Owner: Whispers From God's Spirit URL:http://godspirit.blogspot.com/ Join Date: Mon, 10 Dec 2007 11:32:06 -0600 Rating:0 Site Description: Inspirational author and poet April Lorier on spiritual growth, the Holy Spirit, God's wisdom and encouragement for the Christian journey. Site statistics:Click here
Oprah, Dr. Phil, Rachael Ray Give-Away "Blessing"? 2007-12-13 21:03:00 This is the season for Harpo "Christmas Give Away" Shows. Today is was Dr. Phil and his family giving away oodles of gifts to an audience filled with disenfranchised California Fire families. I always watch these shows thinking the same thing: Are these shows really blessing these poor people? If I had lost my home to Katrina or California fires, or any other catastrophe, what would be my biggest need? Would it be a huge LCD HD TV, or the latest camcorder? If I don't have a house to live in, what am I going to do with this huge television? I was on a television show once and was "blessed" with a wonderful Conn organ. It was three layers of push a button and get a trumpet section; push another button and get a harpsichord sound. Since I am a musician, it was a wonderful gift … until April 15th! I knew nothing about "gift tax" so was totally unprepared for the additional money I was told I owed IRS. It didn't take any time at all for that organ to turn into my worst nightmare! Read more:Oprah
, Rachael
, Rachael Ray
An Eleanor Ribgy Christmas 2007-12-13 14:51:00 Anyone over the age of 35 remembers Paul McCartney's lyrics in "Eleanor
Rigby". He asks who is she putting on the face cream for? And poor Father McKenzie who's writing a sermon that no one will hear. Both very lonely people described by Paul, and he asks where all these lonely people come from and where they belong. I think about this song during this Christmas
Season. I think about the widow who devoted her life to her husband for fifty years and now he's gone. She's left with memories that just make her lonelier during this "festive" season. Who cares about her? Who makes time to make sure she is invited to Christmas Dinner, or who pays for her to have her hair done so she can feel pretty again? Then my mind wanders to the 37 year-old single mother of three small boys. Her husband decided he didn't want to be a father anymore and he just left. Who cares if she has enough food for breakfast, much less for a Christmas Dinner? Who cares if her children have a tr
How Old Is Jesus, Gramma? 2007-12-12 17:18:00 "Whatchya doin' Gramma?" Jacob's chubby little face with those inquisitive brown eyes was too cute to not kiss. He wriggled in embarrassment as I planted a Gramma kiss on his cheek. "Ooo, yuck! I not a baby. I a big boy, Gramma!" "Oh, Gramma knows what a big boy you are, Jacob. You talk like you're six years old! But you're still four, right?" He nodded in ascension. "I'm wrapping a Birthday Gift. Wanna help me? You can give me the tape there" "You going to a birthday party?" His eyes twinkled at the thought of a party. "Yep, Gramma and Jacob and Mommy and Daddy and your uncles are coming here for a big old birthday party next week! We're gonna have tacos and fried beans and Spanish rice with our birthday cake and ice cream! Sound good?" "Uh huh! Who the birthday boy? Jacob?" He was looking more and more hopeful by the minute now. "No, honey, your birthday is in April, remember? You had that big birthday party and all your Read more:Jesus
Tragedy on Christmas Eve Day 2007-12-25 12:32:00 It was Christmas
Eve yesterday, and I was busy writing when I heard a frantic knock at my door. I looked out the window and saw my neighbor, Rachael. She was hysterical and incoherent, but I figured out a strange man had just appeared in her front room, sat in her easy chair and refused to leave. Rachael lives alone and she's in her late seventies, but she was demanding that this man leave Read more:Tragedy
, Christmas Eve
Hurry Up And Grow! 2007-12-24 13:38:00 Would you expect a four-month-old baby to be able to play hide'n'seek, or to carry on an articulate conversation? No? Why not? That's what some of us Christians expect from four-month-old Christians! We expect that "new nature" to kick right into high gear and immediately mature into perfection! I've been thinking about the growing process for born-again Children of God. What provoked my Read more:Hurry
What Is The Best Gift For All Kids? 2007-12-22 17:37:00 The short answer is for the man to set the example of love for them to emulate. To love their Mamas in an obvious way! And for their Mamas to make it clear that she respects their Daddy as the head of the house. Why? Paul said it so plainly: The wife sets the example of submission. The husband sets the example of loving. Each makes it easier for the other by taking the lead in his or her
Service Is An Attitude of the Heart 2008-03-10 13:56:20 What is service? In this photo the grandson has performed a service for his Grandpa, and now Grandpa is showing his gratitude. Both have an attitude of service. Children are exceptional at having an attitude of service. And that's exactly what service is: an attitude.
