O.M.G.

Dear Friend:

Think of your first response when you hurt yourself. What do you say? When someone tells you something shocking, what do you say? The word God is so universal. I bet you more than 90% of us say “oh my God” to quite a few responses through out our day. When someone sneezes do you respond by saying to them “God bless you” and do you really mean it? I have tried to teach my kids not to walk around saying “Oh my God.” I would rather have them say “Gosh” or “goodness.”

When used properly “Oh my God” is a great response to a cry for help. It is a great beginning to a prayer to our Father. Why do so many people scream out “Oh my God” and really not even know what they are saying? It is a habit for many. With all the text messaging today I now hear O.M.G. from the kid’s mouths.

I was having a great visit with a patient at the hospital and we were talking about God and how important he is in our lives. She said “I think God is important to a lot of people, then she asked “what is the first thing someone says when they hurt themselves? “ She answered the question before I could and said “OH MY GOD.” Not all people respond that way but I did agree that many do.

Below read the cries of God’s people crying out to Him:

2Ki 6:15 - When the servant of the man of God got up and went out early the next morning, an army with horses and chariots had surrounded the city. "Oh, my lord, what shall we do?" the servant asked.

1Ch 4:10 - Jabez cried out to the God of Israel, "Oh, that you would bless me and enlarge my territory! Let your hand be with me, and keep me from harm so that I will be free from pain." And God granted his request.

Job 6:8 - "Oh, that I might have my request, that God would grant what I hope for,

Job 29:4 - Oh, for the days when I was in my prime, when God's intimate friendship blessed my house,

Ro 11:33 - Oh, the depth of the riches of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable his judgments, and his paths beyond tracing out!

It is ok to talk to God about anything and there is no right way to say what you want to say. Just talk as if you were talking to your friend. Jesus so intimately in His last hours cried out to God. I hope in this Easter season that you take the time to read the Gospels account of Jesus last days on earth. I think his greatest cry was Luke 22:42 "Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me; yet not my will, but yours be done." 22:43 An angel from heaven appeared to him and strengthened him.

22:44 And being in anguish, he prayed more earnestly, and his sweat was like drops of blood falling to the ground.

I pray that an angel from heaven appear for you today and strengthen you.

Let’s pray: Father in heaven hallowed be your name. Your kingdom come your will be down here on earth. Thank you for another day on earth. Keep me and my family from evil. Help me to forgive those that are hard to forgive. Forgive me for________for thine is kingdom and power and glory for ever and ever Amen.

I anticipate that something beautiful and wonderful will happen to you.

Reading Jesus last moments,

Elaine

Stunned

Dear Beloved Friend:

What I am about to say may stun you! Christ is alive and living each and every day! Are you “stunned” by that statement? Do you believe who he said he was? Are you sitting there reading this saying “Elaine what are you talking about?” I think I can clarify what I am meditating on but I must admit I struggle with the idea of Jesus being right here with me right now.

I am reading Mark 16.

As you are reading put yourself in Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James and Salome’s shoes. In chapter 15:41 it says “In Galilee these women had followed Him and cared for his needs.” For years they have been following Him caring for Him, but remember they were healed by Him and cared for by Him also. These women are walking to the tomb where Jesus was laid to rest and they are “worrying out loud.” Just picture yourself following Jesus and all of his teachings for the last three years and then you witnessed a long drawn out death just a few days before. Then, you want to give Jesus a proper burial and you are on your way to the tomb. The worry in their minds, crowds out so much that they do not remember that Jesus said he would die and rise again to give new life. They get to the tomb and they are “stunned” to find he was gone. The chapter goes on to say not only are they “stunned” so are the disciples and other followers. Why is it so hard for us to believe what Jesus said and did here on earth? Why is it so hard to live as Jesus did? Why do we have so much trouble believing that Jesus is the son of God and He came knowing His life would end in death, but that He would be rise from that death to live again? He always intercedes for us and left the third part of the trinity the Holy Spirit to live in us. We should not be “stunned” that he was not there. The reaction should be more like “YES AND AMEN, WHAT HE SAID, HE DID!” I proclaim with my mouth “GLORY TO GOD ALMIGHTY CREATOR OF HEAVEN AND EARTH!”

We have Easter coming up in the next week. I suggest that you go and read each Gospels account of the death of Jesus. I pray that you will reflect on the magnitude of Jesus and what He did for you. Examine your heart with honesty and ask yourself :

1. Do I believe that Jesus was the son of God and he died and rose again so that I may be forgiven all of my wronging doing (past, present and future)?

2. Do I believe that Jesus did this for everyone (even the murderers) because he loved?

3. Do I believe that tomb was empty and that signifies he conquered death and you now have the opportunity to believe and then have eternal life with Jesus?

4. Do I worry so much about money, relationships, stress, food and pretty much all of life that I forget that God knows it all and He is just asking us to go to the cross and tomb and remember he paid it all?

5. Do I forget to simply just trust Him with my daily living?

I know this a lot to think about but now is the time to stop being “stunned” and just simply say “I believe and will continue to trust.”

Let’s pray: Jesus you paid it all. Yes and Amen it is finished. Thank you for your great plan. Help me to trust and remember the things you did and said so I can live like you did. You are my Savior and I will no longer be “stunned.” In Jesus name I pray. Amen.

