A Spoonful of Sugar...

I opened up my email today to find the KLOVE verse of the day in my inbox. Upon opening the email, I found the following verse awaiting me: "A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a broken spirit saps a person's strength."~ Proverbs 17:22, NLT I had to chuckle to myself because this is just what God has been showing me today. I woke up this morning (for some unknown reason) feeling very perky and happy! This is not the norm for me as I typically wake up dreading the school day and worrying about all that must be accomplished. So...the day started out on a good foot. As the day has progressed, I have only felt myself becoming more and more joyful! I was perplexed at my own good attitude and wondered to myself, "Is it possible to be this happy and still be in college approaching finals?" A still small voice inside me answered back, "Yes, if God is on your side!" This only increased my level of joy. As I have relished the cheerful heart which God has so blessed me with today, I can really see the truth of the verse in Proverbs. I really do feel more rested, more focused, and more determined. I would encourage all of us to focus on the positives (no matter how small) today. Make a decision to refuse to let little annoyances, or big problems, get you down. I am reminded of the line from a song in Mary Poppins, "A spoonful of sugar helps the medicine go down in the most delightful way." Thankfully, the dosage of medicine which comes from a good heart has turned out to taste oh so sweet! Praise God for His love and ask Him to give you a dose of good medicine!

God Bless!

***I will try to post the link to KLOVE's verse of the day in case anyone is interested***

Grace, Grace, God's Grace

Today in my hometown of Douglas, Wyoming there is a funeral taking place at 11:00 in a yellow, brick church, downtown. My trusted pastor will perform the service and many members of the congregation will gather, along with members of the Senior Center, to honor the deceased. However, while funerals may seem like solemn events, we, as Christians, need always remember that outside the doors of the church, high above the sky, way up in heaven, there is a party going on.

The old man from church had lived a rough life. He had done many terrible things and had a reputation that preceded him. One that haunted him. However, this old man came to church with a little old woman whom he had met at the Senior Center. This little old lady didn't seem to care about his past. She just invited him to come to church. Pretty soon the duo was inseparable. They went everywhere together and could always be seen together at church events. Then, one day, this old man accepted Christ. He was able to have his burdens lifted and his sin, which had been as scarlet, washed white as snow. This old man was one of the sincerest embodiments of God's grace that I have ever had the privilege to be witness to. His example shows me that there is no sin too great for God to forgive, no person too far gone for God to reach, and no person to terrible for God to love. The little old lady also seems to have a lesson up her sleeve. She was not judgmental. She didn't care about this man's past. Instead, she befriended him with an honest friendship and brought him to church where he found his salvation. What wonderful examples this little old duo set for me!!

Throw open the church doors and soar high up into heaven. There will be rejoicing and partying at the welcome-home party for one very neat, very grateful, very forgiven, little old man.

"Come now, and let us reason together,” Says the LORD,
“Though your sins are like scarlet,
They shall be as white as snow;
Though they are red like crimson,
They shall be as wool.
Isaiah 1:18

In honor of John Voltruba