Greetings from Austin Street

Happy Saturday!  All is well here at 811. Finally, a day without a parka! 

Dear God, thank you for your loving presence. Help me practice being loving toward others so that your love is fully expressed through me.  Thank you for hearing my prayers and for answering me in your time. Many of my prayers have not been answered and there seem to be several bumps in the path. So Lord, until you tell me different and the road begins to change I am going to stay the course. For you oh Lord, are faithful, loving and worthy of all my praise.  You are the firm foundation on which I trust in your presence.  I love you Lord. In Jesus name, Amen.

Tonight my meditation recalls how thankful David was at the many times God delivered him from so many things. David, both scoundrel and faithful one testified about the Lord’s unfailing faithfulness. No matter how intense or dangerous the situation God answered his prayers. God also called him into correction, but still answered his prayers.

Do we ever wonder if God answers our prayers as he did David’s? I believe the answer to be yes. I believe God moves in the mysterious ways of heaven and in the apparent ways of earth to answer all who call to him. We may not get the answer we expect, but I also believe because we are God’s beloved creation, God will never fail to answer and act in our best interest and more importantly to fulfill His purpose in each of us. God claims us as His own and desires in us the trust to call out to Him with whatever concerns we have; great or small or every day.  So my dear friends, let us pray…

“My cry to him reached his ears. Then the earth reeled and rocked; the foundations also of the mountains trembled and quaked.”

Psalm 18: 6-7

“He took me to a safe place. Because he delights in me, he saved me.”

Psalm 18: 19

Take joy in the journey remembering that faith, hope and prayer do not disappoint. Trust in the Lord with all your heart, soul, mind and strength. Please pray for Carme and Dave. Wear comfortable shoes and get some sleep. Love you all, Bruce and Gaylene

Greetings from Austin Street

Happy BrrrrrrrrrrrThursday!  All is well here at 811. We pray that all of you are well, warm and safe in your homes.  We also pray for those who are without heat and shelter to find shelter and warmth somewhere.  As for me and B…it is fragrant hot tea, snuggled under blankets on the couch and watching Skyfall. 

God, help me to end each day by whispering an amen to you as I go to sleep and to wake up each morning with a hallelujah in my heart. As I live more with You each day let me not fear to ask forgiveness.  It is only through your grace-filled forgiveness that I have the freedom to grow closer to you and experience your love.  I love you Lord. In Jesus name, Amen.

I love the story of the unnamed woman who crashed the party of the Pharisee and bathed the feet of Jesus with the jar of costly oil and then wiped them clean with her tears. She offered her neediness at the feet of the Savior and knew that only Jesus could meet her need and relieve her of her guilt.  She offers her gift of humility in a public place. Then Jesus declares her forgiven as he submits to her ministering and the most remarkable thing occurs. She empties herself as she empties the jar at the feet of Jesus. Her heart is filled with love and begins to overflow.  She allowed Jesus to forgive her deepest shame.  This woman exposed her greatest weaknesses and in turn the power of loving forgiveness shined its most brilliant. Her response to this act of grace was to act in profound worship.

So I guess the question for tonight is when we ask forgiveness from Jesus, how do we respond? Are we humble enough to ask for forgiveness and admit our neediness before God and sit at the feet of the Savior?  And are we so filled with overflowing joy, love and thanksgiving that we find ourselves changed and able to forgive others because we have been forgiven?  Just some thoughts on this cold wintery night.

“Her sins, which are many; have been forgiven, for she loved much.”

Luke 7: 47

“O Lord, you are so good, so ready to forgive, so full of unfailing love for all who ask your aid.”

Psalm 86: 5

Take joy in the journey remembering that hope, faith and prayer does not disappoint. Trust in the Lord with all your heart, soul, mind and strength. Wear comfortable shoes, extra socks and get some sleep.  Love you all, Bruce and Gaylene