Good Samaritans Still Exist

I wish to send up grateful praises to two Good Samaritans that paused in their day to give individual help to me in this ice-sleet storm we have been having.

The first Good Samaritan: He and his family saw I was unable to get up the hill and out of the Walmart parking lot yesterday. He suggested his wife drive me up to Walgreens, while he would take my car and meet us. It was tougher than even he thought, but he managed. He suggested I not attempt to drive home when he discovered I'd have to go up a couple bigger hills to get home. His wife waited at Walgreens, while he (with his three children in the back seat) drove me home. He had to then return to Walgreens, then drive past our area (the opposite side of town) again to go home.

The second Good Samaritan: I had called the cab company last night to request a pick-up this morning. Asked him to please wait to be sure I'd be able to get into the car. He did me one better. He helped me scrape all window areas. We both were surprised the car started immediately. However, the one side had been plowed in rather thoroughly. He insisted it would be "no bother" to go home, get his shovel, and dig me out ... which he then did. This added another total of about 30 minutes to the "quick fare". (The plow had done a wonderful job, jamming ice chunks under the car as well as halfway up the tires.) When I attempted to give him something extra, he absolutely refused, and told me to "give it to the Food Pantry." He waited to be sure I'd been dug out enough to get out ... and even pushed the car out that last few feet.

Advent

Advent --- Prepare --- He is coming!

Come, magnify God with me!

Exalting His Name,

We’ll worship together,

Preparing the way of the Lord!

Advent --- Prepare --- He is coming!

Angels proclaiming His glory!

In Bethlehem’s scene,

He’s more than the babe.

He shines; He’s the Light of the world!

Advent --- Prepare --- He is coming!

He’s coming on clouds of glory!

Repent of your sins,

He’s coming --- again!

Prepare ye the way of the Lord!

Oh, come, let us worship together.

Come, and exalt Him with me.

He’ll grant us His grace,

‘til we meet face-to-face

And Oh, what a day that will be.

Thankful

So thankful for these precious people in my life!  My mother, and my son, my husband, brother & his wife, my sisters, along with many nieces and nephews, plus countless friends have enriched my life so very much, and I thank God for each and every one of them!

 . 

Are We A Praying Church?

Are we a praying church?

Do we commit to prayers?

Are we actually prepared to pray

Until our answer comes?

Would we recognize the answer?

Do we merely beg You for ourselves?

Do we wring our hands in terror

In this wicked world of ours?

Are we truly Yours, O Lord,

Will we wait, in prayer, for you?

Do we really look to You for help?

Are we a praying church?

Drop Your heavenly fire, O Lord,

On us, that we may serve;

That enemies might learn of You

And thus be friends of Christ.

They may remain unknown to us,

But you know ALL, O God.

How might I serve Your word for peace?

Are we a praying church?

I know there’s more than illness,

More to pray for than just this,

So may our prayers contain our thanks,

May praying serve to pray our praise!

Lord, may THY will be done,

No matter what our thoughts!

May we rejoice in misery

As we think only of You!

May we not think of ourselves,

But live only for the Master.

May we become a praying church;

May prayers become our habit!

A Faith-filled Friend

Thank You, Lord,

For each and every faith-filled friend,

Those who supported and encouraged me

When most I needed it

In my walk towards You.

I was seeking a firmer,

A more steadfast faith;

A further knowledge of You, yes,

But even more

I sought a closer, more intimate love

Of You.

Each friend of faith drew me closer to You,

And closer still.

Now, in my older years,

My stronger-in-my-fragility years,

I find a yearning, Lord.

I want to BE such a companion,

A faith-filled friend;

One who is placed in situations

Where I will be able--

Where I am “allowed:--

To help another in their journey.

May I support and encourage them

As they seek to discover

A further knowledge of You, yes,

But even more,

As they seek to grow in intimate love

Of You.

Awaken

See all the works of the Lord all around us,

Become aware of what is to come.

Ask all your questions, then listen for answers,

Grapple with the mystery of grace.

Don’t let the world lull you to sleep again.

Raise your pulse-beat, return to your vision.

Don’t ever be gutted by your unbelief;

Allow love, and faith, to guide and to guard.

The world’s evil is spinning towards darkness;

Don’t let your soul to slip in the whirlwind.

Don’t sleep-walk through your life, but live it,

Allow God’s light to reveal Whose you are!

If Only

If only I had known,

I would have clothed the homeless,

I would have given food, and drink.

I would have cared, O Lord!

If only I had known,

That it was You before me,

You, who stood so weak, so weary

I would have helped, O Lord!

If only I had known,

What You, O Lord, expected.

If only I had understood,

Then surely I’d obey!

But child, surely you knew,

For it’s written in My Word

That “When you help the least of these,

You’ve done it unto Me.”