I was reading a devotion by Max Lucado from his book, ‘Grace.’ He spoke of God’s forgiveness and the fact that God doesn’t keep a running score of our sins! Phewww!!!

I began thinking about how simple it is for us to humanize God and lower him to our level of actions, behavior and thinking.

We, as humans, keep score! We count everything from our body weight to offenses we’ve received. We know how many times we’ve read this, said that, and wished for; the had to do, did do, and didn’t do. Then, he said, she said the lists go on and do!

You’ve been there, an argument with your spouse, offenses from ten years ago still pop up; geez, I’m still in trouble for that!!! Your parents can’t seem to forget that time you or your boss still holds that mistake against you, and it’s become your new definition and title.

We have had it done to us; we have done it to others, the lists and measurements. Thankfully, God has a different measuring stick, one we need to remember so we can unload our baggage of guilt and walk in his glorious freedom, making it also an example we need to adopt.

Matthew 6:15 NCV “But if you don’t forgive others, your Father In Heaven will not forgive your sins.”

Psalm 103:12 NCV “He has taken our sins away from us as far as the east is from the west.”

Hebrews 10:17 ESV “Then he adds, ‘I will remember their sins and lawless deeds no more.” (Cross-reference this scripture with scripture from the Old Testament; Jeremiah 31:34)

Jeremiah 31:34 NCV “People will no longer have to teach their neighbors and relatives to know the Lord, because all people will know me, from the least to the most important, says the Lord. I will forgive them for the wicked things they did, and I will not remember their sins anymore.”

2 Corinthians 5:17 ESV “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold the new has come.”

I can’t begin to tell you how important it is to work on grasping the fact that our sins have been forgiven and forgotten, and now it’s up to us to forgive ourselves and forget our past sins; God has! Don’t give Satan a foothold on your life and emotions, don’t carry the past, don’t continue to beat yourself up, let go and move on.

The only thing we need to carry forward from our sins and mistakes is the learned knowledge, the wisdom imparted, and the fear (respect) of our Lord to not continue.

Yesterday and it’s mistakes are yesterday and today is a new day, go out and enjoy your freedom! Be blessed, be a blessing and thank you for joining me. 🥰

As I sat this morning waiting for today’s inspiration from the Lord to seep into my spirit, I found myself reflecting on the blessings of friends. Guess what was seeping in, a message of gratitude for my friends. 😉

I wrote about and missed all day yesterday a childhood/lifetime friend who has passed. The blessings of the friends I still keep in touch with from high school; we’re talking 43 years here!!! I speak to friends daily, others, not as often, but we pick up right where we left off. The friends I enjoyed sharing time and a meal with last night and the girlfriend I will eat cheeseburgers with tonight at our favorite drive-in, the huckleberry shakes are back!!!

As we age, these friends from the younger versions of ourselves become so important as they are memories of carefree days, laughter, summertime, and freedom we didn’t appreciate. These friends always bring a bit of our youth back.

As we age and travel through life, acquaintances come with the seasons; every so often, an acquaintance becomes another jewel in our life circle and remains. A friend!

Proverbs 18:24 ESV “A man of many companions may come to ruin, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.”

Proverbs 17:17 ESV “A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for adversity.”

1 Thessalonians 5:11 ESV “Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing.”

James 2:23 ESV “And scripture was fulfilled that says, ‘Abraham believed God, and it was counted to him as righteousness’-and he was called a friend of God.”

I love that last line…and he was called a friend of God! I have been blessed with many friends and loves in my life, but the very, very best friend I have is Jesus! He’s the best friend any of us can have!

Lord Jesus, I thank you this morning for the friends you have given me to share this earthly life with; I ask you to come into my heart and be my Lord, my Savior, my Friend. I believe you came to earth to save us, you died on the cross in my place and I can never offer enough praise or thanksgiving. Help me to learn about you every day, be with me everyday as my Lord and friend. In your name, I pray these words that my name will be entered in your book of life, and I, in turn, will spend now and eternity walking with you. Amen 🙏

I hope when you read that prayer, you then reread it, speaking the words and not just reading them, but declaring your desire to be friends with our Lord, the Creator of All!!!

