June 3

I get up and have coffee with the Father every morning. It starts off pretty good, but then my mind wanders onto other things. I think He just looks at me and smiles, He understands, He's the one who gave me my mind. As I was contemplating the next phase of my life and what I will be leaving behind, I was reminded about a banana tree my grandmother gave me long before she got sick and passed. The original tree is long gone, but before it died, it reproduced. I'll be able to take one of those with me when I move! I could even share it with others and it wouldn't even put a dent in the crop of trees it has produced. Unlike trees that are reproduced by seeds, a banana tree sends out new plants while it's still alive. But, once it produces a crop of bananas, that particular tree will die. It stays alive until it has done what God called it to do! So, be a banana tree, be fruitful and multiply!

By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit and so prove to be my disciples. John 15:8

Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Matthew 28:19

June 2

I'm not saying that I know the mind of God, but, sometimes I think He lets us get away with quite a bit before we start feeling the effects of our disobedience. I believe wholeheartedly in giving, but I think we should go beyond the tithe. Years ago I had set it up so that the church could automatically draft our giving from our account. I noticed that things started going a little wacky. Our income is from residential rentals and anything that could go wrong, did go wrong. Air conditioners began to break, vacancies increased, and plumbing issues were non stop! Something, the Holy Spirit, told me to check our account. It had been almost six months since we had given to the church! You think it's hard to write out a monthly or weekly check, try writing out one for six months! Was this a coincidence? Maybe, but, everything we have, has been given to us by God and He expects us to give back to Him.

You will be enriched in every way to be generous in every way, which through us will produce thanksgiving to God. 2 Corinthians 9:11

June 1

My grandson Lucas stayed with me for the day. He came in his pajamas and requested to stay in them. I, being a wonderful grandma, allowed him to wear them all day! We even went to The Home Depot! He's only five, so who really cares! Our grandchildren are very special, they are the future of our country and will probably have a lot of say in our care as we reach the conclusion of our days. I think it's important that we spend quality time with them and impart to them some of the knowledge God has given us. These are the good things in life. It's not how much money you leave them, it's the wisdom you give them that will help them achieve the desires that God has given them. They might just ignore you at the time, but one day that information will become useful and a part of their fond memories of you. But, the most important thing you can teach them is about Jesus! He is the wisdom from above, without Him, no other wisdom matters.

But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere. James 3:17

May 31

Once in a while I have the pleasure of watching one of my grandchildren. My two year old grandson is full of wonder and notices things that we take for granted. He's learning more and more every day. He loves trucks and notices every truck that goes by. We can be so oblivious to the things going on around us that we fail to see the things that are important to God. What are you missing by not observing your surroundings? Are you forgetting to smile or acknowledge someone as you walk by? I've noticed that people aren't cordial or friendly anymore, and if you're friendly to them, they look at you like you're a freak. I'd rather be a freak than act cold hearted and unresponsive. Hold your head up and show love and compassion for others, even if it's just a smile. Everyone needs to feel like others see them and that they are not invisible in this big world.

Finally, all of you, have unity of mind, sympathy, brotherly love, a tender heart, and a humble mind. 1 Peter 3:8

May 30

One weekend I sprayed my paver patio with bleach to bring back the color. After doing that I determined that it needed new sand. What a job! Pouring out heavy bags of sand and then sweeping it into the cracks left me exhausted! The end results were worth every ounce of energy that I expended, it now looks brand new! I'm determined to not let it get that dirty again and to maintain it regularly to keep the filth under control. As Christians, we have the same opportunity to clean up our lives through Jesus. The thing is, we're already clean through Him, we just have a hard time accepting that. I've often heard people express that they don't understand how believing in Jesus and asking His forgiveness, could cleanse you. It's true! Our problem is that we don't truly believe it and hold onto all that past guilt, sin, and hurt. My word today: forgive yourself, because Jesus already has. To keep yourself free, seek forgiveness often.

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come. All this is from God, who through Christ reconciled us to himself and gave us the ministry of reconciliation. 2 Corinthians 5:17-18

May 29 Memorial Day

Many wars have been fought to give us the freedom that we relish. The nationally born Americans of today have never had to live under the oppression of a totalitarian regime where the government controls every aspect of the lives of its citizens. That's because of the men and women who have fought and died to keep us free. Today, when you crawl out of your comfy bed and go to the refrigerator and grab a bite to eat, remember how precious that is. Other countries aren't as rich as we are and aren't afforded that simple luxury. In the same way that our soldiers fought for our freedom and died, Jesus died so that you could be free from your sin and no longer have to pay the penalty for it. So, take a moment to remember those who've died so that you may live. We live in a free country and have freedom from our sin. What more could you want?

Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends. John 15:13

May 28

When I first got my little dog, Rudy, I thought that I may have made a mistake. He was rambunctious, full of energy, and would wake me up in the middle of the night. I also thought that he may have been sent to me from the devil as a distraction for my morning fellowship with Jesus. Well, if that was the case, what Satan intended for evil, God used for His good, because I've been able to use him as an example to drive home many Biblical principals. For instance, the neighbors very large black dog, Chopper, wandered into our yard just as I was letting my dogs out. As soon as Rudy saw him, he bolted out the door and chased him out of the yard! We had a David and Goliath moment! I thought Rudy was going to become a snack! We could all learn a lesson through this. The One who dwells inside of us is bigger than anything we could ever come against, which means we should have Rudy's confidence when we are facing our giants.

Then David said to the Philistine, "You come to me with a sword and with a spear and with a javelin, but I come to you in the name of the LORD of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied. 1 Samuel 17:45