prayer still works ...

Good Morning Friends

I pray you all are staying safe amidst all of these challenges with COVID-19

This will have to be a quick post as I am on my way to work

I have been up for a couple of hours at this point

And, in getting ready for work, I heard one of the saddest incidents;

A family in NJ severely impacted by this virus –

                They have lost four family members with another three hospitalized

This virus and the effects are real

The recommendations for social distancing and ‘sheltering in place’ are wise

I am going to work because I HAVE TO … while awaiting the opportunity to work from home

Let us all use wisdom in these trying times

Devastating outcomes can occur from seemingly harmless activities

Therefore, let us walk in faith, live with hope, exercise wisdom and – pray without ceasing

I am praying for that family in New Jersey –

Praying that the LORD would help them with the pain;

Pain they have already experienced from losing so many loved ones;

Pain from worry over all the family members which remain in harm’s way

I am praying for my family –

Praying that the LORD would bless and protect them

I keep my sons and my love covered in prayer daily

Praying that He would watch over my Mom, my Dad and Step-Mom,

Praying that He would protect my three siblings, my step-sister and all their children

                That the great-grandchildren would be shielded

Praying for my ex-husband, his beautiful wife and their son;

Praying for all my extended family and their loved ones

I am praying for my spiritual family –

Praying that they would all be kept safe from harm

Thanking the LORD for my pastors who continue to lead in exemplary fashion

Praying that we would remember that we are the ‘light of the world’, ‘the salt of the earth’

Praying that we would all storm heaven’s gates –

for our president, for our leaders, for our neighbors, for the nation, for the world

I am praying for my co-workers and neighbors –

Praying that all – wherever they are working, whatever they are doing – would be kept safe

Praying for provision for those who have lost finances and security

Praying that every need is supplied

May the LORD God Almighty protect and keep us all …

“If My people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land” II Chronicles 7:14

‘He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will abide in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say to the Lord, “My refuge and my fortress, My God, in whom I trust!”’

Psalm 91:1-2 

Have a Blessed Day & Stay Safe

LOVE: WHILE YOU CAN ...

Good Morning Friends

I pray your day is off to a great start – February 1, 2019

I continually find myself saying, ‘The older I get, the faster it goes’

However, I think it might be time for me to adopt a new saying when time passing:

‘Thank You God for the time; help me make the rest count’

I was going to move off our focus on STORGE/FAMILY LOVE

However, I believe I am going to spend one more day there – TODAY

WHY? Because it is so important to … LOVE WHILE YOU CAN

My cousin passed away yesterday morning; he was fifty-one years old. I think that is young. However, I might feel that way because he was only three years older than me. We were all more like siblings than cousins when we were growing up. He called my mom his second mom. My last contact with him before New Year’s Day was in December when he told me he would be coming to see her soon. He truly loved her. Yet, even with all his love for her, he was not able to make that last visit.

Tomorrow is not promised to any of us – the next moment is not promised to any of us

That is why it is important to – LOVE WHILE YOU CAN

Many people have been commenting on my cousin’s amazing smile.

And he did have an absolutely amazing smile!

That glint in his eye, the crinkle of his nose and then there was that dimple on his cheek.

His smile was infectious and you could not help but smiling yourself in response.

But why share this with my online friends who did not know him?

It is important to focus on loving family while you can & letting them know.

Family love [and love in general] is a precious gift – but one which can easily be taken for granted.

Therefore, it is important to be intentional about loving and expressing love

Take time to appreciate the little things that you love about people – and let them know

It is so important to express love –

Whether it is a kind word, a loving act, a thoughtful gift, a heartfelt hug or a listening ear

And this does not just apply to family love – it carries over into all areas of love

It is great to express the love you had and will continue to hold onto

However, you will never know the full impact of expressing the love you have – TODAY

LOVE EVERY CHANCE YOU CAN – seizing every opportunity to express love

LOVE BECAUSE YOU CAN – recognizing it is a gift from God to have people to love

LOVE WHILE YOU CAN – understanding there is no greater present like the present

Praying You Have a Blessed Day!

Wishing You Much Love …

“A new command I give you; Love one another.

As I have loved you, so you must love one another.” John 13:34

LOVE, LOVE, LOVE ...

Happy Thursday!!!

One step closer to the weekend & doubly blessed because … 

YESTERDAY WAS MY BIRTHDAY!!!!

It was a good day!

And, I woke up with a sense of excitement … but not for the reason you might think

I love when my birthday rolls around because it means I am just a few short weeks away from my favorite holiday – VALENTINE’S DAY

OK – I know it is a little early to be thinking about Valentine’s Day and LOVE

BUT – It truly is my absolute favorite holiday!

I loved it as child – when I would go to the store with my mom and we would pick out cards to give to my classmates. I always wanted to give some candy or a lollipop with my cards. And even back then, I always wanted to make sure that I matched the right card to the right person.

When I managed a team – Valentine’s was always a big deal. Catered breakfast, decorations, candy, gifts for my staff and co-workers and, of course, games & prizes [one year the grand prize was a weekend getaway at upscale hotel at the oceanfront]!

