Day 36: Memorial Day

Today is Memorial Day. According to USMemorialDay.org, "Memorial Day, originally called Decoration Day, is a day of remembrance for those who have died in our nation's service." The site goes on to say the following:

Memorial Day was officially proclaimed on 5 May 1868 by General John Logan, national commander of the Grand Army of the Republic, in his General Order No. 11, and was first observed on 30 May 1868, when flowers were placed on the graves of Union and Confederate soldiers at Arlington National Cemetery. The first state to officially recognize the holiday was New York in 1873. By 1890 it was recognized by all of the northern states. The South refused to acknowledge the day, honoring their dead on separate days until after World War I (when the holiday changed from honoring just those who died fighting in the Civil War to honoring Americans who died fighting in any war).

Not all states celebrate Memorial Day on the same day (although most do), but every state still has its own day of observance to honor those who fought in every war the U.S. was involved in since the Civil War. Today, however, is the day that most states observe this holiday.

Render therefore to all their dues: tribute to whom tribute is due; custom to whom custom; fear to whom fear; honour to whom honour.
~Romans 13:7 (KJV)

All people deserve credit where credit is due, but I believe that the men and women of the armed services should be at the top of the list. They endure so much just so America can remain the "land of the free and the home of the brave." Not only must they endure basic training and their daily regimens, sometimes they must go to war. As I said yesterday, some people claim that they're "anti-war" but their actions say that they're "anti-soldier." As someone once said, If you're not behind our troops, then you're in front of 'em. I agree. If you live in the U.S., you should be required to support the troops. If you don't, you can leave. They have to put up with enough... they don't deserve to be ridiculed. It takes a truly dedicated and selfless person to be a soldier. They deserve the highest and deepest respect, tribute, honor, support, blessings, and love from every single person whom they are fighting for. Both of my grandfathers were soldiers (one Air Force, one Navy), and my cousin was a Marine. I have several friends who are currently in the army, a few of whom have been to Iraq. I feel deeply honored to say that I have/had the privilege of knowing each and every one of them, and I wish that there was a way to repay them for what they've done so that I could grow up in a free country.

While God and His son Jesus Christ should be honored every day regardless, today is yet another reason to honor them both. God was the one who inspired each and every soldier to go into the armed forces. And, of course, Jesus is the ultimate soldier--He fought his own battle for God and to liberate every one of God's children from the bondage of sin and eternal death.

Lord, thank You for this day. It was gorgeous. Lord, I ask that You please watch over the U.S. troops for they defend Your name and all that is good; please bless them with all of their needs and desires, and please bring them home safely. Please comfort their loved ones in times of separation and in times of loss. Please watch over the veterans and bless them as well. I pray that every person in the U.S. (as well as in other countries that the U.S. has defended) remembers what the troops have done (or are doing) for each and every one of us and that we never forget or take them for granted. Lord, please watch over my family, friends, and pets; I ask that You please bless them and keep them safe and strong, happy and healthy. Lord, thank You for every blessing You have put in my life. Lord, I ask that You please forgive me of my sins, and I ask that You please continue to guide me down Your path. Lord, I love You with my whole entire being and then some, and I will follow You forever and ever no matter what! In Jesus' name, Amen.


Love and God Bless,
M.C.

Day 35: Charity

Today was great. All of the activities went well, and I got to see more people I haven't seen in months. I don't know the total, but our organization did well. I don't think we raised as much money as in previous years, but every little bit helps when it comes to the charity we sponsor (or any charity, for that matter). As I said yesterday, I am SO glad that there are so many people who are eager to help out, either by donating time or money... or both. Thank you so much, Lord, for people who are willing to give of themselves to benefit others.

Grace unto you, and peace, from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
We are bound to thank God always for you, brethren, as it is meet, because that your faith groweth exceedingly, and the charity of every one of you all toward each other aboundeth;
So that we ourselves glory in you in the churches of God for your patience and faith in all your persecutions and tribulations that ye endure:
~2 Thessalonians 1:2-4 (KJV)

This ties in with the theme for this weekend. Tomorrow (Monday, May 31, 2010) is Memorial Day. The U.S. servicemen and -women are the ultimate worldly givers and they deserve to be given to in return. At the top of the list should be respect. Unfortunately, people who are "anti-war" confuse that with "anti-soldier." Anyone who disrespects any armed service member in any way, shape, or form does not deserve to be protected by such brave men and women. I am honored to know a few soldiers personally, and while I don't see or talk to them often, I consider myself blessed to be able to say that I know them. Everyone needs to learn to "thank God always" for them. Each one of them is Christ-like, for they are willing to give the ultimate sacrifice just to keep the rest of their people safe, even if they don't know them personally. They endure persecutions and tribulations like most people wouldn't believe, and those who aren't prepared as they are probably wouldn't survive. They are spectacularly charitable men and women who deserve infinite blessings and respect and love.

Lord, thank You for this day. Thank You for those who defend those who cannot defend themselves. Thank You for the selflessly brave men, women, and children in the world. Thank You for those who defend this country. Please, Lord, bless them, watch over them, and bring them home safely. Please watch over their families and comfort them in times of separation and in times of loss. Please watch over my family, friends, and pets, and please bless them with their hearts' desires. Thank You so much for all of the blessings You have put into my life, and I ask that You please continue to bless me as You have. Lord, I repent of my sins, and I ask that You please continue to guide me down Your path. Lord, I love You more than I can express with words, and I will follow You forever and ever. In Jesus' name, Amen.


Love and God Bless,
M.C.

Day 34: Common Goals

Okay, internet is back up, so I can blog again! I felt so terrible last night not being able to post anything, although I still wrote last night. Hopefully I won't have any more internet issues for a while.

Today was excellent! The weather was BEAUTIFUL! Not too warm with a calm, cool breeze that was steady all day. There were a few little issues (mostly electrical/mechanical) here and there, but they were resolved quickly. The events for today went well, and I still managed to get a good chunk of work finished. The company was great too! I got to see people I haven't seen in a while and catch up with them--one just had a significant but fairly simple surgical procedure done yesterday and was already up and about and feeling great. Thank God!

Fulfil ye my joy, that ye be likeminded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind.
Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves.
Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others.
~Philippians 2:2-4 (KJV)

I am so glad that there are so many people who are willing to work voluntarily for such a great cause. Some new people are joining our informal team this year, and they are spectacular! They just jumped right into the work that needed to be done, and were dedicated 100%! They didn't do it because they had to, they did it because they wanted to. In my opinion, that is the most rewarding type of work. You don't do something for the pay or the glory or the recognition it might bring; if that's what you're working for, that's probably not the best choice. I understand that in some cases that isn't quite avoidable because you may have a family to provide for, and if that's the case, you're not doing it for selfish reasons and that's great. Working for the benefit of others rather than the benefit of yourself is the least selfish and most honorable type of work. God likes it when we work together like that because selfless charity towards others glorifies Him! Isn't that great?!

Lord, thank You for this day. It was wonderful! Thank You for blessing the organization with such godly and charitable people. Please let us always keep that common goal in sight so that we may help those whose needs are greater than our own. Please bless those who are a part of the organization as well as those who receive help from it. Please continue to watch over my family, friends, and pets. Please bless them, watch over them, and keep them safe and strong, happy and healthy. Please also watch over the servicemen and -women who defend this country and Your blessed name. Please give them and their families extra courage and strength until they are again reunited. Thank You for all of the blessings You have given to me, and please continue to provide for my family, friends, and me. Lord, please forgive me of my sins and continue to walk with me and guide me down Your path forever. Lord, I love You with all of my heart and soul, and I always will. You are my one and only Savior, and I know You will be NO MATTER WHAT! In Jesus' name, Amen.


Love and God Bless,
M.C.

Day 33: Sending Strength

Ugh, my internet was out yesterday, but I wasn't going to let that stop me. I typed this in Microsoft Word last night. This was first chance I had to post... so the present tense in the following entry refers to yesterday. I'm still going to write tonight's entry too.

That aside, today was great. Busy, but great. I’m camping with the family this weekend and we’re all doing a variety of volunteer work for a local charity. It’s an annual thing, so we know the routine. Best of all, it’s for a terrific cause and it’s fun to do! We get to work with a great bunch of people toward a common goal. Some of the events for children are free, so they aren’t really a direct help to the charity, but it’s still worth it to make at least one kid smile.

I also received a phone call in the evening from a distressed friend. He asked where I was and I told him that I was out of town. His disappointment was apparent, so I asked him what was up. He said that he was driving around and didn’t want to talk about it just then, but he would fill me in some other time. That worried me a bit, because I knew it had to be something big because he’s usually a pretty easy-going person. So, this post it directed at him.

