You are my Sonshine

Dear Friend:

Do you remember the song “You are my sunshine?” It goes like this, you are my sunshine, my only sunshine, you make me happy when skies are gray, you never know dear how much I love you, please don’t take my sunshine away. Since my kids were little, I have loved to sing that song. I just got a talking toy plant that sings that song and dances. I bring it along with me to the nursing home when I teach at the new bible club me and friend started called “Sonshine Bible Club.”

When I think of the sunshine, I get a warm and fuzzy feeling, energy, strength and it puts me in good mood. Does the sun do that for you? I saw a sign on a church once that said the best vitamin for a Christian is B1. It is a proven scientific fact that the sun gives us vitamin D and many uplifting benefits. In fact the Doctors at the elderly home urge us to get the patrons out in the sun.

As I have visited patients I realize more and more that our daily dose of the “SON” is so greatly needed. I wish I could personally give them a dose of scripture which is the word of God and as Jesus says “I am the word.” As people get older and they are discouraged, frustrated and not feeling good they start saying “where is God, I have known Him my whole life and I am miserable?” One elderly lady after taking all her medicine was still in pain. I thought she needs to add to her daily regimen the greatest medicine, Jesus. Here is a dose for you today. I pray that as you read these verses that you print them and take all your negative thoughts about what God is not doing and replace them with these promises.

Do you ever feel like you need a boost in your Christian walk? Has it become, mundane, pointless and repetitive? If so, take a moment to rejoice in God's many promises to: love you John 3:16, guide you Psalm 73:24, comfort you Jeremiah 31:13, answer you Jeremiah 33:3, help you Hebrews 13:6, protect you Psalm 32:7, provide for you Philippians 4:19, teach you Psalm 32:8, bless you Ezekiel 34:26, and fill you with joy Acts 2:28.

Let’s pray: Father in heaven help me to replace all of my negative thoughts with Your Son. Thank you for helping me and being my medicine, YOU ARE MY SONSHINE. In Jesus name I pray. Amen.

Enjoying the SONSHINE,

ELAINE

P.U.S.H.

P.U.S.H.

Dear Friend:
I want to share what God is whispering in my ear all day every day. Why is he whispering in my ear daily. I have a new schedule and it is full and it almost seems like I am working almost full time. But God has ordained it all and I have strength. But I am not use to going going going. So he whispers as I get up and start to think of where I have to go first. He says "push Elaine, Push through this." PUSH. HE JUST KEEPS SAYING PUSH ON GO PUSH.
AS I AM WRITING THIS RIGHT NOW I AM LOOKING AT THE WORD PUSH IN WRITING RATHER THAN MY MIND OR BRAIN AND GUESS WHAT? I HAD A PRAYER VIGIL YEARS AGO AND I HAD STICKERS SAYING THE WORK "PUSH" ON THEM.
Pray
Until
Something
Happens
• Boy what a God we serve. Prayer is our greatest weapon. Use it!
1 THESSALONIANS 5:17 pray continually;
JOHN 14:14 You may ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it.
Loving Jesus,
Elaine

Over the Price

Dear Friend:

I was watching the game show called “The Price is Right” with my grandma in the elderly home this morning. The game called “Over the Price” was being played. In the game the contestant has to stop Drew when the price of the Mustang car she could win, was over the price of the car. So she yelled when she thought the price was over the price and indeed it was so she won the Yellow Mustang. (cute car) She was jumping up and down with excitement and could not stop hugging Drew.

I was reminded at the moment that just a little before the game show started that I read a devotion to my grandma. It was entitled “God Loves You.” The devotion had a verse that we are all familiar with John 3:16 for God so greatly loved and dearly prized the world that He (even) gave up His only begotten (unique) Son, so that whoever believes in (trusts in, clings to , relies on) Him shall not perish (come to destruction, be lost) but have eternal (everlasting) life.

Let’s say you were on a game show and they said you would win eternal life if you believe in the amount that was paid is over the price. Now let’s get creative here. Jesus is the prize. They begin to flash things if you believe it is over the price stop me and I will tell you if you the truth. If you are correct, you get the prize. So getting a free meal is that price too much for God? That really is not over the price. Next choice you have is “a new house.” Is that over the price for God? You say keep going. How about a car and business with all the money you need, is that too much for God to pay for your eternity? You say to Drew “keep going.” The next option is Jesus being led to a five hour torture and then being hung on a tree. Is that price too much for God? You yell out,” that is over the price.” Drew checks with the judges and you win!!! You win eternity for God because you know he did pay the price and you know he did it for you and it is over the price. But God says “nothing is too much for you.” He says “I went over the price for you. I took what meant the most to me and gave it for you.”

God went over the top for you! Do you really get that? I really get it and it makes me want to cry. Why? Death is such a high price to pay for my eternity and your eternity, do you really understand what I am writing to you? If you are saying yes, pray this prayer with me.

Father in heaven you went over the price for me! Thank you. I don’t deserve this free gift, but I receive the fact that that is how you wanted it. Bless you Lord! In Jesus name I pray. Amen.

JESUS WAS DEATH WAS OVER THE PRICE FOR YOU AND ME. OH WHAT A GOD WE SERVE.

