Sometimes my daughter, Savannah asks me to lift her up, "Up high!" Daddy, "up high!" she says smiling, wanting me to lift her on my shoulders and carry her. It's fun for both of us. I enjoy her playful laughter, and she enjoys being high and safe on Daddy's shoulders, and of course, my love and attention. There is a wonderful place in the Bible where God's people were facing tremendous adversity and God says, "There you saw how the Lord your God carries you, as a father carries his son, all the way you went until you reached this place (Deut.1.31).
This Sunday is Father's Day. We honor fathers and celebrate family. When Jesus gave the disciples the prayer we now call "The Lord's Prayer," he told them to pray to God as Abba, a word of endearment for Father much like we use Daddy. Jesus also encouraged us to pray regularly sharing our daily needs as well as our deepest desires with our loving Heavenly Father. Sometimes we think of prayer as something stern and full of ritual, or something we do in complete desperation. But true prayer is our deepest heart reaching out to the heart of God, our loving Heavenly Father. Open your heart to the heart of God who truly loves you like a loving parent loves a child. Take time today to seek God in prayer, and remember the power and privilege of prayer each day. It will make all the difference in all of life.
(Verse of the week)
"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all of your heart. I will be found by you".(Jeremiah 29.11 )
(Prayer of the week)
Heavenly Father of love, help me to open my heart to you and your great love. Open my life to your purpose and plans, and give me strength to follow where you lead. Hold my hand to guide my path and open my heart to your deep heart of love for me...and when needed carry me on your strong shoulders of love. Amen.
Open your heart to God's amazing love!-Pastor TJ
(quote of the week)
Footprints in the Sand
One night I dreamed I was walking along the beach with the Lord.
Many scenes from my life flashed across the sky.
In each scene I noticed footprints in the sand.
Sometimes there were two sets of footprints,
other times there were one set of footprints.
This bothered me because I noticed that during the low periods of my life,
when I was suffering from anguish, sorrow or defeat, I could see only one set of footprints.
So I said to the Lord, "You promised me Lord, that if I followed you, you would walk with me always.
But I have noticed that during the most trying periods of my life there have only been one set of footprints in the sand.
Why, when I needed you most, you have not been there for me?"
The Lord whispered, "My child, I love you and will never leave you, never, ever during your trials and testings.
"When you saw only one set of footprints, it was then that I carried you."
--Mary Stevenson
This Sunday is Father's Day. We honor fathers and celebrate family. When Jesus gave the disciples the prayer we now call "The Lord's Prayer," he told them to pray to God as Abba, a word of endearment for Father much like we use Daddy. Jesus also encouraged us to pray regularly sharing our daily needs as well as our deepest desires with our loving Heavenly Father. Sometimes we think of prayer as something stern and full of ritual, or something we do in complete desperation. But true prayer is our deepest heart reaching out to the heart of God, our loving Heavenly Father. Open your heart to the heart of God who truly loves you like a loving parent loves a child. Take time today to seek God in prayer, and remember the power and privilege of prayer each day. It will make all the difference in all of life.
(Verse of the week)
"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all of your heart. I will be found by you".(Jeremiah 29.11 )
(Prayer of the week)
Heavenly Father of love, help me to open my heart to you and your great love. Open my life to your purpose and plans, and give me strength to follow where you lead. Hold my hand to guide my path and open my heart to your deep heart of love for me...and when needed carry me on your strong shoulders of love. Amen.
Open your heart to God's amazing love!-Pastor TJ
(quote of the week)
Footprints in the Sand
One night I dreamed I was walking along the beach with the Lord.
Many scenes from my life flashed across the sky.
In each scene I noticed footprints in the sand.
Sometimes there were two sets of footprints,
other times there were one set of footprints.
This bothered me because I noticed that during the low periods of my life,
when I was suffering from anguish, sorrow or defeat, I could see only one set of footprints.
So I said to the Lord, "You promised me Lord, that if I followed you, you would walk with me always.
But I have noticed that during the most trying periods of my life there have only been one set of footprints in the sand.
Why, when I needed you most, you have not been there for me?"
The Lord whispered, "My child, I love you and will never leave you, never, ever during your trials and testings.
"When you saw only one set of footprints, it was then that I carried you."
--Mary Stevenson
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