Angels all around –
I do believe in angels,
Because you are one.
You won’t turn your back
And pretend I am not here;
You know I need you.
Wherever I am,
I feel your presence near me –
Your love surrounds me.
I cannot deny
Your existence in my life.
Angels all around!
Good night, my Angels.
I feel your presence with me.
Have a peaceful sleep.
Be the hands of God
Guaranteed to cure
With “Jewish Penicillin”
Reaching out to help another is a clear demonstration of these “10 simple words — hope, love, care, culture, kindness, faith, knowledge, health, comfort and warmth.” This quote is not mine… but I repeat them here because these concepts mean so much …
Especially today, October 14th, Columbus Day in the USA. Our banks and post offices and federal buildings and some schools are closed today in honor of Columbus. Why?
Because :
“In 1492 Columbus sailed the ocean blue!”
I memorized that rhyme as a kid in school. Why was it important? Well, Columbus purportedly “discovered America” on this day.
But, who Really “Discovered” America?
I received this e-mail from St. Joseph’s Indian School today:
“They are 10 simple words — hope, love, care, culture, kindness, faith, knowledge, health, comfort and warmth — but they mean so much … Especially today.“
St. Joseph’s Indian School here in Montana wants you to know it’s not about Columbus! They announced, “Today is Native American Day!”
They continued, “…we want to celebrate in a BIG way! Today we are hosting a special day of giving at St. Joseph’s Indian School. We need 365 people — one donor for every day of the year — to open their hearts and give a gift.
Will you be 1 of the 365?
BE 1 OF THE 365
Some St. Joseph’s students arrive without knowledge of their deep, rich Native American culture. They have spent their young lives more focused on surviving day to day than learning about their ancestors and traditions.
Today, you can change that by giving a gift to help enrich the lives of young boys and girls with their cultural experiences, education and more. You can see some of the experiences for yourself when you watch this video.
As more people give, more student programs and services will be unlocked.
At 165 gifts, donors will help unlock regalia for students to wear during powwows. At 165 gifts, donors will help unlock a cultural trip.
At 365 donors: we will receive a special matching gift offer of $25,000 from a special group of friends who have pledged to support the Lakota students!”
You can join in this effort to recognize, help enrich, and appreciate our Native American friends today. Let’s acknowledge the ones who REALLY discovered America… our Native Americans. They were here long before some white man came to rob them of their land and relegate them to reservations!
I am a faithful supporter of St. Joseph’s as well as the school for our Lakota Natives here in Montana. Won’t you join in?
Be the hands and heart of God!
Philámayaye — thank you— for your kindness.
Today’s Sermon Notes
Happy Sunday, my friends!
The power of the breath of God
was a focus of today’s sermon
by Rev. Steve Hundley (guest minister while our Rev. Jean,
who has served this church for the past 25 years
is away, recuperating from serious surgery).
Madison Valley Presbyterian Church
in Ennis, MT – a congregation in a state of transition
The Holy Spirit’s Power
A pile of dry bones
Littered the field.
Can these bones live?
Can they once again yield
Life with vitality?
Only You, Lord,
Only You can cause it.
The bones are dry;
Only God can pause it
And bring life to reality.
Our church may be
Those dry bones now.
But God can breathe
Life in us somehow.
Dry is not finality.
God can cause these
Dry bones to revive.
He can breathe on us
And help us come alive.
Life with vitality!
We have God’s Spirit
Deep within our heart.
Can these bones live?
Yes, God can help us start.
Make Your Power, Lord, a reality…
… in us.
Amen?
Bob and I have been married more than 57 years. Our love for one another is more alive today than it ever has been. (I read that statement to him just now and asked if he agreed. Of course, he said, “Of course,” That’s part of the secret, guys! Ya gotta readily agree on things like that!)
How do we do it? How do we keep love alive after all these years? What is a healthy marriage anyway?
Jane Smiley, in her book, At Paradise Gate, wrote the following:
“You know what getting married is? It’s agreeing to take this person who right now is at the top of his form, full of hopes and ideas, feeling good, wildly interested in you because you’re the same way, and sticking by him while he slowly disintegrates. And he does the same for you. You’re his responsibility now, and he is yours. If no one else will take care of him, you will. If everyone else rejects you, he won’t.
What do you think love is? Going to bed all the time? Poo! Don’t be weak. Have some spine! He’s yours and you’re his. He doesn’t beat you or abuse you, and you’ve made the same bargain. Now that you know what it’s like to be married, now that all the gold leaf has sort of worn off, you can make something of it; you can really learn to love each other.”
I love that take on marriage by Jane Smiley. It coincides with my opinion on what it takes to make a marriage work. Here is my list:
Ten Constant Steps toward Being Married Happily Ever After:
Keep Learning
Yes, when all the gold leaf has sort of worn off and you’re each comfortable in your own space, keep the space open and inviting. Invite one another in. Keep on learning to love one another as long as you both shall live.
You’re in this box together. You’re in it for the long haul. Enjoy the ride!
Photo by Pixabay on Pexels.com
Hang tight!!
See ya later.
When you open your eyes
To look at this world
What kinds of sights
To your eyes are unfurled?
Do you see through glasses
That are sparkling and bright
Or is your vision clouded
By the absence of light?
Pray to have eyes
That can see the best
In the sights around you
Let go of the rest
Pray that your heart
Can forgive the worst
Of the behavior
Of those who thirst
They thirst for a mind
That forgives all the bad
And remembers the things
That make us feel glad
They thirst for a soul
That has peace, faith, and joy
It seems that they focus
On the things that annoy
But that’s not our life
We each have a choice
We can focus on things
That make us rejoice
I see your new posts
I see your concerns
I see into your heart
I know that it yearns
I pray that your worries
Your doubts and your fears
Can be seen through glasses
That wipe away tears
Wouldn’t it be nice if
All glasses had a set
Of windshield wipers?
They’d be bestsellers, I bet!
See ya tomorrow
I just learned that a good friend’s husband is looking at back surgery soon. He has been in pain with spinal problems for many years. This prayer is for him – and for all who are suffering from physical or emotional pain.
I pray for your health, happiness, and peace of mind.
Spread your kindness and love, your peace and faith to all you meet. And if you are blessed with freedom from suffering, count your blessings, my friend… and thank the Lord.
Don’t Be Discouraged
Ps. 16:11
“You have made known to me
The path of life;
You will fill me with
Joy in your presence,
With eternal pleasures…”
Do not allow discouragement
To settle into your bones;
Face it, conquer it, and
Replace it with Hope.
Set your net to the other side of the boat.
Catch plentifully the colorful fish waiting there.
Discouragement is a powerful destructive force.
We have the power to choose a different response.
With the Father’s help,
We can get through seasons of discouragement,
in spite of living in a flawed world as flawed people.
Face it. Conquer it. Replace it with HOPE.
Turn to God who turns to you
And lifts your spirits, putting your life back on track.
He loves you. He cares. Believe. Trust.
Do not be discouraged. Pray – and know
I’m praying for you, too!
Photo by Quang Nguyen Vinh on Pexels.com
What have you caught with your positivity lately?
Thanks, dear WP friends, for visiting.
Have a productive day.
See ya later!
Hugs to You !!
Inspire to Love
Let the SonShine!
You inspire me to respond
Learning to Live; Living to Learn; Learning to Love; Living in Love
