Yesterday my pastor announced that our church will be opening the doors of the sanctuary this Saturday morning for a time of open prayer. Specifically, it was my understanding that, in light of the upcoming presidential election and various other elections, it is time to provide an opportunity for Christians to join together and PRAY! Our country is facing serious moral, financial, political and spiritual devastation. If not now, WHEN would be the proper time to go before the Lord of All and pray for our nation?

I, personally, began praying for our nation some time ago after spending too many years like an ostrich (with my head in the sand). Knowing that God is ultimately in control, and knowing "the end of the story" and the plan for this world, I became complacent, 'gave up' and opted to simply let the cards fall where they may. No longer! I sought God's direction on this attitude and asked Him how HE viewed my complacency and discouragement. Since then, the Holy Spirit has urged me to PRAY for leaders, PRAY for our nation and PRAY for souls, whatever nationality they may be, who are lost and in sin. I am currently praying for the presidential election next week and the candidates and their families.

In response to the 'open door' prayer opportunity that my church is hosting, the Lord led me to create a poster/invitation to share with the community at large to announce this weekend event. I posted four posters at various coffee shops and a grocery store in the community this morning. (called the businesses first to make sure it was OK, having already discussed the poster idea with my pastor yesterday)

I am not sure what God will do with these posters and my efforts, but I DO know that I did what the Holy Spirit urged me to do. My HOPE is that someone will see the poster and recognize the urgent need to 'get on their knees' and seek God's intervention and direction for lost souls and a lost nation. I figure if nothing more, the posters will be a great opportunity to share with the community that one church, in particular, is seeking God and praying for our nation!

Included on the poster is a quote by Abraham Lincoln..."I have been driven many times to my knees by the overwhelming conviction that I had absolutely no other place to go." -- Abraham Lincoln

Times are tough all around, especially in the exclusive and very affluent community where my church is located. If ONE discouraged person turns their eyes toward heaven, acknowledges Christ and seeks the Lord for wisdom and help, no matter the need,....it is worth any effort to make and hang a few posters!

Ooooo, I'm so excited! I subscribed last night to an online aid that will help me as I play the piano for worship at my church! Because I only read music and am not able to 'improvise' as I play, I am often at a loss when playing contemporary music, specifically during a worship 'set' of music or as an underscore with prayer and scripture. I have often wished I could just sit at the keyboard and play by ear or as the Holy Spirit moves....but not so!

Last night I found a web site, Worshipflow.com, which provides piano music for transitions between songs as well as provides music that will allow me to change key as needed during transitions of music. The music is contained on one sheet, which is perfect for someone who uses other music books and sheets on the piano and is available in PDF format. All I'll have to do is punch in the keys of music that I am moving from and going to and VOILA the music is at my fingertips....ready to click and print! A small fee was required, but it will be worth it, I am sure!

I've been corresponding with a member of my church who leads the services when more contemporary worship music is used and we are working on songs and a worship set for this Sunday. I am SO looking forward to this! This is what makes my heart beat...WORSHIP! And to help and assist others in the church I am in, is even more rewarding and joyful! I am thrilled to serve Christ in this way! May HE be glorified in all we do!

As I listened to my pastor's message today, I was struck by a particular word he used to describe the way we should love others. (read more for word...)

His message was teaching on the scripture verses of 1John 3:19-24.

"And by this we know that we are of the truth, and shall assure our hearts before Him. For if our heart condemns us, God is greater than our heart, and knows all things. Beloved, if our heart does not condemn us, we have confidence toward God. And whatever we ask we receive from Him, because we keep His commandments and do those things that are pleasing in His sight. And this is His commandment: that we should believe on the name of His Son Jesus Christ and love one another, as He gave us commandment. Now he who keeps His commandments abides in Him, and He in him. And by this we know that He abides in us, by the Spirit whom He has given us."

The gist of the message was that Christians should exhibit LOVE (1 Cor. 13) as the dominant characteristic of our life in Christ. My pastor expounded to describe the confidence that is found and developed through living in love.

The word that caught my attention today was WINSOME. My pastor said that, "we (Christians) need to be winsome in love". He added that our love (demonstrated in action) should be sweet and acceptable to others. In this manner, we can represent and share Christ in a way that will attract others to Him.

As I thought of the word, WINSOME, I immediately thought of the root word, WIN. The Holy Spirit quickly nudged me with the thought, "Yes, followers of Christ need to love in a 'winning' manner", so that others may see that there is a PRIZE to win, a reward to gain, a hope to live-out and a future to inherit!

To confirm this word from the Holy Spirit and gain a better understanding of this Truth, I looked up the word, WINSOME at dictionary.com and found that WINSOME means to be: sweetly or innocently charming; winning; engaging: as in "a winsome smile".

