Yes, I was very glad not to be alone.

I would not have know what it was either.


Your earlier words reminded me of a hymn, you probably knew it would.

"Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God." 1 John 3:1

Words: M.S.S., in Sacred Songs and Solos, 888 Pieces, compiled by Ira D. Sankey (London: Morgan & Scott Ld., late 19th Century).

Music: James McGranahan

Behold, what love, what boundless love,
The Father hath bestowed
On sinners lost, that we should be
Now called "the sons of God!"

Refrain

Behold, what manner of love!
What manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us,
That we, that we should be called,
Should be called the sons of God!

No longer far from Him but now
By "precious blood" made nigh,
Accepted in the "Well beloved,"
Near to God's heart we lie.

Refrain

What we in glory soon shall be,
It doth not yet appear;
But when our precious Lord we see,
We shall His image bear.

Refrain

With such a blessèd hope in view,
We would more holy be,
More like our risen, glorious Lord,
Whose face we soon shall see.

Refrain




Imagine writing 888 pieces.

HOSPITALITY

“And if anyone gives even a cup of cold water to one of these little ones because he is my disciple, I tell you the truth, he will certainly not lose his reward.” Matthew 10:42 (NIV)


Devotion:


While our youngest son was in high school he started a band that practiced in our basement twice a week for three years. I spent those late afternoons baking cookie dough from five pound tubs and pouring gallons of milk for hungry teenagers (are there any other kind?). Our home was quickly transformed into the gathering place, and I knew I needed to take this opportunity to offer these teens more than just a sugar high. Soon I became known as “the band mom” because if you offer food, they will come; and if you love them they will return.

At the end of practice a few band members and “fans” would often come upstairs for one more hot cookie. As I poured the milk, they’d pour out their problems or concerns over family or friends. Many days I felt like our home was an emergency room for broken hearts, broken dreams, and broken teens. As the Lord provided opportunities to pray for and with these hurting teenagers, I was amazed at His loving grace in these young lives.

One afternoon my son mentioned that the newest member of the band would be arriving for rehearsal and asked me to send him down to the basement. When the doorbell rang, I peeked out and saw all the tattoos and body piercings. They did give me pause before opening the door but I heard the Lord whisper to my heart, “Don’t judge a book by its cover.” The young man entered and politely introduced himself; he shook my hand, thanked me for hosting the rehearsal, and then made his way to the basement. When band practice ended and the teens began to scatter; our son and his “colorful” new band-mate came into the kitchen to polish off the remaining cookies.

When the last crumb had been consumed the young man made an interesting request. “Mrs. Elmore, could I have a hug before I leave today?”

“Of course” I answered and granted his request.

“That was wonderful.” he said. He took a breath and then quietly whispered, “My mom abandoned us several years ago and I haven’t been hugged by a mom in such a long time.”

My heart sank and it was all I could do not to let this young man see my tears.

From that day forward I made sure I was available for hugs, and it wasn’t long before my husband Tom and I became a sounding board and a safe place for this young man to share his heart . There were times when he would pop in unannounced for cookies and conversation. Throughout the next two years there were opportunities to pray with him and to share the gospel. Although Tom and I never heard this young man profess a personal relationship with Christ, we know we fed more than his physical hunger as we offered him spiritual food from God’s word.

In thinking back on my tenure as “the band mom,” I’m reminded to pray for all those hungry teens that came and went from our home. I pray they would become or remain hungry for the spiritual truths held in God’s word. I pray for the Lord to put godly men and women in their pathways that would feed their spirits. And I pray that my heart would remain sensitive to the fact that I should offer everyone in our home spiritual as well as physical hospitality.

You may not be the mother of a teenage band member, but I’m guessing there are people in your life that you could be a “mom” to. I want to encourage you to be available for some cookies and conversation, and to offer them both physical and spiritual hospitality.

The Reflection

There were once two men, both seriously ill, in the same small room of a great hospital. Quite a small room, just large enough for the pair of them - two beds, two bedside lockers, a door opening on the hall, and one window looking out on the world.

One of the men, as part of his treatment, was allowed to sit up in bed for an hour in the afternoon, (something that had to do with draining the fluid from his lungs) and his bed was next to the window.

But the other man had to spend all his time flat on his back - and both of them had to be kept quiet and still. Which was the reason they were in the small room by themselves, and they were grateful for peace and privacy - none of the bustle and clatter and prying eyes of the general ward for them.

Of course, one of the disadvantages of their condition was that they weren't allowed much to do: no reading, no radio, certainly no television - they just had to keep quiet and still, just the two of them.

They used to talk for hours and hours - about their wives, their children, their homes their former jobs, their hobbies, their childhood, what they did during the war, where they had been on vacations - all that sort of thing. Every afternoon, when the man in the bed next to the window was propped up for his hour, he would pass the time by describing what he could see outside. And the other man began to live for those hours.
The window apparently overlooked a park with a lake where there were ducks and swans, children throwing them bread and sailing model boats, and young lovers walking hand in hand beneath the trees. And there were flowers and stretches of grass and games of softball, people taking their ease in the sunshine, and right at the back, behind the fringe of the tress, a fine view of the city skyline.

The man on his back would listen to all of this, enjoying every minute how a child nearly fell into the lake, how beautiful the girls were in their summer dresses, and then an exciting ball game, or a boy playing with his puppy. It got to the place that he could almost see what was happening outside.

Then one fine afternoon, when there was some sort of parade, the thought struck him: Why should the man next to the window have all the pleasure of seeing what was going on? Why shouldn't he get the chance?

