Update on My Sweet Niece

Baby Cathryn is doing so much better.  Her doctors at Shand's indicated that her feeding tube had been inserted too far down and that was causing some of the medical issues she was having.  Since readjusting the feeding tube, she has been able to keep down her food and they have been able to increase her feedings.  However, she is still only 8 pounds (at 2 months old) and not yet able to feed from a bottle.  My brother got to visit her yesterday in Shand's and the news it that if she continues to improve she will be home soon!  Please continue to pray for her.  It has been a long, hard journey for this little one but we are thanking God for his mercies and healing! 

Peace and Love, friends!

(Isn't she a cutie!)

In His Love, Cathy

Psalm 19:14

"May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing to you, O Lord, my rock and my redeemer."  Psalm 19:14 (NLT)

Lord,

Instead of criticism, may I offer encouragement.

Instead of words that tear down, may I have words that build up.

Instead of selfishness, may I be selfless.

Instead of pride, may I be humble.

Instead of a calloused heart, may I have a soft heart.

Instead of  'me first', 'THEY first'...thinking of others as more important than myself.

Instead of focusing on my hurts, help me to focus on helping others who are hurting.

Instead of my will, THY WILL!


Instead of me...YOU!


In His Love, Cathy

Prayer Request

Please be in prayer for my 2 month old niece, Cathryn Michelle.  Baby Cathryn has been in the Prenatal ICU at Tallahassee Memorial for about a month now.  She was released to a regular hospital room last Friday but seemed to take a turn for the worse.  She was taken to Shand's Hospital in Gainesville this afternoon.  Information has been limited all we know is that little Cathryn has been battling several severe infections.  Please pray for her healing and for her family at this very scary time.  Thank you my friends!

Peace and love!  

In His Love, Cathy

Psalm 109:21-22, 30-31

"But deal well with me, O Sovereign LORD,
  for the sake of your own reputation!
Rescue me
  because you are so faithful and good.
For I am poor and needy,
  and my heart is full of pain. …
But I will give repeated thanks to the LORD,
  praising him to everyone.
For he stands beside the needy,
  ready to save them from those who condemn them."

Psalm 109:21–22, 30–31

Encouragement for Today

"This is the stance of someone who thirsts for God, someone whom God delights to rescue: the psalmist acknowledges that he's poor and needy, and is willing to give God all the glory. Note the confidence in God: he's giving thanks, apparently even before the deliverance he needed actually happened. This is a picture of faith!"—Diane Eble, author of Abundant Gifts: A Daybook of Grace-Filled Devotions

Thankful this morning for a God who knows us inside out - yet still loves us.  When others let us down, remember God can always be counted on!  He is always faithful!  Recognize your need for Him and  trust in Christ today!

Peace and blessings!
In His Love, Cathy

WAR EAGLE BABY!!! Auburn Family ALL IN!

Will be an interesting game...especially since half of our siblings are die hard FSU fans.  Let the sibling rivalry begin!!!  WAREAGLE BABY!!!

Psalm 125:1

Those who trust in the Lord are as secure as Mount Zion;
     they will not be defeated but will endure forever.
                                                                Psalm 125:1 (NLT)


In His Love, Cathy

Ephesians 4:14-16

Then we will no longer be immature like children.  We won't be tossed and blown about by every wind of new teaching.  We will not be influenced when people try to trick us with lies so clever they sound like the truth.  Instead, we will speak the truth in love, growing in every way more and more like Christ, who is the head of his body, the church.  He makes the whole body fit together perfectly.  As each part does its own special work it helps the other parts grow so that the whole body is healthy and growing and full of love.

Ephesians 4:14-16



One hallmark of a mature Christian is the ability to speak the truth in love.  People do not always like hearing the truth, however, when confronting someone with the truth we are to do so in the spirit of love -  love for Christ and love for the other person. 

So many people in today's society take pride in speaking the truth to others and feel justified in doing so.  However, many times these confrontations are not done out of love.  Instead, they are done out of hurt, pride, or uncontrolled emotions.  Many times, we think simply because we are in the right (and have Biblical backup) that we can just charge in - like a bull in a China shop - and hit the person with the truth. 

But what does that accomplish for Christ?  Absolutely NOTHING!  In fact, these kind of tactics can chase people away from the church and from the cross!

