreds of thousands who attended. There were people of all ages worshipping and honoring God!

Teenagers, children, babies in parents’ arms, elderly were all in the presence of the Spirit of the living God.

When I saw pictures and read of these crusades, I felt like the creator God was giving me a warm long hug. I felt deep within me the Lord God of the universe saying that even though the world system is out of order, His people, who are called by His name are rising up like a mighty army, understanding where the real power is!

As our Pastor has said many times, this is the churches greatest opportunity to rise up in victory and power and confidence of who we are and what our God can do!

Just as David against Goliath, and the Israelites against Egypt and their conquering the land God gave them, we serve a God of Miracles!

We serve one who never fails, is for us and will conquer every difficulty and plan the enemy has for our life as we just follow and obey!

1 Samuel 17:45 (KJV)
Then said David to the Philistine, Thou comest to me with a sword, and with a spear, and with a shield: but I come to thee in the name of the LORD of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom thou hast defied.

David had great confidence in the God he served! Do we believe God will fight for us or are we looking at circumstances!

Joshua 1:9 (KJV)
Have not I commanded thee? Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the LORD thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest.

Exodus 14:14 (KJV)
The LORD shall fight for you, and ye shall hold your peace.

What an amazing thought. The creator God is concerned about you and will do what is needed to provide Victory for those who Trust in Him.  We need to let God’s promises take root in our heart. Be encouraged that you are not alone and there are many in the army of the Lord God Almighty who are believing, obeying, and trusting in the unfailing power of the Lord of Hosts!

Are we going to be part of that mighty army or are we going to cower in fear at what appears like disaster!

Deuteronomy 31:6 (KJV)
Be strong and of a good courage, fear not, nor be afraid of them: for the LORD thy God, he it is that doth go with thee; he will not fail thee, nor forsake thee.

Are you catching this? We are on the winning side! Our God is powerful, able, and willing to give us victory in everyway as we come to Him!

2 Chronicles 7:14 (KJV)
If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.

Notice the scripture above says MY PEOPLE! If the people of God (not unbelievers), humble, repent, pray, seek, God will heal their land.

Do we want our land healed? Then we need to humble, repent, pray, seek, and Trust in the Lord with all our hearts.

Hebrews 13:5 (KJV)
Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.

1 John 4:9 (KJV)
In this was manifested the love of God toward us, because that God sent his only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through him.

We are to live, work and minister through the power of the Love of God flowing through us!

Notice the scripture from Chronicles starts off with the word IF….which leaves an unspoken IF NOT!

May you be encouraged today to join the mighty army rising up all over this great nation, like a bear rising out of hibernation, who are demonstrating with their lives that Our God Can and Our God will fight for good and right.

We Win! Do not Fear, you are not alone!!

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Father, how grateful I am that we are never alone, and we can rest in you and the Power of Your Might!  We do not fear or tremble, you are our peace and security! Invade each person who reads this with the determination to march with your mighty army and defeat every enemy of good. In Jesus precious name, Amen!

Love, MeMaw

Me-Maw Thoughts

Number 546

September 28, 2021///

September is almost over leaving three months in this year.  As I realize that 2022 will be opening its doors soon, I began to think about this year.

I invite you to think with me about your life these past nine months.

Have we lived a life to honor Jesus who gives us Life Everlasting and Abundant, or have we lived only for ourselves and our pleasure?

Have we encouraged a weary traveler who was ready to give it all up to keep on going because they are loved and unique?

Have we helped a struggling friend or stranger who just needed a hand up and have we lived with eternal purpose sharing the answer to life’s questions?

The answer, no matter the question, is Jesus!  Our lives should point others to Him, who is “THE WAY, THE TRUTH AND THE LIFE”!

Are we looking at others through Spiritual Eyes instead of seeing the mask they are wearing?  When we see people as Jesus sees them, we can help them allow Jesus to touch that hurting place deep inside!

There is a saying I have heard all my life: “Only one life, twill soon be past.  Only what’s done for Christ will last”!

Our days here on earth are swift and no matter how many goods, or stocks, or businesses, or money we have, we cannot take it with us when we die!

But we can leave behind an example of a life lived with an eternal perspective and with others in mind!

Jesus was all about helping, healing, touching, setting free those whom He encountered.  We cannot help everyone, but we can help someone!

Luke 7:13 (KJV)
And when the Lord saw her, he had compassion on her, and said unto her, Weep not.