Thank you, my reading friends, for always sharing some of your time here with me; you and your support, comments, and likes mean so much!!! I know you are out there and I am not alone. Be blessed and be a blessing! Have a fantastic day!

Robert Allen Funkhouser 8/23/1960 ~ 6/10/2010

You would be 61 like the rest of us today, my dear friend…I wrote about the summer when our numbers were flipped, and we all were turning 16!!! I thought of you that day and your beautiful turquoise and white 55 Chevy and how in a little Eastern Oregon town, you with your blonde hair, summer tan from the fields, and blue eyes looked like the proverbial California boy! Funny, that’s where your life path eventually led you! Paradise, CA

Our parents became friends when my family moved to a little country town in 1968, and as fate would have it, we were the same age, and in the same second grade class in school; an instant friendship began and spanned fifty years or better said it lasted until the Lord took you home leaving so many of us behind to miss you!

I still want to be mad at you for leaving me; it’s been eleven years since you’ve gone, and I still miss you all the time; I still hear your laugh, I still remember birthday parties as kids, high school, adulthood, becoming parents, marriages, divorces, aging and life in general.

I miss our twice a year birthday phone calls, I always knew I’d hear from you, and you always knew a call from me would follow a couple of weeks later. The conversation would continue where it left off. Every year since you’ve left, a tear falls because I miss your call, and every year on this day, many tears fall. After all, I miss you.

As the year’s pass, the ache is duller, but the hurt never leaves. You are gone but certainly not forgotten … I shall carry you with me in my heart until one day I can look at you again in heaven.

You were a best friend; you were a brother of my heart and life. I miss you so much, and I love you still. 😔

May you be blessed today; I am sorry for the sadness, but thank you for joining me. 🥰

Dear Lord Our Father in Heaven,

I bow before you this morning, it’s early, and the world still feels like it’s sleeping, still covered in its blanket of night. It’s so peaceful this time of day. The noise hasn’t started, the bustle hasn’t begun, the coffee is hot and silent.

I come before you, Lord, asking for your peace today! Send a wave of peace over our world, if even for a day! Let our minds and hearts be quiet. Let our bodies and spirits rest within you, calm and still.

May your words and teachings fill our ears and minds today, teaching us the glorious freedom of walking in your ways, your guidance, protection, and provision.

I pray, Lord, we take a moment to breathe in your fresh air, all the while letting our eyes gaze on the beauty you have given us. Would you please help us get away from the news, social media, propaganda, the agenda, the wars, the demonstrations, the violence, and the blindness?

The last book in your Bible is being played out every day, oh but more prophecy is being lived out right before our very eyes, yet as your word predicts, people will keep on eating and drinking with merriment while it’s all crashing down around them.

I pray, Lord, for a mighty awakening and revival of you and your word. I ask that you give us, your warriors the strength we need to go out and battle the darkness, fill us with your light Lord Jesus that we shine like beacons before we even speak. Give us boldness, Lord, as we’ve never had before.

But for today, your day, this Sunday I ask for peace and rest! In your beautiful name Lord Jesus, I pray. Amen 🙏

May you be blessed today, May quiet peace fill your mind and spirit! Once again, thank you for joining me. 🥰

Good morning, my husband was just called to assist with a derailment and I need to help him ready for a weeks departure…

Be blessed today, be a blessing and I will see you tomorrow. 🥰

Dear Lord Our Father in Heaven,

I sit with you this morning as I read your word, devotions of teachings, thoughts, and directions of growth; I am filled with so much thankfulness.

I had a fun new experience this week with the Canby Rainbow Girls. I left my comfort zone and got to know new people within an organization that I strongly believe in, got to know some young gals much better, and had a blast putting my professional customer service skills to work as I served sweet yellow ears of corn dripping in golden butter.

I attend a memorial tomorrow of the husband of one of my Eastern Star sisters. I did not know the gentleman, but I will sit in support of my dear friend.

Lord, I am feeling incredibly blessed to be a part of these organizations. The love and service these adults pour into these young girls; the same love poured out 50 years ago when I was a Rainbow Girl. The love, support, and friendship within the Eastern Star gals. I am proud to fit into and be a part of both.

I thank you for the open doors and the opportunity. I pray, Lord, that with your assistance, I can be of some value also. I pray, Lord, for those who are lonely; please show them an avenue and then give them the boldness to take that first step through the unknown door of their next adventure.

