NEVER LOSE SIGHT OF THE STABLE...

Jesus is the reason for the Season!  Rejoice, Rejoice, Emanuel...  As you watch all the people rushing around to buy presents, many not celebrating the birth of our Lord at all, ponder the stable where Mary gave birth to the Light of the World, our Savior.

No tree,no gifts save the Gifts of the Magi.  Nothing but the focus of a Savior newly born.  When my children were growing up, we would read Luke 2:1-21 on Christmas Eve before opening presents.  It was our tradition to open presents on the Eve because Christmas Day was spent traveling to the grandma and grandpa's houses.
  We also sang Christmas Carols and basked in the warmth of their joyous words.  I really think that is how I first knew there was a God and His Son, learning to sing Carols from the time I could speak and sing.

TODAY: The birthplace of Jesus is on the endangered list by UNESCO as the warring factions are threatening the Holy City just as it was in Jesus' time.  How terribly sad.

This is the preserved place in Bethlehem reported to be the site of Jesus' birth.

This is my neighbor's Nativity Scene with near life-size figures.  Every year he faithfully puts up the manger and places the figures lovingly in remembrance of the Holy Birth.  It is lit with a flood lamp at night. A lovely visual remembrance of our Lord's birth.

Blessed Christmas to you all and may you all honor the Holy Birth by never losing sight of the Stable. ♥

♫♫O' Little Town of Bethlehem.....♫♫

Kerrie

My Christian Heart to yours....

A Monday of silence...

In view of the tragedy in Connecticut, I am speechless, as are many of you.  My tears flowed freely the whole day of the death of those innocent children and adults who were their caretakers...  It is surely one of those times when even we Christians question "Why?"



But as Christians, we have faith that God is in control.  When will our country turn to faith again in God?  For the first time, our president wept and allowed God to be mentioned not worrying that he would "offend" anyone, he just responded as a believer.  We do not allow God, he allows His people.  I thought about the Bible and how the innocent babes of Israel were slain in hopes of killing the ONE, who was the Son of God.  A horrible killing of babies and toddlers.
  Bad things have happened since God created man.  We all have a choice of which path we will follow.  The young man who took all these lives and then his own is to be pitied and prayed for, too.  Remember that what God has in store for your enemies is much worse than you could ever wish them.  And that is why God tells us to pray for our enemies.  A hard task indeed, but we can do it.
  And let's pray that with this tragedy, men will turn to the Lord once again and not to politics.  What can we each do to prevent this from ever happening again?  God will give you an answer, listen....
  Thank you for coming and please pray for the parents of the children, and the children of the adults that were lost trying to protect the precious little children.

After the Storm....
       by Kerrie O'Hearn Marquart

Wiping the tears from a cheek
   We embark upon another week
Knowing not what the days will bring, 
   And still...within my heart I sing
   The Carols of my childhood.

A blessed Babe born to us so long ago
  Who lived and died because He loved us so,
And we sing Christmas Carols in His memory
  So we will never forget when Love first started
For you and for me....
        in a lowly manger.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
MY CHRISTIAN HEART TO YOURS....♥ ♥

A Monday of silence...

In view of the tragedy in Connecticut, I am speechless, as are many of you.  My tears flowed freely the whole day of the death of those innocent children and adults who were their caretakers...  It is surely one of those times when even we Christians question "Why?"



But as Christians, we have faith that God is in control.  When will our country turn to faith again in God?  For the first time, our president wept and allowed God to be mentioned not worrying that he would "offend" anyone, he just responded as a believer.  We do not allow God, he allows His people.  I thought about the Bible and how the innocent babes of Israel were slain in hopes of killing the ONE, who was the Son of God.  A horrible killing of babies and toddlers.
  Bad things have happened since God created man.  We all have a choice of which path we will follow.  The young man who took all these lives and then his own is to be pitied and prayed for, too.  Remember that what God has in store for your enemies is much worse than you could ever wish them.  And that is why God tells us to pray for our enemies.  A hard task indeed, but we can do it.
  And let's pray that with this tragedy, men will turn to the Lord once again and not to politics.  What can we each do to prevent this from ever happening again?  God will give you an answer, listen....
  Thank you for coming and please pray for the parents of the children, and the children of the adults that were lost trying to protect the precious little children.

