I do not doubt that there isn’t one of us who hasn’t at one time or another been made to feel like a mosquito. The vibe someone gives, making you feel as though you are nothing but an annoyance, and if they could swat you away, they would.

You know that glazed look in ones eyes that tells you they aren’t listening and frankly aren’t interested, please hurry and say what you have to say and go away.

The answer they gave to your question was so far off topic you know you weren’t heard or respected enough to be listened to…

I would first off suggest if you can find someone new to be around and talk to but if that person happens to be your spouse, partner, boss or coworker; then what?

Take it to the Cross!!!

Deuteronomy 31:6 ESV “Be strong and courageous. Do not fear or be in dread of them, for it is the Lord God who goes with you. He will not leave you or forsake you.”

Isaiah 65:24 ESV “Before they call I will answer; while they are yet speaking I will hear.”

1 John 4:19 NIV “We love because he first loved us.”

If I can express or leave you with anything today, that is the completeness that derives from a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. He is the best friend you will ever need. Yes, we need human contact and relationships. I am saying when you let the Holy Spirit fill you with his love, so much of the lonely, unappreciated, dejected feelings disappear and are replaced with feelings of self-worth and inner joy.

Do people still hurt my feelings? Yes! Does my spouse still make me mad sometimes? Yes! Is the world still out of control and cold? Yes! Do I still have to deal with life? Yes!

However, who you walk and talk with makes a big difference. When turning over your hurts and fleshly emotions to Jesus, we are in control of the depth we allow people’s actions or words to penetrate or how long we will continue to carry that hurt.

Take it to the cross; give it to Jesus. He’s there and be cares. Always!!!

Be blessed, try and be a blessing and as always, Thank you for joining me. 🥰

If you have been following me or even just checking in once and a while, you have figured out how important God is in my life. The Bible teaches and instructs the way to Heaven is through our Lord Jesus Christ; by saying the prayer of salvation, confessing our sins, and asking Jesus into our hearts, we will spend eternity with him.

I am excellent with this and have been since I was eight years old, but as close as I am to God, I have a sibling who isn’t. Now what? I can’t bear to think of him one day in hell, yet he has let me know often enough he just doesn’t believe.

Do I accept this and let him live his life while I live mine? Hell No!!! No way in hell will Satan win this battle. I took these cares to my pastor many years ago, asking her, how do I live everyday knowing my brother could go to hell?

Her response was quite simple, “Does Jesus wish for anyone to go to hell?” No! “When you pray for your brother, do you pray the Lords will be done?” Yes! “Do you believe this is a prayer of Gods will?” Yes! “Then why are you worried? This is a real, sincere prayer of love from a sister for her brother to her Lord, who loves us all.”

Matthew 7:9 NIV “Which of you, if your son asks for bread, will give him a stone.”

1 Timothy 2:3-5 NLT “This is good and pleases God our Savior, who wants everyone to be saved and to understand the truth. For, There is one God and One Mediator who can reconcile God and humanity-the man Jesus Christ. He gave his life to purchase freedom for everyone.”

So, I have been praying for and over my brother for more years than I can count; I have had fierce debates with him, leaving me to pray harder.

My husband and I, my brother and sister-in-law, gathered yesterday to celebrate our father’s 80th birthday. We were talking about the world we live in, Covids effects, etc. My brother in passing made a comment “well if there is a God up there” … my heart jumped! Then as they were leaving he was commenting on being lucky he had a job to go to tomorrow as many don’t. I simply said, “you aren’t lucky you are blessed because your sister prayers for you and over you every day.” He simply looked at me and nodded! My heart filled with Joy!!!

Miles from the quips we usually share at that comment, so, please, if you are praying for those you love, don’t stop as this same pastor also calmed my heart when my little papa died. She asked me the same questions and I gave her the same answers. God honors our prayers and we never know when he steps in, how he will accomplish it or who he will even use. Just walk every day, continuing your prayers, and knowing he will.

Be blessed and be a blessing and thank you for joining me. 🥰

This morning I was reading chapter nine of the book of Matthew. This morning the sub chapter was Jesus dining with Matthew, his tax collector friends, sinners and low life’s. The actions, morals, values, and lifestyles of this dinner party did not lean toward the most godlike behavior. The Pharisees were appalled that Jesus would speak to the lessors, let alone eat with them.

