When we are young we think of things that we "hope" will happen when we get older. In my mother's generation, young ladies had "hope" chests where things like fancy night gowns, bed linens and such were placed for the future. You hear that a high school grad "hopes" to get into the college of their choice. I have a friend who put that word, hope, into perspective for me. He was adopting a dog, a female black Lab (my personal favorite breed), and the name she already had was..Hope. I thought it was a lovely name for her and he had hoped to find a wonderful canine companion, so when he changed her name I was surprised. He said that "Hope" represented something to come, something that wasn't there yet...so he named her "Joy"because she was there with him NOW, his Joy not his Hope. However, I think he might be re-thinking how "joyfull" he feels when she refuses to let him sleep late. In thinking about hope the first thing that comes to my mind is Hebrews 11:1 (KJV)Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.  (Amplified) Now Faith is the assurance(the confirmation, the title deed)of the things (we) hope for, being the proof of things (we)do not see and the conviction of their reality(faith perceiving as real fact what is not revealed to the senses). We hope for good health, we hope for our finances to be what we need, we hope that our country is able to pick herself up and dust herself off and keep on keeping on. What is the central thing in all those "hopes"? It is YOU. You have to be willing to work for what you hope for in order to see it come into existance. When my son had graduated from Georgia Tech where he had hoped to be an engineer, he knew that he was not happy and didn't really want to do that. He had hoped to be a doctor since he was in the fifth grade and had somehow gotten side tracked. He didn't complain about it, neither did he get hooked into a job where he would work for the rest of his un-happy life, no, he enrolled in Life University and became what he had "hoped" for. Graduating as the Valedictorian of his class, he became a Chiropractic Doctor! His hopes, backed by his work, led him to his goal. He is opening his very own practice Monday, Feburary 9.  Faith is the SUBSTANCE (something you can feel and taste) of things hoped for, faith is the EVIDENCE of things not yet seen. You, dear reader, can do ALL things, how? Philippians 4:13 I can do ALL things through Christ who strengthens me. Don't be a quitter..tonight I was watching my grandson trying to teach his dad how to play "Guitar Hero". It was hysterically funny, Giles couldn't get it at all, Gabriel kept showing him over and over, the whole family was laughing so loud the house was rocking...finally Gabriel walked away and said "You can do it dad, just don't give up". That is the answer for me, for you, for us all in life, just don't give up, don't give in, don't be a quitter, you can do it!  I am reminded of a little chorus someone taught me when I was about seven, "Let the sunshine in, face it with a grin, smilers never lose and frowners never win, so let the sunshine in face it with a grin, open up your heart and let the sun shine in."

Be blessed, pray and don't give up on your hopes and dreams remembering that Jesus made it possible for you to ask for help when He gave His life for you, yes YOU!

Yesterday afternoon I was in the kitchen cooking, preparing supper for 10 people. I heard an exclamation from Gabriel of "Oh NO, I spilled my tea!" I started gathering a cloth to go and clean it up, hoping it hadn't landed on the carpet. The events of the next few moments are a blurr (only kidding) but it ended with his mom saying she would call his dad so that he could have a "talk" with him. He seemed to think this would not happen...suddenly the call happened and I was being summoned.."Mammy can you come here?" "Sure baby, what is it?" He put his little hands on both sides of my face as I leaned down to his level and he whispered "I accept your apology", I didn't want to laugh out loud, but it was a struggle, his mom said "What did you say?" It was repeated..he was supposed to tell me he was "sorry". It is very hard for those words to cross his eight year old lips, this is something that they had already had the "talk" about. He asked me "Do you know what 'apology' means?" "Yes" (from across the room) "Gabe, what were you supposed to say?" It finally happened, he squeezed out the words "I am sorry". He looked so relieved it was over and asked me if I would give him a big hug! Of Course I did! The incident was funny, made me think of "Happy Days" when Fonzie could never say that he was wrong! But in thinking about it, I realize that "I'm sorry" are two words that are very hard for most people to say. What is the solution? Conduct yourself in a manner so that you never NEED to say them, easier said than done, however, I have a couple of scriptures for you to read and think about. Proverbs 15:1  A soft answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word, stirs up anger. It is never easy to just stand there and take it when someone is being harsh with you, is it? However we need to remember that 3 The eyes of the Lord are in every place, keeping watch on the evil and the good. So when you think that God doesn't see the things you go through, you are wrong..He sees..He knows. 4 A wholesome tongue is a tree of life, but perverseness in it breaks the spirit. The things we think of and let come out of our mouth makes up who we are. Go back to Phillipians 4:8 Finally. brethren. whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue, and if there is anything praiseworthy-meditate on these things. Am I going to tell you that I am a perfect example of being constantly positive and thinking positive thoughts? No, but I AM consistantly positive, meaning that whenever I catch myself sinking into the dregs of despair I do what I heard daddy say in a sermon when I was a little girl. He said: "I pick myself up by the 'scruff' of the neck , haul myself to the altar and give it all to the Lord!"

