These two devotionals were sent to me today. I get a couple of them sent to me in my email everyday and they always seem to have something I need to hear. And these two are about something I have been dealing with the last couple of weeks.

Love Without Refunds
August 22, 2006
Jesus; Love; Christian Living/Situational
Luke 6:27-36
"Love your enemies. Do good to those who hate you…Pray for those who hurt you" (Luke 6:27-28, NLT).
We all have enemies. We all make them, we all hold grudges, we may have even gotten into a few fights in our lifetime. If someone hits us in the face, we'd like to return the favor.
But Jesus had different ideas concerning our enemies. He told us to love them.
Love them?! Is He serious?
Of course He is. If someone insults us, we shouldn't respond with similar behavior. We should get on our knees and pray for them. If we practice the same behavior they do, we aren't expressing God's love and forgiveness.
Jesus tells us to give freely what we have, not worrying about whether we get something in return. God lovingly offers the gift of eternal life, knowing that some people will never give Him anything back in return, namely their lives. We must "be compassionate, just as your Father is compassionate" (Luke 6:36, NLT). We should hold ourselves to God's standards--to express love as an action, not just an emotion.

Jesus tells us to give freely what we have, not worrying about whether we get something in return. God lovingly offers the gift of eternal life, knowing that some people will never give Him anything back in return, namely their lives.
We must "be compassionate, just as your Father is compassionate" (Luke 6:36, NLT). We should hold ourselves to God's standards--to express love as an action, not just an emotion.

If I have no love
by John Fischer

In his book The Purpose Driven Life, Rick Warren makes a very radical statement: “If I have no love for others, no desire to serve others, I should question whether Christ is really in my life.”This bold assertion comes from something John said in his first letter: “If we love our Christian brothers and sisters, it proves that we have passed from death to eternal life. But a person who has no love is still dead.” (1 John 3:14)

The presence of love in your heart for others and the realization of what you can do to serve them is evidence that you have been born again and Christ is in your
heart.The absence of any such sensitivity suggests that you may still be the center of your universe. It may all still be about you.

Can you look at your life over the last few days and see evidence of the fact that you have cared about someone other than yourself?Can you point to some examples of how you have served a brother or a sister in some way?If you can, take heart.If you can’t, it might be a good time for some soul searching.

I have tried this little test on myself, and I must admit I don’t always do very well. Even though I spend a good deal of time serving others through my gifts of speaking and writing while I am on the road, you could also say that this is my work. This is what I’m expected to do. I do this for a living. I am “on” for these moments of ministry.But I can get very selfish with my “off” time.I isolate myself in a hotel room or an airplane seat.I make myself unavailable to the needs around me.I might not even call home, because that would only remind me of those there who need my attention.

Sometimes, I think we need to step in and serve even if we don’t feel like it. Once we do, Christ energizes us and gives us not only the strength to do this, but the desire to do it again.Ask God to open your eyes to those around you and show you ways in which you can serve them in love.That’s being obedient to what he asks and finding his power to do it all at the same time.

How about this?I’ll pray for you right now and you pray for me that God will awaken us with hearts to serve, the wisdom to see the need, and the power to follow through.

Luke 6:20-23
"God blesses you who are hated and excluded and mocked and cursed because you are identified with me, the Son of Man" (Luke 6:22, NLT).
Weird, isn't it, how it doesn't take much more than the name of Jesus to stir up controversy?
If you're having a conversation with your friends about religion, faith or spirituality, do you ever hesitate to be real about what you believe? Hey, if you answer "yes" to that, you're not alone. The truth is it can be difficult to identify with Christ. Look at Peter in Luke 22:54-62. In one evening, three different people asked if he was with Jesus, and each time he was like, "No way--I don't even know Him."
And Jesus knew--he knew Peter would deny Him, and He knew you and I would encounter some opposition as we walk with Him and identify ourselves as "Christians" or "Christ-followers."
What is it about Jesus that makes some people freak out? It could be that some feel like you're "judging" them if you talk about following Christ and that's not a choice they've made. Or they might feel like you're trying to force them to believe what you do. Still others might feel a sense of conviction, knowing that God is pursuing a relationship with them, but they keep saying "no" to Him. Whatever the situation, you can know this for sure: If you keep your eyes focused on Jesus and determine to follow Him, no matter what, you'll be rewarded for that--according to today's verse, you'll be "blessed." Maybe not today, tomorrow or even five years from now…maybe not even until you see Jesus face to face in heaven. But eventually, your commitment to Christ, especially in the face of adversity, will be rewarded. Hold on to that hope--it'll get you through the tough times.

