Do the Math—God’s Comfort Equation
“All praise to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. God is our merciful Father and source of all our comfort. He comforts us in all our troubles so that we can comfort others. When they are troubled, we will be able to give them the same comfort God has given us.” 2 Corinthians 1:3-4
God’s merciful comfort > all our troubles = our comfort ministry to others who are troubled.
Comfort. It’s not overrated. To be comfortable…
- In being rested, “I’m so tired, I need my bed and my pillow.”
- In being full, “I’m hungry, I need pasta.” or “I wish I had a cinnamon roll.”
- In being warm, “I am freezing!” (Or hot natured and you want to cool off).
- In being physically well, “Why can’t I get better? Feel better?”
- In being emotionally well, “Why do I feel so alone?” and “Why are so many things bothersome to me?”
June 25, 2014 at 12:23 pm | Uncategorized
Patient Responsibility = Zero
HeavenCare
By Karen Friday
All charges for benefits are assigned to your Savior’s Network—Jesus, the high priest who has negotiated your contract by his ultimate sacrifice on the cross. You are not responsible for the individual costs on your account, the balance, or any expenses incurred this calendar life. You will not be billed.
Healthcare and medical coverage are not only at the top of news items, but are current buzz words in our country and many of us have experienced the costly effects…
“You are responsible for these medical expenses, Mrs. Friday. Your deductible has not been satisfied.” I heard this statement many times over the course of a year. My son made a trip to the Emergency Room at a nearby hospital. The deductible and out-of-pocket expenses added to a significant amount.
The Lord created us with three vital parts as humans; body, soul and spirit. Have you ever thought about the spiritual care we have been blessed with as believers? The care of our spiritual health and the well-being of our soul?
When we come to Christ, we are automatically enrolled in heaven’s spiritual care program.
June 21, 2014 at 3:14 pm | Uncategorized
Lavender Toss
“Thanks be to God, who in Christ always leads us in triumphal procession, and through us spreads the fragrance of the knowledge of him everywhere.” 2 Corinthians 2:14
I grab a handful of lavender from the basket. The aroma is soothing. Refreshing. Relaxing.
A palm of dried lavender buds. Smelling the fragrance. It is strong—but pleasant. A scent known for it’s calming power.
Waiting for the bride and groom—the processional celebration.
The newlyweds make their way down the path of neatly laid stones. The guests tossing handfuls of lavender. Bidding farewell. A bouquet of sweetness. A happy aroma fills the air. Well wishes for the couple laced with the lingering fragrant night air—full of lavender.
June 17, 2014 at 2:08 pm | Uncategorized
Daisy-Petal Hope
“He loves me, he loves me not.” I plucked the white daisy petals, deciding the outcome of my childhood crush.
Years later during a Sunday church service, daisies on my dress stirred those memories as I waited for my pastor-husband Mike to call me to the platform. He had asked me to share the long journey of praying for my father to come to Christ. First we watched the Billy Graham video “Hope for America—a Message of the Cross.”
As I waited for my cue, the white-and-yellow daisies on a background of black seemed to blossom on my dress. The Lord put in my heart an image of plucking flower petals and suggested the daisies that represented a young girl’s hope—hope for love—still covey a message of hope…hope found in the kind of love that goes to the cross.
As a young girl, I longed for love—especially from a father.
June 14, 2014 at 6:36 pm | Uncategorized
The “Un” Interruptions
“The brew process has been interrupted.” I looked at the screen of my single cup brewing system for coffee and tea. I’m impatient. Aren’t we all at times? In this culture? I want my great hot drink and I want it now. No interruptions please.
Interruptions. A flat tire, a canceled flight, a loss of employment, an illness, a broken relationship…they happen. Sometimes with little or no warning.
We are all on our way somewhere. To a point of destination. Following a dream. A path of educational gain. Business success—climbing the corporate ladder. Making a name for ourselves—fame. Building a family—a legacy—a ministry. The route to fortune—financial freedom.
