Greetings from Austin Street

Happy Tuesday!  All is well here at 811. Bruce remained at home today and is still recovering from a sinus infection.  Please continue to pray for him. He is really tired of being miserable and miserable about being too tired to be able to work. 

The candle is lit…

Dear God, Thank you for never leaving us or forsaking us. Lord, we are coming the time of the year where families gather and share grand meals together and are reminded of the many things for which we are thankful. But there are those who feel so lonely.  Some are so lonely that they feel in bondage to their loneliness. Help us to love others as you love us and help those who are lonely to feel the love that only you can give.  I love you so much. Thank you for your gracious love that lets us know we are never alone. In Jesus’ name, amen.

I suppose there are times in all of our lives that we feel lonely. Being alone and being lonely are two different things. Being alone simply means that we are physically by ourselves and most of us do not mind small amounts of alone time. But being lonely is not just the absence of another person being near, but inner feelings of rejection, separation from loved ones and feelings of unworthiness.  These feeling of alienation can become a “private prison.”  These feelings can become destructive and a mindset that is pretty hard from which to escape.

Those of us who believe in God know and believe from scripture that “God will never leave us or forsake us.” (Deuteronomy 31: 6) Loneliness is something God desires to heal in our lives through God’s enduring presence and healing care.  Because of God’s great love and promises to us we are never alone. It is the power of the Holy Spirit living in us that we are assured of God’s unfailing love. As we grow in our relationship with God we learn to trust in God’s promises to be with us always.   Sometimes one of the ways we have God with us is to find other Christians and be a part of “God with skin on.” 

So my friends let us  be observant of those around us and see if there is someone who needs to have a Thanksgiving dinner with a family or a group of friends and set an extra place. The One who will never leave us or forsake you will rejoice if you do for in that space and time it will be a glimpse into  kingdom of God.

“I feel completely secure, because you protect me from the power of death. I have served you faithfully, and you will not abandon me.”

Psalm 16: 9-10

“You have made known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand.”

Psalm 16: 11

Take joy in the journey and know that you are never alone. Go down the path praising, praying, laughing and encouraging others as you go. Wear comfortable shoes and get some sleep. Love you all, Bruce and Gaylene

Greetings from Austin Street

Happy Monday!  All is well here at 811. Bruce is improving.   Thank you for your continued prayers. 

The candle is lit…

Dear God, I praise you for working out all things for the good of those who love you and are called according to your purpose. Thank you for using my life’s boundaries for your glory, the benefit of others and to show us your purpose for our lives. Thank you for the rewarding work I am blessed to do each day. I am led by you to help children learn to read and spend time each day with friends and loved ones.  And as I pray each day to place before me someone I can help, I surrender my time each day to you.  Help me to stay in tune with you throughout each day so that I do not miss an opportunity to share your love and grace with others.  I love you Lord. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Tonight my meditation really hits home with me and has given me some thoughts about how God uses our life situations to shape our personalities and how we will choose to serve God.  We may go through really tough times and even if those difficult times are happening now they are not a mistake, but a way to trust God to help when we are in need. Do not misunderstand I do not think God thrusts difficulties upon us. I happen to believe that life happens and life is not always strawberries and cream and lovin’ all the time.  But I do believe that trusting our brokenness to God for healing allows God to shape us and use the difficulties we have faced to help others.

When life presents us with adversity and brokenness we can ask God to heal our brokenness and use this situation for good.  We can ask for the pain we are experiencing to be changed into a purpose.  We may not always understand how God could use our situations for good and healing, but God will bless abundantly (I love that word) if we will ask for help and then allow our loving God of grace and mercy to lead us through. And if we are so courageous and trusting to find a hint of praise in the brokenness no matter how small God rejoices in our mustard seed of faith; for that is all God asks. Listening to God and seeking God’s wisdom deepens our relationship with God and reminds us of God’s faithfulness to us.  God is good and love wins!

“I will praise the LORD who counsels me—even at night my conscience instructs me. I keep the LORD in mind always, because the LORD us at my right hand, and I will not be shaken.”

Psalm 16: 7-8

Take joy in the journey praying, praising, laughing, and encouraging others as you go. Wear comfortable shoes, extra socks and get some sleep. Love you all, Bruce and Gaylene

Greetings from Austin Street

Blessed Sunday to you all!  All is not well here at 811. Bruce seems to have a pretty nasty sinus infection.  It has been a few years since he has had one and it has hit him pretty hard. He will not be going to rehab tomorrow and hopefully another day at home will help. Say an extra prayer for him. Thank you so very much.

The candle is lit…

Lord, thank you for your gracious presence in our lives. Thank you for helping when we ask and making the provision we need. Thank you for days of dedicated worship when we can praise you in song, Word, preaching, prayer and offering.  Lord, I am not worthy on my own of your love and eternal life so I have trusted you for my salvation. Thank you for covering me with your goodness, your grace, your mercy and forgiveness. But most of all Lord, thank you for loving me through the life of Jesus your Son.  I love you Lord so much, amen.

