"7" Minutes Alone with God

the righteous are taken away to be spared from evil (Isaiah 57:1) It is hard to understand when loved ones are taken in death, especially when they are young.  In that case, to us it seems they had much more life to live, and the world would have been better if they had not died so young. But we cannot know what their lives would have been like had they lived any longer. Mitch was only 16 when he realized his dream of earning his pilot’s license.  Two years later, as he was making a freight run in one of his father’s planes, something on the plane malfunctioned, and he and a buddy who had gone along for the ride, plunged to their deaths. At Mitch’s memorial service, the minister made a profound statement: “We say what a shame that Mitch died so young when he had so much more life to live.  But that isn’t correct.  From the beginning, Mitch’s life consisted of 18 years, and he lived out all of his days.” He went on to assure us mourners:  “Those of you...

the woman came to her husband, saying,"A Man of God came to me,  and His countenance was like the countenance of the Angel of God" (Judges 13: 6) Do you believe in aliens from outer space?  Beings unlike ourselves who have existed for eons in a perfect environment? I’m don’t mean little green men or translucent creatures with huge eyes set in radish-shaped heads.  I mean intelligent beings from another dimension who are capable of taking on the appearance of human beings and interacting in one-on-one encounters with earthlings. If you believe the Bible, you do believe in such beings.  The Bible calls them angels and gives many accounts when they appeared to individuals with help or special messages from God.  Two such incidents are the angel who appeared to Mary, announcing that she would give birth to the Messiah, and those who proclaimed His birth to the shepherds.  Likewise, there have been many accounts in modern times of help arriving unexpect...

The winter is past, the rain is over and gone.   The flowers appear on the earth; the time of singing has come,  and the voice of the turtledove is heard in the land  (Song of Solomon 2:11-12) Every year it happens.  Winter comes and seems to drag on forever.  The sun makes only brief appearances before disappearing behind thick layers of gray.  Dreary day follows dreary day until our spirits are as leaden as the winter sky.  Moisture is scarce and everything becomes dry and brittle.  When it does come, it is usually frozen or bone chilling. Sometimes we experience wintertime in our hearts.  Things seem bleak and we are inclined to withdraw and hibernate.  Joy and enthusiasm are as elusive as the winter sun as we trudge through the grind of daily living.  Just as winter birds do not sing, there is little music in our hearts.  We feel tense and quarrelsome.  Temperaments grow testy; conversations terse....

God has promised to supply all our need, but He made no such promise concerning our greed.                     ** * * * ** If we want God’s power, we have to follow His plan.                   ** * * * ** Lord, when we face a task, help us to see not our weakness, but rather, Your strength.                  ** * * * ** The true nature of a person, like the colors of autumn leaves, is revealed by adverse circumstances.                 ** * * * * Thank You, Lord, for Your great love which we cannot understand. Help us love You more each day, until at Your throne we stand.                ** * * * ** You decide, Lord, for You know best, when we need work and when we need rest. Help us accept whichever You give, knowing they're needed for the lif...

The things that you are doing may indeed seem small to you; and how the Lord may use them you may not have a clue. But the seeds that you are sowing will find root, and then one day may lead some child or adult to find the Living Way. So know that God is blessing each word, each smile, each deed, and will use them for His purpose in the lives He plans to lead. Glenda Collins Inman

T he love of God cannot be measured nor compared to anything. Human minds can never fathom all the joy He wants to bring to our lives if we will let Him. When our hearts we open wide we can feel the warmth and comfort of His loving touch inside. Yes, the love of God is matchless in this world in which we live; for we feel we need to earn it while He simply wants to give. God of love, You are with us, irregardless of our worth. Help us feel Your loving Presence all the days we live on Earth Glenda Collins Inman

With every gain there is a loss; each victory brings some type of cross. So make each choice most carefully; accept with grace its penalty.                 ** * * * ** I need not know just where or wh y or how or when twill be; it is enough to know God cares, and that He plans for me.                ** * * * ** Lord, help me not run toward my day until I have run to You.                ** * * * ** As the shades of night retreat from the light of day, so may the light of Your love, chase my darkness away. Shine in my heart and fill me anew, making my life  a reflection of You.             ** * * * ** Glenda Collins Inman

Talk no more so very proudly; let no arrogance come from your mouth, For the Lord is the God of knowledge; and by Him actions are weighed (1 Samuel 2:3) “Just ok is not ok.”  It’s the tagline of a commercial currently airing on television. It reminds me of an incident that happened several years ago when I was a church secretary. Some of the women of the church were preparing bandages to send to missionaries overseas.  When I inquired of an older woman why she was ironing the strips of cloth before they were rolled into bundles, she said it was to sterilize them.  When I stated that ironing them wouldn’t make them sterile, she replied that at least they would be “partly sterile.” Unfortunately, while heat from the iron was making the bandages look neat, there is no such thing as “partly sterile.”  It would be like being partly pregnant.  No such critter exists. So it is with being partly right with God. When it comes to our relationship with Him, ok...

Ahead of us it stretches  a winding, unknown road that may be filled with pain or tears, or some heavy, dreadful load. But flowers will bloom in places; good friends we’ll often see; God’s grace will always be there; uplifting truths we’ll see. The future can be frightening when viewed as one expanse, but taking each day step-by-step the journey will enhance. Glenda Collins Inman