What caught my attention this morning was a side note revealing Jesus speaking from the Old Testament in the New. I love when the old and new collide loudly.

Matthew 9:12-13 NIV “On hearing this, Jesus said, ‘It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. But go and learn what this means: ‘I desire mercy, not sacrifice.’ For I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners.”

Let’s jump back now to two books and verses from the Old Testament.

Hosea 6:6 NIV “For I desire mercy, not sacrifice, and acknowledgment of God rather then burnt offerings.”

Micah 6:6-8 NIV “With what shall I come before the Lord and bow down before the exalted God? Shall I come before him with burnt offerings, with calves a year old? Will the Lord be pleased with thousands of rams, with ten thousand rivers of oil? Shall I offer my first born for my transgression, the fruit of my body for the sin of my soul? He has showed you, O’ Man, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.”

Before Jesus’ ultimate sacrifice, he, himself becoming our sin offering. The Hebrew law required the sacrifices of birds, calves, rams, etc. Some sin offerings or financial means allowed the smaller such as doves or pure olive oil. Upon reading the verses in Micah, we see the author distraught in what he could offer to cover his sinful nature and the remorse he feels.

God tells us what he wants, Us. It’s that simple he doesn’t want our sacrifices or burnt offerings (for this I am most thankful for ). He wants our love, our time, our friendship…He wants a relationship with you, and the rest will follow gracefully.

Satan would like us to believe that walking with Jesus is hard, tedious, and self-sacrificing. It is the giving of self, but that’s the easy part, and He helps heal and correct all the hard stuff. Trust me on this one!

Walking with our Lord is as easy as that, just walking and talking. Asking a question or two, a direction here and there. When you place your hand in Jesus’, he holds it firmly but gently. He’s everything you will ever need of this you can be sure!

Be blessed today. Be a blessing today, and thank you for joining me. 🥰

I have become a big fan of this singer, if you are looking for some great praise and worship that’s a blend of Country and Bob Seger give Zach Williams a listen or two.

My husband and I were traveling yesterday on our way to spend the weekend with my dad for his birthday and I can’t tell you how many times Zach and I hit replay. I wish to share the lyrics of one of his beautiful songs with you, read and absorb the words. We can all learn from them.

Less Like Me;

“Oh I have days I lose the fight. Try my best but just don’t get it right. Well I talk a talk that I don’t walk, and miss the moments right before my eyes. Somebody with a hurt that I could have helped. Somebody with a hand that I could have held. When I just can’t see past myself.

Oh, Lord help me be…A little more like mercy, a little more like grace. A little more like kindness, goodness love and faith. A little more like patience, a little more like peace. A little more like Jesus, a little less like me.

Yeah, there’s no denying I have changed ‘cause I’ve been save by who I used to be. But even at my best, I must confess I need help to see the way you see.

I want to feed the beggar on the street. Love to be your hands and feet. Freely give what I receive. Lord help me be. I want a friendship first above all else. Love my neighbor as myself. In the moments no one sees. Lord help me be.

Oh, Lord help me be…A little more like mercy, a little more like grace. A little more like kindness, goodness love and faith. A little more like patience, a little more like peace. A little more like Jesus, a little less like me.”

I pray these words fill a place in your spirit as they do mine. The world could sure use a lot more Jesus. We are his hands and feet. Be blessed today! Be a blessing today! Thank you for joining me this day! 🥰

Songwriters: Zack Williams/ Hank Bentley/ Mia Fields

Less Like Me lyrics copyright Capitol Cmg Amplifier, Every Square Inch.

My New Testament reading this morning was chapter 7 in the book of Matthew. Within this chapter are subchapters: “ Be Careful About Judging Others,’ ‘Ask God for What You Need,’ ‘The Most Important Rule,’ ‘The Way to Heaven is Hard,’ ‘People Know You By Your Actions,’ and ‘Two Kinds of People.”

This morning I wish to address the “Two Kinds of People.” As I was reading I was reminded of the childhood fable about the three little pigs. You probably haven’t heard the tale In awhile, so I will share my version of the story. As you remember, the story begins with a mother telling her three sons she could no longer afford to feed them; they were of age to make their way in the world. So, out of the nest, they went.

The first brother didn’t want to be bothered with the chore of building a house. He was very lazy and really wanted to go read his book under that old shade tree, so he found some straw, threw some string around it and called it good. Grabbing his blanket, pillow and book away he went! Phew, Done!