After the Storm....
       by Kerrie O'Hearn Marquart

Wiping the tears from a cheek
   We embark upon another week
Knowing not what the days will bring, 
   And still...within my heart I sing
   The Carols of my childhood.

A blessed Babe born to us so long ago
  Who lived and died because He loved us so,
And we sing Christmas Carols in His memory
  So we will never forget when Love first started
For you and for me....
        in a lowly manger.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
MY CHRISTIAN HEART TO YOURS....♥ ♥

Joy is mentioned 162 times in the Holy Bible.  So much joy to share!  Not the least of which is the joy of Jesus birth, the real reason for the season!
♫♫Joy to the World the Lord hath come, 
      Let earth receive her King!♫♫

As a child, I learned about God from my earliest years-singing Christmas Carols about the Lord's birth.  What a blessing! 

JOY TO THE WORLD The words and lyrics of the old Christmas carol 'Joy to the World' were written in 1719 by Isaac Watts (1674-1748). Joy to the World is a popular Christmas carol which is based on Psalm 98 in the Bible. The father of John Watts was a Non-conformist and so extreme were his views that he was imprisoned twice. His father's influence over Isaac was demonstrated when he chose to attend Non-­conformist Academy at Stoke Newington in preference to a University. Watts was ordained as a Pastor of an Independent congregation. He wrote many hymns and Carols and was awarded a Doctor of Divinity degree by the the University of Edinburgh in 1728. The music to the carol is by George Frederick Handel (1685-1759).  JOY TO THE WORLD Joy to the world, the Lord is come! Let earth receive her King; Let every heart prepare Him room, And Heaven and nature sing, And Heaven and nature sing, And Heaven, and Heaven, and nature sing. Joy to the world, the Savior reigns! Let men their songs employ; While fields and floods, rocks, hills and plains Repeat the sounding joy, Repeat the sounding joy, Repeat, repeat, the sounding joy. No more let sins and sorrows grow, Nor thorns infest the ground; He comes to make His blessings flow Far as the curse is found, Far as the curse is found, Far as, far as, the curse is found. He rules the world with truth and grace, And makes the nations prove The glories of His righteousness, And wonders of His love, And wonders of His love, And wonders, wonders, of His love. Wonders of his Love, what a beautiful phrase!  God's love is never-ending, so all-enveloping, so warm and giving that we are never without it even in our darkest hours.  Bask in it, embrace it. Open your heart to it and God will bless you o'er and o'er! My Christian Heart to Yours...

Someone mailed this to me and I just love the thought provoking process it brings about!  The Bible is called the "Living Bible" because it never becomes dated.  All the problems we have in the world today are no different than in Bible times.  Even the Greeks philosophers spoke of the troubled youth, etc.  And their writings could have come about today if you did not know how long ago they were written.  I hope you enjoy the below message as much as I did.

Jesus died over 2000 years ago.
Nobody has ever referred to him as the late Jesus,
Not even the heathens.
Nowhere in history.
Nowhere has He EVER been referred to in the past tense!
He is the Living God!
When Jesus died on the cross He was thinking of you!

My Christian heart to yours, 

Kerrie

The true meaning of Christmas... Please watch the video in the sidebar all the way to the end.  If this does not make you cry I would be very surprised.  Let's put CHRIST back in CHRISTmas!  Don't be afraid to show your faith in public.

Romans 1:16 "For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, " Verse 17 "For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith; as it is written, 'The just shall live by faith."

My Christian Heart to yours....

