When"the rains" come

     I took this photo yesterday as they were working quickly to begin putting a roof on our new school building before "the rains" come.  It's actually been raining some every day but when "the rains" come it will be a lot!     This picture made me think of Noah as he was working on the ark.  "The rains" were coming. And it was not just a little rain.  "The rains" would be for a long time and flood the whole earth.    Some people think this was just a "story" put in the Bible to illustrate something. Not me!  I believe it happened just the way it was written.  Often we are warned about something that is coming but, we don't believe it and we don't prepare.  Then when it comes it's too late!   For me today LIFE is: knowing that when "the rains" come I will be prepared if I have a personal relationship with JESUS CHRIST and live according to the Word of GOD.  GOD loves us so much that HE sent HIS one and only SON to die in our place so that we could have a home for eternity with HIM in heaven.  A sure as the rains came in the days of Noah - Jesus is coming back to take us to that place HE has gone to prepare for us!  Are you ready?  Is your family ready?  Are your friends ready? Have you told them? Will they be ready?

LIFE is GOOD!  Just do it!

Stop and smell the roses.

   Several years ago I had a friend who was one of the best motivational speakers in the country.  His name was Ray Pelletier. His company was called January 1st.  Ray's thing was . . . everyday is January 1st.  You don't have to live today according to what happened yesterday! You can start fresh. 
   At Ray's big corporate conferences he would have a dozen roses put in each of the participants rooms. Later in one of his talks he would ask how many people took time to "stop and smell the roses!"  I love that!  Ray went home to be with the LORD a few years ago but every time  I see a rose (or any flower) I think of him, then I stop to appreciate them. I have hundreds of pictures of them.  I took this one this morning after chapel at Dow Chrisitan Academy.  I couldn't pass this up. It's just too beautiful!
   I'm curious?  When is the last time you "stopped to smell the roses", look at a sunrise or sunset, listen to the birds sing, or watch the rain fall? Do you notice the beauty GOD created all around you - just for you?
   For me today LIFE is: Realizing the need to slow down - yes, even come to a complete halt - and pay attention to things I've missed along the way.  To listen - rather than speak.  To give without thought of receiving. To smile even when I don't feel like smiling.  And most of all to thank GOD for all the things I often take for granted! 
   As I write this there is a cricket in my room!  He's (or she's) loud!  I am hoping when I go to bed in a few minutes the cricket will also go to bed.  But, I am thanking GOD for that cricket right now.  If you read my Online Journal for today however - you would laugh. I won't tell you, go and check it out.  KENYA Week 7  (Wednesday - March 9 - "JUSTICE!")
   A challenge for today: Stop, look and listen for GOD in the simple things you might otherwise miss.  Enjoy them and give thanks to the GOD who made them just for you!

LIFE is GOOD!  Just do it!       What to know about Ray Pelletier?

Fresh blessings overflowing!

   Today seeing little Brian holding his cup up for me gave me the idea for today's topic!  I don't know why I am fighting against this being a song theme since another song just popped into my mind that goes perfect here so I won't fight it.  "Fill my cup LORD, I lift it up LORD . . . Bread of Heaven feed me till I want know more, fill my cup, fill it up and make me whole. " 
   A few years ago I was speaking for a youth retreat and I was talking about "our cup of blessings."  I showed them a cup filled to the very top. One drop would make it overflow.  I explained to them that they could keep those blessings for themselves or share them with others - but, I reminded them that GOD could only fill their cup until it overflowed.  It takes FAITH to believe if you share your blessings with others until your cup is empty that GOD will fill it again!  But, unless the cup is emptied ~ the blessings in the cup will become old and worthless.  Even if you half empty it - fresh blessings and old blessings become stale quickly and not a blessing at all.

   For me today LIFE is: sharing the blessings GOD gives me with others knowing GOD will fill my cup again.  

  How's your cup? Fresh blessings or stale? Afraid to take that leap of faith and empty your cup?  Take a leap with me today! You'll be blessed!

LIFE is GOOD! Just do it!

JOY that goes beyond simply being happy

   I was thinking today about the days when I am not so happy about the situation or circumstances I am facing yet deep in my heart there is "JOY". As a Christian, I have JOY in my heart even when happiness seems almost non-existent.
   For me today,  LIFE is: knowing that JOY is not based on how happy I am about things but, WHO I know lives in me!  The JOY of the LORD is my strength.  (ooops - I feel a song coming on again).  Of course that song is based on scripture.
   So what about you today?  Are you happy? Do you have that  JOY.? When I was a young Christian someone told me to really understand JOY I must break it down to . . .   J -O -Y   J = Jesus  O = Others  Y = Yourself. WOW!  When I put Jesus first, others next and me last, my JOY is complete. 
   That's my prayer for you today.

LIFE is GOOD!  Just do it!

The WIND beneath my WINGS

I've often thought about where I get the strength to do the things I do sometimes.  I have a few health problems that should keep me off my feet and "out of the race" so to speak and yet, each day I am able to accomplish so many things. 

I love the song "Wind Beneath My Wings" because it says so many things that I want to say to GOD about who HE is and what HE does.

For me today LIFE is: knowing that: "I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength." I can overcome the obstacles of life because: "greater is HE that is in me that he that is in the world!

Needing a boost today? Not soaring with the eagles? 

"Lord JESUS today ~ bless the one who is now reading this blog and give them courage and strength.  Be the WIND beneath their WINGS! AMEN"
I promise I will not be writing about my favorite songs each time in this blog ~ however, what a great song. During worship a few days ago I took this picture. Peter (the oldest Dow child in Kenya - made friends with some eagles. This is "Shadow".

"HE AIN'T HEAVY - he's my brother!

Sometimes the burdens of life really begin to weigh me down. I often forget that GOD has offered to partner with me in that burden when HE says: "take my 'yoke' upon you and learn of me . . . you will find rest for your soul'" We are not alone! And we can also help shoulder each other's burdens!

I love that old song - "He Ain't Heavy - He's My Brother! That song was one of my favorites back when I became a Christian (42 years ago). Wow! That's a long time. And GOD has been helping me carry my "burderns" (sometimes carrying me and my burdens alone), all that time.

For me today: LIFE is remembering how easy the journey can be when we help carry one another's burdens. I was reminded of that when I saw the kids playing tonight and some rode on the backs of others. PRICELESS!

Did you help someone carry their burden today in some way? Did someone help you. If not, as Mary Rose Dow would say: "Get to gettin'!" LIFE is GOOD! Just do it!

http://dowfamilychildrenshome.org/

The Journey Ahead

As I think about LIFE and the jouney ahead of me, at times it seems I don't have the energy or resources to do it. Then I watch the people around me - doing the impossible.
   Like this little boy in Swaziland who carries water for his family from the river. He walks over a mile each way climbing and decending huge hills. I can't imagine doing that. For him it's just LIFE!
   For me today LIFE is: knowing that "I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength." What seems impossible for me - is possible for GOD! If I am "willing" GOD is able!
   Is there something in front of you that seems to big?  Too wide? Too deep? GOD is waiting to help you!  Just call on HIM. Be encouraged today!

LIFE is good. Just do it!