This is excellent for where I am at these days.  I was in a marriage where outward appearances, education, income, status were very important.  The heart, and a person's character were not as valued as the external.  I praise the Lord that my sons did not adopt this attitude.  Unfortunately, my daughter has it to some extent, including the concerns for legalistic behaviors. 

Our Lord is so much more concerned about what is going on in my mind and attitude.  I am grateful for that, because He can see my repentance and my desire.

Trish

Thanks Mary.  I plan to pass this on.

Trish

Thank you all that lifted up my Grand daughter Alayah up in your prayers!!
  Most of her tests came back normal (Praise God). The doctors think the abnormal white cells in her tummy biopsy are from allergies... so there is more testing to be done but we thank God that it seems to be something that is treatable and not something more serious.
   I also have another praise....My daughter gave birth to our second Grandson (so now we have 5 Grand babies) a week ago yesterday..(Ezra William).  God is GOOD!!!

love in Christ!
Teri

The Lord is so faithful in all things.. I was having such a time with the bombardment of things this past month and this morning I was  having one of those parties.....you know.....("Self-Pity---table for one"), when I read this  devotional ....         .   Thanks!  I  needed that!!  :)

Hi, Everyone.
I hope you had a pleasant weekend. My daughter (2nd grade teacher) is organizing her classroom this week and then begins the school year. My grandson will hang out with me until he starts school (the end of August).
The County Fair was this past weekend. It was perfect weather. I didn't go, but I was happy that my family enjoyed the fair and the weather. I went outside quite often, because the weather was so beautiful and because I wanted to watch a squirrel enjoying the new bird feeder we put up. :)
Have a great week, everyone.

Life Plan Devotion #131 [Focus]

Matthew 14:25, 28-30 "During the fourth watch of the night Jesus went out to them, walking on the lake... 'Lord, if it's you,' Peter replied, 'tell me to come to you on the water.' 'Come,' He said. Then Peter got down out of the boat, walking on the water and came toward Jesus. But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, 'Lord, save me!'" (NIV)

     Peter stepped out of the boat and walked on the water, but then Peter made a mistake. He was hearing, believing, and acting right, but then "he saw the wind boisterous." He took his eyes off Jesus and started watching the strong wind blowing on the stormy sea.
     At that moment, fear entered in, faith stopped, and Peter started to sink. Maybe he was thinking, "I can't walk on water when the wind is blowing, especially when the waves are big!" He must have forgotten who had made it possible for him to walk on the water when it had been smooth.
     When we believe God, we need to hear God's Word, believe God's Word, say God's Word, and act on God's Word. We also need to keep our eyes off the problem and on Jesus. No matter what stormy cir****tances we face, Jesus is the answer to our every need.

What this has to do with weight loss: The scale is not moving, and it is so frustrating. It is a mistake to focus on the scale, weighing every day, determining whether it's a "good" day or a "bad" day according to the number on a scale. Whatever you focus on gets bigger. May it be Jesus, not the scale or current problem.

Confession:
I keep my eyes on Jesus, not looking at the cir****tances or impossibilities that surround me. I choose to believe His Word, and my faith holds me up.

Blessings,
Mary