Bible Commentary:  "Christ is the only security in a changing world. Whatever may happen in this world, Christ remains forever changeless. A Christian, then, is absolutely secure, because he stands on the firmest foundation in the universe -- Jesus Christ.

"What does it mean that Christ is changeless? It means that His character will never change. He is persistent in His love for us, committed to fairness and justice, and absolutely set on being merciful to us who are so undeserving. Rejoice today that Christ is changeless--He will always help us when we need it and offer forgiveness when we fail."

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A paragraph from a recent email by Kathy Branzell who heads the National Day of Prayer Task Force:

"In the hours, days, or seasons of life when you don't feel like blessing Him, take a few minutes to remind your heart of His faithfulness and His 'benefits', as Psalms 103 prompts us to remember and recite them. Tell your soul that God has forgiven you, has healed you from many illnesses and redeemed your life. Your unchangeable condition is that He wraps you in His arms and crowns you with lovingkindness and compassion even in the most hurtful and hardest of circumstances. Continue reading through this Psalm and others, to add praise to your prayers through your days and let the overflow of your heart fill you conversations with others. Let the world hear you bless God in every circumstance, as a testimony of His power and love in your life."

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Yesterday's repeat:

Today is Friday, September 27. This is the day Jim and I were married in 1969, so this would have been #50!

A good day to celebrate and remember. Jim was a loving, kind, and caring man. He took good care of me, Jamie, and Merry! He was a good husband, dad, and friend to many, including me.

A good day to celebrate and remember. Jim was a loving, kind and caring man. He took good care of me, Jamie, and Merry! He was a good husband, dad, and friend to many, including me.

I can remember riding around Rochester, Minnesota after Merry was born. Doctors had discovered a birth defect which required surgery. We couldn't be in the unit except certain hours. I recall saying to Jim, "When you say 'I do', you never know what you might have to do together!" He had been diagnosed with a chronic back condition, I had had two difficult (but not impossible pregnancies) and then the medical problems with Merry. I had just turned 28.

We didn't know that ahead were heart problems for Jim needing lots of medical attention; a few more problems for Merry; a fatal car accident for her; and just the rough and tumble things which come into people's lives.

But God is good. He helps us with everything. Day by day. I wouldn't want to try it without Him. In spite of my 'list'. He made everything 'doable'. A heart diagnosis for Jim at 34, but God gave us 40 more years of time together. Some of it with medical work, but many to most ones 'good'. Merry wasn't 'special needs'. She was pretty 'normal' for all of her 26 years.

And when 'loss' comes, God is there. More real than anything imaginable.I read a short Psalm; #111 this morning. In the margin, it says, "Psalms 111 - 116 are called hallelujah psalms. 'Hallelujah' means 'praise the Lord' They express uplifting and optimistic tones.

So this is another 'praise God' day! Like they all can be if we choose. God is always bigger than any problem or good thing which can happen to us. Looking ahead what does the future look like? I don't know but I know that He is there and will always be there!! He is worthy of our praises!

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So today is a good day to 'walk down the street' in the 'parade of life'. Ready! Set! Go! Know that you and I are loved and cared for. We matter to others!

Don't forget to smile and wave. Like Noah! The 'crowd' is watching!

"There is a way the world should be run. And when others behave in ways we don't like, we call that a pet peeve. Not a colossal divide or a legal violation..........just a pet peeve. You know, joy is such a precious commodity. Why squander it on quibble?

"The phrases we use regarding our pet peeves reveal the person who actually suffers. He 'gets under my skin' or 'get on my nerves', or she is such a 'pain in my neck'. Whose skin, nerves, and neck? Ours! Who suffers? We do! Every pet peeve writes a check on our joy account.

"For this reason the apostle Paul said, 'Be patient, bearing with one another in love' (Ephesians 4:2). The patient person sees all the peculiarities of the world. But rather than react, he bears with them. This is how happiness happens."

~ By Max Lucado ** (My personal note: Like lots of things, to do this, we will probably have to ask God to help us!)

 

So why were we there? Love. Care. Letting him know that he matters to us.

That is what God and His 'people' do for us!

Hebrews 12, verse 1 says, "Since we have such a large crowd of men of faith watching us from the grandstands.." The Bible commentary says in part:  "The 'huge crowd' is composed of the people described in the previous chapter (all kinds of people we read about in the Bible). Their faithfulness is a constant encouragement to us.We do not struggle alone and we are not the first to struggle with problems in our lives. Others have run the race and won and their witness stirs us to run and win also. What an inspiring heritage we have!"

So today is a good day to 'walk down the street' in the 'parade of life'. Ready! Set! Go! Know that you and I are loved and cared for. Matter to others! 

Don't forget to smile and wave. Like Noah! The 'crowd' is watching!

Some thoughts from a perpetual flip calendar "Touched by an Angel:  Everlasting Love":

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Bible Commentary:  "Jesus had tried to slip quietly away from the crowds, but they found out where he was going and followed him. Instead of showing impatience at this interruption, Jesus welcomed the people and ministered to their needs. How do we see people who interrupt our schedules? As nuisances? Or as the reason for our lives? Ministry?

"The Kingdom of God was a focal point of Jesus' teaching. He explained that it was not just a future Kingdom; it was among them, embodied in him, the Messiah. Even though the Kingdom will not be complete until Jesus comes again, we do not have to wait to taste it. The Kingdom of God begins in the hearts of those who believe in Jesus. It is as present with us today as it was in the Judeans two thousand years ago."

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I receive daily inspirational messages from Max Lucado. Some I enjoy more than others; all of them are good. Lately the writings are taken from his book, newer one I think, titled "How Happiness Happens - Finding Lasting Joy in a World of Comparison, Disappointment, and Unmet Expectations". Who could like a book like that! 

Here is one from a day or two ago:

"Every person needs to hear a 'wonderful'. Here is why. Companies spend billions of dollars to convince us that we are chubby, smelly, ugly, and out-of-date. Inadequacy indwells a billion hearts.

"Would you distribute encouragement? Will you make some happiness happen? Will you remind humanity that we are made in God's image? That we are chosen, destined, and loved?

"Start by listening intently. Ask someone to tell you his or her, story. Give the rarest of gifts -- your full attention.

"Praise abundantly. Biblical encouragement is no casual, kind word but rather a premeditated resolve to lift the spirit of another person. Everyone needs a cheerleader.

"Give the gift that God loves to give -- the gift of encouragement. This is how happiness happens."

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