Kerrie

When I first moved to S.C. I met a friend who had a local Christian TV program.  She invited me to sing and I went several times and also did call in phone counseling.  I was trained for it so I readily accepted and had some of my most rewarding experiences singing and sharing there. One of the songs I learned to sing was by a famous family group called, "The McKamey's"  They also wrote, "God on the Mountain" and my husband loved that song so much.  Here are the words to the song and there is a video in the right sidebar.  I hope this touches you as much as it did me.  It is all about having that faith in God that you can do anything when the Lord is with you, he will have "waves roll under your feet...

Matthew 14:22-33

New International Version (NIV)

Jesus Walks on the Water

²² Immediately Jesus made the disciples get into the boat and go on ahead of him to the other side, while he dismissed the crowd. ²³ After he had dismissed them, he went up on a mountainside by himself to pray. Later that night, he was there alone, ²⁴ and the boat was already a considerable distance from land, buffeted by the waves because the wind was against it.
²⁵ Shortly before dawn Jesus went out to them, walking on the lake. ²⁶ When the disciples saw him walking on the lake, they were terrified. “It’s a ghost,” they said, and cried out in fear.
²⁷ But Jesus immediately said to them: “Take courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid.”
²⁸ “Lord, if it’s you,” Peter replied, “tell me to come to you on the water.”
²⁹ “Come,” he said.
Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus. ³⁰ But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, “Lord, save me!”
³¹ Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught him. “You of little faith,” he said,“why did you doubt?”
³² And when they climbed into the boat, the wind died down. ³³ Then those who were in the boat worshiped him, saying, “Truly you are the Son of God.”

UNDER HIS FEET
       by The McKamey's

When Simon Peter, walked oppressed 
Putting his faith unto the test, 
He said Master, wilt thou bidst me come unto thee. 
Jesus said come, so Peter went, and when the faith he had was spent, Peter sank low but Jesus had waves roll under his feet.

Chorus:

Under His Feet, Under His Feet, 
There’s not a problem that you'll face He cannot meet. 
Whenever you've waded out too far in waters too deep, 
Remember when waves are over your head,
He's under your feet.

Often we faint in trials sore, can’t face our problems anymore, 
Forgetting wherever we may go, He’s been there before, 
We should look up and praise the lord
He walks the waters and the shores
The heavenly breeze and the thundering seas are under His feet.

Under His feet, under His feet 
There’s not a problem that you'll face He cannot meet. 
Whenever you've waded out too far in waters too deep, 
Remember when waves are over your head
He's under your feet.

Under His feet, under His feet 
There’s not a problem that you'll face 
He cannot meet. 
Whenever you've waded out too far in waters too deep, 
Remember when waves are over your head He's under your feet.

Thank you so much for coming today and I hope you take a blessing away with you.  Wishing you Love, Faith and Blessings...

IMPORTANCE OF JOURNALING THROUGH GRIEF...

When I lost my hubby last January 26th, I tried to cope alone and by March I needed something more.  So I signed up with the Funeral Home that took care of my hubby and I started to get Daily Affirmations in my e-mail to help me through the grief process.  I found it most comforting and was certainly helpful in changing my attitude and state of mind.  I kept a journal of the entries every day ( they will send 365 days of affirmations unless you tell them to end it).  Below is Day #177.  I like it and decided to share today's.  In journaling, I also added pictures, drawings.  I used a primer notebook with lines on half the page to write and the upper blank so I could add whatever. 

