Wednesday, March 17, 2010

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

Good Morning, dear Friends and Prayer Partners! This is the cloudy day that the Lord has made and we will rejoice and be glad in it! We are supposed to get more rain today, and it certainly looks like it! Took a long time for daylight to break through. But this gives me no excuse to not iron today since it doesn't look too promising for going out.

I did a lot of running around yesterday, though, with a doctor's post-op visit, a meeting at church, and card shopping at the Family Bookstore. I also took time to go to the Park and there were two gators sunning on the bank of the borrow pit! One was big and fat, and the other was smaller. A flock of ibis was pecking on the ground, and I noticed some immature ones in the flock. I have never seen an ibis nest, so they must be well hidden. More azaleas are blooming in the park and look very pretty. God is good!

From Quiet Moments with God:

Benediction

The very God of peace sanctify you wholly, and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.
1 Thessalonians 5:23 NKV

A benediction is the pronouncing of a divine blessing. It is usually associated with the final words of a worship service, given by a spiritual leader, but you can give yourself a benediction right where you are, this very night!

The only requirement for a benediction is this: that no sin or unforgiveness stands between you and the Lord Jesus Christ. If you question the purity of your heart, tonight is a good time to ask the Lord to cleanse you and renew a right spirit within you.

Then face yourself in a mirror before you turn off the lights for the night, and pronounce a benediction upon yourself. Speak it with faith and boldness, in full confidence that the Lord desires this blessing to take root in you and bear good fruit. If you have a family, you may want to pronounce a blessing on them or on each member individually.

By doing so, you can end each day with a keen awareness of God's blessing and His claim on your life.

The benediction inscribed at Gloucester Cathedral is one you may want to use:

Go on your way in peace.
Be of good courage.
Hold fast that which is good.
Render to no man evil for evil.
Strengthen the fainthearted,
Support the weak.
Help and cheer the sick.
Honor all men.
Love and serve the Lord.
May the blessing of God be upon you
And remain with you forever.
So be it. And have a blessed good night!

IT IS DISTRUST OF GOD TO BE
TROUBLED ABOUT WHAT IS TO
COME; IMPATIENCE AGAINST GOD
TO BE TROUBLED WITH WHAT IS
PRESENT; AND ANGER AT GOD TO
BE TROUBLED FOR WHAT IS PAST.
Simon Patrick

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

Love and hugs,
Amaryllis