Solos

Lauralee Caldwell Obituary, Cottage Grove, OR | View Services | Smith Lund Mills Funeral Chapel & Crematorium, Cottage Grove, Oregon Lauralee "Laurie" Caldwell, age 77 of Cottage Grove, OR went to be with her Lord and Savior Thursday, July 13, 2017. Laurie was born September 14, 1939 in Lansing, Michigan ...

Today’s Truth
The temptations in your life are no different from what others experience. And God is faithful. He will not allow the temptation to be more than you can stand. When you are tempted, he will show you a way out so that you can endure.

That’s when I thank Jesus for the nails – not one, but three — nails that pierced His hands and feet so that we can be forgiven. Even when we fail, Jesus forgives us when we ask and restores us when we fall.

It’s called G-r-a-c-e.

(1 Corinthians 10:13 NLT)

Dear Lord, when I encounter temptation today, help me to walk away, right away. Give me the wisdom not to fiddle with it, the strength not to give in to it, and the courage to turn my back on it. Thank You for always providing a way out.

September 29

Psalm 119:51
The proud have had me greatly in derision: yet I have not declined from thy law.

Umpiring had its good points and its bad points. Being a part of the game of baseball had always been exciting to Harry, but sometimes it wasn't worth all the abuse. Harry always gave his best effort to be fair to everyone. Still, there was no pleasing some people. All he knew was that he was going to go by the rules, and if others didn't like it, that was their tough luck. At least Harry could sleep well at night knowing that he never compromised the game due to pressure. He might make an occasional bad call, but every call he made was done with integrity.

Sometimes standing for what is right is the hardest thing we can do. Others will mock us for doing things by the book, but that should only confirm that we are on the right track. God rejoices when we do what we know is right, and He will strengthen us so we can rise above the derision.

Prayer: I find that I am too weak to stand up for what is right all the time. When I am weakest, Lord, fill me with your divine strength. Do not let me shrink from doing what I know is right. Amen.

http://odb.org/2015/09/22/a-fishing-lesson/

"Directions on Where to Park My Mind."
Philippians 4:8 says, "Finally brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable — if anything is excellent or praiseworthy — think about such things"(NIV).

When we know God, we know:

His strength that is accessible in our weakness

His comfort that meets us as we mourn

His mercy that withholds the punishment our depravity readily deserves

His peace that defies our unrest

His joy that kisses the cheeks of our sorrow

His courage that emboldens our weary hearts and casts away fears

His redemption that reworks our brokenness into beauty

His love that binds us to eternity and delights over us with singing.
Girlfriends in God - Tuesday, April 28, 2015

Colossians 3:12-14 reminds me, "… as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity" (NIV).
My job isn’t to fix this person or make them see my side of things. My job is to obey God by offering an extension of the forgiveness I’ve been given. But I can also stay healthy in this situation by remembering forgiveness doesn’t mean giving this person access in my life that sets me up for destructive patterns.
Encouragement for Today

Joy is not the result of outward circumstances. Joy is an inside job, a deeply rooted confidence that God is in control. Every trial or loss, every defeat or victory measured against this confidence can be counted as joy. The decision is ours to make.

The Apostle Paul was a man of great joy. By human terms, he had every right to be angry and bitter. Persecuted, imprisoned, and facing His own death, Paul says, “I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do everything through Him who gives me strength” (Philippians 4:12-12, NIV).

Wow! Like Paul, we can learn to be joyful.

James 1:2 “Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.”

We cannot avoid pain, but we can avoid joy. The pursuit of joy is a matter of choice. Our inward perspective does not have to reflect our outward circumstances. We can choose joy!

A little boy was overheard talking to himself as he strutted through the backyard, a baseball cap on his head and a ball and bat in his hand. He was muttering, “I’m the greatest hitter in the world!” Then he tossed the ball in the air, swung at it, and missed. “Strike one!” He picked up the ball, threw it into the air, and said to himself, “I’m the greatest hitter ever!” He swung at the ball again. “Strike two!” He paused, examined his bat and ball, and threw the ball into the air, missing a third time. He cried out, “Wow! I’m the greatest pitcher in the world!”

Yes, the pursuit of joy is a matter of choice and perspective. It is also a matter of obedience. As Christians, one of our spiritual priorities should be joy.

“One ship sails east.

One ship sails west.

Regardless of how the winds blow,

It is the set of the sail

And not the gale

That determines the way we go.”

(Author unknown)

Set your sails for joy, girlfriend! Celebrate! Revel in who God is, in what He has done, in what He is doing and will do in your life when you choose joy.

God loves broken. M.R. DeHann says it beautifully:

God loves broken.
"God used two broken stones tablets to cause the Israelites to repent of their disobedience.
God used broken earthen vessels to give the impression of an enormous army accompanying Gideon.
God used a broken heart to return King David to himself.
God used a broken roof to provide access for a cripple to be lowered by four faithful friends into the healing presence of Jesus.
God used broken loaves to feed five thousand and then some.
God used broken fishing nest to challenge the disciple to depend on him rather than their own efforts for their needs.
God used a broken ship to steer Paul to the island of Malta to reveal the gospel to the natives there.
God used a broken body, pierced for our sins, to provide salvation for all humankind."
Today, embrace the pain in your life. Celebrate the broken places. Surrender them to your God and let Him heal them for your good and His glory.

https://www.facebook.com/kloveradio/photos/a.99342059055.108189.31452279055/10153685851914056/?type=1