SO, WHY IS IT SO HARD SOMETIMES?

"The Lord will be very gracious to you at the sound of your cry!"

Isaiah 30: 19

Just when I was saying "Counseling is so hard today, maybe it is time to do something else, or nothing!"

The very next morning, here came the Daily Bread with this entire discussion.  Even when things change and THEY HAVE since 1982, it is still the very same issue no matter what you are doing in your life.

"Today people all around us are in need of someone to take action to help them.  It is a high privilege to become the hands of God, as we respond on His behalf to cries for help!"

You might notice that January and February get very grey, dry, and boring.  Some do and some don't.
I have to use a light-box every winter to be able to stay up and busy.  People make fun of me all the time about how I count the days of spring and when the time changes.  As of tomorrow 49 and 35.
So, for some of us things can get really funky and I was having one of those days.  For the next two days between devotions, and a sermon on restoring people and getting out there to help them, I have had to stop and breathe.  Breathing in the Lord, His Holy Spirit and grace brings on new feelings, and almost feels like you've had a vacation.  I love how God comes immediately to our aid, if we do cry out.  I don't mess around anymore with thinking about it, getting all down about things.  I have been know to say -"This sucks, do something"  "Jesus, help the girl!"  I swear by it, He comes, He shows up.

Read Isaiah 30 15: 22

Psalm 25: 4 and 5

Psalm 146: 1 and 2

Psalm 112: 7

GRAND SLAM!

It is especially "ah-Hah!" when you can hit it out of the park.  You see that ball going high and right down the center.  There are those times in life when pancakes with blueberries just so hit the spot you think Nervana has come.  Or Sandi Patti just sang Amazing Grace and you know that all is right with the world.  Some birthday parties go so well, you just know it was a perfect pitch.  A concert, a job you finished, a conversation with the IRS, and you just breathed.

Last night was one of those nights.  The minute I saw this poster, I knew!

How do you even marvel or capture the thoughts of being proud of someone and their complete dedication to a volunteerism. 

35 Years of giving his talent to the community - to the ACD Festival Group!  Their over the top, to the moon and back, appreciation!  Thank you ACD FEstival.

Thank you John for being such a giving person, God's gift to a community, to me. 

NEW THINGS ARE COMING!

Although I have been absent here for a week, it was for good reason.  The Souders household has had a 30 days stretch plus of:  No Electricity - New Water Faucets in Kitchen, Oral Surgery, The Flu, no water for 2 days, Septic issues for three days, a bacterial infection, and I could keep going.  However, since Tuesday we are all healthy here, all mechanical things are in place again, and 2015 officially begins tomorrow.    John presents the 2015 ACD Poster at the Dinner held at the ACD Museum for the Board Members and families.  So, then I will get back into gear here very soon.

HERE IS TO A NEW YEAR!

It is 2015 already!  John is down with the flu, its been raining all day, Jax has no energy and I just pray not to get this stuff from John.  He has had some sinus drainage, infections before, but this is the real stuff.  Flu.  Even the doctor said the flu shot doesn't work.  So he is on the program they have for him, Tamiflu, inhaler, z-pak, and lots of rest.  Every little twitch I get, I wonder.  And, so then I guess I will need to take my own advice.  God's Got it!  He knows our situation and it is what it is.

Another new year.  Where did this one go?  What are you thinking today?  What do wonder about for 2015?  What surprises will hit, what crisis will make you think you can't do this?  What losses will some of us incur?  What will happen as we try to make decisions about a new National leader over the next 18 months?

Psalm 40: (read it all, but in particular. . .)

1)  I waited patiently and expectantly for the Lord; and He inclined to me and heard my cry.  2) He drew me up out of a horrible pit 9 a pit of tumult and destruction), out of the miry clay (froth and slime), and set my feet upon a rock, steadying my steps and establishing my goings.  3) And He has put a new song in my mouth, a song of praise to our God.  Many shall see and fear (revere and worship) and put their trust and confident reliance in the Lord.  4)  Blessed (happy, fortunate, to be envied) is the man who makes the Lord his refuge and trust, and turns not to be proud or to followers of false gods.

Every where we turn in God's Word, we read about how He hears, He sees, He fights for us.  He answers our prayers.  He KNOWS!  So then, 2015 doesn't have to have "no never mind's"   Just live each day to His glory and the rest as they say, is History.