You've been there....You've stepped away from the masses and followed the Master as he led you up the winding path to the summit....Gently your guide invites you to sit on the rock above the tree line and look out with him at the ancient peaks that will never erode. "What is necessary is still what is sure," he confides. Just remember. "You'll go nowhere that I haven't already been. Truth will still triumph...The victory is yours...."

Luke 5:1-11
Standing at her bedside, he spoke to the fever, rebuking it, and immediately her temperature returned to normal. She got up at once and prepared a meal for them. (Luke 4:39, NLT).
One of the key components of Jesus' ministry was healing the sick. Wherever he went, crowds followed Him asking to be healed. From this alone we see that Jesus was patient and compassionate. How long would you tolerate being trailed by the sick and diseased?
But Jesus never healed anyone as a magic trick saying, "Hey! Look what I can do!" Like every blessing of God, the healing Jesus provided was meant to bring a person to a place where they could serve God better than they could before.
Look at Peter's mother-in-law. (Yes, Peter was married.) As soon as she was healed she immediately went to the kitchen and made a meal. The timing tells us that she really wanted to serve Jesus. The only thing holding her back was her illness.
Peter's mother-in-law shows us that we need a heart that desires to serve God and that He is worthy to be served. Are you suffering an illness that is preventing you from giving honor to God? Ask God for His healing touch. On the other hand, God may know you're best able to serve and honor Him as you are. But don't let anything hold you back; sick or well, your life is to be lived to His glory.

More pic's of my trip home last weekend

These pic's are of me and my cousin shooting my my nephew's crossbow. That is the first time I have ever done that and I did not like the power that it had. One time shooting it was enough for me. My uncle is in the pic above. Above is the new house that my aunt and uncle are building. My Dad is in the pic above. The other pic is the gate going to the pond. This is were I spent most of my time growing up. It is a slower pace there. There is nothing to bug you much there and I am just happy just spending time on the front porch swing.

God is often more patient with us than we are with ourselves. We assume that if we fall, we aren't born again. If we stumble, then we aren't truly converted. If we have the old desires, then we must not be a new creation. If you are anxious about this, please remember, "God began a good work in you, and I am sure he will continue it until it is finished when Jesus Christ comes again. (Philippians 1:6)

These pic's are from my weekend home. I had a good time for the most part. I really did not have much trouble flying with all that that stuff going on. Thank goodness. We had a fish fry on Saturday we had a lot of fun. The fish fry was at my Aunt and uncle's house. I also gave them my cat when we moved here so I got to see her again also.
It was also my brother's birthday. The pic to the left is me, my cousin Peggy and my Aunt Betty. The pic above is my cat that I gave them. Her name is Sabrina. I do miss her but she likes it there.

I also read this today and feel I should put it on here also.

He gives power to those who are tired and worn out;
He offers strength to the weak. Isaiah 40:29

I know that what it says in Romans 8:28 is true. This was the devotion I read today when I got home.


August 8, 2006
When Bad Things Happen
By John Fischer

When bad things happen to good people we can be assured that this is God, out to make good people better.

There are so many things in life that make us cry, “Why?” “Why me?” “Why now?” I don’t think we are capable of knowing all the answers to these questions. Our lives fit into a vast and complicated tapestry that only God could unravel, because he’s the one making it. There are things that happen in our lives that are tied in an intricate domino effect to something else happening somewhere else that we may never realize in this life. I’ve heard of enough bizarre connections to know this is happening a lot more than we realize. Chalk it up to God’s amazing creativity as he weaves his will into the events of the world.