The whole purpose in confronting others with the truth in love is for them to recognize the truth, repent, and turn back to Christ.  And this has a greater chance of success if the person sees just how much you truly care about them.  Just because we are on the side of truth does not give us the right to cast stones, persecute, or be insensitive (or be a jerk)!  We are in the business up building up the Body of Christ - NOT tearing it down!

I have experienced people in life who have 'confronted me in truth' with mean spiritedness.  Often these confrontations have been from afar - sometimes anonymously- through a phone call, email, comment on my blog, facebook messages, etc...  How is that being the mature Christian?   How is that loving me as a sister in Christ? But you know what?  There have been times where I myself have done this as well...and I am ashamed I have!  It is our human nature.  But Christ has called us to be better than this! 

So how should truth in love work?  We ask God to help us love the person as much as He does.  We ask Him to help us forgive this person and set aside our own personal hurts...and at times this is the hardest part for us.  We do not have to bury or hide our hurt, but deal with it in a spiritually healthy manner so that it does not poison our witness for Christ.  We ask God to help us when we speak the truth to this person - that he prepares their hearts in advance.  We ask God to help this person see the truth and repent.  And we ask God to give us the strength, wisdom, and self-control in handling ourselves or we too can succumb to sin.  And when we are the ones who are confronted, we need to ask God to examine our hearts and show us His truth!

We all have good intentions to live for the Lord.  However, in our dealings in this imperfect world, we can overstep our bounds in doing what is right the wrong way. 

Yeah, yeah, yeah, I get the whole tough love thing.  But even in a 'tough love' situation, love is still part of the equation.  But whether we are sharing the Truth of the Gospel or offering correction, when we speak truth it needs to be from the love we have for God and for the person.

Lord, help me have a heart of love for others.  Mold my heart so that I can forgive as you have forgiven me.  Grant me the patience, wisdom, and courage when I need to speak the truth in love.  Help me not to harbor hate, bitterness, or mean spiritedness.  Help me to help others.  Help me to build up the church and live in peace with others.  Help me to live for you today! 
  
In His Love, Cathy

Happy Birthday to our Sweet Daughter

A very special Happy Birthday to our beautiful, sweet daughter Brittany!  We are so blessed by this special young lady!  She loves the Lord.  She loves serving others. She loves her family and friends.  Oh yes, she also loves her pups - Bo and Phoenix (to the point they are spoiled.) She has such a big, generous, and kind heart.  I am totally amazed by who she as a person and all that God has done through her at this young age. 

Praying God's blessings for her on her special day and that she would continue to put Christ first in her life!

 

Romans 12:17-18

¹⁷ Never pay back evil with more evil. Do things in such a way that everyone can see you are honorable. ¹⁸ Do all that you can to live in peace with everyone.
                                                                                                                Romans 12:17-18

These verses encapsulate the way we are to live as Christians.  We are to love others the way Christ loves us - so much so that we are willing to forgive - even our enemies in spite of any wrong doings.  It does not mean we are to excuse their misdeeds - just that we are to offer grace to others as grace was so freely offered to us.

Since we have been saved by grace, though we did not deserve it, our desire should be to share this same grace to others:) 


In His Love, Cathy

Proverbs 18:21

"The tongue can bring death or life; those who love to talk will reap the consequences."

Proverbs 18:21

Encouragement for Today

Some of us do love to talk! In doing so, we can become careless with words. "Sharing" can slip into gossip. Anger can flare into harsh words. What if you considered every word you spoke as if it were a coin? Would you spend recklessly, never considering the consequences? Or would you invest each coin (word) wisely, making sure your words would bring healing and love? The choice is yours … and the consequences could ripple into eternity, for better or worse, life or death.

—Diane Eble, author of Abundant Gifts: A Daybook of Grace-Filled Devotions

In His Love, Cathy

One of God's Wonderful Miracles

Here is my newest sweet little niece...Cathryn Michelle.  She is a miracle.  Her Mommy and Daddy lost a little boy right after Thanksgiving last year...he was born prematurely.  This just months after loosing our Dad.  Her Mother was told she could never have children again.  But God blessed them with this sweet little girl less than a year later.  I get to see her next weekend.  I cannot wait to hold this precious little girl!  Thank you Lord, for you are so very good!



In His Love, Cathy

Thanksgiving

"Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good! His faithful love endures forever."