I have a confession to make. I have spent most of my life thinking I would never measure up to those around me. I felt others were smarter, faster, prettier, better liked etc…in my meditation tonight I read Psalm 15 and it  discusses this very issue.  I love the Psalms as they are the prayers of God’s people to God written for all kinds of reasons.  It examines “the heart of humanity’s deepest problem—is anyone worthy of living in heaven with God?”  If you read the psalms they tell that we must be honest, kind, keep all of the commandments and never do wrong to others. “  I don’t know if I can meet all of these requirements.  But of these two things I am sure…first, because I do not have the ability to be “good enough” shows my great need for God’s help and presence in my life. Second, my help comes from the Lord through the death and resurrection of Jesus as I trust Jesus for my personal salvation. When Jesus goes before God to plead for us we are covered in righteousness and we are worthy of dwelling in heaven and to be a part of the kingdom on earth. 

“Lord, who can dwell in Your tent? Who can live on Your holy mountain?”

Psalm 15: 1

“Such people will stand firm forever.”

Psalm 15: 5

Take joy in the journey praying, praising, giving thanks, laughing and encouraging as you go. Wear comfortable shoes, stay warm and get some sleep.  Love you all, Bruce and Gaylene

Greetings from Austin Street

Happy Saturday! All is well here at 811. Today I spent time with my beautiful daughter running some errands and having lunch and tonight Geni, Travis and Sarah and Bruce took me to dinner at Lupe’s Mexican Restaurant to continue my weekend birthday celebration.  I am at an age where the best gifts do not always come wrapped in paper with pretty bows. My gifts today were spending time with my daughter, waking up next to Bruce and then having all of them around a table tonight together. The best memories of growing up with the kids were time around the table.  It was never quiet. It was fun, silly, welcoming, filled with love and good food.  For me the table whether in my dining room or at a restaurant  when surrounded by family is a holy place.  So my dear family, thank you for a wonderful evening.  I will not soon forget the joy and laughter, the sangria and the cherries!

The candle is lit…

Dear God, thank you for your blessings of friends and family. Thank you for being in our lives and building our family. You have been the foundation of our family since we became a two person family and then caused it to increase. Lord, you have promised that all things grounded in You will receive joy because they have been established by your wisdom and your gracious love. So tonight Lord, I thank you for my family. They bring me great joy and I am ever grateful to your for them and Your life being lived out in them. I love you Lord so much. In Jesus’ name, amen.

We have talked about waiting before. Waiting for us is just not that easy or any fun at all. We are so used to instant responses that waiting on answers to prayers can sometimes get really tough.  Well, here is a news flash…God does not work on a chronological time table or respond like speed dial. God works on eternal time.   And even when we pray for things for a very long time and we are not seeing a response to our prayer just remember that the power is not in the one who prays. The power is in the One who hears the prayer. Our time does not always coincide with God’s time, but God’s timing is always perfect.  During this time of waiting we are growing in our faith and building an even deeper relationship with God than we had before. No matter what the circumstances are God reminds us to trust Him and to not be discouraged.  We have not been forgotten and answers to our questions and our cries for help are being heard.  Count on God’s unfailing love and unmerited grace to cover us while we wait helping us to trust God even more deeply than we ever have before.  God is good and love wins!

“I have thrown myself headlong into your arms__I’m celebrating your rescue. I’sm singing at the top of my voice. I am so full of answered prayers.

Take joy in the journey praying, praising, laughing, and encouraging others as you go.  Wear comfortable shoes, stay warm and get some sleep. Love you all, Bruce and Gaylene

Greetings from Austin Street

TGIF  Today God is First!  All is well here at 811. Bruce and I spent the evening with a PPV movie; The Jersey Boys , pizza from New Yorker and shared a cannoli.  The children at school and many teachers wished me a Happy Birthday. I received more FB good wishes that I may be possibly able to respond, but I will try! And came home to several card in the mailbox. This birthday was really wonderful! Thank you all so very much.

The candle is lit…

Dear God, thank you for seeing me though another birthday here on earth. Through your precious people I have felt love from all sides today. I give you thanks that you are turning what could have been tragic  illness  in the last year into great healing victories. Thank you for your gracious comfort and help me to bring comfort to others. Lord, help me to continue to trust in you so that I remain in the center of your perfect care.  Thank you for seeing the path ahead for me and leading me through by your guiding light and trusted hand. I love you Lord. In Jesus’ name, amen.

It is sometimes hard to understand how we can use the difficult times in our lives for something good. Scripture tells us that God catches every tear not letting any of them fall to the ground and making them into something beautiful.  When tough times happen in my life and the situation makes no sense and is very hurtful I often ask God “What am I supposed to learn from this?”  The truth is that if we stay in tune with God in times of hurt we are being trained to help others through similar situations. I have found over the years that one of the best ways to heal is to help someone else. Walking through adversity with a friend is most often healing for both parties. You know how it feels to hurt and for me these difficult life events give a new direction of ministry  and opportunities to minister to those who have had similar tough times in their own lives.  While I find it impossible to give thanks to God for hard times, I find it joyous to give thanks when the trial is over.

