Philippians 4:13 "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me."

When I was going through chemotherapy for breast cancer, a friend made me a poster with this verse on it. I hung it by my bed where I could see it every day. As my body weakened from the chemo, I noticed that Christ had given me strength in other areas. I had the strength of my wonderful husband who did anything I needed to have done. I had the strength of my family helping at home do the things that I could no longer do. I had the strength of my friends bringing meals, driving my children, driving me to chemo when I was unable to drive myself, even helping my put away my many Christmas decorations. One special friend even cooked two Christmas dinners and brought one to my house! I had the strength of my interim pastor, Dr. Robert Moffett, who would call me every night and pray with me before I went to bed. He even recorded a prayer for me to listen to if I woke up scared in the night. I had the strength of my church family that showed love and concern for me. I had the strength of a sense of humor, without which I don’t think I could have coped. But most of all, I had the strength of all these people plus people and didn’t even know praying for me by name daily. So when you feel you are at your weakest point, remember to look around you for the strengths that Christ has given you.

Prayer: Dear Jesus, you are our strength and our comfort. Help us to realize that when we are at our weakest, You are there giving us strengths. We just have to open our eyes to see them. For this we are truly thankful. Amen.

Romans 8:28 (emphasis mine) "…we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose."

I watched the Phil Donohue Show the week following the Challenger disaster. The theme of the program was "Why Bad Things Happen to Good People." As I watched this program I was again reminded that, while there are some explanations this side of the grave, there are no satisfying answers to this question. There is certainly nothing wrong with asking the question. In fact, I suspect that most of us have at one time or another asked it. The danger is in "parking by the question" and staying there so long that we allow the circumstances that gave rise to the question to embitter us.

When tragedy strikes the question finally is not why but how. How do I deal with these tough circumstances and not let them deal with me? How do I overcome the pain and get on with my life? This came to me when my dad died when I was eleven. I finally realized that even if I knew why he died at a relatively young age the answer would not fill the empty spot left in my life by his death. The ultimate question is how not why. How do I get on with life in any given set of circumstances?

Paul addresses this question by reminding us that, "in all things God works for good with those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose." God is with us not just in the sunshine but the shadows as well. At all times we need to be sensitive to how God is working in the world and in our life. This is especially true when tragedy strikes. When difficult times come we have a choice about whether we allow them to make us bitter or better. We cannot always choose our circumstances but we can choose what they do to us. We make our choices and then they make us.

During this special season renew your commitment to being sensitive to how God is working in you life. Be aware that "in all things God works" and that you have a choice about what life’s circumstances do to you.

Ecclesiastes 4:9-10 "Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their work: If one falls down, his friend can help him up. But pity the man who falls and has no one to help him up!"

We have always heard that two heads are better than one and it takes two to Tango! Solomon must have known this as he wrote Ecclesiastes to teach us about life and the value of friends and friendship.

God made us to live for love, intimacy and companionship and we find these in our marriage partners, family, friends, and church family. Don't try to make it alone! Seek out companionship!

Flora Mae and I for the most part of our lives never lived close to our own families and our lives would have been very difficult and lonely with out the love and support of our church families. They were very close to us, picked us up when we were down and prayed us through many tough times. God Bless Friends and Church Families, Amen!

Galatians 5: 22-23 "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law."

This says it all.

Ezekiel 37: 1-14 from The New Oxford Annotated Bible "The hand of the Lord came upon me, and he brought me out by the spirit of the Lord and set me down in the middle of the valley; it was full of bones. He led me all around them; there were very many lying in the valley, and they were very dry. He said to me, "Mortal, can those bones live?" I answered, "O Lord God, you know." Then he said to me, "Prophesy to those bones, and say to them: O dry bones hear the word of the Lord. Thus says the Lord God to those dry bones: I will cause breath to enter you, and you shall live. I will lay sinews on you, and will cause flesh to come upon you, and cover you with skin, and put breath in you, and you shall live; and you shall know that I am the Lord."

This wonderful, colorful story seems to speak to us here at First Christian Church in Conroe. Our own dry bones can be brought to life if we let the spirit of the Lord enter our bodies. We seem to be in the process of "coming back to life". Let’s not just look like we are whole again, but let’s let the spirit enter each of us, and get up and stand on our feet and be a vast multitude.

My prayer is that we each ask the Holy Spirit to enter our lives so that we can help to complete God’s work for him here on earth.

Romans 8:28 "And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose."

This Easter Season comes to us at a time when the church is embarking on a new journey -- a time of change, of challenge and spiritual growth. It is a time when we remember that God sacrificed His son so that we can have everlasting life. With this journey, we are experiencing many feelings, some that make us feel anxious and uncomfortable, some that give us hope and new energy to serve God with our spiritual gifts and in new ministries.

In Romans 8:28 Paul says" and we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to His purpose for them." Does this not give us HOPE for the success of the ministry-based works, using our spiritual gifts to further the glory of God who gave His son to save us?

My HOPE and prayer for First Christian Church is this: "I pray that God, who gives you hope will keep you happy and full of peace as you believe in Him. May you overflow with HOPE through the power of the Holy Spirit." Romans 15:13

Louise Killough

John 14:1-4 "Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me. In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also. And whither I go ye know, and the way ye know."

The reason these verses mean so much to me is that here is my security. No matter what goes wrong, eternity is not one of the things I worry about. Not only was it a comfort when I have lost Loved Ones but it is my assurance that I will see them again.

Isaiah 49:16 "See, I have engraved you on the palm of my hands; your walls are ever before me."

John: 10:28 "I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one can snatch them out of my hand."

I remember a time when my grandson, Cody, was pre-school age and loved playing hide and seek. One day he came in the kitchen looking for me and said, "Grandma, are you hiding?" Little did he know that I was so protective and I would not forsake him. I was just temporarily obscured from his vision; but to him I was playing a game. Grandmas like to spoil the grandchild, but we are always there. Just like God. Nothing can snatch them away from us spiritually. We realize they are God’s great gift to us. What a gift!