Watch ye, stand fast in the faith, quit you like men, be strong.
~1 Corinthians 16:13 (KJV)

Lord, please watch over my friend. Let him be filled with Your peace and love, and please keep him safe and guide him to an answer to whatever problem he faces. Thank You for this day—it was beautiful! I ask that You please shine Your light and love onto our charity events this weekend, and may we be able to make a difference in some good way. Please watch over my family, friends, and pets; and Lord I ask that You please keep them safe and strong, happy and healthy. Please watch over those who fight for this country and for Your glorious name; please fill them with Your courage and bring them home safely. Please also watch over their families and friends—reassure them if their loved ones are still alive, and comfort them if they aren’t. Please cleanse me of my sins; please keep me safe and strong and continue to walk with me down Your path. I appreciate it to an extent that only You can comprehend. Lord, I love You with all of my heart and soul, and I ask that You please continue to be a part of me and reside within me forever and always. In Jesus’ name, Amen.


Love and God Bless,
M.C.

Day 32: Presence

Wow, today was another day filled with work, not that I minded. I can't deny it, though... I am tired! I've been relaxing again this evening. Even now, my eyelids are drooping, but I can't neglect my daily writing.

And he said, My presence shall go with thee, and I will give thee rest.
~Exodus 33:14 (KJV)

God is always with me. Sometimes I can really, really feel Him, too. God guides me through every day of my life--through the work and to the rest! It's not that the rest is more important than its meaning, because it most certainly is not. It's about appreciating how the work leads one to rest and that the rest has its own concepts to teach if we just let it. As long as we believe that God goes with us everywhere, He will always show us the way each of us is supposed to go and He will lead us to His rest.

Lord, thank You for this day, for it was indeed a wonderful one. Please let the weekend be filled with charitable works and remembrance for those whom You have called home while they were defending this nation and Your name. Please bless our troops, give them courage, and bring them home safe. Thank You for my family and friends and pets, and I ask that You please watch over them, keep them safe, strong, happy and healthy, and let them experience both work and rest that honors You. Please cleanse me of my sins and guide me through life to do Your good works. I hope that You work through me, Lord, so that others may follow Your eternal light. I love You with all of my heart and soul, and I always will. In Jesus' name, Amen.


Love and God Bless,
M.C.

Day 31: Rest

THANK GOD!!! I finished all of my work on time!!! WHOO HOO!!! Oh, Lord, thank You. I knew that You would guide me through as usual! After staying up late to finish and waking up early, I'm pretty taxed... therefore, I'm taking the night off from all work! Even God knows the value of a good rest. He took the very first one! Granted, He made the entire world and everything in it in six days, and I just had a few reports to do in the same amount of time. But taking a well-deserved rest filled with praise to God is good for anyone regardless of what kind of honest work he/she has done!

(As a side note, this is my one-month anniversary for writing this blog! Another reason for praise and celebration!)

There remaineth therefore a rest to the people of God.
For he that is entered into his rest, he also hath ceased from his own works, as God did from his.
Let us labour therefore to enter into that rest, lest any man fall after the same example of unbelief.
~Hebrews 4:9-11

I know it isn't a full day of rest, but a few hours to just sit back, write my blog, and thank God and praise Him continually feels wonderful. Even yesterday afternoon when I was feeling quite anxious, I just sat and prayed for calmness and serenity. Within only a few moments, I felt this feeling of utter peace well up from deep inside of me, almost like a tide coming in. It was spectacular. It also gave me the strength to keep working diligently until my work was finished. Yes, it was difficult, but it was so worth it in so many ways. Yes, I learned a lot from it, and it can help advance my career... but most importantly, is that in working hard, I can truly feel and appreciate that rest when it does come. If you rested all the time, you wouldn't know what a good God-given rest was if it came and sat on your head. But when you work hard and diligently, you may be exhausted afterward, but don't you enjoy and revel in that godly rest that much more?

Lord, thank You for this day. Thank You for helping me to get everything done on time, and thank You for this rest! Please watch over my family and friends, and I pray that they also have the opportunities to experience hard work so that they may also experience Your rest. I ask that You also keep them safe and strong, happy and healthy. Lord, please cleanse me of my sins, and continue to guide me through life. And please continue to keep me working so that I can continue to enjoy resting with You! I shall walk with You and keep You in my heart forever, Lord. I will love You with all of my heart and soul forever and ever! In Jesus' name, Amen.


Love and God Bless,
M.C.

Day 30: Pressed for Time

I feel so terrible... I've been working on projects almost all day, and I'm still not done. I lost some time earlier because I was helping a colleague who was behind on something important. And I felt guilty thinking about not getting my daily blog done. It's like a release for me on so many levels. I just pray to God that I get everything done on time.

Preserve me, O God: for in thee do I put my trust.
~Psalm 16:1 (KJV)

Only God can guide me through this. I've been through worse, but that doesn't mean I'm too proud to ask for help when it's something that isn't life-threatening. God is my Father, and He knows EVERYTHING including what is best for me and what I'll be doing. Also, He is the ONLY one who can preserve me--He gives me strength and guidance and courage and serenity and peace and wisdom and SO MUCH MORE! I wouldn't be here without Him, and I shall praise God Almighty forever and ever.

Lord, thank You for this day. Thank You for all of the blessings You have given me. Please, Lord, watch over my family and friends (and pets) and please keep them safe, strong, happy, and healthy. I hope that they all trust You completely so that they too may be preserved. Please cleanse me of my sins, and help me to become a better person. And Lord, please give me the words and ideas necessary to finish all of my tasks, and please help me to finish them on time. Lord, I love You with all of my heart and soul, and I ask that You please walk with me and reside in my heart forever and ever. In Jesus' name, Amen.


Love and God Bless,
M.C.

Day 29: More Help

Okay, so yesterday, I mentioned that I've been submerged in several intense projects all at once, and they are indeed intense to say the least. Well, Lord, I am definitely going to need Your help--not that I don't always need Your help and guidance, but I'm going to need extra help on this one. A large chunk of a project is due for submission on Wednesday, and I have about half of it done. It's not that I haven't been working on it (because I have), it's just very difficult and time-consuming. I feel bad because I've been so intent on achieving this set of tasks that I haven't done much of anything else. I want to finish these projects but not at the expense of more important things. That's why I'm giving this to God.

Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.
And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.
~Philippians 4:6-7 (KJV)

Christ has gone through so much more than I could ever imagine for me and everyone else on earth EVER, so I have no right to complain about my workload, which is nothing in comparison. And Lord, I appreciate that more than anyone except You could imagine, and I can never thank You enough for what You have done. You are guiding me, Lord, I know it... which is why I don't want to fall behind on or fail at the tasks that have been set before me. I want to do this. I want to succeed at this. I could help so many people... and that's my goal. Lord, thank You for putting this in my heart. Thank You for making me able to do this, both physically and mentally. Thank You for my support system--my family, my friends, and anyone else who has influenced me in some way. Thank You for being my ultimate support system and giving me the strength to keep going. Thank You for helping me tackle obstacles that stand in my path. Thank You for shining Your light and guiding me through every moment of life. Thank You for my talents. Thank You for my weaknesses, for they help me realize my own human frailty and therefore cling to You. Thank You for my work, for there are many who do not have the opportunity or ability to do work. Thank You for putting me right where I am, which is right where I'm supposed to be.

Lord, thank You for this day. It was indeed a good, productive, and beautiful one. Thank You for my family and friends. Lord, I ask that you please watch over them and bless them; keep them safe and strong, happy and healthy. Lord, please guide me. Please give me words to write and ideas to build on... and please let the days seem slow so that I have enough time to do what I am supposed to do. Lord, please bless me with patience and serenity, particularly over the next month. Please help me to get over these hurdles so that I may help others over their own hurdles. I know that things will turn out how You plan them, so I place this in Your glorious hands and trust that You will guide me through it all no matter what. Please cleanse me of my sins, and help me to learn from my mistakes. I will follow you forever and ever, Lord, NO MATTER WHAT because I LOVE YOU with ALL of my heart and soul. In Jesus' name, Amen.


Love and God Bless,
M.C.

Day 28: Help

I've been pretty bogged down lately. I have three really big projects I'm working on, and each project has several smaller aspects to them, and each is daunting in its own right. Looking at my schedule, I'm feeling a bit overwhelmed, and I've been praying a LOT and asking for God's help. As I started my break from all of that to write my daily blog, I couldn't quite decide what to write about. When I found my mind drifting back to my work, I realized that I should focus on how God is the ultimate helper.

Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time:
Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.
~1 Peter 5:6-7 (KJV)

God loves me. God loves you. God loves ALL of His children. And like any good parent (and God is the ultimate parent), He would do anything for any of us just so long as we humbly ask Him and as long as what we ask for follows His plan. Even if we don't get what we want (undoubtedly because it isn't good for us in some way) doesn't mean that God loves us any less. On the contrary, God only wants what is best for us. For example, a kid might want ice cream just before dinner. No matter how politely he/she asks, the parent will refuse because the parent knows that if the child eats ice cream, then the child won't eat his/her dinner and it can cause the child to miss out on key nutrients that the child needs for both physical and mental development. Even though the child might not be happy about eating green beans instead of Rocky Road, the child will thank his/her parents later on in life when that child can see why they made the choices that they did. It's the same with God. He knows what is best for each of us and does not stray from His plan no matter how much we plead; and some day we will fully realize why we had what we had, why we had to do what we did, etc. He enjoys seeing us happy and giving us things when we ask for them, but He will not give us anything that could potentially do us more harm than good. Whatever God does, He does it because He loves us.

Lord, thank You for what I have as well as what I don't have. Thank You for my family, friends, and pets. I ask that You watch over them, Lord, and please bless them with what You know is best for them. Lord, please watch over those less fortunate; please give them strength and bless them as well. Lord, I ask that you please help me to finish all of my work on time; please give me the words to write to convey the messages I need to convey and please let the days be long so that I have enough time to finish what I need to. Please forgive me of my sins, and help me to become a better, stronger, more godly person. Thank You for who I was, who I am, and who I will be, for You shaped me and You are shaping me now, and You will continue to shape me. You will always be in my heart, Lord, and I will follow you with all of my heart, mind, and soul forever and ever. Thank You, Lord. In Jesus' name, Amen.


Love and God Bless,
M.C.

Day 27: Direction

Wow, today was busy and full of reunions and reminiscing. I went to an annually-held local event to raise money for cancer research, and I ran into quite a few people I knew. Most were friends I went to school with eons ago, but I also talked to a former instructor whom I haven't seen in over two years as well as a few former teachers. It was wonderful to have a little time to catch up a bit and talk about the "good ol' days." As I both talked and listened, I thought about how much many of them had changed--two had earned degrees, one was off to grad school, one had a new boyfriend, and two were getting married. That led me to think about my own changes, which feel like few and far between--I still live in the same place and I still have a similar routine. The only thing that was "big news" for me was how I had been sick, and while that was indeed a period of learning and growth, it wasn't exactly a pleasant experience... not to mention I didn't do much in the interim. But that's just how my life was planned.

Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.
In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.
~Proverbs 3:5-6 (KJV)

God plans out everyone's lives individually. No two people have the exact same experiences, and each person learns differently from his/her own experiences. If I was meant to have gone through events similar to those of my friends, I would have. However, I'm convinced that I'm exceptionally atypical for a good reason... I couldn't tell you the exact reason(s) why I'm so different, but I'm okay with that. If I did know, then it would take all the mystery and excitement out of life which would make it completely monotonous and predictable. Plus, oft times my assumptions are way off from what actually happens, hence why I can't rely on myself for the answers. I just don't know... but that's okay too. I've got God on my side, and I can ALWAYS turn to Him and ask where to go, who to contact, what to do or say, how to act or react, and when to do it all. God has never led and will never lead me astray; He is the only being whom I can trust and count on no matter what. Only He knows what path I need to take to become the person I'm meant to be.

Lord, thank You for this day. Thank You for my friends and for our reunions. Please continue to bless them and direct them down the paths they are destined for. Please also watch over my family, and bless and direct them as well. And please keep them all safe and strong, happy and healthy. Lord, whatever You have planned for me, thank You in advance. I trust You, Lord, with all my heart and soul, and I know that whatever I go through (good or bad), it's for the best reason--Your reason. Lord, I ask that You please cleanse me of my sins, and please continue to guide me throughout my life. Please come into my heart, Lord, and shape it into a kind, peaceful, and loving one. Thank You for all that I have and all that I am. In Jesus' name, Amen.


Love and God Bless,
M.C.

Day 26: Listening

A few days ago, I mentioned that a good friend of mine and his girlfriend broke up. I recently heard the other side of the story. I admit, my initial reaction to the news made me question her reasoning for ending the relationship, but I now realize how important it is for one to hear both sides of the story before coming to any conclusions.

Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice:
And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you.
~Ephesians 4:31-32 (KJV)

Only hearing one side of the story made me feel... well, not quite angry, but I wasn't exactly happy about the situation. My friend is a good, sweet young man, so I couldn't understand why his now ex-girlfriend (who is also a friend of mine) broke up with him. However, after talking with her and hearing her thoughts and reasons, I can respect her decision. For the sake of both of my friends, I will keep details to a minimum, but I will say that things weren't the same for them. She felt like they were in a relationship simply for the sake of being in a relationship and nothing more. She felt that it was time for them to part ways and follow their own paths, and that it would be better for both of them in the long run. I can respect that. It's not my place to tell either of them how to feel. You shouldn't go down a path if you know in your heart that it isn't the right one for you. If you ignore that feeling, you'll undoubtedly miss out on something wonderful that God has planned for you. While it may be hard to say "goodbye" in any sense of the word, the parting of ways is a necessary part of life. God brings people into our lives for a reason, and He takes people out of our lives for a reason. We may not always know what that reason is, but we just have to trust Him because He knows best.

I'm glad that I had the opportunity to view both perspectives. I am in no way angry or upset with either of them (not that I really was to begin with... I was mostly just confused). But it really helps now that I have a much clearer picture. I will certainly be there for either of them if they need someone to talk to, and hopefully I can help them to see each others' points of view if need be. Not in a way that I infringe upon one or the others' privacy, but the knowledge I gained will help me know what to say.

Lord, I ask that You watch over my two friends and open their eyes to each others' thoughts and feelings so that they may come to a mutual agreement of peace and reconciliation. Lord, I also ask that You guide my words if for some reason I do need to give advice to them or anyone else, and that whoever receives it realizes that the words come from You, not me. Please watch over my family, friends and pets--keep them safe, strong, happy, and healthy. Please bless them with their hearts' desires, just so long as those desires follow Your plan. I pray that all of Your children learn to listen to all sides in the most unbiased manner as possible, and may Your wise and loving words flow through them. Please cleanse me of my sins, Lord, and continue to work through me and guide me forever. I love You, Lord, with all of my heart and soul and being, and I ask that that love be reflected to the rest of Your children. Thank You, Lord, for all that I have and all that I am, and thank You for Your eternal blessings, guidance, and love. In Jesus' name, Amen.


Love and God Bless,
M.C.

Day 25: Calling

Today was a wonderful day. I know that each day is wonderful in its own respect, but today was particularly wonderful. Why? Because I met a sweet young lady (a current student of a former teacher) who I will be tutoring in math over the next few weeks! The teacher chose her especially for me to assist as part of one of my own learning projects. Instead of telling the student that I would be tutoring her, I told her that she had a very important job to do that would help me immensely. We talked and got to know each other, and she likes a lot of the same things I do, which will be a benefit when it comes to connecting with her and making the assignments more fun. By the end of our brief meeting, she asked me if I would be back tomorrow to start teaching her. I had tentatively planned to come back tomorrow anyway, but that cinched the deal. I can't put into words how excited I am!

And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men;
Knowing that of the Lord ye shall receive the reward of the inheritance: for ye serve the Lord Christ.
~Colossians 3:23-24 (KJV)

Whenever I have the opportunity to teach--whether it's one person or a whole class--I just brim with happiness and excitement. That is how I know that I'm doing what God put me here to do, and I am certainly going to "do it heartily" just as today's verses say. I believe that every person, every event is a catalyst for a series of events. I know that I've spoken about this before, but it is something that I really believe. God doesn't just put people on earth willy-nilly. He has a plan--a very detailed, intricate, complex plan that no human could ever understand fully. But that's the beauty of it. When we come to realize how our own small parts influence others, it really sparks deep, wholesome feelings of care and importance and belonging and love. It truly is wonderful. And in helping others, we are serving the Lord, which makes it even MORE wonderful!

