A Morning View

This has been a difficult week.  I was honored and privileged to be able to share my heart about the love bond between two friends at his memorial service. It was bittersweet. Too often times I read all the cliches and right things to say and I can easily become cynical because the words only mask the pain. But truthfully, it was a bittersweet service and in our selfish loss, my friend is now home with Jesus.  Am I suffering from the pain of loss? Absolutely! Am I joyous over hime being healed? Overwhelmingly celebrating him singing to and praising the Creator of all!  My journey this past week has made very clear to me that God created me, God loves me and God is going to continue to pursue me as I strive for perfection in love with God. I am beginning to accept this undeserving gift. I am beginning to see I do have value and I am beginning to believe that what I share with others that I know about God also pertains to me. If you truly know me to the depths of my hidden,...

But God, “These patriarchs were jealous of their brother Joseph, and they sold him to be a slave in Egypt. But God was with him and rescued him from all his troubles. And God gave him favor before Pharaoh, king of Egypt. God also gave Joseph unusual wisdom, so that Pharaoh appointed him governor over all of Egypt and put him in charge of the palace.” - Acts 7:9-10 NLT Peace, PB

But God, “When we were utterly helpless, Christ came at just the right time and died for us sinners. Now, most people would not be willing to die for an upright person, though someone might perhaps be willing to die for a person who is especially good. But God showed his great love for us by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners.” - Romans 5:6-8 NLT Peace, PB

“Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate, only love can do that.”   -  Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. From  Strength to Love . "The light shines in the darkness,      and the darkness can never extinguish it." - John 1:5 NLT Peace, PB

But God...... Then his brothers came and threw themselves down before Joseph. “Look, we are your slaves!” they said. But Joseph replied, “Don’t be afraid of me. Am I God, that I can punish you? You intended to harm me, but God intended it all for good. He brought me to this position so I could save the lives of many people. No, don’t be afraid. I will continue to take care of you and your children.” So he reassured them by speaking kindly to them.” - Genesis 50:18-21 NL Peace, PB

But God...... “My health may fail, and my spirit may grow weak,      but God remains the strength of my heart;      he is mine forever.” - Psalm 73:26 NLT Peace, PB

But God...... “But God is so rich in mercy, and he loved us so much,  5  that even though we were dead because of our sins, he gave us life when he raised Christ from the dead. (It is only by God’s grace that you have been saved!) ” - Ephesians 2:4-5 NLT Peace, PB

We often ask God and wait until God does something.  “Then Joshua told the people, “Purify yourselves, for tomorrow the Lord will do great wonders among you.” - Joshua 3:5 NLT Perhaps seek holiness and check your heart, then ask God.  Just thinking...... Peace, PB

Sunday, a day set aside to worship the Lord.  Find yourself in worship in person or online.  Find the joy and peace God offers us today and may your life be a praise for God.  “Shout with joy to the Lord, all the earth! Worship the Lord with gladness. Come before him, singing with joy. Acknowledge that the Lord is God! He made us, and we are his. We are his people, the sheep of his pasture. Enter his gates with thanksgiving; go into his courts with praise. Give thanks to him and praise his name. For the Lord is good. His unfailing love continues forever, and his faithfulness continues to each generation.” - Psalm 100 NLT Be in worship today and honestly, everyday! Peace, PB

Not real sure what to write. I want to fit in with everyone else and say Happy New Year and believe a change of date will make a difference, but I realize it is a change of hearts that needs to change.  “The Lord is close to the brokenhearted; he rescues those whose spirits are crushed.” - Psalm 34:18 NLT PB