When I am in my "scare" mode thinking of all the evil things that can happen in this world, I become as a little child and ask for my Father’s help. He comforts me and reminds me that my name is written in the palm of His hands and so long as I am in His Spirit and obey His commands I am safe. He tells me I will have eternal life in His Kingdom; that nothing on this earth can snatch me from His hands. How awesome is the God I serve!

Dear God: Thank You for keeping my name in your hands and my heart in your bosom. Keep me safe from the cares of this world. Amen!

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 "Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus. "This letter was written by Paul to the new Christians in Thessalonica. It is a letter of encouragement, both to them and to us.

The Holy Spirit led me to the passage one day when I needed encouragement. It was during the dreary days of this past January. My spirits were low and I was depressed. The verses seemed to have been meant for me.

Paul listed being "joyful always" first in this group. The other two have been easier for me.

"Praying continually" means to me having a prayerful attitude in everything that I do, whether it is in doing for others or doing for myself. I have found that the more I pray in the quiet, alone times, the easier it is for me to be "in prayer" when life is busy, noisy or full of conflict.

I find it quite natural for me to be thankful. I am constantly aware of my blessings and continually thank God for them. So, of the three, I need help most with the "joyful always" part. My moods get in the way. Finding that simple passage was a real gift. THIS IS GOD’S WILL FOR ME. I hadn’t thought of it in exactly that way before. I know that being joyful is helpful to others, to encourage them. But now I realize a more basic reason. It is His will for me, in Christ Jesus. Part of the person He wants me to be is always joyful. Doing it for others is important. Doing for God is the most important reason. And the Holy Spirit is helping me.

Prayer: Dear God, Help me to be joyful always. Your love for me is constant. I need your help in feeling and showing the joy that I have in that constant love. Amen.

I John 4:7-21 "Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love. This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him. This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins. Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. No one has ever seen God; but if we love one another, God lives in us and his love is made complete in us. We know that we live in him and he in us, because he has given us of his Spirit. And we have seen and testify that the Father has sent his Son to be the Savior of the world. If anyone acknowledges that Jesus is the Son of God, God lives in him and he in God. And so we know and rely on the love God has for us. God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in him. In this way, love is made complete among us so that we will have confidence on the day of judgment, because in this world we are like him. There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love. We love because he first loved us. If anyone says, "I love God," yet hates his brother, he is a liar. For anyone who does not love his brother, whom he has seen, cannot love God, whom he has not seen. And he has given us this command: Whoever loves God must also love his brother."

There are many scriptural references to love, yet John has summed up the truth of love for us in these verses. We must love! We may disagree, not with hate but from perception. We may not like change, yet God’s greatest change agent was his Son, Jesus!

Jesus stated that he came not to change the law, but to fulfill it. In fulfilling our life to God, do we not bring about change?

Many, when referring to love go directly to I Corinthians, Chapter 13. That is a wonderful summary of love, yet read 1John 4:7-12 and underline phrases that fit your mood as you read this. What strikes you and jumps off of the page? Is it the first phrase in verse 7, "let us love one another" or is it verse 10, "...but that he (God) loved us".

Read these verses and find what fits you. Search the scriptures and look up love in a concordance. The list for "love" is long. God emphasizes love, can we do less? But you might say, "I disagree with you about .......?" But is it possible to still love and disagree about something? I answer with a resounding "YES!" for we must keep in mind verse 15, "If anyone acknowledges that Jesus is the Son of

God, God lives in him and he in God:…" Therefore, let us go forth dealing with our earthly problems and ways, but act in love and watch how problems disappear.

John 20:24-29 "Thomas (called Didymus) was one of the 12 disciples Jesus chose. He was not with them when he came .The other disciples told him that they had seen the Lord. Thomas said to them " unless I see the nail marks on his hands and put my hand in his side where the nails were I will not believe". Then one week later the 12 disciples were together in the house with the doors locked and Jesus appeared and stood with them. He them told Thomas to put his finger in his hand and to put his hand into his side. He said stop doubting and believe. Thomas said "my Lord & my God". Jesus told him "You have seen me and you believe. Blessed are those who have not seen and yet they believe".

We have not seen him and yet we believe. Do you believe?? God Bless You.

II Corinthians 5:17 "Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new."

Christ’s death and resurrection for us, and our identification with Him by faith, makes existence as a new creation possible. Let us remember that at present this new creation is only partially experienced, but it is to be our focus as the completion of the re-creation is assured. We must not lose heart. Even though our outward man is perishing, yet the inward man is being renewed day by day.

Our present experience of renewed life by God’s Spirit is a guarantee that He will perfect what He has begun. Our relationship with Christ affects every aspect of life.

Prayer: Heavenly Father, I pray that we can reveal Your Love so fully and share Your Words so effectively that others may experience the miracle of a new life through faith in Jesus Christ. Amen.

Romans 10:9 "That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God has raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved."

I have a friend that is Mormon. I do not know a lot about Mormon beliefs, so I asked about them. As it turns out, I disagree with most of them. My friend does tell me that Mormons believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, who died to forgive us our sins. I agree with that. One day in the lunch line, my friend was expounding on one of the beliefs taught by his church.

"Are you a Christian?" I asked the instant he paused to take a break. I know he would answer in the affirmative, and I would then have the opportunity to ask him how a Christian could possibly believe what he stated as his belief, quote a Bible verse, and walk away with the argument in my pocket.

All was going according to plan. He responded with that slightly miffed, how-could-you-even-ask, "Yes." I opened my mouth to put forth my well thought out, if somewhat obnoxious, argument. Before I could get the words out, this girl that I know slightly because she attends the church of one of my other friends, laughed.

