When young lovers begin to bond..it seems horrible to be separated from the one that you love even for a brief time…
the newness of the love leaves one weak without the presence of the one who is dearly loved. Let us rekindle the love that is like fresh fire with our Lord Jesus. To long for His presence when we are busy about other things… our lives can only be fulfilled by His presence and His love. I know that were it not for this intimacy with the Lord, I would have not lived through the abuse, I would have folded and ceased to exist… knowing Jesus, helped me to trust others again…simply because I was able to trust Him first…that He was always with me and would never leave me as long as I have faith in Him.

We live in a fast-paced society and, let’s face it …no one wants to wait for anything! Those red lights take too long, those deadlines pressing upon us -we are often compelled to scurry even in our minds as we go from activity to obligation. All this bustle…leads to more stress. The Lord asked the disciples whom He had poured into…”will you not wait with me for one hour?” The Lord was looking for prayer support for the intense burden that He was carrying at Gethsemane…He still asks us that everyday….will you stop all the bustle and …choose to wait with me…even an hour? My yoke is easy , my burden is light….let go of your burdens…and wait on Him.

There is no greater love… that man has ever known… than the love that says, ” I will lay my life down for you”. In each case the the brave one who says this has made a choice of his/her life… that defines even eternity inside of the spirit… in each man involved. To all of our soldiers here in America and abroad who took a stand so that others may live: I want to say THANK YOU!!!!!! You are loved, respected , valued and very much appreciated! Be proud this Memorial Day that you made a great choice….to stand for FREEDOM!!!!

This is a song that I love by Jason Upton. I had listened so many times that the song rings it’s own melody in my head. Will man make himself ready to receive the child who gave it all for him? Is there room for that child in a man’s life? Does man make room in his busy schedule, his family and the many other things that preoccupy his days? I do think that the way in which Mary and Joseph were received was a foreshadowing of how the greatest gift to man has been received-with reluctance,and rejection. Those who choose not to reject Him, have made the best decision that they will ever make for eternity.

This is a familiar question to many of us:what are your dreams, your goals…what do you aspire to do? In our youth, we dream without restraint. Early developmental injuries, trauma or afflictions change what our perceived limits will be and we need to take time to heal. Paul urges in I Thess. 5:14 “encourage the timid, help the weak, be patient with everyone,” that includes ourselves!!! If things have happened to you that serve to destroy or discourage your dreams, it is important to not blame yourself. Choose to set a plan in action- to choose a different way to live. Seek to heal from those wounds of the past. Challenge any destructive, unproductive thought patterns and choose to think only things that will bring you life!!!!! People who choose not to heal , choose not to grow up in those afflicted areas. It may be unrecognized what holds you back…but ask yourself what do I want to be….?