Author Archives: famtree2014

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July 9, 2013

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Sorrow, Grief & Regrets, Today: Make it Count, Worry

THERE’S A RIGHT TIME FOR EVERYTHING

There’s an opportune time to do things, a right time for everything on the earth:
A right time for birth and another for death,
A right time to plant and another to reap,
A right time to kill and another to heal,
A right time to destroy and another to construct,
A right time to cry and another to laugh,
A right time to lament and another to cheer,
A right time to make love and another to abstain,
A right time to embrace and another to part,
A right time to search and another to count your losses,
A right time to hold on and another to let go,
A right time to rip out and another to mend,
A right time to shut up and another to speak up,
A right time to love and another to hate,
A right time to wage war and another to make peace.
[Ecclesiastes 3:1-8 (MSG)]

Life, like the weather, is seasonal. Some seasons last longer than others and some are more pleasant than others, but each season passes whether we like it or not. Let’s not waste our time looking back at past seasons or worrying about the future ones. Let’s enjoy the season we’re in and make every day count!

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July 7, 2013

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Faith & Hope, God's Grace & Love

HIS GRACE IS ALL WE NEED

Each time he said, “My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness.” [2 Corinthians 12:9a (NLT)]

I surrender, Lord. On my own, I am powerless. But, by your power, all things are possible. Thank you for your gift of grace.

For I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength. [Philippians 4:13 (NLT)]

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July 6, 2013

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God's Grace & Love, God's Promises

OUR FATHER

The Lord Almighty says, “I will be your Father, and you will be my sons and daughters.” [2 Corinthians 6:18 (GW)]

Our children don’t have to earn our love; we love them because they are ours. And so it is with God’s children; he loves us simply because we are His. Yet, unlike earthly parents, God manages to remain calm and firm, loving and patient, no matter how exasperating or rebellious His children may be. Moreover, his advice is always correct, his provision is always enough, and he never tires of comforting us. If only our parenting skills were as good!

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July 5, 2013

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Love & Works, Obedience, Salvation: A New You

THE CHOICE IS OURS

Today I have given you the choice between life and death, between blessings and curses. Now I call on heaven and earth to witness the choice you make. Oh, that you would choose life, so that you and your descendants might live! You can make this choice by loving the Lord your God, obeying him, and committing yourself firmly to him. This is the key to your life. [Deuteronomy 30:19-20a (NLT)]

If only all of our options were this clear-cut! If only every contract we sign was this concise! There is no money down or fine print, no hidden qualifications, and no undisclosed obligations. Even pre-existing conditions don’t matter. Our choice is well-defined for us: love, obey and commit to God or not. Life or death; the choice is ours.

 

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July 4, 2013

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Holidays & Holy Days

GOD BLESS AMERICA – INDEPENDENCE DAY 2013

2013-7-4Those who know your name trust you, O Lord, because you have never deserted those who seek your help. [Psalm 9:10 (GW)]

 Thank you, Father in Heaven, for the nation in which we live. Flawed as it is, it is still the best place to be. Please bless this nation and its people.

 

“God Bless America”  [Irving Berlin]

While the storm clouds gather far across the sea,
Let us swear allegiance to a land that’s free,
Let us all be grateful for a land so fair,
As we raise our voices in a solemn prayer.

God bless America,
Land that I love.
Stand beside her, and guide her
Through the night with a light from above.
From the mountains, to the prairies,
To the oceans, white with foam
God bless America, My home sweet home
God bless America, My home sweet home.

 

When an American says that he loves his country, he means not only that he loves the New England hills, the prairies glistening in the sun, the wide and rising plains, the great mountains, and the sea. He means that he loves an inner air, an inner light in which freedom lives and in which a man can draw the breath of self-respect. [Adlai Stevenson]