Exodus 20; 5 "You shall not bow down to them or worship them; for I, the
Lord your God, am a jealous God, punishing the children for the sin of the
fathers to the third and fourth generation of those who hate me, but showing
love to a thousand generations of those who love me and keep my
commandments."

This scripture clearly states the conditions in which God deals with man. He
states unequivocally that rearing children in the love and admonition of the
Lord is vital if they are to live a long, peaceful life.
Rearing children is not easy in normal circumstances but for celebrities who
are ever in  the limelight it seems almost impossible especially when their
way of life spans three or four generations.

Historians record the history of Sir Winston Churchill who was Prime
Minister in England during and after World War 11. Sir Winston's father,
John Winston, became the 1st Duke of Marlborough. He had problems with
substance addiction. Sir Winston also had problems with substance addiction.
Sir Winston and his high society wife had several children who were reared
by hired help and rarely spent quality time with their parents. Randolph,
their son, also became an alcoholic. Their daughters also had problems with
various kinds of addictions. The Churchill children's lives were difficult
that included a suicide. Since children do what parents do not what we say
do, the Churchill children had no Godly influence or stable family members
who were consistently there for them in providing a positive pattern on
which to build their lives.

Dear Readers, God commands us in Deuteronomy 11: 19 to teach our children
about Him daily so they will have strength and stability to make wise
choices in life. If you are friends with celebrities or your children are
attending school with their children, pray for them and reach out to them as
God opens opportunities to show kindness and friendship.

Heavenly Father, Help us not to cast any one aside or give up believing they
can change because You never gave up on us. Amen

Psalm 68: 6 "God sets the lonely in families."

The best family I know for lonely folks is the local church. Granted some
churches do not function as a family but I believe most do. If I were in
need of a family I would search until I found a functioning church family.
That's what I did. Having married during World War 11, my husband was sent
overseas a month after our wedding. Even though I lived with my
mother-in-law, I needed a church family.
 

I found it in the First Baptist church in Norman, Oklahoma. In the Navy
wives circle of the Woman's Missionary Union I was welcomed and nurtured by
the young women until the war was over an my husband was home to stay.

God cares about every aspect of our lives especially when we are lonely. My
friend married again after her first husband, the father of her three
daughters, died. She remarried. Her new husband was in his fifties and had
never been married. His parents and siblings all died during the twenty five
years he and my friend were married. He attained a good report with my
friend's adult daughters and their families. Though my friend has died her
daughters now include her husband in their family times. God is blessing him
with family connections in his aging years!

Dear Readers, If you are alone and want a family to love and be loved, ask
God to supply that need in your life. I promise you He will answer your
prayer.

God our Father, I pray your Holy Spirit will abide with your lonely
children. When they cry to you in their need for family ties, fill them with
a strong sense of your peace and comfort for Jesus sake and fulfill their
need according to your will. Amen
 

I Timothy 3: 4 "He must manage his own family well and see that his children
obey him with proper respect."

In previous years the father had to provide for his family. Actually if a
mother worked outside the home it became a negative reflection on the man of
the house. I remember Dad managed his family well: he was definitely in charge and we
obeyed him because we did not want the consequences that rebelling brought.
This is my dad: always with us as a caring provider, protector, parental,
instructor, our everyday doctor, a stern disciplinarian. Dad was not:
gentle, affectionate, demonstrative, or tender.

Dear Readers, Our greatest benefit was that we were family farmers which
meant everyone worked at growing our own food and preserving it for the lean
times of the year.

Dad butchered hogs in the fall and preserved the meat by smoke curing the
hams and shoulders and making sausage from the rest of the meat. We made
sausage patties from the seasoned meat, fried them, placed the patties in
jars or crocks and poured the hot fat over the patties, then sealed the jars
to preserve them for our winter food. Dad grew corn and took the dry ears to
the mill to grind into cornmeal.

We had beans and cornbread almost every day plus other food but many days
that was our meal and we were glad to have that. It is still my favorite. We
raised chickens to eat and had eggs as well. It was the staples we lacked:
flour, soda, baking powder, sugar, salt and spices. Sometimes we saved
enough eggs to sell at the market for money to buy those staples.

