Why So Downcast?

My eyes have never beheld what I believe I will one day possess.

My hands have never touched hands damaged in crucifixion, yet I believe I will one day touch them.

My feet have never touched pavement of gold, yet one day I fully expect to walk on such streets.

My mind has never understood the mysteries of God, yet there will come a day when it will all make sense.

So until then, I will rejoice in what I do not possess because I have something that will carry me in confidence until that moment arrives. What will carry me is the belief that the Father has fully paid my sin debt which gives me the freedom to love and follow where He leads.

I don’t need to see it or hold it in my hands to believe that it is real.

Some say seeing is believing - but for me it’s the opposite. Belief comes first, seeing will come soon enough. I am willing to wait.

I have been forgiven. I have been loved. I have chosen to love and forgive in return. My heart yearns for a day, a time, a moment. Yet in that special moment there will no longer be a need for time. I don’t have to understand it all to hunger for my first taste of eternity.

My life can be lived in no other way than to believe, for without this trust, this conviction, this joyous confidence - I would become a pitiful cynic. A man in desperate need for the one thing I have rejected; The one thing that provides a doorway to joy, peace and contentment, the one thing so closely linked to love and faith.

We have a future and a promise. God has a plan for our good. He’s preparing a place just for us. He’s promised to come back for us.

We, more than all others, have the greatest reason to bubble over with this most joyous anticipation.

It is because of the sacrificial death and resurrection of Jesus’ that we have been given yet another wonderful gift from the hand of God Himself. That gift is hope.

Thank you brother Glenn A. Hascall

12 Steps

I took one Step... began to moan
I can't do this on my own.
I took two Steps... began to pray,
God, please restore me today.

I took three Steps... gave up my will;
Maybe God loves me still.
I took a Fourth... I looked inside,
Nothing more would I hide.

And on the Fifth... I said aloud,"
I've done some wrong, and I'm not proud."
I took six Steps... and got prepared
To lose the defects... I was scared.

Now I'm at Seven... take them away
Today, Dear God, for this I pray.
And on Eight... the list was long,
Amends to make for all the wrong.

I took nine Steps.. put down my pride;
Forgiveness asked, I will not hide.
Ten Steps I take... each day I pray...
I make amends along the way.

And on Eleven... I prayed to know
His Will each day, which way to go.
I took twelve Steps... I'm like a bird
To others now, I spread the word!

TEN WAYS TO HAVE A BLESSED DAY

TODAY I will not strike back. . . If someone is rude, if someone is impatient, if someone is unkind, I will not respond in a like manner.

TODAY I will ask God to bless my 'enemy'. . If I come across someone who treats me harshly or unfairly, I will quietly ask God to bless that individual. I understand "enemy" could be a family member, neighbor, co-worker or stranger.

TODAY I will be careful about what I say. . . I will carefully choose and guard my words being certain that I do not spread gossip.

TODAY I will go the extra mile. . . I will find ways to help share the burden of another person.

TODAY I will forgive. . . I will forgive any hurts or injuries that come my way.

TODAY I will do something kind for someone, (But I will do it in secret. . . ) I will reach out anonymously and bless the life of another.

TODAY I will treat others the way I wish to be treated. . I will practice the golden rule. "Do Unto others as I would have them do unto me"- with EVERYONE I encounter.

TODAY I will raise the spirits of some who is discouraged. . My smile, my words, my expression of support, can make the difference to someone who is wrestling with life.

TODAY I will nurture by body . . . I will eat less . . . I will eat only healthy foods. I will thank God for my body.

TODAY I will grow Spiritually. . . I will spend a little more time in prayer today. I will begin reading something spiritual or inspirational; I will find a quiet place (at some point during this day) and listen to God's voice.