A Bend In The Road

A Bend In The Road Is Not The End Of The Road

Unless You Fail To Make The Turn

Anonymous

Hello Everyone,

     It has been way too long since I have written a message.  You are not getting a picture this time, although I tried for a LONG time to put one on this page, but with no success.  Guess it has been too long since I have done it.

     This saying above was in one of my devotionals that my Godson got me for Christmas.  I thought it was a really good thought!!  I actually sent it to my friend Shawn and the AA guys in New York, hoping that it would encourage them to make the turn at all times.  Too many times when we are behind the wheel and trying to do everything ourselves, we fail to plan ahead, and end up going completely off the path that we were on.  I have done it myself at times.  So remember this important message, and allow yourself to try to see far enough ahead to know there is a bend coming, and ask God to help you make the turn.  He will do that! Listen for His voice, and He will tell you where to go.  

     Isaiah 30:21 While from behind, a voice shall sound in you ears:  "This is the way;walk in it," when you would turn to the right or to the left."

     OK, forget the second sentence, cause I just did it---not sure how, but I guess God wanted a picture after all.  (???)  

A Blessed and Peaceful New Year

  I write this on New Year's Eve in prayerful thought that you will all have a very blessed and peaceful New Year's Eve.  I will share my thoughts about this coming year..... a few things that we might do in order to have a stronger and more blessed year.     

May you have a blessed and safe New Year!

 Things to do for the New Year:

 Read scripture daily!

Do not beat yourself up for the past!

 Stay positive and focused!

Look at tomorrow only! (One day at a time!)

 Don’t worry about the future—God is already there!

 Enjoy the dream of tomorrow!

 Breathe in Peace and exhale fear and doubt!

 Pray, Pray, Pray, and Pray some more!

 Forgive yourself, forgive others, ask forgiveness!

Remind yourself daily:

I CAN DO ALL THINGS THROUGH CHRIST WHO STRENGTHENS ME        Phil 4:13

A Christmas of HOPE

Reflections by Mary—The Edgerton Earth

By Mary C. Juarez

December 17, 2013

     Hello everyone!  The celebration of the birth of Jesus, the Savior of the world, is almost here.  Christmas is the time of year when we anticipate beautiful experiences to happen, and we eagerly await this blessed event.  Sometimes, in this secular world, we tend to lose the true meaning of Christmas.  Deep down I yearn for the Christmases of long ago that my parents spoke of, when families went to church together, shared their love with one homemade present, (if they were fortunate enough to be able to do that), and to rejoice that Christ had been born to bring Salvation into the world.  I believe the greatest gift we could ask for right now is the gift of Hope.  If our hearts have no Hope, there are no gifts in the world that can bring happiness and peace.

     This year, I pray for all hearts to be filled with the precious free gift of Hope.

     …For the couple who is sitting in a hospital waiting room, awaiting positive news from their doctor about the diagnosis of their child’s disease, that their hearts will be filled with HOPE of positive results.

     …For the couple who have been yearning to become parents, that either a pregnancy or an adoption will become a prayer answered, and that their hearts will be filled with HOPE that they will be able to hold a child in their arms to love.  And for the young woman who thought abortion was her only choice, that she too, would someday find HOPE.

     …For the soldiers fighting overseas, who will be spending this Christmas season without their loved ones, that their hearts will be filled with HOPE that their next Christmas will be spent with family.

     …For the people who have undergone the most devastating natural disasters ever, that their hearts will be filled with HOPE, that somehow, their lives will be rebuilt and they will become richer in spirit than they ever imagined.

     …For the alcoholics and addicts who have lost their way and feel only desperation and despair, that their hearts will be filled with HOPE, that they will have the strength and courage to ask God to heal them,  so that they may begin  a new life filled with  forgiveness, peace and contentment.

     …For the youth who are in trouble, lonely, suicidal, and cannot find the right path, that their hearts will be filled with HOPE, that someone will guide them with the light of Christ, which will replace the darkness in their lives.

     …For the prisoners whose lives feel meaningless, that someday, their hearts will be filled with HOPE, that forgiveness and mercy will come to them someday.

     …For the people fighting cancer, or any disease, who are losing all strength and will, that their hearts will be filled with HOPE, that somehow God will heal them of their suffering, either in this world, or to be rewarded in Heaven for eternity.

