We have 15 days remaining in Lent and for me, it has been a rough 25 days. I had such wonderful intentions and was going to conquer with God's help a lot of "junk" that was keeping me from being a faithful, obedient Christian. Unfortunately, I have not allowed God to work in my life like I promised God I would. The good news -God has already forgiven me. I am going to try and I do emphasize "try" over the next 15 days to shake the dust from my sandals (shoes) and let him work in my life.
How are you doing? Have you given up the "junk" you promised yourself and God? Have you spent more time in prayer, reading His word and getting closer to Him?
I pray we all can learn from this season of Lent and perhaps use the remaining 15 days ahead of us to prove to ourselves, others and God we can change with His help and love.
God bless,
Libby
Wednesday, March 25, 2009
Tuesday, February 10, 2009
What is Lent?
Lent, in some Christian denominations, is the forty-day-long liturgical season of fasting and prayer before Easter. The forty days represent the time Jesus spent in the desert, where according to the Bible he endured temptation by Satan. Different churches calculate the forty days differently.
The purpose of Lent is the preparation of the believer-through prayer, penitence, almsgiving and self-denial-for the annual commemoration during Holy Week of the Death and Resurrection of Jesus, which recalls the events linked to the Passion of Christ and culminates in Easter, the celebration of the Resurrection of Jesus Christ.
In Western Christianity (with the exception of the Archdiocese of Milan which follows the Ambrosian Rite), Lent begins on Ash Wednesday and concludes on Holy Saturday. The six Sundays in Lent are not counted among the forty days because each Sunday represents a "mini-Easter", a celebration of Jesus' victory over sin and death.
Fat Tuesday-February 24
Ash Wednesday - February 25
Palm Sunday - April 5
Maundy Thursday - April 9
Good Friday - April 10
Easter Sunday - April 12
I encourage everyone to prayerfully consider joining other Christians in the observation of Lent. It has been very meaningful to my Christian walk for over 17 years. It is truly a time of reflection, prayer and spiritual growth.
God bless,
Libby
The purpose of Lent is the preparation of the believer-through prayer, penitence, almsgiving and self-denial-for the annual commemoration during Holy Week of the Death and Resurrection of Jesus, which recalls the events linked to the Passion of Christ and culminates in Easter, the celebration of the Resurrection of Jesus Christ.
In Western Christianity (with the exception of the Archdiocese of Milan which follows the Ambrosian Rite), Lent begins on Ash Wednesday and concludes on Holy Saturday. The six Sundays in Lent are not counted among the forty days because each Sunday represents a "mini-Easter", a celebration of Jesus' victory over sin and death.
Fat Tuesday-February 24
Ash Wednesday - February 25
Palm Sunday - April 5
Maundy Thursday - April 9
Good Friday - April 10
Easter Sunday - April 12
I encourage everyone to prayerfully consider joining other Christians in the observation of Lent. It has been very meaningful to my Christian walk for over 17 years. It is truly a time of reflection, prayer and spiritual growth.
God bless,
Libby
Wednesday, January 07, 2009
Walking By Faith, Not Sight
We walk by Faith, not by sight.
2 Corinthians 5:7
Sometimes I'm sad. I know not why my heart is sore and distressed:
It seems the burdens of this world have settled on my heart.
And yet I know...I know that God who doeth all things right will
lead me thus to understand-to walk by FAITH...not SIGHT.
And though I may not see the way He's planned for me to go...
That way seems dark to me just now but oh, I am sure He knows!
Today He guides my feeble step, tomorrow's in His sight.
He has asked me to never fear...But walk by FAITH, not SIGHT.
Some day the mists will roll away, the sun will shine again.
I will see the beauty in the flowers, I'll hear the bird's refrain.
And then I will know my Father's hand has led the way to light
Because I placed my hand in HIS and walked by FAITH...not SIGHT.
-Ruth A. Morgan
FAITH is daring the soul to go beyond what the eyes see.
In Brent's message on Sunday, he talked about FAITH. As we continue our
journey in the new year, may we rely on God for everything, not just some
of our things and pray for him to bless us with more FAITH as we stumble along
this path called Life.
God bless,
Libby
2 Corinthians 5:7
Sometimes I'm sad. I know not why my heart is sore and distressed:
It seems the burdens of this world have settled on my heart.