Receiving a gift I don’t deserve,
Elaine

Untidy Josephs

Dear Friend:
The last time I wrote to you I talked about “Sloppy Joes.” I got a letter back from a friend and it said her Mom always called them “Untidy Josephs.” So my challenge is to come up with a Heart 2 Heart and use the title “Untidy Josephs.”
When I think of Joseph, I do go right away to the story where the famous play called “Joseph and Amazing Techno-Color Dream Coat” came from. Whenever I read the story I always think of how long Joseph had to wait for the blessing and purpose God had for his life. He went from his brothers abusing him, being sold to slavery, falsely accused by Potipher’s wife and imprisonment. After years and years of all this nonsense he finally was given what God promised him. What was that? Favor from the king to help run a country. Truly, an amazing story

Genesis 50:17 the trespass of your brothers and their sin, for they did evil to you. Now, we pray you, forgive the trespass of the servants of your father’s God. And Joseph wept when they spoke thus to him.
50:19-21 and Joseph said to them, Fear not; for am I in the place of God? As for you, you thought evil against me, but God meant it for good, to bring about that many people should be kept alive, as they are this day. Now therefore, do not be afraid. I will provide for and support you and your little ones. And he comforted them and SPOKE TO THEIR HEARTS.
Joe’s life may have been untidy at times, but in the end God used all of it to teach each brother and Joe himself and the future generations. How is God using your life to express his power and grace in your life and your children and their children? We can be used in good and bad and all for our Lord.

Let’s pray: Thank you for my life. Thank you for guiding me through life. It may be untidy but I am so glad you are part of my life. Continue to guide my days with wisdom and understanding. Give me a heart to speak to people’s hearts. In Jesus name I pray. Amen.
Speaking to your heart.
Elaine

Sloppy Joes

Dear Friend;
I love to eat sloppy joes. I would love to be able to eat them without the meat spilling out of the bun, thus the reason for the name “Sloppy Joe.” I have to take my time and eat them.
Do you feel as if you are going through life with order and peace and being able to stay on top of things? Or are you more abt to get sloppy and do everything half way? You get more done doing things quick, but does that benefit everyone in your lives? How about if we do less and do things with much better results?
This is really something to take the time to think about when we make decisions to take new things on in our lives. Do we have the proper order and perspective?
James 3:17
But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere.

I think God is saying impulsive and emotional decisions are not from Him.

Think and pray with me.
Father I am sorry for all of my half works. Help me to take the time to put you in all of my activities including things for church. In Jesus name I pray. Amen.


Seeking God in all I do,

Elaine

Fireproof

Dear Friend:

Today and everyday has been filled with all sorts of uncertainty. Prices of gas the financial bail-out plan of country and an election coming up. There is so much fire/trouble around us that I was using the word this morning to “Fireproof.” Your asking “Elaine, what do you mean?” Well you know that firemen have clothes that are “Fireproof.” Which means it keeps the fire off of them when they go in to put off a fire. Their clothes don’t ignite and catch on fire.

Here is a verse I read this morning that gave me hope for the future. Psalm 37:37& 39 Mark the blameless man and behold the upright, for there is a happy end for the man of peace.
But the salvation of the righteous is of the Lord: he is their Refuge and secure Stronghold in the time of trouble.

You know we can lean on the Lord for security. We can trust that he will see us through all things.

While I have you I want to recommend the movie out called “Fireproof.” Where a couple who have let their marriage go and not prioritize each other in their lives, learn in a profound way how to “Fireproof” their marriage. Take your friends and experience the truth about struggle and how we sometimes have trouble admitting how we can’t change others, but we can change ourselves. The star of the film is Kirk Cameron. In the scene where he kisses his actor wife, he is actually kissing his real life wife who doubles for the actress. He told the director of the movie “he will only kiss his wife, even if it is for an acting job.” Wow!

Pray with me: Father thank you for being my refuge and secure stronghold in this time of trouble.
In Jesus name I pray. Amen.

Fireproofing,
Elaine

Sleepless Nights 2

Dear Friend:

A dad had an older son who always stayed loyal to his dad’s business. He came to work on time every day. He did everything his dad taught and asked of him. The older son was sad because his younger brother had taken off years ago and took all his inheritance. He had heard through a friends, friend that his brother was living on the streets broke and lonely. The thought of that made him sick. He began to wonder lately if his brother was even alive.

He got up everyday determined to be a good son so his dad can have peace of mind. He saw that his dad hurt at times. The older son began to think it probably would be better if his brother were dead. Then at least it his dad would have finality and could go on.

He got a word that his brother was back and his dad had ordered food, clothes and a big party with all of the employees of the company attending. The dad approached the older son and asked the son to attend the party. The older son said no way. I will never celebrate with my brother. He left you and squandered everything. Yet you have chosen to give him clothes, food and a big party. How could you do that? I have slaved for you and obeyed everything for all these years. You never bought me clothes and threw me a special party. The dad responded “my son everything I have is yours. But we had to celebrate and be glad; because this brother of yours was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.”

This is the second part of Luke 15 the story of the Prodigal son. The part that struck me as I read this passage is how the older son complained “I have slaved and obeyed everything you asked of me.” The word slaved made me ask myself, as a Christian, do I serve God with the right heart and motive? It is so important that we do everything in life with a heart turned toward God. How do you look at everything you do every day? A heart of joy, doing our housework, taking care of the kids, jobs etc...

Let’s pray: Father forgive me for serving at times without joy. Lord give me the right heart to serve.
In Jesus name I pray. Amen.

Serving the Lord with joy,
Elaine