PRAYING HANDS

There are hands that help and comfort,
Hands that plan and teach,
Hands that rest and hands that strive
For a goal just out of reach,
Hands that grasp and hands that give,
Hands that work and play,
Friendly hands and loving hands
That soothes life's cares away.
But praying hands are dearest
In the sight of God above
For in their sweet and earnest clasp
Are reverence and love.
No hands can do an unkind act
Nor cause another care
Nor sin against Our Father's love
When they are clasped in prayer.
Author Unknown

Gracious God, In this season of Lent touch me with your quiet voice of calm and grace. Live in me and energize me that I may not only touch life, but be touched by it. Help me to show that love is patient and kind, not jealous or proud. I pray that Your light will shine through me, that Your love will flow through me and that I may be ever aware of Your Spirit within me. Amen

Share each other’s troubles and problems, and in this way obey the law of Christ.
Galatians 6:2

Love your enemies, do good, and lend, hoping for nothing in return.
Luke 6:35

For the whole law can be summed up in this one command: “Love your neighbor as yourself.”
Leviticus 19:18

The complex shapes of snowflakes have confounded scientists for centuries. In the past, scientists believed that the making of a snowflake was a two-step process. They believed that inside the winds of a winter storm a microscopic speck of dust would become trapped in a molecule of water vapor. Scientists suggested that this particle would then become heavily frosted with droplets of super-cooled water and plunge to earth. During its descent, the varying temperature and humidity would sculpt the heavy, icy crystal into a lacy snowflake. Or at least that’s what scientists used to believe.

In recent decades, the true formation of the snowflake was discovered. Very few snowflakes actually contain dust or other particles. Dr. John Hallett of the University of Nevada discovered that the majority of snowflakes are formed from fragments of other snowflakes. As snowflakes are formed, extremely dry or cold air causes them to break up into smaller parts. The small fragments then act as seeds for new snowflakes to develop. Most of snow is made, therefore by snow.

In like manner, friendly people generate friends. Their neighborly outlook inspires others to reach out and be friendly too. Pass along the seed of friendship and watch what develops in your life.
Author Unknown

Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one’s life for his friends.
John 15:13

If you forgive those who sin against you, your heavenly Father will forgive you.
Matthew 6:14

By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.
John 13:35

Benjamin Franklin came to a personal conclusion that the lighting of streets would not only add gentility to his city, but also make it safer. In seeking to interest the people of his native Philadelphia in street lighting, however, he didn’t try to persuade them by talking about it. Instead, he hung a beautiful lantern on a long bracket outside his own front door. Then he kept the glass brightly polished, and diligently lit the wick every evening just before dusk.

People wandering down the dark street saw Franklin’s light a long way off. They found its glow not only friendly and beautiful, but helpful as well. Before long, other neighbors began placing similar lights in front of their own homes. Before long, other neighbors began placing lights in front of their own homes. Soon, the entire city was dotted with lights and everyone awoke to the value of street lighting.

Just as Franklin’s lantern brought guidance, safety, beauty, and comfort to his city, our actions as parents light the path for our children. The guidance, kind words, and correction we give show our children the way to go.
Author Unknown

Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their work: if one falls down, his friend can help him up. But pity the [one] who falls and has no one to help him up! . . . Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken.
Ecclesiastes 4:9-12

Carry each other's burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.
Galatians 6:2

God always gives us strength enough, and sense enough, for everything He wants us to do.
John Ruskin

Then he led forth his people like sheep, and guided them in the wilderness like a flock.
Psalm 78:52

The strength and happiness of a man consists in finding out the way in which God is going, and going in that way too.
Henry Ward Beecher

In Thee, O Lord, I have put my trust. Let me feel Your hand on my shoulder and awaken me to what I am and help me become the most I can be for You.
Open my heart so that Your love can be extended through me to others. Amen

For all the scientists out there, and for all the students who have a hard time convincing these people regarding the truth of the Bible here's something that shows God's awesome creation, and that He is still in control.
Did you know that the space program is busy proving that what has been called "myth" in the Bible is true? Mr. Harold Hill, President of the Curtis Engine Company in Baltimore, Maryland, and a consultant in the space program, relates the following development.

"I think one of the most amazing things that God has done for us today
happened recently to our astronauts and space scientists at Greenbelt, Maryland. They were checking out where the positions of the sun, moon, and planets would be 100 years and 1,000 years from now. We have to know this so we won't send up a satellite and have it bump into something later on in its orbits. We have to lay out the orbits in terms of the life of the satellite and where the planets will be so the whole thing will not bog down." They ran the computer measurement back and forth over the centuries, and it came to a halt. The computer stopped and put up a red signal, which meant that there was something wrong with either the information fed into it or with the results as compared to the standards. They called in the service department to check it out, and they said, "What's wrong?" Well, they found there is a day missing in space in elapsed time. They scratched their heads and tore their hair. There was no answer.

