Family

What do we do when someone in our family is hurting, but there seems to be nothing we can do to make them feel better, or to bring them back to their first love, God?  As a wise blogger has said, "The Holy Spirit is the only one who can do this, Period!"  Only He can show them the love they need and only if they seek Him out for it. 
Much has been stirring within my family, many seem to be hurting and some trying to push their hurt onto others.  No one likes to hurt alone.  This brought back feelings from my past.  Feelings of anger, loneliness, pain, defeat.  After praying for these few specifics, God reminded me what He showed me years ago.  He is always there, He wants to love on us, He has already carried our burden, we just need to completely hand our pain over to Him. 
So in a prayer that some day these loved ones of mine will find themselves here reading this single post, I want to share exactly what God has been telling me for the past few years and what has encouraged me to be filled with joy.

This is an excerpt from Our Daily Bread. July 12, 2012
ABIDE WITH ME

Hebrews 13:1-8
"Let brotherly love continue,
Do not forget to entertain strangers, for by so doing some have unwittingly entertained angels.
Remember the prisoners as if chained with them -- those who are mistreated -- since you yourselves are in the body also.
Marriage is honorable among all, and the bed undefiled; but fornicators and adulterers God will judge.
Let your conduct be without covetousness; be content with such things as you have.  For He Himself has said, 'I will never leave you nor forsake you.'
So we may boldly say:
"The Lord is my helper;
I will not fear.
What  can man do to me?"
Remember those who rule over you, who have spoken the word of God to you, whose faith follow, considering the outcome of their conduct.
Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever."


"One of the highlights of English football (soccer) each year is the final match of the annual FA Cup Final.  For more than a hundred years, the day has been marked by excitement, festivity and competition.  But what fascinates me is how the game begins.  It starts with the singing of the traditional hymn 'Abide With Me.'
At first that struck me as odd.  What does that hymn have to do with football?  As I thought about it, though, I realized that for the follower of Christ it has everything to do with sports, shopping, working, going to school, or anything else we do.  Since there is no corner of our lives that should not be affected by the presence of God, the longing that He would abide with us is actually the most reasonable thing we could desire.  Of course, the presence of our heavenly Father is not something we need to plead for -- it is promised to us.  In Hebrews 13:5, we read, 'For [God] Himself has said, "I will never leave you nor forsake you."'
Not only is God's presence the key to our contentment, but it is also the promise that can give us wisdom, peace, comfort, and strength -- no matter where we are or what we are doing.  -Bill Crowder
Thank You, Lord, for walking with us every day.
You are our guardian, friend and guide.
May we sense Your loving presence and always know
that You are close by our side. Amen.

Our greatest privilege is to enjoy Christ's presence."

May God bless your day and remind you He is always there, so there is no reason to fear!