I AM my brother's keeper.

By the time a man reaches the age of 57, he's most likely looking forward to retirement or at least easing back a bit on his workload.  But, what happens when this man finds himself laid off from his job, lost within a sea of others who comprise a (now) 30% unemployment rate in our community?  He becomes a statistic within the new generation of homeless in our country.  A generation that is growing at such a rapid rate that government agencies, faith-based and benevolent groups cannot keep up with.

Meet James.  He is not an alcoholic, not an addict, not a felon and does not suffer from mental illness.  If he fit into one of these "categories" it might be easier to understand his current situation.  James has worked hard his entire life, beginning as a child picking tobacco at the farm where he grew up.  As an adult, he worked at one of our local furniture manufacturers, ultimately becoming a supervisor.  When that company relocated overseas, James went to work for another manufacturer which, ultimately swept him out with dozens of other workers in one of its many layoffs.  That was a year and a half ago. 

When his unemployment compensation could no longer keep up with rent, utilities and other basic expenses, James found himself with barely more than the clothes on his back.  A local church paid for several nights in one of our low-cost motels which, is where I first met James.  The motel manager called my pastor because it was obvious to her that James was in need of assistance.  He was not expecting me, so when I met him sitting with his Bible open and TV tuned to a church service, I knew he was not setting a stage for my sake.  Rather, he was clinging to his faith while trying to wrap his mind around the circumstances that had now become his life.  A life that no longer supports a once hard-working man's basic needs of food, clothing and shelter. 

So what does the future hold for James?  The answer to that monumental question is not clear right now.  What is clear though - I AM my brother's keeper and so are you if we are followers of Christ.  

When you meet (a) James, and chances are you will, what will you do? 

1 John 3:17 "But if someone who is supposed to be a Christian has money enough to live well, and sees a brother in need, and won't help him--how can God's love be within him?"

1 John 3:18 "Little children, let us stop just saying we love people; let us really love them, and show it by our actions." 

1 John 3:19 "Then we will know for sure, by our actions, that we are on God's side, and our consciences will be clear, even when we stand before the Lord."

My Brother’s Keeper Prayer

Lord . . .

When I have food, Help me to remember the hungry.

When I lie in my bed, Help me to remember those who sleep on the floor.

When I have a warm home, Help me to remember the homeless.

When I have work, Help me to remember those without jobs.

When I experience the joy of giving to my children, Help me to remember the agony of those who must watch their children go without.

By remembering, Help me to destroy my indifference and arouse my compassion.

Make me concerned enough to act in your name, to help those who cry out to you for that which I so often take for granted.

Amen  

(Prayer from www.mybrotherskeeper.org)


A portion of proceeds from every purchase you make from one of my Websites goes to help someone who is hungry, hurting or homeless.

www.LittleCherubsBoutique.com

www.InLovingMemoryGifts.com

www.InspirationalGiftsAndDecor.com

We are Christ's "body" on earth

"Christ has no body now on earth but yours,
no hands but yours, no feet but yours.

Yours are the eyes through which to look at Christ's
compassion to the world.

Yours are the feet with which He is to go about doing good.

And yours are the hands with which He is to bless us now."
~St. Teresa of Avila 1515-1582

Though these words were penned in the 1500's, they are SO very true today. As followers of Christ, we are commanded to love our fellow man as He would. We are to do the work that He began here so long ago. As individuals, we fall short of the ability to change a nation but, as individuals, we can each do something to make someone's life better. If each of us do something our community will be a better place.

Today, pray asking God what He would have YOU do. Then, open your heart, your eyes and your spirit for the answer.

Father, open my eyes, my spirit and my heart today and show me what I can do to help even one person. Help me to be sensitive to your Holy Spirit's leading so that I don't miss an opportunity to serve others for you. Amen

"Dear children, let us not love with words or tongue but with actions and in truth." 1 John 3:17-18



Please support our efforts to bring the gift of warmth and compassion to the homeless. Purchase ANY cross pendant or necklace from either of our websites and 100% of the profits go to buy Friendship Blankets for the homeless. If you'd prefer, for just $12.66, you can purchase a Friendship Blanket in honor or memory of someone special. We make NO monestary profit on the Friendship Blankets. Our profit is knowing that you and I are making a difference in people's lives. Please, open your hearts!
www.InspirationalGiftsAndDecor.com
www.LittleCherubsBoutique.com

He is in control of all situations.