In today’s world, our society is becoming less and less social. We hide at home, behind masks, the false guise we present. Our government is working every day on isolation being the new norm, and in fear of a virus that has infected our world, it’s working.

Lord Jesus, I pray for the strength within your people, a peace that surpasses all understanding, a boldness to get up, go out, and try something new. The initiative to invite a neighbor who is alone also to meet for hamburgers and milkshakes at your favorite drive-in. Lord, we can grumble and complain all day about our situations and the lack thereof…help us to make the changes we need to make. Help us to get out of the house, help us to raise our hand and get involved. Help Us…and with this, I pray Lord Jesus in your glorious name with Thanksgiving. Amen

I had so much fun this week stepping out of my yard, comfort zone and entering an unknown arena of lots and lots of fun! I am so glad I gave it a try, is there a group, club, organization, a hobby you would love to share with like minds? Look for them; they are out there, from coloring on Saturday mornings at the local library to motorcycle clubs who ride all over the state.

The Lord gave us desires, likes, and interests for a reason, to use them and enjoy life through them…So, this weekend, try something new, something different, walk into the library, make the call to join! Get Out There!!!

I hope you have a blessed day! Thank you for sharing a bit of your time with me. 🥰

Crackling or hissing noises on a telephone, radio, other telecommunication systems…our brain!!! (Oxford Languages)

Our brain is a complex wiring system that controls the entire body. I was not interested in health class, so this blessedly isn’t a lesson on neurons and atoms.

However, I woke up this morning with a head full of static! I almost called in sick today because I couldn’t get my head to work, find scripture that felt right or come up with a title that often is a jumpstart.

But the Holy Spirit reminded me that it was still early, so possibly another thought pattern and a new scroll. Thank you, Holy Spirit for this, verse this morning.

Psalm 46:10a NLT, NIV, ESV, KJV, NKJV, ASV, ERV, … “Be Still and Know that I Am God!!!

And with this, I conclude! As there is nothing more to say today as this says it all. So whatever your prayer, your situation, your emotions, you’re static…Rest and know God got this, you and me!

Be blessed today; may this verse bring peace to your spirit and put a smile on your face as I know it did mine. Thank you for joining me. 🥰

Good morning Papa God,

I feel the need to pray this morning.

Lord, there are so many of yours out here waiting. Waiting on you, your word, your direction, your movement, your choice, your calling, your healing, your voice.

Lord, I lift your chosen ones to you this morning. I stand in intercession for them, asking that you give them your strength amid their wait, their trial, their frustration, their loneliness, their pain.

I ask Lord that you would wash them from head to toe in your peace and the unexplainable quiet that tells them it’s all going to be ok, the wait is going to be worth it, your day will arrive.

Faith and belief are what puts our prayers into action; whether we believe it or not, our steadfast faith in you, Lord, is what makes the wheels turn, the ball starts to roll, and movement starts to happen.

I ask Lord, let those reading these words, who are in a season of wait, feel the excitement I am feeling right now! Lord breakthroughs are about to happen, and I pray for those on the teetering edge to hold on a little tighter, just a little longer. Your victory is on your horizon…don’t give up now!

I know from experience, Lord, that it is darkest just before dawn, as Satan will try every trick he knows to discourage and throw off track, hoping to askew your blessings. I ask you, Lord Jesus, to help us stay on track, stay diligent and strong. I pray these words for those out there reading, praying, listening, hoping, and waiting…for you are about to rock their world. In your glorious name, I pray this prayer into motion. Amen 🙏

There’s a stirring within God’s children, and I pray that you hold tight to him, his ways, and his word! Be blessed today, and thank you for joining me. 🥰

I am sad but excited at the same time this morning. I am helping the Canby Rainbow girls this week at the Canby fair in their corn cob booth; this is where the excitement comes into play. The sadness is my eleven-year-old granddaughter was supposed to be my sidekick, but she is in quarantine due to Covid.

As I was pondering this morning, thinking of the day, I was blessed with the inspiration of sharing the importance of our children, grandchildren, and the youth who could use a parent or grandparent!