"No way." She replied. She answered with such clarity and conviction that I probably would have been jealous had my brain not gone numb with shock at her audacity.

"What?" Anthony never really blinked. I suppose he gets that response frequently enough to be accustomed to it.

"I’m sorry, but there is no way you’re a Christian," she persisted. She then proceeded to run down an entire list of the two whole beliefs known to her that Mormons hold, that excludes them from the elite society that she was defending.

Once I got over the shock, I was highly amused by her attitude. I just started laughing. To this day, it amuses me that anyone on this earth could somehow believe that your answer to the question, "Are you a Christian?" is in anyway up to them. I believe with all of my heart that when Paul and Silas said, "Believe in the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house"; they really meant "Believe in the Lord Jesus and thou shalt be saved."

Prayer: Dear God, Please help me not to think of others as "less" Christian. Please help me to remember that everyone approaches your message from a different place. Please don’t let me get too big for myself so that I think it is okay for me to decide whom You will allow into Your kingdom. Help me to be humble so that I may be pleasing to You. Because Your Son is so wonderful, I pray. Amen.

Mathew 7:7-12 (Same verses are also found in Luke 11: 9-13). "Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened. Or what man is there among you who, if his son asks for bread, will give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will he give him a serpent? If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask him! Therefore, whatever you want men to do to you, do also to them, for this is the Law and the Prophets."

We complain before God, and sometimes we are apologetic or indifferent to God, but we actually ask him for very few things. We must give Jesus Christ the opportunity and the room to work. The problem is that we sometimes won't do this until we are at our wits' end. When we are at our wits' end, it no longer seems to show weakness to have to pray for help; in fact, it is the only way we can get in touch with the truth and the reality of God Himself. We should just be ourselves before God, and present Him with our problems -- the very things that have brought us to our wits' end. We must be aware, that as long as we think we are self-sufficient, and do not need to ask God for anything, our disappointments or miseries that we all endure at times, may be comforted very little.

Psalm 46:10 "Be still, and know that I am God."

During Lent, sit quietly and think about all God has done, is doing, and will do for us. Some of the things to be thankful for are: Blessings, Caring, Comfort, Commandments, Compassion, Covenant, Creation, Deliverance, Faithfulness, Forgiveness, Fulfillment, Glory, Grace, Healing, Help, Holiness, Hope, Kingdom, Love, Mercy, Mysteries, Patience, Peace, Plan, Power, Promises, Protection, Righteousness, Salvation, Spirit, Trustworthiness, Truth, Will, Wonders, Word. What others can you add to the list?

John 13.12-17 "After washing their feet, he put on his robe again and sat down and asked, "Do you understand what I was doing? You call me ‘teacher’ and ‘Lord,’ and you are right, because it is true. And since I, the Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you ought to wash each other’s feet. I have given you an example to follow. Do as I have done to you. How true it is that a servant is not greater than the master. Nor are messengers more important than the one who sends them. You know these things—now do them! That is the path of blessing."

Recently a group of us went to the annual H.E.L.P. (Helping Effective Leaders Plan) Workshop at First Christian Church in Houston. Instead of the usual workshops about the tasks of the departments, committees, and offices of the church, the day consisted of a guest speaker, a display by area churches showing some of the things that are happening in their local congregation, and worship.

The speaker was from a college on the west coast and she was billed as a religious humorist. Her style was very different as she spoke and attempted to inspire us. I left that event feeling somewhat disappointed because I hadn’t learned something new that was going to help me as I try to do my share of the ministry here in Conroe. However, as the days have gone by, I realize that I was quite struck by one thought that has been tossing in my mind and heart since that day. I don’t remember what that woman said before or after this, but one statement I’ll not quickly forget. She told us that every day we should be doing the work of our Lord and at the end of each day, when we come to God in prayer, we should ask, "Lord, did you have a good day today?" This has left me thinking about how God came to us and showed us how to live with one another. God taught us by example how to treat the poor, the sorrowing, the children, the sinners, the hurt, and the hungry—how to love all of His precious people. And then God stepped aside and told us that now it is our turn and that God’s Holy Spiritual Presence will be with us every step of the way. We need to be the hands and feet of God, just as Jesus modeled for us every day of his life.

Since that day I’ve thought about being "the hands and feet of Jesus". What an awesome task! God loves us, trusts us, and promises to direct our steps and give us strength to do His work. Now, as I begin my day, I thank God for rest and the gift of another day. I ask for help to see the places where I need to go for Him and the work I need to be doing. And now, at the end of each day, I ask, "Lord, through me, did you have a good day today?"

Romans 12:3 "For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the measure of faith God has given you."

It is high time we stop complaining about the dissipation of our world or the corruption of our society. At the same time we eye with envy those ungodly characters that appear to have more fun or to be more successful than we are. If we really trusted in God and were truly committed to His purpose, the world might be a great deal better off today.

God is in our world. He is destined to be the source of our joy and well being. He is the fulfillment of our hearts’ desires. Know where you’re at and be happy that you’re there! Be meek and gentle. "Blessed are the meek for they will inherit the earth!"

I have come to the place where I don’t have to appear "macho" all the time. I can be tender and gentle with people. I have given control of my life to God, and I don’t have to win all the time.

Prayer: Father, help me not to be arrogant, help me not to be proud, and help me not to copy the ways of this world. Grant me a meek and gentle spirit. Amen.

John 3:16 "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life."

I learned that scripture as a song when I was 4 or 5 years old. I lived with my Grandmother at that time. She belonged to the Evangelistic Temple, located where the Houston Coliseum is today. That song has stuck with me all these years. My Grandmother required us to read a chapter of the Bible every day.

John 3:16 is my favorite and, and I’ll remember my Grandmother with love.

