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I’m so grateful that God created sound, our ears, our vocal cords, and emotions so we can enjoy music and sing. I bet there’s a lot of singing in heaven and I’m looking forward to being on the praise team. Denominations, skin color, or cultural customs won’t matter in heaven. We’ll all be singing with one voice to Our King. Something that really touches my heart is when I think about Jesus singing. Jesus sang with His disciples after their last supper together and before He was arrested. They ended their time together singing. When they had sung a hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives. Matt. 26:30 Wow! Can you imagine that sound? I’m sure the disciples never forgot that Singer…Jesus…God’s love Song to us.

This bird’s piercing eyes makes me think he’s ready to do battle. He sure looks pretty tough. Are you in a dark place now and feel like you’re in a battle? If so, please be encouraged. You’re not alone. God is with you, sustaining you and protecting you. He’s fighting for YOU. He’s the Light in any dark place. The battle cry that ends with a call for Jesus to help in never ignored. Don’t wait. Sound your battle cry to Jesus. He’s listening. He cares. He loves YOU!

“Do not be afraid or discouraged because of this vast army. For the battle is not yours, but God’s.” 2 Chron. 20:15

The words “Do not be afraid” are easier said than done. How easy it is to focus on the scary things like…tornadoes, cancer, price increases, shootings. Okay, I need to stop. I’m scaring myself. God knows how easy it is for us to get scared. That Christmas night God gave an angel the assignment to go tell the shepherds that Jesus was born with the words, “Do not be afraid.” An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord.” Luke 2:9-11 What helps me when thoughts and feelings want to scare me is to remind myself of how Great God is. Then run to His Word. His Word is God’s voice. My prayer is that you and me too, will sense in His Word, God lovingly whispering…”I’ve got this. Do not be afraid.”

When I am afraid, I will trust in you. In God, whose word I praise, in God I trust; I will not be afraid. Psalm 56:3-4

Yet, O LORD, you are our Father. We are the clay, you are the potter; we are all the work of your hand. Isaiah 64:8

God’s transforming power can… open minds to the truth about Jesus, open hearts to care, and open hands to serve. The invitation is to climb up on God’s potter’s wheel and rest in His hands as He shapes and molds your life. None of us are finished. He loves you. We are all the work of His hand.

I’m a twin. I didn’t have to come into this world alone. My sister was with me and she went first leading the way. I’m used to being with someone. So when Carl had a stroke and was gone from home from August to January, I felt alone. That was a new thing for me and I didn’t like it. I remember the long nights. During those dark lonely nights God used Christian music and His Word to help me turn my thoughts to Jesus. I sensed His presence and realized I was not alone. I was able to rest in God’s peace. If you’re going through a dark time and feel alone be assured your Faithful Father and Prince of Peace is close like no other.

Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Phil. 4:4-5

It’s true that what we think about influences how we feel. Deliberately choosing to be thankful can often change the way we think and feel. Jesus modeled for us the importance of having a thankful heart even in the middle of major trouble. He had a strong thankful heart even knowing that crucifixion was ahead. The Lord Jesus, on the night he was betrayed, took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and said, “This is my body, which is for you; do this in remembrance of me.” (1 Cor. 11:23-24) Jesus had a strong thankful heart even knowing that raising Lazarus from the dead would escalate the plot to kill Him. So they took away the stone. Then Jesus looked up and said, “Father, I thank you that you have heard me.” (John 11:41) Thankfulness is a necessary ingredient for living life one step at a time, one day at a time. Will you join me to intentionally be thankful for the little things in life, as well as the big things? Together let’s meet the challenge to exercise thankfulness in order to cultivate a strong thankful heart.

The more I learn about prayer the more I realize there’s more to learn. God is so able to do all things on His own, and yet He chooses to work through the prayers of His people. I’ve been blessed to be in a prayer group for many years. I’ve seen firsthand how spending time with Jesus in prayer is transforming. I’ve come to the prayer group so tired but left energized. I have seen the oppressed uplifted, worry washed away, anger soothed, grief turned to hope and fear replaced with peace. My prayer is that you too experience the blessing of fellow believers taking you to the feet of Jesus in prayer. There’s something about God’s people coming together in prayer that brings a smile to the face of God.

The LORD detests the sacrifice of the wicked, but the prayer of the upright pleases him. Prov. 15:8

I love this picture of our son and his two children. They look like they’re having a blast. They look so carefree. No worries, no responsibilities just bouncing free on a “jumping pillow.” I remember how much fun it was bouncing, rolling and jumping on a trampoline. My days of bouncing like this is over. But I can do some “bouncing off the wall” with excitement and gratitude when I think about the promises of God. Forgiveness, real love, joy and salvation is for all who trust in Jesus. That’s freedom that only Jesus can give.

“So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.” John 8:36

Carl had a brain bleed that caused a stroke. He was gone from home from August to January. That time included hospital, skilled rehab and nursing home care. The right side of his body was paralyzed and he couldn’t swallow or speak. When this happened I leaned down and whispered in his ear, “I’m right here. I’m not leaving. I love you.” His teary eyes were evidence he heard me. With each visit before I went home I would kiss him and hold his hand with a tight grip to reassure him I would see him tomorrow. I share all this to say maybe today you too need to hear those words…”I’m right here. I’m not leaving. I love you.” Even in the midst of hardship and loss and even when you don’t see any supporting evidence of God’s presence…He’s there. God loves you and He’s not leaving. He said so.

“And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” Matt. 28:20

This is Luna. You can tell from the picture that Luna willingly let my granddaughter, Linley dress her in this scarf. The fact that Luna allowed all this shows how much she loves and trusts Linley. Luna even stood still for a glamour shot! Luna made me think of how submission is inspired by love to do whatever it takes. That’s love in action! Let’s not forget how Jesus willingly died on the cross for our sins. His willingness to do whatever it takes was inspired by His love for us with perfect submission to the will of the Father.

Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ. Eph. 5:21