Lord, please guide me in teaching my young pupil, and I ask that You please allow me to learn something in my teaching as well. I pray that others can come to see their importance in Your plan, for everyone is undoubtedly important. Lord, please bless and watch over my family and friends (and pets) and keep them safe and strong, happy and healthy; may they work to honor You in whatever they do. And I pray that I honor You in whatever I do! Please forgive me of my sins, Lord, and continue to guide me through life. Lord, I love You more than anything, and I invite You to reside in my heart forever. Please walk with me today and every day on Your path, and show me what You want me to do. Whatever You have planned for me, Lord, I will do with a grateful and gracious heart. In Jesus' name, Amen.


Love and God Bless,
M.C.

Day 24: Beauty

Today was--and is--a beautiful day. The sun was shining, the temperature was comfortable, the birds were singing, and everything was green and blossoming. Too bad I had to be inside for a majority of the day, but that's how it goes. Work needs to be done, and responsibilities should not be neglected. And I did get a chance to enjoy the weather during my commute, which was nice. Plus, the weather is supposed to be pretty nice for the next week or so... according to the online forecast. Either way, I'll take whatever comes, because God makes it all!

He hath made every thing beautiful in his time: also he hath set the world in their heart, so that no man can find out the work that God maketh from the beginning to the end.
I know that there is no good in them, but for a man to rejoice, and to do good in his life.
And also that every man should eat and drink, and enjoy the good of all his labour, it is the gift of God.
~Ecclesiastes 3:11-13 (KJV)

I don't know exactly what will happen tomorrow let alone weeks, months, or years from now. Only God knows that, which is why I trust him completely. Otherwise, I'd just be wandering aimlessly in the dark. Life has more meaning when one believes in God... at least that's the case for me, and I hope that's the case for all Christians. Don't worry about the past, because you can't change it. Don't worry about the future, because you can only live one day at a time. And don't worry about now because God is with you every step of the way. Do your best to rejoice and honor God in all that you do. God wants you to be happy, so eat and drink what He has provided you with and enjoy all of the blessings that He has given to you. Every sixty seconds you're angry is a whole minute that you could have been happy. So even if life is monotonous or isn't quite going your way, just remember that in the grand scheme of things, this life on earth is brief. If you live life according to the Word of God and accept Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior, it will all pay off in the end, and you will get to spend eternity in Heaven with God Almighty and never want for anything. How awesome is that?!

Lord, thank You for this GORGEOUS day! I pray that You open the eyes of Your children so that we may all see the beauty that You put into each day. Lord, please watch over those whom I hold dear to my heart... please keep them safe and strong, happy and healthy... please bless them and provide for them always. Please watch over those who are less fortunate and keep their faith strong, and may we always keep them in our thoughts and prayers and that we may help them whenever we can. Please watch over our troops and bring them home safe. Please forgive me of my sins and help me to learn from my mistakes. Lord, I invite You into my heart and I ask that You walk with me and guide me forever. Lord, whatever You have planned for me, I accept it and I will follow it no matter what. Lord, please give me Your words to say and the strength to say them. I will love You and follow You, Lord, forever and ever. In Jesus' name, Amen.


Love and God Bless,
M.C.

Day 23: Support

Earlier today, I was chatting online with a friend whom I haven't spoken to in a while. During our conversation, he asked if I had heard about him and his girlfriend. I honestly expected him to say that they were getting married--they had been dating for five years and seemed so perfect together. However, I was shocked when he told me that she had broken up with him about a month ago. I really felt my sympathy kick in. It was obvious that he loved her totally and completely, and though I didn't know her quite as well, I thought that she felt the same. I told him that I was very sorry for what had happened, but he assured me that he was doing better. That led me to say, "In situations where things don't go the way I want them to, I just try to remind myself that things happen for a reason, and that there's something (or someone) better waiting for me." And he agreed, which made me happy. And that leads me to today's verses.

Two are better than one; because they have a good reward for their labour.
For if they fall, the one will lift up his fellow: but woe to him that is alone when he falleth; for he hath not another to help him up.
~Ecclesiastes 4:9-10 (KJV)

When someone doesn't have any family or friends (especially if he/she doesn't believe in God), that person falls harder because he/she doesn't have anyone to help him/her up. When you have at least one good friend, then you don't have to worry about falling, because that friend will either catch you or at the very least help you back up. God is obviously His children's BEST friend, and He will ALWAYS be there to catch any one of us. However, we still need friends here on earth whom God can work through. When God closes one door, He opens another, but we may be so blinded by our dismay that we don't always see this new pathway. That's when He sends us someone to show us the way. I know that God works through my family and friends all the time, and I am blessed beyond words because of that. And there have been countless times when I was saying things that I could tell were coming from somewhere outside of me. God knows exactly when to work through us and how, whether it's putting words in our mouths, actions in our bodies, or thoughts in our minds.

The particular friend I spoke of has certainly lifted me up in the past--literally, on a few occasions--and the least I can do is be there to support him when he needs it. I thrive on helping people, not to get something out of them in return, but because I love to see people overcome obstacles and succeed. Jesus dwelt amongst sinners because they needed him most. He didn't (and still doesn't) ignore those who needed a helping hand, so why should I?

Lord, thank You for this day and the blessings that came with it. Thank You for working through me to be a support for those around me, and thank You for working through the people who care about me so that I have a strong support system as well. Please, Lord, I ask that You continue to work through all of us to create a solid whole that is centered around You. Please watch over those who have no one to support them, and please bless them with good friends to give them a hand up. Please watch over our troops, for they are the ultimate supporters here on earth, and therefore need and rightfully deserve ultimate support in return. Thank You, Lord, for all of the blessings You have given to me. I ask that You please continue to walk with me forever; remain in my heart and guide me every step of the way. I love You, Lord, with all my heart and soul. In Jesus' name, Amen.


Love and God Bless,
M.C.

Day 22: Boldness

I'll admit right now, I'm not the boldest person on earth: I hesitate at times, or second-guess myself, mostly when it comes to answering questions during lectures or on tests. Sometimes it's good to hesitate, like when you've just been asked for your opinion on something really important and you want to make sure that you word your response carefully so that you aren't misunderstood. But I don't think that necessarily means that you aren't bold. Forgive me if my thoughts seem a little skewed, but it was a particularly long day.

Having therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus,
By a new and living way, which he hath consecrated for us, through the veil, that is to say, his flesh;
And having an high priest over the house of God;
Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water.
Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for he is faithful that promised;)
~Hebrews 10:19-23

Boldness, in my opinion, doesn't have to mean that that you always voice your opinion or that you aren't afraid of trying to answer every question in class. It can mean that, but it doesn't have to. Boldness, in these verses especially, is life through Jesus Christ--it is having the courage to realize that he died for our sins and that it is ONLY through him that we can enter the gates of Heaven when our time here on earth ends. Boldness is having full trust and faith in the Lord. When we have unwavering faith, we have access to the fountain of eternal life which is Jesus Christ. It is here that our bodies can be "washed with pure water." All of this is promised by God, and He NEVER EVER EVER EVER breaks a promise!

Lord, please guide me and help me to become a bolder person. I trust that You will, Lord, because You are my rock and my strength. Only You are infinite and eternal. You sent your son to earth to be the ultimate sacrifice, and I appreciate that more than words can express... to a degree that only You can fathom. Lord, I know that I'm not perfect--I'm FAR from it--and I know that my thoughts aren't always in the place they should be in, but that doesn't mean that I don't love You, Lord. I will ALWAYS love You! And I couldn't have said/typed that if I didn't mean it. Lord, I ask that You open the eyes of my heart, and the eyes of all the hearts of Your children. Please guide, protect, and bless us, Lord, particularly those who are less fortunate. Please keep us safe, strong, happy, and healthy always. I can't say it enough, Lord... I LOVE YOU!!! In Jesus' name, Amen.


Love and God Bless,
M.C.

Day 21: Milestone

Well, here it is... my 21st post. My three-week anniversary. It takes twenty-one days to develop a habit, so I consider this a bit of a milestone for me. I admit, there were days when I was at a loss for words, and there were days when I wasn't sure if I would have enough time to write, but God always blessed me with ideas to write about and time to write them. Therefore, this is indeed a time to celebrate.