Look to the Horizon - Day #177 Remember the good times; cherish the memories, but live each day moving forward. Focus your thoughts on what is before you and how you are going to get there. "I often tell people that there are three stages you need to think about: You can't go back. You can't stay here. You must go forward," says Dr. Ray Pritchard. "There may be some good things in the past that you wish you could go back to, but in the end you have to let those go." Quotation for the Day “I was never one to patiently pick up broken fragments and glue them together again and tell myself that the mended whole was as good as new. What is broken is broken -- and I'd rather remember it as it was at its best than mend it and see the broken places as long as I lived.” - Margaret Mitchell
There really is no place to go but forward in your grief process.  You cannot regain the past or change any of the things God had planned for your life.  All things happen for a reason and since we cannot know God's mind and why this or that happens, we still concede that God in his wisdom holds the ship's wheel in the sea of life we travel.  Sometimes, I still get a rush of adrenalin at the realization that Bill is gone, like when I see a picture of him from just last year where he looked so well despite the 7 yrs. of fighting Multiple Myeloma.   Bill's 72nd Birthday It has been a hard road to admission.  At first I surrounded myself with his pictures that I kissed each night before going to bed and his urn on the dresser, I did the same.  I had a pendant made from his thumbprint that I wear every day.  My doctor said I was compensating.  Now after 10 mos. I have stopped some of these little practices that had brought me comfort in the beginning. In God is my strength and though I sometimes feel like life alone is not worth living, God speaks to my heart and I go on.  I am looking forward to the birth of our first Great Grandchild who incidentally is due the day after the anniversary of Bill's passing-what a blessing!  It will be a little girl.  Something wonderful to look forward to.  It is said that for every death there is a new life and the saying is coming true. Are you going through a loss of a loved one?  Share how you felt and how you feel now.  Writing or drawing your experiences will relieve some of the burden you bear.

                My heart to yours....

PRAISE GOD FROM WHOM ALL BLESSINGS FLOW♫

Praise God from whom all blessings flow,
Praise Him all creatures here below
Praise Him above ye heavenly hosts
Praise Father Son and Holy Ghost-Amen.

1. Reasons for Praise


1. Read Psalms 103:1. What does it mean to praise God with our "inmost being?" (This is not superficial praise. This is praising God from our core - from deep inside.)


2. Read Psalms 103:2. I often hear people say we should praise God "because of who He is." What additional reason does the Psalmist give us to praise God? (He gives us benefits! This seems a selfish reason to give praise, but it is natural (and easy) to praise someone who helps us.)


3. Read Psalms 103:3-5. What is the Psalmist describing? (The previously mentioned benefits that God gives us!)
2. 
   
1. Thomas Ken (1637-1711) was an Englishman and an ordained Anglican priest. He served as Rector of several parishes, was briefly chaplain to Princess Mary, and later to the British fleet. He published many poems, along with a Manual fo Prayers.
3. 
   After his parents died, Thomas was enrolled by his sister into an all- boy's school, Winchester College. He would return to the same school as Chaplain many years later. In order to motivate his students in their devotions, Thomas wrote a three stanza hymn -- one verse to be sung upon waking and one before bed. The third verse was to be sung at midnight, if a boy found sleep difficult.
   
   Today, the writing of this hymn may seem an innovative way to motivate teenage boys. In Thomas' day however, the writing of this hymn for such a purpose was somewhat revolutionary. For centuries hymns of the church were sung only by monks. Although at this point in history protestant churches in some countries were beginning to introduce hymns into congregational singing, it would be several years before England would officially sanction the practice (See: History of Hymns). For this reason, Thomas Ken has been called 'England's first hymnist.'
   
   The refrain to all three verses of Thomas' hymn has since become one of the most widely-sung songs in the world, and is referred to in many circles simply as, The Doxology
   
   Towards the end of his life, Thomas Ken was imprisoned by King James II, for his forward Protestant thinking. Upon his release, he quietly retired from the priesthood and went to live with some friends until his death, on March 11, 1711. When he was buried at sunrise, The Doxology was sung at his funeral.
4. 
   

The doxology.  Powerful words, powerful music.  Praising God from whom all blessings flow today.  Count your blessings, write them down, embrace them, embrace the Lord.  Blessed Sunday to you all.

Church Steeple Auburn, NY by Dan Marquart

Day is done,Gone the sun,
From the Lakes,From the hills,
From the sky,
All is well.  Safely rest.
God is nigh. 

When I was a little girl, I sang Taps on the stage of Seward Grade School in Auburn NY.  I echoed the trumpet player who was in the balcony of the auditorium and he would play a line, then I would sing it.  I learned the words like this:
Day is done, gone the sun, from the earth, from the sea, from the sky.  All is well, safely rest, God is nigh.

