“If I get on these other subjects, it divides the audience on an issue that is not the issue I’m promoting; I’m just promoting the Gospel.” Billy Graham, when asked his position on a political topic prior to his final New York City crusade“How many of you do not regularly attend church," asked Anne Graham Lotz (daughter of Billy Graham) as she opened her talk on her new book, "but were invited here by a friend?" Only a couple of hands went up. I got the feeling she was hoping for an opportunity to share the gospel (Hebrew for ‘good news’) with those who didn’t yet know God’s Son, Jesus. It became clear to me at this, and other, conferences I've attended where Anne was the keynote speaker, her primary goal was not to merely be a public speaker, but to take every opportunity to speak to groups of people where she could change lives by sharing the good news of Jesus’ love for them.
Do you have a clear goal in life that influences all your decisions and activities? Are you looking for those small ways that you can make progress toward your life goal in your daily or weekly schedule? How will you alter your life and schedule to include meaningful progress toward your goal? (*) Lord, help me stay true to my life purpose and proceed with integrity toward my goal…Your ‘great commission.’ Amen “Then Jesus said to them, ‘All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth, therefore, go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to observe everything I have commanded you; and surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.’” Matthew 28:18-20 What are your thoughts? Libby
(*) If you are seeking a meaningful goal for your life and desire a relationship with God’s Son, Jesus, you can easily gain that by praying this simple prayer with a sincere heart.
God, I don’t fully understand all about you or your son Jesus, but I want to. I give up trying to fill my life with just good things without a real purpose or clear goal. I want my life to matter but I feel like life just goes on each day without intentional direction. I need your help to have a purpose-filled life and a worthy goal. Please forgive me for my past mistakes, and be my Friend, my Guide, and my Lord. Amen If you just prayed this prayer, please feel free to share your thoughts and questions with me. Libby
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“A happy marriage is the union of two good forgivers.” Ruth Bell Graham“But how do you deal with his anger?” a church friend asked referring to my husband. She also knew my husbands’ prior wife and most certainly listened to her complaints during their breakup and divorce. “I call him on it,” I replied, “I tell him his tone is unreasonable and that I’m his partner, not his employee.”
It’s going to take much more than promises this time Only God can change our minds Maybe you and I were never meant to be complete Could we just be broken together If you can bring your shattered dreams and I’ll bring mine Could healing still be spoken and save us The only way we’ll last forever is broken together I pointed out to my friend that I’m not without my issues, too. It can be hard to live with me at times. Yet, despite our brokenness we can still find happiness, even bliss, by forgiving with kindness, listening with understanding and loving without conditions. For me, I’ve learned that loving is a risk. I had to first become vulnerable and love unconditionally before I could be open enough to receive love in return. My experience has taught me to first love and be lovable, then if the love is returned, it will be the most rewarding love…peace, joy, contentment.
Note: Ruth Bell Graham (1920-2007), an American poet, author, painter, philanthropist, and wife of the famous evangelist Bill Graham. She was born in China to medical missionary parents, and educated in Korea and the US. She founded the Ruth and Billy Graham Children’s Health Center in Asheville, North Carolina. By her encouragement Billy Graham took his evangelism tour to China, and Ruth accompanied him on various trips throughout Asia, earning them both the Congressional Medal of Honor in 1996.
"When disappointment or tragedy or suffering strikes, we have a decision to make: will we turn away from God, or will we turn toward Him? Will we refuse His help, or will we seek it?” Billy GrahamAll my friends were getting married. I was a bridesmaid in two weddings that summer. The old saying, ‘always a bridesmaid, never a bride’ was hitting a little too close to home for me. I was about to break-up with the man I had been dating for four years, our relationship never having moved beyond good friends, when he surprised me with a proposal. I accepted. This decision began a stomach ache which lasted for several months.
As the wedding day approached, thanks to God's repeated roadblocks and sleepless nights, I began to realize I was stubbornly forcing my will onto the situation, expecting God to bless it. In my desire to be married I had been trying to ignore God. This was my turning point. Would I follow my desire to be a married woman, or would I believe God's will for my life was the best plan? Needless to say I called it off ten days before the wedding. Not surprisingly my stomach ache stopped and I slept for eight hours straight for the first time in months. I had peace—mentally, physically and spiritually—for the first time in a long time.
