e-mail 9/26/06

With the dark clouds outside today we need to be like David and remind ourselves that "This is the day the Lord has made, I will rejoice and be glad in it." Did you know that when David wrote this, he had just lost his baby boy? If David could have such a wonderful heart towards God and His creation at such a time as this, what is wrong with us when the sink is stopped up and we can't get it to drain, or if the floor has been tracked up because the kids did not wipe their feet, or (my recent peeve) the neighbor's cat who decided to chase lizards in one of my Rex Begonias and broke about half the limbs off. (I was not rejoicing!!)

I will agree that everyday I do not feel like rejoicing but time with God brings me back to reality. I am often asked how do you live with chronic pain - my answer always is that God is my strength and my faith carries me through.

Too many times we get our focus off the real thing and what is really important. I love to hear Bro Gregg (my pastor) say "Folks, it's not about us, it's about God." Everything in all creation is about God and His majesty and His love and His judgement. He gives very specific directions for the way we should live but recently too many have said in my presence that they just do not have time for a "Quiet Time". (Notice I did not say that everyone.) But honestly, I do not understand this. It just does not compute. We say we love God but don't have time for the one Who died for us, Who gives us the very air we breathe, Who blesses us with all blessings.

Time with God - alone - is the best thing in this life. Suzannah Wesley had 21 kids and she had a quiet time every day. If ever a woman had an excuse she is the one. Yet she would pull an apron over her head as she sat in her chair for her quiet time and her kids knew that this was Mama's time with God...she was not to be disturbed...and look how great her kids turned out.

You cannot hear God speak to you directly if you have kids crying in the background, phone is ringing or you are trying to prepare breakfast. You cannot hear God's directions for the day unless you actually pick up your Bible and know what it says. Sometimes all you need is one verse to meditate on as you go about your day.

If you are a Christian, it has to matter to you what God says and you have to want to be obedient to ALL of what He says. Jesus said, "IF you love me, you WILL keep my commandments." John 14:15 Many think that ignorance is bliss but dear ones, with God this excuse carries no weight and is not scriptural. There are too many times in the Scriptures when God says, "MY PEOPLE have forsaken me".

We live in a lost world and without God's guidance and direction we can do nothing to make a difference. Our job is to join in with God in whatever God is doing in our midst*. And it always involves-

Sharing God's love,

Peggy

* from Henry Blackaby