Choices -Mid Week Epistole

Choices



Many times in my life I have been confronted with choices. Not just the daily ones of where to go or what to eat or what to wear, but difficult choices. Ones that require me to stop and evaluate everything that I am and have dreams of becoming in the future. It is at times like this that I am reminded of a poem by Horatius Bonar.

Choose Thou For Me



Thy way, not mine, O Lord,
However dark it be!

Lead me by Thine own hand;

Choose out my path for me.

I dare not choose my lot:

I would not, if I might;

Choose Thou for me, my God,

So shall I walk aright...



The kingdom that I seek

Is Thine: so let the way

That leads to it be Thine,

Else I must surely stray.

Take Thou my cup, and it

With joy or sorrow fill,

As best to Thee may seem;

Choose Thou my good and ill.



Choose Thou for me my friends,

My sickness, or my health;

Choose Thou my cares for me

My poverty, or wealth.

Not mine, not mine the choice,

In things both great and small;

Be Thou my Guide, my Strength,

My Wisdom, and my all.

What would happen in your life if this was to become one of the guides for you? Would it change anything, or would it affirm the path that you are walking with God right now.

Take a moment and prayerfully consider what these words might mean to you today. Then please lift your heart and hands to God and offer Him all that you are.



This has been Rev. Jim Massey. Join me next week and we will share a special witness together.

Ghost of the past

Ya know, once in a while I will get an email from someone I had not heard from in forever. And sometimes, I will search out those people. It is still weird when I get someone email me from back in my College days though. On myspace, there is a small group of us auggie people who still chat to each other. That group is small, but it is still nice to read thier pages and see what is happening in thier lives. Another small group of auggie people who I email often. It is so strange that those wild and crazy kids are now parents. EEK. What an idea.

Last night, I was searching around the web though...and I found the name of a very old friend. She used to live with me when I was in Middle school. And I hate it...because I have this name, her husband's name...and still no way to contact her. We were best of friends, and my mom's foster daughter. I wish that I could talk with her...we lost touch during one of the many moves...the last time I talked with her was right after my mom died. I just miss her a lot. She is an awsome person.

I have decided I like Ghost from the past. It is nice to hear from old friends and reminders of what life once was.

Me

TELL ME ABOUT YOURSELF - The Survey
Name:	Sabrina
Birthday:	February
Birthplace:	Maryland
Current Location:	Exiled in Louisiana
Eye Color:	Cat Green
Hair Color:	Brownish Red
Height:	5 foot nothing
Right Handed or Left Handed:	Both
Your Heritage:	Irish, Scottish, American Indian and a little bit German
The Shoes You Wore Today:	slip ons
Your Weakness:	Ice Cream
Your Fears:	Too many to list. Water, heights, etc..
Your Perfect Pizza:	Sausage, onions, tomatoes, green peppers
Goal You Would Like To Achieve This Year:	Move out of Louisiana
Your Most Overused Phrase On an instant messenger:	lol
Thoughts First Waking Up:	Why is it morning already?
Your Best Physical Feature:	Eyes
Your Bedtime:	10ish
Your Most Missed Memory:	My Mom
Pepsi or Coke:	Diet coke
MacDonalds or Burger King:	Mcdonalds I guess..Prefer Wendys
Single or Group Dates:	Single
Lipton Ice Tea or Nestea:	Lipton Ice Tea
Chocolate or Vanilla:	Chocolate
Cappuccino or Coffee:	Neither. yuck
Do you Smoke:	No. yuck
Do you Swear:	Sometimes I let one slip
Do you Sing:	Yes. Love to
Do you Shower Daily:	LOL yes
Have you Been in Love:	Yes
Do you want to go to College:	Did already...would like to go to grad school though
Do you want to get Married:	already am
Do you belive in yourself:	sometimes
Do you get Motion Sickness:	yes
Do you think you are Attractive:	i am me
Are you a Health Freak:	LOL no
Do you get along with your Parents:	I am parentless
Do you like Thunderstorms:	yes
Do you play an Instrument:	violin
In the past month have you Drank Alcohol:	no. cant with my meds
In the past month have you Smoked:	no. yuck
In the past month have you been on Drugs:	prescription drugs
In the past month have you gone on a Date:	no
In the past month have you gone to a Mall:	yes
In the past month have you eaten a box of Oreos:	no
In the past month have you eaten Sushi:	no
In the past month have you been on Stage:	no
In the past month have you been Dumped:	no
In the past month have you gone Skinny Dipping:	no
In the past month have you Stolen Anything:	no
Ever been Drunk:	yes
Ever been called a Tease:	yes
Ever been Beaten up:	yes
Ever Shoplifted:	yes
How do you want to Die:	when I am old
What do you want to be when you Grow Up:	LOL. I do not know. at 35 I should huh?
What country would you most like to Visit:	hmm...Ireland
In a Boy/Girl..
Favourite Eye Color:	Brown
Favourite Hair Color:	Brown
Short or Long Hair:	Not long but not too short either
Height:	Taller then me. not too hard
Weight:	does not really matter
Best Clothing Style:	casual dress
Number of Drugs I have taken:	no clue
Number of CDs I own:	too many
Number of Piercings:	2 in one ear, 3 in another
Number of Tattoos:	none
Number of things in my Past I Regret:	too many to list.
CREATE YOUR OWN! - or - GET PAID TO TAKE SURVEYS!