Thank you Heavenly Father for our faithful Dad who introduced us to You. He
depended on you to guide him in keeping our family together even during our
nation's darkest days and to help him face his personal loneliness after
mother's death. Amen

April 2009: "Jesus Christ"

Week 1: Unto Us a Child

Week 2: His Ministry

Week 3:  His Crucifixion

Week 4:  His Resurrection

May 2009: "Godly Women"

Week 1: Esther

1Samuel 16:7 "But the Lord said to Samuel, "Do not consider his appearance or
his height, for I have rejected him. The Lord does not look at the things
man looks at, Man looks at the outward appearance but the Lord looks at the
heart."

It is rather strange to me that when God looked at the heart of all Jesse's
older sons, not one met God's Kingly criteria nor did it appear that God
even knew them. But when the shepherd boy, David came in, the Lord said, "
Rise and anoint him; he is the one."

In my opinion God already knew David because David knew God: had been in
touch with Him while on the mountains tending his father's sheep. No doubt
David called on God for strength when he killed bears and lions to protect
the sheep as he did when he encountered and killed Goliath, the Philistine
Giant.

Dear Readers, Sometimes the youngest child in the family is overlooked when
serious responsibilities are being considered. Perhaps they are always seen
as the baby and as such could not make the mature decisions leaders are
expected to make. But God looks much deeper than age and position. He looks
at a person's willingness to listen to and follow the directions of the Holy
Spirit. David was a Godly man. He acknowledged God in his life and repented
when he sinned.

David knew God very well. He told the giant, Goliath, "You come against me
with sword and spear and javelin, but I come against you in the name of the
Lord Almighty, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied." That
name is one the enemies of Israel learned to respect as the conqueror that
fought for His people.

Holy Father, I want to know you better. I want to obey you when your Holy
Spirit gives me an assignment. Help me discern your voice from the voice of
your enemies. Grant me power to overcome Satan. Amen
 

1 Samuel 3: 8-9 "Then Eli realized that the Lord was calling the boy. So Eli
told Samuel go lie down, and if He calls you say, 'Speak Lord, for your
servant is listening.' So Samuel went and lay down in his place. The Lord
came and stood there, calling as at the other times, "Samuel! Samuel!" Then
Samuel said, "speak, Lord, for your servant is listening."

Dear Readers, When I taught children in Sunday school and vacation Bible
school one of my and also the children's favorite stories was the story of
Hannah and her son. Samuel's mother was childless and promised God that if
He gave her a son she would give him back to serve Him all his days. Hannah
kept her promise and Samuel lived in the temple helping the elderly priest,
Eli, with temple responsibilities and he heard God's call for duty at a very
young age.

Samuel grew up to be a Godly man and one of most significant leaders of
God's people in Israel's history. Serving faithfully and with righteousness
as prophet, priest and judge, he influenced Israel's civilians and armies
greatly during the years of First and Second Samuel. Among the many duties
God required of Samuel was the anointing of Israel's first kings: Saul and
David.

Lord God, Help me listen each day for you to call my name and help to be
trustworthy. Amen
 

James 3: 18 "Peacemakers who sow in peace raise a harvest of righteousness."
 
While Nehemiah worked at rebuilding the wall in Jerusalem he made a gruesome
discovery regarding the people who had joined him in this endeavor. Some of
the worker's families were going hungry other officials were taxing the
people so much they could not pay so the officials were taking away their
homes and land.

When Nehemiah became aware of these conditions he was outraged. Being a
peacemaker he took decisive action to right the wrong by returning the land
and homes to the owners. He made sure the worker's families were not going
hungry. The people cooperated and vowed to do as Nehemiah ordered!
 
Dear Readers, God's peacemakers are needed in every workplace. One church's
budget committee didn't propose a cost of living raise for their pastor.
Since the economy wasn't good, the church was feeling the effects. The
pastor had led the church as pastor for twenty years. But it was later
learned two people on the personnel committee had unjustly accused the
pastor of mismanaging his time and preaching too long which resulted in the
committee turning down the raise proposed by budget committee.
Whether in a secular business establishment or church most of the time a
raise in pay means a "job well done" or a necessary "cost of living"
increase. In this case the pastor corrected the misstated information then
simply trusted God and left his welfare and reputation in God's hands.
 
