Word for the week: Comfort
Bible Verse: Isaiah 51:12
"I, even I, am He who comforts you."
Jesus, please touch the one who's heart is broken and let Your love be a blanket of comfort.
Saturday, February 24, 2007
Little Lamb
Little lamb wounded,
The Shepherd is coming to your rescue.
Though you may not know it,
His love for you is true.
Little lamb wounded,
The Shepherd is drawing near.
Though you may not know it,
Your cries of pain He can hear.
Little lamb wounded,
The Shepherd is reaching down.
Though you may not know it,
He's going to pick you up off the ground
Little lamb wounded,
In the Shepherd's arms
Do not be afraid,
He will keep you from all harm.
copyright S. Hunt 2003 All rights reserved
The Shepherd is coming to your rescue.
Though you may not know it,
His love for you is true.
Little lamb wounded,
The Shepherd is drawing near.
Though you may not know it,
Your cries of pain He can hear.
Little lamb wounded,
The Shepherd is reaching down.
Though you may not know it,
He's going to pick you up off the ground
Little lamb wounded,
In the Shepherd's arms
Do not be afraid,
He will keep you from all harm.
copyright S. Hunt 2003 All rights reserved
The Valley of Despair
The pain within my heart
Is more than I can bear.
I don't know how I'll make it.
I don't know how I'll fair.
This loss has left me all alone
And no one seems to care,
But then my Savior draws me near,
There's no doubt, I know He's there.
His love surrounds me night and day,
With Him my grief I share.
He knows my every thought.
He knows this cross I bear.
He takes my hand and walks me
Through this valley of despair,
And as we travel slowly
He makes my heart aware.
Even though I'm broken,
There's nothing He can't repair,
If I trust Him with my life
And continue this journey in prayer.
copyright S.Hunt 2007 All rights reserved
Is more than I can bear.
I don't know how I'll make it.
I don't know how I'll fair.
This loss has left me all alone
And no one seems to care,
But then my Savior draws me near,
There's no doubt, I know He's there.
His love surrounds me night and day,
With Him my grief I share.
He knows my every thought.
He knows this cross I bear.
He takes my hand and walks me
Through this valley of despair,
And as we travel slowly
He makes my heart aware.
Even though I'm broken,
There's nothing He can't repair,
If I trust Him with my life
And continue this journey in prayer.
copyright S.Hunt 2007 All rights reserved
Where the Road Leads
As I walk down this road,
I know not where it leads.
I can not see God's purpose.
I do not know my needs.
As I walk down this road,
I see footprints in the sand
Left by those who've gone before me,
Who also didn't understand.
As I walk down this road,
I begin to pray
God will give me strength and courage
To walk another day.
As I walk down this road,
Darkness begins to fall,
But in the distance I see a light
And I hear a voice call.
As I walk down this road,
Through the blackest night,
I hear my Savior beckon-
"Do not despair, I have you in my sight".
copyright S.Hunt 2005 All rights reserved
I know not where it leads.
I can not see God's purpose.
I do not know my needs.
As I walk down this road,
I see footprints in the sand
Left by those who've gone before me,
Who also didn't understand.
As I walk down this road,
I begin to pray
God will give me strength and courage
To walk another day.
As I walk down this road,
Darkness begins to fall,
But in the distance I see a light
And I hear a voice call.
As I walk down this road,
Through the blackest night,
I hear my Savior beckon-
"Do not despair, I have you in my sight".
copyright S.Hunt 2005 All rights reserved
Sunday, February 11, 2007
Ginger
Sunday tradition at my house is to enjoy a carefree day. The freedom to be lazy abounds. What a way to start the week.
Sundays like this seem to float by as quiet and insignificant as the white swirls of clouds on a warm sunny day. Then, there are those exceptions that come along once in a while and interrupt the quiet to announce life is about to change.
Startled awake by my beagle's alarming bay, I sat straight up in my lawn chair to see what was going on. "What is it boy?" His tail was springing back and forth as though it was keeping time to music. I knew he had seen something in the yard. I crept up to the gate to see what was around the corner of the house. What was it that Sam was barking at so insistently?
At first, I couldn't see anything. The cars were fine. The padlock on the storage room was intact. But then, I noticed something moving in the pile of dead tree limbs at the far end of the yard. "Oh Sam, it's probably a cat".
Satisfied I had identified the source of disturbance, I went back to the comfort of my lawn chair. I tried closing my eyes and tuning out the non-stop barking, but it was more than my ears could bear. "OKAY! OKAY! I'll go see what it is."
Once I stepped outside the gate, the quiet returned. Sam watched as I walked towards the pile of branches. Sure enough, there was something caught in the tangled mess. The closer I came, the better I could see. "Oh, it's a little dog." I could hear it whimpering as it struggled to escape.
"Be still and I'll try to help you." I picked up a couple of branches from the top of the pile, and the little dog leaped out and ran off. The poor little thing was skinny and scared. But now it was free, so I guess I did my good deed for the day. "Come on Sam, let's go inside and find something to eat."
