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Maribeth Jordan said:"Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate.
Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure.
It is our light not our darkness that frightens us.
We ask ourselves 'who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented and fabulous?'
Actually, who are you not to be?
You are a child of God.
Your playing small doesn't serve the world.
There's nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won't feel insecure around you.
We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us.
It's not just in some of us; its in everyone.
And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same.
As we are liberated from our own fear,
our presence automatically liberates others."
Opportunity Knocks
Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise,
making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil.
Ephesians 5:15-16
Can you remember walking down the sidewalk, a street,
or any other paved surface being careful to step over every single crack?
The saying was, “step on a crack, break your mother’s back.”
So in the mind of an elementary school child...,
you had to choose your steps carefully so you wouldn’t put your foot in the wrong place.
For every step made, there was an opportunity for something good or something bad to happen.
The apostle Paul also taught that every step matters.
The phrase “be very careful” carries the idea of caution.
And our goal should be to take the exact step God desires for us in every opportunity.
We choose this kind of precision because there are consequences to our choices.
“The days are evil” is not just a petty threat.
There are pitfalls ready to swallow us whole if we make a move without seeking God’s direction first.
God desires us to be careful with the time we’ve been given.
And our exact steps should be chosen with the goal of “making the most of every opportunity.”
Prayer
Lord, Help me to be wise in my daily decisions
and take advantage of the time you have given me.
I know you have a purpose and plan for my life,
and I want to make sure that I am making the most of every opportunity to work for you.
In Jesus’ name, Amen.
There really is LIGHT here Dave.
Thanks for the brightening!
Thanks Dave![]()
Ups and Downs ....
Ever feel like life is against you :
A 16-year-old boy made an incredible game-winning shot at State,
been interviewed on TV, and was carried off the court on his teammates' shoulders.
The celebration was euphoric, as He drove home on cloud nine.
... That was Saturday.
Monday his dad lost his job.
Wednesday he's packing to leave his childhood home.
Thursday, he tried to tell his girlfriend about the move.
The bottom had dropped out of his life.
Have you ever gone from celebration to devastation in a matter of days?
Jesus did....
On Palm Sunday, the crowds loved Jesus.
As He rode into Jerusalem, they sang "Hosanna!"
and covered the streets ahead of Him with palm branches.
On Monday,
Jesus chased the money changers out of the temple.
On Tuesday, He preached in Jerusalem.
On Thursday, He washed His disciples' feet,, named His betrayer,
and went to Gethsemane to pray.
Then He was arrested.
On Friday, Roman soldiers led Jesus to Golgotha where he was crucified.
In one week's time, Jesus went from being admired
to being whipped like a criminal.
From being celebrated to being scorned.
From His triumphal entry to His death on the cross.
You may not understand unexpected ups and downs.
But God always has a plan,
and His plan includes ups and downs -
even times of suffering.
God had a plan for His Son, Jesus.
Friday death,
Saturday Rest.
On Easter Sunday, Jesus rose from the grave,
providing a way for our salvation and eternal life.
God has a plan for you, too.
Even, and especially, in the midst of confusion and pain.
Prayer,
God I don't like a life of up and downs ...
but if there is a plan to bring out the best in me ...
may I accept with grace, this week and all the weeks between here and victory!
via: Donna Zurfluh
Ups and Downs ....
Ever feel like life is against you :
A 16-year-old boy made an incredible game-winning shot at State,
been interviewed on TV, and was carried off the court on his teammates' shoulders.
The celebration was euphoric, as He drove home on cloud nine.
... That was Saturday.
Monday his dad lost his job.
Wednesday he's packing to leave his childhood home.
Thursday, he tried to tell his girlfriend about the move.
The bottom had dropped out of his life.
Have you ever gone from celebration to devastation in a matter of days?
Jesus did....
On Palm Sunday, the crowds loved Jesus.
As He rode into Jerusalem, they sang "Hosanna!"
and covered the streets ahead of Him with palm branches.
On Monday,
Jesus chased the money changers out of the temple.
On Tuesday, He preached in Jerusalem.
On Thursday, He washed His disciples' feet,, named His betrayer,
and went to Gethsemane to pray.
Then He was arrested.
On Friday, Roman soldiers led Jesus to Golgotha where he was crucified.
In one week's time, Jesus went from being admired
to being whipped like a criminal.
From being celebrated to being scorned.
From His triumphal entry to His death on the cross.
You may not understand unexpected ups and downs.
But God always has a plan,
and His plan includes ups and downs -
even times of suffering.
God had a plan for His Son, Jesus.
Friday death,
Saturday Rest.
On Easter Sunday, Jesus rose from the grave,
providing a way for our salvation and eternal life.
God has a plan for you, too.
Even, and especially, in the midst of confusion and pain.
Prayer,
God I don't like a life of up and downs ...
but if there is a plan to bring out the best in me ...
may I accept with grace, this week and all the weeks between here and victory!
Thank you Donna Sis'
dave