Good Works

Have you done good works today? Have you loved God? If not, that just may be what’s wrong with your day.

Yesterday I had a phone conversation with someone that really made me dwell on Romans 8:28. The conversation was about the needs of our kids and it made me feel like when we work together, good things happen. Sometimes it seems so simple…what we get…when we all work together…and it is all so good. So why do so many people fight it? They spin their wheels in their daily lives, they are not productive or producing good in themselves or for others and they don’t see all God has to offer them. They don’t see the promise. I prayed to God for this person and others, that even when they can’t find Him or love Him, that He not give upon them or finding a way to break through to them and keep trying to call them according to His purpose. I want the best for my kids and I need to remember to teach them the greatest way to succeed in life is to love God and live like Him, despite the spinning of others who could do more. Hence, the purpose, things will then turn out all good for those who love God.

Dear God,

Thank you for calling me according to your purpose. Help me teach it to others. May I remember that I will have the benefits of your good works every day when I simply remember to love You.
 

“And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.” Romans 8:28

 

 

God's Plan of Protection

9-21-2012 - All week my DAILY WORD has hit me by WORDS STARTING WITH P. “PROTECTION – the POWER of God PROTECTS me. Though certain circumstances may cause me to feel unsettled or afraid, I think of these experiences as tilling the soil of my life. Old habits and behaviors that no longer serve me are being uprooted.” Impeccable timing on this when I look back at how I began my journey of separation/divorce 4 years ago and still face so many situations beyond my control that seem unfair and never-ending. But then God reminds me “POTENTIAL-I am one with the Christ, able to accomplish any goal. Within us all lies unlimited potential and infinite capacity. If I’m ever in doubt of my potential, I focus on the Christ within, which is God’s PLAN of PERFECTION. I can do all things through Christ which strengthens me. Phil 4:13 That gives me PROMISE. And he continues to speak to me “The PRESENCE of God within me is my divine nature. It is the love and life of God that sustains me.” And that brings PEACE and assurance God is the only one who knows the PLAN.“As we recognize our oneness, PEACE emerges.” My own reflection derived from this… ”HIS PROTECTION gives us the POWER for POTENTIAL which leads to PROMISE and that reminds us of HIS PRESENCE and brings us PEACE which is all part of GOD’s PLAN OF PERFECTION.” But let all who take refuge in you rejoice; let them ever sing for joy. Spread your protection over them.—Psalm 5:11

Pure Heart

Thought for the day – “God desires that our actions be a reflection of a pure heart.”

Many people live their daily lives truly being who they are and their actions reflect that. I believe if we live knowing God desires our actions to be a reflection of a pure heart we will receive personal satisfaction in faith. So many people struggle in life trying to prove themselves or their self-worth by what they wear or buy or how much money they have. What do they gain by this? Do they ever receive the approval and from whom? Does it lead them to find what they are after or worthiness? Or are they just trying to please themselves and not God?

God is the only one we need to prove anything to by living purely. It is like the idea of teaching your kids to think “what would your Mother say?” when making a decision before they take action. If we think of God before we act, maybe we won’t take inappropriate actions but only pure ones. So many times my sons and I have talked of hypocrisy in adults. How many find it so easy to tell you to live one way but their actions show them living another way entirely. I am proud they see the difference and feel they will become wiser men because of it.

Recently I met a new friend and was told to “just be myself.” This person wants to get to know me for who I am and not someone I am pretending to be. That is something we can all learn from and important to teach our children about their own character. Living purely builds character and keeps us real. What does pretending to be something we are not teach? What good is hypocrisy? God loves us for who we were created to be. Fill His desire by showing your pure heart!

Dear God,
Thank you for helping me appreciate I want to live my life reflecting a pure heart. I want to be myself and show who I am by my actions. I want to live from sincere faith and give all I can to my children and others by doing so. I am so grateful for the young men my children are turning out to be and feel living from a pure heart has helped make it happen.

“Love from a pure heart...and from sincere faith.” –Timothy 1:5

The Joy of Remembering

*GOD*GRACE*GRATITUDE*

Inspired by a simple gift, this blog may be my calling to continue healing and writing and appreciating the three Gs! – Cindy Ruth Stuve
October 10, 2011

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY – It’s a model we should follow on a regular basis—

the joy of remembering!

I am not sure why but my oldest son’s birthday always seems to affect me and bring me to deep thoughts which lead me to more writing…which is still very therapeutic to me! As my son reaches the milestone of turning 20, I am truly proud of the young man he has become. And although my marriage didn’t give me the “happily-ever-after” I dreamed of, it did produce three beautiful sons which my former husband and I will always have because of our years together. Yes the relationship between us has changed, but that bond of love for our children as parents who brought them into the world, never will.

I have such JOY remembering many wonderful things about our sons as babies, little boys, and Riley as a teen, which is now suddenly his past. I believe the joy of remembering teaches us to slow down, take the time to reflect and realize how simply our souls are filled by the gifts from God we receive in life. Children are truly one of the grandest! Little Riley gave us endless joy in all the FIRSTS we experienced as new parents. He was a blessing upon his arrival and has been every day since. His brothers are too and how lucky we are to have that lifetime benefit of loving all of them!

Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all His benefits. —Psalm 103:2

Dear God,Your gifts are endless and bless us richly. Thank you!

“He knoweth best! His will for me
Is better than my plans.
Do not all good and perfect gifts
Come from my Father’s hand? —Doonan

Give loving thanks for the Lord’s lavish gifts.”

Amen

Seeing Clearly

August 13, 2011

Thought for the day – THE SERENITY PRAYER – “God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change; courage to change the things I can; and wisdom to know the difference.”

I read The Glass Castle at the recommendation of my sister. It was powerful and moving and familiar, fortunately not to the extremes in the book. I have talked so much of the “NONREALTY” in my life before separation and divorce and how I couldn’t live it any more. It made me realize the majority of my father’s life has been that lived by that concept…”someday I will build that glass castle or someday things will be better.” It reaffirmed to me that I couldn’t wait for my husband of 21 years to change, he didn’t want to do so, so I had to…for me and my sons…for our emotional, financial and family future.

The book was a great portrayal of how alcoholics perceive their lives (through the glass castle that will never be) and what family members do to either cope or break free from that way of life. Some spouses or other family members choose to live or stay in the insanity and keep their relationships with the alcoholic no matter what the cost. Some don’t. I believe that is why not only does Alcoholics Anonymous teach alcoholics to live by the Serenity Prayer, but Alanon also teaches others the same concept. We as the family members of the alcoholics – have to decide what is best for us. Do we have the courage to change what is within our power? Do we have the strength to face reality at all costs and move on? The alcoholics live their lives for themselves first…why shouldn’t we? I understand it is a personal choice and should be and what is right for one person may not be for another.

I know now that all I have gone through in my entire life related to alcoholism, generations of it, I couldn’t hold out for the glass castle, I had to see clearly and rebuild myself and my life with something REAL…keep working hard to raise my sons as responsibly as I can. My reality is in my trust in God and in my faith, family and friends and the future of my sons.

Dear God, I continue to pray for my Dad, my brother, and the man I loved for nearly 25 years. I pray for all my family who has had to cope with alcoholism in their lifetime. I pray the generation of my sons can see beyond the glass castle and build strong lives of REALITY.

“You show me the path of life. In your presence there is fullness of joy.” –Psalm 16:11

Happiness

April 8, 2011

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY –
“I want their hearts to be encouraged and united in love.” Colossians 2:2.

I can’t even count the number of sad and tearful days I have had over the past few years. But I have made it because I put my faith where it belonged – IN GOD. I am a stronger person now for myself and my children because I trusted Him and because my faith, family and friends remain my greatest blessings. I kept praying to God that I would find happiness again one day and am amazed that it is exactly two years to the month of such a dark time in my life. What I didn’t realize is that God knew all along when I would be ready and He led me in the right direction and then guided someone toward me. I should have known God had my back!

Since early March, I have had steadfast joy in my step, a smile on my face, and hope in my heart. I have loved the “happiness anchored in my soul” and the excitement of all things that come in a NEW relationship with someone special. The true gift is all we find so similar in our daily lives...

Our sincere love for our kids…the high priority they have for each of us.
We are anxious to share them with one other when the timing is right.
Working hard…yet the freedom of an evening “all our own.”
Joy because our hearts, both hurt deeply, are now encouraged.
We look forward to seeing one another whenever our busy lives allow.
We long for togetherness and can’t help but dream of love?
We make each other laugh and especially smile…OFTEN.
We are savoring this time that God planned for US and knows we deserve.
Finding joy in living His plan for us for now…today…
simply – to make each other happy!

Hebrews 6:19
“We have this hope, a sure and steadfast anchor of the soul.”

Dear God, I hold You in my highest regard. Thank you for Your AMAZING love and guidance, for my joy, and my sorrow, and the strength I gained. Thanks for helping me find my way back to happiness and hope. I will keep my trust in You every day of my life which is the greatest gift of all. Amen

Power of the Tower

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY – Remember the power in the name of the Lord.

Proverbs 18:10
The name of the LORD is a strong tower; the righteous run to it and are safe.

Some days even though there are constantly people around me and my life is quite busy, I often feel so alone. Don’t get me wrong, I am grateful for my family, friends, my home and my job, but it doesn’t mean I always feel protected or strong. It doesn’t mean that I always know how to handle things well or which direction to run, or what tower of strength is best to lean on. When a marriage ends, loneliness is bound to set in, even so deep with my heart, it’s painful. But other days, the good Lord and his safety net, allow me that tower where I can hope for new love in my heart. Until then and always, it is a blessing to know I have the LORD protecting me, providing strength and safety, somewhere to turn.


Dear God, I love to think of you and your name as a tower of strength, providing a place for me to go whenever I need to feel safe. Keep your net wide across the mighty world, continue to keep my heart safe and continue to free it from loneliness. Amen