Someone gets sick, goes to the hospital, and ends up leading the person in the next bed to the Lord. Not only this, but huge growth issues were established in both of their lives when this happened, and this started a chain of events still going on today. And we want to ask “Why?” I have a feeling God might say, “You don’t have time for that answer. Besides, you haven’t lived long enough to see the end of it. Sorry, but I could never explain it all to you. You just have to trust me.”

Our job is to look at what happens in our lives and learn from what God is trying to teach us. There are no mistakes here. God doesn’t go, “Whoops!” or to the angels: “OK, what went wrong here? Which one of you guys had Fischer this time?”

Here’s the truth of the matter: “And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them.” (Romans 8:28 NLT) Which is another way of saying that God’s purpose is in everything that you and I go through, whether we are able to see it or not. And that purpose is producing something good in and through our lives, no matter what happens. Do you believe that?

We all have things in our lives in which it is hard – almost impossible – to see God’s purpose. That doesn’t mean anything except that we are shortsighted and short on faith sometimes. That’s when we need to keep on believing and knowing that God is working things out for the best.

What about you? Is something bad happening to you right now? Think back on a time when you felt like this about something that you now see God had a purpose in, and believe that he is at work, doing the same redemptive act with what you can’t see right now and believe. Don’t stop believing.

I read this today and it really spoke to me.

We also pray that you will be strengthened with his glorious power so that you will have all the patience and endurance you need. Colossians 1:11

In order to see the Rainbow, you must first endure some Rain.

Enjoy serving the Lord, and he will give you what you want. Psalm 37:4


When we submit to God's plans, we can trust our desires. Our assignment is found at the intersection of God's plan and our pleasures...Each of us has been made to serve God in a unique way...Then longings of your heart are not be ignored; they are to be consulted. As the wind turns the weather vane, so God uses your passions to turn your life. God is too gracious to ask you to do something you hate.

Beach pic's

These are some pic's from the beach yesterday. We had a good time. Went with our friends Tom and DeeDee from Doug's work. It was really nice out there yesterday. The pick above is Tom and DeeDee. They are twice our age but we get along with them very well. I guess I am being very brave by putting a pic of me in a swimsuit on here but like the pic.

More sailboat pic's

These pic's are a couple of months old. Hopefully I can have some new pic's soon. Still have not been anywhere since I started working again. Just too tired to do much. I hope we can get away for the weekend soon.

More of my favorite pic's

Today was a much better day at work thank goodness! These are some more of my favorite pic's.

These are some of my favorite pic's

These pic's were taken at South Padre Island It is really nice there. It is a little prettier there and the water is a little clearer .

Under Construction

"IT DOTH NOT YET APPEAR WHAT WE SHALL BE." 1 JOHN 3:2


YOU say, "My life is so messed up at the moment." John replies: "Now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be." Have you ever been to a construction site? It looks like anything but a building, doesn't it? That's because "it doth not yet appear what it shall be." But bit-by-bit under the architect's supervision, bricks, beams and piles of sand start taking shape.
You may be a mess right now. Indeed if the church is doing its job there should be lots of messy people in it: people being pulled out of rough situations, people in the process of being restored. No baby comes out of the womb clean and dressed up; birth is painful and messy. But the good news is you have been spiritually reborn. You are under construction. There is a plan and purpose behind what's going on in your life. Things will come together. You see, when Christ comes into your life your spirit is immediately changed, but your emotions, appetites and attitudes still need work -lots of it. In each of us there are areas that need to be corrected and redirected. And until they are we struggle to handle them in dysfunctional and carnal ways.
Those who say, "If you were really a Christian you wouldn't act like that," tend to forget that falling down is just part of learning to walk. You can know what to do yet struggle to do it.
Relax! God is at work in your life. He won't give up on you!

Most change is incremental. Celebrate the baby steps and know that with time, prayer and steadfastness, what you are seeking you will find.

Beach pic's

This is the fishing peir where we always go swimming or just to walk down the beach. Listening to the waves is quite peaceful and we always pick up sea shells to take home with us.














These are some beach taken a few weeks ago. We went with some people Doug works with. We usually end up going with them. The pic below is of Doug and Tom paddling out into the surf you can barely see them. The other people is Tom's girlfriend DeeDee and her family. We also go out to eat quite often with them also.