Yes or No...

Faith is seeing God's providence when He says yes and seeing His love when He says no. You see, it takes a lot of love on the part of God to say no to you. Why? Because He risks your love; He risks your faith in Him; He risks your hope in Him.  If you are asking for something and it isn't for your good, His love will say no. But if you are asking for something that will bring about good, His providence moves events in your favor and the Lord allows it.
Taken from the Little Book of Life Lessons by Mother Angelica...

So before you pray for something you want, be ready for God's answer...Whether in your favor or God's keep your faith in tact and remember to live in the present moment.  Don't look back, because in order to look back you have to stop moving forward.

So keep up your courage, men, for I have faith in God that it will happen just as He told me. (Acts 27:25)

Keeping in Touch...

                                                       How do you keep in touch with God?

The book and pen remind me of my own writing and at times I sit and write a prayer to God. Today is one of those days.

I think we all can be out of touch with God. Sometimes emotions, or life's trials can and does overwhelm us.  I forget sometimes that God is just sitting there watching me struggle and trying to figure things out on my own. When all the while I know He is right there just waiting for me to ask for guidance and reassurance that I am on the right path.

So my prayer today is:  "Father, help me find my way."  It is the simplest of prayers, but I think God has a sense of humor and reminds me that I don't need a lot of words to express what I need, I just need Him.

So I send up this prayer and know that my God will answer me in the same timely manner as always. And I will thank Him in advance for his unconditional love, my continued good health and his grace and mercy.

Blessed is the Lord, who daily loads me with benefits. (Ps. 68:19a KJV)

Passion...What's yours?

Do you have passion for a particular cause in your life? If you don't you might consider one.

Sunday morning was spent with friends Betty and Bill who each have their own cause and reason for wanting to give back.

Betty and I are both kidney recipients. She had her transplant 9 years ago, mine was 8.  Our gifts have the commonality that we each received the gift of life from a living donor...mine from my son, and Betty from a non relative, but a friend. What great testimonies we have that living donors as well as deceased donors make such a change in who we become.  It changes who we are, what we believe and how we live. It gives us moments to pause and reflect and continue to be grateful to live. We both live in the abundance of continued good health and a new day to look forward to. We say thank you to our donors and send God's blessings to them. 

Now let me share Bill's story. I think I have discussed him before, but it bears repeating. Bill lost his wife about a year ago. She was 70 years old and they had discussed before her death the importance of organ donation and both agreed it was the right thing to do. What Bill has done, even through his mourning process,
is to honor his wife's wishes and their own promise to be a part of the organ donation world.

So even in death we can continue to live on in others. What a courageous man to love so deeply and keep his word.  We can all learn from your spirit of goodness and generosity.  Thank you Bill for caring and following that which our God asks us all to do. Being a good steward of giving back is something we should all strive for.

So take a look around, you won't have a hard time finding a place you can make a difference.  Now go find a person or an organization in need of your help. You will know when it is right for you, God will show you the way and you will be rewarded for your good works.

I am trusting in the Lord with all my heart and not leaning to my own understanding. In all my ways I am acknowledging Him, and He is directing my paths. (Prov. 3: 5,6)

Heavenly...

Photo by: Sherri Webb

Sunset or sunrise, are you able to discern what time of day it is?

This photo was taken by my good friend Sherri Webb.  Her keen eye seems to capture the moment and the beauty that others don't take the time to see.

In our busy lives we sometimes forget to look up at the sky, whether sunset or sunrise, and by not looking up we can miss so much. So can guess which one it is?  It really doesn't matter, the beauty is the same. The heavens just seem to open up and welcome you. She pointed her camera toward the sky and captured heaven.

Take a moment today to enjoy God's splendor. Look up, look out and most of all look inside yourself and others to discover a little bit of heaven right here on earth.

Be still, and know that I am God...Psalms 46:10 (NIV)

"Dying the RIGHT Way"

Congratulations to Janice Louise Long.

Her book "Dying the RIGHT Way" debuts today.  Her heartwarming story of caring for her elderly parents that suffered both physical as well as emotional illness is a testament to what care giving is all about. Any family member coping with Alzheimer's disease is filled with anguish and a feeling of helplessness.  Let her share with you a direction to better patient as well as family care.

Her story began long before the written words in her book. She was met with many obstacles along the way. Her book is packed with stories of her own struggle and how she learns through trial and error to answer the questions we all will face one day. How do we care for our parents, spouses or friends that are going through the dying process?

She enlightens with practical solutions and answers questions by walking through the process herself.  Her generousity of spirit shines through her words and her keen sense of how to handle so many problems became her mission. To help others is her motto.

I would like to share this book with you...at http://www.dyingtherightway.com/ or visit her blog at http://www.dyingtherightway.blogspot.com/.

Thank you Jan for sharing your story of love and family. Thank you for making the journey easier for those of us who will someday encounter the path you so bravely took and embraced. Your work and love will not go unnoticed...