And yet I know...I know that God who doeth all things right will
lead me thus to understand-to walk by FAITH...not SIGHT.
And though I may not see the way He's planned for me to go...
That way seems dark to me just now but oh, I am sure He knows!
Today He guides my feeble step, tomorrow's in His sight.
He has asked me to never fear...But walk by FAITH, not SIGHT.
Some day the mists will roll away, the sun will shine again.
I will see the beauty in the flowers, I'll hear the bird's refrain.
And then I will know my Father's hand has led the way to light
Because I placed my hand in HIS and walked by FAITH...not SIGHT.
-Ruth A. Morgan
FAITH is daring the soul to go beyond what the eyes see.
In Brent's message on Sunday, he talked about FAITH. As we continue our
journey in the new year, may we rely on God for everything, not just some
of our things and pray for him to bless us with more FAITH as we stumble along
this path called Life.
God bless,
Libby
Friday, December 19, 2008
The Road to True Success
I would rather walk with God in the dark than go alone in the light.
Mary Gardner Brainard
On February 11, 1861, President-elect Lincoln left his home in Springfield to begin his rail journey to Washington, where he was to be inaugurated a month later. Lincoln had a premonition this would be the last time he would see Springfield. Standing on the rear platform of his railroad car, he bid the townspeople farewell. He closed his remarks with these words: "Today I leave you. I go to assume a task more difficult than that which devolved upon General Washington. The great God which guided him must help me. Without that assistance, we cannot succeed. We may get the dishes washed, the laundry folded, and the beds made. We may get our work done without accident or incident. We may find what we need at the market and manage to keep a schedule. But without God's help, our lives would be a confused mess.
Does God care about what happens in our day? Absolutely! When we become overwhelmed, making the smallest of tasks into mountains, He helps us to gather ourselves. Step-by-step, He shows us the way, and our strength is renewed to go on.
Even when walking through the dark valley of death I will not be afraid, for you are close beside me, guarding, guiding all the way.
Psalm 23:4
Mary Gardner Brainard
On February 11, 1861, President-elect Lincoln left his home in Springfield to begin his rail journey to Washington, where he was to be inaugurated a month later. Lincoln had a premonition this would be the last time he would see Springfield. Standing on the rear platform of his railroad car, he bid the townspeople farewell. He closed his remarks with these words: "Today I leave you. I go to assume a task more difficult than that which devolved upon General Washington. The great God which guided him must help me. Without that assistance, we cannot succeed. We may get the dishes washed, the laundry folded, and the beds made. We may get our work done without accident or incident. We may find what we need at the market and manage to keep a schedule. But without God's help, our lives would be a confused mess.
Does God care about what happens in our day? Absolutely! When we become overwhelmed, making the smallest of tasks into mountains, He helps us to gather ourselves. Step-by-step, He shows us the way, and our strength is renewed to go on.
Even when walking through the dark valley of death I will not be afraid, for you are close beside me, guarding, guiding all the way.
Psalm 23:4
Wednesday, November 05, 2008
The purest form of love is given with no expectation of return. Measured by this standard, earnest prayer for others is a magnificent act of love.
-David Hubbard
Teach me, O God, so to use all the circumstances of my life today that they may bring forth in me the fruits of holiness rather than the fruits of sin.
Let me use disappointment as material for patience.
Let me use success as material for thankfulness.
Let me use trouble as material for perseverance.
Let me use danger as material for courage.
Let me use reproach as material for long suffering.
Let me use praise as material for humility.
Let me use pleasures as material for temperance.
Let me use pain as material for endurance.
-John Baillie
We have over the past few weeks within our church family had many prayer concerns-health issues, employment issues and family/marriage issues. Many of our prayers have been answered in wonderful ways and some are still waiting to be answered. We as humans want our prayers answered the way we think is best and immediately. We rarely receive everything we want. We imagine the same holds true for God. I have to remind myself of the scripture, 1 Peter 5:6-7, "Humble yourselves, therefore, under God's mighty hand, that He may lift you up in due time. Cast all of your anxiety on him because He cares for you". Let us continue to speak our hurts, needs and praises to God because He is always there for us.
