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Homecoming

May 19, 2018 By admin

Photo: Matthias Gelinski

The summer following my 10th birthday, our family made its first and only trek to Disneyland. We lived up north in Stockton, California, and in those days one had to travel Highway 99 to get to L.A. I well remember the all day trip driving with the “big trucks” through every town in California’s central valley that dotted the “99.” The stars were out (you could see them back then) by the time we pulled into Anaheim.

The three of us kids were so excited we could hardly sleep. But the next morning found us bright and early standing by the gate of the amusement park we had waited so long to see.

The day began well enough, that is, until my brother and I threw up our cotton candy on the spinning teacups. Our family had barely recovered from that mishap when the unthinkable happened. My sister disappeared in Frontierland. None of us even saw her slip away. It seemed we just looked around and she was gone.

I’m sure my parents were heart stricken for she was only three years old. Our holiday came to a screeching halt as we reported her lost and then waited moment by agonizing moment for her to be found. My parents were undoubtedly petrified by the possibility she might have fallen in one of the parks lagoons.

The Lost Is Found

Finally, after an hour or two, a policeman wearing a dark blue uniform, appeared with my sister by the hand. I can only imagine the relief and total joy of my parents at that moment. Their lost little girl had been found!

Now that I’m a mother myself, I think I can identify with the range of emotions my parents must have experienced that day, from agonizing heartache and fear to incredible happiness and relief.

Somehow, I sense that God must experience these same emotions on a daily basis millions of times over. For, we are all children of the Creator, each and every one of us. Yet, the Lord loves us individually as if we were an only child.

How it must hurt and grieve the Almighty when we wander away and get lost, for we mean so much to God. How the Lord longs for us to come home. But never forcing us, our God waits patiently, moment by agonizing moment hoping we will return.

This longing and desperation turns to indescribable joy when we finally do decide to turn around. Isn’t it time now to come home?

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Her Perfect Skin

May 18, 2018 By admin

Photo: Jyn Meyer

She was born with perfect skin into an imperfect world.
I remember her peach-soft,
Milky, white skin on Birth Day.
Little arms that reached out for hugs,
Arms that slid through tiny shirts and lacy dresses.
Years later the red line of scars started appearing.
First Band-Aids and lies,
Finally, I realized that she was cutting herself.
Each new scar was a stab at my heart.
Where had I gone wrong?
Where had we failed so miserably as parents?
How could her life be so miserable?
What raging demon possessed her mind?
Would she ever find the help she needed
To stop slashing at this masterpiece?

Therapy, honesty, medication, and time
Faded her pain and the ugly, red scars. After much prayer,
Patience and love, we were all maturing.
Now I rarely think about her scars,
Unless it is summertime. Her skin is still porcelain fair.
The scars are thick and faded, yet clearly visible.
I am relieved that there are no new ones.
She even wore a sleeveless wedding dress.
Now she envelopes me with warm hugs.
A young woman has graduated from college and
Reaches her arms out to other hurting people.
Yet she is sometimes embarrassed about the scars.
I try to encourage her with these thoughts:

“Remember, that everyone who lives in this world has scars.
Everyone has hurt themselves or others.
Your scars are just more visible than some.
Most people carry their scars on the inside–
In their hearts or minds.
However, they are not more valuable or better than you are.
I believe that your new name is Hope.” *
“I know, Mom,” she says.
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* Revelation 2:17

Read more at the source: Her Perfect Skin

Article excerpt posted on en.intercer.net from Family First.

Your Treasure

May 14, 2018 By admin

Photo: Brad Harrison

“Beware of covetousness: for a man’s life consists not of the abundance of the things which he possesses” (Luke 12:15).

Materialism. It seems that most of us at one point or another are consumed with wanting the newest gadgets, the hippest clothing, or the fanciest car. We may not be able to afford such pricey items… but “wouldn’t it be nice…” is our fantasy.