Psalm 118:1 (and 118:29)

"Though your life may not yet be perfect, when you focus on God's grace in your life, it will color every other experience, past and present."  —Diane Eble

In His Love, Cathy

Prayer Request

Please be in prayer for a family that has experienced a totally unexpected loss.  I cannot fathom what they are experiencing but I know it must be very difficult for them (and will be difficult in the days and months ahead).  My heart goes out to them. 

In His Love, Cathy

Psalm 84:11

For the Lord God is our sun and our shield.
      He gives us grace and glory.
The Lord will withhold no good thing
      from those who do what is right.
                                     Psalm 84:11

So I am a little ADHD when it comes to reading through my Bible.  I love to bounce back and forth between the Old Testament and the New Testament.

And as I am reading today - BAM! - Psalm 84:11!

For the Lord God is our sun and our shield.  God lights our path, showing us the way that is good and righteous!  But He is also our shield, providing eternal protection to those who are in Christ!

He gives us grace and glory.  God is full of grace and glory!  He loves us so much that He offered us grace in the form of His perfect One and Only Son, Jesus Christ - who died in our place to pay for our sins.  Through Christ, we can experience God's Grace and His Glory!

The Lord will withhold no good thing from those who do what is right.
I cannot offer any better commentary than what my Study Bible says:  "God does not promise to give us everything we think is good, but he will not withhold what is permanently good.  He will give us the means to walk along his paths, but we must do the walking.  When we obey him, he will not hold anything back that will help us serve him."

God has never held back anything eternally good from us.  In fact, He gave us His all.  Jesus gave us His all.  And for such a love as He has for us, our love for Him in return should motivate us to obediently walk in faith!

In His Love, Cathy

Ephesians 4:7-10

However, he has given each one of us a special gift through the generosity of Christ. ⁸ That is why the Scriptures say,

“When he ascended to the heights,
    he led a crowd of captives
    and gave gifts to his people.”

⁹ Notice that it says “he ascended.” This clearly means that Christ also descended to our lowly world. ¹⁰ And the same one who descended is the one who ascended higher than all the heavens, so that he might fill the entire universe with himself.

                                                                                                                  Ephesians 4:7-10

 

Some people go through this life thinking they are without talent, that they have nothing special to offer to others.

 

However, this could be furthest from the truth!  In Ephesians 4:7 Paul says that God has given each and every believer a special gift!  And not only that, he GENEROUSLY gave us this gift.  Each and every believer belonging to the Body of Christ has been blessed with God-given abilities! 

 

But how is this?  Because God sent His One and Only Son Jesus Christ to this world.  Jesus took on the punishment for our sins, though he was without sin.  And though falsely accused and crucified, Christ rose from the dead - conquering sin and death.  When Jesus ascended to Heaven to sit at God's right hand, He sent the Holy Spirit to live in believers.  Through the Holy Spirit Christ gave gifts to the church.  And these gifts, no matter how big or small they may seem, are important in growing and strengthening the church!   

 

Yield your heart to Christ.  Let His Holy Spirit generously fill you.  See what wonderful gifts come to fruition as you serve Christ!

In His Love, Cathy

Ephesians 4:1-6

"Therefore I, a prisoner for serving the Lord, beg you to lead a life worthy of your calling, for you have been called by God. ² Always be humble and gentle. Be patient with each other, making allowance for each other’s faults because of your love. ³ Make every effort to keep yourselves united in the Spirit, binding yourselves together with peace. ⁴ For there is one body and one Spirit, just as you have been called to one glorious hope for the future. ⁵ There is one Lord, one faith, one baptism, ⁶ and one God and Father, who is over all and in all and living through all."
                                                                                                                                    Ephesians 4:1-6

In reading Ephesians Chapter 4, I am struck not just with the theme of unity in the Body of Christ, but also how that unity is attained.

We so often hear how The Body of Christ, the Church, is supposed to be unified.  In Ephesians 4, Paul shows us how true unity of believers can be obtained.

First and foremost, we should always remember what unites us as followers of Christ.  "The human body has many parts, but the many parts make up one whole body  So it is with the body of Christ.  Some of us are Jews, some are Gentiles, some are slaves, and some are free.  But we have all been baptized into one body by one spirit, and we all share the same spirit."  (1 Corinthians 12:12-13)  No matter our differences - race, culture, political views, social status, church association - we who are in Christ are ONE BODY...ONE SPIRIT...ALL sharing the same Spirit - HIS HOLY SPIRIT!   God created a diverse world full of diverse peoples.  Diversity also exists in His Body of Believers.  My Bible commentary offers further insight into diversity within the body, "Learn to enjoy the way we members of Christ's body complement one another."  God doesn't want cookie cutter Christians.  He wants diversity!  We all have different jobs to do and differing gifts to offer.  If we were all the same I cannot help but to think not much Kingdom work would get done.  God uses this diversity within His Church to further His Kingdom!