Finally a Christian man on the team said, '"You know, one time I was in Sunday School, and they talked about the sun standing still." While they didn't believe him, they didn't have an answer either, so they said, "Show us." He got a Bible and went to the book of Joshua where they found a pretty ridiculous statement for any one with "common sense." There they found the Lord saying to Joshua, "Fear them not, I have delivered them into thy hand; there shall not a man of them stand before thee." Joshua was concerned because he was surrounded by the enemy, and if darkness fell, they would overpower them. So Joshua asked the Lord to make the sun stand still! That's right. "The sun stood still and the moon stayed and lasted not to go down about a whole day!" (Joshua 10:12-13)

"The astronauts and the scientists said, "There is the missing day!'" They checked the computers going back into the time it was written and found it was close but not close enough. The elapsed time that was missing back in Joshua's day was 23 hours and 20 minutes... not a whole day. They read the Bible, and there it was "about (approximately) a day."

These little words in the Bible are important, but they were still in trouble because if you cannot account for 40 minutes, you'll still be in trouble 1,000 years from now. Forty minutes had to be found because it can be multiplied many times over in orbits. As the Christian employee thought about it, he remembered somewhere in the Bible where it said the sun went BACKWARDS. The scientists told him he was out of his mind, but they got out the Book and read these words in 2 Kings that told of the following story: Hezekiah, on his death bed, was visited by the prophet Isaiah who told him that he was not going to die. Hezekiah asked for a sign as proof. Isaiah said, "Do you want the sun to go ahead 10 degrees?" Hezekiah said, "It is nothing for the sun to go ahead 10 degrees, but let the shadow return backward 10 degrees." Isaiah spoke to the Lord, and the Lord brought the shadow ten degrees BACKWARD! Ten degrees is exactly 40 minutes!* Twenty-three hours and 20 minutes in Joshua, plus 40 minutes in Second Kings make the missing day in the universe! Isn't it amazing?
*References: Joshua 10:8 and 12,13 and 2 Kings 20:9-11.
Author Unknown

Happiness is neither within us only, or without us; it is the union of ourselves with God.
Plaise Pascal

Do you ever think at close of day
Of kindly words you meant to say –
But didn’t
Do you ever think when day is done
Of errands kind you could have run –
But didn’t
Do you ever think at daytime’s leave
Of flowers gay you meant to give –
But didn’t
Do you ever think when skies are red
Of hungry mouths you could have fed –
But didn’t
Friend, do you think at life’s set of sun
You’ll think of deeds you could have done –
But didn’t
Kathryn Thorne Bowsher

"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."
Jeremiah 29:11

Today I will delete from my diary two days: yesterday and tomorrow.
Yesterday was to learn and tomorrow will be the consequence of what I can do today.

Today I will face life with the conviction that this day will not ever return.
Today is the last opportunity I have to live intensely, as no one can assure me that I will see tomorrow's sunrise.

Today I will be brave enough not to let any opportunity pass me by,
my only alternative is to succeed.
Today I will invest my most valuable resource: my time, in the most transcendental work: my life.

I will spend each minute passionately to make of today a different and unique day in my life.
Today I will defy every obstacle that appears on my way trusting I will succeed.

Today I will resist pessimism and will conquer the world with a smile, with the positive attitude of expecting always the best.
Today I will make of every ordinary task a sublime expression.

Today I will have my feet on the ground understanding reality and the stars' gaze to invent my future.
Today I will take the time to be happy and will leave my footprints and my presence in the hearts of others.

Today, I invite you to begin a new season where we can dream that everything we undertake is possible and we fulfill it, with joy and dignity.
Author Unknown

Today is a new day Lord, show me the way to walk it. Help me to walk step by step with you. Guide me, inspire me in the way I should go. Thank you for all the opportunities that will come my way. Help me to give love so generously that it becomes a part of me and a reflection of who I serve. Amen

Unknown, but not uncharted, tomorrow waits for our arrival – a day designed, a place prepared with tender care by the One who goes before us … Let us walk with faith behind him in the footprints of his love.
Psalm 37:23

Kindness is the language which the deaf can her and the blind can see.
Mark Twain

Spread love everywhere you go: first of all in your own house…let no one ever come to you without leaving better and happier. Be the living expression of God’s kindness; kindness in your face, kindness in your eyes, kindness in your smile, kindness in your warm greeting.
Mother Teresa

Lord, I know this didn't take you by surprise! You knew it was coming and have already made a way for me. I thank You now that You are taking me where I need to go and giving me everything I need to get over the rough spots along the way. Amen

None of us has the power to make someone else love us. But we all have the power to give away love, to love other people. And if we do so, we change the kind of person we are, and we change the kind of world we live in.
Rabbi Harold Kushner