I will bless the LORD at all times: his praise shall continually be in my mouth.
My soul shall make her boast in the LORD: the humble shall hear thereof, and be glad.
O magnify the LORD with me, and let us exalt his name together.
I sought the LORD, and he heard me, and delivered me from all my fears.
They looked unto him, and were lightened: and their faces were not ashamed.
This poor man cried, and the LORD heard him, and saved him out of all his troubles.
The angel of the LORD encampeth round about them that fear him, and delivereth them
O taste and see that the LORD is good: blessed is the man that trusteth in him.
O fear the LORD, ye his saints: for there is no want to them that fear him.
The young lions do lack, and suffer hunger: but they that seek the LORD shall not want any good thing.
Come, ye children, hearken unto me: I will teach you the fear of the LORD.
What man is he that desireth life, and loveth many days, that he may see good?
Keep thy tongue from evil, and thy lips from speaking guile.
Depart from evil, and do good; seek peace, and pursue it.
The eyes of the LORD are upon the righteous, and his ears are open unto their cry.
The face of the LORD is against them that do evil, to cut off the remembrance of them from the earth.
The righteous cry, and the LORD heareth, and delivereth them out of all their troubles.
The LORD is nigh unto them that are of a broken heart; and saveth such as be of a contrite spirit.
Many are the afflictions of the righteous: but the LORD delivereth him out of them all.
He keepeth all his bones: not one of them is broken.
Evil shall slay the wicked: and they that hate the righteous shall be desolate.
The LORD redeemeth the soul of his servants: and none of them that trust in him shall be desolate.
~Psalm 34 (KJV)

I just felt compelled to post this Psalm in its entirety; I couldn't focus in on one or two verses. That isn't a bad thing! Psalm 34 is like a summary of what God does for his faithful children: He listens to, blesses, provides for, protects, saves, and delivers us... and so much more! All because He loves us! Faith may be difficult, but that's why it's called "faith." Just remember all that God does for you and trust that He will always be there for you... because He is! Don't beat yourself up if you aren't perfect. You're human; God is the only one who is perfect. He will forgive you if only you ask Him to.

Don't give up on your God-given dreams and passions. If opportunities arise and God pushes you toward them, then you best take them! Trust in the Lord and He WILL NOT fail you!

Lord, thank You for this day. Thank You for blessing me with the words and ideas to write this blog. I know that I'm not always 100% motivated to write, but Lord, I am determined to honor and glorify You in any way that I can. I know that this isn't much, but this project of mine has helped me to be more focused on the study of Your Word. Lord, please continue to inspire me and grant me with the ideas and the words to keep this blog going for many, many years. Lord, I ask that you please watch over my parents, grandparents, family, friends, and pets. Please bless them, Lord... keep them safe, strong, happy, and healthy. And please, Lord, continue to walk with me and guide me through life. You have made me who I am... you have healed me, Lord, and blessed me in more ways than I could ever count. Whatever you have planned for me, I accept with open arms. I trust You completely and entirely with all my heart and soul, and I love You more than anything and I want to be with You forever and ever. In Jesus' name, Amen.


Love and God Bless,
M.C.

Day 20: Time

Ever since I was really little, I liked the song "Turn, Turn, Turn" by The Byrds, but it wasn't until I was in my mid teens that I realized their lyrics were taken from the Bible. On my part, that's kind of sad that it took me that long to come to that realization. But on the part of The Byrds, that's pretty awesome. Some people (most likely non-believers) might argue that it's plagiarism, but I see it as spreading the Good Word and reaching out to people who may not otherwise seek out the Word of God.

To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven:
A time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up that which is planted;
A time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up;
A time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance;
A time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones together; a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing;
A time to get, and a time to lose; a time to keep, and a time to cast away;
A time to rend, and a time to sew; a time to keep silence, and a time to speak;
A time to love, and a time to hate; a time of war, and a time of peace.
~Ecclesiastes 3:1-8 (KJV)

Basically, these verses are pretty straightforward. There is a time for everything, both good and bad. It's like a coin--there are two sides and there's a 50/50 shot of landing on one side over the other. It seems like nothing can exist without an opposite: we need both sun and rain, light and dark, happiness and sadness, love and hate, health and sickness, life and death. You may sometimes wish that the "bad" parts didn't exist, but think about it... what would happen to the faith of Christians if life was good all the time? Sure, more people might believe, but it would be difficult to judge if their faith was true. Not to mention the fact that we wouldn't grow much spiritually if there weren't times in our lives when we really needed to cling to God. Sadness, mourning, sickness, loss, and all of the other negative times and feelings are necessary for shaping us into who God intends us to be. Kind of makes the "bad" times not seem so bad anymore, huh?

There cannot be good without bad. Every end brings a new beginning, and together they work in harmony to keep the cycle of life perpetual.

Lord, thank You for all the times, both good and bad. Thank You for seeing me through ALL of them. I know that without those times when I needed to be carried by You, I wouldn't be as strong and my relationship with You wouldn't be as strong. Also, my "bad" experiences have inspired others to keep going even when things seem impossible for them; I love to help others and that makes it even more worth it on my part. Only You could have done that. Thank You for all of my "good" blessings too, like my family, friends, pets, and home... and, of course, thank You for who I am (that's probably the most important one because that determined--and still determines--what blessings came--and continually come--into my life). I ask that You please continue to bless my family, friends, and me just as You always have. I trust You and love You with my heart and soul, Lord. Please continue to guide me and walk with me forever. In Jesus' name, Amen.


Love and God Bless,
M.C.

Day 19: Contentment

Everything is interconnected, kind of like the Six Degrees of Separation (or Seven, depending on your personal preference). Well, the teachings of God are certainly no exception. I've talked about patience quite a bit and I just talked about work and how each of us is meant to specific tasks while here on earth. One idea that I believe encompasses all of these ideas and then some is contentment. Sure, one can be patient without being content, but one who is content is always patient.

Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content.
I know both how to be abased, and I know how to abound: every where and in all things I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need.
I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.
~Philippians 4:11-13 (KJV)

God provides us ewhat we need when we needed (according to his timing). Whether a person is well-off or dirt poor, there is a reason for it, and that person should therefore respect and honor God's plan and be content.

I think that contentment is being happy where you are, but I don't think that it means settling. Just because you're scraping by--and I mean this in terms of motivation--doesn't mean that you should continue to be average and just scrape by. You should always strive to be your best. Be the best you can be whoever and wherever you are--strive to be the best cashier, lawyer, mechanic, doctor, custodian, teacher, bus driver, engineer, artist (etc.) that you can be. Whether you work as a top chef in a five-star restaurant or as a burger-builder for a fast-food chain, do your best. Whether you're a tenured professor or a peer tutor, do your best. If you work hard, you will feel personal satisfaction whether other people recognize it or not. That satisfaction will undoubtedly lead to contentment--joy and thankfulness for and happiness in your current position. As it says in today's verses, be "full" in terms of what you have, but always be "hungry" for a little more.

Lord, thank You for this day. Thank You for what I have and what I don't have. I trust You completely, Lord, and I know that You have put me right where You need me to be. I will be content where I am, but I will also strive toward improvement. Lord, I ask that You please watch over my family and friends, and I ask that You please bless them with the same kind of contentment as well. Please forgive me of my sins and continue to guide me today and every day forever and ever. In Jesus' name, Amen.


Love and God Bless,
M.C.

Day 18: Work

There is always some sort of work that needs to be done. It doesn't matter who you are or where you come from--whether you're a poor person or royalty, you have work to do. I have work to do right now... book work. I admit, it isn't always delightful or interesting, and I don't always have the motivation to do it, but I know that I need to. I'm not going to neglect my work because I know that it's part of the process of getting me to where I need to be.

For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.
~Ephesians 2:10 (KJV)

I think this verse can refer to any honest work. For example, my current work is one essential step to becoming an educator. The idea of being a teacher has been in my heart for a very, very long time. God blessed me in a substantial way by placing me in the particular 2nd grade class that I was in eons ago. The teacher I had was phenomenal. She always challenged her students to do better regardless of who they were, she encouraged them especially when no one else would, and she managed to inspire students even if no other teacher had been able to inspire them. I was lucky enough to have this same teacher in 4th and 5th grade as well. She is my mentor and the main reason why I want to be a teacher.

I digress a little, but I want to give the full perspective. If I hadn't been inspired by my teacher, I wouldn't be doing my current work. Even so, I'd still be doing some sort of work. But what I'm trying to get at is that God has known forever what kind of work each of us would be doing, and no matter what type of work that is, there is a specific purpose for it. God put it in my heart early the passion to teach. It is my deep hope to someday inspire my future students the way my teacher inspired me. Maybe a student of mine is destined to find a cure for cancer or autism, or maybe that student will be the first person to set foot on Mars, or perhaps that student will discover how to bring about world peace. Only God knows for sure. Whatever His plan may be, I trust it with all my heart and I know that it will be revealed to me someday. But for now, I just have to be patient and diligent... and, of course, do my work. Hehe.