Ut oh... Now I had to evaluate my actions, words, even motives in light of this descriptive word.

• Do I LOVE others in a way that they (or others) might be drawn to Jesus?
• Do I "engage" others through loving acts, or do I tend to alienate myself or others?
• Is my demeanor "sweet", or sour and bitter?

Whew....I have a LONG WAY to go! Praise God for His mercy and grace and "Thank-you" for the Holy Spirit, who teaches and shows us the way to live!

"...but whoever drinks of the water that I shall give him will never thirst..." Jesus

John 4:14

Today I attended the weekly Bible study that is sponsored by Homeward Bound Ministries. I attend this study nearly every week and it has become the highlight of my week! The group, that varies in members from week to week, meets at the food court of the Westfield Mall in Trumbull, CT. Not only are we treated to food (breakfast) by Homeward Bound Ministries, but we are fed abundantly and richly on the Word of God by the Holy Spirit, through teacher, John Payne.

Today we took some photos of our little group since this was the last week that my friend, Noel, will be attending the study. Noel will be moving to a new home in South Carolina before the end of this month. This photo was snapped by a police officer who passed by on horseback! (Noel is pictured in the blue striped blouse, I am beside her in brown)

Upon reviewing the photos, the thing that caught my eye was the huge Coca-cola machine in the background! Ugh...what an eye sore in an otherwise nice photo of this group of friends! Since there was no way I could crop the photo without cutting myself out of the group, I decided that it might be best to capitalize on the image of the Coke machine and add a note that the REAL "Thirst Quencher" is Jesus Christ! I may have to turn this photo into a small poster for members of the group!

I am always saddened to learn of the death of people who have touched my life. Today I read in the online newspaper nearest to my hometown in central PA, of the passing of a former resident of the nursing home where I was employed for 3 years.

A daughter and son-in-law of this lovely resident contributed greatly through their volunteer efforts to the activity department of this nursing home where I served as the Activity Director. I will be eternally grateful for the support and assistance that this couple offered while their mother was a resident in this facility and I will be praying for this couple during the next few difficult days. My life was deeply touched by the sweet and gentle spirit of this dear woman who recently passed away. While a resident of the long term care facility where I worked, this dear woman became ever more effected by symptoms of dementia, thus often displaying a childlike and simple joy of life and often delighting in response to issues, fears and concerns that caused others to stress! There were times when I recall this resident simply smiling from ear to ear as she giggled with sheer joy. I was blessed many times over by her sweet presence.

As the end of this life comes to yet another soul to whom I had opportunity to share God's love and Truth with, I am profoundly reminded of the urgent and dire need for all Christians to truly LIVE OUT Christ's love. My pastor just mentioned within the last few weeks of the need for Christians to not just TALK THE TALK, but to WALK THE WALK!

There are so many opportunities to share Christ that I miss on a daily basis; either by stubbornly and selfishly refusing to set my own life aside, or by being too busy to hear and recognize the nudges of the Holy Spirit. No matter the reason, the blame is upon ME and I will need to answer someday as I stand before the throne of God.

I am THANKFUL that every day in Christ is NEW and full of HOPE. God graciously forgives our confessed and repented sin and gives us every new day for renewed comittment and dedication... to love Christ and to love others as He loved, and to serve others with a sacrificial heart.

I pray for a deeper level of commitment in my life so that I will be unashamed of the Gospel of Christ and unhindered as I boldly demonstrate Christ's love to others!

1 John 4:4 (NLT)

But you belong to God, my dear children. You have already won your fight with these false prophets, because the Spirit who lives in you is greater than the spirit who lives in the world.

I was reminded at Bible Study this morning of the intimate, loving relationship between God and mankind, that is just waiting to be cultivated and nurtured in each of our lives. The scritpture posted above was quoted this morning and immediately my heart was 'touched' by the Holy Spirit as I saw myself as a little child and God as my dear, loving and caring Father.

Being a nanny and spending many hours caring for little children, I am privileged to have daily reminders of the precious childhood faith and love that so innocently springs forth from the mouths and hearts of children. In sheer trust and faith, children look to parents, caregivers and trusted friends for help and support, whatever their need may be. We are instructed to turn to our Heavenly Father in the same childlike manner. Trusting God for all things, letting Him control our lives. WE are to be about Our Father's business and He will handle all the details!

With confidence, we can boldy approach God's throne and TRUST Him for all things, knowing He loves and cares for us. In Romans 8:15, Paul instructs us saying, (in New Living Translation words) "...you should not be like cowering, fearful slaves. You should behave instead like God's very own children, adopted into his family-calling him "Father, dear Father."

May we all consider ourselves as 'little children' in the family of God and TRUST GOD for all things.