Holy Father, Help us make peace in every position of work. Help us love and
serve you first while we give love and kindness for each other a priority in
our journey home to you. Amen

Acts 9: 31 "Then the church throughout Judea, Galilee and Samaria enjoyed a
time of peace. It was strengthened; and encouraged by the Holy Spirit. It grew in numbers,
living in the fear of the Lord."
 
This peace the church enjoyed for awhile came after Saul was struck down,
made blind by the light of Christ and converted on the road to Damascus. It
was he who led the persecution of Christians in Christ's new church. Now
that he had a new heart and the new name, Barnabas helped Paul convince the
Christians who feared him that he would no longer persecute them since Jesus
Christ had made him a new person and changed the direction of his life.
 
Dear Readers, God has placed in every church today those to whom He has
gifted as peacemakers. When there is a difference of opinions within the
membership it will be the person who calmly says, "Lets pray and find what
Jesus would do in these circumstances." Are you the person who has the gift
of peacemaking in your church? Then calmly speak up!
 
Thank you Heavenly Father for your power that changes men's hearts from
conflict to peace in your twenty first century church. Help us follow you
not Satan! Amen

2 Chronicles 14: 5 "He removed the high places and incense Altars in every
town in Judah and the kingdom was at peace under him."
 
Though he did not remove the high places in Israel like he did in Judah, no
more idols were allowed when Asa was King. He even deposed his grandmother
Maacah from her position as queen mother because she made a repulsive
Asherah pole. King Asa cut the pole down, broke it up and burned it in the
Kidron valley. God gave Asa victory over his enemies. The nation had no war
for thirty years.
 
Dear Readers, I recall the 1980's when Ronald Reagan was president and he
determined to bring an end to the cold war. He said to Mikhail Gorbachev,
"Tear down that Berlin wall." It was torn down! Reagan acted the part of
peacemaker while he was president. He saw what was needed and made it happen
peacefully!
 
Heavenly Father, help your people understand the importance of electing men
and women who are peacemakers because they know Jesus Christ. Give courage
to your people when, under your leadership, they desire to run for public
office. Amen

Matthew 19:14 "Jesus said, 'let the children come to me and do not hinder
them for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these."
 
I'm impressed when I see our Lord's gentleness in dealing with children.
They are definitely not in His way but in His eyes are Heavenly treasures.
Perhaps we need to pattern our thinking after His and treat our children as
our earthly treasures until Jesus calls them to live with Him.
 
Dear Readers, Many parents and grandparents have children in heaven. My
granddaughter left this earth at age sixteen due to an automobile accident.
She is one of Heaven's treasures.
 
Lord, As I look at all children help me see them through your eyes! Amen

Mark 10: 21 "Jesus looked at him and loved him. 'One thing you lack, 'he
said. "Go, sell everything you have and give to the poor, and you will have
treasure in heaven, then come, follow me."
 
Dear Readers, This scripture indicates to me that God cannot perform the
miracle of the new birth in us until we give up to Him any hold on our own
life or our possessions. It also tells me that God expects us to care for
those in need by sharing our possessions.
If you have salvation the miracle of a changed heart is God's work. When the
Holy Spirit urged you to repent and ask the Lord to come into your heart the
one thing you did was to say 'yes'. The miracle of 'being born again' is
God's work.
 
Heavenly Father, Thank you for the love you gave us for the less fortunate.
Help us fill heaven's coffers with treasures of love. Amen

Mark 10: 16 "And He (Jesus) took the children in His arms, put His hands on
them and blessed them."
 
Jesus knew about small children's needs. By taking the children in His arms
He could look into their eyes as He talked to them so they would not forget
Him or what He was saying. Small tots surely get tired of looking at adult
knees! We need to lift them up to eye level or bend to the floor so they can
see our eyes as we talk to them.
 
