The Father's Love Letter

Ladies,

This a website I go to each year around Valentines Day:

http://www.fathersloveletter.com/flltextenglish.html

Be blessed as you celebrate those you love today, -mr

Psalm 127:3

I have struggled today with our text, "Children are a gift from the Lord"

I certainly can agree with the Psalmist. God gave us two beautiful daughters, and I have loved every moment of their lives--well there were a few days in those teen age years!!! God has indeed been good to me, and I am grateful.

Then I read Beth's blog and her tribute to her younger daughter who is to be married soon. It brought tears remembering when my girls got married. I tell you, a small part of me died then. I have two of the best sons-in-law anyone could possibly wish for. And if I started talking about my three grandchildren, well, I tend to get a little bit crazy there!!! I truly can say, my children are a gift from the Lord, one I certainly did not deserve. I am grateful.

Then I read Week 4 Day 1 and was reminded that so many desired to have children and have not yet been able to do so. Such is my sister, but she is the best "other" my grands could ever want. I know that she would tell you that children are indeed a gift from the Lord. And I am grateful for her.

Then I read Boo Mama and saw the faces of those children in Uganda. They are some mother's children, some aunt's niece or nephew, some grandmother's grand. And even in their horribly poverty stricken condition, they are a gift from the Lord.

And they might also need to be somebody's "other". jl

Sowing in Tears - Psalm 126

Sowing In Tears
TGIF Today God Is First Volume 1 by Os Hillman
Saturday, February 09 2008

"Those who sow in tears will reap with songs of joy." - Psalm 126:5

Psalm 126 describes an interesting process that goes against our natural tendencies when we are taken into a difficult period in our lives. Whenever we are hurled into a crisis that brings tears, our tendency is to retreat or recoil in fear and hurt. However, there is a better way that God tells us to handle such times of travail.

Those who sow in tears will reap with songs of joy. "He who goes out weeping, carrying seed to sow, will return with songs of joy, carrying sheaves with him" (Ps. 126:5-6). God is telling us that if we will do what is unnatural for us in these circumstances, He will make sure that what we sow in tears will return in joy. This is one of the most important lessons I have learned when faced with difficult circumstances. Rather than sit back and allow self-pity and discouragement to consume us, we should plant seed during this time. Reach out to a person who needs a friend. Invest in the life of another. See where you can be a blessing to someone. Give of yourself.

The psalmist acknowledges that we are doing this while we are in our pain. However, during this time we are to sow seed. That seed will return to us in another form. Here is what will happen when we do this. "He who goes out weeping, carrying seed to sow, will return with songs of joy, carrying sheaves with him." We will receive joy and fruit from the seed that we plant during this time. Sheaves represent the fruit of a harvest. We will actually get a harvest from this seed.

"You must not let the circumstances destroy you! Too many in the Kingdom are counting on you to come through this because of the calling on your life!" Those were the words spoken to me by a friend one time when I was in the midst of a very difficult business and personal circumstance that was threatening to destroy me emotionally. This person saw what God was doing and the fruit that God wanted to bring from these circumstances. Sometimes we need others around us to push us through the difficult times. If you find yourself in a difficult place today, see where you can sow some seed. Soon you will be reaping songs of joy.

from TGIF Today God Is First Volume 1 by Os Hillman

You can sign-up for Today God Is First at http://www.marketplaceleaders.org/

MAXINE??

Have yall met Maxine? I'm sorry, maybe it is my age, but I love her. If you don't know her, she is Hallmark Greeting Cards' crabby character that has sold millions of cards. Somehow, her irreverent quips about aging, the workplace and political correctness has struck a cord. The thing that struck me with this one, especially since we have been talking about spring cleaning during the Lenten season, is that we use every excuse to avoid letting God do the necessary cleaning to make us more like Him. Unfortunately, we chose to look like Maxine. But anyway, if this works on your house, so be it, but let's let God clean our spiritual house, okay? jl

THIS SURE SOLD ME! I AM GOING

TO THE DOLLAR STORE TODAY

& GET A DOZEN!

Maxine's Good Housekeeping Tip#1

Always keep several

get well cards on the mantle...
So if unexpected guests arrive,
They will think you've been sick

and unable to clean.

"Faith is the Victory" - Psalm 125

The old hymn, "Faith is the Victory" could be the theme of Psalm 125. I hope these outlines of Warren Wiersbe are a help to you. -jl

PSALM 125
Week 3

There are three kinds of people mentioned in this Psalm. Those who trust in the Lord, those who compromise with the enemy, those who deliberately go the wrong path. This Psalm also names the benefits that faith and faithfulness bring to God's people.

FAITH KEEPS US STANDING (vv.1-2)
Spiritual security and stability belong to those who trust in the Lord and walk by faith.

FAITH KEEPS US OBEYING (v. 3)
The prevalence of evil makes it easier for everybody to sin, but the Lord will not permit this to go on forever. The people who trust God will obey His Word no matter what others may do, and will not succumb to temptation.

FAITH KEEPS US PRAYING (v.4)
To live by faith is to keep our eyes on the Lord, rest on the promises of His Word, and do what is right no matter what others may say or do. Faith means living without scheming.

FAITH KEEPS US HOPING (v.5)
The future is your friend when Jesus in your Lord.The life of faith is not easy, but the life of unbelief is much harder--in this life and in the life to come.