THE FOG

"For now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face; now I know in part, but then I will know fully just as I also have been fully known." 1 Corinthians 13:12 (New American Standard Bible)

Is fog in your part of the world today? The fog settled in last evening, as a warning of the morning that was to come. The reverse of that is also true. In 1 Corinthians we read that, now we see dimly. But, when we see him face to face along the road of life, in a quiet garden, or in Glory at the time our soul returns to God, we will see him clearly and know fully the secrets of the Kingdom of which he taught while he was here. Don’t be afraid of the fog you see now. The fog is just the clouds of Heaven dipping low enough for us to see them. When we walk or drive in the fog, we watch for signposts: center line stripes, known landmarks, and tail lights up ahead.

• The center line tells us where the boundaries are, much like the Bible keeps us on the safe track.

• The trees and building are our landmarks along the way and are similar to the blessed people who are our Spiritual leaders and mentors.

• The tail light of the driver in front of us, warning us to slow down or stop before we can even see the danger, are like the testimonies and stories of the faithful who have made mistakes and then turn back to God. The challenge is to learn from another’s mistakes, because we often don’t believe it could possibly happen to us. The wise one, observes and learns from others.

Embrace the fog that the Lord God gives us, to teach us that the truth of Him is within the dense cloud. We must believe and follow the Lord into the unknown if we are to find Him and His truth. Let us pray:

"Oh Father in the fog and darkness of my life, I reach out my hand to you. You are my light in the darkness, the whisper in the shadows and the sweet aroma and perfume of your presence. Holy are you, Father and your son Jesus Christ. May this be the day that I stop avoiding the fog of life. May I run to you within the darkness . . . and find you more clearly there. In the name of Jesus, your son and my redeemer, I pray. Amen"

Doris
"God gives us stories that testify to His love. Let me tell you mine."
Copyright 2013 Doris Gaines Rapp
Go to www.dorisgainesrapp.com for book signing events.

http://www.dorisgainesrapp.com
Promote Yourself - a pep talk on self-promotion. To download the eBook go to www.bn.com and www.amazon.com.
Also, join the conversation at www.promoteyourself-permitsuccess.blogspot.comIt will be available in paperback soon at www.dorisgainesrapp.com and www.directbuybooks.com./kjv/psalms/118.htm

LIVE ALL OF YOUR LIFE

"Do not judge, and you will not be judged. Do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven. Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you." Luke 6: 37-38 NIV

Hummm, "pressed down, shaken together and running over?" That’s our house!

Yesterday, our daughter and her two tiny girls, ages three and almost two, moved into our basement apartment. I use the word apartment very loosely. The stove is not hooked up; the sink doesn’t have water run to it; and the bathroom . . . not even a blueprint plan yet. But, you do what you need to do when it is necessary to do it if you choose to live all of your life.

My husband and I choose to focus on the blessings. Story time in the late afternoon; giggling sounds floating up from below; the knowledge that the little ones have their basic needs met. Not a lot of room inside but a huge yard to play in.

There have been energetic-negative-fellowship moments, but all settles down in no time. The babes had trouble going to sleep in new surroundings last night but I pointed out all of the kids-music channels on cable our daughter didn’t know about. It will all work out. How? By the grace of God. Our daughter is willing to acknowledge that she is living in our home and not her own and is learning to respect our need for quiet time, writing time, and recharging time. She is giving so we are giving to her. We are giving so the Lord is giving to us. It’s a win-win situation when you live all of your life.

However, we will have to rethink Thanksgiving as our large open basement no longer looks large, nor open, not vacant nor available. But, it is full of love.