Dear Readers, Toddlers to three year olds are self involved, and their world
extends little beyond that which they can see but they do what we do. If we
are loading the dishwasher they don't watch they want to put dishes in.
Whatever they hear us say they will try to say. My daughter's foster toddler
misses nothing that is going on. She is very busy. She helps.
 
She also is receiving discipline. When she does something she knows is
against the rules or fails to do what is asked of her my daughter asks, "Do
you need to go to Œtime out?' The toddler will march herself down the hall
to the chair and sit down. She doesn't stay long but long enough that she
understands what she did or did not do is unacceptable behavior and that's
why she is sitting alone in the chair.
 
This age children love books and love to be read to. When exploring the
outdoors with parents they are keenly aware of sights, sounds and smells.
This is a wonderful age to introduce picture books that tell about Jesus
since He always walked along the way.
The common thread that runs through the life of every age child is the need
to feel safe, loved, to know they will be cared for and their needs
appropriately met including discipline. Hebrews 12:6 "Because the Lord
disciplines those he loves."
 
Heavenly Father, Help the small children who live in troubled homes survive
and some way come to know that your great love and sacrifice is for them
too. Amen
 

Colossians 3:20 "Children obey your parents in everything, for this pleases
the Lord."
 
Children age eight through twelve are transitioning through many of life's
emotional phases. For most children this is pre-puberty.
I remember an incident when I was nine that caused me to fear I was about to
drop dead.
I had overheard my dad's friend telling about a mutual friend who had
dropped dead within an hour after experiencing an excruciating pain in his
back under his right shoulder blade. A few weeks later while walking home
from school I felt a sharp pain in my back under my right shoulder blade. I
remembered the story I'd heard and prepared to die. I was too scared to tell
the family about my fears yet I was so upset I couldn't eat my dinner. It
was bedtime before I suddenly became aware that I was still alive: I hadn't
dropped dead within the hour after feeling the pain like the man in the
story!
 
Dear Readers, My story is an example of what children go through while
growing and changing emotionally. Fearful, sensitive, and an imagination
that is out of control yet this is the age that children come to understand
Jesus' love for them. Many decide to give Jesus Christ complete control of
their lives during this age span. It is also a great time of their life for
the child to bond with their parents and gain their trust through obedience
and being helpful at home.
 
Heavenly Father, Help us teach our children who you are and that you love
them so much you sent your Son to give His life for them. Amen

1 Corinthians 13:11 "When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought
like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put childish
ways behind me."
 
Not many children entering their teen years wish they could still be in
elementary school. They really do want to be adults. Society expects much of
teenagers and they expect much of themselves. If parents have achieved a
good relationship with their teen during earlier years through their loving
care, teaching, Bible study, and discipline, the new journey will not be a
challenge. It will be filled with mutual love and respect.
 
Dear Readers, Sometimes teen children begin to rebel along the way. Others
are ready to assume more responsibility such as working after school and
weekends. When there is illness in the home the teen children are expected
to help the family stay afloat. In all of this the teens begin to think as
adults. Teens still need discipline. Discipline will perfect their ability
to practice self-discipline when they are on their own. Discipline also
builds in them the self-confidence needed to make wise choices and decisions
that will affect the rest of their life.
 

Most of all this age citizens need Jesus Christ in their life to guide,
guard and give them a sense of peace when life seems all mixed up.
 
I married at age seventeen and nine months eleven days later I gave birth to
my first child. My two older sisters and I had been on our own for two years
after our Dad died. God took first place in my life at age eleven so as I
began my own family I experienced the inner strength and peace that is
available through faith in Jesus Christ. All teens need to know His strength
as they prepare to become the leaders in tomorrow's world.
Philippians 4: 13 Apostle Paul states, "I can do all things through Christ
who gives me strength."
 
Heavenly Father, Give today's teens your grace as they prepare themselves to
lead your people in the twenty first Century. Amen
                                     

Luke 14:11 "for everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who
humbles himself will be exalted."
 