God, Thank You for the work You have blessed me with. I know I get frustrated with it sometimes, but I also know that it is preparing me to be an excellent teacher. I also thank You for the work You have blessed my parents with. I ask that You please continue to provide for us and bless us as You always have. I pray that all of Your children discover what they are meant to do and that they follow Your plans. And Lord, I ask that You give us all the strength to keep working for Your glory forever. In Jesus' name, Amen.


Love and God Bless,
M.C.

Day 18: Wisdom

Sometimes I wonder about my faith. Oh, don't get me wrong, I always believe in God and that He is my Father, and that His son, Jesus Christ, is my Lord and Savior. I will NEVER abandon that! My heart will always be an open dwelling for the Lord. I guess I mean more along the lines of the passion of my faith. I get frustrated with myself when I just don't "feel it." Is that normal?

Anyway, as I logged in, I said a little prayer which I've said many times over the past two weeks: "God, please give me words to write." I opened up a document containing verses that I've found and that I think would make good topics for my posts. I found quite a few really good ones on patience about a week ago. As I was perusing the list, I started to use one set of verses, but the set underneath it caught my eye:

My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations;
Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience.
But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.
If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.
~James 1:2-4 (KJV)

I read these three verses from James and decided that I'd rather write about them, so I copy-pasted them into this post. I read through them once more to determine exactly how I wanted to start, and that's when it hit me. "Trying of your faith worketh patience." The words stood out as clear as day, as though it was the first time I'd read them. For years, I've been praying to God to grant me with patience, but I somehow always thought of patience as something shown towards others. I had never really thought that there would be times when I needed to be patient with myself. It was really quite an epiphany for me. Maybe it's God's way of answering my prayer, albeit differently that what I expected. I'm not complaining, particularly since God knows infinitely more than I do about what's best for me (or anyone). Why should I beat myself up for something that (when I asked Him, of course) God forgave me for?

Lord, thank You for this day. Thank You for this realization--it's truly wonderful. Please watch over and protect my family, friends, and pets. Please bless them as You have blessed me. Please cleanse me of my sins, and continue to guide me on Your path. And Lord, please help me to become a more patient person... toward others as well as toward myself. My heart and soul shall always be Yours, Lord, and I will serve You forever (no matter what)! In Jesus' name, Amen.


Love and God Bless,
M.C.

Day 16: Faith

Times are tough. The economy is bad, jobs are scarce, tempers are short, and hostilities are high. It seems like there is a bubble deep within the core of the earth that is growing as tensions mount, threatening to burst. Times like these certainly make faith difficult, but faith is exactly what we need right now.

I waited patiently for the LORD; and he inclined unto me, and heard my cry.
He brought me up also out of an horrible pit, out of the miry clay, and set my feet upon a rock, and established my goings.
And he hath put a new song in my mouth, even praise unto our God: many shall see it, and fear, and shall trust in the LORD.
~Psalm 40:1-3 (KJV)

Sure, things aren't the greatest right now, but the key is patience. God has a plan--the PERFECT plan--and He knows better than any of us combined, just as a good parent knows what is better for their children even if the children think that they know best. I've talked about patience before, so get a little practice in and be patient with me. I can't say it enough: GOD KNOWS BEST! Even if the situation you're in seems terrible, there is a reason for it. It's either to teach you something to make you a better person, or it's to teach someone else something to make him/her a better person. Either way, it's spiritual growth and it's a good thing. Good results can come from bad experiences if only you open your eyes to see them. I was sick for a year, and I cried out to God constantly. I admit, there were times when my faith wasn't what it should have been, but God carried me through and, looking back, I know that I'm a better, stronger, more dedicated person because of it.

So if you're in a pit, cry out to God. He hears you and He wants to help you, but sometimes you need to look around and see who is in the pit with you. Sometimes you fall down so that you can help someone else up. Now, isn't that a noble perspective? Kind of ties into yesterday's post, huh?

Lord, Your children are in need of Your strength and guidance. Many have lost focus, and many have lost hope. Please, Lord, give words and strength to those who are faithful to You; let them be beacons for others and show them how to spread Your message. Please bless those who are less fortunate, and keep them always in the thoughts and prayers of those who have what they need. Please continue to bless my family and friends as You have, and may they be perpetually faithful. Bless our troops, for they face some of the most intense difficulties. Give them courage and bring them home safe. And Lord, please continue to walk with me through life. Please guide me and keep me strong in faith. In Jesus' name, Amen.


Love and God Bless,
M.C.

Day 15: Friends

God has blessed me with some truly amazing friends. I may not have dozens upon dozens of true friends, but in my opinion, it's quality, not quantity. However, I do believe in being a friend to all people, not just the ones who love you in return.

This is my commandment, That ye love one another, as I have loved you.
Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.
~John 15:12-13 (KJV)

According to these verses, everybody needs to love everybody else. No fine print whatsoever. There are no stipulations or exclusions to this commandment. It doesn't matter what gender, race, color, ethnicity, socioeconomic status, culture, creed, or whatever other variables you can think of. LOVE ONE ANOTHER. Period.

I don't think that it means all cuddly, mushy love. It's strong, supportive, I'd-do-anything-honest-for-you-no-matter-what love. It can be shared by family members, friends, acquaintances, and even complete strangers. In fact, love toward strangers can make one of the biggest impacts. Because strangers are just that--strangers--they don't feel obligated to be loving or polite. If someone they don't know upsets them (accidentally or on purpose), they have no qualms about retaliating. This just puts the second person in a bad mood and makes them take it out on someone else, thus starting a chain reaction of ill tempers and vindictive actions. That's not what being a Christian is about. Jesus showed love towards ALL people, particularly sinners, because they were the ones who needed love the most. Don't just show love to the people who show it to do--show it to those who NEED it. Be an initiator of good feeling. Be a love catalyst. If you're going to be blamed for something, make sure it's something to be proud of... like sharing smiles or hugs or kind words. Hate only begets more hate, but thankfully, on the flip-side, love always begets more love.

So, whatever you call it--karma, paying it forward, doing a good deed--go out and do it. Don't wait for someone to be nice to you. Plant a seed. Knock over that first domino. Not only will you make others feel good, you'll undoubtedly make yourself feel good too. And most importantly, you'll be honoring God's Word.

Lord, thank You for this day. Thank You for kind and supportive people... and those who aren't so kind or supportive. Both types of people enrich life and help me learn the lessons I need to grow into a Godly person. Lord, please guide me and show me how to be a successful initiator for love. Please keep me upbeat and positive and outgoing. Please show me how to be a good friend, and forgive me if and when I ever fail to be the best friend I can be. Thank You SO MUCH for my family and friends; I ask that You please keep them safe and strong, happy and healthy. Lord, I love You with all of my heart and soul and I will follow You forever no matter what. In Jesus' name, Amen.


Love and God Bless,
M.C.

Day 14: Mothers

Today is Mother's Day... the day we honor some of the most (if not THE most) important people on earth. None of us would be here without our mothers. Mothers are like God's life messengers--He decides who comes to earth through whom. I know I said a lot of this yesterday, but I just think it's so darn cool!

Today, I let my mother sleep in, made her breakfast, did the dishes, helped with odd jobs, offered to do all of the driving when we went out, and made sure I was exceptionally patient. To some, that may seem like a lot, but in my opinion, that is not near enough to honor a mother. My mother, by the grace of God, brought me into this world. Every year she tells me that I'm her best Mother's Day present, but with everything that she has done for me, I wish I could do more for her.

Honour thy father and thy MOTHER: that thy days may be long upon the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee.
~Exodus 20:12 (KJV)

God even says in one of His commandments to HONOR both your father and your mother on ALL days. We shouldn't just do nice things for mom on Mother's Day (or dad on Father's day), but this day is to remind us of God's commandment. Let every day be Mother's Day and let every day be Father's Day. In my opinion, in doing so, you're honoring God for giving you the necessary means for coming into being; you're honoring God for your life. And that's something that DEFINITELY should be done EVERY DAY.

So, go hug your mom--or at least give her a call--and tell her how much she means to you and that you love her. Guaranteed that will be the best present any mother could get. :)

Lord, thank You for this day and every day. Please let me always remember to honor both of my parents every day. I ask that You bless them, for they are both good, God-fearing people, and they have done more for me than I could ever recall. Please also watch over and bless my grandparents, for they are also, in a sense, my parents. Please forgive me of my sins... I know I'm not always the most patient person. I am human and I make mistakes. All I can do is follow Your Word to the best of my ability and leave the rest to You. And Lord, please bless ALL mothers today and every day. In Jesus' name, Amen.


Love and God Bless,
M.C.