     …For the parents who are waiting on their prodigal child to return home, that their hearts will be filled with HOPE, that someday, they will run to greet that child who has come home to be reunited with his family and with Christ.

     …For the couple who is contemplating divorce, that their hearts will be filled with HOPE, that their marriage will be saved, and their love will become stronger than ever before.

     …For those struggling financially who see no end to their problems, that their hearts will be filled with HOPE, that someday, they will find security.

     …For the women and children who have lived with abuse and fear, that their hearts will be filled with HOPE, that somehow they will find happiness and healing.

     …For the people who are crying a million tears as they walk the journey of grief, that their hearts will be filled with HOPE, that someday, the sun will shine a little brighter and the sorrow will be a little lighter.

     …For the schools that have undergone tragedy, and for the youth who are troubled and acting out in violence, that their hearts will be filled with HOPE, that someday, our nation will invite Christ back into our schools, and that fear will never again linger in the hallways.

     …For our nation, workplaces, government, homes, & families, that all hearts will be filled with HOPE, that someday, we will all live in the peace and unity of Christ, and that war and hatred will only exist in the chapters of an old dusty history book.

     …From my heart to your heart, may we have HOPE this Christmas season, that everyday can hold the possibility of a miracle because our Savior, the giver of HOPE has been born!     May you have a blessed and HOPEFUL Christmas!!

      Romans 15:13  May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing , so that you may abound in hope by the power of the holy Spirit.

       Until we meet again, may God’s rainbow fill your hearts with the promise of His peace.         

Keep CHRIST in CHRISTmas!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Reflections by Mary—The Edgerton Earth

By Mary C. Juarez

December 1, 2013

     Hello everyone!  I hope you had a thankful and beautiful Thanksgiving.  Victor and I spent  Thanksgiving in Buffalo, NY with my daughter Christie and her family, and her friends.  We had a wonderful time at their friends, Amy and Ricky’s house for Thanksgiving dinner.  It almost felt like home when they gathered in a circle and everyone said something they were thankful for.   Even though Thanksgiving has passed, I am still thankful for many things:

     Jeremiah 1:5 Before I formed you in the womb I knew you.  Before you were born I dedicated you.  I was not born into an ideal situation, for the woman who was carrying me in her womb was a young single woman who was not ready to become a mother, but I find comfort in knowing that the Lord said to her, “I will help you in this situation.”

     Jeremiah 29:11 For I know well the plans I have in mind for you says the Lord, plans for your welfare, not for woe!  plans to give you a future full of hope.  God had plans for my life, and He had it all figured out even before I was born, and He took a difficult situation and He made good of it.

     Proverbs 22:6 Train a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he shall not depart from it.  God chose my parents for me, Virginia and Hinie Cape, because He knew they would love me as their own and would raise me with His love and guidance.  They planted that seed of faith the day they brought me home from Cleveland when I was seven months old.  That seed is now the center of who I am today.

     Matthew 19:19 Honor your father and your mother. My parents gave me so much growing up.  It wasn’t the material things in life that children find important today. It was the compassion and respect that they unselfishly poured upon me that gave me the desire to honor them in everything they did. 

     Psalm 8:4 When I see your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and stars that you set in place.

     Genesis 9:13 I set my bow in the clouds to serve as a sign of the covenant between me and the earth.     Growing up in the country gave me a real sense of God’s presence in my life.  I still remember the feeling in my heart when I would see the sun setting across the corn fields, or witness an indescribable rainbow hand painted across the sky after a storm. God’s nature has been a priceless gift to me in my life.

     Ecclesiastes 4:10 Two are better than one, if the one falls, the other will lift up his companion. God sent me precious friends during my grade school years at St. Mary’s, and also in high school years who are still close to me today.  He sent me the right friends at the right times in my life. Those friends laughed and cried with me, and picked me up at times when I fell.  Some friends walked with me on some journeys that I didn’t want to travel, but they helped me stay focused at times when the road ahead was blurry with tears.

     Matthew 6:30 If God so clothes the grass of the field, which grows today and is thrown into the oven tomorrow, will he not much more provide for you, o you of little faith.  Throughout my life there have been times when I would wonder how I would pay the next bill, but somehow God would always come through and provide. It would leave me wondering why I had ever worried.

     Luke 23:34 Then Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, they know not what they do.”  I cannot comprehend the unselfish love that God has for me that He would send His only Son to die upon a cross for my sins.  I am a sinner, but I am forgiven.