The secret to long life - living every moment of it - to growing up and not just growing old - adapting. What are you willing to adjust to? Let us pray:

"Holy Father of us all, your name is above all names and deserves to be spoken only in reverence. May your kingdom of Love fill our home from top to bottom, that we may learn of you and that we may teach about you by what we do and say. For this day, give us patience and love in good measure, as your Word promises. May I have the calmness of heart and mind to give as much love as I receive from you. You are amazing and full of all the love there is in the world, both now and in the future. Forgive me when I forget to call on your name when things get rocky. Your love has pulled many ships from the rocky shore. May I always remember that your plan is that I live all of my life, in every circumstance of my life. In the name of and by the power of your son, our savior, Jesus, I pray. Amen"

Doris
"God gives us stories that testify to His love. Let me tell you mine."
Copyright 2013 Doris Gaines Rapp
http://www.dorisgainesrapp.com

Promote Yourself - a pep talk on self-promotion. To download the eBook go to www.bn.com and www.amazon.com. Also, join the conversation at www.promoteyourself-permitsuccess.blogspot.com
It will be available in paperback soon at www.dorisgainesrapp.com and www.directbuybooks.com

WHAT’S SO SPECIAL ABOUT TODAY?

"This is the day which the LORD has made; Let us rejoice and be glad in it." Psalm 118: 24 (New American Standard Bible)

"I am so bored!" How many times have you heard that? If you have teens in your house - a lot. How can anyone be bored when there is so much to do and so much to experience?

What if this were your last day? - last day at home before moving; last day before a new job; last day before a spouse, parent, or sibling passed on to Glory; or the last day for many other turning points in our lives.

What if this were the first day of your teen years? - the first day of retirement; the first day on a new job; the first day of joy with the Lord; the first day of living free from guilt.

What if this were simply September 16 and you chose to make it special? - a tea party with a child or grandchild; a game of catch with a son or daughter; a quiet talk with your spouse; a day made special by visiting a friend.

Choose to make every day of your life a special day. Only YOU can do that for yourself. Only YOU can make you happy. Only you can truly validate your accomplishments because only you have been obedient to the Lord and fulfilled His desires for your life.

What is so special about today? Are you kidding me? To live your life in the footsteps of the Lord - isn’t just special? It’s miraculous! Now - go out and live the life God has given you. He’ll point out the guideposts along the way and you will see the God-sightings from time to time. This is a very special day! Live it like you know it is! Let us pray:

"Holy Father, Love of the world, how very precious is your name. May your kingdom come to earth and find room for even me. May your will be done in my life, that I may see your love displayed in all I do. For this day, may I catch a glimpse of Glory and see you everywhere, in the face of someone I help, in the work I do to your glory, in the eyes of someone I let help me, in my all in all. Forgive me for the days I did not see as special, when I lived for me and not for you. May I help you draw near to someone because I was willing to be the vessel of your love. On this very day, keep my eyes open to your spirit, my ears open to your word, may hands and feet open to minister to others in your name and my heart open to your love. In the name of Jesus, who showed me how thus to live, I pray. Amen"
Doris
"God gives us stories that testify to His love. Let me tell you mine."
Copyright 2013 Doris Gaines Rapp
 Friday Sept. 20, 2013 7:00 p.m. - Book Signing at Barnes & Noble, Valparaiso, Indiana.
http://www.dorisgainesrapp.com
Promote Yourself - a pep talk on self-promotion. To download the eBook go to www.bn.com and www.amazon.com. Also, join the conversation at www.promoteyourself-permitsuccess.blogspot.com

It will be available in paperback by Friday, 9/6/13 at www.dorisgainesrapp.com and www.directbuybooks.com./kjv/psalms/118.htm

THOSE IN THE MIDDLE GET RUN OVER

"You will hear of wars and rumors of wars, but see to it that you are not alarmed. Such things must happen, but the end is still to come." Matthew 24:6 (NIV)

I’m not political and I’m not apolitical. God has given me the dubious distinction of seeing many sides to an issue. The problem is, those who stand in the middle of the road can get run over. Jesus told his distant followers, and those who still follow him over two-thousand years later, war will be with us. And, if not war, then talk of war.

We love our children and our church families with their little ones. But, we also have a heart for the wee ones in the Mideast, Africa and other places where they can be injured or touched by war. I often say, "Thank goodness that I don’t have to make the decision to go to war or not get involved." We elect strong individuals who are trained and have the experience to know how and when war is unavoidable. But, what can I do?

