Independence Day in the US

Thought for this Week: Let’s celebrate our independence by obeying the Lord’s commandments. 

Independence Day in the US 

"It is for freedom that Christ has set us free.
Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves
be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.

(Galatians 5:1) 

            Independence is what makes America great and our many freedoms make this a great place to live. Our constitution is based on our ability to self govern. Below is what James Madison, our fourth President, had to say about our system.
"We have staked the whole of all our political Institutions upon the capacity of mankind for Self-Government, the capacity of each and all of us to govern ourselves, to control ourselves, to sustain ourselves according to the Ten Commandments of God." 

Pray about where we were then and where we are now. 

Prayer for Today: Dear Lord and Father, our country celebrates its independence. Our freedoms are based on your laws and our abilities to obey them. Today we pray for spiritual growth, honesty, integrity and ethics.

Amen

Enjoy our Long Days of Summer!

Thought for the Week

We are experiencing the longest days of the year in terms of daylight. It is easy to burn the candle at both ends and become over tired. That has a great sound to it so let’s enjoy the summer season. 

The hymn poetry of Brian Wren 

“How can we name a Love that weakens heart and mind,

In dwelling all we know or think or do or seek or find?

Within our daily world, in every human face,

Love’s echoes sound and God is found, hid in the common place.” 

Title: How can we Name a Love, UMC Hymnal # 111, verse 1

Words:  Brian Wren

C 1975 Hope Publishing Company , Carol Stream, IL 60188.  All rights reserved.  Used by permission. www.hopepublishing.com

Our Rock

“There is no one holy like the LORD;
there is no one besides you;
there is no Rock like our God.”

(1 Samuel 2 vs. 2) 

            Growing up in New England we often fished in streams and frequently crossed them by stepping from rock to rock. When we stepped on a loose one or slipped from one we got cold and wet. The analogy I am getting at is we chose the wrong rock! That is not an option with God.

            The Lord is the rock of our life; our foundation and always with us. There are times when we forget that simple truth; when we feel lonely; when we will not let Him in to help. During those times we can feel cold and lonely. (Hopefully not wet!)

            Prayer and devotionals will help that situation. If you are reading this today you are probably sitting squarely on the rock. 

Thought for Today: Today let’s be aware of our foundation; our rock! 

Prayer for Today: Heavenly Father, today I recognize you and give thanks for being my rock and foundation. Today I pray that I may recognize someone who has slipped from your rock and help them through you.

Amen

 

"Exceed Expectations", Maria Shriver

Thought for the Week: We need to focus on our daily lives for survival, there is no truer fact. With that said, today let’s do what we need to do to survive but keep Paul’s letters and the word of our Lord in our daily lives. It will fit in if we let it.

 

A quote from Maria Shriver:  Have the courage to go beyond other people's rules and expectations. I pray that you will live and write your own story and then be brave enough to communicate it authentically to others. people will be inspired by it, people will learn from it, and people will have the courage to change their own lives because of the example you have set.

(Galatians 5 vs. 22 & 24) 

“the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,

"gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law

….Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit.

 Let us not become conceited, provoking and envying each other.

The Best You Can Be!

Thought for the Week: As a child growing up I was blessed with being what I now call a YMCA brat. Exposure to their principals of being the best you can be has stayed with me throughout my life. Their triangular LOGO represents Spirit, mind and body; the whole self. This week’s thought is based on exactly that. Let us be the best we can be in spirit, mind and body! 

A quote from Olympian Michael Phelps: “You cannot put a limit on anything. The more you dream, the farther you get!” 

(Isaiah 40: 31 NIV)

“...  those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength.

They will soar on wings like eagles;

they will run and not grow weary,

they will walk and not be faint.”

Straight to our Heart

“In the wilderness prepare
the way for the LORD^[a];
make straight in the desert
a highway for our God.”

(Isaiah 40 vs. 3)

 

            When driving in the UK where the roads are windy and twisty, occasionally we come to a long straight road that goes on for miles. My wife, a Brit, explained to me that those are ancient Roman roads laid out 2000 years ago. I found that impressive.

            In ancient times leaders built roads in the desert for their armies to move. They are long and straight and efficient so they could move quickly. The valleys are filled by pushing the tops of the hills. They facilitated the need. In New England where I grew up there are very few straight roads. They paved the cow paths and horse trails which tended to follow the river beds. It is tough for strangers to find their way.

            The message today is that we need to be sure of our road to the lord; that it needs to straight. There needs to be a straight connection between God and our heart. We need to allow the simplest two way travel possible in our complex world; straight to our heart. 

Thought for Today: Today let’s think about where our road takes us; where are we going. Perhaps we can take a few bends out and travel straight. 

Prayer for the Day: Heavenly Father, we live in a complex world and are surrounded by too much activity and are over committed. Today we thank you for being with us and pray that we may keep our hearts open to you and stay on a straight and holy path.

Amen

 

 

Give Him Time

Thought for the Week: God is always with us. This week let us take time each day to focus on His presence and welcome Him into our life.

Televangelist Joel Osteen put it this way, “We do not know what the future holds but we do know who holds our future.” 

(Philippians 4 vs. 10-13 NIV) 

“I rejoiced greatly in the Lord that at last you renewed your concern for me

Indeed, you were concerned, but you had no opportunity to show it.

I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content

whatever the circumstances.”