So I do not know what is correct.  But I love it and it touches my heart whenever I hear it.  I think my son's photo of the sunset with silhouetted church steeple is so appropriate.  I love sunsets and feel always that they are God saying "Good Night" to we mortals...

Information on line:

"If anyone can be said to have composed 'Taps,' it was Brig. Gen. Daniel Butterfield, Commander of the 3rd Brigade, 1st Division, V Army Corps, Army of the Potomac, during the American Civil War. Dissatisfied with the customary firing of three rifle volleys at the conclusion of burials during battle and also needing a method of ceremonially imparting meaning to the end of a soldier's day, he likely altered an older piece known as "Tattoo," a French bugle call used to signal "lights out," into the call we now know as 'Taps.' (Alternatively, he wrote the whole thing from scratch, a possibility not at all supported by his lack of musical background and ability.)

Whether he wrote it straight from the cuff or improvised something new by rearranging an older work, Butterfield brought 'Taps' into being. With the help of his bugler, Oliver W. Norton of Chicago, the concept was transformed into its present form. "Taps" was quickly taken up by both sides of the conflict, and within months was being sounded by buglers in both Union and Confederate forces.
Then as now, 'Taps' serves as a vital component in ceremonies honoring military dead. It is also understood by American servicemen as an end-of-day 'lights out' signal."

I am taking a Bible Study of 7 wks. duration on the life of David.  Most interesting.  I have been to 3 sessions already.  Have you been studying any particular person in the Bible?  It is like finding your roots.  How we got to here from there.  Remember that the Great Commission is to spread the work of God to all the earth.  It can be done.

This is one of my son's paintings.

To me it speaks:  The hands of God holding the Light of the world.  I do not know what Dan meant it to be as he did not name it but I so loved it that I wanted to share with you.

HOW GREAT THOU ART

Pondering the magnitude, greatness and glory of our Lord is overwhelming to say the least.  But how wonderful that he communicates with you and with me.  His presence is with us every day as promised in the Resurrection   "I will never leave you" promised the Son of God.

Do you rush through your days failing to remember that God is with you, that he can solve any problem, that he is a constant reinforcement, if you only ...Listen.  As I have mentioned before, I wrote a note a few years ago on my desk blotter that says, "Shhh, God is speaking..."  Just to remind myself that if I be still, I will hear or "feel" the Lord and His Son speaking to my heart.  When you are so full of the Lord, there is no room for sorrow or trouble.  Remember just how great He is.

Below is a picture of the cross at Belin Church in Murrells Inlet, SC that my daughter took at the Blessing of the Inlet, an annual May event.  Beyond are the ocean marshes so beautiful to see.

 My husband passed in January of this year of cancer and one of his requests was for a friend to play the bagpipes at his memorial service.  Well, the friend was out of town and could not play and I felt sad about it even though they played a CD of Pipers at the Service.

Well, when we went to the Blessing of the Inlet, there were pipers leading the minister on the walk aside the church to the back where he would give the blessing.  They stopped right in front of where I was standing and played Amazing Grace!  I felt so blessed!  My daughter  took these photos.  Thank you Barbie for this wonderful memory.


MY GOD, HOW GREAT THOU ART!


Thank you for coming this beautiful Sunday and may God reach down and touch your head with a blessing for today.  Be still so you may hear and feel...

My Christian heart to yours....

Children are a blessing from God

Here is an update on Little Rylen who has been on our prayer list for over 8 mos. now.  If you remember, Rylen was born with encephalitis, water on the brain.  His prognosis was not good at all and after only a few months, his parents were told they would not have him much longer.  But all of us were praying, his Mommy and Daddy, all the relatives and church members and all the people who love him like me and you.  So I am sharing pictures of beautiful little Rylen who is still thriving and bringing joy to so many with just his smile and happiness.  God is so good and you can have no doubt as you look at these recent pictures of our little man Rylen!

