Wednesday, December 31, 2008

Happy New Year!!

Good morning, Dear Friends and Prayer Partners! This is the day that the Lord has made and we will rejoice and be glad in it! When I stepped outside this morning, the chilly air was kind of a surprise, because we have been warm for so long. But I know it will soon warm up and we will be at almost 80 degrees again! God is good!

Have you noticed the evening sky lately? For a gorgeous sight, look to the west, and see the crescent moon with Venus high above and tiny Jupiter far to the bottom west. God's Creation is Awesome!

I have enjoyed my brief vacation from the morning email, almost as much as I enjoyed having the family here for Christmas. It was wonderful to have our sons and grandson here and to spend time with them, even though Brian spent most of Christmas day in bed and did not feel too perky for several days due to some kind of virus. But the rest of us did not get it, and the weather stayed perfect. We were blessed!

My prayer for all in the New Year, is that you will be blessed with whatever you need; work, good health, rest and a deep reliance on our Lord for all you need!

From Hymns for the Family of God:

Prayer of Concern for Others

Father, help me to talk like a Christian:
to speak in such a way that I build up another person's
confidence in himself, instead of tearing down his reputation.

Father, help me to drive like a Christian:
to be watchful and careful lest I cause harm to someone else
on the highways.

Father, help me to give like a Christian:
without thought of return, without anyone knowing what I
do, and with Your approval as sufficient reward.

Father, help me to dress like a Christian:
by not attracting attention to myself for being too fashionable
or too casual; and help me to show by my appearance
that I want people to know me for what I am inside myself.

Father, help me to sleep like a Christian:
At peace with myself because sin is forgiven; and at peace with
others because I do not allow my anger to last through a day.

Father, help me to eat like a Christian:
to eat healthily, to eat moderately, to eat gratefully, giving
thanks to You who provide my food, and for the one
who prepares my food.

Father, keep me from being so pious that I keep You out of the
practical areas of life. Be with me when I am along, and
when I shed my inhibitions, lest in those moments I cancel
out all that I seem to be when I'm on my best behavior.

Father, I ask this because I follow a Master who was never guilty
of the slightest wrong-doing, and who always showed His love
in the small details of living. Amen.

- Bryan Jeffery Leech

I always give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers with thanksgiving, joy and love!

Love and hugs,
Amaryllis