As a parent – I would decorate the whole house with red heart balloons, buy special presents, select the tastiest candies and prepare a special dinner. AND I HAVE THREE SONS!!! But Valentine’s Day was always like another Christmas in my house. That part is not surprising since Christmas is about one of the greatest acts of love ever recorded. God so loved the world that He gave … He Gave His love, He Gave His best, He Gave His Son [Jn. 3:16]

AND –

I believe He not only loves to shower us with His love;

He loves for us to shower others with love as well

I BELIEVE VALENTINE’S DAY IS A GREAT OPPORTUNITY TO LOVE ON THOSE CLOSEST TO YOUR HEART. 

Now, some would say that you should do that all year – AND YOU SHOULD.

But, it is also good to seize extra opportunities to DEMONSTRATE LOVE EXTRAVAGANTLY 

I LOVE THE LORD

I LOVE LOVING ON PEOPLE

AND ... I AM HOPELESS ROMANTIC!!!

Therefore, you will have to forgive me – but over the next few weeks I will be focusing on:

AGAPE, PHILEO & EROS [GODLY LOVE, BROTHERLY LOVE & ROMANTIC LOVE]

There is actually a fourth which we discuss as well: STORGE [FAMILY LOVE]

I’m not certain where this short posting series is going to end up … BUT I CAN’T WAIT!

Praying You Have a Blessed Evening & Happy Friday Tomorrow!

Most Wonderful Time ... ?

Happy Tuesday...

I pray your week is off to a great start. I thoroughly enjoyed my four-day weekend and even started decorating the house for Christmas. It was so enjoyable, I didn't even mind being back in the office yesterday. It truly is the most wonderful time of the year!

The songs are light and cheerful, people seem a little nicer. I mean, what other time of year do you find individuals buying gifts for people they don’t even like?!

There is the smell of pine [which I absolutely love!], the soft glow of the fireplace, the twinkling of the Christmas lights, the holiday gatherings and, of course, cookies and every delicious dessert to satisfy your pallet.

It seems for a few weeks that the earth is just a tad bit ‘kinder’

Yet, I am not naïve enough to presume that it is the most wonderful time of the year for all. No – for some – it is the most challenging time of the year.

§  The most stressful time of the year

§  The most isolated and lonely time of the year

§  The most frustrating time of the year

§  The most tearful time of the year

§  The most un-wonderful time of the year

Whether it is the financial pressures of all the gift giving of the season; the discomfort of forced gatherings with individuals where relationships are strained due to emotional distance or the disappointment of not being able to attend a family gathering due to geographical distance and travel challenges … the season can lose some of its wonder.

Perhaps it is someone’s first Christmas without that dear loved one. Perhaps it someone’s 2^nd or 3^rd or 5^th Christmas without that dear loved one – but the sting of sadness is every bit as painful as the first time.

Whatever the situation – understand this:

For some of our dear friends, family [and even strangers], there are just as many circumstances which can make this the worst time of year as there are joy-filled moments which can make it the most wonderful time of the year for others.

Therefore – I would like to make a special request of my friends hear at our Revive blog. Please do me this favor:

Pray that God would open your eyes;

To make you perceptive to the needs of those around you.

Pray that God would tenderize your heart;

To be compassionate regarding the plight of others

And then – be intentional about partnering with Him to be part of the solution

The amazing thing is that it is the little things that can go so far in touching someone’s heart this holiday season:

§  Send a text message to check-in

§  Pray for someone other than yourself … that does not cost anything, but time

§  Send a greeting card to let someone know you were especially thinking of them

§  Take time out to be available for someone who needs a listening ear; be that shoulder they can lean upon or those arms of fellowship, offering a much needed hug

Now, that last one is a stretch for me. You see, I am not one of those ‘touching/feeling’ types. I do not like to touch people and I really do not care for people to touch me. It is an area I have been working on for years.

However, I can tell you first hand the power of a hug. I recall a woman whose husband had recently passed away. We were at a Bible Study at someone's home but I did not know her. I had never seen her before and have never seen her since that day. However, on that particular evening, I felt a gentle nudge from the Holy Spirit saying ‘She needs a hug ... give her a hug’. Oddly enough, in that instant, her need transcended my comfort levels. So I asked if I could give her a hug. She said yes – and when I went to hug this newly-widowed woman, I knew I was exactly where God wanted me to be in that moment, doing exactly what He desired for me to do. About a week later, someone told me that lady was inquiring about me. She wanted to know who that woman was who had hugged her; she said it felt as if God Himself was giving her a hug and letting her know that He cared about her pain.

You never know the difference that you can make in someone’s life!

You may be the answer to the prayer that they have been whispering alone each night

Together – we can have a tremendous impact in our individual spheres of influence to bring some joy to others during this Christmas season. Let's all do our part in making this the most wonderful time of year for as many as possible.

Praying You Have a Blessed Day & Most Wonderful Week!

“Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God.” II Corinthians 1:3-4