The second brother, as we know, was a bit more responsible, so he knew he had to do better than the grass hut his little brother built, but all his buddies were gathering at the water hole this afternoon, and he didn’t want to miss the fun. So he gave it a little thought and decided wood was pretty strong, much stronger then straw and he’d use a nail or two instead of string. A lean to here and a lean there, add a nail here and a couple there. Looks great, didn’t take long, the boys are still there I can hear their laughter and jokes. Off to the party! Bye!

The third brother and I’m going to assume the oldest brother. He too, enjoyed reading under the old oak tree, and he also enjoyed time spent with his friends but also knew if he took his time, did a good job he’d only have to build his house once and if he used bricks and cement his house would stand strong against any storm. But this would require much hard work and time but in the end it would be so worth it. So he mixed mortar and cement and stacked brick after brick, all day long.

So while his younger brothers napped and partied and teased their big brother for being boring, we know how this story ends. The next storm that hit sent straw and twigs flying everywhere, leaving the two lazy, unprepared brothers knocking on the door of their big brothers’ house. The house made of Rock!!!

Matthew 7:24-27 NCV “Everyone who hears my words and obeys them is like a wise man who built his house on a rock. It rained hard, the floods came, and the winds blew and hit that house. But it did not fall, because it was built on rock. Everyone who hears my words and does not obey them is like a foolish man who built his house on sand. It rained hard, the floods came, and the winds blew and hit that house and it fell with a big crash.”

There are two kinds of people! Which one are you? Where is your house standing? Set your feet firmly on the Rock, Our Lord Jesus Christ, stop the shifting sand. In the days to come I fear many storms and winds of change. Now is not the time to bind your home with string.

Be blessed today, be a blessing today and thank you for joining me as always. 🥰

Psalms 51:17 ESV “The sacrifice God wants is a broken spirit. God, you will not reject a heart that is broken and sorry for sin.”

Please, do not read this scripture out of context; this does not mean that God wants us walking around, heads bowed, shoulders slumped forward, shuffling along, woe is me.

No, instead, it’s a hint, a clue, you might say. A spirit of brokenness is a spirit of complete surrender—the situation, the choice, the addiction, the lie that has grown to monster proportions. You know what it is; it’s yours.

We all have or have had experiences in our lives where we made decisions or choices. Some turn out fantastic, but what about the ones that didn’t? What about those choices that altered or changed the direction your life was on? What about those choices that still haunt the halls of your emotions and memories? What about the one or ones you can’t forgive yourself? How could God?

Isaiah 55:8-9 NIV “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the Lord. As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.”

Take your brokenness to the cross and lay it at Jesus’ feet. I am not saying you won’t have to do your part. We need to let go, we need to believe we are loved and forgiven. We need to ask for grace in forgiving ourselves and his hand to lead us on.

When we reach a place where we can’t do it alone or any longer or packing, the load of guilt has just gotten too heavy; let it go, put it in Jesus’ hands; He’s there. There is never a place on this earth that Jesus can’t find and touch. He’s conquered this earth and our sins.

I still struggle with a choice made years ago that I’m afraid will always haunt me, but when the chains of that memory start to rattle, I remind myself I am forgiven, look up and quietly say a humble thank you. Be blessed today, and thank you for joining me.🥰

Psalms 100:1-5 ESV “Shout to the Lord, all the earth. Serve the Lord with joy; come before him with singing. Know that the Lord is God. He made us, and we belong to him; we are his people, the sheep he tends. Come into his city with songs of thanksgiving and into his courtyards with songs of praise. Thank him and praise his name. The Lord is good. His love is forever, and his loyalty goes on and on.”

If this doesn’t make your heart glad, bring joy to your spirit and peace to your mind, I’m not sure what could.

To know that I am a creation of God. I am loved by God. I am watched over and protected by God. This is exactly what a shepherd does, he watches over, protects and provides for those put in his care.

His love is forever, and his loyalty goes on and on. Forever, that’s a long time. He did not say I will love you as long as you toe the mark. He did not say I will love you if you stop falling short. He said Forever!!! That’s the good and the bad. His loyalty goes on and on! Even when ours doesn’t. Simply put, if you’ve slipped, backslid, or had a life situation where you’ve completely turned your back on God, you are possibly hurt, mad, dismayed, and now what. Turn back!!! He’s there, and he’s waiting.