Be faithful in small things because it is in them that your strength lies.
Mother Teresa

Our Father, which art in heaven
Hear this Easter prayer.
That we trust God's judgment
And be guided by His hand.
A prayer that his Wisdom
Will abide in us each day.
To help and to guide
Each step along life's way.
Amen

Let me give a little of myself to you, dear Lord,
Let me give to you my lasting faith and trust,
Let me give to you my hands to do your will, dear Lord. my mind, to be completely fair and just
Let me give to you my very heart and soul, dear Lord. forever kind and loving let me be.
Let me give a little of myself to you, dear Lord.
As you, gave yourself so long ago for me.
Author Unknown

All the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be. How precious to me are your thoughts, O God! How vast is the sum of them! Were I to count them, they would outnumber the grains of sand.
Psalm 139:16-18

Once there were three trees on a hill in the woods. They were discussing their hopes and dreams when the first tree said, "Someday I hope to be a treasure chest. I could be filled with gold, silver and precious gems. I could be decorated with intricate carving and everyone would see the beauty."
Then the second tree said, "Someday I will be a mighty ship. I will take kings and queens across the waters and sail to the corners of the world. Everyone will feel safe in me because of the strength of my hull."

Finally the third tree said, "I want to grow to be the tallest and straightest tree in the forest. People will see me on top of the hill and look up to my branches, and think of the heavens and God and how close to them I am reaching. I will be the greatest tree of all time and people will always remember me."

After a few years of praying that their dreams would come true, a group of woodsmen came upon the trees. When one came to the first tree he said, "This looks like a strong tree, I think I should be able to sell the wood to a carpenter" ... and he began cutting it down. The tree was happy, because he knew that the carpenter would make him into a treasure chest.

At the second tree a woodsman said, "This looks like a strong tree, I should be able to sell it to the shipyard." The second tree was happy because he knew he was on his way to becoming a mighty ship. When the woodsmen came upon the third tree, the tree was frightened because he knew that if they cut him down his dreams would not come true. One of the woodsmen said, "I don't need anything special from my tree so I'll take this one", and he cut it down.

When the first tree arrived at the carpenters, he was made into a feed box for animals. He was then placed in a barn and filled with hay. This was not at all what he had prayed for. The second tree was cut and made into a small fishing boat. His dreams of being a mighty ship and carrying kings had come to an end. The third tree was cut into large pieces and left alone in the dark.
The years went by, and the trees forgot about their dreams. Then one day, a man and woman came to the barn. She gave birth and they placed the baby in the hay in the feed box that was made from the first tree. The man wished that he could have made a crib for the baby, but this manger would have to do. The tree could feel the importance of this event and knew that it had held the greatest treasure of all time.

Years later, a group of men got in the fishing boat made from the second tree. One of them was tired and went to sleep. While they were out on the water, a great storm arose and the tree didn't think it was strong enough to keep the men safe. The men woke the sleeping man, and he stood and said "Peace" and the storm stopped. At this time, the tree knew that it had carried the King of Kings in its boat. Finally, someone came and got the third tree. It was carried through the streets as the people mocked the man who was carrying it. When they came to a stop, the man was nailed to the tree and raised in the air to die at the top of a hill. When Sunday came, the tree came to realize that it was strong enough to stand at the top of the hill and be as close to God as was possible, because Jesus had been crucified on it.

The moral of this story is that when things don't seem to be going your way, always know that God has a plan for you. If you place your trust in Him, He will give you great gifts. Each of the trees got what they wanted, just not in the way they had imagined. We don't always know what God's plans are for us. We know Jesus endured the Cross to bring us the gift of eternal joy. Knowing this, every day we can find our strength in Him.
Author Unknown

I guide you in the way of wisdom and lead you along straight paths. When you walk, your steps will not be hampered; when you run, you will not stumble,” says the Lord.
Proverbs 4:11–12

Help me, dear Lord, to learn wisdom and compassion. May I feel Your guiding hand on my shoulder today. Lead me onto paths toward those who need my help. Amen

When we picture Easter colors we picture in our mind yellows and greens pastel pinks and blues. We think of variegated Easter eggs and ribbons on bright colored baskets. Spring has sprung and colors are in the air including the bright colored birds and bumblebees. There are flowers of every color and size, every shade and shape.

Easter: the time to feel lighthearted and shed a few clothes.
Easter: the time to spring clean -- opening doors and windows.
Easter: the time to fill children's thoughts with the idea of gifts and something sweet received for the looking.

RED
For one minute, can I ask you to open your mind to the true colors of Easter? I believe Red is one of the colors of Easter. Red was the color of the sweat that poured from my sweet Saviors brow as he asked his father, "if possible let this cup pass from me nevertheless not as I will, but thou wilt be done." Red was the color of the blood that lay across what was left of the back of Jesus after the cat of nine tails dug in ripping and pulling flesh away from his ribs. Red was the color of the blood on his sweet face after he was beaten and had his beard pulled out by the handfuls. Red was the color of the blood that fell from his forehead when they beat the crown of thorns piercing to the bone. Red was the color of the blood that poured from his side when they pierced him to prove that he was dead.

