Pete took the boys fishing this evening and I tagged along. On the way out the door I grabbed “The Message” Bible, so I would have something to do while they fished. Here is some of what I read, and it really encouraged me, so I share it with you….
Charlene

Isaiah 43:1-5

But now, God’s Message, the God who made you in the first place, Jacob, the One who got you started, Israel: “Don’t be afraid, I’ve redeemed you. I’ve called your name. You’re mine. When you’re in over your head, I’ll be there with you. When you’re in rough waters, you will not go down. When you’re between a rock and a hard place, it won’t be a dead end--- Because I am God, your personal God, The Holy of Israel, your Savior. I paid a huge price for you: all of Egypt, with rich Cush and Seba thrown in! That’s how much you mean to me! That’s how much I love you! I’d sell off the whole world to get you back, trade the creation just for you. So don’t be afraid: I’m with you.

Psalm 118

Thank God because he’s good, because his love never quits. Tell the world, Israel, “His love never quits.” And you, clan of Aaron, tell the world, “His love never quits.” And you who fear God, join in, “His love never quits.” Pushed to the wall, I called to God; from the wide open spaces, he answered. God’s now at my side and I’m not afraid, who would dare lay a hand on me? God’s my strong champion, I flick off my enemies like flies. Far better to take refuge in God than trust in people; Far better to take refuge in God than trust in celebrities. Hemmed in by barbarians, in God’s name I rubbed their faces in the dirt; Hemmed in and with no way out, in God’s name I rubbed their faces in the dirt; Like swarming bees, like wild prairie fire, they hemmed me in, in God’s name I rubbed their faces in the dirt. I was right on the cliff-edge, ready to fall, when God grabbed and held me. God’s my strength, he’s also my song, and now he’s my salvation. Hear the shouts; hear the triumph songs in the camp of the saved? “The hand of God has turned the tide! The hand of God is raised in victory! The hand of God has turned the tide!”

I didn’t die. I lived: And now I’m telling the world what God did. God tested me, he pushed me hard, but he didn’t hand me over to Death. Swing wide the city gates---the righteous gates! I’ll walk right through and thank God! This Temple Gate belongs to God, so the victors can enter and praise.

Thank you for responding to me; you’ve truly become my salvation! The stone the masons discarded as flawed is now the capstone! This is God’s work. We rub our eyes---we can hardly believe it! This is the very day God acted---let’s celebrate and be festive! Salvation now, God. Salvation now! Oh yes, God---a free and full life!

Blessed are you who enter in God’s name---from God’s house we bless you! God is God, he has bathed us in light. Festoon the shrine with garlands, hand colored banners above the altar! You’re my God, and I thank you. O my God, I lift high your praise. Thank God---he’s so good. His love never quits!

I wrote this a few days ago... today was another one of those days where I needed to realize that God's love never quits! We were awakened by a family whose little one was in hospital. She needed blood and they figured they would have to pay someone around $100 US for some blood... however Pete has universal blood O- so he went to the lab... the hospital said NO because it was not B+. So we went on a hunt for people with B+ (even though Pete's blood would work... all they needed to do was a test for compatibility). We went to the church, made an announcement, no one... we went to the military, they found 2 names, we went and they were not around... finally after searching for 4 or 5 hours we found a guy at another church. We were on our way to the lab when we met up with one of the family members... the child had died just a few minutes before. We were heart broken. After the long week we just had I thought I would fall to peices... but God's love never quits, and sometimes we will never know his purpose for things... we just need to rest in his hands as he carries us along. Rest that is what I need.

Take care and God Bless.
Charlene