1 Timothy 6:11-12 "Fight the good fight of the faith; take hold of the eternal life, to which you were called and for which you made the good confession in the presence of many witnesses."

As a young teenage I was given this scripture for a special assignment. The pastor took this opportunity to explain that Paul was writing to Timothy and these are words of encouragement. He is warning the Christians, young in structure, that we must take an active role in Christianity. This means accepting assignments and seeking opportunities to demonstrate our faith before others. Obeying God with courage and doing what we think is right will direct us throughout our life at work and at play. Remember, with God all things are possible.

1Corinthians 12; 1-6,12-13: "Now about spiritual gifts,...I do not want you to be ignorant. You know that when you were pagans, somehow or other you were influenced and led astray to mute idols. Therefore I tell you that no one who is speaking by the Spirit of God says, "Jesus be cursed," and no one can say, "Jesus is Lord," except by the Holy Spirit." …… "There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit. There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord. There are different kinds of working, but the same God works all of them in all people......" "The body is a unit, though it is made up of many parts; and though all its parts are many, they form one body. So it is with Christ. For we were all baptized by one spirit, into one body--whether Jews or Greeks, slave or free--and we were all given the one Spirit to drink."

Last September it was my privilege to attend the Spiritual Gifts Seminar Presentation at our church by the team from First Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), Baton Rouge, LA. The purpose of the seminar was to help us assess our spiritual gifts and learn how God intends for us to use them. The results for me, and I’m sure for many, were both affirming and surprising. And, I am sure for all of us, it was a very helpful preparation for putting to use our spiritual gifts in more effective ways as lay "ministers" rather than just drafted, passive participants in a hierarchical committee structure. A key statement by Rev. F. William Mackie, FCC, Baton Rouge, was "..followers of Jesus Christ are Gifted to Serve. It is the Church’s mission to ‘equip the saints’ by enabling them to discover the gifts that each have been endowed with and then to create the opportunities for them to make use of those [sic. newly discovered] Spiritual Gifts." It is my firm belief that the path we are on will help us to fulfill the purpose of the church as stated by Jesus in the Great Commandment and the Great Commission.

I repeat a prayer from the Seminar, which says what I feel: "Thank you God, for making known to me what my gifts are. Thank you for giving me these gifts so I may more fully participate in the dream you have for me. I know you are tapping me on the shoulder, God, to make use of these gifts. Give me courage and faith to respond to you by doing your ministry through my Spiritual Gifts. As I take responsibility to use these gifts, may I do so to bring glory to you, Lord. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen."

Luke 6:45 "The good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings forth what is good; and the evil man out of the evil treasure brings forth what is evil; for his mouth speaks from that which fills his heart."

The Bible has a lot to say about what we say. Words are important. Words can encourage, inspire, comfort, console, excite, enlighten, inform, convict and assure. Words can also hurt, inflame, defame, deceive, degrade, rebuff and reject. Jesus said that our words reveal what fills our hearts. Jesus is referred to as the Word. (Logos in Greek.) He personifies the word or expression of God. Jesus is God's word to us. The life of Jesus -- all that he did, all that he said -- reveals the heart of God. What then would you say fills the heart of God? Mercy, tenderness,

kindness, compassion, forgiveness, love, joy, patience, righteousness, justice, thoughtfulness, faithfulness, _____________, _______________, and __________________. What do the words that you and I say reveal about our hearts? As we get to know Jesus better and develop a more intimate relationship with him, there will be fewer and fewer problems with the words that come out of our mouths because he will begin to fill our hearts. May the Word be revealed in our words.

Luke 12:15, 19-20 "And He said to them, ‘Take heed and beware of covetousness, for one’s life does not consist in the abundance of the things he possesses."…. "And I will say to my soul, ‘Soul’, you have many goods laid up for many years; take your ease; eat, drink, and be merry. But God said to him, ‘Fool, this night your soul will be required of you; then whose will those things be which you have provided?’"

This is the message that tells me that success in life is not measured in money or what we have accumulated, but how we have used our talents.

John 3:16 "For god so loved the world that he gave his only begotten son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life".

I learned this as a small child in Sunday school. When things are not going so
well in my life and I would get away from church this verse would always come
to me and bring me back to where I was suppose to be in God's family.

Prayer: Dear God, thank you for your son Jesus who gives us life, and a family who
cares no matter what our problems are. Thank you for all you give to us in
Jesus name. Amen.

Elsie Lewis

Written after the explosion of the Space Shuttle Columbia on February 1, 2003

Isaiah 40.26 "Lift up your eyes and look to the heavens. Who created all these? God who brings out the starry hosts one by one and calls them each by name. Because of God’s great power and mighty strength, not one of them is missing."

"Lift up your eyes and look to the heavens."

When we look to the heavens we see the sun, the moon, the stars.

When we see the sun, the moon and the stars we are reminded of how small we really are -- A grain of sand on a beach -- A drop of water in the ocean – A second in eternity.

"Who created all these?"

When we think about ourselves in this way we wonder where did we come from? – Where did all of this come from? – What was the beginning? – Who was the beginning?

"God who brings out the starry hosts one by one and calls them each by name."

God – Creator – intimately involved with Creation.

God – Creator – knows each part of Creation in its individuality and calls each by Name.

God – Creator – who also is our Redeemer – so that nothing is lost.

"Because of God’s great power and mighty strength, not one of them is missing."

God – Redeemer – the One who made us – the One who Remembers us.

God – Rememberer – the One who is eternal remembers forever.

God –Eternal One – gathers us unto God’s Self and keeps us in the Holy Presence forever.

Seven of God’s Creation rode a pillar of fire into the darkness of space.

Seven of God’s Creation played among the stars and reveled in God’s amazing playground.

Seven of God’s Creation started toward what they had always known as home.

