"Joy and Good Friends"

What could be better

Than joy and good friends?

These blessings in abundance

I pray the Lord send

To all those I know

And those yet to meet

Prosperity in unity

As we walk in God's peace.

Finding words of encouragement

To each other to speak

Helping in prayer

Those who are weak.

Demonstrating love

God's commandments to keep

Allowing no bitterness

Into our hearts to come creep.

Freely forgiven

No grudge we will hold

But ask, kindle kindness

Father, come mold

A people into your image

Only grace to reflect

Keep us from evil

Lord, defend and protect.

To be alive in Your Spirit

But dead to the flesh

As we go through our days

May we have no regrets.

For we follow the Shepherd

And our hearts overflow

Only with a good theme

His nature to show.

Praising the Lord

We will not forsake

Joining together

But time we will make

For those God has given

As we come face to face

Sharing our lives

Growing in grace.

Scripture Meditation:

Psalm 133:1-3 - Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity!  It is like the precious oil upon the head, running down on the beard, the beard of Aaron, running down on the edge of his garments.  It is like the dew of Hermon, descending upon the mountains of Zion; for there the Lord commanded the blessing—Life forevermore.

Romans 12:18 -  If it is possible, as much as depends on you, live peaceably with all men.

Ephesians 5:1-2 - Therefore be imitators of God as dear children.   And walk in love, as Christ also has loved us and given Himself for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet-smelling aroma.

Ephesians 5:19 - Speak out to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs...

Galatians 6:2 - Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.

Ecclesiastes 4:9-12 - Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their labor.   For if they fall, one will lift up his companion. but woe to him who is alone when he falls, for he has no one to help him up.   Again, if two lie down together, they will keep warm; but how can one be warm alone?  Though one may be overpowered by another, two can withstand him.  And a threefold cord is not quickly broken.

Psalm 45:1 - My heart is overflowing with a good theme; I recite my composition concerning the King; my tongue is the pen of a ready writer.
Hebrews 10:24-25 -  And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works, not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching.
Acts 2:46-47 -  So continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, they ate their food with gladness and simplicity of heart,  praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily those who were being saved.

(A page from my inspirational scrapbook)

"Shelter Sweeties"

These are just a few pictures of some of my feline friends at the shelter where I volunteer.  Look at those beautiful faces!  Some of them have been here for months and others much longer.  There are young ones and old ones, those with special needs, "lookers" and just ordinary critters, all looking for a home and a human to call their own.

Dogs and cats come into the shelter every day, off the streets, stray and abandoned, neglected and abused, while many are owner surrendered for one reason or another. 

It breaks my heart every time I visit but the pictures in my mind of their pleading faces continue to draw me back to hold them, love them, to bring them goodies, to play and to reassure them that they are precious and loved and worth adopting.

I believe we need them and they need us too.  God put them here for a reason.  He takes delight in His creatures and delights that we take pleasure in them and care for them as well .

Creature comforts

A paw on my face

Nuzzling my neck

Trust in me placed.

A charcoal kitty

Looks with wistful, golden eyes

Yet they are also hopeful

As he says, 'Would you be mine?'

Then another approaches,

And another in need

Will they find forever homes?

Their eyes seem to plead.

Some may need a little patience

Some are wild, others shy

Some have been here so long

Wondering, 'Why?'

They may not be a "looker"

And they just get passed by

Will they get a second chance

To sit by a side?

Will a warm bed be offered

Some nourishing dish?

'I've so much to offer'

Spoken through soft purrs and licks.

I find it hard to leave them

And so I ask the Lord to hold

To keep them safe and care for them

Until He would unfold

To those He's called to rescue

Finding these a place

A lodging in the heart of one

Who would extend God's grace.

The compassionate and loving

Gaining so much in return

From unexpected teachers

In critter clothes to learn.

"Rejoice"

This is the day the Lord has made;
we will rejoice and be glad in it.
Psalm 118:24

Every day is a new day full of possibilities.  God made the day for us to enjoy and to rejoice in the blessings of life "today", to view it as a new adventure and seize every opportunity to glorify Him through finding reasons to be glad.

There are things that can surely drag me down and sometimes I really have to purposely look for the good and remember to be grateful. Anybody else ever get the pity party going? But rather than remaining focused inwardly I pray the Lord to lift my head toward Heaven and God, to listen to the truth that makes me free from all that can bog me down. After all, He is the lifter of my head and He is faithful.

I'm glad today to finally feel a lot better after having the flu for the past two weeks.  I'm grateful to have gotten out of the house early this morning to walk my precious dog, Gideon - even in the rain!  He was  so frisky and had a blast.  Never mind the mud.  He didn't let the dreary looking day dampen his spirits and I had fun too.  He's such a happy pup and makes me smile. 

Thank You, Lord, for joy first thing this morning with my "baby" and for all of Your blessings.  Thank You for the promises found in Your word that are mine and make my heart sing, rejoice and be glad in this new day.

Scripture Meditation:

Psalm 3:3-4 - But You, O Lord, are a shield for me, my glory and the One who lifts up my head.  I cried to the Lord with my voice, and He heard me from His holy hill.
Psalm 9:1-2 -  I will praise You, O Lord, with my whole heart; I will tell of all Your marvelous works.  I will be glad and rejoice in You; I will sing praise to Your name, O Most High.
Psalm 32:11 - Rejoice in the Lord and be glad, you righteous; sing, all you who are upright in heart!
Psalm 33:20-22 -  Our soul waits for the Lord; He is our help and our shield.  For our heart shall rejoice in Him, because we have trusted in His holy name.  Let Your mercy, O Lord, be upon us, just as we hope in You.
Psalm 45:7 - ...Therefore God, your God, has anointed you with the oil of gladness more than your companions.
Psalm 70:4 - But may all who seek you rejoice and be glad in you...
Psalm 100:1-5 - Make a joyful shout to the Lord, all you lands! Serve the Lord with gladness; come before His presence with singing. Know that the Lord, He is God; it is He who has made us, and not we ourselves; we are His people and the sheep of His pasture. Enter into His gates with thanksgiving, and into His courts with praise. Be thankful to Him, and bless His name. For the Lord is good; His mercy is everlasting, and His truth endures to all generations.
Psalm 149:5 - Let the saints be joyful in glory; let them sing aloud on their beds.
Ephesians 2:6 - ...and made us sit together in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus...
Philippians 4:4 - Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!
1 Thessalonians 5:16 - Rejoice always...
Zephaniah 3:17 - The Lord your God in your midst, the Mighty One, will save; He will rejoice over you with gladness, He will quiet you with His love, He will rejoice over you with singing.
2 Chronicles 6:41 - ...may your saints rejoice in your goodness.
Habakkuk 3:17-19 - Though the fig tree may not blossom, nor fruit be on the vines; though the labor of the olive may fail, and the fields yield no food; though the flock may be cut off from the fold, and there be no herd in the stalls— yet I will rejoice in the Lord, I will joy in the God of my salvation.  The Lord God is my strength; He will make my feet like deer’s feet, and He will make me walk on my high hills.

(A page from my inspirational scrapbook)