Country Church Music - From the Heart

Greetings dear friends and family,

Sunday a front moved through Nebraska bringing with it winds over 30 miles per hour and at times gusts even higher. Fallen leaves were at the mercy of the wind. Stopping briefly when they came in contact with a fence or some other stationary object, only to be blown further along when a gust came up.

That same wind whipped the branches on our maple tree to and fro. At times so violently I thought they would break. All the while the trunk of the tree remained steady. Its roots firmly embedded in the soil.

When we are rooted in Christ and his love we can withstand the winds of life. The gusts may come and shake our branches. But when our roots are embedded in Christ, we are not at the mercy of the life, but of Christ. And his mercy endures forever.

I pray that, according to the riches of his glory, he may grant that you may be strengthened in your inner being with power through his Spirit, and that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith, as you are being rooted and grounded in love. I pray that you may have the power to comprehend, with all the saints, what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, so that you may be filled with all the fullness of God. Now to him who by the power at work within us is able to accomplish abundantly far more than all we can ask or imagine, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen. Ephesians 3:16-21

Let us pray: Merciful God, give us roots of faith embedded in your precious Son, roots that can hold us steady when life tries to sweep us along like the fallen leaves. Keep us grounded in his love, a love that knows no bounds. In your everlasting name we pray. Amen.

With love from the heart,

Diane

Greetings dear friends and family,

“Life is not measured by the breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away.” (author unknown)

Yes, there are those moments in our lives that take our breath away. Moments filled with awe and amazement by the things God does. But I wonder how many moments do we miss out on when we fail to trust God?

What breath taking moments do we miss when we clinch our fists and our hearts out of fear or anger? How about when we let the busyness of our lives push God aside? And how often do we hold on to the past so tightly that we miss those special moments God sets right before us?

When we learn to trust God, he opens our hands and our hearts. He works in and through us. We can see with new eyes those special moments. And then our lives can truly be measured by the moments that take our breath away.

God holds us all in the palm of his hand…..and at this moment, that very thought should take our breath away.

He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the Lord, “He is my refuge and my fortress, my God in who I trust.” Psalm 91:1-2

Let us pray: Almighty God, open our hands and our hearts so that we can experience the moments you have planned for us, moments that will take our breath away. Use our lives in ways that glorify you. In your everlasting name we pray. Amen.

With love and prayers from the heart,

Diane

Greetings dear friends and family,

Directions. These days with all the different computer software and other devices that are available, all you have to do is type in where you want to go and you can get the directions. You can even get directions for the shortest route or the fastest route. These directions, if followed, should get you where you want to go.

But how about directions for our hearts? What route should we take? And where will it lead us?

There is a route, the Jesus route and the Bible is filled with directions to help us follow his route. But first we have to place our trust in him. We have to let go of our old ways and realize that we must fully rely on him.

No, it may not be the shortest or fastest route, but it is the route best followed. For it is the route that the shadow of the cross falls upon. The cross on which Christ died for you and for me. It is a life giving route filled with God’s unending love, mercy, grace, and peace.

Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding. Proverbs 3:5

Let us pray: Loving God, you created each of us, we belong to you. As we journey through this life, guide our hearts and help us to live as your children. Break through our old ways and help us to realize that Jesus is the One True Way. The way that will lead us home to you. In your name pray. Amen.

With love and prayers,

Diane

Greetings dear friends and family,

Keep sailing with Jesus. Those were the words at the end of an e-mail update that I received from a maritime chaplain. As I have sat here pondering what to share today, those words, keep sailing with Jesus, seem to speak to my heart.

There are times as we sail through life when things are going well. Our sails are raised and as the breezes catch them, we are easily propelled along upon the peaceful waters.

Then suddenly out of nowhere a storm comes crashing down upon us. The winds and the waves threaten to tear our sails apart. We struggle to maintain control.

There are also times when we hit the doldrums and our sails hang motionless. We seem to be going nowhere. We are unsure of what to do or what will come next.

A life with Jesus is not always smooth sailing. But no matter where we are on the sea of life, one thing is for sure. Jesus is right there in our boats with us. He anchors himself to our hearts. Holding us steady and helping us stay on course. The course that will lead us home.

Keep sailing with Jesus……for he can calm the raging waters and breathe life into our sails.

We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure. It enters the inner sanctuary behind the curtain, where Jesus, who went before us, has entered on our behalf . Hebrews 6:19-20a

Let us pray: Jesus, you are there with us as we journey across the sea of life. Anchor our hearts and help us to trust that you will never abandon our ship, that through the storms and the calm, you are there right beside us, showing us the way. In you glorious name we pray. Amen.

With love and prayers from the heart,

Diane