Seven of God’s Creation left a vapor trail across the sky when they became light and energy in another form and returned to Home where they are Remembered – Eternal among the stars – leaving tears in our eyes – aching in our hearts – and seven new reasons to lift up our eyes and look to the heavens.

May we, the still earth-bound, continue to look to the heavens.

May we look to the heavens and see our Creator – our Redeemer – our Rememberer – our destination when we become light and energy in another form and return Home where they are forever.

Until that time we will remember the Seven and the God who created them and us. Amen.

Matthew 6: 34 "Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own."

A friend's wife was returning from visiting her parents on Highway 105 from Beaumont when the accident happened. She was driving her car down the highway when a logging truck pulled right out in front of her. She never had a chance. She and one of her year old twins were killed instantly. The other twin survived after intense medical care for a long time. She is with God because she was saved by God's grace through His son Jesus Christ. And we know God’s love for children. But their deaths were hard for everyone who knew the family to deal with because they were so young and just beginning their lives. A lot of people commented that their death was "untimely."

It is easy to fall prey to the idea that "there is always tomorrow", and we can put off doing today things that we can take care of "tomorrow." The death of this young woman and her beautiful baby brought home to our family how wrong that mindset can be. Let us prepare ourselves today so we will not need to rely on a tomorrow that may not come for us.

Prayer: Lord, forgive us for putting off until tomorrow those things we should do today, and for not living our lives with You in this moment, today, as you have commanded us. Amen.

Romans 5:6-8 "You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly. Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous man, though for a good man someone might possibly dare to die. But, God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us."

"Why me, Lord?" I sometimes ask when something unexpected and undeserved affects me or someone I care about. However, after reading this scripture, when I ask, ‘Why me, Lord?" it takes on a whole new meaning! Some days when I get up on the wrong side of the bed, snap at my children, grumble about my boss, and am generally unpleasant to everyone I meet, it’s hard to believe that even God could care much for me. But this reading assures me that he loves me now, even when I’m not so lovable, and, even more comforting, that he has loved me forever. That would mean that long before I was born, he really knew me, my strengths and weaknesses, when I would choose to follow him, and when I would choose to go my own way. And in spite of all that, he loved me so much that he sacrificed his only son so that I could spend eternity with him. Love like that is impossible for me to understand. And even though I can’t understand, I have to believe in that love and accept it as his most wonderful gift.

So now, "Why me, Lord?" still fits my criteria of something unexpected and undeserved, but rather than the self-pity and despair it used to evoke, I am filled with wonder, joy and thanksgiving for his inexplicable love.

Prayer: Loving Father, your son, my Lord, chose death for me, a sinner, so I could have eternal life. As I prepare for the Easter season, when I remember his death and celebrate his resurrection, please never allow me to overlook how undeserved his sacrifice is. While I can never make myself worthy of your love, I am so thankful that you love me anyway. Help me to accept this wondrous gift, and to show my appreciation by showing your love to others. Now when I am tempted to ask, "Why me, Lord?" I pray that my response will be unbridled joy because I am so dearly loved. Amen.

John 14:1-14 "Don't let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God, and trust in me. There are many rooms in my Father's house; I would not tell you this if it were not true. I am going there to prepare a place for you. After I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me so that you may be where I am. You know the way to the place where I am going.".

As Iris lay dying with only about 5 minutes left, I held her in my arms and whispered: " You go along now, I’ll be along pretty soon...but, be sure and save a place for me, my love."

After I said that, she went limp and her soul and spirit was lifted up to another's arms, Jesus....He was waiting.

Many times I’ve asked her to save my place in our lives of 57 years and 57 days....at James Coney Island, when I had to take one of our children to the bathroom, and we were in line for a bowl of chili and one hot dog, all the way, but no cheese; when I went ahead to get some tickets, while our family was in line to see some entertainment; when we were waiting to "tee off" on the golf course, and we needed some water to carry along with us as we played; so many, many times I said: "Save my place...."

But, this time....was the last time. Why did these words come to my mind and out of my mouth? I believe it was the Holy Spirit that filled the room, anticipating one of the greatest Saints who has ever blessed Heaven.

So, my darling, "Save my place"....I'll be there pretty soon.

With much love,

Your Book

John 13:34 "A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another."

Over and over Jesus tells us to love one another. Love is mentioned more in the Bible than any other word. With so many personalities this is not an easy task sometimes. Maybe that is why he also says we should pray, to give us the patience, kindness and love in our heart to accept the things we cannot change.

Prayer: Dearest God, We pray that you will help us develop patience, kindness and love, and to just stop and talk to you before we speak with an angry tongue. So that we will not be critical of others but more understanding of their ways, and that you will fill us with the love to pass on to others as you gave your love to us through your son Jesus. We ask these things in your precious and holy name. Amen.

Luke 23:34 "Jesus said, "Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing."

From a recent newsletter from a former church we attended, came these thoughts:

The oceans of history are made turbulent by the ever-rising tides of revenge. Man has never risen about retaliation of life for life, eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand, foot for foot. In spite of the fact that the law of revenge solves no social problems, men continue to follow its disastrous leading. History is cluttered with the wreckage of nations and individuals that pursued this self-defeating path.

Jesus eloquently affirmed from the cross a higher law. He knew that the old eye-for-an-eye philosophy would leave everyone blind. He did not seek to overcome evil with evil. He overcame evil with good. Although crucified by hate, he responded with aggressive love.

What a magnificent lesson! Generations will rise and fall; men will continue to worship the god of revenge and bow before the altar of retaliation; but ever again this noble lesson of Calvary will be a nagging reminder that only goodness can drive out evil and only loves can conquer hate.

Psalm 23 "The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want. He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters. He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake. Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me. Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever."

The Lord is my Shepherd…He gives me rest and peace…He calms and comforts…He guides…He is good and merciful…He saves…He IS!

