Country Church Music - From the Heart

Greetings dear friends and family,

The following words are on the side of a beautiful candle I received from a dear friend last November for my birthday:

Friendship…..brings joy to our lives and happiness to our hearts.

Thank you to each of you for the joy and happiness you bring to my life and my heart.

I thank my God every time I remember you, constantly praying with joy in every one of my prayers for all of you, because of your sharing in the gospel from the first day until now. I am confident of this, that the one who began a good work among you will bring it to completion by the day of Jesus Christ. Philippians 1:3-6

Let us pray: Heavenly Father, thank you for the blessing of friends and family in our lives. Help us to remember that like a candle, we will not grow dimmer if we share the light in our hearts with others. Guide our hearts and stir our souls so that we may always shine brightly for you. In your everlasting name we pray. Amen.

Have a good week. Jesus loves you!

With love, gratitude, and prayers,

your sister in Christ,

Diane

Greetings dear friends and family,

This Thursday the festival the Ascension of our Lord is observed. It is a day that often goes by unnoticed.

Christ’s earthly journey began in a stable. Born as an innocent babe, and though he remained sinless, he hung and died on the cross for our sins. Forty days after his resurrection he ascended back into heaven, to sit at the right hand of God. His earthly time was over. He had done what he came to do. Out of love he gave his life for us, so that one day we can join him in heaven to spend eternity with our Creator.

We, as disciples of Christ and children of God are called to spread the good news of Christ’s resurrection. We are to live as he did while here on earth, loving and serving one another.

Let us remember this Thursday, with hearts full of joy, the day Christ returned home to God. And let us give thanks to God for his never ending love, mercy, grace, and peace.

When he had led them out to the vicinity of Bethany, he lifted up his hands and blessed them. While he was blessing them, he left them and was taken up into heaven. Luke 24:50-51

Let us pray: Loving God, help us to follow in Christ’s footsteps, loving one another and sharing with others the hope and promise we have in you. So often we fail, hurting others with our words and actions. Pour out your forgiving and healing love upon us, so that we can continue forward on the path before us. The path that leads us home to you. In your glorious and ever lasting name we pray. Amen

Have a blessed week, living in God’s love.

With love and prayers,

Diane

Greetings dear friends and family,

Sunday, Kenny and I were traveling to visit my best friend Lorie. For much of our journey the roads were fairly straight and flat. Then about an hour away from Lorie’s home in Wisconsin the road turned into hills and curves. According to the map it was the best way to get there.

Even though it did not seem like it, following those hills and curves was leading us to where we wanted to be. When we arrived at Lorie’s and were wrapped in her warm embracing hugs, I knew those hills and curves had indeed led us right where we wanted to be.

Sometimes our lives seem to have many hills and curves, times when we can’t see what lies ahead. It is hard to be patient and trust that we are on the right path. Then suddenly we realize that yes, we are on the right path. That at times, hills and curves are the best way to get where we want to be.

Whether we are traveling a straight and flat road or there are hills and curves before us, we can trust that God knows the way. He journey the road with us. We need to trust in his directions as he continues to guide us on our journey home to him.

Make me to know your ways, O Lord, teach me your paths. Lead me in your truth and teach me, for you are the God of my salvation; for you I wait all day long. Psalm 25:4-5

Let us pray: Loving God, so often we can’t see where we are going. We struggle up hills and around curves, not knowing if we are on the right path, the path that leads us home to you. Help us to trust that you know the way and even when we struggle you are there right beside us urging us to focus on the cross and Christ’s victory over death and that through his death and resurrection we have been given the precious gift of eternal life. In your glorious name we pray. Amen.

With love and hugs from my heart to yours,

Diane

Greetings dear friends and family,

This past weekend churches across the country observed Good Shepherd Sunday. It is a time when much loved scriptures are read. Scriptures that bring comfort, hope, and peace to our lives.

Below are the beautiful words of the 23^rd Psalm. (King James Version) Read them slowly, let them speak to your heart and remind you just how precious you are to the Good Shepherd. So precious, that he gave his life for you.

¹The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.

²He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters.

³He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name’s sake.

⁴Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.

⁵Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.

⁶Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the LORD for ever.

Let us pray: Loving Shepherd, watch over us, guiding and caring for us as a shepherd his sheep, for we are your flock and you know us each by name. Call out to our hearts and helps us to follow where you lead. In your name we pray. Amen

With love,

Diane

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