Lord, thank You for saving me from my own bad decisions and for helping me find my way back to peace of mind, body and soul. Amen
“Let us then, with confidence, draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.” Hebrews 4:16 What are your thoughts? Libby Note: William Franklin “Billy” Graham (1918- ), an American evangelical Christian evangelist best known for leading over 400 crusades. He has preached the gospel to more people in person than anyone in the history of Christianity. The Billy Graham Evangelical Association (BGEA) has also shared Christ through radio and television programs, magazines, newspaper columns, online discipleship program, and over 130 movies. Billy Graham retired in 2005 at the age of 87. "You can't change the past. Whatever has happened in your life so far, both good and bad…all the decisions and events that have made you what you are today are indelibly inscribed in the story of your life. But with God's help you can change the future." Billy GrahamI tried to keep a grin on my face but I really wanted to turn and run. My sister, Joyce, invited me to a beach party with the church's singles group. As we walked across the sand she said, “I’d like you to meet the people who prayed for you.” What had she told them about me? I felt naked, unable to put one foot in front of the other. These were the very people I did not want to meet. I wanted to get away from my past and immerse myself in a new circle of friends that only knew my changed life. I felt by meeting these people who knew my past, it would label me with all the things I preferred to forget. I resumed walking, but with less enthusiasm. My original smile had faded. Joyce, sensing my discomfort, said, “Libby, it’s okay. We're all sinners saved by God’s grace.” Within minutes of being introduced all my fears were allayed. These people that had some knowledge of who I had been, greeted me with welcome smiles and friendly conversation. Was this for real? No one looked sideways at me. No one seemed to be whispering when they thought I wasn’t looking. They seemed genuinely nice. I admit the thought never occurred to me that they were sinners, too. They were all such nice people. It didn’t dawn on me that each of them also had a past, but their futures were made new when they met Jesus. Gradually I relaxed. My hope for a fresh start among a new crowd settled back over me as I enjoyed the evening. It was a while before I understood what Paul was saying in 2 Corinthians 5:17, “…if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creature, the old things passed away, behold new things have come.” Are you trying to live a new life? Have you buried your past and want only to be known for your current reputation? What can you do right now to release the past and live for the future? (*) Lord, thank you that I don’t have to erase my past because you have already forgotten it, “as far as the east is from the west.” Give me direction and strength to live a life pleasing to You, that I will not be ashamed of. Amen “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you a hope and a future.” Jeremiah 29:11 What are your thoughts? Libby
(*) An example of a prayer, said with a sincere heart, is all it takes to have God put your past permanently behind you. God, I don’t understand all about you or your son Jesus, but I want to! I give up trying to control my life…I’ve made a mess of it on my own, making all sorts of mistakes that I'm ashamed of. I want to follow your lead all my life and try to live in a way that is pleasing to you, but I need your help. Please come into my life, forgive my mistakes, and be my Friend, my Savior and Lord. If you just prayed this prayer, please feel free to contact me. "More than anything else in life, we need to find the right path. Many assume the path they're on must be the only choice…Some simply don't want to bother thinking about it. Down inside they all sense that something is wrong, and they yearn for something better." Billy Graham A while ago I took a foot-in-the-door position to get hired (even if it was a demotion) and worked my way up. Two years later after being promoted to a higher position, I accepted another demotion...in position and salary. My co-workers advised against it, but I was following the door that opened in response to prayer. When I took the first demotion, the foot-in-the-door decision, I was going from a supervisor position in a company that was closing its office in California, to a secretary position in a company that was headquartered in California. My choice was intentional; I wanted to be in a company with many locations and positions locally so I could grow with the company. This change was solely on my own (or so I thought). I found the job, I applied, I got the job, and I grew quickly in the new company in both position and salary. It was all "I," "I," "I." I didn't ask for God's help. But as I progressed in my career I could see God's fingerprints all over my accomplishments and recognition. So when I considered the second job change (the demotion my co-workers shunned) it was harder to take the first step because this time I would be relying on God. I would be transferring from an exempt position as a trainer in an IT department, to a non-exempt position as a trainer in a Training department. Putting it all into God's hands, I prayed, He opened the position, He helped me with the interview (since I had never done web-based-training), and He closed the deal. The job was mine. This time it was all, "He," "He," "He." I had seen how God had worked in the past so I was trusting that if He opened the door, He would see me through. The lesson learned through all this was that God is not just a Sunday morning God. He could actually help me at work, also. God was faithful again, and my faith was growing. They say hindsight is 20/20. Looking back at both job changes I now see just how faithful God was. Both open doors led to better jobs and a brighter future. But more importantly, they grew my faith that God would not lead me down a path that was not good for me. In both jobs I enjoyed my work, in both I learned skills that were also useful in ministry, and both jobs helped me learn how to better face change...trusting God for the outcome. However, bigger faith requires bigger steps into the unknown. So now I'm faced with yet another change (that will likely mean a salary adjustment). Although it's not easy, it's easier knowing that God has in the past proven Himself faithful. I wait expectantly to see where this change will take me, with the full realization that money is not always how God rewards a step of faith.
