WATCHWORD WEDNESDAY: Little Is Much

"Do not despise these small beginnings; the Lord
rejoices to see the work begin."
―Zechariah 4:10, NLT 

• Noah had some gopher wood
• Aaron had a rod
• Moses had a staff
• David had five smooth stones.
• A widow had a small jar of oil
• Another widow had a handful of meal and a little oil
• Gideon had three hundred men
• The wedding servants had six water pots
• The young boy had five loaves and two fish.
• Joseph of Arimathea had a tomb
• What do you have?

       Release it.

Giving God what we have in the natural

paves the way for the supernatural.

Please visit my devotional blog at the following link

http://365degreelens.blogspot.com/ 

   

 

SUNDAY SOLACE: Abba Father

"Children do not find it difficult or complicated to talk to their parents, nor do they feel embarrassed to bring the simplest need to their attention. Neither should we hesitate to bring the simplest requests confidently to the Father." ―Richard J. Foster

 

"If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children,

how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him!"   

―Matthew 7:11, NIV

 

 

Please visit my devotional blog at the following link

http://365degreelens.blogspot.com/ 

 

Photo is of my great nephew at Holden Beach, NC 2012

SIMPLY SATURDAY TRIVIA: Happy Trails

 "Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus. " ―Philippians 3:13-14, NIV

 

Singer and actor Roy Rogers, born Leonardo Franklin Slye in 1911, was one of the most heavily marketed and merchandised stars of his era. In 1936, Rogers married Arlene Wilkins. After having two daughters, Arlene died giving birth to their only son, Roy Jr., in 1946. Rogers married his second wife Dale Evans on New Year’s Eve in 1947.

Known as the “King of the Cowboys” for starring in musical westerns, he appealed to fans for his good-guy hero image. They also loved his sidekick palomino, Trigger, and dog, Bullet. He appeared on TV, radio, records and film from 1930-1957. From 1951-1957, Rogers starred in his own popular television series, The Roy Rogers Show, which also featured his wife Dale. Riding her horse, Buttermilk, she quickly gained the name, “Queen of the West” and wrote the show’s theme song, “Happy Trails.” Following a revamping of the show in 1962, Roy and Dale starred again in The Roy Rogers and Dale Evans Show.

In 1965, Rogers and Evans established a museum in their hometown of Victorville, California. The museum features Trigger, whom Rogers had preserved when the horse died that same year at the age of 33. In 1998, six months after celebrating their 50th anniversary, Rogers died in Victorville, California of congestive heart failure. Dale also died of congestive heart failure in 2001 at the age of 88.

To me, the public role of Roy Rogers and Dale Evans pales in comparison to the inspiration they became to others in their private lives. What many may not know is that Roy and Dale gave birth to a daughter, Robin, born with Down syndrome. They were advised to “put her away,” but instead chose to bring her home and love her. She was a beautiful part of their lives until she died in 1952 of complications from the mumps only days before her second birthday. Through Robin's short time on earth, Roy and Dale were brought closer to God and reached out to help other children in need. Through Dale's book, Angel Unaware, Robin’s life story changed the way America treats children with special needs and is now available to a new generation.

Dale's book became an important part of my library after the birth of our second daughter, Ashley, who was also born with Down syndrome. Robin's story not only offered me hope at a time when life seemed hopeless, but a glimpse into the important role Ashley would go on to play in our lives. Like Robin, Ashley also became an angel unaware. From within this tiny parcel wrapped in pink came a contagious love, tied with our growing awareness of God's unshakeable presence and his overwhelming desire for us to know him and experience his ways.

Though our trails have not always led to what the world perceives as happiness, Ashley has shown us that the birth of a special needs child is a "special delivery" indeed.

http://www.amazon.com/Angel-Unaware-Touching-Story-Love/dp/0800759311

Please visit my devotional blog at the following link

http://365degreelens.blogspot.com/ 
 

FRIDAY FRIENDLY FOCUS: Betty Hassler

Welcome to Friday Friendly Focus.  I am happy to shine the spotlight this week on my friend and gifted writer and editor from Nashville, Tennessee, Betty Hassler.  Betty and I met last February at The Cove while attending Writer's Advance Boot Camp. It was one of those brief but "holy introductions." Now we serve together in ministry. After boot camp, Betty contacted me and invited me to write for ZooKeepers Ministries. http://www.zookeepersministries.com/ We have since talked about the lengths to which God goes to bring about his purpose in our lives. Knowing Betty is one of the reasons I am glad I  followed God's call to write. It is my privilege to feature her this week. Thank you, Betty, for being my guest and for allowing God's light to shine through you.

