Country Church Music - From the Heart

Greetings dear friends and family,

This past Saturday I attended a memorial service for a woman who had a very special place in my heart, and her memory always will. Bonnie was loved by many. She was a blessing in our lives.

God calls each of us in our own ways to live and to share his love. But first we must listen to our hearts and then follow where he leads. Bonnie did just that in the quiet, faithfulness of her actions.

Our pastor, Bob Hayden read three words to us that Bonnie had written on the side of the paper that had her final instructions. Three very simple, but powerful words. Words we all should live by:

Love one another.

Matthew 11:25-30 were chosen by Bonnie to be read at her service and I will close with the last three verses. Verses that remind us to do as Bonnie did, trust in Jesus. Bonnie had a heart filled with the love of Jesus and she shared that love so beautifully. We will miss her, but know that she has found her rest.

“Come to me, all who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.

Let us pray: Gentle Father, Thank you for blessing us with quiet souls like Bonnie in our lives, souls that teach us when we least expect it by their gentle loving ways. Help us all to quiet our hearts so that we can hear where you are calling us to serve you. Help us to remember that you created each of us, that we are precious in your sight, and to trust in you always. In your name we pray. Amen.

My love and prayers to each of you.

With peace and hope,

Diane

Greetings dear friends and family,

I can’t make the sun set, filling the western sky with colors that can take your breath away. Nor can I cause the moon to slowly rise on the eastern horizon; as the setting sun turns it into a beautiful, mystical, orange ball. Can you?

Of course, the answer is no. But we can and should give thanks to the One who created such beauty for us to enjoy. God did it out of love, just as he sent his Son to die for us. We are children of God and we are loved. Even though we fail, God’s love never will.

Thanks be to God.

“This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins.” I John 4:10

Let us pray: Loving Father, thank you for loving us so much that you sent your Son to die for our sins. You remind us each day of your love for us in the beauty that you created for us to enjoy. May we remember to give thanks to you always, for your never ending love and to share that love with one another. Amen.

Sharing God’s love and his peace,

Diane

Greetings dear friends and family,

I have three yellow roses in a vase. They were so beautiful when they were first given to me. Now they have drooping heads and are withered. They have died despite the fact that they are still in water. They started dying the moment they were cut from the main bush. They cannot be saved. They will be thrown away.

At times we become like those roses, withered and drooping. We cut ourselves off from God by thinking we can handle things on our own. We think we know what is best. We lose our focus and our souls start to wither and droop, just as the flowers did.

But unlike the roses, we can be saved. We are not just thrown away. As children of God, we have the hope and promise of Jesus’ death and resurrection. We can go to God with a repentive heart and his forgiving love will cause our withering, drooping, souls to be renewed. Our focus returns to him. We once again become the beautiful souls God created us to be. Thanks be to God.

“As for man, his days are like grass, he flourishes like a flower of the field; the wind blows over it and it is gone, and its place remembers it no more. But from everlasting to everlasting the Lord’s love is with those who fear him.” Psalm 103:15-17

Let us pray: Life giving Father, pour out your renewing love upon us especially when we least deserve it. Nourish our hearts and souls so that we may serve you, sharing you love and mercy with others. In your name we pray. Amen.

You are beautiful flowers in God’s garden…..keep blooming and growing for him.

My prayers and my love,

Diane