Caterina Fake once said, “So often people are working hard at the wrong thing. Working on the right thing is probably more important than working hard.” Are you on the right path? Do you fear changing paths because of too many unknowns? How can you grow your faith in God to truly believe He has your best interests at heart? Lord, help me to continue to trust in You with no expectations on how You will honor my faithfulness. Amen “We also have the prophetic message as something completely reliable, and you will do well to pay attention to it, as to a light shining in a dark place…” 2 Peter 1:19 What are your thoughts? Libby Note: William Franklin “Billy” Graham (1918- ), an American evangelical Christian evangelist best known for leading over 400 crusades. He has preached the gospel to more people in person than anyone in the history of Christianity. The Billy Graham Evangelical Association (BGEA) has also shared Christ through radio and television programs, magazines, newspaper columns, online discipleship program, and over 130 movies. Billy Graham retired in 2005 at the age of 87. Note: Caterina Fake (1969- ), an American entrepreneur and businesswoman, and a wildly successful ‘.Com’ designer. She co-founded Flickr which was bought-out by Yahoo, and Hunch which was bought-out by eBay. “How do we put love into action? Serve one another…We are to encourage and build up our brothers and sisters in Christ. Pray for one another. What a privilege to come before the Lord on another’s behalf.” Billy GrahamSeveral of the attendees at the conference could have taught the workshops or even been the keynote speaker. So why were they there? Their personal accomplishments were many and impressive. Just seeing them take part was an encouragement to me. The ‘hallway conversations’ I had with some were equally as informative and uplifting as the workshops themselves. Then it dawned on me. They were there to encourage others and to be encouraged themselves. I have learned that many writers suffer, to one degree or another, from the complete solitude required to do our work. We often comment on the value of getting face-to-face with other writers in critique groups or reading groups. Clearly, no matter how accomplished a writer might be, there is still a need for networking—meeting new people to encourage, and rubbing shoulder with old friends that in turn encourage us. Have you been encouraged lately? Did you appreciate the time it took for that person to go out of their way to encourage you or pray with you? Who will you make a point to encourage, or pray with, today? Lord, thank You for sending me your ‘angels’ that deliver tidbits of encouragement which keep me going; may I in turn be an encouragement to others. Amen
“Since God loved us, we also ought to love one another…if we love one another, God lives in us and His love is made complete in us.” I John 4:11-12 What are your thoughts? Libby Note: William Franklin “Billy” Graham, Jr. (1918- ), an American evangelical Christian evangelist best known for leading over 400 crusades. He has preached the gospel to more people in person than anyone in the history of Christianity. The Billy Graham Evangelical Association (BGEA) has also shared Christ through radio and television programs, magazines, newspaper columns, online discipleship program, and over 130 movies. Billy Graham retired in 2005 at the age of 87. |
WelcomeI love the wisdom of the ages gleaned from relevant quotes. In them there is a connection to the human experience that crosses all borders. Join me as I relate my personal experiences, and link the wisdom of the quote to the Source of all wisdom: God's Word, the Bible. Enjoy, Libby Categories
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