Mark 8:2 (KJV)
I have compassion on the multitude, because they have now been with me three days, and have nothing to eat:

Compassion and helping was a demonstration of Jesus Love and should be our demonstration of our Love for Jesus and through that our Love for our fellowman!

John 15:12 (KJV)
This is my commandment, That ye love one another, as I have loved you.

There is an old gospel song that says in part:

“If I can help somebody along life’s way, then my living will not be in vain”!

As I look back at the past almost 9 months, I thank God for those I may have encouraged or helped along this road called life.  But I also see and ask forgiveness for all the times I have let a busy schedule, a tired body, or an attitude of I cannot do anything to help, keep me from reaching out with compassion and caring!

The thing I want to encourage you to do today is to Love others with a Love that only Jesus can pour through you.  Ask the Father, in Jesus’ name, to give you an opportunity or show you this day how to help someone along the way.

A smile, a call, a visit, a word of uplifting encouragement that they can make it and you can help!

Our lIves are so short.  Society tells us we must strive for more goods, more success in business, more acknowledgement of who we are portraying ourselves to be, but Jesus says, “Follow me and I will make you fishers of men!”.

Do we want to accumulate applause and stuff, or do we want to affect others lives for Jesus Christ the Savior of the World?

I for one want to help encourage, and show people Jesus in these last three months of 2021, more than I ever have in my life.

I want to close out 2021 knowing I have made an eternal difference is someone’s life.

What about you?  Will you join me in asking God each day to help you live with an eternal purpose and see others through the eyes of His Love?

I pray you will, as we can see our world change one life at a time as we understand that it is only what is done for Christ that will last!

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Father, thank you that we can be your hands extended!  Thank you that we can touch someone with the life-giving Love of Jesus and thank you that you will show each of us today how we can lift those we encounter this day. I thank you for invading each of us with a desire to live each day with an eternal purpose.  In Jesus Name I pray, Amen!

Live with an eternal perspective!

Love, Me-Maw

Me-Maw Thoughts

Number 545

September 21, 2021///

Psalm 23:1 (KJV)
The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.

The 23^rd Psalm is a familiar Psalm to most who have any church background.  The entire chapter is worth quoting from your heart everyday but today I want to share some thoughts I have on the first verse.

A good shepherd loves and cares for the sheep.  They will protect the sheep from harm and danger.

A good shepherd will leave the herd and search for the one who had gone astray.

A good shepherd provides what the sheep need to grow strong and be safe!

May I tell you that we have the perfect Shepherd in Jesus Christ.  He gave His life for us His sheep.  If we receive Him as our Shepherd, we will never want for protection, joy, peace, and we will never be alone!

John 10: (KJV)
⁴ And when he putteth forth his own sheep, he goeth before them, and the sheep follow him: for they know his voice.
⁵ And a stranger will they not follow, but will flee from him: for they know not the voice of strangers.

¹¹ I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep.

Jesus, our Good Shepherd supplies every, spiritual, emotional, physical, relational, and financial need we have or will ever have. 

As we follow Him and listen for His voice of impression deep inside we can rest in His presence and in His provision.

We hear His voice when we belong to Him through receiving all He did on the Cross. We can then recognize the voice of a stranger or the enemy!

Who are we depending on for our needs and wants?  The verse at the beginning tells us that we shall not want!

What do you need today?  If you need peace, the Good Shepherd has it!  If you need provision, the Good Shepherd has it!

Does your body need healing, the Good Shepherd has it!  Are your children astray from God, the Good Shepherd knows where they are and can touch them deep inside!

Do you need direction, the Good Shepherd has it!   Do you need a job, the Good Shepherd has it! 

Philippians 4:19 (KJV)
But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.

All includes every type of need.  The Good Shepherd Jesus is the way to all our needs being fulfilled!

The Lord is my Shepherd, I shall not want ______________________!

You fill in the blank.  What is it you need the Good Shepherd to do or provide for you!

There is no Love comparable to that of our Good Shepherd, Jesus Christ!  May we not be the sheep that wonders from the fold and gets into danger and trouble.  Although the Good Shepherd will pursue us there are dangers around that we are not aware of.

May we be a willing follower of the Good Shepherd who only has our good in mind!

Outside the fold may look appealing but the enemy is waiting to devour you!

I encourage you to read the 23^rd Psalm daily until you can say it daily from memory!

Trust in the Good Shepherd and let Him Lead.  Then you shall not want!!