Great prayer! Expect better days ahead because of Jesus and what He did for you. “SPRING” forward with new Life because it is all around you. New life is growing in the trees, grass and all of nature. Nature is screaming out new life just believe it and receive it! Your finances, relationships all problems are budding with new life just watch and pray.

Springing forward,

Elaine

What's Going On?

How are you doing? God always brings good out of what seems bad.

In scripture it says

Romans 8:28 -

And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.

The psalms are beautiful to read through at hard times. David wrote many of them. Sometimes you can see his struggles with life in his writings. It is amazing. He actually says things like “his body aches and he cries out to the Lord.” He was always in a battle and running and being hunted down by his enemies. God allowed the battles. But the Lord said “David is a man after my own heart.” God loves us all, but does allow trials in our lives. We then can learn and put that to use someday. WE Will always be able to relate to people on a deep level, because of the times we have experienced pain. It is hard but, this is a very valuable thing to learn. Learning to sympathize with others.

Yesterday I was in the Portillo’s with my Mom. My Mom was having a difficult time and needed to eat. There was a man in line before me. He was gruff and complaining to a women standing outside the line. His issue, I don’t know but he was going on and on. The line opened up for him to order and he is not paying attention. He is going on and on. Finally I said, very softly sir are you going to order. He looks up gruffly and defensively, “well yes. What are you in a big hurry, maybe you should go ahead.” I said “it is just that my mom is diabetic and needs to eat.” What comes out of the ladies mouth (she is the one who was talking with the man) (she had no sympathy) “well my mom is diabetic and she carries food with her when she gets like that.” I said “my mom is new at getting shots and does not get that yet.” Well, the lady says “well she should.” The both of them just wanted to go at it with me. No sympathy nothing, just cut downs and gruff responses. WHAT’S GOING ON?

I feel sorry for those people. People are either hardened by life or softened. My prayer is that we continue to take care of ourselves and be softened by experiences and use them to be an example for others. I know you can be an example for many.

I was reading in Acts 14:8-11 Paul saw a man that was crippled in his feet, from birth. Paul was preaching and the man listened to Paul. Paul looked directly at him, saw that he had faith to be healed and Paul called out, “Stand up on your feet!” At that, the man jumped up and began to walk.

I have faith as I look Jesus in the eyes and say, so and so needs to be healed, Please help. I believe that is the purpose to the bible to help us to remember that Jesus started a work on earth, passed it to the apostles and the apostles passed it others and so on to us. Faith….it heals. Jesus came that we might have life and have it to the full, it says. Each day as we renew are minds with the truth it speaks to our soul and gives us strength to carry on. How were some of the remarkable people able to carry on? I believe it was there faith and believing God will get them through everything.

Let’s pray: Father in heaven help me to bless those who are being difficult. I want to love everyone. Thank you for giving me faith to believe that you will always help me. In Jesus name. Amen.

Peace be with you,

Love,

Elaine

A++ Part 2

Dear Friend:

In my last letter I told the story of how God puts us all together as the Church of Christ. We unite with all our gifts to make up the body of Christ. We are not bound by a building but by Christ alone.

There were so many things that I saw with the tweeners that I continuously am blessed. I was thinking deeper along this message and wanted to include some more extensive observations.

When the girls were getting ready to leave the cabin for good we had to clean up. God showed me even in the clean-up how he uses all are gifts. I saw girls come and ask me what needs to be done to get us through our check-list. There were 5 girls that really came and sincerely were willing to clean anything, even the showers. They just took the spray cleaner and did it. I asked myself “should I get more involved in this process?” Again God reminded some serve so mercifully without thinking. Even to the point of cleaning sinks and showers. Rather than pointing out the negative of those that did not volunteer we should point out how God supplied those with the heart who genuinely did not care and were willing to clean anything. I know at other times the girls have all been used with their gifts in different ways. Some clean, some lead, some think and come up with wise plans all are different. I am not making excuses for the girls who did not volunteer and I will try and get everyone to participate and clean, but I just want to show how God gains cooperation through the hearts. I did not see one of the girls who volunteered then go back and say I cleaned the showers so you should clean the beds. I saw the heart of God in the girls and there was genuinely cooperation and ease in the process.

This is something to think about in our own homes and lives. Looking at situations and leading by prayer and letting God get involved in the hearts of our families. When the Spirit of God is present in a family we can experience peace and cooperation. I know that this lesson goes along with the bible verse,(I will quote it from the Message Bible) What I’m trying to do here is to get you to relax, to not be so preoccupied with getting, so you can respond to God’s giving. People who don’t know God and the way he works fuss over theses things, but you know both God and how he works. Steep your life in God-reality, God-initiative, and God-provisions. Don’t worry about missing out. You’ll find all your everyday human concerns will be met. Matthew 6:32-34

(Faith, friends it takes Faith) Are you getting this? What will happen in your life if you choose God first? What is the promise? Everyday human concerns will be met. ALL! We can expect peace cooperation and smoother sailing. I am not saying we can expect perfection, but a balanced home. A house that is taught to seek God first and not full of over activity brings balance and peace and time for chores and other projects the family is trying to get too! Think about it.

You can pray: Father in Heaven I choose to seek you first and then my concerns will be met. Thank you Father. In Jesus name I pray. Amen.

Choosing God First,

Elaine