Thursday, July 30

Just Do It (with apologies to NIke...)

Faith in action.  Pithy Pithiness...

Start by doing what’s necessary; then do what’s possible; and suddenly you are doing the impossible. 
~ Francis of Assisi

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Reminder: Let’s pray together!  Please click on the Share a Prayer? tab and send me your prayer intention. 

Have a wonderful day!


Love     אנגלית     الإنجليزية
Action     פעולה     عمل


Friday, July 17

What Discipleship Entails

When they had finished eating, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon son of John, do you love me more than these?”
“Yes, Lord,” he said, “you know that I love you.”
Jesus said, “Feed my lambs.”
Again Jesus said, “Simon son of John, do you love me?”
He answered, “Yes, Lord, you know that I love you.”
Jesus said, “Take care of my sheep.”
The third time he said to him, “Simon son of John, do you love me?”
Peter was hurt because Jesus asked him the third time, “Do you love me?” He said, “Lord, you know all things; you know that I love you.”
Jesus said, “Feed my sheep. Very truly I tell you, when you were younger you dressed yourself and went where you wanted; but when you are old you will stretch out your hands, and someone else will dress you and lead you where you do not want to go.” Jesus said this to indicate the kind of death by which Peter would glorify God. Then he said to him, “Follow me!” ~ John 21:15-19

This passage has always shown to me God's (vis-à-vis Jesus) infinite capacity to forgive us, regardless of how often we let Him down.  There is no finite number of times for us to fail; as often as we fall down, God will lift us up.  It also serves as a stark reminder that being a Christian, and serving God in that role, ain’t easy!  Jesus does not say, “Follow me and you will be on Easy Street!”.  In fact, just the opposite; following him will not guarantee a life of ease and simplicity.  

But…

There is the promise of an eternity of living in Love and Peace.  We need to keep that Promise in our minds and hearts as we move through our days of toil and occasional (or frequent!) aggravation.  

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Reminder: Let’s pray together!  Please click on the Share a Prayer? tab and send me your prayer intention.  

Have a wonderful day!
Love     אנגלית     الإنجليزية

Take care of     דואג ל     اعتني ب

Wednesday, July 15

Finding Encouragement

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.

Accept one another, then, just as Christ accepted you, in order to bring praise to God. ~ Romans 15:4-7 

We all have difficult times during our lives. Currently, I am struggling through an extended (read LOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOONNNGGG) period of unemployment, more than 13 months. My unemployment benefits ended right before Christmas last year and I have been unable to land even a part-time job in retail. I fight constantly to stay positive, sometimes finding even the simple act of swinging my feet over the side of my bed, to stand up and start the day, almost impossible.


During this time, when it feels that I will never again find a job, I lean on my family for strength and encouragement. My Faith Family provides emotional and spiritual sustenance. I look to God for comfort and, yes, the occasional kick in the seat of my pants that I need now more than ever.

"Hang in there" is the one phrase that I appreciate above all others and love when one of my loved ones says it to me.

So, to you, if you are struggling and feeling hopeless, alone, unloved, unlovable...

Hang in there! 

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Reminder: Let’s pray together!  Please click on the Share a Prayer? tab and send me your prayer intention.  

Have a wonderful day!   
Love     אנגלית     الإنجليزية
Hope     מקווה     أمل
Perseverance     התמדה     مثابرة n
Encouragement     עידוד     تشجيع



Sunday, July 5

Teaching with Love and Integrity

The phrase "Teach them" has been rattling around in my noggin for several day, so I went to my fave scriptural resource, Biblica.com, and entered the phrase in the search tool. Of the scores of relevant search results I was drawn to Titus 2:7-8:

"In everything set them an example by doing what is good. In your teaching show integrity, seriousness and soundness of speech that cannot be condemned, so that those who oppose you may be ashamed because they have nothing bad to say about us."

Ultimately, we teach best by example, specifically by how and whom we love.  Let us all be teachers...

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Reminder: Let’s pray together!  Please click on the Share a Prayer? tab and send me your prayer intention. 

Have a wonderful day!

Love     אנגלית     الإنجليزية
Honor     כבוד     شرف
Teach     ללמד     علم