Dear Readers, When the dedication of the National Cemetery in Gettysburg,
Virginia took place November 19, 1863 President Abraham Lincoln was the
scheduled keynote speaker. However, a political backer introduced Senator
Samuel Arnold Douglas first. He spoke for most of three hours.
President Lincoln didn't object to being introduced second since he had
something special to say to the American people. He took the podium and
spoke from his heart for a very few minutes and yet history has made his
Gettysburg Address a Masterpiece that is known as one of the greatest
speeches ever given anywhere. Mr. Douglas exalted himself and history does
not record anything he said.  Mr. Lincoln humbled himself to exalt the
America that has since exalted him.
 
Heavenly Father, keep us humble so we may understand fully your plan for our
lives in light of your salvation plan when in humility you sacrificed your
Son, Jesus, for our sins. Amen

Romans 12: 3 "For by the grace given me I say to everyone of you: Do not
think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself
with honest judgment, in accordance with the measure of faith God has given
you."
 
I believe the Apostle Paul intended for our humility to be toward God. I
believe also that God gives us confidence in our ability to perform the
duties that He has called and empowered us to do, though we may feel
unworthy of His calling.
 
The statement 'more highly than you ought' suggest that first we must depend
on God then feel good about ourselves in using the gifts and or talents that
He has given to each one of us. Romans 12:6 lists the various gifts. If by
God's grace two in the church have been endowed with the same gift and we
believe we are using the gift more effectively than the other individual who
has the same gift, we are to pray for God to give wisdom to the other person
in using his or her gift. Humility will not permit us to openly show that
our use of the gift is more effective than the other individual!
 
Holy Father, Help us work together in harmony whether in our secular work
place or in your church. May we temper all our relationships with respect
and Christian love. Amen
 

Philippians 2: 8-10 "And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled
himself and became obedient to death ‹even death on the cross!"
 
Dear Readers, Jesus, the holy one of God came to earth in the most humble
way: a baby born of a woman. Then, throughout His ministry no task was beneath his
dignity: Washing his disciples feet. John 13:5 or talking to the Samaritan
woman. He saved her soul then through her salvation experience revival came
to the entire Samaritan town.
 
He invited those who were hurting to come to Him. "Come to me, all you who
are weary and burdened and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and
learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest
for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light." Matt.11:28-30
 
Mother Theresa patterned her life after our Lord's example as she cared for
the street people in Calcutta. She was gifted with a love for people who
were the worlds cast-off's. With no thought for fame she ministered daily to
those who needed her.
 
We worship a loving, powerful, perfect God and Savior. Had our Lord been any
way but humble we would not know Him today.
 
Father God, Thank you for who you are. Since humility is a scarce quality in
today's world help us surrender ourselves to you for it is our desire that
you mold and make us usable instruments to spread your love and peace to the
world. Amen
 

John 19: 27 "Jesus said, 'Dear Woman, here is your son, and to the disciple,
"Here is your mother." From then on, this disciple took her into his home."
 
Such love! While suffering on the cross our Lord took care of his mother.
 
Dear Reader, Throughout His earthly ministry Jesus was close friends with
apostle John. And was at this time standing near Mary. Jesus faced the
possibility that His mother might be persecuted and would need the comfort
and protection of a friend's home. I can't even imagine the horror Mary must
have felt as she watched the crucifixion of her wonderful Son who had never
done any wrong!
 
As a gift for her high school graduation we gave our daughter a plane trip
to Seattle to visit her sister. Six weeks or so later we drove there, visited awhile, and brought our
daughter home with us. When she came into the house she walked into each
room and said, "everything is still there just as I remembered, " We later
learned she had been very homesick just as she had been her first trip to
camp but found comfort seeing that everything was in place just as she
remembered.
 
Heavenly Father, Thank you for our homes and families. Thank you also for
women and men who bring comfort by sharing words of love and hope with those
who live daily midst sorrow and persecution for Christ's sake. Amen

"Jesus did not let him, but said, 'Go home to your family and tell them how
much the Lord has done for you, and how he had mercy on you.'"
 
Dear Readers, The man who was demon possessed wanted to follow Jesus because
of the miracle healing Jesus had performed for him. Just imagine the man had
been locked up in insanity all his life then Jesus came, healed him, and
said, "Go home and tell your family about my mercy! I'm sure the man ran all
the way home from wherever he was: so excited to be free and NORMAL! And
with the promise he could live a life of peace and be accepted at home and
in the community.
 
