Importance of cousins

My first cousin, who is five years younger than me, died this week. He died in his sleep and was found by his son when he didn't answer his phone. We will be going to his funeral in a few days and I was pondering if I could work it in because of other plans. Well, I began reflecting on scripture and remembered how Mary, who was with child (Jesus) went to the hill country to visit her cousin Elizabeth who also was with child (John the Baptist). My answer was to go to the funeral and it was in that reflection that I felt it was important to go. It would have been difficult for Mary to go, but her cousin meant a great deal to her and God was directing her to go. I feel now that God is directing me to go to my cousin's funeral and to be with my other cousins that will be there. Cousins were important in scripture and are still important. Time and distance often prevents us from seeing our relatives very often and we lose touch, however, the fact remains they are still family and should be treated as family. In my book "Living Waters: Writings from the Heart of a Christian" the third chapter is all about family and how important they are to us and how to love them with God's love. So now I am wondering why I even had a fleeting thought of not going to the funeral as other plans can always be changed, but a funeral is only once. Have a great week!

Yielding to God's will!

Yesterday (Thursday) I was on the Public Pulse radio program here in Sheridan. The interview went really well and by the end of the 30 minutes I was so amazed at how it all turned out. I had certain things in mind to talk about and the interview seemed to go in a different direction, God's direction. I was very pleased, but pleasantly surprised. God knows who was listening and what needed to be said! We can be his hands, his mouthpiece, his feet, etc. if we yield ourself to him and allow ourself to be his instrument so that his plan comes about. I have a book signing tomorrow morning at a bookstore here and hopefully my talk will be what God wants and not what I want! Have a good week.

Lent

Lent begins this Wednesday, March 9th and lasts until April 23rd which is a period of six weeks. The ashes I will receive on my forehead on Ash Wednesday is a reminder that I am dust and to dust I will return. It also reminds me that it is time to do some special things and to get started right away because six weeks goes by extremely fast! Matthew 6:1 states that we should take care not to perform righteous deeds in order that people may see them. So it can be tricky in my estimation to do good things and not boast about it or let people know you are doing it for lent. It is a good idea to start thinking about some ways you can make a good lent and then begin on Ash Wednesday. I will share with you some ideas that came to me in the mail recently as I feel they are good and helpful. "Do something kind and anonymously for someone; Read the scriptures daily; Fast and pray during a mealtime that you have given up; Pray for the unfortunate; Resist temptation; Help a homeless person; Make peace with a family member that you are estranged from; Confess your sins; Ask forgiveness from someone you have wronged. Offer words of encouragement; Donate to the less fortunate; Give up eating between meals; Make Jesus the center of your life." There are so many others things a person can do, but hopefully these few will help you get started and on Easter Sunday you will feel like you too have risen from your old way of life and new things are in store for you. Happy Lent!

Healing

I have been reflecting and reading scripture verses on healing because I have been praying for healing for some of my loved ones that have been sick this week. God's word is sharper than a two edged sword and will not return void, so praying scripture makes a lot of sense to me. I particularly like a verse in Acts 4:30 that I came across: "By stretching forth thy hand to heal, and that signs and wonders may be done by the name of thy holy child Jesus." Lk 6:18 says "People came to hear him and be healed of their diseases." Lk5:17 "One day Jesus was teaching, and the power of the Lord made him heal." 1stPeter 2:24 "By His stripes you were healed" James 5:16 "Declare your sins to one another, pray for one another, that you may find healing." Jer 30:17 "For I will restore you to health." These are just a few of the many scriptures on healing in the bible, so it is good to exercise your faith and pray for healing whether it is physical, emotional, mental, inner healing, etc. God will hear you and answer your prayers. I am not advocating that you only pray, if you need to go to a physician then that is a course of action you should take. I believe God gave us doctors and I use them when I am sick and need a doctor, but I also add prayer! I had an eye inflamation earlier this week and I went to my eye doctor and medicine took care of the problem, so I highly recommend both!

Are you sad or lonely?

Are you sad, lonely or filled with despair? Then come to the life-giving waters that are waiting for you to drink. Jesus is the Living Water and he will refresh you and lift you up. Let him shoulder your burdens for he cares for you. He promises that he will carry our burdens and will not give us more than we can bear. How do we find this life giving water? Read the Holy Scriptures and meditate upon them. Jesus will speak to your heart and give you what you need to lift your spirit. He will speak to your heart if you sit in silence and let him in. The following is from my book, Living Waters: "Turn to me completely, and I will fill you with my love. Your joy will be complete. Rivers of Living Water will flow out from within your very being and all my blessings will be yours."

I have been praying this week for my two little granddaughters that have a bad cold/virus. It breaks my heart to see little ones sick and I know it is hard on their parents. It is wonderful that we can bring our concerns to Jesus and ask for him to help them to heal. Prayer is such an integral part of my life I can't imagine living one's life without calling upon Jesus for help. He is always with us and hears our prayers when we cry out to Him. Philippians 4:6 says "If there is anything you need, pray for it, asking God for it with prayer and thanksgiving." The following is from the chapter on Prayer in my book, Living Waters: Writings from the Heart of a Christian: "My followers are very precious to me. Your prayers are sweet smelling incense, a pleasing aroma that rises to my nostrils. When you smell good perfume that pleases you, a smile comes to your mouth. So it is with the sweet smell of your prayers, they bring a smile to my lips."

Jesus: Help us all to remember how pleasing our prayers are to you.

Childlike trust

This past week my husband and I had the privilege and joy of being with our 4 month old granddaughter. There is just something special about a baby's smile and grin that melts your heart. They are also so very trusting, loving and cuddly. I had a hard time leaving her so we could return home. Jesus calls us to be like little children and have the same complete trust in Him that a baby has with its parents. Many people are afraid to trust because of the rejection they felt at some point in their life, yet Jesus has never rejected us or forsaken us. Scripture tells us to become like a little child with our faith in Him. Being with our grandchild reminded me how to have that baby like trust. Are you trusting God with all of your worries, concerns and cares each day?