A Daddy's Love

     I called my dad yesterday for Christmas. Well, actually my husband picked up the phone and asked, "What is Dad's number?" and he called. It is always so good to hear my Dad's voice, because I can feel his love for me across the miles. He lives in Kentucky, where I grew up. My parents divorced when I was in 5th grade and my Dad remained close to my sister and I. Was he perfect? Did we sometimes wait for him to show up to take us for the weekends? I really have never focused on the imperfections from my childhood. What I do know is my Dad was always there~ a phone call away. As I spoke to my Dad last night I honestly can say it was like a warm blanket over me. He sees me and knows my heart. He knows I love God and have followed Him all my life. He is proud of me and choices I have made. He is so happy for the love I have been blessed with in my marriage. My Dad loves me. He wants the best for me. Without hesitation he accepted my husband with arms wide open~ into the family, because he had a Father's eyes for me.

     My dad has lived a quiet faith in God. He is a man faithful and honest. I am proud to be his daughter. Because of his love for me I can see that this has had a tremendous effect on my relationship with God. "They" say if you received love from your earthly father~ then it is easier to receive the love of your Father in heaven. I am constantly growing in this area. Realizing it is not based on my performance or lack of, but because I am His child. Thank you Daddy for loving me unconditionally. You have been a beautiful example of my heavenly Father's love for me too.

Be Careful Little Eyes What You See...

I remember singing this song as a child:

Be careful little eyes what you see, Oh, be careful little eyes what you see. For the Father up above is looking down with love. Oh, be careful little eyes what you see.

Be careful little ears what you hear, Oh, be careful little eyes what you hear. For the Father up above is looking down with love. Oh, be careful little ears what you hear.

Today while on the computer looking at facebook and twitter I was led to a YouTube video exposing evil of the music industry. I will not post it, although it was revealing of the powers of darkness. After finishing the video I am reminded of the devil's schemes in this area. When he is exposed he fights back. I need to write this blog today to encourage you all to be self-controlled and alert. 1 Peter 4:8 Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him, standing firm in the faith~We must guard our hearts and minds. Just that little bit of information I was exposed to today, even as it was revealing of the darkness, could be used to draw in and distract.  After the video I immediately wanted to restore my mind to the goodness of God and His faithfulness. I am sad for those who are leaving the door open to the "angel of light" without even realizing. Call him lucifer, satan or any one of his demons, believe it or not, there is a battle for your soul. Ephesians 6:12-17 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything to stand. Stand firm then, with the belt of truth bucked around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. And pray . . . 

In light of the shooting in Newtown,  a door left open and evil was entertained. That evil is prowling around all of us. We recognize murder as evil, but the devil's schemes are devious. Live for God. Psalms 34:14  Turn from evil, do good; seek peace and pursue it.

Cheerful Heart is good medicine!

A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones. Proverbs 17:22


I was decorating the Christmas tree the other night with the help of Hope. She was so excited to be of assistance and I was taking full advantage of it. She drove her wheelchair around to the very spot she wanted to hang a special ornament then she said, "Proverbs 17:22 Do you have somewhere you can read this from? It is in your Bible. Can you get the Bible and read it?" I do not want to pass up these moments~ so I took the time. Proverbs 17:22 A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones. I told her that was a beautiful verse. Hope then thrust an ornament toward me with a proud smile. It was a little mouse dressed as a nurse holding a spoonful of heart shaped medicine drops. A cheerful heart is good medicine.

What is cheerful? Love is! What is love? Love is...patient, kind, does not envy, does not boast, is not proud, is not rude, is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil, but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. 1 Corinthians 13

So love forgives quickly, turns from evil, thinks on what is right and pure. Obeys God's word and peace fills your heart. A cheerful heart is good medicine !