Mid Week Epistole

TUNES IN THE CHURCH

Are you one of the people who cannot carry a tune in the proverbial bucket? Many times I hear people say those words when asked if they would sing in the choir or during church. Well, I have good news for you.

Donald Hustad once wrote: “Somehow, about 40% of churchgoers seem to have picked up the idea that ‘singing in the church is for singers.’ The truth is that ‘singing is for believers.’ The relevant question is not, “Do you have a voice?” but “do you have a song?”

Do you know the difference between the two songs? Or to you, are they the same?



Loving Father, we know you do not so much listen to the voice of Your church as it sings as much as You listen to the heart. We thank You for our song. In Christ’s blessed name. Amen.



This has been Rev. Jim Massey. Join me next week and we will read a journal entry from a servant of God who soared over the mountains.

This song Reminds me of Brianna

Brianna is a huge Hannah Montana Fan....but this song..

It reminds me of her for many reasons. My Little Ms. Independent.

Billy Ray Cyrus Ready Set Don't Go Lyrics


(BILLY RAY:)
Shes gotta do what shes gotta do
And I've gotta like it or not
Shes got dreams to big for this town
And she needs to give 'em a shot
Wherever they are

(MILEY:)
Looks like I'm all ready to leave
Theres nothin' left to pack

(BILLY RAY:)
Aint no room for me in that car
Even if she asks me to tag along
(Both:)
Gotta gotta be strong

(MILEY:)
I'm at the startin line of the rest of my life
As ready as I've ever been
Got the hunger and the stars in my eyes
The prize is mine to win
(BILLY RAY:)
She's waitin' on my blessins
`Fore she hits that open road
Baby get ready
(MILEY:)
Ohh Im ready
(BILLY RAY:)
Get set, don't go

(MILEY:)
Looks like things are fallin in place

(BILLY RAY:)
Feels like theyre fallin apart
Im paintin this big ol' smile on my face
To hide my broken heart
If only she knew

(MILEY:)
This is where you don't say
What you want so bad to say

(BILLY RAY;)
This is where I want to
But I wont get in the way
Of her and her dream
And spreadin her wings
(MILEY:)
I'm ready to fly

(MILEY:)
Im at the startin line of the rest of my life
As ready as I've ever been
Got the hunger and the stars in my eyes
The prize is mine to win
(BILLY RAY:)
[Ready Set Don't Go lyrics on http://www.metrolyrics.com]

She's waitin' on my blessins `fore she hits that open road
(MILEY:)
gotta hit that open road
(BILLY RAY:)
Baby get ready, get set
(Both:)
Don't go


(CHORUS)
(MILEY:)
Im at the startin line of the rest of my life
As ready as Ive ever been
(BILLY RAY:)
It'll be alright
(MILEY:)
Got the hunger and the stars in my eyes
The prize is mine to win
I'll be okay
(BILLY RAY:)
She's waitin' on my blessings
'Fore she hits that open road
Baby get ready
(MILEY:)
Oh oh oh
(BILLY RAY:)
Get set, please don't go
Don't go

(MILEY:)
Lemme go now
I'm ready

(BILLY RAY:)
Hmmmm Dont go

(MILEY:)
I'll be alright
I'll be okay
Know that I'll
Be thinkin of you
Each and every day

(BILLY RAY:)
Shes gotta do what shes gotta do

(MILEY:)
lemme go now

(BILLY RAY)
Shes gotta do what shes gotta do

(MILEY:)
I gotta do what I gotta do

(BILLY RAY:)
Shes gotta do what shes gotta do

9 years and Counting

Artist: Williams, Vanessa
Song: Save the Best for Last


Sometimes the snow comes down in June
Sometimes the sun goes 'round the moon
I see the passion in your eyes
Sometimes it's all a big surprise
'Cause there was a time when all I did was wish
You'd tell me this was love
It's not the way I hoped or how I planned
But somehow it's enough

And now we're standing face to face
Isn't this world a crazy place
Just when I thought our chance had passed
You go and save the best for last

All of the nights you came to me
When some silly girl had set you free
You wondered how you'd make it through
I wondered what was wrong with you

'Cause how could you give your love to someone else
And share your dreams with me
Sometimes the very thing you're looking for
Is the one thing you can't see

And now we're standing face to face
Isn't this world a crazy place
Just when I thought our chance had passed
You go and save the best for last

Sometimes the very thing you're looking for
Is the one thing you can't see

Sometimes the snow comes down in June
Sometimes the sun goes 'round the moon
Just when I thought our chance had passed
You go and save the best for last

You went and saved the best for last

Mid Week Epistole by Jim Massey

WHICH ONE DO YOU TRY TO TAKE CARE OF?