Day 13: Identities

Tomorrow is Mother's Day. None of us would be here if God hadn't made our mothers first. God is the Creator, but mothers are His means of delivery--He chooses which women will give birth to which children, and those pairings make all the difference on who each of us will become. But God knows what He's doing... and that's the understatement of the year!

Before I formed thee in the belly I knew thee; and before thou camest forth out of the womb I sanctified thee, and I ordained thee a prophet unto the nations.
~Jeremiah 1:5 (KJV)

God knew each and every one of us before we were born--before we were even conceived! He decided what we would look like, what our personalities would be like, what we would like, what we would dislike, what our talents would be... He even decided where every last little freckle would be placed. He knows us inside-down and upside-out. He knows what we'll do and where we'll go far before it ever happens. And all of that is shaped, in part, through our mothers. If I had a different mother, I wouldn't be the same person. I wouldn't know the same people or do the same things, and the world (or at least a portion of it) would be very different. I truly believe that everything happens for a reason, and that includes the family we are born into. I couldn't imagine having any parents other than my own. They may not be perfect, but they love me unconditionally and I love them unconditionally. I may not be a perfect person either, but I like who I am and trust that God will continue to mold and shape me and help me grow into the person He wants me to be.

Lord, thank You for who I am and thank You for the family I was born into. I ask that You please watch over them and bless them with the desires of their hearts. You've known each and every one of us since before we were born, so You know EXACTLY what each of us truly needs. You are amazing, Lord, and I love you SO MUCH! In Jesus' name, Amen.


Love and God Bless,
M.C.

Day 12: Giving Thanks

Today I finished an online class that I've been working on for a little over a year. It was certainly a load off my shoulders. I had to teach myself so much, and write essays like they were going out of style. It was sooooo much work. And today's exam was one of the most intense ones I've ever taken. But it's done. THANK YOU GOD!!!

Make a joyful noise unto the LORD, all ye lands.
Serve the LORD with gladness: come before his presence with singing.
Know ye that the LORD he is God: it is he that hath 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 unto him, and bless his name.
For the LORD is good; his mercy is everlasting; and his truth endureth to all generations.
~Psalm 100 (KJV)

I do my best to do this every day, but today I definitely am making a joyful noise. God helped me through this class and kept me calm during the exam. Without Him, I'm pretty sure I would have had a meltdown. He has the amazing ability of guiding us through the most difficult and stressful of tasks. While my exam was nothing compared to what some people go through, it was a big deal for me, and I thank God that it's over. Whatever happens happens. I trust whatever God has planned for me.

Thank You, Lord, for this day. Thank You for getting me through this. It is such a relief knowing that I've accomplished one more thing. Lord, I ask that You please continue to guide me and help me to accomplish the tasks You set out for me. I know that with You, I cannot fail; and even if I feel like I have, I know that You have something better in store for me. Please watch over my family, friends, and pets... keep them safe, strong, happy, and healthy. Please watch over our troops and bring them home safe. I hope that all of Your children praise You today and every day, because You deserve infinite praise. Lord, I love You now and always will. In Jesus' name, Amen.


Love and God Bless,
M.C.

Day 11: Only Human

I am so tired. I've almost fallen asleep at least half a dozen times before even beginning to write this. I woke up early and had a long day of work, and I'm ready for a good rest, but I don't want to neglect my goal of posting every day.

Everyone on earth gets tired. God is the only being who is perpetually powerful. God doesn't grow weary or weak like humans. In fact, He gives US His strength when we need it for ourselves.

For which cause we faint not; but though our outward man perish, yet the inward man is renewed day by day.
For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory;
While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal.
~2 Corinthians 4:16-18 (KJV)

Sure, we can see and/or use energy drinks and vitamins and pills to keep us awake, but they're only temporary. God's strength is eternal, even if no one can see it. It really is true what they say: "The best things in life are unseen. That's why we close our eyes when we kiss, cry, and dream." We may not be able to actually see God, but that is the beauty of it... it makes you focus on His blessings and miracles rather than what He looks like.

Lord, I wish I would have had more time to spend on this post. I feel like I rushed it, but I wanted to put something down. Please let my family, my friends, and me all sleep well and wake up feeling rested and refreshed. Let us learn to value the unseen, eternal things... for those are the things You have given to us. Lord, please forgive me of my sins, and continue to guide me and walk with me on Your glorious and beautiful path. In Jesus' name, Amen.


Love and God Bless,
M.C.

Day 10: Inspiration

It's an amazing feeling when God inspires me. Like yesterday. For whatever reason, a particular story idea kept popping into my head. I didn't really think too much of it, since I wasn't feeling the greatest, and I had been trying to do some regular research-type work. Well, last night I was just sitting in bed finishing up some more work before hitting the sack, when out of the clear blue, the idea popped into my head again... this time with words. I felt compelled to write them down, so I opened up a new Word document and started typing. I was half asleep, but I just kept typing without even thinking much. It was only two short scenes, but together they ended up being about two pages single spaced. I wanted to keep going, but I was falling asleep at the wheel, so to speak. I woke up bright and early this morning and ended up revising what I had composed last night, and I've been adding to it on and off all day. I'm quite excited about the whole thing, and it makes me want to write until I'm done.

Whenever an idea--be it a drawing, a poem, a story, a song, or anything else--just pops into my head and persistently prods at my subconscious until I acknowledge it, I know that it's from God. No matter what, they're always really good ideas (at least in my own eyes), and they're always ones that excite, intrigue, and inspire me. Unfortunately, I don't always get to finish them right away--many are still in process--but I know that God put the idea in my head and that I shouldn't overlook it just because I don't know if I'll finish it or not.

For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end.
~Jeremiah 29:11 (KJV)

This verse, in a grander sense, backs up what I just described. God has certain things planned for certain people, and His plan for each is unique. He sends "thoughts of peace" to His children--He knows exactly how our lives will play out. A part of this includes seemingly small or insignificant occurrences, like solving a difficult math problem, finally understanding how/why something works, or getting an idea for a fictional story. Such events may not be able to change the world now, but they might lead to something greater. How can someone ignore an inspirational blessing from God that could be the starting point for a whole series of inspiration? I don't know about you, but I'm not going to ignore an idea that is persistent and inspirational.

Lord, I love you so much and I thank You so much for my story idea. I know that I've received others that I have yet to finish, but I feel really good about this one. I know that whatever the outcome, You have a purpose for it, otherwise, You most likely wouldn't have given it to me. I ask that You continue to bless me with inspiration throughout my life. I ask that You also bless my family and friends with the appropriate ideas/inspiration as well. Lord, I hope that someday I can use my inspirations to make at least ONE person's life a little better. Please guide me, Lord, and let me know what You want me to do with what You have blessed me with. Please guide my steps and walk with me forever and ever. In Jesus name, Amen.


Love and God Bless,
M.C.

Day 9: Strength

The past two mornings have been a little rough (times can be tough when you're female). But over the past two years, whenever I'm not feeling the greatest or am having a bad day, I try to remind myself of two things: first off, I've been through worse. I was sick for almost a year a while back. Doctors couldn't figure out what was wrong with me. All they knew was that I had recently had a virus (nothing life-threatening), but I wasn't getting over the fatigue part of it. It got so bad that I was bedridden for almost a month. To make a long story short, I'm much better now, but recovery has been a long road, one in which God carried me for most of the journey, and supported my steps greatly when I finally had the strength to walk again. And He still walks with me every day. I'm still not 100% yet, but my doctor--a top physician in the particular condition I had--said that I'm one of his fastest recoveries, and he expects me to make a full recovery. Thank God!

Secondly, and much more importantly, Jesus went through WAY worse than I could ever imagine. He bore the weight of the cross, he endured humiliation and persecution and cruelty, he was kicked and cut and spat upon and stabbed and crucified, yet he did not shut out God. Jesus knew what God wanted him to do for His children. Jesus made the ultimate sacrifice--he gave his life to save the rest of the world. That is unfathomably amazing. And it's proof that God doesn't abandon us, particularly when we're going through difficult times. In fact, that's when He is closest to us.

Hast thou not known? hast thou not heard, that the everlasting God, the LORD, the Creator of the ends of the earth, fainteth not, neither is weary? there is no searching of his understanding.
He giveth power to the faint; and to them that have no might he increaseth strength.
Even the youths shall faint and be weary, and the young men shall utterly fall:
But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.
~Isaiah 40:28-31 (KJV)

As these verses say, God's strength and power don't fade...EVER. On our own, we humans can't last forever--we get tired, we drop with fatigue, we faint, we fall, and we eventually die. We can't expect to survive on our own, because no man (or woman) can regardless of how physically conditioned he (or she) is. However, if we put our trust in God and serve Him, He will share His strength with us. With God, we can fly like eagles, run forever, and never faint. Yes, our bodies still have limitations, but our souls will keep going, fueled by God's everlasting power. Because of Jesus Christ, we will never die.

