Country Church Music - From the Heart

Greetings dear friends and family,

As our Lenten journey continues we are nearing Holy Week. It is a week that will be filled with many emotions.

We will begin by celebrating Christ’s triumphant entry into Jerusalem next Sunday. Then a few days later we will be standing at the foot of the cross. With tears in our eyes and aching hearts, we will remember his sacrifice. Christ died, so that we may live.

On Easter Sunday we will celebrate His victory over death. Our tears of sadness will become tears of joy as we lift our voices giving thanks and praise to God. It will feel so good to once again be able to sing alleluia.

But it does not end there. It is only the beginning. We need to let go of those earthy things and ways that cause us to focus only on ourselves. Our focus must to be on Jesus. He has called us to follow him. To do this we are to become humble servants, willing to work together to spread the good news. Christ was willing to lose his life for us. Are we willing to lose our life for him?

Then Jesus told his disciples, “If any want to become my followers, let then deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. For those who want to save their life will lose it, and those who lose their life for my sake will find it.” Matthew 16:24-25

Let us pray: Loving God, your love for us is a love that is without end. Helps us to see that it is when we let go of things in our lives that cause us to fall away from you that we can see more clearly where you are calling us, that we must turn from ourselves and turn to you. Help us to trust that you journey with us always and that when our journey here on earth is done, we have a home in heaven with you. In your name we pray. Amen.

With love and prayers,

Diane

Greetings dear friends and family,

For God so loved the world. That’s right. God loves us so much, that he gave us the most priceless gift: his Son.

It is the gift that never stops giving. How often do we turn away from Jesus, only to realize that he never turns from us. We fail, but Jesus never does. When we stumble, it is Jesus who reaches out in love to help us up and guide us on our way.

Jesus came to save, not condemn. He paid the ultimate price. He gave his life for you and for me. So that when we die, we will not perish. Thanks be to God.

For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him may not perish but may have eternal life. John 3:16

Let us pray: Merciful God, out of love you sent your Son to die for us. Help us to realize that there is nothing we can do to earn your love, that we must simply open our hearts and accept your gift of love, mercy, grace, and peace. In your name we pray. Amen

God loves you! Share the good news.

With love and prayers,

Diane

Greetings dear friends and family,

Spring is to arrive this week. Soon the ground will begin to thaw and before long seeds will be planted. Seeds that must die so new life can begin.

Our hearts are like those seeds. To grow in Christ, we must die to ourselves. We have to let go of our old selves, so that Christ’s love can grow in our hearts.

As we continue our Lenten journey our focus remains on the cross. Christ paid the ultimate price there so that we can have new life with him. Thanks be to God.

I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ’s lives in me. The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. Galatians 2:20

Let us pray: Loving God, you sent your Son to die for us, so that we can have the hope and promise of eternal life. Help us to let go of our old selves and to live for Christ, the True Vine and bear much fruit for him as we share his love and live his love with those around us. In your everlasting name we pray. Amen

With love and prayers,

Diane

Greetings dear friends and family,

I drove into a wall of fog last Thursday night as I headed home from a meeting. I could not see the road before me. Moments later the fog was gone and the road was in view. It wasn’t long though and I was once again driving in foggy conditions. It continued like that much of the way home.

As I came to the top of a hill it was clear and I could see the lights of Fremont off in the distance. As I descended into the valley I was blanketed once again by fog. Only this time it didn’t disappear. I became disoriented. I felt lost in the fog. It was such a relief when the street lights became visible through the fog and I knew I was almost home.

The same thing can happen in our daily lives. We see things clearly and then suddenly the fog sets in. We become disoriented and feel lost. Often this happens when we take our focus off of Christ. We forget to look to our beacon of hope and to trust that he walks with us always. That he will guide us through the foggy times in our lives on our journey homeward to him.

Look to the Lord and his strength; seek his face always. Psalm 105:4

Let us pray: Loving God, there are times when we become lost in the fog of life. So many things call out for our attention and we become so wrapped up in earthly matters that we forget to still our hearts and listen to the whisper of your voice. Help us to refocus and to look to you, as you clear the fog away, so that we can see the hope and promise we have in Jesus. Amen.

With love and prayers,

Diane

Greetings dear friends and family,

Just as I am. Those words were being sung as I approached the altar at church Sunday to receive The Body and Blood of Christ. They are four simple words. But when we realize that is how Christ accepts us, they become words of hope. Hope that all is not lost because of our sinfulness.

Christ hung on the cross so that we can go to him, just as we are. He sees through the barriers we put up. He sees deep into our hearts and souls. There is no hiding the baggage we carry. All of our sins, pains, and sorrows: Jesus knows them. Each and every one of them and still he beckons us to come, just as we are.

Jesus is waiting for us, not just at the altar, but always. He waits with arms wide open ready to forgive, heal, and restore. 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 God, you know our hearts. You know how much we hurt at times. Help us to remember that we can find forgiveness, hope, comfort, and peace when we let go of our baggage, and lay it at the feet of your Son. Help us to share with others the good news of your love and of the hope and promise we have in Jesus. In your glorious name we pray. Amen.

Blessings on your week.

With love and prayers,

Diane