When Your Hut's on Fire....

The only survivor of a shipwreck was washed up on a small, uninhabited
island. He prayed feverishly for God to rescue him. Every day he scanned
the horizon for help, but none seemed forthcoming. Exhausted, he eventually
managed to build a little hut out of driftwood to protect himself from the
elements, and to store his few possessions.

One day, after scavenging for food, he arrived home to find his little hut
in flames, with smoke rolling up to the sky. He felt the worst had
happened, and everything was lost. He was stunned with disbelief, grief,
and anger. He cried out, "God! How could you do this to me?"

Early the next day, he was awakened by the sound of a ship approaching the
island! It had come to rescue him! "How did you know I was here?" asked the
weary man of his rescuers.

"We saw your smoke signal," they replied.

The Moral of This Story: It's easy to get discouraged when things are going
bad, but we shouldn't lose heart, because God is at work in our lives, even
in the midst of our pain and suffering. Remember that the next time your
little hut seems to be burning to the ground. It just may be a smoke signal
that summons the Grace of God.

P.S. You may want to consider sharing/passing this on, because you never know who
feels as if their hut is on fire today.

Fly Away

EEEEEEeeeeeHAAAAaaawwww! I get to fly away to sunny California for an 8 day visit. I'm so excited I can hardly stand it. I miss my kids and grandkids so much it actually hurts. I've gained weight and gotten depressed in recent months because of the loneliness. My husband is upset with me though, because I'll be gone for our anniversary. Originally, I had planned to take the days off to celebrate our anniversary. But, when it looked like he wasn't going to be able to get off, I asked if he had plans. He said no...but I guess he had a surprise in mind. He has a valid point , and cause to be upset. I AM being very selfish by going without him (he's on the road driving semi). But, a secret part of me hoped he would think of it as his anniversary present to me. He didn't. He resents it and now I can't wait to fly away even more, just to escape the barrage of verbal criticisms I'm getting on the phone. He makes me feel so guilty I feel like the worst wife in the world. Besides, he always manages to get a load out that way and visit for a few days with me (which will probably be the case again), but he is unforgiving. I just hope it doesn't spoil my visit.

More Devotionals

As Good Friday approaches and Easter Sunday is days away, I enjoy sharing these devotionals with you. Praise our Lord the risen Savior!

Scripture:"...as labor pains upon a pregnant woman."

Devotional: We have talked about this before. Once labor pains begin, the only become more intense and more frequent. The word is warning us here of the last days. The word says it will be like a thief in the night. We have heard that before, but in this context, to those of us in Christ, the day should not overtake us as a thief. Why? We live in the light. Not darkness. We are watchers. We are not asleep. We are not drunk. We are alert. We are suited up for the day of Christ coming to get us, OR us going to get Him. Either way, we win! We have seen many trials and tribulations in our world as of late. Tsunami's, hurricanes, earthquakes, terrorism, devastating fires, and the list goes on. The earth is groaning and alerting us to the day approaching. As destruction becomes more and more frequent, be a child of the light. Don't let the day take you off-guard. Even the things that await you today, this week, and the remainder of this year, be alert to what God is doing in you and around you. When sudden destruction comes.. "they" will not escape. As you see the world celebrate their sin. As you watch those around you enjoy the pleasures of this world. Pray for them. Their time is short. One way or another their time is short. Either their days of submitting to satan are about to be over, or they are on a countdown with an encounter with sudden destruction. You may feel foolish at times for what you see that others scoff at. Know this the scoffers have their appointment. That day will come like a thief. You however are not appointed to wrath. Jesus is our escape from the wrath to come. Watch the birth pangs as they become more intense and more frequent... know that the King is coming!

Prayer:That your eyes will be open to the things going on around you.

Reading:1 Thessalonians 5:1-12 ...read entire scripture.

One More Devotional

Scripture:
Acts 1:9-14 ...read entire scripture.

Summary:
"...why do you stand here gazing up into heaven"

Devotional:
Yes Jesus is coming soon, but what are you and I to do about it. The disciples here were standing and gazing into heaven. I mean, can you really blame them. After all the Man Jesus, who they had seen crucified, laid in a tomb, resurrected, appearing on an off to them, now speaks to them for one last time. Right in front of their eyes he physically is taken up into a cloud. Remarkable stuff. Then two men in white apparel... hmmm, I wonder who they could be? Either angels, painters, ice cream salesmen or...Col. Sanders (those are about the only people I know who wear white all the time). My belief is they were angles, told them to snap out of it.. Jesus would be back, and He would come back in the same manner He left..... in a cloud. They were given the news right then. He was not gone a few seconds and a promise of His return was given. So what did the disciples do. They stopped gazing, or looking with their EYES and began to prepare and LOOK with their HEART through PRAYER. They also got busy with the last command Jesus gave to them and that was loving each other and reaching the world.I think it would be a good idea if we did the same thing. Look (watch) for His return through prayer, and give ourself to the great commission. Our assignment is to be about the Father's business.Jesus is coming.... but we must see Him with our heart before we see Him with our eyes. We must receive Him in our heart before He is received again on earth. Jesus is coming.... can you SEE it??