     Matthew 5:4 Blessed are they who mourn, for they will be comforted.  God brought me comfort at the times I fell to my knees in sorrow with a broken heart. When I thought I could not go on, He held me.

     1 Corinthians 2:9 But as it is written:  What eye has not seen, and ear has not heard, and what has not entered the human heart, what God has prepared for those for those who love him.  I cannot imagine anything more magnificent than the rising sun in the stillness of the morning, or the majestic purple and orange sky as the sun begins to play hide and seek as it sets in the horizon.  Yet, Heaven will be more beautiful than all of His creations on earth.

     Psalm 30:5 Sing praise to the Lord, you faithful; give thanks to God’s holy name.  I thank Him for all that He has given me. 

     Until we meet again, may God’s rainbow fill your hearts with the promise of His peace.

Good Morning Lord!

Hello everyone!  This weekend the rain has fallen upon us like raindrops from Heaven, and they seem to keep coming.  It has been one of those weekends when it is nice to stay inside and be lazy.  We all need relaxing days now and then.  The best sleeping weather is listening to the raindrops fall upon the roof in slow motion.  I do not like storms, but I love to listen to the raindrops.  It is so peaceful.   A few weeks ago, I was stressing one morning when I thought of everything that I had to do that day.  These words went through my head, and since then, I have typed them and it has become my morning prayer each day.  If we can all give our day to the Lord, and ask Him to guide us and use us in the way that He wants too, our world will be a much better place to be.

    

 A Morning Prayer

Good Morning, Lord, I'm Yours today, do with me as You will,

Plan my day, calm my heart, please help my mind be still.

Lead me to those who need me, and send others to help me too,

May I honor You and give You praise, in everything I do.

In Your precious name, I pray, Amen.

God's Amazing Beauty

     Hi everyone,  I am still learning on this "blogging stuff", and I did get this peacock feather copied and pasted from another page, but I am not sure why I can;t move it over?????  Someday, with months of practice, maybe I will be good at it.  Yesterday, my husband and I met a friend and we went to the annual "Barn Fest" in our neighboring town.  My friend bought a group  of peacock feathers which were tied together with a bow, and is planning on using them as decorations in her new apartment.  I would have liked to have bought some also, but decided our cat would probably have too much fun.

     As I stood and looked at the amazing beauty of this elegant feather, I was fascinated at its design.  I have always thought they were beautiful, but for some reason, when I really studied this intricate sample of God's power, I realized that He really can do absolutely anything.  The perfection of this feather with its beautiful details is simply mind boggling to me.  Seriously, He made this feather to be part of one of His creations, and the peacock walks around with innocence of having no idea how beautiful it is.  God has made each one of us as beautiful also, but sometimes we just can't see it ourselves. Let us rediscover the amazing power of God and all that He has made beautiful! Let us never doubt the beauty He can create out of what we may think might be an ugly mess at times!! 

     Genesis 1:31  God looked at everything he had made, and he found it very good."

      I find it very fascinating and beautiful beyond my imagination!!!! 



Full Moon

Hi  Friends,
     As we were at the campground last night seeing the full moon over the pond, it almost looked like it could have been this picture.  I remember years ago writing a poem about a full moon, and the sadness that my heart was feeling at the time, yet the power of knowing that if God could create something of this magnitude for us to witness the beauty, He could certainly take care of the problems that were invading my life at that time.  He did just that!  I look back now and realize the strength that I have received from just looking into a full moon.  They are so beautiful, and especially in the fall.  If God can place a full moon in the sky, He can certainly cure any addiction, He can heal a family of the turmoil they have endured because of addiction, and He can certainly  give everyone involved the strength they need to conquer what has been lost in the past. The next time you have the opportunity to just sit outside in the quietness of the still evening, and stare into the deep beauty of a full moon, do not pass it up.  It may just give you the peace you need to keep going, no matter what is going on in your life.
     This week, I will be going to give a presentation to a group of 4th, 5th, and 6th graders about the dangers of alcohol and drugs.  I will be sharing the story of my son's life with them, in hopes that they do not follow his footsteps.  My prayer when I leave there, will be that my son's death saved at least one of them from that horrible and destructive road. (Deep down I always have hope in my heart that his death will save everyone of them).  I pray that they will hear every word and that my son's death will touch the depth of their hearts.
     Psalm 104:19 You made the moon to mark the seasons.