He felt ashamed and tried not to think like that, but the more he tried, the worse he wanted to change. He'd do anything!

In a few days he had turned sour. He should be by the window. And he brooded and couldn't sleep, and grew even more seriously ill - which none of the doctors understood.

One night, as he stared at the ceiling, the other man (the man next to the window) suddenly woke up coughing and choking, the fluid congesting in his lungs, his hands groping for the button that would bring the night nurse running. But the man continued to stare at the ceiling.

In the morning, the day nurse came in with water for their baths and found the other man dead. They took away his body, quietly, no fuss.

As soon as it seemed decent, the man asked if he could be moved to the bed next to the window. And they moved him, tucked him in, and made him quite comfortable, and left him alone to be quiet and still.

The minute they'd gone, he propped himself up on one elbow, painfully and labouriously, and looked out the window. It faced a blank wall.

Taken from "Growing Deep - Exploring the Roots of Our Faith", by Charles R. Swindoll

"Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everybody. If it is possible, as far as it depends on you,
live at peace with everyone." Romans 12:17-18 (NIV)



I was reading a devotional that spoke of a woman who had allowed her ex-husband to stay in the guest bedroom whilst visiting for their son's graduation. Her friend was surprised.

I can imagine how odd that must have felt, but I am sure that it also provides others with a living example of forgiveness and love. I believe this comes from the grace of God.

From what I see in the lives of others it seems that the ex-factor can create some of the worst conflicts and bitterness between families.

"Then you will understand what is right, just, and fair, and you will find the right way to go. For wisdom will enter your heart, and knowledge will fill you with joy. Wise choices will watch
over you. Understanding will keep you safe." (NLT)

It may not always be a viable or healthy thing, to invite an ex back into our lives but we can have peace in our hearts if we are able to see them as God sees them.

Whether we are able to have close relationships, or be at peace with them at a distance, with God's love in us, all things are possible.

(((((((((( BRITTY )))))))))

God Bless You and sure is good to see you.

It is good to see you too.

I hope you will stop by again once in a while
and chat.

Good Afternoon Britty

Good afternoon Beachbum. How are you today?

I travelled out to the west side of Mass a couple of times, some pretty countryside there.

I went to the Norman Rockwell museum. I was lucky enough to meet an older lady who had been a child when Norman was painting and she grew up in the town. She was able to provide a lot of detail about his life and his paintings, by far one of the most enjoyable museums trips I have experienced. I like the way he communicates a message through his paintings.

"As a foolish church presupposes his presence and action in its own existence, in its offices and sacraments, ordinations, consecrations, and absolutions, so a foolish theology presupposes the Holy Spirit.... Only where the Spirit is sighed, cried, and prayed for does he become present and newly active."

Karl Barth

EXACTLY...thanks for sharing that Britt.

It reminds us all where the existance of God rests.

yes, I always find reminders are good
for keeping me on track.

The Bible often associates the Holy Spirit with the idea of freedom.

Read: 2 Corinthians 3:17


In John 16:7–8, Jesus speaks of the Spirit as the Counselor.

Paraclete, which means "one who's called alongside of another person to offer assistance."

The first freedom is when a person is able to confess Jesus Christ as Lord.

There is the freedom of salvation, where the Spirit of the Lord is.

The second freedom occurs when we trust in Christ, Ephesians 1:13-14

God's Spirit also authenticates us as genuine children of God. Where the Spirit of the Lord is there is the freedom of security.

The third freedom is when we experience the Holy Spirit empower our lives, we are able to
grow spiritually.

In Galatians 5, Paul explains the life in the Spirit. This is a process, a journey or a pilgrimage.

There is freedom to serve where the Spirit of the Lord is. 1 Corinthians 12:7–11,


The Word of God is "the sword of the Spirit" (Eph. 6:17). It is also the seed the Spirit sows and quickens (Luke 8:11; I Peter 1:23). The Word of God is the instrument of all the manifold operations of the Holy Spirit, as seen in Chapter 1.

We must study the Word in order for the Holy Spirit to do His work in us. I do not believe that by merely reading the word we will gain the knowledge we seek, but the Spirit uses the Word.

I liken this to a sword, when it is used it manifests its real temper, keenness and power.


I wonder, if we all understood exactly the same about the things of God (in our human condition), how would we know we had freedom?

Hebrews 4:12.

For the word of God is quick and powerful, and sharper than a two edged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow,


and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents in the heart.


Galatians 2:20.

I am crucified with Chirst:
nevertheless I live ;
yet not I, but Christ lives in me ;
and the life I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God,

who loved me,

and gave himself for me.

--------------------------------------------------

Hi Britty




Thanks for being you chica







Feeling the Love and the Peace





For Father God Bless this Coffeehouse

AMEN

Open heart

by Jeanniebean
8/26/2008

Forgiveness is for giving
and it will set you free

Forgive yourself and others
Be who you want to be

Put the past behind you
Look at this new day

Lay down your sword my brother
For love has come this way.

A shining light has risen
Its beauty you can't miss

The breath of life is given
In love's first precious kiss.

How can I say I'm sorry
for any act done less

less than the greatest love
and joy and happiness

I can't reach the depth
of my joy and sorrow

with words I must confess
here is my love, now and tomorrow.

Beautiful ,Jeannie

Wow, what a beautiful verse.

Thank you for sharing that Jeannie.


What a wonderful gift you have.

Thank you Debs.

Blessings,

Good morning everyone,

I hope you all have a truly wonderful day.