Prayer:
To keep our eyes on Jesus

A Devotional from a Friend

Scripture:
"...redeeming the time, because the days are evil"

Devotional:
Most everyone reading this know of someone that should have had another day, week, month or year. If we could we would have had one more day with them. In some cases we did not know that last day would was going to be the last. The last time we would see that person in this life. Time is an important commodity. No one knows how much we have. We have already learned that life is a vapor... its here and it gone. Not only concerning death do we realize time is short. How many dads have walked their daughter wondering where the time went. How many moms see their little boys becoming men and wish they could hold their baby in their arms.... one more day. To be honest as I sit and write this tears are coming to my eyes because I realize either by death or by life, our time with each other is all to short. The word "redeem" in this scripture means to buy back. We can not actually buy back time with the people we love. People are only in our lives for a certain time. We only have so many moments with each other. But what if we looked at today as if we got it back. Suppose that a person you knew that you needed to share the gospel with moved, or worse ... died tomorrow. If you could buy back another day with that person. What would you do with it? Well, today is that day. The days are evil folks. Our time with our children are important. We only have so long to get them in church, rooted and grounded in the faith. Some only have so many opportunities to get in a right relationship with God. Lets wake up! Get ready, and make the most of this opportunity that has been given to us..... TODAY!

Prayer:
Strength to make the most of today

Reading:
Ephesians 5:8-21 ...read entire scripture.

Paul Harvey

Here is a pretty neat little thing
from Paul Harvey.

Paul Harvey Writes:

We tried so hard to make things better for our kids that we made them worse. For my grandchildren, I'd like better.

I'd really like for them to know about hand me down clothes and homemade ice cream and leftover meat loaf sandwiches. I really would.

I hope you learn humility by being humiliated, and that you learn honesty by being cheated.
I hope you learn to make your own bed and mow the lawn and wash the car.
And I really hope nobody gives you a brand new car when you are sixteen.

It will be good if at least one time you can see puppies born and your old dog put to sleep.

I hope you get a black eye fighting for something you believe in.

I hope you have to share a bedroom with your younger brother/sister. And it's all right if you have to draw a line down the middle of the room,but when he wants to crawl under the covers with you because he's scared, I hope you let him.

When you want to see a movie and your little brother/sister wants to tag along, I hope you'll let him/her.

I hope you have to walk uphill to school with your friends and that you live in a town where you can do it safely.

On rainy days when you have to catch a ride, I hope you don't ask your driver to drop you two blocks away so you won't be seen riding with someone as uncool as your Mom.

If you want a slingshot, I hope your Dad teaches you how to make one instead of buying one.
I hope you learn to dig in the dirt and read books.

When you learn to use computers, I hope you also learn to add and subtract in your head.

I hope you get teased by your friends when you have your first crush on a boy\girl, and when you talk back to your mother that you learn what ivory soap tastes like.

May you skin your knee climbing a mountain, burn your hand on a stove and stick your tongue on a frozen flagpole.

I don't care if you try a beer once, but I hope you don't like it. And if a friend offers you dope or a joint, I hope you realize he is not your friend.

I sure hope you make time to sit on a porch with your Grandma/Grandpa and go fishing with your Uncle.

May you feel sorrow at a funeral and joy during the holidays.

I hope your mother punishes you when you throw a baseball through your neighbor's window and that she hugs you and kisses you at Hannukah/Christmas time when you give her a plaster mold of your hand.

These things I wish for you - tough times and disappointment, hard work and happiness. To me, it's the only way to appreciate life.

Written with a pen. Sealed with a kiss. I'm here for you. And if I die before you do, I'll go to heaven and wait for you.