Early in my life, this was a passage I learned soon after "God is Love". The verses were added and recited even before I could absorb their reassuring message. I was taught that whenever I was afraid, to silently repeat some of the 23^rd Psalm to remind myself that even when I was away from my parents, family and friends, that I was "okay" – that I was never alone - that I was always safe when I believed and trusted in our Lord.

There have been many trials and obstacles in this Christian journey, and with each hurdle I have grown in knowledge, seen the depth, fed on the comforting Word, and leaned on the steadfastness of Christ. There is still the reminder that I am safe in the Lord, but my understanding of this much-loved Psalm has grown along the way. I am still and forever Christ’s child, and I continue (with His help) to grow in my faith. Jesus is my strength; I have chosen to follow Him and strive to heed His Word. I am one of His sheep -- a "disciple". I want to be obedient and to trust in Him. I believe in His eternal comfort and in my salvation.

The future may be unknown, but we always have Christ, the Shepherd.

Proverbs 14:30 "A peaceful heart gives life to the body. But jealousy rots the bones."

Being jealous or envious of others, of what they have, what they are able to do that you can’t, is a bad way to live. It brings unhappiness and could lead us to act in ways that are not pleasing to God. We need to learn to be content with who we are and what we have. Sure, we all need to strive to improve ourselves and our surroundings, but in the end, we need to be satisfied with knowing that no matter what, God loves us and he is part of our lives. Jealousy leads to destruction. Contentment leads to peace.

Prayer: Heavenly Father, Sometimes I look at others and wish I could be more like them, be as talented or as gifted as them, or have what they have. Help me to look inside myself and see what you see in me. My contentment will come from knowing and trusting you. In your holy name I pray, Amen.

Isaiah 60:1 "Arise and shine for the Light is come!"

This has been my favorite scripture since I was a teen. I always thought it was amazing that Isaiah already knew the wonderment of the coming of the Messiah. And that years and years later...... and now even centuries later, that we are to rise and shine..... not run and hide, because He has come and is still here within us. And still we need to wait for He is coming again. Alleluia!! Amen!!!!

Jean Harvill

Philippians 1:6 "being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus."

His word tells me that I am not on this path alone, but that in spite of my waywardness and willfulness; my mistakes and foibles; our heavenly Father holds me firmly in the palm of His hand. Each day He is shaping me, molding me, washing me, pressing me down, stretching me out – oh, thank God for the precious blood of Jesus that washes me until that day when He will present me to himself "without a spot or a wrinkle"! Isn’t He wonderful!

Prayer: Heavenly Father, search my heart and try me, see if there is any wicked way in me. Mold me into the image of your dear Son. In His name, Amen.

Matthew 25:15-28 "Again, it will be like a man going on a journey, who called his servants and entrusted his property to them. To one he gave five talents of money, to another two talents, and to another one talent, each according to his ability. Then he went on his journey. The man who had received the five talents went at once and put his money to work and gained five more. So also, the one with the two talents gained two more. But the man who had received the one talent went off, dug a hole in the ground and hid his master's money. After a long time the master of those servants returned and settled accounts with them. The man who had received the five talents brought the other five. `Master,' he said, `you entrusted me with five talents. See, I have gained five more.' His master replied, `Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master's happiness!' The man with the two talents also came. `Master,' he said, `you entrusted me with two talents; see, I have gained two more.' "His master replied, `Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master's happiness!' Then the man who had received the one talent came. `Master,' he said, `I knew that you are a hard man, harvesting where you have not sown and gathering where you have not scattered seed. So I was afraid and went out and hid your talent in the ground. See, here is what belongs to you.' His master replied, `You wicked, lazy servant! So you knew that I harvest where I have not sown and gather where I have not scattered seed? Well then, you should have put my money on deposit with the bankers, so that when I returned I would have received it back with interest." `Take the talent from him and give it to the one who has the ten talents. For everyone who has will be given more, and he will have an abundance. Whoever does not have, even what he has will be taken from him.’"

Matthew 25:15-16 "Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven."

I have always combined two parables in my thoughts: the parable of the talents - Matthew 25:15; and the parable of the light under the bushel, which is found in three books - Matthew 5:15, Mark 4:21, and Luke 11:33. I think both of these parables are talking about the same thing - if you have a talent or a spiritual gift, you should not hide it or bury it, but develop it, polish it until it shines.

I've noticed that some people need help in releasing their talents. They are shy, or depressed, or lazy (needing a kick on the backside), or even hostile, because of past failures in dealing with a callous society. We must all help people to release their talents, so their light can shine, thus pleasing the Lord. If the confused servant who buried his talent had had a guide, perhaps he wouldn't have buried it at all.

Isaiah 40:27-31 "Why do you say, O Jacob, and complain, O Israel, "My way is hidden from the LORD; my cause is disregarded by my God"? Do you not know? Have you not heard? The LORD is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He will not grow tired or weary, and his understanding no one can fathom. He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but 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."

As I am writing this (January 15, 2003) our world is on the brink of war. What will happen? Will this be a long or short war? Will our leaders have made the right decisions? What can I do?

I know, I shall run and hide; bury myself in trivia; find things to do. I shall turn my back on the world; I can’t handle the problems of the world. Where are you God? Why are you leading us into such uncertainty?

But then, I pause, reach for my Bible and find assurance and strength, Reading these verses provides comfort and, yes, even joy. I know that God does hear my voice, that my cause is not disregarded by God. There is hope and salvation to be had and my strength will be renewed because my hope is in the Lord.

Throughout scripture we find many events that test men’s soul. Some falter and fall away and a remnant remains steadfast and true to the Lord. Look what God did for us. He brought forth his Son to work in our world and to provide hope and redemption. At the worst possible moments, God, Jesus, the Holy Spirit, one or all of them reach down and gives us the strength to carry on, to face the problems of this world and yes to allow us "to soar on the wings like eagles"!