 Rylen has had several surgeries in his short life including a hernia operation and a shunt to help drain fluid from the brain and it is working.  He looks and acts like any other baby his age and is even testing the strength of his legs when his Daddy holds his hands.


Isn't he just such a blessing and testimony to the power of the Lord??  He brings so much joy to me each time I see a new picture of his wonderful little face.
God bless you Rylen Lynch and may you continue to grow and thrive against all the odds you have had to encounter!

Our first two children died after full term pregnancies due to doctor negligence and though I went on to have 3 healthy children, I have never forgotten the little ones we lost and mark their birthday on the calendar each year.  Fear of death has never been with me for I know that I will meet them again in Heaven and take great comfort in knowing my Sweet hubby Bill, has already had that wonderful reunion....


Thank you so much for visiting and do come again soon.  I have been suffering from depression and have not posted much lately but I am getting stronger and will try hard to post more often.  God has blessed me so much and I love to share the faith with you all.

May the joy of my Salvation be in my heart and on my lips so that others might see Jesus in me.  Amen

When Morning Gilds the Sky

When Morning Gilds the Skies...

When morning gilds the skies,
My heart awaking cries:
May Jesus Christ be praised!
Alike at work and prayer
To Jesus I repair:
May Jesus Christ be praised!

To Thee, my God above,
I cry with glowing love,
May Jesus Christ be praised!
The fairest graces spring
In hearts that ever sing,
May Jesus Christ be praised!

When sleep her balm denies,
My silent spirit sighs,
May Jesus Christ be praised!
When evil thoughts molest,
With this I shield my breast,
May Jesus Christ be praised!

The night becomes as day,
When from the heart we say,
May Jesus Christ be praised!
The powers of darkness fear,
When this sweet chant they hear,
May Jesus Christ be praised!

Be this, while life is mine,
My canticle divine,
May Jesus Christ be praised!
Be this th' eternal song
Through all the ages long,
May Jesus Christ be praised!

When I read the words to this beautiful hymn, my heart is so filled with the fullness of the Lord, the words lift me up in spirit and mind and heart.  Sometimes just listening to hymns can provide a respite greater than any vacation offers...

In dealing with the loss of my beloved Bill 7 months ago I have been doing Affirmation exercises provided by the funeral home.  It is a wonderful service and it continues for 365 days unless I stop it coming via e-mail.  I do the exercises in my private journal and add little drawings and comments of my own.  Today's message of affirmations was worth sharing and I hope it helps those of you who may be experiencing your own losses.  Sending big hugs and blessings to all of you today!

SEEKING A SOFT PILLOW

 

No matter how much you are hurting right now, it makes no sense to spread those feelings around your world. Making others feel as bad as you do is impossible; no one can truly know how much your sorrow weighs. But, you can lighten their burden, and your own, by being as positive, as uplifting as you can be. So, for today, think good and positive thoughts and behave in accordance with these thoughts. Give love to yourself and to others. Bring peace to everyone you encounter because when night comes – a clear conscience is a soft pillow.

Quotation for the Day

She was no longer wrestling with the grief, but could sit down with it as a lasting companion and make it a sharer in her thoughts. ~George Eliot

My Christian heart to yours...

Our Role as a Servant of God

I have been studying and reading about the role we must take as a Servant Of the Lord.  As much as we would like to think we are the masters of our soul, we are not.  Our timing is not God's timing, what we think are our needs are not what God has planned for us.

It is hard to serve the Lord, we want everything our own way.  And though we pray for things to go right, for God to heal illnesses (And he certainly has the power over all these things) some even pray for riches and success.  But once you become the Servant of the Lord, you learn to WAIT upon the Lord.
Psalm 41:I waited patiently for the Lord; and he inclined unto me, and heard my cry.
 When my hubby was so ill with cancer, I prayed for his healing, it was not answered.  I prayed for God to lessen his pain, it was not answered.  I BEGGED for him to not suffer the ravages of cancer any longer.  Then God took him home.  For 7 yrs. I was learning to be the servant, caring for my hubby and  living a life of almost complete isolation except for the eternal chemo, doctor, lab visits and radiation treatments.  I did all this willingly because I loved my husband so much.  I did have faith in God's will and plan but sometimes, it was hard to accept that my husband's healing was not in the plan.  He was a gift of God and God took him back...