Secondly, with diversity can come disagreements.  And, because we are human, each and every one of us are prone to mistakes and subject to sin.  Paul reminds us in Ephesians 4:2 that we in Christ need to be humble, gentle, and patient with each other.  Therefore, when we see faults in others we are to first be humble - because we are not perfect either.  We are to show patience and gentleness in dealing with them rather than focusing soley on their shortcomings.  That is how God has dealt with us - allowing His Son, Jesus Christ, to take the punishment for our sins.  God loves and offers us forgiveness so we are to do the same for others!  Instead of responding to others in a critical spirit, our love response should be taking positive steps to help strengthen those who are weak or at fault.  We have to be gentle because we are not privy to all of the facts -  we do not know what kind of pain or troubles someone is struggling with.  Furthermore, we are more effective in helping others overcome if we have established a genuine relationship with them. Instead of judging others because of their differences and faults, get to know the person. Pray for them.  But do not just stop there. Spend quality time with them.  Be a true friend.  Help them out of genuine concern and offer correction (if necessary) out of love.  Some of my closest friends over the years have been people who were not necessarily cut from the same cloth as me.  But after spending time with them and getting to know them, these are friendships I value and cherish!  It does not matter if we see eye to eye, we are friends.  We understand each other.  We value each other's opinions and we are patient with each other's faults. And we let each other know when we see things in them that causes concern - because of our love and genuine interest in each other's well being. 

And here is where verse 3 comes in.  Not only must we be patient with one another's faults, we must do all that we can to live peaceably with one another.  Without love and patience for one another, peace cannot exist.  That is why remaining humble and dealing with fellow believers gently and patiently is so important.  Infighting and arguments hinder unity within the Body.  In order to attain that peace, we must willing to allow the Spirit of God to lead us instead of our human nature.  Those who focus on God instead of themselves can achieve this spirit of peace both within and without.  In response, our words and actions should bring this peace to the Body - building up all members and making us all fit for His Service.

For we who are in Christ belong to one body, united under one head - Jesus Christ!  And this body serves a God who is active in our lives... He is OVER ALL, IN ALL, and LIVES THROUGH ALL! 

Praying for the Holy Spirit to give me a heart that loves the members of the Body as God loves us...for a peaceful spirit that offers mercy and forgiveness - a spirit of humility, gentleness, and patience.

In His Love, Cathy

Psalm 23:2

From my e-devotion:
 

"He leads me beside peaceful streams."

Psalm 23:2

"Picture yourself sitting beside a peaceful stream. What do you see? The world around you is reflected in a way that looks different from your own view as you sit there. It's as if the water were a camera, capturing a view of the world around you. Allow Jesus to be your Good Shepherd. He will show you a picture of the world the way he wants you to see it."

—Diane Eble, author of Abundant Gifts: A Daybook of Grace-Filled Devotions

In His Love, Cathy

Refocus: Psalm 77

And I said, "This is my fate;
     the Most High has turned his hand against me."
But then I recall all you have done, Oh Lord;
     I remember your wonderful deeds of long ago.
They are constantly in my thoughts.
     I cannot stop thinking about your mighty works.
                                                     Psalm 77:10-11
                                           

Have you ever been in such a hopeless situation that you felt that not even God could help?   Have you ever cried out to God in desperation yet felt your pleas went unheard or doubted God's ability to answer them - or worse- that God did not care?

In Psalm 77, we see Asaph in extreme distress making his own desperate plea to God.  And like us,  at first he did not feel God's comforting presence.  He could not be comforted because he doubted in God's care for him and ability to answer his requests. His focus was on himself and his troubles.  He was in such strife that he could not see beyond his own pain. 

But as Asaph continued to pray, we see a shift in focus. Asaph began to recall all of God's wonderful deeds from the past.  And once he started, he could not stop!  His confidence in God's love for him and God's ability to answer prayer were reaffirmed! All doubt was gone!  His desperate pleas were turned into songs of praise!