John 20:21-22 "Again Jesus said, "Peace be with you! As the Father has sent me, I am sending you." And with that he breathed on them and said, ‘Receive the Holy Spirit.’"

Luke 24:13-35 "Now on that same day two of them were going to a village called Emmaus. While they were talking and discussing, Jesus himself came near and went with them...their eyes were opened, and they recognized him; and he vanished from their sight. They said to each other, "Were not our hearts burning within us while he was talking to us on the road, while he was opening the scriptures to us?'"

The Walk to Emmaus is a unique 72-hour spiritual renewal program based on Luke 24:13-35 "intended to strengthen the local church through the development of Christian disciples and leaders. The program's approach seriously considers the model of Christ's servanthood and encourages Christ's disciples to act in ways appropriate to being ‘a servant of all’." (from What is Emmaus by Stephen D. Bryant.)

When I went on my Emmaus Walk in June 1998, John 20:21-22 was my Walk verse -- the verse chosen to be the theme for that Walk. I didn’t know how appropriate that verse would be for me. That night in the chapel the pastor asked us to pray for those who needed the Walk the most and for those that thought they needed it the least. I was one who thought that I needed it the least. After all, I had come through cancer, so I thought Jesus and I were close already. I wasn’t sure why I was even there. I had been told that I would see the face of Jesus there. Well, I didn’t think I needed that either. After all, I could pick up any religious book and see the face of Jesus on many pages. But I was there and didn’t have a ride home, so I decided I might as well get into it and see what would happen.

Not much happened the first day. It was sort of like camp. But I was told that each day would be better than the last. And it was! On Saturday we were sitting in the chapel having communion, as we did every day, when I felt myself opened up to the Holy Spirit and It entered into me. I felt the fire burning within me (No, I was not having a "hot flash".) just as the men on the road to Emmaus felt -- just as in the Book of John when Jesus said, "Receive the Holy Spirit." I can’t describe how awesome and how scary this felt to me. I just knew that I wanted to always feel that way. Of course, it didn’t last because no one can stay on the mountaintop forever. As long as we are here on earth, we have to come down sometime. But one thing I learned on the Walk was that Jesus was not "up in Heaven someplace", but He was right beside me everywhere I went and in everything I did. I needed to make Him proud of me. I knew that He knew everything about me, but I didn’t know as much about Him as I thought I did. I needed to start studying the scriptures and learning all that I could about Him. The more I learned, the higher I could get back up the mountain.

As for seeing the face of Jesus – no, I didn’t see it when the Holy Spirit came upon me. I was seeing it every day in the faces of the people that gave me unconditional love. Even those that did not know me!

I didn’t think that I need the Walk to Emmaus, but Jesus showed me that I did.

Prayer: Loving Jesus, let our hearts burn within us. Let us be open to receive the Holy Spirit wherever and whenever You chose to send It to us. Let us be your servants, Your hands and feet while we are on this earth, so that when we join you for all eternity, You will say to us, "Well done, good and faithful servant. Amen.

Psalm 103: 8-12 David writes: "The Lord is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, abounding in love. He will not always accuse, nor will he harbor his anger forever; he does not treat us as our sins deserve or repay us according to our iniquities, For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is his love for those who fear him; So as far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us."

In this passage we especially note the phrase---so great is his love for those who fear him; So as far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us.

We take this to tell us: Many blessings are available to us – honor, prosperity, security, freedom from fear if we fear the Lord and delight in obeying his

commands. If we expect God’s blessings we must revere him (fear) and gladly obey him.

John 15:18-20 "If the world hates you, keep in mind that it hated me first. If you belonged to the world, it would love you as its own. As it is, you do not belong to the world, but I have chosen you out of the world. That is why the world hates you. Remember the words I spoke to you: No servant is greater that his master. If they persecuted me, they will persecute you also. If they obeyed my teaching, they will obey yours also."

The first few times that I read this verse it scared me to death. When I think of "persecution" thoughts of doom and gloom come to mind. But as I began to grow in my faith and develop a deeper relationship with God this verse became very encouraging because it reveals a lot about God’s character.

Isn’t it wonderful that our Lord tells us the truth? He loves us so much that one of His greatest desires for us is that we are prepared for our Christian walk. There is nothing we will encounter that our Lord, Jesus Christ, did not deal with. Our God was acutely aware of the price that would need to be paid to bring eternal life and fulfill the Law. It is no different now. God is still aware of the price that we will pay to follow Him. While the love God has for us is freely given when we turn to Him, He makes it clear that we are forever altered by His salvation. It is our identity in Him that will cause the world to "hate" us. Rather than "gloss over" or "sugar coat" the hurdles we will encounter, our God chooses instead to teach and equip us to overcome all obstacles and win the race that has been set before us. Yes, we will encounter persecution but we also share in a victory and receive a love that is much greater than anything the world has to offer.

John 10:1-4,11, 14; John 10:16,27-28 In verses 11, 14, Jesus said, "I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd gives His life for the sheep." "I am the good shepherd; and I know My sheep, and am known by My own." Verses 1-4: "Most assuredly, I say to you, he who does not enter the sheepfold by the door, but climbs up some other way, the same is a thief and a robber....But he who enters by the door is the shepherd of the sheep. To him the doorkeeper opens and the sheep hear His voice, and He calls His own sheep by name and leads them out. And when He brings out His own sheep, he goes before them, and the sheep follow Him, for they know His voice." Verses 16, 27 and 28: "And other sheep I have which are not of this fold; them also I must bring, and they will hear My voice, and there will be one flock and one shepherd." "My sheep hear My voice, and I know them and they follow Me. And I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish, neither be snatched out of My Hand."

