Tuesday, August 31, 2004
Mercy is something we seek but difficult to give.
-Lyn Sahr
-Ps 86:5-7 NIV
You are forgiving and good, O Lord,
abounding in love to all who call to you.
6 Hear my prayer, O LORD;
listen to my cry for mercy.
7 In the day of my trouble I will call to you,
for you will answer me.
Monday, August 30, 2003
Recently a small boy went into the local McDonalds and asked for a glass of water, which is free. Then he went over to the fountain drink and filled the glass with soda. When confronted with his actions he responded, “That’s what my dad does!”
Interesting isn’t it, how the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree. And how we think that something as simple as cheating a fast food restaurant out of a soda isn’t stealing. Stealing isn’t determined by the size of the theft but rather the root of the theft. Many people are “thieves at heart!”
-Lyn Sahr
-Eph 4:28 NIV
He who has been stealing must steal no longer, but must work, doing something useful with his own hands, that he may have something to share with those in need.
Sunday, August 29, 2004
This past week was my birthday and I have never really paid much attention to birthdays. But it does mean I am one year older and one year closer to entering eternity. Sometimes the trials of this world seem to be very heavy, but the fact is that this life is really short. So I have been reminding myself that the trials and difficulties are just passing by and that He will see me through them. It is important to always remember that He never leaves us. He knows what we go through. And He will deliver us in His perfect time.
So, when the trials seem more than you can bear, remember that this life is short and we are being prepared for heaven. Perhaps we don’t understand why God allows us to go through certain things, but we can be sure that He is in control and that they serve a purpose.
-Ardis Rivera
-James 1:2-4
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.
Saturday, August 28, 2004
My children are constant reminders of what God must go through daily with his children.
Our nearly 23-month old daughter Kathryn is getting a larger vocabulary with each passing day, but even so, her favorite word lately is “no.” We ask her to do something…many times it’s “no,” We are trying to protect her and tell her to give us what she has in her hands…again it’s “no.” As parents we are trying to do the best to protect our daughter and help her grow safely and head down to right path. We will continue to lovingly say “no” to our daughter until she can make smart choices on her own.
Our heavenly father does the same…as he lovingly nudges his children to do something and we say “no.” Or he tells us not to head a certain direction with our life as he has different plans for us and we say “no.” Perhaps it is him trying to keep us safe from hurts with his “no.”
Whatever God’s “no” might be today—-it’s done with his unfailing love. Remember, just as parents we can see the consequences of our child if they don’t listen to our “no,” God knows what our tomorrow will hold without his “no.”
-Garrett Novak
-Jeremiah 29:11
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.
Thursday, August 26, 2004
The Puzzle
A father started to read a magazine but was being bothered by his little girl, Jessica. Finally, he tore a sheet out of his magazine on which was printed the map of the world. Tearing it into small pieces, he gave it to Jessica, and said, “Go into the other room and see if you can put this together.”
After a few minutes, Jessica returned and handed him the map correctly fitted together. The father was surprised and asked how she had finished so quickly. “Oh,” she said, “on the other side of the paper is a picture of Jesus. When I got all of Jesus back where He belonged, then the world came together.”
-Contributed by Sandi Moser
-Ps 50:1-2 NIV
The Mighty One, God, the LORD,
speaks and summons the earth
from the rising of the sun to the place where it sets.
2 From Zion, perfect in beauty,
God shines forth.
Wednesday, August 25, 2004
Being full of God’s Spirit does not generally allow one to be content in their surroundings. In fact, the more of God’s Spirit within you the less content you will probably be as your heart burns with passion for the lost of this world. This type of contentment, like spiritual retirement, is a myth.
-Lyn Sahr
-1 Chron 29:11-13 NIV
Yours, O LORD, is the greatness and the power
and the glory and the majesty and the splendor,
for everything in heaven and earth is yours.
Yours, O LORD, is the kingdom;
you are exalted as head over all.
12 Wealth and honor come from you;
you are the ruler of all things.
In your hands are strength and power
to exalt and give strength to all.
13 Now, our God, we give you thanks,
and praise your glorious name.
Tuesday, August 24, 2004
As Christians, priorities are indicative of one’s love for Christ.
-Lyn Sahr
-2 Cor 6:2 NIV
“In the time of my favor I heard you,
and in the day of salvation I helped you.”
I tell you, now is the time of God’s favor, now is the day of salvation.
Monday, August 23, 2004
Young people have a tendency to fall in love easy and often. Reckless romance leads to ruined lives, failed marriages and single parent homes. The problem is that people get too smart too late. And sometimes they never learn at all!
And to think all they have to read is the Book to find the wisdom of the ages!
-Lyn Sahr
-Ps 119:105 NIV
Your word is a lamp to my feet
and a light for my path.
The ChurchMouse is Vacationing!!!
Tuesday, August 10, 2004
The messes that Christians often find themselves in these days can be attributed to many things, one being bad decisions. This is not something new to the church. Adam and Eve made a bad decision by disobeying God and, not only did they suffer from it, people have been suffering ever since.
When we make bad decisions, it may be sin or it may easily become sin. There have always been penalties for sin and the effects of sin can be long lasting and long reaching. Yes, we may be forgiven but sin has a way of scaring people’s lives and the people around us.
-Lyn Sahr
-Prov 29:6 NIV
An evil man is snared by his own sin,
but a righteous one can sing and be glad.
Monday, August 9, 2004
Giving is the measurement of greatness, not the amount one gives but rather the portion and spirit of the giving. When one loses their desire to give they lose their peace with God and their joy in living. Give what you can, when you can to whom you can and you will have discovered greatness.
-Lyn Sahr
-Ps 118:29 NIV
Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; his love endures forever.
The ChurchMouse is Vacationing!!!
Monday, August 2, 2004
This morning I was trying to make a left turn from a side street unto a main road. The car behind me hurriedly pulled around me to the left and then proceeded down the road at a very slow speed. As we approached the freeway entrance he suddenly decided to pull onto the ramp to his left directly in front of an oncoming semi truck. My first thought was, “This guy has a death wish!”
Yet many people live like this guy drove; slow, fast, inconsistent, without regard for others and dangerously. Then they wonder why their lives are such a mess.
Consistency is a big part of the Christian life and the more we live it the better we understand it.
-Lyn Sahr
-Ps 18:25 NIV
To the faithful you show yourself faithful,
to the blameless you show yourself blameless,