Rather than carrying the burden of the prospect of war with me, as a follower of the Prince of Peace, I can pray for peace. I can ask the Lord to not tarry, but to hasten the day he returns and brings his love and peace to the whole world. Are we praying three times a day for the Love of God to rain down like the gentle mist of the morning and drench the fires of hate and war from our beautiful earth? Let us pray:

"Oh Father God, Lord of all and father of the messenger of peace, forgiveness and love, we bow before you in humble adoration of your goodness. May your son, Jesus, return to us and usher in the age of love and peace, that heaven may come down and become our dwelling place. We ask this day that you bless the entire world, the Mideast, the Far-east, as well as the West, with your pure love. May we breathe in holiness and finally exhale the bitter air of strife. Holy are you, oh God, and we long to bask in the glow of your holiness. Forgive us when we forget to pray, when we know that prayer is the answer. We turn our hearts and lives over to your glory, God. Let those of us in the middle, lead the way to your peace and love through our constant and never ceasing prayer. In the name of Jesus, the Christ of the whole world, we pray. Amen"

Doris
"God gives us stories that testify to His love. Let me tell you mine."
Copyright 2013 Doris Gaines Rapp
Events: Saturday Sept 14, 2013 1p.m. - Book Signing at Barnes & Noble, Ann Arbor, MI
Friday Sept. 20, 2013 7:00 p.m. - Book Signing at Barnes & Noble, Valparaiso, Indiana.

http://www.dorisgainesrapp.comPromote Yourself - a pep talk on self-promotion. To download the eBook go to www.bn.com and www.amazon.com. Also, join the conversation at www.promoteyourself-permitsuccess.blogspot.com
 

LABOR DAY

"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." Matthew 11:28-30 (NIV)

Today is the day most of us rest from our labor. Some may climb a rocky mountain face; others could relax in front of a favorite football team. Whatever the activity, it is a departure from the norm, a step away from the usual, and therefor it rests the mind.

Matthew 11 tell us, when we feel burdened or weighted down, we have a Savior who will link with us and share the load evenly. It tells us we will find rest for our souls. And, it says He will not bring added problems, for His burden is light and the yoke we wear to be paired with him is easy to carry.

When college freshmen go home for Christmas break, a huge percentage of them will catch a cold, because when they relax - they relax everything - including their immune system. Let us all relax today, either on a mountain top, a golf course, or the recliner in the TV room. But, let us deliberately pause in prayer to thank the Lord God for carrying our burden with us and link our heart, mind and body to His. What a day we will have - sharing joy with the Lord! Let us pray:

"Holy Father, love divine, please restore this soul of mine. Bring heaven to my heart that I may know you as the angels do now. There is so much pain and anger around the beautiful blue world you have given us. You parted the veil to the Holy of Holies when our Lord Jesus went back to you. Now we ask that you lift the cloud of not knowing to reveal your love to the entire world, that this madness of anger and killing may stop. We love you Lord and we know that your love can conquer all the hate. Only you can calm the riots and whisper peace in the heart of everyone. Forgive us when we forget to pray for your love to mend fences and heal souls. May this day of departure from work, be a day of prayer for this world of yours. In the name of Jesus, the Christ of the whole world, we pray. Amen"

Doris
"God gives us stories that testify to His love. Let me tell you mine."
Copyright 2013 Doris Gaines Rapp
Events: Saturday Sept 14, 2013 1pm - Book Signing at Barnes & Noble, Ann Arbor, MI
Friday Sept. 20, 2013 7:00 pm - Book Signing at Barnes & Noble, Valporaiso, Indiana.

http://www.dorisgainesrapp.comPromote Yourself - a pep talk on self-promotion. To download an eBook go to www.bn.com and www.amazon.com. Also, join the conversation at www.promoteyourself-permitsuccess.blogspot.com


It will be available in paperback by Friday, 9/6/13 at www.dorisgainesrapp.com and www.directbuybooks.com.