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I'm
careful to not schedule much for Monday's till after noon. I'm sluggish
and not willing to do much till then. Sundays are tough days for me. I
usually begin by 5:00 AM, so I can have a good breakfast, shower and be at
church by 8:10 or earlier, for worship team rehearsal. Usually, I lie
awake and can’t sleep, after Saturday evening services at another
church. I'm not one to simply attend, sit still and go home. I'm more
likely to get involved in the music, singing along and thinking about each
song's message, sharing, testimonies and sermon lessons, I soak it all in,
which will usually have me thinking and pondering the things I've seen,
heard and experienced; often late into the night. So, I wake ready for
more of the same Sunday mornings. HomeBound shares and worships at local
nursing homes, two Sundays per month.
So, Sundays can be tiring, if not exhausting. I reserve Monday mornings
for behaving like a snail, moving slowly and relaxing. In fact, Monday and
Friday are the only days of the week I don't set an alarm for an early
start. Tuesdays (and Thursdays) begin with a workout at a local fitness
center, and then I tutor a couple of students. Wednesdays are my earliest
days. I try to rise by 4:30, so I can attend a great bible study with a
group of dedicated men at 6:00 Am, followed by a nice breakfast, and later
take a busload of kids to ‘Stars’ for mentoring after School. I'm
trying to figure how to go fishing early weekdays, so it looks as if my
Mondays and Fridays may soon begin earlier.
These are some of the plans I've made and schedules I try to keep. But I
realize God has plans for me too. Some days (if I'm listening to God) my
plans don't come to pass. Some days God adds to my schedule, reshuffles it
and, it seems He's even added time some days, when I'm able to accomplish
all I want to do and what He's given. Some days, I'm so wrapped up in my
plan, I simply don't listen for God's will. Some days I'm eager to do what
God wants, while other times, I'm more like Moses, or Jonah. Moses was
afraid he couldn't do what God asked. Jonah didn't want to see God shower
His grace and mercy on people He'd judged deserving of death. Moses didn't
trust God enough. Jonah wanted to tell God whom to punish. If I'm honest
with you, God, and myself, I'm Moses and Jonah far too often. We're
beginning a study in Sunday school titled "What's So Amazing About
Grace". I've one answer; "What's amazing about Grace is, God
bestows it on the most undeserving. One of whom is me!"
Pray for Naomi C. She was taken to the hospital
with pneumonia and a heart problem. Please pray for my friend and High School classmate Betsye A. She's to see her oncologist today. Pray for good news and healing.
Father God, Your grace is amazing. You've
showered Your grace on me; undeserving an sinful as I am. You've made a
way where there was no way, for me to be saved and live eternally with
You. The price of my debt has been paid, once and forever by Jesus' death
in my place; instead of me! All I need to do is confess I am a sinner, ask
Jesus to forgive me and say openly, Jesus is my LORD! You've given new
birth and are creating a new work in me. I am a new creation in Christ
Jesus! This is part of what is amazing about grace; Your Grace! I am a
sinner and need forgiveness. I ask to be forgiven of my sins, and I freely
and completely forgive other sinners who have sinned against me. The past
cannot be changed, so You've changed my future by giving me a new life; a
gift of salvation and redemption in the present! I offer these loved ones
and cares: Naomi C, Betsye A, Julie M's family, Larry M, Bill C, Kaitlyn and Chris,
Rockwell Family, Pat D & family, Tom G, Chuck M, Ashley R, Randy S,
Mike N, Wakins family, Keith R, Anne, Gary H, Rob P, Jim B, Mary (&
Larry) C's Nephew, Jane C, Emily W, Jim V, Teresa, John B, Nikki L, Kairos
#10, Barbara, Nikki L, John B, Vickie E, Ken S, Ladies of walk 58, Mr.
& Mrs. Dewitt, Brandelyn N, Claudia T, Chrissie, Tim H -sons &
families, Bill C, Jim B, Mike S' sister Tammy, Larry M, Cindy S'
grandfather Gerald, John C, Jonah Joser, Michelle C, Ashlie B, Pat D,
Roger D, Chris F, Maggie M, Victoria, Jen, Takin' The Streets Penny
ministry, Gayla K, Doug & Joanne F, Bill H, Katie V, Trina, Rick B,
Joe D, Scott K, Eric K, Megan D, Karen M, Jess P, Catie M, Tom McL, Shawn
- Heidi & kids, Jason (in Texas), Becky M, Hunter H, Mable C, John D,
Linda Z, John W, Tom C, Diane (Texas), Dave W, Denise, Sherry, Curt H, Roy
& Becky M & their families, , Genie D, Barb W, Julie S & her
family, Nancy F, Naomi's Heart Mission, Patty B, Tami - husband &
family, Jan F, Jason & Kristie, Walter M, Evan W, Dave H, Lori D, Rick
F, Sally W, Stacey S, Barron S, Jerry F, Brenda W, Diane F, Mary A, Susan
& family, Suveld & family, Alexia, and Vladimer, Terri & Doug
R, Eldon & Deloris R, Sondra F, Stacey F, Kevin, Scott K, Koster
family, Betsye A, Judy R, Mike, Solly (for liver), Ronda & John P,
Archie S, Roger D, M Roker, Michael V, Charlie M, Gerry, Patrice S, India
U, Sharon N, Nathan R, John D, Dean S, Amber & family, Maria - her
grandmother and son, Carol B, Lisa H, Aprilla, Jack, Tom & Marg, Tom
C, Dustin, Glen, Barry, Dylan, Robin & husband, all trying to end
addiction or habit, our families for salvation and guidance, those
grieving, depressed, fighting / working for freedom and safety from
terror, neglected / abused / missing children, God's servants and
churches, those looking for work, in rehab programs, our families and all
we hold dear in our hearts. In awe of Your grace, I pray with
thanksgiving, love, honor and praise.... Amen.
When we were utterly helpless, Christ came at
just the right time and died for us sinners. Now, most people would not be
willing to die for an upright person, though someone might perhaps be
willing to die for a person who is especially good. But God showed his
great love for us by sending Christ to die for us while we were still
sinners. And since we have been made right in God’s sight by the blood
of Christ, he will certainly save us from God’s condemnation. For since
our friendship with God was restored by the death of his Son while we were
still his enemies, we will certainly be saved through the life of his Son.
So now we can rejoice in our wonderful new relationship with God because
our Lord Jesus Christ has made us friends of God. Romans
5:6-11 NLT (Please take time (when you can) to read all of
this chapter.)
http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Romans%205&version=NLT
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