I'm a pretty upbeat and positive person by nature but yesterday I found myself feeling a bit blue most of the day. Lingering within my thoughts was the fact that sales have dropped on my websites rather than increasing during what is typically known as the start of the Christmas shopping season. My desire for sales is truly not for personal income because I'm blessed to have a husband who provides very well in that area. But, I want to serve God by helping my church family provide food and blankets for the homeless in our community. God has clearly put in my heart to give 100% of all profits made from the sale of any cross pendant or cross necklace I sell to buy blankets. I am to give 10% of all other profits to help buy food.

Seeing no sales the past week, left me feeling discouraged. By the time I was ready to turn the computer off last night, my discouragement had turned to a low-grade anger. From the desktop view on my computer monitor, I saw the links to my two websites. I sat there looking at the links for a few moments, then decided to step out on faith, put my fingers on the screen, and pray. If this seems foreign to you, let me just say that touching the screen was simply a tangible point of contact for my prayers nothing more. I prayed that God would allow me to make a sale on both of my websites. This was truly stepping out in faith because I'm used to making a sale on one site or the other, not both in one day. I told God that I would give him the honor for the sales.

Well folks, this morning when I checked my e-mails, there were two sale notifications - one for each of my websites!!! My heart was so full that my eyes were flooding with tears. God was clearly reminding me that He is in control, that He hears my prayers, and that He knows the attitude of my heart.

I was also reminded that because I am obeying what God has directed me to do, I can rest in knowing that He will handle the outcome. I must trust in God's timing, not my own. I must trust, knowing that though I may not understand, HE does. I am simply a vessel doing what I am purposed to do. I am not responsible for anything other than that! Proverbs 3:5-6 "Trust the Lord completely; don't ever trust yourself. In everything you do, put God first, and He will direct you and crown your efforts with success."

Father, I thank you for the lessons you continue to teach me as I struggle to remove my feelings and emotions from situations, to do what you have called me to do, and to turn the rest over to you. I thank you Lord for answering prayers and renewing the passion that is in my heart to help others. Thank you Lord for allowing me to be a vessel to show your love to others. Forgive my doubting heart and I thank you for for reminding me that your timing is perfect in all situations! Amen.




Please support our efforts to bring the gift of warmth and compassion to the homeless. Purchase ANY cross pendant or necklace from either of our websites and 100% of the profits go to buy Friendship Blankets for the homeless. If you'd prefer, for just $12.66, you can purchase a Friendship Blanket in honor or memory of someone special. We make NO monestary profit on the Friendship Blankets. Our profit is knowing that you and I are making a difference in people's lives. Please, open your hearts!
www.InspirationalGiftsAndDecor.com
www.LittleCherubsBoutique.com

Hope is not a denial of reality.

I've always found it just short of offensive when I hear a nonbeliever refer to Christians as not living in reality or, that we walk around with our head in the clouds. No..... we just have a different way of facing reality. It's called "HOPE" and I cannot imagine life without it.

Pastoral counselor Andrew D Lester writes, "Hope does not function as an opiate that causes people to deny reality. In fact, hope provides the courage to face whatever chaos and trauma life throws at us. Hope does not try to avoid the pain of finite existence nor is it naive about suffering."

There are many scriptures about hope and one that I love is found in 1 Thessalonians 1:3 "We continually remember before our God and Father your work produced by faith, your labor prompted by love, and your endurance inspired by hope in our Lord Jesus Christ." "...endurance inspired by hope in our Lord Jesus Christ." What beautiful words!

Last week, I heard a pastor on the radio make this statement, "Hope is not about denying reality. It is about coping with reality." AMEN!







