We Will Survive

I am Gramma. I am Mom. I am also wife, sister, daughter, aunt, and friend. I am many things. I have many names. I have many roles...I have many shoes to fill.

But there is One whose name signifies all that He is...He is the great I AM. His names and all that He has done has filled a book. And that book has remained throughout the ages. It's the manual for our life. It was written by the Giver of Life, the Lord God Himself. Just as the car manufacturer has a manual for the car you drive every day, shouldn't we go to the manual written for us every day as well? Or do we take it for granted that our life will "run well" without studying the manual daily?

It's simple.

Go to the book, my friends. Don't take it for granted. It contains the love letters written to you from your Savior.

Love, Abbaschild

We have a loft in our house that overlooks our great room. We also have 5 grandchildren visiting from Iowa for a month. Put those two together, and it's just automatic that something will be pitched over the top.

Well, Papa fell asleep on the floor while we were all watching a movie --  that is, all minus one little grandson who decided to throw his toy over the side, and it hit his Papa and woke him up. Right away mommy chided him, and immediately his face fell..."sorry, Papa"..."It's okay, Jack"...

This little child made it right with his Papa, and all was right with the world...his little world. Simple. Right?

What's wrong with our world? Forgiveness. It's missing. Oh, it's here, and it's available. The Savior is waiting...and He will forgive. All we have to do is ask Him.

Watch this video and be blessed today.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SwWPtYRRJRk

I remember the sing song way we as children used to say "Sticks and stones will break my bones, but names will never hurt me."

Ha! That wasn't true then, and it isn't true now. Names do hurt. Just as sticks can and do injure your physical body, names can and do crush one's spirit. If you let them.

I choose not to let words crush my spirit. I choose not to dwell on hurtful words that cause pain, hurt feelings, anger and strife.

I choose instead to think on good things. I choose instead to dwell within the heart of God, and I choose life. Psalm 15:14 says "A wholesome tongue is a tree of life". In other words, gentle words cause life and health. Instead of letting someone's hurtful words "get to you" and cause feelings of depression and rejection, think on the goodness of God and His love for you. And let your words be words that reflect a gentle spirit. Let your words reflect the love of God.

Psalm 19:14 says "Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O Lord, my strength and my redeemer."

Don't let the stones being thrown around in your life turn into boulders that crush and injure. Choose life.

Everyone is talking. Words are flying through the air every second of every day. We are encompassed about with words -- from our family, friends, co-workers, stores, restaurants, phones, TV, radio, internet...there's not a quiet place anywhere anymore. We are surrounded.

It's how we communicate with each other. Trouble is, not all of those conversations we hear or are a part of are always productive. Nor are they always good.

Lately it seems I've been bombarded with others' words that are less than "nice"...whether neighbor against neighbor, sister against mother, co-worker against boss or co-worker..people are unhappy, and it's coming out in their words. I've had 5 phone calls this past week alone where someone has been hurt by someone else, and they want help. They want comfort.

There's a verse I came across yesterday, and I believe the Lord gave it to me to share with everyone who needs to hear...

1 Peter 4:11 "If anyone speaks, he should do it as one speaking the Word of God."

Not hurtful, slanderous words but words that uplift one another...God-honoring conversations. We should be treating others like we would likewise want to be treated.

No, we don't need Dr. Phil. Just the precious Word of God.

Celebrate...Celebrate...Dance to the music...

Those words keep echoing through my brain today. They are words from a song from my teen years and oh, so, appropriate...I have reasons to celebrate...

I have freedom! The Lord Jesus Christ gave me freedom the day He hung on the cross and paid the price for my sins. He made THE greatest sacrifice of life that could ever be made, and He did it out of LOVE. It was the ultimate sacrifice of giving His life for me. Oh, it was a battle! He fought the greatest battle. Satan tried so hard for ages to stop Him. But He did it! And He gave His life for us all! He set us free! And I've been celebrating ever since!

I have freedom! Yesterday I saw my oncologist for my 6 week "after chemo" checkup. After the exam, he looked at me with a beaming smile and said "Everything looks great, and your scan is clean...looks like you're free! See you in the Fall!" All I could do was smile. God is so good! He has taken us through so many hurdles in this battle. He is the victor..and we've been celebrating...We are dancing to the music of His love!

Celebrate with us. Click on the link for a display of fireworks...turn your volumn up and celebrate! Dance with me.

http://www.maylin.net/Fireworks.html