After almost two weeks of constant cloudiness, I saw the sun again today. It was like greeting an old friend, whom I hadn't seen in years. It lit up not only the sky and the Earth but my very soul as well.
I smiled toward the heavens and thanked God for this beautiful sight.
I knew it was just one of the million ways that God says, "I love you" everyday.
In fact, if I started writing on all the ways God lets us know just how much He loves us, I would never stop. I would like to share just a few of them with you here, though.
There are those unexpected hugs from our kids, that shining light in another's eyes when they love you, the laughter of a child, a puppy licking your hand, a kitten purring on your lap, a new baby's smile, and the first songs of the birds in the Spring. There are also the delightful smells of spring flowers and fall leaves, warm sweaters, warm hearts, and hot chocolate on cold winter days. Let's not forget inspiring books, encouraging words, beautiful music and the peace that prayer brings.
We are also blessed with caring friends, good-hearted neighbors and compassionate strangers, who bring us comfort in times of need. Then we have all those obstacles that make us steer off the wrong road and onto the right path as well as all those problems that make us stronger, better and more loving people.
God's wondrous love flows through all of these things and through our own hearts and souls as well. That is why I find the best way to start any day is to say, "I love you, too, dear God, and I thank you for my life here."
God loves us all so much. He says it in a million ways everyday of our lives. His love is all around us and within us. His love watches over us in this life and promises us an even greater life to come.
God's love and the joy it brings are His gifts to us. Let's make them our gifts to each other, too.
Author Unknown
Glorious Day
- One day when heaven was filled with His praises,
One day when sin was as black as could be,
Jesus came forth to be born of a virgin—
Dwelt among men, my example is He! - Living, He loved me; dying, He saved me;
Buried, He carried my sins far away;
Rising, He justified freely forever:
One day He's coming—O glorious day! - One day they led Him up Calvary's mountain,
One day they nailed Him to die on the tree;
Suffering anguish, despised and rejected;
Bearing our sins, my Redeemer is He. - One day they left Him alone in the garden,
One day He rested, from suffering free;
Angels came down o'er His tomb to keep vigil;
Hope of the hopeless, my Savior is He. - One day the grave could conceal Him no longer,
One day the stone rolled away from the door;
Then He arose, over death He had conquered;
Now is ascended, my Lord evermore. - One day the trumpet will sound for His coming,
One day the skies with His glory will shine;
Wonderful day, my beloved ones bringing;
Glorious Savior, this Jesus is mine!
Daily Smile:
In The News:
Pakistani Preacher Jailed for Sermon at Funeral
An evangelist accused of defaming Islam was telling mourners at a funeral about the sacrifice of Christ when Muslims present took offense, ASSIST News Service reports. Karma Patras, 55, has been in jail since Oct. 13 for allegedly "outraging the religious feelings" of Muslims at the funeral of a Christian where most of those present were church members, and he faces a sentence of 10 years in prison and a fine under Section 295-A of Pakistan's widely condemned blasphemy law. Patras' son, Robin Masih, said: "My father addressed the gathering at the bereaved family's house by sharing Jesus Christ's sacrificial death and resurrection. He did not know that there were some Muslims sitting among the mourners. ... They fiercely objected to his sermon and even tried to attack him. He escaped a beating due to timely intervention by the other Christians." Masih said after his father's arrest, area Muslims told him and his four brothers to leave the village or else they would set them on fire. Masih's family and those of his brothers sought refuge with relatives elsewhere; meanwhile, Patras awaits a second hearing on his bail application after the first was denied. Though the blasphemy law requires evidence of intent for conviction, many Pakistani courts tend to decide blasphemy cases based on fear of violence by Islamist groups rather than on merit.
Oregon May Be Next State for Gay Marriage Battle
Oregon -- a state once known as a trailblazer for progressive causes -- wasn't among the four states that voted against traditional marriage on Nov. 6, but that could change in 2014, the Religion News Service reports. Local gay rights activists stand by a decision they made a year ago to not pursue a marriage ballot measure this year because "the timing wasn't right," but say the votes in other states this year help set the stage for 2014. "I am more confident than ever that we will be the first state to overturn a constitutional ban on [same-sex marriage]," said Jeana Frazzini, executive director of the LGBT-rights organization Basic Rights Oregon, adding that it is "likely" her organization would spearhead a gay marriage ballot campaign in two years. Teresa Harke, spokeswoman of the Oregon Family Council, said: "It's no secret that Basic Rights Oregon has been looking at this. We've been preparing for it." Harke called Tuesday's results "disappointing," but said they don't necessarily mean Oregonians would follow suit. "We don't do things just because Washington does," she said. While Washington and other states were dealing with statute change, Oregon would have to amend its constitution -- and 2014 could be a more difficult year to pass a same-sex marriage measure because there is no presidential race to draw voters, Harke said.
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