Perhaps one of your children needs a special gift of your mercy. One of mine
did. I'm so grateful to God that He had taught me how to share His mercy in
my family. If there is unrest or bickering in the family take time when the
family is together at mealtime to ask God to give peace and freedom to each
member. You will never regret the few minutes it takes to bring any matter
to our heavenly Father and leave it there. Watch how He answers your plea!
 
Thank you Heavenly Father, You had mercy on your creation when you sent your
Son Jesus to show us how to live then He died for us so that we may forever
be in your presence. Amen

Nehemiah 4: 14 "After I looked things over, I stood up and said to the
nobles, the officials and the rest of the people, "Don't be afraid of them.
Remember the Lord, who is great and awesome, and fight for your brothers,
your sons and your daughters, your wives and your homes."
 
Sometimes our Lord expects us to fight for a time and place to rest. It was
so when Nehemiah was in charge of rebuilding the walls and gates in
Jerusalem. He was not afraid to lead the people because he knew God was with
them and it was for God's glory. A home in which we find the freedom to rest
and be unafraid is worth fighting for. The people of Israel found themselves
in dangerous situations due to their failure to only worship Jehovah God.
But God always showed mercy and brought them back to be His people.
 
Dear Readers, in our homes we may need to take drastic measures to protect
our time and place to rest. It does take the cooperation of all the family
working together and it is worth it to keep us from burnout or other serious
illness.
 
I save a short time each day to read a verse or two from the Bible and
meditate. I always feel rested after taking that time.
 
Thank you Lord for the Bible. The words we find therein bring comfort,
peace, rest and the assurance that we belong to you. Amen

Jeremiah 23: 5 "The days are coming declares the Lord, Œwhen I will raise up
to David a Righteous branch, a King who will reign wisely and do what is just and right
in the land."
 
The conditions in Jeremiah's day were similar to the conditions in our world
today. We face every day: Injustice, Bribery in government, payoffs in
business, heavier sentences for the poor than for the rich, slum landlords
going scot-free. Racial prejudice, apartheid and in the schools there are
bullies that are making student's lives miserable with fear.
 
However, when Jeremiah stood and told the people the truth about conditions
in his day the people hated him and wanted to kill him. But God said "Hang
in there, Jeremiah: the righteous King is coming and when He comes He will
establish the Kingdom of God, defend the poor, the oppressed, the weak and
the ailing.

So in truth we can say again, folks "Hang in there! He's coming again and He
will right all wrongs!
 
Heavenly Father, Thank you for the hope your promises give to us when we
read the Bible. That because of your provisions, love for you and for one
another will increase in the days ahead! Amen
 

Isaiah 7:14 "Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign: The virgin
will be with child and will give birth to a son, and will call him
Immanuel."
 
Dear Readers, signs are great what would life be like without signs? Traffic
accidents would skyrocket. Restaurants would go broke if they had no way to
tell customers where they were. Hospitals would seem like mazes without
arrows pointing visitors in the proper direction.

Our faith would be weaker without signs from God. Like: a rainbow (Gen.9:
12-17), a staff (Ex. 4:1-9) A sheepskin (Judges 5: 36-40) A sundial (2 Kings 20:8-11)
The most wonderful of all of God's signs is the sign of our sweet Savior's
birth. The sad thought regarding that sign is that all through His word from
Genesis until Jesus' birth, God encouraged His people with the promise that
He was sending a Redeemer to save them from their sins. But when He arrived
the people didn't recognize Him because He showed them that God is not a
harsh, vengeful God but a God of love! And every command that He gives is
given to help us live peaceful, productive lives.
 
When I'm discouraged and God seems far away He sends His Spirit and puts in
my memory the sign of how: He has walked with me all my life: From a small
child through my teen years to rearing children and to now in the Great
Grandmother Season. His promises remain; That He will never leave us or
forsake us! Heb. 13:5
 
Thank You Sweet Jesus for Your willingness to come to earth and be with us.
You brought hope to a hopeless world. Amen