So, yes, cramps are really annoying, and I usually do end up complaining a little bit about them, but I know that it is like comparing a grain of sand to the rest of the universe in terms of the crucifixion of Christ. What I'm going through is just a part of life. If it's happening, it means everything's workin' just as it should be and I'm healthy!

Thank You, Lord, for this day. It's gorgeous! I ask that You watch over my family, friends, pets, and me. Watch over those who have their own crosses to bear and bless them with Your strength and comfort. I pray that they not lose faith, for everything happens for a purpose in Your grand plan. And Lord, please forgive me if I complain about my womanhood today... it's not me, it's the hormones. :P Hehe. Thank You so much, Lord, for who I am. You give me strength always and I trust You and Your plan. You are indeed awesome. In Jesus' name, Amen.


Love and God Bless,
M.C.

Day 8: Pride

So, this morning I received my daily email of encouraging words, and the particular verses that were included made me think about what I said in yesterday's post.

All things have I seen in the days of my vanity: there is a just man that perisheth in his righteousness, and there is a wicked man that prolongeth his life in his wickedness.
Be not righteous over much; neither make thyself over wise: why shouldest thou destroy thyself ?
Be not over much wicked, neither be thou foolish: why shouldest thou die before thy time?
It is good that thou shouldest take hold of this; yea, also from this withdraw not thine hand: for he that feareth God shall come forth of them all.
Wisdom strengtheneth the wise more than ten mighty men which are in the city.
For there is not a just man upon earth, that doeth good, and sinneth not.
~Ecclesiastes 7:15-20 (KJV)

I feel like I was a little too proud of the fact that I had been patient and not said anything (audibly) to the guy who made the smart remark. Yes, I'm glad that I'm learning to be more patient, especially with rude people, but I shouldn't make it sound like I'm boasting about it. It wasn't my intention yesterday to sound like I was. I was merely trying to make a point that angry words do nothing to help a person, because (believe me) I've had my share of angry words... a fact that I am certainly not proud of in the least. But today's verses bring comfort to me. God is the only perfect being, and He knows that His children make mistakes. No human is immune to that, so we shouldn't expect to avoid them every time. That doesn't give anyone permission to go out and do whatever delinquent act comes to mind. We still need to do our best to be good Christians, but we shouldn't beat ourselves up over our inevitable mistakes. That's the beauty of it: when a person makes a mistake, is truly sorry for it, and asks God's forgiveness, He wipes the slate clean. Jesus Christ died on the cross for our sins, so that we could be forgiven merely by asking. That is a truly beautiful thing, to say the VERY least.

Today, Lord, I ask that You forgive me of my sins. I know that I am far from perfect, and sometimes I try too hard to be a good person, and sometimes I beat myself up over stupid mistakes... but I know that, despite all of that, You still love me. THANK YOU!!! Lord, please guide me so that I don't worry so much about making mistakes. I fear You and love You, Lord, and I invite You to come into my heart and show me The Way. I pray that I focus on the present rather than dwelling on the past or fearing the future. The only thing that matters is following You now. I leave the rest in Your loving hands. In Jesus' name, Amen.


Love and God Bless,
M.C.

Day 7: Patience

Patience is something that most people have little of nowadays. Although I'm not the most patient person, I'd like to think that I'm more patient than most. And my patience is certainly tested often; today was no exception.

My mother and I decided to go to a flea market today. It had rained the night before, so everything was very muddy. However, by no means did that stop people from coming. There were quite a few times when I almost got knocked into by someone. I'm pretty used to that, since most people are at least a head taller than me and have a much different line of vision... I usually slip under their radar. The problem started when we went to an antique mall down the road. It seemed like a number of people who had been at the flea market decided to go to the antique mall too. No biggie... I don't linger. I normally just zip through and look for things that I collect. Because there were so many people, I couldn't always "zip," but I just waited until I could, which wasn't more than a few seconds. I ended up finding a vintage pair of gloves in a display case, so I went to the front to ask for assistance. It was very busy at the counter, so I just stood in line and waited. There were several staff members, but all of them seemed to be doing something. After about five minutes, an older man walks up and says to one of the staff, "I need someone to open a display case for me." It irked me a bit since he just cut in line like that, but I wasn't going to let it get to me. After another five or ten minutes, the crowd disbursed and I was the only customer left, but the staff didn't seem to care. I had dressed down for the flea market (no sense in ruining good clothes) and I never wear much makeup or do much to my hair, so I looked young. I guess everyone thought I was a kid. Finally, a female staff member asked if I was checking out, and I calmly said, "No, I need someone to open a display case for me." The man who had cut earlier was standing right there and boisterously said, "Well, you need to speak up instead of just standing there like a wallflower!" I think he was trying to be funny, but in my opinion, he wasn't. In fact, his words stung. All I had done was wait patiently until it was my turn, just as I was taught to do. There were about a dozen different things that I could have said, but I bit my tongue and prayed to God to forgive me for my rude thoughts and inaudible whispers. I knew it wouldn't do me a bit of good to retaliate... for one, it isn't Godly, and less importantly it would only have made me look more like a child.

Cease from anger, and forsake wrath: fret not thyself in any wise to do evil.
~Psalm 37:8 (KJV)

While we may want to respond to rudeness with rudeness, it's not the right thing to do. It's much more difficult to say nothing or to be polite in return, but as the song goes, "Sometimes the hardest thing and the right thing are the same."

God, forgive me for thinking about comebacks to that comment made to me today. I pray that all people can learn to be more considerate and patient, because you never know what a person is going through. Lord, please bless me with patience and guide me so that I may become the person you want me to be.And Lord, please continue to watch over my family and friends, and please bless them with patience as well. Help all of us to spread the love. In Jesus' name, Amen.


Love and God Bless,
M.C.

Day 6: A Time of Trouble

Okay, so not BIG trouble, thank God, but definitely a nuisance. Drain problems... again. I had spent an hour working on a very nice dinner for my parents. My mother opened the laundry room door in the basement and shrieked, "Oh my gosh! The drain backed up!" Most of the floor was covered by about a quarter inch of water... the two rugs had soaked up a majority of it. It's not the first time this has happened (or the second, or the third... or the tenth, for that matter), but this time, some dirt and other nondescript compost-y muck (looked like a bunch of dead leaves... nothing more) had backed up with the water. We moved practically everything out so my dad could snake the drain. As he was doing so, the snake hose kinked and damaged it beyond repair--we had to haul the snake outside, go buy a new hose, put it on the snake, and haul it back downstairs. Kept snaking... until THAT hose kinked. By now, dinner has been sitting out for about two hours, so everything was cold and dried out... not to mention everyone was stressed and exhausted. Not a fun experience.

So, why am I venting about this on what's supposed to be an inspirational blog? Because life isn't perfect. We can't learn valuable, Godly lessons without being tried and tested. Times of trouble also remind us who REALLY is in charge, and who we should always turn to for strength.

God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.
Therefore will not we fear, though the earth be removed, and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea;
Though the waters thereof roar and be troubled, though the mountains shake with the swelling thereof.
~Psalm 46:1-3 (KJV)

God wants us to rely on Him; we are His children and He loves us unconditionally. Yes, bad things do happen, even to Christians, but everything can be fixed in some way. Sometimes wars break out, but God will see us through to more peaceable times. Sometimes natural disasters happen, but God brings us together and helps us rebuild. And sometimes "the waters thereof roar and be troubled" in our laundry rooms, but stuff will dry or can be replaced. No biggie. It's just stuff. In the bigger scheme of things, stuff doesn't matter. God matters. Times of trouble, stress, pain, anguish, and grief teach us how to work together, how to be patient, and what has true worth in our lives. It's the not-so-perfect times that make us better, stronger, wiser Christians... just so long as we allow them to.

Lord, thank You for today... and yesterday. Yes, it was stressful, but stressful situations have made me more reliant on You, thus bringing me closer to You. Please watch over my parents, and don't let them stress out too much. Give them strength (and energy) and bring peace to their hearts and minds. And Lord, I pray that the drain gets fixed quickly so that we can focus on more important works. Please continue to walk with me and guide me forever. In Jesus' name, Amen.


Love and God Bless,
M.C.