One of my friends spells it out so well in the following poem. I asked her permission to use it, and she graciously said I could. Read more:Service
, Heart
The Musician's Prayer 2008-03-07 13:08:03 For more than 25 years, I have had a beautiful plaque hanging on my wall. The background is a page of written music, and at the bottom is a beautiful pink rose. I love the poem inserted in the middle of this beautiful background, and I share it with you here. I did not write it. B. J. Hoff wrote it, but it has fed my soul for so long I feel I must share it.
The Musician
's Prayer
(by B.J. Hoff)
At The End of The Day... 2008-03-03 22:46:50 Is anybody happier because you passed this way?
Does anyone remember that you spoke to them today?
The day is almost over, and its' toiling time is through.
Is there anyone to utter now a kindly word of you?
Can you say tonight in parting with the day that's slipping fast,
That you helped a single person of the many that you passed?
Is a single heart rejoicing over what you did or said?
Does
A Mother's Reward 2008-03-03 22:40:17 She rocks another baby...
hums an age old lullabye
She hopes no one is watching
as with thanks, she starts to cry
Remembering the time
when the babies were her own
And her mother told her gently
too soon they would be grown
Lots of bedtime stories,
skinned knees, and tears to dry
Teddy bears, toy trucks and dolls
and kites up in the sky
First days of school, first loves,
the proms, the wedding
The Bible Tells Me So 2008-03-03 22:28:55 Jesus loves me, this I know
Though my hair is white as snow
Though my sight is growing dim
Still He bids me trust in him.
(chorus)
Yes, Jesus loves me yes, Jesus loves me
Yes. Jesus loves me: the bible tells me so.
Though my steps are oh, so slow,
With my hand in His I'll go.
On through life, let come what may
He'll be there too lead the way
(chorus)
Yes, Jesus loves me yes, Jesus loves me
Yes
Which Season Is This, Lord? 2008-03-01 11:39:53 I'm old enough to have seen that life comes in seasons, Lord. Just when the rain leaves, the harsh winds come. And just when it looks like Spring, we get a cold snap that chills us to the bone. And just when we get snuggled into our warmth, a hot spell presents itself. Life is like that, and no one expressed it better than King Solomon:
A Time for Everything There is a time for everything, Read more:Season
I Asked God, But Got Opposite 2008-02-28 22:50:21 I asked God for strength, that I might achieve.
I was made weak, that I might learn to obey.
I asked for health, that I might do greater things.
I was given infirmity, that I might do better things.
I asked for riches, that I might be happy.
I was given poverty, that I might be wise.
I asked for power, that I might have the praise of men.
I was given weakness, that I might feel the need of God.
I
My Bible or My TV Guide? 2008-02-28 22:49:27 On the table side by side:
The Holy Bible and the TV Guide
.
One's well worn but cherished with pride
(Not the Bible, but the TV Guide).
One's used daily to help folk decide,
No! It isn't the Bible,it's the TV Guide.
As pages are turned, what will they see?
Oh, what does it matter, turn on the TV.
Then confusion reigns, they can't all agree
On what they will watch on the old TV.
So they open
A Child's Love Message 2008-02-28 22:48:54 A weary mother returned from the store,
Lugging groceries through the kitchen door.
Awaiting her arrival was her 8 year old son,
Anxious to relate what his younger brother had done.
"While I was out playing and Dad was on a call,
T.J. took his crayons and wrote on the wall!
It's on the new paper you just hung in the den.
I told him you'd be mad at having to do it again."
She Read more:Message
Walk a Little Plainer, Dad 2008-02-28 22:48:24 Walk a little plainer, Daddy,
Said a little boy so frail,
For I'm following in your footsteps,
And I don't want to fail.
Sometimes your steps are very plain,
Sometimes they're hard to see,
So walk a little plainer, Daddy,
For you are leading me.
I know that you once walked this way
Many, many years ago,
And what you did along the way
I'd really like to know.
For
God Can, God Does 2008-02-27 19:33:43 How many times have we thought this is impossible? As a Christian who has walked through some rough terrain with Christ, I have learned I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me is absolutely true. So I offer this poem to those who are waffling in their faith.
God Can!
When you feel unlovable, unworthy and unclean,
When you think that no one can heal you,
Remember, Friend,
God
The Gift of Friendship 2008-02-26 15:14:05 I have been blessed with friends who God brought into my life at the most critical times. They took the place of mother, father, sister, brother, and all who were supposed to love me. If not for their love, I don't know how I would have survived and thrived. This poem by Helen Steiner Rice has always been one of my favorites, and I share it with you with blessings.
The Gift of Friendship
Doubt versus Faith 2008-02-24 22:54:11 Doubt sees the obstacles,
Faith
sees the way.
Doubt sees the darkest night,
Faith sees the day.
Doubt dreads to take a step,
Faith soars on high.
Doubt questions, "Who believes?"