Gabriel was back in form with the prayer for our supper, in which he thanked God for His good Son Jesus, and said "I know you would like to have more time to play with Him, and thank you God that it is almost Valentine's Day." Wonder who he has in mind for that "special" card?

Be blessed, pray and do as my grand dad said, think about what you are going to say 10 times before you say it...if you did that you wouldn't say much, would you?

One : Don't miss the boat.
Two : Remember that we are all in the same boat.
Three : Plan ahead. It wasn't raining when Noah built the Ark.
Four : Stay fit. When you're 600 years old, someone may ask you to do something really big.
Five : Don't listen to critics; just get on with the job that needs to be done.
Six : Build your future on high ground.
Seven : For safety's sake, travel in pairs.
Eight : Speed isn't always an advantage.! The snails were on board with the cheetahs.
Nine : When you're stressed, float a while.
Ten : Remember, the Ark was built by amateurs; the Titanic by professionals.
Eleven : No matter the storm, when you are with God, there's always a rainbow waiting...

I have had a lot of comments on recent articles concerning our faith and standing up for it in the midst of New Age and Inclusion doctrines. I am printing one here that basically expresses the thoughts of a lot of people. It was written by a person who is highly educated, works in the secular work place and is a wonderful spouse and parent. I invite you to respond. Harolene

It is easy to be convinced in what a minister is saying, and it makes a difference when you sit under it, eventually becoming transformed, rather than from a perspective where you only hear bits and pieces.  It's one thing to incorporate these religious facets in a church service it's another thing to incorporate them in service and personal life because you believe in them.  If Jesus was suppose to have a 2nd coming through Allah then I think He would have mentioned it in some way. If the Holy Spirit is the same thing as Karma then Karma originates from a god that is not Jehovah God the Father.  They basically have to believe that whatever religion's god, consequence or presence, its all semantics and it all comes from the same source, "god".  You either believe in that or you don't.  There are Christians that will never believe that.  There are Buddhists that will never believe that.  There will be Muslims that will never believe that.  They are going after people from whatever religion that will say, no matter what you call god , it is legitimate and I will worship with you because we can practice it all.
 
 Any religious person who keeps their views will be labeled as close minded and weak, un-enlightened if you will.  Our church is having a Chinese New Year Service because we have a number of Chinese members, are we taking up Buddhism?  No.  Are we going to practice Taoism?  No.  Are we going to reach out to all religions with Christ's love and tell them that Jesus Christ loves them?  Yep.  They can stay where they are or they can accept JC as their Lord and Savior.  Their eternity and reality is between them and God.  Either way I don't get this feeling that I'm missing a religious experience because I am a Christian.
 
Christianity is the most accepting, loving, inviting, redeeming religion in the whole world.  My experience was and is real today, Buddhism doesn't help me because I am complete in JC. My view is that it's almost more destructive to believe in multiple religions.

*my note: Jesus said: John 14:6 I am the way the truth, and the life: no man comes to the father, but by me,

Be Blessed, Pray and Stand by The Man Jesus!