How do we know that the Good Shepherd is speaking to us so that we may follow Him? First of all, we begin to have faith in His Words of Life and in Him, for He said in John 5:39-40, "Ye search the Scriptures for in them you think you have eternal life, and these are they that testify of me; But you aren't willing to come to Me that you may have life." Then, as we trust Him with our lives and seek to follow Him as our supreme Captain of the Lord of Hosts (as in Joshua), He speaks to our inner person, and the Words which He speaks are the Way, the Truth and the Life. We can hear Him speaking directly into our hearts or through another Christian, through our Pastor in a sermon or directly, and often through the events that happen to us. We know that what we hear will not contradict the Written Word in our Bibles and often it can be verified by the mouths of two witnesses.

I can recall a time in my early years of motherhood when I felt such an anointing from Jesus that I was certain He was calling me to be a missionary to some distant place. It was such a vivid moment that I felt His Hand on my head and heard His voice saying He would make me a fisher of men, as He told Peter. I went with this exciting message to two or three close Christian friends for verification. Their answer came back that God had given me four little ones and fine husband with whom to be a missionary. That was my calling, and I left satisfied in their answer. As the coming years unfolded, God did indeed make my whole family missionaries to International Students in Pennsylvania, and later to our Cambodian friends in Conroe. I have found, as in these events, that Jesus does indeed speak to us, call us to serve Him, but the time and place may yet unfold. His guidance may be for the very moment or it may be for the distant future, but with it comes that "Peace", that confidence and inner assurance: "My sheep know My Voice." I am so thankful for my Spirit-led husband, children, and many precious Christian friends who seek to walk close to Jesus and are so often His kind, gently guiding voice to me. And there are those moments through the years when the "ears" of my soul hear Him and know once again how very personal is His Love, how very faithful is His Word in John.

Luke 22:34 "Jesus said, ‘I tell you, Peter, before the rooster crows today, you will deny three times that you know me.’"

How often do we deny Christ in our actions, our conversations, out thoughts, our attitudes? In many ways we deny Christ by doing things that Jesus would not approve of. We need to strive to do as our youth are instructed to do. WWJD – What Would Jesus Do?

Luke 23:39- 43 "One of the criminals who hung there hurled insults at him: ’Aren't you the Christ? Save yourself and us!’ But the other criminal rebuked him. ‘Don't you fear God,’ he said, ‘since you are under the same sentence? We are punished justly, for we are getting what our deeds deserve. But this man has done nothing wrong.’ Then he said, ‘Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.’ Jesus answered him, ‘I tell you the truth, today you will be with me in paradise.’"

I really do not have a favorite verse. It is more like a series of verses. It is found in Luke 23:39 - 43. It is the story of the penitent thief. When I went back and read this passage, I got to thinking. Here is a man who, I don’t know, could be a murderer even (some passages call them thieves and others murderers), and he is asking for forgiveness from a man who he, more than likely, has never heard of or seen. I am thinking that this guy has never heard that Jesus did nothing wrong, and never knew that Jesus was God’s Son until the people were mocking Jesus. I am thinking that, try as he might, he, unlike the other guy, could not bring himself to mock Jesus. Maybe he then realized the Truth unlike the rest, and that is why he rebuked the other one, and asked Jesus to remember him when Jesus came into his kingdom. Then, Jesus accepted! Now here is a man who cannot ever do anything for God (no matter how much he may want to) and being granted forgiveness. If God saved him, He will save you as well.

Prayer: "Father God, thank you for all of your promises and carrying them out. Thank you for loving and forgiving and caring for us. Last, but not least, thank you for sacrificing Jesus for me and all of humanity. In Christ’s name, Amen."

John 10:10 "My purpose is to give life in all its fullness."

At Easter we should remember that we must discover life with an eternal quality in it. We may experience life filled with a proliferation of things, yet be left empty. Modern technology and productions with its gadgetry and labor saving devices may bypass the human element and leave modern life void of meaning. Jesus fills out life with meaning.

Do not seek death. Death will find you. But seek the road, which makes death a fulfillment.

The open grave on that first Easter morning stands forever as a symbol of Christian hope. Christian life is intent on something; it is going someplace and even a cross and nails cannot stop it.

If you are afraid to die, you will never really live. Let life leak out and let it wear away by the mere passage of time. Life is to be lived whatever the risk.

To choose life, whatever the risk, is to believe in the resurrection and let Christ fill your life with meaning, with hope and with adventure.

Luke Vandiver

Christ has no hands but our hands
To do his work today;
He has no feet but our feet
To lead men in His way.
He has no tongue but our tongues
To tell men how He died;
He has no help but our help
To bring them to His side.

We are the only Bible
The careless world will read;
We are the sinner's Gospel,
We are the scoffer's creed.
We are the Lord's last message
Given in deed and word.
What if the type is crooked?
What if the print is blurred?

What if our hands are busy
with other work than His?
What if our feet are walking
Where sin's allurement is?
What if our tongues are speaking
Of things His lips would spurn?
How can we hope to help Him,
And hasten His return?

So, Christians, tell your neighbors,
Tell everyone you know.
Tell them that Jesus died,
Because He loved us so.
Tell how He came from Heaven
To earth, so He could give
His life upon the cross,
That all mankind might live.

Shortly after the culmination of the Second World War, a devastated city in England began its heartbreaking and weary work of restoration. In the old city square had stood a large statue of Jesus Christ with His hands outspread in an attitude of invitation. On the pedestal were carved the words, "Come unto me."

In the process of the restoration of the statue, with the aid of master artists and sculptors, the figure eventually was reassembled, except for the hands, of which no fragments could be discovered anywhere in the surrounding rubble. Someone made the suggestion that the artists, since the former hands could not be found, would have to fashion new hands.

Later came a public protest, couched in the words, "No, leave Him without hands!" So today, in the public square of that English city, the restored statue of Christ stands without hands, and on its base are carved the words, "Christ has no hands but ours!"

In this Lenten Season, let us do what we can do! God will show us the way.