Country Church Music - From the Heart

Greetings dear friends and family,

The sounds of fireworks near and far last night reminded me that the Fourth of July is quickly approaching. As a nation we will celebrate our independence.

Sunday after church at a meeting, I sat next to a grandma holding her precious new born grandson. He was nestled in her arms, totally dependent on her to care for him as he peacefully slept.

Too often in life we forget to become like that precious little one and nestle in the arms of our Creator. That we can depend on God for all our needs and that all good things come from him.

So as we prepare to celebrate our independence as a nation, may we also remember to celebrate our dependence on God. Each and every day with grateful hearts, let us give thanks and praise for his never ending love, mercy, grace and peace.

And so we know and rely on the love God has for us. God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God and God in him. I John 4:16

Let us pray: Loving God, you created us in your image to serve you and bring glory to your name. Help us to be like that dear little one, totally dependent and at peace in your tender loving care. For it is there in your arms we are renewed and empowered to live as your children and spread the good news of your love. In your glorious and everlasting name we pray. Amen.

With love and prayers,

Diane

Greetings dear friends and family,

Some of you already know and now I would like to share with the rest of you. Last week my best and dearest friend Lorie was diagnosed with uterine cancer. She is scheduled for surgery tomorrow, Tuesday June 23. Lorie sent me this Psalm sometime back as it touched her heart. I would like to share it with her and all of you and ask that you lift her up in pray as she journeys through the days ahead.

Psalm 16

Protect me, O God, for in you I take refuge.
I say to the Lord, “You are my Lord;
I have no good apart from you.”

As for the holy ones in the land, they are the noble,
in whom is all my delight.

Those who choose another god multiply their sorrows;
their drink offerings of blood I will not pour out
or take their names upon my lips.

The Lord is my chosen portion and my cup;
you hold my lot.
The boundary lines have fallen for me in pleasant places;
I have a goodly heritage.

I bless the Lord who gives me counsel;
in the night also my heart instructs me.
I keep the Lord always before me;
because he is at my right hand, I shall not be moved.

Therefore my heart is glad, and my soul rejoices;
my body also rests secure.
For you do not give me up to Sheol,
or let your faithful one see the Pit.

You show me the path of life.
In your presence there is fullness of joy;
in your right hand are pleasures forevermore.

Let us pray. Loving God, Help us to ever trust in you. No matter what we may face, you walk there beside us. Pour out your healing love upon Lorie and all who are ill or in pain. As we journey through this week, help us to live as your children, bringing hope to others as we spread your love and your peace. In your everlasting name we pray. Amen.

With love,

Diane

Greetings dear friends and family,

Sunday during worship our six year old grandson Andrew looked up at me. He was grinning from ear to ear. I know what that says, he whispered loudly, as he pointed to the Communion banner hanging at the front of our church. It says Given for you. He was right.

Given for you, three simple but life changing words. Words that reminds us, that we have been given a gift, a very precious gift. As you journey through your week, may your hearts rejoice at knowing and give thanks for the gift that was given for you, for me, for all…..JESUS.

And for those of you who know and love Andrew, I’m sure the following question he posed to me Sunday afternoon will make you smile. Do pastors always tell the truth? But that story perhaps is for another day.

Will close now with the much loved words from John 3.

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: Loving Father, just as the falling rains wash clean and renew the earth, rain down upon us your cleansing and renewing love, empowering us to go forth as your servants to share with others the good news of Jesus. In your name we pray. Amen.

With love and prayers,

Diane

Greetings dear friends and family,

Prayer changes things. I happened to see those words when I turned the television on the other day. The scene was a city setting with lots of buildings and signs. Those words were written on the side of a distant building. Just as I happened to see them, the scene changed. Those three words had been on my mind much since then.

Does prayer change things or does prayer change us? Or does prayer do both?

I thought about sharing my heart, but then that would just be what my heart feels. Instead I will let you ponder those questions. Spend some time with God. Share your heart with him. He will always listen.

Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:6-7

Let us pray: Listening God, so often we fail to turn to you in prayer. Pour out your Spirit upon us and help us to see that we can take anything to you in prayer. Fill our hearts with peace, hope, and love. Help us to trust that you walk with us always and that your will shall be done. In your glorious name we pray. Amen.

With prayers and love,

Diane

Greetings dear friends and family,

Early Sunday evening as I hand watered my flowers, I noticed that one of our new plants had a bud on it. I figured in a day or two I would get to see it bloom. To my surprise and delight just a few hours later at sunset, the bloom had opened. What once was a green, plain looking bud was now a beautiful yellow flower. It had opened in God’s time, not mine. It was a reminder to me of what an awesome God we have, and that every good thing comes from him.

As I am writing this we are receiving a beautiful, gentle, renewing rain. The birds are singing their morning songs, welcoming in the new day. To God be all glory and praise.

So as you journey through your day, remember that you were created by God for a purpose. You are so precious to him, and his Spirit is with you always. Each day we begin anew, washed in the life giving waters of baptism. And may we, like the flower bloom for our Creator. Then others can see the joy in our hearts and come to know the hope and promise we have in Jesus.

May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. Roman 15:13

Let us pray: Heavenly Father, pour out your Spirit upon us, stirring up our hearts and souls so that we may bloom for you. In your glorious name we pray. Amen.

With love and prayers,

Diane