Live in the Light

by Betty Hassler

 

This summer my husband Sim and I sat at a hilltop café with our Hungarian friends Tamas and Reka. Beneath us the beautiful blue Danube wound between the old cities of Buda and Pest (joined together in 1872). The view took our breaths away.

As dusk descended, the lights of the city came on as if in unison. Sim whistled under his breath. “Oh, my,” seemed all I could utter.

Gradually, we returned to our meal—stealing looks throughout the evening at the thousands of points of light in a city that would otherwise have been in darkness.

As I reflected on the lights of the city (pun intended), I remembered Revelation 21:23: “The city [the new Jerusalem] does not need the sun or the moon to shine on it, for the glory of God gives it light, and the Lamb is its lamp.”

In the beginning, the world was in darkness. God added the temporal sources of light (sun, moon, stars) until such time as they would no longer be needed. In His eternal home, we will need only the brilliance of the Son.

Jesus is also the Light of this world (Jn. 8:12). I had always thought of this title as an analogy: the “light” of Christ dispels the darkness of sin. But Jesus isn’t like a light. He is the light. Our lives aren’t like lights; they are lights pointing the way to the Source of light. We are to allow His light to so shine in our lives that others will be drawn to its Source (see Matt. 5:16, 1 Pet. 2:9).  

Tamas and Reka minister through their church to the youth of Budapest. As the first generation born after the fall of communism in 1989, these two leaders shine like stars dispelling the darkness left by decades of atheism.

Jesus promised, “Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life” (John 8:12). Today, whatever gloom may seem to obscure your path, let His light envelope you. “Walk in the light, as he is in the light” (1 Jn. 1:7).

Writer and communicator Dr. Betty Hassler has written two books and co-written nine Bible studies. She designed and edited Bible studies with such noted authors as Henry Blackaby, Joni Eareckson Tada, and Lisa Whelchel.

She has served as an editor of magazines, discipleship studies, and online devotions and has earned several writing awards, including the 2012 Selah Award for a book in the Christian life category. She completed undergraduate studies at Baylor University and earned master’s and Ph.D. degrees from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary.

 

She is the wife of Dr. Sim Hassler, a minister and life coach; mother of two grown sons; grandmother of two; and an active church member in Nashville, TN. She and her husband enjoy ministering to international students.

WATCHWORD WEDNESDAY: Heads Up

"Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility

value others above yourselves." ―Philippians 2:3, NIV

 

SUNDAY SOLACE: Amazing Love

How do you define love?

 

We can talk about what love is all we want, but nothing speaks louder than a living example. Don't miss the following real life love story . . . but grab a tissue (or three) first.

 

"If I speak in the tongues of men or of angels, but do not have love,

I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. "

―1 Corinthians 13:1, NIV 

 

  

Don't miss the rest of the story . . .

"Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one's life for one's friends."
―John 15:13, NIV

Please visit my devotional blog at the following link

http://365degreelens.blogspot.com/ 

SIMPLY SATURDAY TRIVIA: A New Song

Music washes away from the soul the dust of everyday life.

~Berthold Auerbach~

 

"Sing to the LORD a new song; sing to the LORD, all the earth."

―Psalm 96:1, NIV

Music is the universal language. It is found in every known culture and is influenced by all aspects of that culture. Even the most isolated tribal groups have a form of music.

Music is holy. God created all of creation to worship and praise him, and it has always played an important role in worship. There are many verses about music found in the Scriptures.

 

In the Bible, Jubal, a descendant of Cain, is named as the maker of the first musical instruments―the harp and the lyre. After their triumphal passage through the Red Sea, the children of Israel sang a song of deliverance. But the period of Samuel, David and Solomon was the golden age of Hebrew music.

Spend some time today enjoying music in all of its varied forms. Better yet, make a joyful noise of your own!

  

Please visit my devotional blog at the following link

http://365degreelens.blogspot.com/ 

 

Photo was taken in Quebec City, Canada 2010

SPREAD THE WORD

. . . and Spread It On Thick

 

Oh My Goodness!!! I just found out! Today is CHOCOLATE CUPCAKE DAY!  Certainly a day worth celebrating. Who doesn't love a great cupcake?!?!

 

In recognition of this great day, I dug into my archives and found this pic. They say a picture is worth a thousand words, but I say: "HEY! Don't put words in my mouth . . . I prefer chocolate!"