The sound of the can opener signaled the other two dogs that it was supper time. As I scraped the dog food cans clean, I heard a squeaky sound at the back of the house. Of course, I wasn't the only one who had heard the peculiar noise. The three dogs stampeded out the back door. When I got to the door there the poor skinny little dog was outside the fence lying in the grass, barking towards the house. I was sure it needed some food too, so I opened a can of Vienna sausage and plopped them out onto a paper plate. "Here you go."
There was a scared, desperate look in the little dog's eyes as she scarfed down the food and then ran off. How sad for an animal to be so desperate and no one care. I brushed tears away as I plopped another can of sausage onto the plate, hoping she would come back and finish the rest.
For the next three weeks I fed the little ginger-colored dog every evening . She hid in the pile branches until late evening. Each day I drove up into the driveway after work, there the little dog was, sitting in the yard watching and waiting for something to eat.
Day after day the little dog would follow strangers down the sidewalk, begging to be noticed. Each time the person would disappear around the corner, the little dog would stop and look back at the house, then trot across the street back to the pile of brush. Sadness filled my heart as I watched. No one wanted the little dog. I knew it wouldn't be long until she would probably die.
On the third Sunday, I decided I would try to gain the little dog's trust. I took a plate of dog food outside the gate and sat down in the grass. I hoped that she would trust me enough to let me pet her. It took two hours to finally gain her trust; it was worth it though. She climbed up in my lap and I held her close. She licked my face over and over as though she was telling me "thank you." It was at that moment "Ginger" became part of our family.
copyright 2006 S. Hunt - All Rights Reserved
Sundays like this seem to float by as quiet and insignificant as the white swirls of clouds on a warm sunny day. Then, there are those exceptions that come along once in a while and interrupt the quiet to announce life is about to change.
Startled awake by my beagle's alarming bay, I sat straight up in my lawn chair to see what was going on. "What is it boy?" His tail was springing back and forth as though it was keeping time to music. I knew he had seen something in the yard. I crept up to the gate to see what was around the corner of the house. What was it that Sam was barking at so insistently?
At first, I couldn't see anything. The cars were fine. The padlock on the storage room was intact. But then, I noticed something moving in the pile of dead tree limbs at the far end of the yard. "Oh Sam, it's probably a cat".
Satisfied I had identified the source of disturbance, I went back to the comfort of my lawn chair. I tried closing my eyes and tuning out the non-stop barking, but it was more than my ears could bear. "OKAY! OKAY! I'll go see what it is."
Once I stepped outside the gate, the quiet returned. Sam watched as I walked towards the pile of branches. Sure enough, there was something caught in the tangled mess. The closer I came, the better I could see. "Oh, it's a little dog." I could hear it whimpering as it struggled to escape.
"Be still and I'll try to help you." I picked up a couple of branches from the top of the pile, and the little dog leaped out and ran off. The poor little thing was skinny and scared. But now it was free, so I guess I did my good deed for the day. "Come on Sam, let's go inside and find something to eat."
The sound of the can opener signaled the other two dogs that it was supper time. As I scraped the dog food cans clean, I heard a squeaky sound at the back of the house. Of course, I wasn't the only one who had heard the peculiar noise. The three dogs stampeded out the back door. When I got to the door there the poor skinny little dog was outside the fence lying in the grass, barking towards the house. I was sure it needed some food too, so I opened a can of Vienna sausage and plopped them out onto a paper plate. "Here you go."
There was a scared, desperate look in the little dog's eyes as she scarfed down the food and then ran off. How sad for an animal to be so desperate and no one care. I brushed tears away as I plopped another can of sausage onto the plate, hoping she would come back and finish the rest.
For the next three weeks I fed the little ginger-colored dog every evening . She hid in the pile branches until late evening. Each day I drove up into the driveway after work, there the little dog was, sitting in the yard watching and waiting for something to eat.
Day after day the little dog would follow strangers down the sidewalk, begging to be noticed. Each time the person would disappear around the corner, the little dog would stop and look back at the house, then trot across the street back to the pile of brush. Sadness filled my heart as I watched. No one wanted the little dog. I knew it wouldn't be long until she would probably die.
On the third Sunday, I decided I would try to gain the little dog's trust. I took a plate of dog food outside the gate and sat down in the grass. I hoped that she would trust me enough to let me pet her. It took two hours to finally gain her trust; it was worth it though. She climbed up in my lap and I held her close. She licked my face over and over as though she was telling me "thank you." It was at that moment "Ginger" became part of our family.
copyright 2006 S. Hunt - All Rights Reserved
*************
Word for the Week: Family
Bible Verse: John 3:16 NKJV
God so loved the world, He gave His only Son, that whosoever believed inHim, would not perish, but have everlasting life.
It's been almost a year since Ginger came into our family. I have four dogs now, and I've had to make the decision that I can't take in any more strays. I love my dogs; they are my family. But I have limited space and limited finances. And as I pondered this decision, God tapped me on the shoulder.
