This is a prayer taken from the book “The Birthright” by John Sheasby. Much of the book, he tells about the prodigal son who wandered away from his father and his home. But then returns.

 
Our Father, who are in heaven….
 
“How beautiful those words sound when I say them.
Our Father!
Affectionate, loving, compassionate, good.
Our Father!
You are ours, which also means you are mine!
 
Forever, you are mine. Lord, and forever I am yours.
How wonderful those words sound when I say them,
How absolutely wonderful those words sound when I say them,
How absolutely, incredibly, unbelievably wonderful!
 
Thank you for all the pictures of you
That Jesus left behind….
Pictures of your goodness,
Your kindness, your mercy.
Use those pictures, Father, to retore the faded ones,
The bent ones, the torn ones, the distorted ones,
So I might see you for who you are, know you for
Who you are,
Love you for who you are.
And use those same pictures to restore the distorted,
Pictures I have of myself,
So that I might see myself for who I am, know myself,
 
For who I am, love myself for who I am.
Which is yours
Forever and always…….yours!”
 
***

Yesterday's Max Lucado:

A REMINDER FROM THE SPIRIT

"I recall an afternoon early in my ministry when the invitation of Jesus to the weary became the invitation of Jesus to Max. I was supposed to be studying, but I could not concentrate. I thought that I had to fix everyone’s problems, shoulder everyone’s burdens, and never grow weary in doing so. After some moments I bowed my head and sighed, and this scripture came to mind: 'Come to me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest' (Matthew 11:28 NASB).

"It was the pronoun me that got me. I had been turning to everyone and everything but him. Now why did that verse come to mind? Simple—the Holy Spirit, my teacher, reminded me. And the Spirit of Christ will do this for you, my friend."

**

Our minister conducts six 4-week sessions on some topics during the calendar year. Topics might be ‘stress’ or ‘anxiety’. Right now, he is leading a small group Thursday evenings on the topic of ‘humility’. I attend when my schedule allows.
 
The Bible definition of humility:  “an attitude of lowliness and obedience, grounded in the recognition of one’s status before God as his creatures.”

 
“Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit,
but in humility
count others more significant than yourselves.”
Paul’s writing in Philippians 2:3

 
In the hand outs, we read “humility is not about weakness or self-deprecation, but rather a strength of character that allows for genuine self-awareness, respect for others, and a focus on somethings greater than oneself.”
 
Humility isn’t about thinking less of yourself, it’s about thinking of yourself less.
 
According to a Bible commentary near Colossians 2, states, “True humility is viewing ourselves as we really are from God’s perspective and acting accordingly. False humility is self-centered; true humility is God-centered.
 
We tend to think too highly of ourselves; or not highly enough. Putting ourselves down. The only right perspective is with God’s help!
 

Like everything else, God.
We need your help to see ourselves
As You see us.
And help us to do the same thing
With all the people in our lives.
Amen.

“Don’t be weary in prayer,

Keep at it:
Watch for God’s answers
And remember to be
Thankful when they come.”
 
~ Colossians 4:2 LAB
 
*
 
Our hearts are broken,
God,
When we hear of the lives lost
In the flash flooding in Texas.
We are especially saddened by
The loss of those precious children
For what should have been a happy event!
Keep our hearts and minds bent to them.
The families need You.
You make sense when nothing makes sense.
You say ‘all things work together for good’.
Show us; show them!
You are the ‘GREAT I AM!”
We need You all the time,
But especially right now!
Thank You for being our Heavenly Father!
Amen.
 
****

Happy 4th of July!
Happy Independence Day
as our country celebrates
its 249th birthday!
Our 250th next year!!

"At the Flood, the Lord
showed his control of all creation.
Now he continues to unveil his power.
He will give his people strength.
He will bless them with peace."

~ Psalm 29:10 & 11 LAB

* 

Bible Commentary:  "Throughout history, God has revealed his power through mighty miracles over nature, such as the great Flood. He promises to continue to reveal his power. In Ephesians, Paul urged us to understand how great God's power is. The same power that raised Christ from the dead is available to all who believe. When we feel weak and limited, we need to remember that God can give us strength. The power that controls creation and raises the dead is available to us."

Praise God!

Today’s entry from Sarah Young’s “Jesus Calling:  Enjoying Peace in His Presence” (July 2):
 

“I AM the Truth: the One who came to set you free. As the Holy Spirit controls your mind and actions more fully, you become free in Me. You are increasingly released to become the one I created you to be. This is a work that I do in you as you yield to My Spirit, I can do My best handiwork when you sit in the stillness of My Presence, focusing your entire being on Me.
 
“Let My thoughts bust freely upon your consciousness, stimulating abundant Life. I am and Way and the Truth and the Life. As you follow Me, I lead you along paths of newness:  ways you have never imagined. Don’t worry about what is on the road up ahead. I want to find your security in knowing Me, the One who died to set you free.”

~ Taken from John 8:32; Philippians 2:13; John14:6

"baptizing them into
the name
of the Father,
and of the Son
and of the Holy Spirit..." 
(Matthew 28:19)

This was the topic of Chad Chapman's communion meditation on Sunday. "Many people, often when they become a new believer or just in general, have trouble with how God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit can all be one."

He shared a concept that works for him. "Think of the sun. That is God the Father, the source. The light that comes from the sun, that's Jesus, the son of God. Then the heat that we feel, that is the Holy Spirit, that's the power, the presence. Three parts, but one being."

"Father God, we are so grateful for your teachings and also for the multiple ways we can be taught from You.  You truly do meet us where we are. Amen."

***

Today's Karen's Korner says something about 'evil' people. In our history, we know about evil leaders. We witnessed it first hand when we traveled to Europe recently and saw the remains of what Hitler tried to do.

Who among us hasn't heard about adults or family members who do horrible things to young people.

"Your steadfast love, O Lord, is as great as all the heavens. Your faithfulness reaches beyond the clouds. Your justice is as solid as God's mountains. Your decisions are as full of wisdom as the oceans are with water. You are concerned for men and animals alike. How precious is your constant love, O God! All humanity takes refuge in the shadow of your wings. You feed them with blessings from your own table and let them drink from your rivers of delight."

~ Psalm 36:5 - 8 LAB

*

Bible Commentary:  "In contrast to evil men and their wicked plans that end in failure, God is loving, faithful, just and wise. His love is greater than the heavens; his faithfulness reaches past the clouds; his justice is as solid as a mountain; and his decisions as full of wisdom as the oceans with water. We need not fear evil people because we know God love us, judges evil, and will care for us throughout eternity."

***

Our ecumenical Bible study this week had this topic "Living Loved" by Sharon Janes.

Some of the highlights told about Jesus' disciple John, who referred to himself several times in his writings "the disciple whom Jesus loved'.

"Peter turned and saw that
'the disciple whom Jesus loved'
was following them."
~ John 21:20 NIV

Janes went on to say verses like that made her smile. "John knew he was loved by Jesus and that was all that mattered. Supposed you and I lived like that? My name is Sharon, the one Jesus loves. Go ahead and put your name in this blank.  My name is ___________, the one Jesus loves."

He didn't compare himself with other disciples. They, too, were 'disciples whom Jesus loved'.

She continues, "So the next time you feel 'less than', say to yourself exactly what John said about himself. 'I am the one Jesus loves."

"Father, sometimes I can feel so mediocre,
but I know that's not how You want me to live.
Your Word says that I am chosen, 
holy, dearly loved,
set apart-----
equipped by You, empowered by the Holy Spirit,
and enveloped in Jesus Christ.
I am the one Jesus loves.
Help me live like I believe it,
In His Name.
Amen."


***