Ask and You Shall Receive

     It sometimes seems a long lonely path we travel. The way is not always as we envision it. Though we pray often, asking for this or that, there is no change or answer that is obvious. The tendency is to say it is not being heard or we are not worthy to receive our request so we stop praying or asking. The scriptures say “knock and you shall receive” (Matthew 7:7-12). Some knock their whole lives and never see the door opened. It may have in fact opened and been granted but not in the manner in which you wanted it. In fact you may not have even recognized it. The way of God is not the way of man. Gifts from God are almost always given in such a way that what we need is provided in accordance with what He knows is good for us. God will not be manipulated by us. What we think is best for us is often not in consideration nor a part of His will for us. We often think of ourselves in full control of our own destiny through planning and hard work. What is not seen or considered is that our path almost always goes against His direction in our lives. If you stop and look at where you began and where you are now it is entirely possible you did not plan on being in the position in life you are currently in. Money, power, fame, fortune, top job, extreme intelligence are all things granted according to God’s Graces. No amount of manipulation will sway Him to provide what is not good for us. The good things in life, the things that will make us happiest without corrupting our souls is what is provided to us. There are other gifts provided and available the more closely we follow His leading.

     If this seems a departure from last month’s post it isn’t. If mankind accepted the life offered in believing in the God that brought us life in the sacrifice of His son this would be an altogether different world we live in. Unfortunately there are those that want to be in control no matter what the cost. That control is manifested in many ways. Even the Christian is subject to the blind control of others, that includes other Christians. Yes there is an insanity in much of it that is out of control, at least one that we can relate to. The answer? I can’t answer that for anyone but myself. Everyone is used differently by the Lord. For me it is to ask the Lord for all of the tools needed to be the example of the life He would have others see and recognize. Wisdom, knowledge, and all of the gifts of the Spirit that would be used to glorify Him. How much of that is being granted is not always obvious to me. Only those around me can answer that. It is better to be an example naturally, without premeditation. Only then can we be seen as Christians, not just followers but believers.

Today I would like to share a card sent to us from Darnell. Jill told me I should post it since I am the wine connoisseur in the family.

    

     I have several labels, wine and etc, and this is a class act to follow. Love the card. Being that it is a card wishing a happy anniversary and that the label is for an aged wine it is a very appropriate for the occasion. Thank you Darnell. We are honored.

I almost missed a very special card Jill gave to me. It was for our anniversary. 

     

     With all that has gone on in the past few months, all of the world and personal happenings, it is our closeness, love and compassion that has persevered. Time has tempered what we have and the dross has been removed until what is left is pure and eternal. Thank you for being you.

     That is all for this time around. God Bless and keep you all and remember to always Love The Details.

Hope In The Darkness

     I am sitting outside with my laptop trying to write about the life we try to live in the Lord our God. Given that since my last post we have experienced two destructive hurricanes and one of the worst terrorist tragedies in recent history, it would seem a difficult task. Add to that the many individuals we know and cherish who were affected by these events and the messege becomes difficult to come to grips with. The suffering and in some cases, the loss, creates a heaviness in our hearts that is hard to overcome. The natural disasters are hard enough to take but the recent event in Las Vegas is another matter. I find myself grieving for the loss of so many innocent lives. There is a disbelief of the total lack of compassion or restraint on the part of the shooter or total lack of conscience for the hundreds that have had their lives altered or destroyed. Even in the face of all of this there is a powerful example of what life is all about. Through each and every disaster and tragedy there come multitudes of tales of courage and selflessness. Stories of strangers helping stranger and some cases giving their life for another. In many cases there was no thought of what they were doing other than providing a need for another that was helpless. In some cases it was the selfless protection of another that cost them their lives. We are not talking about military people. These are ordinary citizens in most cases that were in the same danger as those they were helping. They ignored the danger to themselves and helped others. In the face of the evil of this world there are those that our Lord will touch, unbeknownst to the “heroes” being called forth, to react and step forward to be counted, not necessarily noticed. For every fenatic out there, if we look hard enough there will be many more that will be selfless when the need arises. It will never take away the pain or the horror but at least it gives hope that tomorrow can and will be better.
     In this broken world the only thing that can fix it is faith in Christ Jesus. To hope that man will find the morals, the sanity to overcome what has become a world of hate and irresponsibility is fantasy without God in the mix. Rhetoric is so much lip service in this day and age. Without Christ and God there is nothing but chaos and death. I pray that the Lord return to our lives and bring sanity and peace to this country and the world. Unity, understanding, forgiveness, compassion, love and an eye to someone other than ourselves are His way. It should be our way as well. May the good Lord bless and keep you all safe. May He bless you, forever holding you in His loving hands. Amen, Amen and Amen.

      Hopefully the next post will be more joyous. Until then here are two more cards. Both are from Em Fairley. They are late in being acknowledged. I hope You like both of these cards as much as I do. 

      

They are Gorgeous. The first is a birthday card. You know me well Em. Fabulous design. Can't express how much I love is card. Thank you.

This was for Jill and my 54th wedding anniversary. Jill and I love this card. I must be strange because I love lacy cards. These are special cards from a very special lady in our lives. Thank you.

     The Lord be with you all and keep you safe. Never forget to Love The Details. Until next post, God Bless.