PURPLE
Purple is a color of Easter. Purple was the color that Jesus' back shone bruised for our Transgressions. Purple was the color of Jesus' swollen face and eyes showing us there was no pride only humility and a feeling of being forsaken by his beloved father. Purple is a color of Easter because it is the color of royalty. It is the color of the garment that covered Jesus the King of the Jews as they laughed and scorned Jesus.

BLACK
Black is one of the colors of Easter. It is the color of sin that so easily took over the eyes of the people that chanted, "Barabbus release Barabbus". Black was the color of the sixth to the ninth hour over all the land. About the ninth hour Jesus cried out with a loud voice saying, "My God My God, why have you forsaken me." Black was the color of the tomb where they laid the body of Jesus as they rolled the stone in front of it's mouth.

WHITE
White is a color of Easter. White is the color of the robe they took from Jesus before they scourged him. White is the color of purity that we can receive from the death of Jesus on that cross. White is the color of the slate of one of the robbers that asked Jesus to remember him when he comes into his kingdom. White was the color of the linens that lay empty in the tomb. White was the color of the Angels clothes that asked Mary why she was weeping. Yes, White is one color of Easter because it is the color of purity. Symbolizing the purity we can receive through the death of Jesus on that cross and the forgiveness of sins seeing he took them on himself so we can be saved.

Easter is the time for shedding things, shedding weights of sin and shame so we can feel lighthearted. It is the time to open doors and windows of our heart so Jesus can sweep clean our slate. It is time to look for the treasures in the word so we can be filled with the sweet nectar that only comes from the Spirit of God. Remember the Easter Colors; Red, Purple, Black, and White this Easter. But more so remember what they symbolize, The True Colors of Easter'.
Author Unknown

Thank you for the confidence you have given, Lord, that I can tell you what’s in my heart and know you will listen – that I can listen with an open heart and know you will speak.
1 Samuel 3:10

Many years ago, a dogwood tree grew on a hill outside Jerusalem. In those days, the dogwood tree was as tall and mighty as an oak, and this tree was the tallest of all the dogwoods, and extremely proud of its strength.

"Something wonderful is going to happen to me," it said to anyone who would listen. "I'll probably become the mast that holds the big sail on a grand ship, or the main timber supporting a great house." Unfortunately, the huge old dogwood was cut down to become the cross to which Jesus was nailed. The tree was horrified. All its dreams of glory were smashed, and it groaned in agony as two boards from its trunk were nailed together.

Jesus took pity on the tree, even as he carried it to Calvary. "You will never be put to such use again," he told it. "From this day on, your shape will change, even as will the world. You will become slender and sway easily with the breeze. And instead of acorns you will bear white flowers in the shape of a cross, with dark red bloodstains at the side of each petal to show the world how you have suffered and last of all, the center of your flowers will be marked as though with a crown of thorns, to remind people forevermore, that you and I spent our last moments together."
Author Unknown

Thank you for your blessing, Lord.
Thank you for sending your Son when we needed him.
Thank you for helping us to find the peace that no one else can give.
Thank you for the knowledge that comes from knowing He died so we might live!
Thank you for Christ's resurrection, so in Him we may live again.
Thank you for the promise that through peace and love, He walks among us still.
Thank you for your Angels, Lord.
Help me to realize when someone needs me. Amen

Heavenly Father, grant me the faith to place myself completely in Your hands. Let me feel Your presence and guidance. As I extend my hand, let me feel Your reassuring grasp and abundant love. Amen

Jesus said, “I tell you the truth, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to here’ and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you.”
Matthew 17:20

I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.
Philippians 4:13

Those who trust in the Lord for help will find their strength renewed.
They will rise on wings like eagles; they will run and not get weary;
they will walk and not grow weak
Isaiah 40:31

Lord, hold our troops in your loving hands.
Protect them as they protect us.
Bless them and their families for the selfless acts
they perform for us in our time of need.
I ask this in the name of Jesus, our Lord and Savior. Amen

You go no where by accident.
Wherever you go, God is sending you.
Wherever you are, God has put you there.
He has a purpose in your being there.
Christ who dwells in you has something
He wants to do through you where you are.
Believe this and go in His grace and love and power.
Richard C. Halverson, Chaplain of the United States Senate

O God, help me to touch someone today with my eyes, my words,
my smile, my voice, my laughter, Your word.
Change my life, so I can make a difference.
Let my actions bring someone closer to you.
Help me to make Christmas last all year.
Help me to use my gifts for Jesus.

Back to the top