Laughter For The days Ahead

A laugh lifestyle is predicated upon our attitude toward the daily stuff of life.  When those tasks seem too dull to endure, figure out a way to make them fun; get creative and entertain yourself.  If the stuff of life for you right now is not dull and boring but instead painful and overwhelming, find something in the midst of the pain that makes you smile or giggle anyway.  There's always something somewhere... even if you have to just pretend to laugh until you really do!

You need that joy break, so take at least one every day.  Hey, how about twirling and flourishing in your kitchen, grocery store, or office?

Dear Father, you provide our safety, our security, our eternal hope.  Because of those loving assurances, enable us to see the joy, feel the joy, and even twirl with joy.  Thank you that you are our reason for joy each day.  Amen

Promises About Our Good Shepherd

Jesus said, "I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me -- just as the Father knows me and I know the Father --and I lay down my life for the sheep."  John 10:14-15

The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not be in want.
He makes me lie down in green pastures,
he leads me beside quiet waters,
he restores my soul.
He guides me in paths of righteousness
for his name's sake.
Even though I walk
through the valley of the shadow of death,
I will fear no evil,
for you are with me;
your rod and your staff,
they comfort me.....
You prepare a table before me
in the presence of my enemies.
You anoint my head with oil;
my cup overflows.
Surely goodness and love will follow me
all the days of my life,
and I will dwell in the house of the Lord
forever.    Psalm 23

I Shall Not Be In Want

Most of the time when I say grace before a meal I say with conviction, "The Lord is my Shepherd, I shall not be in want!"  Not because its a short verse, which lets me feed my face sooner than saying a prayer, but because I really mean it.

"I shall not be in want."  Now, that reminds me that I desire certain things:  new draperies, new carpeting, new furniture.  These are luxuries not necessities, because I already have these things.  I just want different ones.  Know what I mean?  God promises to provide all our needs according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus.  I know he will do that.  And he delights in often giving us what we want as well.

When I say, "The Lord is my Shepherd, I shall not be in want, "it's more than just something to recite before eating.  It's an affirmation that the Good Shepherd is watching over all the affairs of my life and is making sure I'm taken care of.

Thelma Wells

Promises About Common Pots & Odd Ducks

God, who said, "Let light shine out of darkness," made his light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ.  But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us.  2 Corinthians 4:6-7

In a large house there are articles not only of gold and silver, but also of wood and clay; some are for noble purposes and some for ignoble.  If a man cleanses himself from the latter, he will be an instrument for noble purposes, made holy, useful to the Master and prepared to do any good work.  2 Timothy 2:20-21

O Lord, you are our Father.  We are the clay, you are the potter; we are all the work of your hand.  Isaiah 64:8

Common Pots & Odd Ducks

God does his extraordinary work through common, ordinary people.  Our society puts an inordinate emphasis upon external success and being number one.

That doesn't seem to matter a whit to God.  Jesus used ordinary flowers, trees, and birds to teach profound lessons about himself and about life.  He placed ordinary mud from the ground on the eyes of a blind man and restored his sight.  Jesus changed ordinary water into extraordinary wine.  He took a lunch of ordinary fish and bread and from them made an extraordinary lunch for five thousand hungry people.

God does the unusual so that we recognize his unmistakable hand.  I cannot take the credit for how things work out in my life.  I cannot brag about my fine insights, good judgment, or special ability.  God makes sure that his accomplishments are performed by him; it is his insight, his good judgment, and his ability that brings extraordinary results out of ordinary circumstances.

Marilyn Meberg