I have always found that when things are going well, it’s much easier to follow after my own heart and pursue my own desires.  But this always backfires.  Ultimately, something will happen that brings me to my knees and to a place where I am forced to lean and rely on God.  In a way, this realization makes me thankful that I have a place to turn when things get rough but it makes me sad for my selfishness and humanity.  When it comes down to it, God is always faithful to me even when I am not faithful to Him.  But I have found that trials that cross my path become much easier to overcome if I’m already walking with God when I start to fall instead of reaching up for Him when I’ve already hit the ground.  This verse speaks with brutal honesty to my experience and convicts my heart of this pattern.  I have experienced some rough patches in my life and I’m not sure how I would have gotten through them without having God to carry me through.  There are times when the only reason I come through difficult circumstances is because He has been my soft place to land due to my ongoing relationship with Him.  This verse teaches me that I need to delight in God’s Word and in His presence in my life when things are at their best so that it can take me safely through the worst.    

Rose Santangelo Freel

To my complete delight, my friend’s grandson overwhelmingly greeted me one afternoon with such enthusiasm I shall never forget.

Bobby came for a visit with his grandparents and before this three-year old could get out of his car seat, he leaned forward, almost falling out, looked directly at me and shouted at the top of his lungs, “Good morning, Lyn!”  What a blessing his innocent exuberance was to me!  The joy one small child can bring!

On top of it all, Bobby shouted his good morning greeting right in the middle of the afternoon.  It made no difference to him what time of day it was.

What if we greeted Jesus in the same childlike way – shouting our greetings to Him with great enthusiasm and excitement, coming to Him any time of the day or night?  What joy we, as His children, would bring to Him as this child brought to me!

-Lyn Werner

THE FRUIT OF THE SPIRIT IS…GENTLENESS!  Galatians 5:23

What is gentleness according to the Bible?

It is having humility and thankfulness toward God and polite restrained behavior toward others.

WOW!!!!  Sounds like something we need in this world today.

How’s that working out for you?

O let me ne’er forget
That though the wrong seems oft so strong,
God is the Ruler yet.
This is my Father’s world:
Why should my heart be sad?
The Lord is King: let the heavens ring!
God reigns; let earth be glad!

Third verse of a grand old hymn that reminded me this morning,

my heart does not need to be sad. 

“God reigns over the nations; God sits on His holy throne.”  Psalm 47:8