I do not press God for answers now.  I have learned to Wait upon the Lord and my life is easier now.  I believe he has a purpose for my life because He left me behind when He took my sweet Bill.  I feel the sanctification of the Lord and His Son Jesus in my life and continue to serve where he sends me.  Whether it be bringing a hot meal to an ill neighbor, running an errand for them or simply picking up their mail, such small things to brighten their day and I know I am serving God in my own humble way.  For even our Lord took the role of a servant Washing the Disciples Feet in John 13:1-17  Years ago, I started a tradition of washing my hubby's feet around Easter time and he said it was a feeling like no other when I showed humility and love for him by this simple act.




I have been working a lot subbing at a chiropractor's office and the work is hard physically and mentally.  But I am serving there, also.  I meet many Christians there and they tell me their struggles and I LISTEN (the magic word) and then I tell them I will pray for them.  They are relieved and I am enriched  by their smiles.

"The heavenly Father still sanctifies people today. Before a person places his faith in the Savior, he is spiritually dead and, in fact, an enemy of God (Eph. 2:1-3; Rom. 5:10). But the moment someone chooses to trust in Jesus Christ, his sins are wiped away, and he is adopted into God's family. That individual is set apart as a child of God, with a sacred purpose. This means believers are not here to chase after personal gain but to serve the Lord and bring Him 
honor and glory."  (Source: Dr. Charles Stanley)

Have you accepted your role as a servant of the Lord?  Instead of a chore, it becomes an affirmation, however small the effort on your part to do something for others so that they might see the Lord in your eyes, in your heart and on your lips.  What greater reward?

Make a list for yourself of ways you can serve right where you are at this time.

Keep a journal of what you did for others and how it made you feel.

And pray that God will guide your path in all that you do and your road will never be rocky but firm ground on which to place your foot one step at a time.

Psalm 119:105  (KJV) ” Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path “.

Sharing Dr. Stanley's post

This message from Dr. Stanley is the best explanation of the  original sin that I had to share: The Priority of Obedience John 14:23-26 The Creator gave two commands to Adam and Eve—first, to fill the earth and rule over it, and second,  not to eat from a certain tree in the Garden (Gen. 1:28; 2:17). Because they chose to disobey, their  relationship with God was broken, and they had to leave Eden.  The first couple’s rebellion not only  impacted their own lives but also had far broader implications: all future generations have suffered.    In Romans 5:12-19, the apostle Paul explained the reason. Through the trespass of one man, Adam,  sin made its entrance into the world, and death resulted for all mankind. Because Adam was head  of the human race, his actions affected everyone born after him. His disobedience resulted in each of  us having a bent  away from the Lord and a desire for self-rule.   By contrast, Jesus made conformity to the Lord’s will the priority of His life. He obeyed God in both  word and deed (John 8:28-29). Having lived a perfect life—one entirely without sin—He qualified to be  our Savior (2 Cor. 5:21).  Through the death of one man, Christ Jesus, payment was made for the  transgressions of all mankind. God’s  acceptance of the Son’s sacrifice brought us forgiveness  and freedom from sin’s power. Adam’s disobedience brought judgment and death upon us, whereas Jesus’ obedience resulted  in new life for all who believe in Him (Rom. 6:4). Our Savior calls us to deny selfish desires, live  sacrificially, and follow Him (Matt. 16:24). A godly life will bring Jesus honor and influence others  for Him. For more biblical teaching and resources from Dr. Charles Stanley,  please visitwww.intouch.org. I have been away to visit my son all last week and this week I  worked subbing at the doc's office so have neglected my posts on my blogs but will catch up today on all of them.   Thanks for stopping by and may God bless you this day and every day. My Christian Heart to yours....