 

Go out and celebrate!

 

"O, taste and see . . .

 

 

. . . that the Lord is good! "

―Psalm 34:8, ESV

Please visit my devotional blog at the following link

http://365degreelens.blogspot.com/ 

 

Cupcake made by Cupcakes To Go https://www.facebook.com/cupcakestogo

WATCHWORD WEDNESDAY: Divine Signature

 

 ^"For ever since the world was created, people have seen the earth and sky.

Through everything God made, they can clearly see his invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature.  So they have no excuse for not knowing God." 

―Romans 1:20, NLT

 

Our handwriting is as unique to us as our fingerprints. Its characteristic style can serve as a blueprint of our minds. Though not an exact science, handwriting analysis reveals individualized markers of our personality and character. The examination of the strokes of our handwriting can uncover specific thought patterns, emotions and behavior. Our handwriting may change due to  current circumstances and moods, however, the characteristics of our basic personality remain the same.

 

Accordingly, the broad creative strokes of God throughout our universe reveal not only his existence but give us  glimpses into his divine nature. His character is as diverse as his creation, yet he is the same yesterday, today and forever. From the smallest insect to the most majestic mountain range or deepest ocean, the revelation of his innate beauty is clearly seen. Scripture declares that the earth is filled with God's glory―this wondrous hallmark of his presence leaves me breathless. How about you?

Please visit my devotional blog at the following link

http://365degreelens.blogspot.com/ 

 

WATCHWORD WEDNESDAY: The Never-Ending Story

"Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his love endures forever."

―Psalm 118:1, NIV

"His love endures forever" appears forty-three times in God's Word. Twenty-six of those times are within Psalm 136.
 

We learn through repetition. This is one message God doesn't want us to forget.
 

His love is a love that never ends.

Give thanks!

Please visit my devotional blog at the following link

http://365degreelens.blogspot.com/ 

Photo was taken at Peggy's Cove, Halifax, Nova Scotia 2010 

SUNDAY SOLACE: Silence Is Golden

 

 

 

"For God alone, O my soul, wait in silence, for my hope is from him. "

―Psalm 62:5, NIV

 

Please visit my devotional blog at the following link

http://365degreelens.blogspot.com/ 

SIMPLY SATURDAY TRIVIA: Take the Plunge

Recently, I read the bizarre account of Lake Natron in northern Tanzania. This terrifying lake turns to stone all birds and animals that immerse themselves or are unlucky enough to fall into its deceptive water. 

The lake takes its name from natron, a naturally occurring compound made  of sodium carbonate with a bit of sodium bicarbonate (baking soda) from volcanic ash. Confused by the lake's deceitful, mirror-like surface, birds plunge into it, are immersed in the water, die and are calcified. 
 

 

Reading of Lake Natron reminds me of the story of Lot's wife in the book of Genesis. Reluctant to let go of the wealth and comfort she experienced in Sodom, she turned to look back at the smoldering evil city and was reduced to a pillar of salt. Today, a pillar of salt that is commercially named "Lot's wife" is located near the Dead Sea at Mount Sodom in Israel. 
 



"But Lot's wife looked back, and she became a pillar of salt."
―Genesis 19:26, NIV 

 

Sin is deceptive. On the surface it looks appealing but within its depths lie inescapable heartache and pain. We cannot immerse ourselves in unrighteousness and expect to move forward with God. Looking back longingly at sin will invite defeat, result in a hardened heart and eventually lead to spiritual death.

Jesus Christ is our source of Living Water; one that cleanses and satisfies our souls. As we immerse ourselves in his love, he promises . . .

"I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you; I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh" ―Ezekiel 36:26, NIV.

So, go ahead. Take the plunge. Never look back.
 

WATCHWORD WEDNESDAY: Letting Go of the Blues

"May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him,

so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit." 

—Romans 15:13, NIV 

How often do you see a friend in distress or crisis but feel helpless to lighten their load? Kathe Wunnenberg's newest book Hopelifter, Creative Ways  to Spread Hope When Life Hurts includes 100 Recipes of Hope that take the mystery out of how to be the hands and feet of Jesus to anyone in need of comfort and care. I am thrilled to have two Recipes of Hope included in Kathe's book. You can preview and purchase the book at the following link. http://ow.ly/pmNMP 

 

"We go through what we go through to help others go through what we went through" —Kathe Wunnenberg

 

Spread a little hope today. It's contagious!