From Blonde to Brunette

My husband has been bugging me to dye my hair brunette for years. So, as an early anniversary present ... I surprised him and did it. I've been a blonde my whole life (except one time years ago when my beautician messed up). I HATE IT. I didn't like it then and I don't like it now. My son hates it. My stepson said it "isn't that different". I hope it really washes out after 20 washings like it says on the box. My husband hasn't even seen it yet. He'll be home tomorrow or the next day. I hope he enjoys his brief stint with a brunette ... because I'm going back to blonde SOON. (Before I go back home to California for a visit in 3 weeks)!!

10 Roses

LaWana Dorsett wrote: When we come to the edge of the light we know, and are about to step off into the darkness of the unknown, of this we can be sure ... either God will provide something solid to stand on or we will be taught to fly.

10 Roses

I give these roses to you because you are a special person! Each rose symbolizes a special wish from me to you.

One Rose for Long Friendship
One Rose for Unconditional Love
One Rose For Financial Wealth
One for Everlasting Happiness
One for Success
One for Knowledge
One for Beauty, inner and outer
One for Family
One for Honesty
And the last one for a long and healthy life!

Hockey Game

I saw my first ever hockey game last night. Dallas Stars vs. Anaheim Mighty Ducks. Since I'm a Californian ... I was rooting for Anaheim in a stadium FULL of Dallas Stars fans. But, it was fun. I'm glad I got to experience a "live" hockey game. There was only 3 or 4 fights (which I guess is hardly any). I can't ice skate AT ALL, so I admire the skill it takes to skate all over the ice and control the puck. It was like watching soccer on ice skates. Unfortuantely, my team lost. The score was Dallas 2, Anaheim 1. Oh well!

Story of the Week

A farmer had some puppies he needed to sell. He painted a sign advertising the 4 pups. And set about nailing it to a post on the edge of his yard. As he was driving the last nail into the post, he felt a tug on his overalls. He looked down into the eyes of a little boy. "Mister," he said, "I want to buy "one of your puppies." "Well," said the farmer, as he rubbed the sweat of the back of his neck, "These puppies come from fine parents and cost a good deal of money. "The boy dropped his head for a moment. Then reaching deep into his pocket, he pulled out a handful of change and held it up to the farmer. "I've got thirty-nine cents. Is that enough to take a look?" "Sure," said the farmer. And with that he let out a whistle. "Here, Dolly!" he called. Out from the doghouse and down the ramp ran Dolly followed by five little balls of fur. The little boy pressed his face against the chain link fence. His eyes danced with delight. As the dogs made their way to the fence, the little boy noticed something else stirring inside the doghouse. Slowly another little ball appeared, this one noticeably smaller. Down the ramp it slid. Then in a somewhat awkward manner, the little pup began hobbling toward the others, doing its best to catch up...."I want that one," the little boy said, pointing to the runt. The farmer knelt down at the boy's side and said, "Son, you don't want that puppy. He will never be able to run and play with you like these other dogs would." With that the little boy stepped back from the fence, reached down, and began rolling up one leg of his trousers. In doing so he revealed a steel brace running down both sides of his leg attaching itself to a specially made shoe. Looking back up at the farmer, he said, "You see sir, I don't run too well myself, and he will need someone who understands."With tears in his eyes, the farmer reached down and picked up the little pup. Holding it carefully he handed it to the little boy. "How much?" asked the little boy. "No charge,"answered the farmer, "There's no charge for love."

Visiting

My friend and I visited with her sister and I realized the importance of maintaining family relationships and ties. My family is very important to me. My sister (and my daughter) is my best friend (bar none). Too often we get devoured by the stresses and struggles of daily life. We forget to make the effort to strengthen the bond...with our family AND our friends. It's a rare few that get to live right next door to friends and family. The television version of Mom and Pop living across the street, stopping by or coming to dinner every day is a thing of the past. It saddens me that our society has become so driven for success, fame and fortune that our family and children are low on the priority list. In retrospect, I'm frustrated with myself for getting caught up in the quagmire. Imagine how it saddens our heavenly Father when we treat him with the same indifference with which we treat each other? I pray for forgiveness and the opportunity to strengthen ALL of those relationships that need reparation!

Austin and San Antonio Visit

A friend took me on a weekend road trip to visit her friends and one of her siblings in Austin and San Antonio. On the way back, we stopped at a neat little antique store. Behind the store was an Episcopal Chapel made from antique wood and brick (and it had antique stained glass windows, pews, and various religious artifacts within). With Easter upon us and the events leading up to the Resurrection, I thought it fitting to share the photos with you. It was a fun weekend and an excellent way to wrap up a weekend of "firsts".

Treasures in Darkness

TGIF Today God is First, by Os Hillman

I wanted to post something meaningful today, but as I'm busy working and living life my creativity evades me (if only for a moment). This was emailed by a friend and I've decided to share it with you as well.