Proverbs 17:6 ESV “Grandchildren are the crown of the aged, and the glory of children is their fathers.”

In the New Testament, Jesus has plenty to say about children. We are to raise our children in the ways of the Lord; we are asked to lend a hand of help to nurture children!

Proverbs 22:6 ESV “Train your children in the way they should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it.”

Colossians 3:21 ESV “Fathers, do not provoke your children, lest they become discouraged.”

Deuteronomy 6:7 ESV “And these words that I command you today shall be on your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit down in your house, and when you lie down and when you rise.”

We as parents and grandparents are responsible for teaching, by words and by our examples; what is in your heart that you are showing your children? To teach them diligently is to walk and talk and show!

You shall talk of them when you sit in your house. I’m not saying that you non stop preach to your kids! Pray together at mealtime. Do the lessons you are teaching your children to line up with God’s word? Do you include God’s words in your teachings? We don’t need to be Bible scholars, but I used to ask my kids when they did the fundamental wrongs, how do you think God feels about that? As they got older, the question became more specific, and they were expected to answer. Do you make sure and share the Lord’s miracles and blessings with your children? Do they see or hear you praying or stating we will pray about this? Do they listen to you turn to God for your needs? What is your speech peppered with?

When you lie down and when you rise…prayers before bed, asking for sound and peaceful rest! That he watches over, guard, and protect as we sleep. Giving thanks upon waking the next morning, saying good morning, and starting your day!

Starting and spending the day with the Lord is doing just that! I have a non-stop conversation with him all day…ha ha, this doesn’t mean I am speaking non stop but if I stumble across a new flower that has just bloomed I share my delight with him. I have a cranky or negative thought, I turn it over to him. I have a decision to make and I am unsure, I discuss it with him…simply put, I share my day, I share my life! It’s a great and comforting place to be; trust me on this one!

So, talk to your children or grandchildren, spend time with them and their friends, get involved with the youth. There are so many in need of a grandma or grandpa, an aunt or an uncle. Get up, get out, get involved. It brings some of our youth back 😉

Thank you for joining me today! Be blessed 🥰

Romans 12:17-21 NLT “Never pay back evil with more evil. Do things in such a way that everyone can see you are honorable. Do all that you can to live in peace with everyone. Dear friends, never take revenge. Leave that to the righteous anger of God. For the scriptures say, ‘I will take revenge; I will pay them back,’ says the Lord. Instead, if your enemies are hungry, feed them. If they are thirsty, give them something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals of shame on their heads. Don’t let evil conquer you, but conquer evil by doing good.”

These verses remind me of the age-long saga of The Hatfields and The McCoys. Their hatred consumed, spread, contaminated, engulfed, perused and destroyed. I have read about these families, and the anger, bitterness, and fighting were the legacies passed down through the generations.

I’m not going to break this scripture down as it reads pretty straightforward. We as children of the Lord are asked to turn the other cheek, to set and be the example. We are asked to do things and to be seen doing the honorable. Again, we are Christ’s examples.

I wish I had a dollar for every time I quote, “vengeance is mine sayeth the Lord!” I have learned to let God fight my battles! If someone hurts me, attacks me, is against me I turn it over to God! Please don’t misunderstand; I handle my business, but I don’t allow people to disrespect me, but I also don’t want spiritual law to come back around and bite me…so, I just let God handle it.

Instead, if your enemies are hungry, feed them…it’s the same thing as not adding fuel to the fire. If someone is mean to you and you continue to treat them kindly pretty soon, you start to see a different person evolve, possibly someone who has been hurt so often in life they have layers of protection around them. It’s pretty hard to continue being mean to someone who is just always nice to you!

I will be honest; this is one of the Lord’s commands I struggle with…I have some people in my life who have hurt me, and I have walked away; I’ve grown enough to not have ugly thoughts towards these few, and I wish no harm upon them, but I have left those hurts to God, and he is in time healing me! They, on the other hand, still sit and spew within their anger! But do I want to feed them? Not really! Not yet anyway!

These instructions are among his most challenging as our natural response is an eye for an eye; however, we can get much farther with kindness! I hope today resonates somewhere within because when you can learn to let go and let God, you will find it’s much more peaceful inside ☺️

Thank you for joining me, and may you have a most blessed day! 🥰