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Father, thank you for your abundant Love that gave us a way through Jesus that we can be in right relationship to you.  Thank you, Jesus, that you are the Good Shepherd and you have already laid down your life for us and will provide all we need.  We shall not want for any good thing!   In Jesus name! Amen!

Follow the Good Shepherd! 

Love, Me-Maw

Me-Maw Thoughts

Number 544

September 14, 2021//

First Of all, may I Praise God for the amazing healing that is taking place in my husband Ronald.

For those who are unaware, we both had Covid starting about the first of August.  I recovered ok but Ronald got worse and had to be hospitalized with Covid and double pneumonia.  He was hospitalized for almost 23 days and had increasing amounts of oxygen and was a very sick individual.  He could have no visitors so was in for that long with just phone contact.

He has been home for a week. Came home with oxygen and walker.  He no longer is using the walker and the oxygen is at a very low level and will be reduced on to zero soon.

I just want to say Thank you Jesus.  I realize he was spared because God is not through with him.  He still has work to do on this earth.  We have friends and know of others who were dedicated to the Lord Jesus but left this world with Covid.  Why??

We must conclude that the life of a Christian is in the hands of the creator God!  We must understand that life is a vapor, and birth and death are close no matter if you live to be one hundred.

As we commit ourselves, our lives, and our loved ones to the Lord God Almighty we can live with an eternal perspective, knowing only what is done for Christ will last.

I cannot express to you the relief it was to me to be able to pray and release Ronald to the Lord Jesus when he was hospitalized, and I could not be with him. 

We can do that same thing with all the people and situations in our lives.  One of the phrases I like to use in prayer is:

“Father, I release ________________ to your Lordship!”  Putting a person’s name, a situation or an event or happening in the blank. 

May I tell you that God can handle all of it and handle it well.  We can cast all cares on Him! Jesus wants to be a part of every second of your life.  He wants to give you strength and guide you in every decision, and He want to take your worries and your fears.

We will do well to learn to lean on Him and let Him handle it!

1 Peter 5:7 (KJV)
Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.

Maybe you are sick or have someone who is very sick or perhaps you have lost someone to death recently.  May I tell you that Jesus cares and He wants to carry your load and make your burden light!

Matthew 11:28-30 (KJV)
²⁸ Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.
²⁹ Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.
³⁰ For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.

A line in the song, “What a Friend we have in Jesus”, says it well:

“Oh, what peace we often forfeit, oh what needless pain we bear, all because we do not carry, everything to God in Prayer!”

Prayer, Praise, and casting our cares and releasing everything to the God who is able and willing is such an amazing privilege.  There are times in our lives when we know we cannot handle things, but our Lord God wants to handle even the little things in our lives and set us free to live in fulness and Joy that the world has no clue about.

In this time of not knowing what is going on in this crazy world we live in, what a privilege to have a Loving Father we can lean on.

Join me in leaning on Him and not our own understanding!

Proverbs 3:5 (KJV)
Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.

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Father, in Jesus’ name I come. I praise you for your Love and Care for each person who reads this.  I ask you to be very near and real to all of us in this uncertain world we are in right now.  Be our steady rock and our secure and safe place.  Thank you that you will be with us through all circumstances and situations, and we release each of those and ourselves to your Lordship!  Amen

Love, MeMaw

Me-Maw Thoughts

Number 543

September 7, 2021///

Have you ever noticed when driving, if you look at something on the side of the road or anywhere except the road, you tend to begin to veer toward that?  It may just be a small veer as you look back at the road, but it happens.

Today I want to draw your attention back to how you should be looking at yourself!  We have a million different distractions that can get and keep us off course if we let ourselves look at them instead of looking at who we really are.

This is a retype of something I had in my files from long ago, source unknown but it went so well with my thoughts today: that we need to always remember how very unique and special we are!!! Please take this to heart as the truth about you!

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I AM SPECIAL

I am special. In all the world there is nobody like me.  Since the beginning of time, there had never been another person like me.  Nobody has my smile, my eyes, my nose, my hair, my hands, or my voice.

I am special. No one can be found who has my handwriting. Nobody anywhere has my taste for food, music, or art. No one see’s things just as I do. In all of the world there’s been no one who laughs like me, or cries like me. And what makes me laugh and cry will never provoke identical laughter and tears form anybody else, ever.

No one reacts to any situation just as I would.  I am the only one in all of creation who had my set of abilities. Oh, there will always be one who is better at one of the things I’m good at, but no one in the universe can reach the quality of my combination of talents, ideas, abilities, and feelings. Like a room full of musical instruments, some may excel alone, but none can match the symphony sound when all are played together.  I am a symphony.