Paths in life can’t always be predicted or followed with total precision. Why? That’s the nature of life in this world. We can’t always control the process. No matter how much we want control, there are always factors outside of our control.
Whatever the path…we are on our way. The process will be interrupted—when the “Un’s” happen.
June 9, 2014 at 3:44 pm | Uncategorized
Can You Hear Me Now?
“As long as she can hear your voice, she cannot hear mine.” ~Dianne Barker, Author
I have something to say in most any situation. I’m a communicator. I entered my first oratorical contest in the fourth grade. Sponsored by the local Optimist Club. I went to the state competition several times in the northern part of Virginia where my southern drawl was prominent among the contestants. Conveying my speech in a dynamic way to the judges was important to me—hoping the accent was not an issue in getting my topic across.
Engaging audience members with a strong introduction, keeping them “reeled-in” throughout the speech, and wowing them with a motivational closing statement is a love. It’s the place I thrived—elementary school through college. The place I thrive today.
June 5, 2014 at 2:33 pm | Uncategorized
In the Image
“Where’s your cat, No-no?” Blank faces. Sneaky faces. No-no is the name of our cat who is later found in the refrigerator’s fresh fruit drawer. Picture the image. A cold cat—but a live one. Perhaps . . . in the nick of time.
Me and twin sister Sharon. Double trouble. Besides placing our cat in the refrigerator, there are other facts to establish this truth:
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Toilet clogged with diapers. Picture the image.
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On the run—opposite directions—in the grocery store. Picture the image.
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Mud pies in our Easy-bake-oven. A mess. Picture the image.
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Hidden in the basement. Everyone’s frantic. Calls are made. Picture the image.
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Science fair volcano project—created in mom’s new cookware. Picture the image.
You get the picture.
May 30, 2014 at 12:01 am | Uncategorized
Supporting Roles
“What we proclaim is not ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord, with ourselves as your servants for Jesus’ sake.” 2 Corinthians 4:5
Jesus is the lead role. We play supporting roles.
The Lone Ranger and Tonto. Fred Flintstone and Barney Rubble. Batman and Robin. Lucy and Ethel. Famous television duos with a lead role and supporting character.
The picture and video clip is yours truly, Girl Friday, an actress at heart. The picture was taken recently at the Blue Ridge Mountains Christian Writers Conference by my friend Jo Ann. Fiction author, Steven James was the keynote speaker and asked for audience participation with a shark story. The reaction captured is imagining we are swimming in the ocean and spot a shark. Denise, another friend at the writers conference, filmed the Peter Piper tongue twister performance which won me an award in Mrs. White’s third grade class. Lead role? Supportive role?
May 26, 2014 at 2:58 pm | Uncategorized
No Rules
I’ve always been a rule-keeper. Shared a kinship to other rule-keepers. Favored the mindset, always keep the golden rule, never break the cardinal rule (specific to a group, organization, club) and follow the basic rules of law and order.
No rules-A vehicle pulls in beside me. The driver gets out, locks the car, and rips off the “curbside take-away parking only” sign and walks into the restaurant.
I’m sitting in a curbside take-away parking space for Outback Steakhouse—usually marked by a stationary sign—but printed on a sheet of paper taped to a construction zone fence.
Outback Steakhouse slogan? “No rules, just right.”
I like keeping rules. Here are some of my suggestions for important rules to follow:
May 13, 2014 at 2:31 pm | Uncategorized
The “Best” Free Apps
Searching for new Apps? Visiting the App store on one of your devices? Downloading content for mobile applications?
Heard of the Man App, Woman App, Child App? These Apps are available in the Proverbs App, revealing wisdom and instruction from God’s word. The Proverbs App leads us to the Ultimate App-The ChristApp.
Here’s some “downloadable” data for our hearts and minds. Wise sayings packed with spiritual truths to apply to practical living.
App-Applying Proverbs with Purpose.
These aren’t proverbial statements wrapped in a fortune cookie. They are biblical, noteworthy statements of God’s truth bringing wisdom for life.
May 9, 2014 at 12:03 am | Uncategorized