Greetings from Austin Street

Blessed Sunday to you all.  All is well here at 811. Wonderful worship this morning. We were also very blessed to meet our second goddaughter Ayla Lee Brewer.  She is 5 days old; beautiful, perfect and loves to be held by her Mama G. (That’s me!) Her sister is also our goddaughter. We love these two precious ones and their parents. Please pray for them as they begin a new journey as parents, sisters and family.

The candle is lit…

Dear God, I celebrate a life lived in the joy of your presence and the pleasure of your company.  Help me to love you so much that I automatically ask and obey you in every circumstance. Thank you for showing me the way to victory.  Lord, you have blessed us with families by birth and families by choice. Bless Jeremy, Addie, Asia and Ayla.  Keep them close, healthy and protected by your unrelenting grace.  Thank you for the joy they bring to us.  Please keep our friend Amber in your care. She is very sick and so in need of your healing. Bring healing to her, peace and comfort to her soul and that of her family. I love you Lord, in Jesus’ name, amen.

In the movie Karate Kid 2 there is a wonderful scene with Mr. Miagi  and Daniel. They are in Okinawa in the Miagi dojo. There are two long banners on the wall of the dojo written in in Japanese.  Daniel asks what the banners say. One banner says, Rule #1: Karate for defense only.” The second banner says, “Always follow rule #1.

Psalm 105: 4 “Seek the Lord and his strength; seek his presence continually!” This could be Rule #1 for daily living. Seeking the presence of God in daily situations whether the situation is adverse or filled with joy declares a relationship with God. It is a pretty simple rule.  Showing joy in our lives says that we belong to God. “Joy is the unfallible and undeniable sign of the presence of God in us.” Joy in our lives declares that our relationship with God is founded on faith and nurtured in the love and grace of God through faith in Jesus. While our precious god-family does not belong to us by earthly blood, they most assuredly belong to us by the blood of Jesus as we are the body of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Having joy in our lives shows undeniable proof that we belong to God. 

My friends we are all beginning a new week. Tomorrow holds all of the promise of joy and blessing. So throughout the day let us each seek God and then do what God asks. Let us seek his wisdom and direction in all circumstances.  When we are guided by God throughout each day we come to know him better and we will be filled with joy. 

“Sing to Him, sing praise to Him; tell all about His wonderful works! Honor His holy name; let the hearts of those who seek the Lord rejoice.”

Psalm 105: 2-3

Take joy in the journey praying as you go and follow Rule #1; Seek the Lord…Wear comfortable shoes and get some sleep.  Love you all, Bruce and Gaylene