Our own despair can only be relieved by refocusing on God's holiness and love for us.  When we are distressed, we can respond by remembering all the wonderful deeds God has done, thanking Him for each and every one.  And as we pray, God will heal our broken spirits and shift our focus to Him!  He will turn our desperate pleas into songs of praise! 

Thank God today for all that He has done for you!   Be blessed my friends!
Cathy

A Verse to Pray: Psalm 51:10

"Create in me a pure heart, O God,
      and renew a steadfast spirit within me."
                                                Psalm 51:10 (NIV)

I pray this verse each morning.  It has been a staple in my spiritual armor and a crucial verse in my daily walk.

Why is this verse so important to me?  Because I'm human.  Because left to my own devices, I do stupid stuff.  I sin even though I try not to.  I mess up.  I let things get to me.  I am selfish. I struggle.  I can react out of my human nature instead of God's nature within me.  I shove God to the side and I take control - at least I think I do.  I let myself get burned out and burned up. I hurt others - whether intentionally or unintentionally.  And when I live out of my own nature instead of the nature of the Holy Spirit, my heart becomes polluted and my spirit is compromised.

Each day, I come before God, seeking His forgiveness and mercy. No matter how hard I try or how good my intentions are, without God, I am unable to make internal, purifying changes.  God is the only one who can change me from within - creating in me a clean and pure heart and a renewed spirit strong enough to live for Him.  I pray Psalm 51:10 asking God to fill me with new thoughts and desires that align my heart to His.  I recognize my own shortcomings and weaknesses - and my desperate need for Him.  I pray this verse because what is within me will be evidenced by what comes out of me.   "...For whatever is in your heart determines what you say.  A good person produces good things from the treasury of a good heart, and an evil person produces evil things from the treasury of an evil heart.  And I tell you this, you must give an account on judgement day..."  Matthew 12:34-35 (NLT) 

Because Jesus Christ shed His Blood for our sins, we can turn to Him for forgiveness and mercy!  We can ask Him to clean up our messy hearts, and renew our tired and weakened spirits!   I pray that you would yield your heart to Him today!

Create in me a pure heart, O Lord, and renew a steadfast spirit within me!

In His Love, Cathy

Reflection on Today's Scripture Reading: Isaiah 40:31

"But those who trust in the Lord will find new strength
     They will soar high on wings like eagles.
They will run and not grow weary.
     They will walk and not grow faint."
                                     Isaiah 40:31

God loves us.  God wants the best for us.  It's kind of hard to believe this when it seems life keeps knocking you down.  But God promises that those who trust in Him will find the strength to overcome life's difficulties. 

I could not have survived through some really tough times  - some deeply traumatizing and hopeless experiences - without God's sustaining strength.  He has never once left my side.  Even at times when I did not feel His presence, He was there right beside me.  He opened doors that were boarded tightly shut.  He gave me hope when there was none in sight.  He gave me a strength that I never dreamed existed within me.   

Trusting God in the midst of pain, suffering, hopelessness, and loss is extremely difficult for us to do.  Naturally, our own pain and suffering can cloud our hearts.  We can get lost in our own emotions.  And though healthy emotional responses are a way to cope with difficulties, unchecked emotions can take us down a dark path.  We must remember that we do not have to face difficulties alone. ...Those who trust in the Lord will find NEW STRENGTH!

And those things that were meant to cause harm and hurt, have actually brought about good.  I now have a ever increasing joy that comes from a deepening trust in Christ.  In Him I have the strength to do all things.  So if you are facing difficulties, there is hope!  Look to God.  He will give you new strength! 

Peace and blessings.

Cathy

God's Perfect Timing

Read on a friend's facebook status today...

"The Lord will fight for you while you keep silent." (Exodus 14:14 NASB)

I needed to hear this so badly.  God always places just the right encouragement exactly when we need it the most.  Today has been one of those days.  Grateful for a God who loves us so very much that He shows us that love in even the daily details of our lives.  If only we could all offer that same love, grace, and concern to others. (And I am preaching to myself here, too!)

What a day!  What a year!!!!  But God is still good!

In His Love, Cathy

Shortcuts

"My child, listen to me and do as I say,
and you will have a long, good life.
I will teach you wisdom's ways
and lead you in straight paths.
When you walk, you won't be held back;
when you run, you won't stumble.
Take hold of my instructions; don't let them go.
Guard them, for they are the key to life."

Proverbs 4:10–13

There are no shortcuts in life. 