If I can impart anything this morning, it’s God loves us. All of us, the good, the bad, the clean, the dirty, the loved and the unloved, the afflicted and addicted. He’s always there, just waiting with arms wide open. Let him fill that empty place within.

I don’t know where you are today, if you need prayer please leave it in the comment section. Don’t let Satan or anyone convince you of anything other then you are adored by God, just as you are!!!

Be blessed today and thank you for joining me. 🥰

Lazarus of Bethany. Brother to Martha and Mary Magdalene and called a best friend of our Lord Jesus. These three siblings were friends of Jesus, and they were people Jesus loved. We need to remember Jesus walked as a man, he had friends, he laughed, wept, he got hungry and tired, but back to Lazarus.

Here we have a name that everyone recognizes, but he did nothing to make his name. His best friend did! The story of Jesus and the family of Lazarus in John, chapter three is a beautiful read.

John 11:3-6 NIV “So the sisters sent word to Jesus, ‘Lord, the one you love is sick.’ When he heard this, Jesus said, ‘this sickness will not end in death. No, it is for God’s glory so that God’s Son may be glorified through it.’ Jesus loved Martha and her sister and Lazarus. Yet when he heard that Lazarus was sick, he stayed where he was for two more days.”

What? He didn’t stop what he was doing and rush to his friends side! Nope, but he said this wouldn’t end in death, yet Lazarus died! This doesn’t seem godly, his friends trusted in him, had seen many miracles by their beloved Jesus’ hands. Where is he? Martha paces a path on the front room floor; Mary sat quietly at the window, seeking the sudden appearance of the face she knows and trusts.

Yet, he didn’t appear. He let our brother, his best friend die! Not only did he let him die he didn’t show up for the funeral. These two sisters were probably confused, hurt, mad, let alone suffering all the grieving emotions that accompany death. I imagine that none of this made sense.

If you read in the book of John, chapter three, verses 17-24, you will read of Jesus comforting Martha and Mary. Jesus himself, feeling the emotions of the death of a friend. John 3:35 NIV, “Jesus wept.”

What we are seeing is not indifference from Jesus. He wasn’t playing a sick game with Martha and Mary’s emotions. What he was demonstrating; is, we only see the moment we’re in, not the behind the scenes of our loving father working on our behalf. There may be stages or times where God seems uninvolved or very distant. Trust me he’s right beside you every step of the way. He has a plan, and just like with Lazarus, that plan is life.

I don’t know what you’re going through, but if it’s a season of storms, reach out and hold the hand that calms the storms. Psalms 107:29 NIV “He stilled the storm to a whisper; the waves of the sea were hushed.”

You may be in a season of enjoying warm balmy breezes. Colossians 3:15 ESV “And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful.”

Whatever your season brings, bring Jesus along with you; he’s the Best of Best Friends!!! Be blessed and be a blessing. Thank you for joining me. 🥰

The world is crazy and feels as though it’s spiraling out of control. Everything seems to be in high gear, and we scurry about like ants; our lists are too long and our hours too short…or so it seems.

Maybe our priorities are mixed up! Granted, we all have daily responsibilities but in what order do you have them in? Do you find more times then not you are chasing your tail that is just a bit out of reach? I would advise getting some paper and writing down everything you need to do and beside the need to do list write down the things you’d like to do. Then work at blending the two; it’s so important to allow ourselves the time for the small pleasures while tackling the big chores.

No rule says you can’t take a bubble bath in the middle of the afternoon. Get out the teapot, cup and saucer and take a mid day break, have yourself a tea party and look through the magazine that’s been staring at you. Put the rake down, set on the bench, and let the winter sun shine down on your face and into your soul.

You need to make time for yourself to restore your energy and refresh your mind. When we are healthy mentally, physically, and spiritually, we are then equipped to take care of the day and those around us.

Micah 6:8 ESV “He has told you O’ man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God.”

One of my goals this year is to work on being kinder, looking beyond my nose and list at those around me who might just need a moment of my time. The lists are always going to be there, but that moment in time might not. To walk humbly with God is to allow him to guide us. I want to walk close enough and be humble enough to recognize a need, even if it’s just a hug as I run past.

Be blessed today, try and be a blessing today, and thank you as always for blessing me by your presence. 🥰