But Still be United In

We can have differences but still be united in Christ .Joseph- Anthony a son of Jehovah

Is the Sweetness of Contact

“Joy is the sweetness of contact with the love of God.” Simone Weil

So We Could

I am grateful to have gone to the cemetery to get dirt. The administrator and groundskeeper were there. They are the same age as me so we could joke around like we used to in the sixties ( we were not politically correct then ). It was great.

I am grateful to have gone to this store at the other end of town today. They have fantastic breaded chicken and homemade pizza’s at a great price.

I am grateful to have talked with the neighbour. I was laying some carpet down and a little bit was on the neighbours property. He flipped out. Thankfully I talked with his wife who listened as I explained I am just laying the carpet now but will align it when it is all laid out and then put raised gardens on it. She really liked the idea. She went over and told him to shut up and leave me alone. The area is all weeds and mom refuses to get the freeloading family down to help out so The Holy Spirit inspired me to lay down old carpet the other neighbour gave me to kill the weeds and put in raised gardens on it. Because of my injury it is difficult getting down and up so there is no need to with raised gardens. He came back and put up huge poles and laid a string on it to mark the boundary. I calmly and gently asked his if he wanted my help and he just walked away mad. I laid out the carpet the way it was intended and put the raised gardens on it and it looks nice. Tomorrow I will finish the job ( God willing ).

I Cannot Imagine Life Without

I cannot imagine life without Christ at the center of it. Joseph- Anthony a son of Jehovah

How is That Good?

An African king had a long time friend who always looked at everything positively, always saying “This is good!” even in the face of the most difficult situations.

Hunting one day, he was preparing the king’s guns. When the king took his first shot, his thumb was blown off.

Though the friend realized that it was his grave mistake for not properly setting the gun, and even in the face of this furious, bleeding king, he looked at him and said, “This is good!”

The king was LIVID and ordered that his friend be thrown in jail immediately.

A year later the king was hunting in an area where he should have stayed clear and was suddenly captured by Cannibals. They tied him up and were preparing to cook him when they realized he had no thumb. They didn’t eat anyone who was less than whole so they released him. On his way home, the king pondered the event that had taken his thumb in the first place. He went straight to the jail, told his friend what happened, and apologized in tears for sending him to jail as he did. His enthusiastic friend looked at the King and replied: “This is good!”

The king, taken aback once again said “What do you mean ‘this is good!’ I sent you mercilessly to jail and you’ve been suffering for here for an entire year – how is that good?”

His friend responded unwaveringly, “Well if I had not been in jail, I would have been with you!”

If You Stand On

There is only one secure foundation: a genuine, deep relationship with Jesus Christ, which will carry you through any and all turmoil. No matter what storms are raging all around, you’ll stand firm if you stand on His love Charles Stanley

If I Had to Live My Life Over Again

Someone asked me the other day if I had my life to live over would I change anything.

My answer was no, but then I thought about it and changed my mind.

If I had my life to live over again I would have waxed less and listened more.

Instead of wishing away nine months of pregnancy and complaining about the shadow over my feet, I’d have cherished every minute of it and realized that the wonderment growing inside me was to be my only chance in life to assist God in a miracle.

I would never have insisted the car windows be rolled up on a summer day because my hair had just been teased and sprayed.

I would have invited friends over to dinner even if the carpet was stained and the sofa faded.

I would have eaten popcorn in the “good” living room and worried less about the dirt when you lit the fireplace.

I would have taken the time to listen to my grandfather ramble about his youth.

I would have burnt the pink candle that was sculptured like a rose before it melted while being stored.

I would have sat cross-legged on the lawn with my children and never worried about grass stains.

I would have cried and laughed less while watching television … and more while watching real life.

I would have shared more of the responsibility carried by my husband which I took for granted.

I would have eaten less cottage cheese and more ice cream.

I would have gone to bed when I was sick, instead of pretending the Earth would go into a holding pattern if I weren’t there for a day.

I would never have bought ANYTHING just because it was practical/wouldn’t show soil/ guaranteed to last a lifetime.

When my child kissed me impetuously, I would never have said, “Later. Now, go get washed up for dinner.”

There would have been more I love yous … more I’m sorrys … more I’m listenings … but mostly, given another shot at life, I would seize every minute of it … look at it and really see it … try it on … live it … exhaust it … and never give that minute back until there was nothing left of it.”

― Erma Bombeck, Eat Less Cottage Cheese and More Ice Cream: Thoughts on Life from Erma Bombeck

Relax in His Presence.

Prayer is enjoying an open, honest sincere talk with your best friend, most special lover and wisest teacher. Relax in His presence. Listen and obey what He says to you because He only wants what is best for the child He so deeply loves. Joseph- Anthony: Green

Psalm 23 Explained in Todays Terms

The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want.

In His presence I am supplied with all I need for today.

He makes me lie down in green pastures,

He leads me beside quiet waters,

In His presence I am quieted from the turmoil in and around me.

He restores my soul.

In His presence I am built up, forgiven, refreshed.

He leads me in paths of righteousness for His name’s sake.

In His presence I am guided along the right paths for me, paths that will honor His name.

Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,

I will fear no evil, for You are with me;

In His presence I can be fearless in trusting Him even with destruction and death are all around me.

Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.

In His presence I am comforted because I know He is equipped to watch over for me.

You prepare a table before me, in the presence of my enemies.

In His presence I am nourished and protected even when I’m in unfriendly territory.

You anoint my head with oil;

In His presence He anoints me with healing and with love.

My cup overflows.

In His presence I am filled to overflowing regardless of outer circumstances.

Surely goodness and mercy will follow me all the days of my life,
I am pursued by His mercy and His goodness every day.
His presence calls me.

and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.
In His presence I am secure for today and forever.