The Enemy

By Pat

I have been an avid bird watcher for many years, and love watching them at my various feeders. I always marvel at their beauty and resilience and the loveliness of their songs. It gives me great joy. Today I learned a lesson from one.

A small Carolina wren was on my deck railing, but instead of going after the food, he sat still, hunkered down and not moving a muscle. He remained that way for quite some time, and I knew without a doubt there had to be a hawk in the area. I looked around, and sure enough I saw a hawk right there in the woods by my yard. The wren knew he was there, and that if he moved he could possibly become lunch for the crafty hawk, so he did the smart thing. He stayed still and quiet and waited for the enemy to leave (which didn't take very long because I chased the hawk away!)

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A New Year Without Fear

By Pat

As another year comes to an end, I feel a sense of joy in my heart, and as another year begins, I feel a great sense of anticipation. I look back at this past year and the many ups and downs in the road I traveled, and find that, although I didn't always get what I prayed for, I did receive what God knew I needed.

When I asked God for smooth sailing during tumultuous times, I see that God instead provided a sturdy boat in which to sail. When I walked in darkness, God reminded me of the constant light of Jesus, and found a way to open my eyes to it. When I prayed for God to help my friends and family through difficulties, I notice that He graciously used me at times as His means of helping them, in whatever small way I could, and for this I am grateful and humbled. When I cried, He sent me love and concern in the form of precious friends-and they helped to dry my tears. I felt God's love through their prayers and words of encouragement. When I may have been feeling just a bit too confident and sure of my walk, God allowed me to face situations that reminded me of my weakness and constant need for His presence, guidance and wisdom.

In every situation I faced, whether good, bad, or something in-between, God was there. And so I can look forward to a new year without fear, and with the comfort that no matter what lies ahead, God is with me and will hold my hand through it all. I will not travel alone. He will use my struggles to help me gain strength and to increase my faith so that I can better serve Him. I pray that He will use me to be a blessing to others, however and whenever I can. I am so grateful for God's promises, the one thing I can always count on. Have thine own way, Lord! And to all...Happy New Year!

"But as for me, I will always have hope; I will praise you more and more." (Psalm 71:14)

Pat is a good friend who is passionate about her faith and her family. She works from home supporting a family business, and loves to read, write and garden when she can, and spends every spare moment with her grandkids.

God Wins!

By Pat

Satan is alive and well, and is lurking among us. He's on the prowl, always moving, looking for ways to weaken us, to make us believe we aren't good enough, smart enough, rich enough, successful enough. He reminds us of our past; he obscures the view of our future. He is at war, and he is strong. But we need not be scared. God has provided us with all the ammunition we need, and that's Him! When Satan tells me I can't, God says, "I can do all things through him who gives me strength." (Philippians 4:13). When Satan tries to convince me my sins have made me dirty and unlovable, God tells me, "I, even I, am he who blots out your transgressions, for my own sake, and remembers your sins no more." (Isaiah 43:25). When Satan whispers I'm not good enough, God declares, "Look at the birds of the air. They do not reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they?" Satan says, "Follow me!" But Jesus says, "I am the way, the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me." Satan beckons me with evil intent, but Jesus triumphs, saying, "In this world you will have trouble, but take heart! I have overcome the world!" (John 16:33)

And it's true...we do have troubles. Also heartaches, struggles and pain. But Jesus did too, didn't He? So what would make us think we should be exempt? Don't let Satan lure you into his trap of deceit and sinfulness. When you're feeling discouraged, fix your sights on God. He will trump Satan every time, if you let Him! When in trials, praise God for what is to come, and rejoice in the hope that God will get you through it with greater strength and deeper faith. With God beside you, Satan will never persevere!

"For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal." (2 Corinthians 4:17, 18)

Pat is a good friend who is passionate about her faith and her family. She works from home supporting a family business, and loves to read, write and garden when she can, and spends every spare moment with her grandkids.

Boot Camp Conversion

By Michelle (Graceful, Faith in the Everyday)

I can’t walk. Or climb stairs. Or bend to pick a shred of lint off the carpet. Or apply deodorant without groaning audibly.

Don’t be alarmed. I brought this misery upon myself.

Last Saturday morning I enrolled in my first-ever session of Boot Camp. The name, of course, should have been the first hint, but I figured I could handle it. I’m a runner right? How hard can “Boot Camp” be?

Yeah. Pretty hard. Especially when the instructor is the son of Satan. Seriously. Combine medicine ball thrusts, squats, lunges, jump roping, running, push-ups and the plank with suicide sprints, bicep curls with resistance bands and  “burpees” (don’t ask), and then– if you’re me – when it’s all over return home and paint your entire bedroom. Not just a touch-up job, mind you – I painted the entire bedroom, on a ladder, with a roller…after Boot Camp.

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God Is At Work!

By Pat

I am one of the many people in the world who has to watch their weight. Ever since I was young, I have seen my weight creep up, knowing all too well that it will soon be diet time, which I dread! Eventually, I get myself on a diet, hoping that after two hours or so, the extra pounds will have magically dropped off like a snake shedding it's skin. I want it to happen overnight!

But of course, that's not the case, so I steadfastly diet. It seems like it takes forever...weeks go by sometimes with very little change, until suddenly I can see and feel the difference. It was happening all the time, but the progress was slow. Sometimes I want to give up, thinking it's just not working. It's taking too long. But of course, only fortitude, determination and patience will get the desired results.

I have come to realize that my faith walk is very like my dieting. I do my devotions, pray, go to church, plant seeds, and serve as best I can. I try to live for the Lord. But it's not until I am in a situation requiring God's mighty power that I am able to see the results of my efforts to be more Godly.

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