Some years ago I heard the story of a four-year-old boy facing major surgery. For weeks Barret's parents tried to prepare him for the ordeal. Convinced Scripture could help, they taught him this simple verse: "When I am afraid, I will trust in you" (Ps. 56:3 NIV). The day for surgery arrived and Barret kept repeating his special verse. Later, the doctors and staff said they witnessed an unusual peace for a child so young.

Barret, however, will display a degree of hostility when he is withdrawn from the drugs following his operation," the surgeon warned. "Don't be alarmed. It's perfectly normal."

Steeled for this time, Barret's parents seldom left his bedside. One afternoon he began to stir and it wasn't long before they observed him slowly moving is lips. His first silent words were "I love you," and the next was a complete sentence: "When I am afraid,I will trust in you."

Is Your Marriage a Mess or a Message?

The headline read: "Police can find no reason for this suicide. The man was unmarried."

We may chuckle at the headline error, but many people do feel that marriage is plagued with anxiety and problems. Someone has said, "It is well to remember that a misplaced "I" or a "me first" attitude is probably the number one reason for troubled marriages today." Read more about how to turn your marriage into a message for the watching world @ www.amazon.com/author/saradubose.

"I couldn't put it down. Uncharted Waters truly has it all: suspense, romance, and humor are all woven together into a many inspirational life lessons. If you or someone you know has ever been in a battle with the mind, emotions, or even a real person, this book speaks truth and hope. Sara's faith, creativity, and intellect are aglow in this encouraging thriller. Enjoy!"

The link for the new edition: www.amazon.com/author/saradubose 

If newly weds, middle and older couples keep a simple vocabulary their marriage will succeed.
Based on word limit, here are 5 essentials to sustain and bless your marriage:

1 word: Jesus
2 words: "Forgive me."
3 words: "I love you."
4 words: "I think you're right."
5 words: "How may I help you?"

It's not a tree all tall and bright.
But it's a star, a holy night.
It's not a box all wrapped in red.
But it's a box where sheep are fed.
It's not a ring, a suit, or toy.
It's God come down, this baby boy.

He saw a tree all stained with red.
His blood a star of mercy shed.
He saw a box. It was the grave.
From there He rose, God's sons to save.
He brings His ring, His robe, His joy
Come celebrate this baby boy . . .
It's Christmas!

Two dead, dozens left homeless, chaos, confusion--all this was the aftermath of a tornado that ripped through Hurtsboro, Alabama years ago. I asked a friend whose brother and family lived through it, how they reacted to the tragedy.

"One word can sum it up," she said. "Thankful. While they lost nearly all their material possessions, they are grateful they have each other and their faith."

I thought about John 6:27. "Do not work for food that spoils, but for food that endures to eternal life, which the Son of Man will give you"(NIV). When the listeners asked Jesus what this work involved, He answered, "The work of God is this: to believe in the one he has sent."

Believe. Believe what? I think Jesus was saying He is the true food and treasure in life. Fancy meals, clothes, houses, and cars--these are all mere trappings. But those who have given their hearts to Christ are living on food that will last through eternity.

Are you hungry? Jesus said, "I am the bread of life: he that cometh to me shall never hunger; and he that believeth on me shall never thirst" ( John 6:35, KJV).

I need a transfusion of power.
Today's demands are great.
And yesterday's troubles still linger.
I feel the burden and weight.
You may leave me here for a season.
If so, help me yield to this call.
I'll give You my mind and my moments,
Then stand, and win, through it all.

 Not my problems, but his power
Not my stress, but his strength
Not my worries, but his wisdom
Not my failures, but his faithfulness
Not my loss, but his love
Not my pressure, but his peace
Not me, but him, in everything
"For from him and through him and to him are all things.
To him be the glory forever! Amen."
(Romans 11:36, NIV).
(c) Sara DuBose

Celebrate God’s Sovereignty
 
 
Think about it. Have you reached a point where you can recognize, and even celebrate, God’s sovereign choice in your life? It’s not always easy, is it?

            Today the sun is shining, but rain is predicted for tomorrow. The same scenario may be the case in our personal lives.

 My latest bit of nasty weather began about 5 months ago and neither the GP nor gastroenterologist could determine the source of the constant fatigue. Finally, I was sent for a CT scan that revealed a ruptured diverticulum requiring immediate surgery. A week in the hospital was followed by home health including physical and occupational therapy. However, the greatest source of renewed strength must be credited to my faithful Lord and Bill, my faithful husband.

Recently, I laughed and said, “Bill, when God called you into the profession of dentistry I bet you never dreamed you would be using some of those same skills to dress and re-dress abdominal wounds.” He nodded and grinned as he continued to smile and complete the thirty plus minutes of the daily procedure.

Naturally, other significant chances also came into play for my husband: Grocery shopping, cooking, dish-washing, and a long list of chores that became a part of his daily routine. On top of that he was, and still is, thinking of other ways to simply make life easier and make me smile. Observing his faithfulness points my heart back to our faithful Creator.

As you know, it’s not difficult to recognize and thank God when He is answering our prayers, but not so easy when we feel we’re being squeezed like a lemon. As this lemon squeeze regarding my health continued day after day I had to force myself to recall Romans 8:28: “…in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.”

Like the process or not, God is using this illness as part of my sanctification, or for my good and His glory. Like my husband, He remains faithful through the hard times. How do I know? I know because He is my Abba Father, or daddy. In fact, Roman 8:16 declares, “The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children. Now if we are children, then we are heirs—heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory.”

And so today I am committing my self to the remainder of Romans 8, especially verses 35-39: “Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? As it is written: ‘For your sake we face death all day long; we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered.’ No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death no life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

Compared to what many Christians are enduring today my health issue is minor. More importantly, my LORD has a purpose in it and He is forever faithful. I can, and will, celebrate God’s sovereignty.