TEN PERCENT OF ALL PROFIT MADE ON MY WEBSITES (LISTED BELOW) GOES TO HELP FEED THOSE IN NEED IN OUR AREA. PLEASE, do what you
can to serve the hungry and homeless in your community.

www.LittleCherubsBoutique.com
"Quality clothing & gifts for your little cherubs!"

www.InspirationalGiftsAndDecor.com
"Meaningful gifts that warm the heart, encourage
the spirit and add a little inspiration to life."

"There but by the grace of God, go I."

I love fall. It's always been my very favorite time of the year. There's always a sense of anticipation in the air for me during this time. I'm a true "nester" and fall ignites my senses and I'm flooded with wonderful memories of home from the first crisp days of this season. It's a time of making homemade comfort foods like chili, stew and vegetable soup, smelling and hearing a fire in the fireplace and feeling the warmth of a snuggly blanket or down comforter. A perfect day to me is to have a fire in the fireplace, something wonderful in the crockpot sending inviting aromas through the house, snuggled up in a throw, watching snow falling outside.

This year, I'm finding my thoughts turning more and more to those who may be dreading this time of year. Their anticipation is not of the blessings of this season, but of the added burdens it brings. For many, there is no warmth, no shelter, no food. Others aren't sure from week to week if they will have to choose between shelter or food because their funds are so limited that they cannot afford both. Food and shelter should not be considered luxury items and yet it seems they've become so for many precious souls. "There but by the grace of God, go I."

As I enjoy the beauty of this fall season and the comforts I have, I pray that God shows me many ways in which I can share these comforts with folks who otherwise wouldn't have them. I pray that He will open my eyes to all opportunities where I can serve Him by serving others.

Father, let my eyes, my heart and my spirit be open to see others as you do. Let me not pass by a single person with a need that I can meet either in part or in whole. Lord, as I enjoy the comforts of home and food in this season, let my thoughts and prayers turn to those dear people who have so much less and move me to action. In Jesus' name I pray, Amen.




TEN PERCENT OF ALL PROFIT MADE ON MY WEBSITES (LISTED BELOW) GOES TO HELP FEED THOSE IN NEED IN OUR AREA. PLEASE, do what you
can to serve the hungry and homeless in your community.


www.LittleCherubsBoutique.com
"Quality clothing & gifts for your little cherubs!"

www.InspirationalGiftsAndDecor.com
"Meaningful gifts that warm the heart, encourage
the spirit and add a little inspiration to life."

Rest in times of stress.

So many people are living under stress and pressures these days. If not kept in perspective, the pressures and stress can mound upon us pushing our spirits deeper and deeper into darkness until it seems that there is virtually no light around us. But, there IS light, we just have to catch a glimmer and FOCUS on it instead of the darkness.

Are you burdened down with worries these days? Call upon the Lord in prayer. Close your eyes and see yourself laying your head upon his chest as he embraces the cares of your heart away.

Come unto Me and rest

I heard the voice of Jesus say,
Come unto me and rest;
Lay down, thou weary one,
Lay down Thy head upon my breast.
I came to Jesus as I was,
Weary, and worn, and sad;
I found in him a resting-place,
And he has made me glad.

I heard the voice of Jesus say,
Behold, I freely give
The living water; thirsty one,
Stoop down and drink, and live.
I came to Jesus, and I drank
Of that life-giving stream;
My thirst was quenched, my soul revived,
And now I live in him.

I heard the voice of Jesus say,
I am this dark world's light;
Look unto me, thy morn shall rise,
And all thy day be bright.
I looked to Jesus, and I found
In him my Star, my Sun;
And in that light of life I'll walk
Till traveling days are done.

By Horatius Bonar, 1846

"My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you.

Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid."

John 14:27

www.LittleCherubsBoutique.com
"Quality clothing & gifts for your little cherubs!"

www.InspirationalGiftsAndDecor.com
"Meaningful gifts that warm the heart, encourage
the spirit and add a little inspiration to life."

Do you have " X-Ray" vision?

Some of us are old enough to remember comic books. The comics may not always have been entertaining to me, but the ads contained within, sure were. One of my favorite ads was for x-ray vision glasses,
proclaiming, "...many amazing, astounding, illusionary "X-ray" views are yours to see..." If these glasses had really worked, they would have given us a very different view of the world around us. We could have seen things that people usually kept hidden from our view.