He reminded me that He never runs out of space or provisions for us. He is continually inviting anyone who will trust Him to come into His forever family.
Come as you are, there are no limitations. God is faithful and true and will accept you into His family no matter what. All you have to do is trust Him.
copyright 2007 S. Hunt - All Rights Reserved
Sunday, February 4, 2007
Sick With Strife
Word for the week: PEACE
Bible Verse: Romans 12:18 NKJV
Bible Verse: Romans 12:18 NKJV
If it is possible, as much as depends on you, live peaceably with all men.
Is your family sick with strife? How about your workplace?
Strife is a painful condition. If it persists it can become a chronic inflammation that can damage relationships. The longer the strife continues the greater the loss is.
Some people live years sick with strife; sometimes their whole life. If you answer "yes" to the majority of the questions that follow- you may be sick with strife.
1. Are you irritable all the time? Does it seem like no one can do anything right?
2. Is your stomach always tied in a knot?
3. Do you have frequent headaches? Backaches?
4. Are you depressed?
5. Does it seem like you are always fussing and fighting with family members? Co-workers?
6. Do you find yourself yelling at others, threatening retaliation, or giving the silent treatment?
7. Do things seldom go the way you expect them to?
Do these symptoms sound familiar? It's not uncommon for families or workplaces to suffer from the ravages of strife. It kills relationships, steals joy, and destroys self-esteem.
Although strife is a painful condition, it can be overcome by PEACE. Below you will find five powerful ingredients that when combined and applied daily will bring peace to your heart and those around you.
Pray for those around you. Ask God to help you be patient with them, and to help you extend grace to them when they fall short of meeting your expectations. This will develop a forgiving spirit.
Embrace those around you. Draw them near to you. Share your heart with them, and allow them to share their heart with you. This will develop a relationship built on trust.
Accept those around you just as they are. Everyone has different abilities, likes and dislikes, and levels of performance. No one likes to be rejected or made to feel like they're not good enough. Love and acceptance builds self-esteem.
Cherish those around you. God placed the people around you in your life to meet your needs and to help you grow spiritually. Look and see how God is using each one in your life. He also placed you in their lives too. How is God using you to touch their lives? This will develop a thankful spirit.
Encourage those around you. They have the same fears you have. Let them know you support them; that you see their effort and their accomplishments. It's important to let people know that you still love and support them even if they make mistakes. This will develop a sense of security that comforts the heart.
If you are suffering from strife, try the recipe for PEACE. Prayer is powerful. God the Father will help you if you ask. As you start the week with a new commitment to overcome the strife in your life, write down how you plan to apply these actions.
Who will you pray for?
How will you embrace this person?
What will you accept about this person?
What will you cherish about this person?
How will you encourage this person?
Prayer:
Dear Jesus please help me to begin today to overcome the strife in my life with Your PEACE.
copyright February 2007 - S.Hunt - All Rights Reserved
Some people live years sick with strife; sometimes their whole life. If you answer "yes" to the majority of the questions that follow- you may be sick with strife.
1. Are you irritable all the time? Does it seem like no one can do anything right?
2. Is your stomach always tied in a knot?
3. Do you have frequent headaches? Backaches?
4. Are you depressed?
5. Does it seem like you are always fussing and fighting with family members? Co-workers?
6. Do you find yourself yelling at others, threatening retaliation, or giving the silent treatment?
7. Do things seldom go the way you expect them to?
Do these symptoms sound familiar? It's not uncommon for families or workplaces to suffer from the ravages of strife. It kills relationships, steals joy, and destroys self-esteem.
Although strife is a painful condition, it can be overcome by PEACE. Below you will find five powerful ingredients that when combined and applied daily will bring peace to your heart and those around you.
Pray for those around you. Ask God to help you be patient with them, and to help you extend grace to them when they fall short of meeting your expectations. This will develop a forgiving spirit.
Embrace those around you. Draw them near to you. Share your heart with them, and allow them to share their heart with you. This will develop a relationship built on trust.
Accept those around you just as they are. Everyone has different abilities, likes and dislikes, and levels of performance. No one likes to be rejected or made to feel like they're not good enough. Love and acceptance builds self-esteem.
Cherish those around you. God placed the people around you in your life to meet your needs and to help you grow spiritually. Look and see how God is using each one in your life. He also placed you in their lives too. How is God using you to touch their lives? This will develop a thankful spirit.
Encourage those around you. They have the same fears you have. Let them know you support them; that you see their effort and their accomplishments. It's important to let people know that you still love and support them even if they make mistakes. This will develop a sense of security that comforts the heart.
If you are suffering from strife, try the recipe for PEACE. Prayer is powerful. God the Father will help you if you ask. As you start the week with a new commitment to overcome the strife in your life, write down how you plan to apply these actions.
Who will you pray for?
How will you embrace this person?
What will you accept about this person?
What will you cherish about this person?
How will you encourage this person?
Prayer:
Dear Jesus please help me to begin today to overcome the strife in my life with Your PEACE.
copyright February 2007 - S.Hunt - All Rights Reserved
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