 So my friends, if you have gone through a difficult time you have wisdom that someone else might need to get through what they are going through. Let us pray and ask God to place us in contact with those who need a listening ear, some direction and more than anything else…hope for a brighter day. 

“They who sow in tears shall reap in joy and singing.”

Psalm 126: 5

“He who goes out weeping, carrying seed to sow, will return with songs of joy.”

Psalm 126: 6

Take joy in the journey praying, praising, singing, laughing and encouraging others as you go. Stay warm, wear comfortable shoes and get some sleep. Love you all, Bruce and Gaylene

Greetings from Austin Street

Happy Thursday!  All is well here at 811. I have to share that I have the most wonderful surprising husband on the planet.  I will be 59 tomorrow. He surprised me with gifts tonight and dinner tomorrow night. The night he had the stroke a year and a half ago I told him I was not through loving him yet.  And after almost thirty four years of marriage I cannot even imagine being married to anyone else. I told him as we were standing together tonight that my birthday gift happens each morning when I wake up next to him and say good night each evening.  So, thank you my beloved for the surprises you continue to bring to my life and the joy I live in loving you.

The candle is lit…

Dear God, I want to know you more---teach me your ways. Thank you that when I seek you, I find everything I need and all that my heart desires.  You will always be my perfect Defender. I praise you for covering me with your wisdom, strength, and love. Lord, may you be exalted forever. Please continue to bless Bruce with healing and progress in the stroke recovery and for blessing his heart with love for you, love for others; me, his son and daughter, and daughter-in-law. Thank you for giving him a heart of joy, caring and surprise or two. I love you Lord and I thank you for the blessings of love, family and friends and your eternal grace that covers all of us. In Jesus’ name, amen.

The world tells us to pursue fame, power, accomplishments, brighter, whiter smiles, great financial gains and great amounts of busyness.  When we take inventory of our lives what do we find? Do we find that some of our relationships and activities do not bring about a lasting satisfaction that we are seeking?  And even diamonds (yes, I love diamonds) while they make sparkle with brilliant fire do not bring warmth. (Except maybe for the memories of the one who gave them to you…just saying.)

Pursuing the intangibles are the things that bring lasting joy and fulfillment.  Seek God.  Joy and fulfillment will fill the empty spaces when the fleeting things of earth have grown cold. Seeking a relationship with God gives us a firm place on which to stand and to find satisfaction for our souls through the Presence of God’s love, enduring grace and purpose for our lives. Seek God with all of your heart my friends.  God will teach our hearts lasting peace that can never be taken away, run out, tarnish or end. Seeking God allows us to be surrounded by God’s love, wisdom and strength forever.

“Those who know your name will trust in you, for you, LORD, have never forsaken those who seek you.”

Psalm 9: 10

“Those who trust the LORD, are like Mount Zion, which can never be shaken. It remains firm.”

Psalm 125: 1

Take joy in the journey praying, praising, laughing and encouraging others as you go. Stay warm, wear comfortable shoes and get some sleep. Love you all, Bruce and Gaylene

Greetings from Austin Street

Happy Wednesday!  All is well here at 811. I hope this writing finds you all warm and happy this night.

The candle is lit…

Dear God, thank you for teaching me about your healing and forgiveness. I don’t want to sin against you; I want to have a loving reverence for you that You have placed your strength in me. The strength that I find when I need it comes from the joy I have in being your child and in Your promises found in scripture.. By myself I know I am not strong, but you are strong enough for all of us. Thank you for Your comfort and letting us cry when we are sad or hurt or grieving. For You who created tears also created laughter. When times come for strength in me or any of us I/we trust you to be strong enough for all of us.  Thank you Lord for all of these things. I love you Lord, in Jesus’ name, amen.

I have always believed in God and in my mid-teens I came into personal relationship with God through faith in Jesus.  I began to learn more about God by reading the Bible.  I read some scriptures that disturbed me and I did not understand about fearing God. I had met and fallen in love with Christ and learned about God’s unfailing love and saw no reason to fear God who proclaimed love for us so passionately through the stories of Jesus.  This seemed very contradictory to me!!  How could a God who loved and forgave me be someone to be feared? 

As I began to mature in faith and knowledge I began to understand that godly fear is not fright or terror, but reverence and respect.  Godly reverence means honoring God with our life in piety; study, service, prayer and worship practices.  These practices help us to maintain our relationship with God. When we tell God much we need help in our weakness then we can trust that God will give us the strength to do what we cannot do on our own.  When we are honest with God confessing our sins to God causes God to heal us and forgive us teaching us that God is one to be loved, respected and revered. God is our friend and a better friend we will never have.  God is good and love wins!

“With all my heart, I am waiting, LORD, for you! I trust your promises…Trust the LORD! God is always merciful, and God has the power to save you.”

Psalm 130: 5. 7

Take joy in the journey praying, praising, laughing and encouraging others as you go. Super cold tonight so throw on an extra blanket (we used my beautiful TCU quilt!) tonight and warm clothes for the morning. Wear comfortable shoes and get some sleep. Love you all, Bruce and Gaylene