As a high school math teacher, I teach advanced concepts that build upon each other.  The courses I teach prepare my students for the next advanced math courses they will take .  As I teach mathematical concepts, I sometimes find that students are lacking in rudimentary math skills.  For example, many of these advanced math students struggle when working with fractions. They cannot remember the rules for adding, subtracting, multiplying, and even dividing fractions.  Why is this important?  First of all, because fractions are a part of our daily lives.  And secondly,  if they are unable to work with basic numerical fractions, then they will certainly struggle when it comes to working with rational expressions and equations (i.e. fractions that have numbers and VARIABLES in them)! 

My students often search for shortcuts to the problems we work.  Always looking for the easiest way out of the problems.  Sometimes in doing so, they miss out on important concepts that are learned in working through the problem.  And later on, when those key concepts they missed out on are applied to a more advanced topic, they end up confused and lost...and often missing the problem on a test. 

While it is good to be as efficient as possible, sometimes the shortcuts in math are to the disadvantage of the student later on in their mathematical career.  Instead of learning the concept correctly so that they can apply it correctly, they reach for a calculator or some other quick and easy method. In doing so, students don't learn the 'why' of what they are doing.  They are cheating themselves of mathematical wisdom that will help them later on in future math courses.  These shortcuts only satisfy the pressure of the moment to get the grade and pass the test.  These shortcuts do not stand the test of time.  And they can sometimes lead to students having to struggle more in later classes to understand topics that have built upon that knowlege.

However, those students who take the time to actually work through the problems - those who have the tenacity and the patience to struggle through learning the hard concepts instead of looking to a calculator or a shortcut, often have the most mathematical success in the long run. 

But yet how often do I myself look for the shortcuts in life.  And, thinking I've found one, followed it only to end up in a worse state that the one in which I began.  How often do we in our own lives shortcut what God has planned, only to find we've 'missed the turn' and ended up lost and heading in the wrong direction.  How often have we stubbornly thought our way was better, ignoring God's wisdom, thinking we had found the quick and easy way out.  Had we only stayed the course, listened to godly wisdom, we would have ended up in a better position.  Even if the shortcut causes no harm, it may cheat us out of a lesson or experience that we or others could have benefited from.

Godly wisdom is a treasure, not only to us, but to those in our lives as well. We do everyone a favor when we follow God's wisdom. Shortcuts do not always lead us down the better road.  But if we follow godly wisdom, though we may stumble, we will not fall.

Seek Him today.  Read His Word.  Pray.  And commit yourself to following Christ each and every day.  His Holy Spirit will guide you with godly wisdom.

Peace and love!
Cathy

Live Boldly

"The wicked run away when no one is chasing them,
but the godly are as bold as lions."

Proverbs 28:1

"Those who do not follow God, without anything other than themselves to depend on, often live fear-based lives. Who can blame them? It's probably a sign of sanity to be fearful when you don't trust God. In contrast, the godly are bold. They feel they can do anything; they are not afraid to try and fail at things. They do not fear unreal things. They do not run away from problems but boldly look for ways to solve them. These are two very distinct approaches, based on underlying beliefs and overall orientation toward God, with very different emotional outcomes."

—Diane Eble, author of Abundant Gifts: A Daybook of Grace-Filled Devotions

In His Love, Cathy

Treasured Words

As I was going through some of my Dad's paperwork today, I came across a large stack of torn out note pages from his Dayplanner.  At first, it looked as though it was just mundane information related to his job.  But an entry on the back of the second page caught my eye.  These weren't just notes related to his work.  This was his journal...his recordings of his daily life - his work, his thoughts, his trials, his heart... and...they always ended in a prayer!  I never even knew he kept such a journal!

My heart was deeply touched to read some of the prayers written by my Dad. 

In one entry, he wrote

"May God bless, guard, and guide me in doing my job better each day and may He bless my coworkers, friends, relatives, and all those in need in the world and may He ease their pains, sorrows, or other afflictions/troubles which they are going through."   J. E. Rudd, Jr.

What a thoughtful and compassionate prayer.  What a beautiful heart.

My Dad wrote this prayer as he himself suffered and experienced extreme difficulties.  Always forgiving in his writings, always compassionate, always loving...always looking out for others before himself.  I was deeply touched by his heart for others in this prayer.  What a legacy to leave to his family. 

I will treasure these words and prayers of my Dad.

I am forever thankful for my Daddy.  I surely do miss him!

In His Love, Cathy