Yesterday was Monday, the dreaded day of the work force. How did your Monday go? Was it rewarding or filled with all kinds of disruptions?

When difficulties come into your life, how do you deal with them? Do you let them control you or is it the reverse?

Well, let me give you a very simple prayer to pray: “Lord, you take care of the gnats -- I can take care of the elephants.” The only thing you have to decide is which of your problems elephants are. Usually it is the one that is right in front of you. The gnats are the ones that seem to buzz around and make us think we are failures.

I think how true this prayer is today while I sit at home with the ice on the ground. I look out the office window and the beautiful Bradford Pear trees that we have enjoyed since we moved here are now split apart will have to be taken out. The birds are sitting in the branches still looking for their seed, and still I feel like God will provide for both of us as we wonder what to do now.



Lord, was that another gnat that you conquered for me? If so, would you mind coming and helping me with this elephant? Together we can win a victory for You. In the name of the Living Christ we pray. Amen.



This has been Rev. Jim Massey. Join me next week and we will find the power of having a song to sing with your voice.

Quick Let's Pray -Mid Week Epistole

QUICK! LET’S PRAY!

Dr. W. E. Sangster once wrote about what he called “minute prayers.” It’s not known if by “minute” he meant “tiny” or prayers that could be prayed in 60 seconds; it probably amounts to the same thing. Prayers do not need to be lengthy. Here are some little gems of prayer that can be used at any time, anywhere:

“O Lord, let me not live to be useless.” (John Wesley)

“Protect me, my Lord; my boat is so small, and your ocean so big.” (Briton fisherman’s prayer)

“Lead kindly light, amid the encircling gloom; lead Thou me on.” (J. H. Newman)

“O God, help me to be master of myself that I may be a servant of others.” (Unknown)

What “minute prayer” could you create for God today?



O God, hear us. Amen!



This has been Rev. Jim Massey. Today we talked about short prayers, next week we will look at the text of a prayer.

Letter to Me Lyrics

I am really stuck on this song right now. Reminds me of all those times I thought my life was just over, and it was really just a passing phase.

Letter to Me by Brad Paisley

If I could write a letter to me
And send it back in time to myself at 17
First I’d prove it’s me by saying look under your bed
There’s a Skoal can and a Playboy no one else would know you hid
And then I’d say I know its tough
When you break up after seven months
And yeah I know you really liked her and it just don’t seem fair
All I can say is pain like that is fast and it’s rare


1st Chorus
And oh you got so much going for you going right
But I know at 17 it’s hard to see past Friday night
She wasn’t right for you
And still you feel like there’s a knife sticking out of your back
And you’re wondering if you’ll survive
You’ll make it through this and you’ll see
You’re still around to write this letter to me

At the stop sign at Tomlinson and Eighth
Always stop completely don’t just tap your brakes
And when you get a date with Bridgett make sure the tank is full
On second thought forget it that one turns out kinda cool
Each and every time you have a fight
Just assume you’re wrong and dad is right
And you should really thank Mrs. Brinkman
She spent so much extra time
It’s like she sees the diamond underneath
And she’s polishing you ‘til you shine

2nd Chorus
And oh you got so much going for you going right
But I know at 17 it’s hard to see past Friday night
Tonight’s the bonfire rally
But you’re staying home instead because if you fail Algebra
Mom and dad will kill you dead
Trust me you’ll squeak by and get a C
And you’re still around to write this letter to me

You’ve got so much up ahead
You’ll make new friends
You should see your kids and wife
And I’d end by saying have no fear
These are nowhere near the best years of your life

I guess I’ll see you in the mirror
When you’re a grown man
P.S. go hug Aunt Rita every chance you can

3rd Chorus
And oh you got so much going for you going right
But I know at 17 it’s hard to see past Friday night
I wish you’d study Spanish
I wish you’d take a typing class
I wish you wouldn’t worry, let it be
I’d say have a little faith and you’ll see

If I could write a letter to me
To me

I Want to Move!

I want to move. Have I mentioned that lately? I want to move, I want to move, I want to move.

Did I mention I want to move?

Argh. Dorkboy is going out of town. fun fun.

Mid Week Epistole -Positive Thinking by Jim Massey

Positive Thinking

Do you have a problem today thinking positively? It seems as though we are encouraged to look at everything in the world in a negative way. It always reminds me of the famous song from Hee-Haw: "If it weren't for bad luck I'd have no luck at all..."

There once was a shoe company that transferred one of its salesmen to Africa. After arriving he wired: "Am coming back; they don't use shoes here."

The company replaced him with a more positive salesman who immediately wired: "Start shipping shoes; no competition!"

What do you see in your world today? Lost opportunity or golden moments? When you look through the eyes of God, you see all His glorious promises and not the temptations of the devil.



Father, let us look with loving eyes and find the truth you have for us. Then let us turn every moment in the day to a blessing filled with Your glory. In the name of Christ, we lift this prayer. Amen.



This has been Rev. Jim Massey. I hope this devotional will encourage you to look for all the blessings that God gives you every day of your life. Join me next week when we look at what we put in to be paid from.

Disney and the Beach

and

Pictures