How differently would we treat people if we could "see" what they keep hidden from the world? What if we could see their hurts, their inner pain, their struggles? Well, we can. We don't need a special pair of glasses because the Holy Spirit can reveal those hidden hurts in others if we are truly seeking to help them. While we can't meet every need that every person has, each of us can do something to meet someone's needs. "Silver or gold I do not have, but what I have I give you . . ." Acts 3:6

Today, begin praying for God to give you "X-ray" vision. Ask him to reveal those hidden hurts and needs in others. Then, open your heart and listen for the Holy Spirit to move you to compassionately meet those needs.
"Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers." Galatians 6:10
"He will reply, 'I tell you the truth, whatever you did not do for one of the least of these, you did not do for me." Matthew 25:45




www.InspirationalGiftsAndDecor.com
"Meaningful gifts that warm the heart, encourage
the spirit and add a little inspiration to life."

Finding shelter in God during times of trouble.

"Be good to me, God—and now! I've run to you for dear life. I'm hiding out under your wings until the hurricane blows over." Psalm 57:1 (The Message translation)

If you are a parent, you have probably experienced a time when your child was frightened enough to cling to you for comfort. Sometimes, words are not enough to calm a frightened child. They need to bury their little faces into our chest and feel our reassuring embrace until the upsetting situation passes.

We adults can find ourselves in such despair that, like children, we need to feel the arms of our Father holding us securely. We need to be reassured that everything will be all right.

The next time you find your heart breaking, your spirit wounded, your mind spinning or in such despair that you don't know what to do, remember David's words in Psalm 57. Close your eyes and picture yourself safely sheltered under God's wings. Feel his reassuring embrace as you bury your face into his chest. Take a long, slow, deep breath and breathe in the calming attitude that surrounds your Father. Let all fear and despair leave your body, mind and spirit as you breathe out.

Psalm 56:3 "When I am afraid, I will trust in you." (NIV translation)

Psalm 91:4 "He will cover you with his feathers, and under his wings you will find refuge: his faithfulness wil be your shield and rampart."

Trust in the secure love of our Father to comfort and shelter you during times of trouble.



www.InspirationalGiftsAndDecor.com
"Meaningful gifts that warm the heart, encourage
the spirit and add a little inspiration to life."

Remembering 9/11

Ground Zero.......let us NEVER forget to pray for the men and women who lost their lives during this tragic day in our country's history. Let us also pray for the families left behind.

"Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me, your rod and your staff, they comfort me." Psalm 23:4

www.InspirationalGiftsAndDecor.com
"Meaningful gifts that warm the heart, encourage
the spirit and add a little inspiration to life."

Going through the motions?

Have you ever found yourself growing complacent in your walk with God? When things are going easily in life, it's easy to find ourselves simply going through the motions. This is a dangerous place to be. Not only can we be caught off guard and end up in situations that are detrimental to us but also we can so easily miss God's blessings.

Life is short; this is not a dress-rehearsal. Let's purpose to not allow ourselves to simply go through the motions in life. Seek God's direction, get excited about life and live each day with His perfect passion!

Let the words of Matthew West's song, The Motions, really sink into your heart.

I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were either one or the other! ¹⁶So, because you are lukewarm—neither hot nor cold—I am about to spit you out of my mouth. ~Revelation 3:15-16


www.InspirationalGiftsAndDecor.com
"Meaningful gifts that warm the heart, encourage
the spirit and add a little inspiration to life."

Inspiration for the week

Walking along the paths of life, there are level, smooth paths and there are those that are uneven, steep or rocky; the later requires more attention than the first. We must carefully choose our steps, mindful of our footing so we don't veer off into a ditch, turn an ankle or stumble and fall.

The older I get the more I've come to realize that my walk with Christ is often on the challenging path. I need to stay focused, be mindful of my steps, careful not to veer off.

Smooth paths are easily forgotten as we walk aimlessly along, our thoughts drifting. The challenging paths are the ones we remember and often take us to places the smooth ones cannot, where the view is spectacular!

"My steps have held to your paths; my feet have not slipped."
~Psalm 17:5