Even When It’s Wrong…

Published on by Joan Category: Lessons Learned From My Grandchildren

 

Joan - overcomes

…God Still Loves Me

Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud.   It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs.   Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth.   It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.  1 Corinthians 13:4-7 NIV

 

I am thoroughly enjoying being a grandmother.  No one can tell what is going to come out of the mouths of little ones.  One day my daughter was correcting the behavior of my 4-year old grandson.  They had a discussion with him about what he had done wrong.  In between his sobs, he said, “Even when I am in trouble, God still loves me.”

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Reflection Of Love

Published on by Joan Category: Devotions

Joan - Freedom from discouragement

“Mirror, Mirror On The Wall”

For everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through the endurance taught in the Scriptures and the encouragement they provide we might have hope.  May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you the same attitude of mind toward each other that Christ Jesus had, so that with one mind and one voice you may glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.  Romans 15:4-6 (NIV)

 

Have you ever heard it said, “You are your own worst enemy?”  I searched this quote and found it really can’t be attributed to any one person.  Maybe it’s because we all have been our own enemy at some point in our lives.

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Exercise of Faith

Published on by Joan Category: Lessons Learned From My Grandchildren

When we tap into the power that God gives us full access to - Copy

But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.  2 Corinthians 12:9 (NIV)

 I love watching my grandkids learn how to do new things.  One night my son-in-law was trying to show my 4 year old grandson how to do a push-up.  He had him put his feet against the baseboard so that they would not slip on the hardwood floor.  Then he tried to show him how to push his arms up to lift his body off the floor.  Of course, his little belly and behind was not in line with the rest of his body.  It was funny seeing him trying to coordinate the movements.

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Who Does She Look Like?

Published on by Joan Category: Lessons Learned From My Grandchildren

Who Does She Look Like?

Growing to Look Like My Father

“Therefore, laying aside all malice, all deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and all evil speaking, as newborn babes, desire the pure milk of the word, that you may grow thereby, if indeed you have tasted that the Lord is gracious.”  1 Peter 2:1-3 NKJV

I love the commercial where a man is at the gym and he gets on the scale to weigh.  After weighing, he takes a lap around the gym, runs back to the scales and weighs again.  He is noticeably upset that there is no change.

Isn’t that just how we are?  We want to make a change, but we want it to be an instant transformation instead of a slow, gradual process.

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Anticipating God’s Words

Published on by Joan Category: Devotions

 

Joan -Carpe

A Word for Every Day

Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.  Colossians 3:16 NKJV

Anticipating a new year can give us a feeling of excitement or anxiousness.  Excitement comes when the anticipation is for positive, good things to come.  Anxiety is felt for the possibility of negative things happening that are out of our control.

As Christians, we should be looking forward with anticipation that whatever may come, God has it taken care of already.  The way we can have that kind of hopeful anticipation is to stay immersed in the Word of God.

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Anticipating A New Day

Published on by Joan Category: Devotions

Sing to the LORD a new song,

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.   2 Corinthians 5:17 NKJV

Remember the anticipation of Christmas as a child?  And looking through toy catalogs with longing?  Now, I love seeing the excitement on my grandchildren’s faces over a new toy.  I recall how I felt when the anticipation finally became reality.

Then came New Year’s Day.  As a child, that meant Christmas break was almost over.  I didn’t look forward with anticipation to a new year like I had Christmas.

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Moments Remembered

Published on by Joan Category: Devotions

Joan - Remembering past blessings

Sweet Memories

Remember the wonders he has done, his miracles, and the judgments he pronounced…He remembers his covenant forever, the promise he made, for a thousand generations.  1 Chronicles 16:12, 15 NIV

Entrée:

Another calendar change.  Another year over.  If this New Year is like all the others, it takes me about three months before I remember to write the correct year!

When I was a little girl, I remember hearing adults say that the older you get, the faster time flies.  I didn’t understand that at all…until I became a parent … then a grandparent.  Now I know that the saying is true.  It seems like as soon as I do remember to write the correct year, it’s time to add another digit.

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The Splendor of The Stable

Published on by Joan Category: Devotions

Focusing on God’s gift puts all the others into perspective. (2)

Think of a time when you saw a place – a restaurant, hotel, or home – that you thought so beautiful, it took your breath away.  Or perhaps a place where the wonders of nature filled you with awe.  Being an ordinary southern girl, I’ve never been to a lot of, in southern speak, “plum fancy” places.  On rare occasions, I’ve been to restaurants where I was afraid I was going to pick up the wrong fork!

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Leaving Marks of Rage

Published on by Joan Category: Devotions

A gentle

“Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice.  Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.”  Ephesians 4:31-32 NIV

Have you ever experienced road rage?  I was traveling one day and had to get onto an interstate.  It was rush hour and the traffic was horrible.  I had to merge quickly into the fast moving traffic.  Although I thought I was moving at the pace of the other vehicles, I pulled in front of someone who wasn’t very pleased with me.  The man accelerated, switched lanes and then came barreling around me, glaring the whole time.

Once he got around me, he moved back over in my lane and slowed down.  Next thing I knew, here came a cheeseburger out of his window and it plastered on my windshield!  It only stayed there a few seconds before it flew off, but it did leave some ketchup and mustard behind.

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Thanksgiving Time

Published on by Joan Category: Devotions

Joan - BEING THANKFUL

 

If you stopped by because you read my devotion today (November 27, 2015) over at Encouragement Cafe, WELCOME!   So glad you are here!

 

Enjoying Time With The Lord

“Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.”  James 1:17 NIV

The church I attend has two different Sunday School meeting times.  I attend an adult Sunday School class the first hour and then a children’s class meets in the same room the second hour.  The next Sunday morning, it’s interesting to read the prayer requests and the praises the young children listed on the whiteboard.  They innocently ask for prayer for their dog or to do well on a test.  Then they will give praise for passing a test, getting a new toy or pet, or getting to play with their friends.

I think as adults we often forget to think about the simple blessings we receive.  Children are thrilled to get to play with friends.  Toddlers can play and repeat the game of dropping a toy and saying “uh-oh,” just so someone can pick it up and give it back to them again and again.  My grandchildren love playing “tennis” with me in the house with balloons or walking to the park to swing.  It’s not just the things they are given, but the attention they get that gives them so much joy.

When we think about the things we ought to be thankful for, we think of our homes, food and clothing.  We think of our family and friends.  And yes, we should thank God every moment for those wonderful blessings.  How often though, do we thank God for the time and attention He gives us?

When I have my quiet time, I so cherish the days when God’s Word seems to leap off the page, filling me with the knowledge of His presence.  Not every day is like that.  Sometimes God’s presence is so real in a worship service at church that the congregation can’t stop singing worship songs and people can’t stop standing up, publicly giving praise for God’s blessings.  Every service isn’t like that.  Sometimes God makes His presence really known, and then other times we just trust by faith that He is with us, even if He has chosen to be silent.

Yes, I’m thankful for my family and friends.  I’m thankful for my home and other material blessings that I have been so richly given from God.  But more than anything, I’m thankful when God takes the time to show up and “play” with me.