Keep the Faith!

Good Evening, or whatever is the best greeting to you in your part of the world!

First of all, Happy New Year! May this year be the best one yet for you!

To recap, Alan and I enjoyed a nice quiet Christmas; albeit sad in some ways. Regardless though, we were truly joyful in celebrating the Birth of Jesus Christ!

However, on New Year's Day, our dog took a sudden tid turn for the worse. Long story made short, we made an appointment for him to see the vet. The earliest time the doctor could see us, was on Tuesday evening. A series of tests were done on Blue and he was given immediate medication and a prescription for antibiotics for the following day. It would appear on first bittid blush, that he has a bacterial infection, which is seriously affecting his liver. We are still waiting for the final test results and prayfully, it is not viral or even a worse case scenario. We have had to alter and change Blue's food diet; and thank goodness for Alan's homemade turkey soup (carrots etc), which is also helping to provide nourishment and protein to our 'pup.'

Alan and I have been very sad about this; yet we are doing our best to keep a positive attitude for our Blue. Dogs are smart and they can intuitively sense sadness. So, to boost his spirits and ours, I have been going about the house saying "Happy happy happy dog, good boy, waggy waggy waggy your tail. We love you!" (fighting back tears all the while). Blue has been experiencing his 'ups and his downs' and for those of you, who have beloved family pets, am sure you can relate; just how big a part they play in your life. The good tidbitz thing is though, Blue still has his appetite and is receiving lots of rest and extra TLC.

Today, I watched a part of the 'Hour of Power' and Jim Penner was giving a message ('An Audience with the King'), which was very heartfelt to my heart. I totally related and for those of you who are feeling a bittidz down, tune into today's www.hourofpower.org.

Also, want to mention about Ed Arnold, who has been a volunteer with the Crystal Cathedral Ministries for FIFTY years!!!!! Wow! He was also saying that blogs etc were suggesting that the ministry was not going to continue etc. Well, I just want to write in encouragement, that I think the 'Hour of Power' is fantastic and they are being wonderfully and powerfully Directed by God's Plan. ie. Genuinely uplifting others and spreading the message of the good news! Going back though to Ed Arnold, I think he is a very special human being; and good on him to have the courage to state that the ministry is NOT closing!!! I am very appreciative for their ministry; and I think they are doing an empowering job of regenerating and rebuilding during these tough times throughout the world. So a big THANK YOU to them!!!

Tidbit - Keep on smiling. "Laugh and the world laughs with you. Weep and you weep alone." My Dad used to always say that and you know, it is true.

Bittid - Be thankful ALWAYS, regardless of circumstances and any unexpected curve balls that come 'out of left field.' In fact, turn things around, RELYING upon Him to show you the way, as per His Plan, His Purpose, and in accordance with His Will.

Today Jim Penner was saying that just put 'your glasses of Faith on' and Trust in God. Here is his Prayer that he concluded with in his message, that I find to be very uplifting!!!! "So if you want to hear God’s voice, if you want God’s glory in your life, stand up. Because God’s going to do this and it’s going to be different for everybody, but God will reveal His glory to you, if you ask for it. You have to ask for it. You have to say, “Please, God, show me Your glory.” This might be a scary thing for you. It might be a scary thing to let God just come in and take over your house, right here, completely take it over. I know you’ve accepted Jesus. But you crave something more. You crave His presence all over your life. If that’s where you’re at this morning, just close your eyes and pray this prayer: “Please, God, show me Your glory. Rain down on me. Take over. Show me Your glory."

Methinks, there are NO coincidences. With all that has lately been going on in Alan's and my life, Jim Penner's Prayer came right at the right time! Hope this is an uplift to those who would be appreciative of a bit of 'good cheer.' I recommend highly the 'Hour of Power'; and Jim's message and all those associcated with the Crystal Cathedral, was / is totally 'right on' and 'down to earth.'

Interestingly enough too, here is the start of Jim Penner's message from today's message. Methinks, the QB had / has an Audience and Help from On High!!! No coincidences here folks!

(ie.from Jim Penner) - "I love this series called “The King and I” because God, our King, is still actively working in this world. We do not serve a passive God. We serve a God who heals. We serve a God who saves. We serve a God who delivers according to His will. Amen? Amen. God is King. And in case you haven’t figured it out yet, God is sovereign. God can do anything He pleases because He is the King. And He is still actively working in this world.

One of the great comforts in my life is the knowledge that God is the King of continuity. Now what do I mean by “God is the King of continuity?” What that means is that God will never, ever contradict what He has already declared or what He has already spoken. Because He is God, He will never, ever contradict Himself. He will never go against something He has already spoken. If it’s in His word, He has declared it; He will never, ever contradict His word. He’s the King of continuity.

Now why does that give me such great comfort in my life? Two reasons:

Many people say, “God doesn’t exist because I’ve never seen Him.” I was listening to a radio show the other day, and they were saying something similar. They were saying, “If God exists, why in the world would He insert Himself into my particular circumstances?” They happened to be complaining about a football player who prays regularly; who’s become national news because he gives God all the glory and all the praise. I don’t even have to mention his name. Most of you know who he is. So, this guy called radio station criticizing, asking why would God insert Himself into this particular person’s or player’s circumstance.

Well, the same holds true for you and me. Why would God insert Himself into our particular circumstances? Out of all the problems in the world, why would He insert Himself into my circumstance? That question is the reason I’m so thrilled that God is the King of continuity, that He won’t contradict His word. Because God said in Jeremiah 29:13 - and if you remember nothing else this morning, remember this - “You will seek Me and find Me when you search for Me with all your heart.” That’s a word from the Lord for somebody. And I’ve got to ask the question: When was the last time you really sought the Lord? I mean really sought the Lord? Sought an audience with the King?"

In conclusion, the Christian Quarter Back of the Denver Broncos pulled it off against the Pittsburgh Steelers! Alan just passed on the news to me!

The above picture was taken of Blue a year ago! He was a good sport again this year, putting up wtih the reindeer antlers! LOL!

Peace and God Bless.