Country Church Music - From the Heart

Greetings dear friends and family,

There are some leaves on our maple tree with hints of red showing. A sure sign that fall is approaching and the changes that come with it.

Our lives are filled with changes, some expected and some unexpected. But through all the changes that we may experience, one thing remains the same: Jesus.

So as we journey through life and encounter changes, let’s remember to focus on the cross; trusting that the love of the One who died there for us remains unchanged.

Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever. Hebrews 13:8

Let us pray: Loving God, life is filled with changes, sometimes we welcome the changes that come our way and at times we struggle to understand why. Remind our hearts to trust in you and that we never face anything alone. In your blessed Son’s name we pray. Amen.

With love and prayers from the heart,

Diane

Greetings dear friends and family,

I have a prism that a friend gave me for Christmas one year. I hung it in a window where the light could reflect off of it. When the sun would shine on it, beautiful colors were reflected around the room.

But there was a tree nearby and when its leaves appeared they blocked the sun. The prism no longer was able to reflect the light. By moving it to a different window I was once again able to enjoy its beauty and light.

We at times are like that prism. Often without realizing it earthly things begin to block our light. We no longer can reflect the light of Jesus. It is then we need to move, to let go of things that come between us and the Light. Then we can once again reflect the light of Jesus.

Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly; teach and admonish one another in all wisdom; and with gratitude in your hearts sing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs of God. And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him. Colossians 3:16-17

Let us pray: There are times God, when we let things block the light of your Son. Help us to reflect his light in all we do and say. In your glorious name we pray. Amen.

With love from the heart,

Diane

Greetings dear friends and family,

In the quietness of the early morning I am aware of the ticking of not one, but two clocks. Each is keeping time in its own rhythm. But eventually they will begin to lose time as their batteries wear down. Fresh batteries will give new life to those ticking hands.

How are you ticking this morning? Do you feel like your battery is wearing down? Don’t worry. Unlike the clock it doesn’t need to be replaced, just recharged. And Jesus will recharge your battery. He brings new life to us each day. He keeps us ticking, each in our own rhythm, to love and to serve.

As you therefore have received Christ Jesus the Lord, continue to live your lives in him, rooted and built up in him and established in the faith, just as you were taught, abounding in thanksgiving. Colossians 2:6-7

Let us pray: Loving God, recharge our souls each day, empowering us to share with others the wonders of your amazing love. In your everlasting name we pray. Amen.

With love and prayers,

Diane

Greetings dear friends and family,

Parts of eastern Nebraska and western Iowa are experiencing fog this morning. Some areas have dense fog while other areas have only slightly limited visibility. Soon the sun will burn off the fog and visibility will return to normal.

Sometimes without realizing it, we become enveloped in the fog of life. At times it may be only a haze and yet other times it is so dense that we feel completely lost. But there is hope. The Son can and will burn away our fog. In that we can trust. Thanks be to God.

Trust in the Lord with all your heart and do not rely on your own insight. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight. Proverbs 3: 5-6

Let us pray: Help us dear Lord to trust that you are always with us, especially in those times when we feel fogged in. Remind us that no fog is ever too thick for you. For with you nothing is impossible. Give our hearts and souls clear vision so that we can reach out to others who may be struggling as we journey together as your disciples, serving and loving one another. In your precious name we pray. Amen.

With prayers and love from the heart,

Diane

Greetings dear friends and family,

PASS IT ON. As I read those words on a billboard recently it took me back to my days at church camp. It was there we would sing Pass It On, a song about experiencing and passing on God’s love.

Each day ended with us gathering around a roaring camp fire. Talking, laughing, praying, and singing by its light. It was always a moving experience as we were surrounded by darkness, but yet awash in the light of the fire. There we felt safe and secure, as we experienced God’s love. Eventually though, the fire would died down and the darkness would envelope us.

The world is filled with darkness. And we at times are like that fire. We fill the darkness with our light. We experience God’s love and then we pass it on.

But yet there are times when our light dies down and darkness sets in. We forget to look to the one Light that never goes out, Jesus.

Jesus is the spark that keeps our lights burning. And even when we feel like we are in total darkness, we aren’t. For the love of Jesus is there in our hearts. And his light will reignite ours and help us to experience God’s love and to pass it on.

When Jesus spoke again to the people he said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” John 8:12

Let us pray: Loving God, you sent your Son into this world to light the way to you. Help us to live as people of the Light and to pass on to others the wonders of your love. May our lights shine brightly, as we experience your love, mercy, grace, and peace. Help us dear Father, to pass it on. In your everlasting name we pray. Amen.

With love and prayers from the heart,

Diane