Treasures in Darkness
I will give you the treasures of darkness, riches stored in secret places, so that you may know that I am the Lord, the God of Israel, who summons you by name. - Isaiah 45:3"I have never been in this place before. It is new ground for me, and I find I am way out of my comfort zone. I am scared to death to trust Him at this level. I had to confess to the Lord I have not been able to accept or believe His love for me in this area." Those were the words I expressed to a friend when I was in a difficult place in my life. That day when I confessed those words, God led me to this passage of Scripture. What we perceive as dark periods in our lives are designed to be treasures from God. They are actually riches stored in secret places. We cannot see those times in this light because of the often-accompanying pain or fear that prevents us from accepting these times as treasures. They have a particular purpose from God's viewpoint: "...so that you may know that I am the Lord...who summons you by name." You see, unless we are cast into times in which we are completely at God's mercy for breakthroughs in our lives, we will never experience God's faithfulness in those areas. We will never know how personal He is, or that He can be trusted to meet the deepest needs in our lives. God wants each of us to know that we are "summoned by name." Every hair of our head is numbered. He knows every activity we are involved in. His love for you and me knows no bounds, and He will take every opportunity to demonstrate this to us. Has God brought you into a place of darkness? Trust Him today to reveal that hidden treasure that can be found in this darkness. Let Him summon you by name.

E-Mail Blessings

"Instead of a gem, or even a flower,
cast the gift of a lovely thought...
into the heart of a friend."


To Each His Own
I cannot change the way I am,
I never really try,
God made me different and unique,
I never ask him why.

If I appear peculiar,
There's nothing I can do,
You must accept me as I am,
As I've accepted you.

God made a casting of each life,
Then threw the old away,
Each child is different from the rest,
Unlike as night from day.

So often we will criticize,
The things that others do,
But, do you know, they do not think,
The same as me and you.

So God in all his wisdom,
Who knows us all by name,
He didn't want us to be bored,
That's why we're not the same
~Author Unknown~

Dealing with Unpleasantries

I'm sure everyone has encountered an "unpleasant person" in their lives. You know the kind, generally of a sour disposition who will not respond to pleasantries or attempts to befriend them in any way. Pretending to be a friend or concerned person until you do something with which she doesn't agree.
I work with such an individual and her demeanor is rude and offensive to almost everyone. She converses with her friends on the phone for hours every day. She conducts her own personal business (Ceramics/Art/Dog Bowls) on company time (creating brochures, mailing them on company postage, web pages, shipping packages with company supplies and on company dollar). What is so frustrating, is that she gets away with it and has for years! The morale of those around her plummets whenever she is in and becomes a celebration when she's not!
Furthermore, she doesn't believe in God and when someone mentions anything related to Christian she says, "Please stop-I find your conversation offensive."
Lord, please help me to love and pray for this individual. Please grant me patience, forgiveness, and strength. Keep me from gossip or retaliation. Allow me to be a witness for your glory!

Grandaughter's Tears

My grandaughter G had mommy call me the other night because she was upset. She got on the phone and between sobs said, "I miss you Grandma, I want you to come back." Please pray for her. She's been having trouble adjusting to my absence, even though it's been over a year. She gets in trouble at school and with Daddy, her twin sister bosses her around and she doesn't say anything (just stuffs it all inside). God, bless this precious little angel. Help her cope and learn to use her words in order to express herself. Assist us both with the hurt in our heart. Surround her with people who would bolster her up, teach her about Jesus and support her with love (at home, school, and play). I pray for my daughter and her family, Lord please assist them with the daily stresses of life. Teach them to look towards heaven for their needs and to be thankful for all that you have given us. Father, thank you for your love and grace. Thank you for counting every tear we shed and for your glorious omnipotence that covers us with each breath we take.

Texas Weather

Texas has a saying "If you don't like the weather, give it a minute." It's really true too. It could be sunny and warm, you blink and it's windy and rainy. It could be in the 70's one day, and by evening it's 40 degrees. I'd sure hate to be a meteorologist in the Lone Star State. You never get anything right!

I long for my sunny California home. Pray for my personal endurance. I miss my home, my friends, and my family there. I miss my church and my job, the whole life I left behind!

Kid's Say the Darndest Things

These have to be original and genuine - no adult is this creative!

MELANIE (age 5) asked her Granny how old she was. Granny replied she was so old she didn't remember any more. Melanie said, "If you don't remember you have to look in the back of your panties. Mine say five to six."