God bless,
Libby
-David Hubbard
Teach me, O God, so to use all the circumstances of my life today that they may bring forth in me the fruits of holiness rather than the fruits of sin.
Let me use disappointment as material for patience.
Let me use success as material for thankfulness.
Let me use trouble as material for perseverance.
Let me use danger as material for courage.
Let me use reproach as material for long suffering.
Let me use praise as material for humility.
Let me use pleasures as material for temperance.
Let me use pain as material for endurance.
-John Baillie
We have over the past few weeks within our church family had many prayer concerns-health issues, employment issues and family/marriage issues. Many of our prayers have been answered in wonderful ways and some are still waiting to be answered. We as humans want our prayers answered the way we think is best and immediately. We rarely receive everything we want. We imagine the same holds true for God. I have to remind myself of the scripture, 1 Peter 5:6-7, "Humble yourselves, therefore, under God's mighty hand, that He may lift you up in due time. Cast all of your anxiety on him because He cares for you". Let us continue to speak our hurts, needs and praises to God because He is always there for us.
God bless,
Libby
Friday, September 19, 2008
September 19, 2008
The greatest tradegy in life is not unanswered prayer, but unoffered prayer.
F.B. Meyer
A Franciscan Benediction
May God bless you with discomfort
At easy answers, half-truths and superficial relationships
So that you may live deep within your heart.
May God bless you with anger
At injustice, oppression and exploitation of people,
So that you may work for justice, freedom and peace.
May God bless you with tears
To shed for those who suffer pain, rejection, hunger and war,
So that you may reach out your hand to comfort them and
To turn their pain into joy.
And may God bless you with enough foolishness
To believe that you can make a difference in the world,
So that you can do what others claim cannot be done
To bring justice and kindness to all our children and the poor.
Amen
Father God,
In the midst of turmoil going on around us, let us not be focused outward but inward to you for our help in times of trouble. Help us to be calm, not lose perspective and offer others a helping hand. I pray for those suffering today and ask you to comfort them and fill them with your love.
Thank you merciful Father for loving me,
Amen
F.B. Meyer
A Franciscan Benediction
May God bless you with discomfort
At easy answers, half-truths and superficial relationships
So that you may live deep within your heart.
May God bless you with anger
At injustice, oppression and exploitation of people,
So that you may work for justice, freedom and peace.
May God bless you with tears
To shed for those who suffer pain, rejection, hunger and war,
So that you may reach out your hand to comfort them and
To turn their pain into joy.
And may God bless you with enough foolishness
To believe that you can make a difference in the world,
So that you can do what others claim cannot be done
To bring justice and kindness to all our children and the poor.
Amen
Father God,
In the midst of turmoil going on around us, let us not be focused outward but inward to you for our help in times of trouble. Help us to be calm, not lose perspective and offer others a helping hand. I pray for those suffering today and ask you to comfort them and fill them with your love.
Thank you merciful Father for loving me,
Amen
Friday, August 15, 2008
Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. Phillipians 4:4-7
I give you my hands, to do your work.
I give you my feet, to go your way.
I give you my eyes, to see as you do.
I give you my tongue, to speak your words.
I give you my mind, that you may think in me.
I give you my spirit, that you may pray in me.
Above all, I give you my heart, that you may love in me your Father and all mankind.
I give you my whole self, that you may grow in me.
So that it is you, Lord Jesus, who lives and works and prays in me.
The Grail Society
Father God,
Thank you for the opportunity you give us each day to live our lives in you. Use us as your vessels on this earth to do your will. Keep our eyes, ears and minds open to your word.
In Jesus Name we ask this prayer,
Amen
I give you my hands, to do your work.
I give you my feet, to go your way.
I give you my eyes, to see as you do.
I give you my tongue, to speak your words.
I give you my mind, that you may think in me.
I give you my spirit, that you may pray in me.
Above all, I give you my heart, that you may love in me your Father and all mankind.
I give you my whole self, that you may grow in me.
So that it is you, Lord Jesus, who lives and works and prays in me.
The Grail Society
Father God,
Thank you for the opportunity you give us each day to live our lives in you. Use us as your vessels on this earth to do your will. Keep our eyes, ears and minds open to your word.
In Jesus Name we ask this prayer,
Amen
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