Faith answers, "I".
Author Unknown Submitted 2008 April Lorier | Related Posts Read more:versus
The Vessel Chosen 2008-02-24 22:49:39 The Master was searching for a vessel to use;
On the shelf there were many. Which would He choose?
"Take me, cried the gold one I'm shiny and bright,
I'm of great value and I do things just right.
My beauty and luster will outshine the rest
and for one fine as you, Master, gold would be best!"
The Master passed on with no word at all;
He looked at a silver urn, narrow and tall;
"I'll serve
Each Day is a Gift! Unwrap It! 2008-02-24 22:20:31 I'm reading more and dusting less. I'm sitting in the yard and admiring the view without fussing about the weeds in the garden.
I'm spending more time with my family and friends and less time working. Whenever possible, life should be a pattern of experiences to savor, not to endure. I'm trying to recognize these moments now and cherish them.
I'm not saving anything for a special occasion
Picked-Green Christians? 2008-02-24 13:32:11 There is nothing worse than buying a nice red tomato, anticipating its taste, only to find out as I sink my teeth into its flesh that there is no taste whatsoever. It was picked green and loaded on the truck for delivery before it was able to draw from the vine all that red, juicy maturity needed for ripeness. And now with hybrid tomatoes it seems to be the norm. It is the same in Your Kingdom, Read more:Green
, Christians
At The Foot of the Cross 2008-02-24 11:51:38 Fearing the battle was over
and I'd already lost the war,
I was tired of trying and failing.
I just couldn't fight anymore.
So, dragging my battle-scarred body,
I crawled to the foot of the cross.
And I sobbed. "Oh please, Father forgive me.
But I tried... I tried... and still lost."
Then the air grew silent around me.
I heard his voice just as clear as the dawn:
"Oh, My child, Read more:Cross
What If The Butterfly Refused to Leave the Cocoon? 2008-02-24 00:49:06 I am a Christian -- a follower of Jesus Christ -- who is also a divorcee. When my more-than 25-year marriage collapsed, I felt my life was over. I had prayed for my spouse for a very long time, and I fully expected God to not just "heal" my marriage, but to give me a brand new marriage with the same spouse. When that did not happen, I wondered where God was, did He even care that I had been Read more:Butterfly
, Leave
, Cocoon
Prayer of Senator Joe Wright 2008-02-24 00:08:30 When minister Joe Wright
was asked to open the new session of the Kansas Senate, everyone was expecting the usual politically correct generalities, but what they heard instead was a stirring prayer, passionately calling our country to repentance and righteousness. The response was immediate. A number of legislators walked out during the prayer in protest. In six short weeks, the Central Read more:Prayer
, Senator
Going Deeper in The Season of Bareness 2008-02-23 22:34:01 I feel sad as I look out my window at the bare maple, birch, and liquidambar trees. I miss the beautiful leaves so full of life. I miss the noisy birds that used to congregate on the branches and fill my senses with melodies in all the musical keys. I miss the shade these trees presented last summer: shade that sheltered me from the burning rays of the summer sun. Then You gently remind me Read more:Season
, Going
God Leads Me Out of Fairy Tale Land 2008-02-23 21:02:51 God Leads
Me Out of "Fairy Tale
Land" What was it so many pages ago that made me pick up this book?
Was I shopping for a fairy tale as I took another look?
Did its cover court me with promises of "happy-ever-after"?
Was its title a guarantee of endless romance and laughter? Yes! I saw us in those pictures: The Princess and The Prince!
Ensconced in our vine-covered cottage,
Only God Can Make a Tree 2008-02-23 21:00:09 I have not met anyone who has not experienced violence or loss within their family tree. And yet the tree survives! This poem is dedicated to all those family members who keep on loving, helping, and praying for their members. God will grow your tree!
1994 Winner of Inspirational Poetry Award
from Texas Poets Society (Dallas)
Our Battered Family Tree
How wide our tree, how deep its roots!
When I First Believed: Mother-Awareness 2008-02-23 20:58:23 What a God Gift I received that night. It was Wednesday night and we were in groups of six to pray for those whose names had been called. Some of us prayed such cautiously-wise prayers, being careful to add "...but Thy will be done." Others prayed such deep prayers -- almost mini-sermons designed to show how well we knew the scriptures and You, God. Of course, all of us made sure we remembered Read more:First
, Awareness
A Prodigal's Song of Praise 2008-02-23 20:56:59 For years as a Prodigal
Daughter, I searched for meaning in a variety of philosophies from Transcendental Meditation to Eastern Religions of all kinds. Not finding anything that filled my soul as Jesus had once done, I came back to The Savior of the World, Jesus Christ.
One day I was reading in the bible where God was the "husbandman". I looked up the word and it meant, in essence, the caretaker Read more:Praise
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