STEVEN (age 3) hugged and kissed his Mom goodnight. "I love you so much, that when you die I'm going to bury you outside my bedroom window."

BRITTANY (age 4) had an earache and wanted a pain-killer. She tried in vain to take the lid off the bottle. Seeing her frustration, her Mom explained it was a childproof cap and she'd have to open it for her. Eyes wide with wonder, the little girl asked: "How does it know it's me?"

SUSAN (age 4) was drinking juice when she got the hiccups. "Please don't give me this juice again," she said, "It makes my
teeth cough."

DREW (age 4) stepped onto the bathroom scale and asked: "How much do I cost?"

MARC (age 4) was engrossed in a young couple that were hugging and kissing in a restaurant. Without taking his eyes off them, he asked his dad: "Why is he whispering in her mouth?"

CLINTON (age 5) was in his bedroom looking worried. When his Mom asked what was troubling him, he replied, "I don't know what will happen with this bed when I get married. How will my wife fit in?"

JAMES (age 4) was listening to a Bible story. His dad read: "The man named Lot was warned to take his wife and flee out of the city but his wife looked back and was turned to salt." Concerned, James asked: "What happened to the flea?"

TAMMY (age 4) was with her mother when they met an elderly, rather wrinkled woman her Mom knew. Tammy looked at her for awhile and then asked, "Why doesn't your skin fit your face?"

The Sermon I think this Mom will never forget.... this particular Sunday sermon..."Dear Lord," the minister began, with arms extended toward heaven and a rapturous look on his upturned face. "Without you, we are but dust" He would have continued but at that moment my very obedient daughter (who was listening!) Leaned over to me and asked quite audibly in her shrill little girl voice, "Mommy, what is butt dust?"

How to Love Meanies and Misfits by Jack Klumpenhower

Are you like me? I often find myself edging away from people who aren’t fun to be with. I avoid those who don’t fit in or might not be nice to me, but Jesus said, “Love your enemies” (Matthew 5:44). Such love isn’t easy. The Apostle Paul wrote, “I pray that your love will overflow more and more, and that you will keep on growing in knowledge and understanding” (Philippians 1:9, NLT). You see, the Bible links loving with getting to know and understand Jesus, which is a lifelong process. Thankfully, the Bible also points out markers along this road—truths we can learn and pray about and begin to live out—that help us love those meanies and misfits.

Here are four of them:
1. Understand your own failure. Jesus told the proud Jewish leaders, “I know you don’t have God’s love within you” (John 5:42, NLT). Pride and love don’t mix. As we realize how deeply we’ve failed God and how he loves us anyway, we become less critical of others. When we stop being judgmental, we’re able to love other messed up people.
2. Know where your security lies. Paul told the Colossian believers that their love came from their confident hope in what God had reserved for them in heaven (Colossians 1:5). Loving hard-to-love people is risky. We may lose money, time, reputation and privacy. Only a deep assurance that God will take care of us and give us great rewards will free us to sacrifice self-security for the sake of other people.
3. Live in community. The Bible says, “Think of ways to encourage one another to outbursts of love and good deeds” (Hebrews 10:24, NLT). We cannot overcome pride and self-security without other believers to help us. We must admit our struggles to each other, daily if possible, and encourage each other with God’s promises.
4. Most importantly, believe your status in Jesus. Jesus is the best there ever was at loving meanies and misfits. He befriended smelly fishermen, prostitutes, dishonest tax collectors, and the thief on the cross next to him. If Jesus were anyone else, this would make us say, “Why bother? I could never love so well.” But Jesus is our Savior who died and rose for us, so the way he loved becomes our résumé. What’s more, God “has given us the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts with his love” (Romans 5:5, NLT). Who you are—both your standing before God and your heart itself—has fundamentally and forever changed. Until we reach the next life, our love for meanies and misfits will be a struggle. But we go at it with confidence because we know it is our calling and our true heart. Never think this love is beyond your grasp. No! You are a child of God. Love for others is your birthright, your anthem and your destiny.

From My Friend Sherlane

St. Theresa's Prayer

May today there be peace within.
May you trust God that you are exactly where you are meant to be.
May you know that living the life God has planned for you is the only way to true happiness and joy, and God has a specific plan for each of you.
May you not forget the infinite possibilities that are born of faith.
May you use those gifts that you have received, and pass on the love that has been given to you.
May you forgive others so that God will forgive you.
May you be content knowing you are a child of God.
Let his presence settle into our bones, and allow your soul the freedom to sing, dance, praise and love. It is there for each and every one of you.