In Luke 12 Jesus tells of a story and it goes something like this:

There once was a rich man whose crops yielded a rich harvest. He looked at all he had and was impressed. He knew the barn he owned was not big enough to house all this goods.

And so he thought, “I will build for myself bigger barns and then I will have room for all my wealth. I have so much I don’t have to worry about the future. I’ll take it easy, eat, drink and be merry!”

Then God said to the rich man, “You fool! Tonight, your soul is required of you! Then who will possess your riches?”

Jesus concluded the story saying, “So is he that lays up treasures for himself, and is not rich toward God.”

Addicted to Stuff

What treasures are you laying up? Are your treasures of this world? Or do you have riches in the kingdom to come? Especially here in North America, the average family is over-run by possessions. Look at the popularity of home organization businesses, products and books! We have so many things we have to really think about where to put them.

Think of all the money folks could save if they didn’t feel the need to have the latest gadgets or the most expensive cars or houses they can’t really afford. We are addicted to materialism and debt.

Jesus said we are worth much more than our possessions. Things cannot make us happy. True happiness comes from God. No one ever lies on their death bed and wishes they had more clothes or bigger TV’s or fancier cars. Instead they think of all the words they never said, or the time they wasted. They simply wish they had more time.

You can’t take earthly riches with you when you die. But if you seek after God and His righteousness – you’ll find riches forever more!

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Heavenly Moisture

May 14, 2018 By admin

Photo: Dimitris Kritsotakis

Living in the Philippines is a lot different than living in Los Angeles. Everyone warned us. The Philippines is hot. It is humid. The moist tropical air rots clothes, grows bugs and especially wreaks havoc on immigrants who have been used to the dry, desert air of Los Angeles. Well we have been fortunate that it is fall in the Philippines and it is not quite so hot or humid. Except for a couple of extremely hot, humid days, the weather has been bearable and there have even been a few days when the heat and humidity have subsided and it has been very, very pleasant.

While we had been warned about the heat and humidity, no-one mentioned an almost miraculous transformation which has taken place with our skin! After only a very few days in the tropics, both Diana and I noticed that our skin had become completely moisturized. The dryness in our hands and feet had now been transformed into a delicious smoothness which we had never felt before, living in the dry air of Los Angeles.

Despite living in dry air all of our lives, it took less than a week for the moisturizing to take place. I sometimes rub my palms with my fingers and still marvel at how smooth and moist they have become. It appears that moving to the tropics has some benefits after all!

Let it Rain!

No matter where we live we are constantly surrounded by the blowing hot winds of malice, unkindness and criticism. At times it leeches out the love and kindness of even the most courageous and devoted heart. In the midst of this barren world and this barren time, the Spirit encourages us to “Ask the Lord for rain in the time of the latter rain. The Lord will make flashing clouds; He will give them showers of rain, grass in the field for everyone” (Zechariah 10:1).

As we are nurtured by the presence of the Holy Spirit in our lives, we begin to assimilate the moisture from heaven that transforms us into Christ’s likeness. We are then commissioned and sent forth to revive those souls which have becomed de-hydrated under the fiery arrows of Satan. May all of our souls be revived with the Heavenly Moisture of heaven.

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Read more at the source: Heavenly Moisture

Article excerpt posted on en.intercer.net from Bible Says.

Quiet!

May 9, 2016 By admin

Photo: Hemera

If you work all day in noise levels 85 decibels (dB) or higher, you’re going to experience hearing loss.

How loud is 85 decibels?

Whisper – 20 dB
Normal conversation – 60 dB
Heavy traffic – 80 dB
Lawn mower – 95 dB
Fire truck siren – 120 dB
Rock concert – 140 dB
Jet plane taking off – 160 dB

To protect your hearing, wear earplugs or special ear muffs when-ever possible—especially in the workplace. Try to find time and space for some “peace and quiet.”

Unfortunately, hearing loss is cumulative.

Family Safety & Health

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Homecoming

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Her Perfect Skin

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Your Treasure

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