I am special. I am beginning to realize it is no accident that I am special.  I am beginning to see that God made me special for a very special purpose.  He must have a job for me that no one else can do as well as I.  Out of billions of people, only one is qualified for this job.  Only one has the right combinations of what it takes, and that one is me because:

I AM SPECIAL

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Please know how special you are:

Psalm 139:14 (KJV)
I will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: marvellous are thy works; and that my soul knoweth right well.

Genesis 1:27 (KJV)
So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them.

Never forget, you are created in the image of God.  He breaths life into you!

You are created on purpose for a purpose!

Please join me in reading this “I AM SPECIAL”, over and over until we have it deep in our spirit that we are unique and special.  Do not let any of the world’s ways or discouragement get your eyes off that truth!

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Father, thank you that I am special.  Special to you and special in this world.  Help me to walk as the unique person you called me to be, living out the symphony of my life, as I follow you!  In Jesus name I pray!  Amen!

YOU ARE SPECIAL!!  

Love, MeMaw

Me-Maw Thoughts

Number 542

August 31, 2021///

Psalm 118:24 (KJV)
This is the day which the LORD hath made; we will rejoice and be glad in it.

In the midst of all the turmoil that is going on in our world, I want to share with you today a story.  This story is not original but has and amazing message we can all take to heart as we are navigating this thing called life!

My brother-in-law opened the bottom drawer of my sister’s bureau and lifted out a tissue-wrapped package. “This” he said, ^“is not a slip. This is lingerie.” He discarded the tissue and handed me the slip. It was exquisite; silk, handmade and trimmed with a cobweb of lace. The price tag with an astronomical figure on it was still attached. “Jan bought this the first time we went to New York, at least 8 or 9 years ago. She never wore it. She was saving it for a special occasion”.

“Well, I guess this is the occasion”. He took theslip from me and put it on the bed with the other clothes we were taking to the mortician. His hands lingered on the soft material for a moment, then he slammed the drawer shut and turned to me.

“Don^’t ever save anything for a special occasion. Every day you’re alive is a special occasion.”

I remembered those words through the funeral and the days that followed when I helped him, and my niece attend to all the sad chores that follow an unexpected death.

I thought about them on the plane returning to California from the Midwestern town where my sisters family lives. I thought about all the things she hadn’t seen or heard or done.

I thought about all the things she had done without realizing that they were special

I’m still thinking about his words, and they have changed my life.                          I’m reading more and dusting less. I’m sitting on the deck and admiring the view without fussing about the weeds in the garden. I^’m spending more time with my family and friends and less time in committee meetings.

Whenever possible, life should be a pattern of experience to savor, not endure. I’m trying to recognize these moments now and cherish them. I am not “saving” anything; we use our good china and crystal for every special event such as losing a pound, getting the sink unstopped, the first camellia blossom.

I wear my good blazer to the market if I like it. My theory is if I look prosperous, I can shell out $28.49 for one smelt bag of groceries without wincing. l^tm not saving my good perfume for special parties; clerks in hardware stores and tellers in banks have noses that function as well as those of my party-going friends.

“Someday” and “one of these days” are losing their grip on my vocabulary.

If it’s worth seeing or hearing or doing, I want to see and hear and do it now.

l*m not sure what my sister would’ve done had she known that she wouldn’t be here for the tomorrow we all take for granted. I think she would have called family members and a few close friends. She might have called a few former friends to apologize and mend fences for past squabbles. I like to think she would have gone out for a Chinese dinner, her favorite food.

I’m guessing – I’ll never know!

It’s those little things left undone that would make me angry if I knew that my hours were limited. Angry because I put off seeing good friends whom I was going to get in touch with – someday. Angry because I hadn’t written certain letters that intended to write – one of these days.

Angry and sorry that I didn’t tell my husband and daughter often enough how much I truly love them!  l^tm trying very hard not to put off, hold back, or save anything that would add laughter and luster to our lives.

And every morning I open my eyes, t tell myself that it is special!

EVERY DAY, EVERY MINUTE, EVERY BREATH TRULY IS A GIFT OF GOD.

Ephesians 5:16 (KJV)
Redeeming the time,

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Father, thank you for every moment you give us to enjoy each other and this beautiful world you have given us! May we realize what is really important and may we understand the life is short and help us live every day to its fullest with the Love of God ruling our lives! In Jesus name I pray! Amen

Love Me-maw