"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.