Touching Story I Received In An E-Mail

IF this is true ~ someone at the post office deserves an "atta boy".  

 

Our 14-year-old dog Abbey died last month.

The day after she passed away my 4-year-old daughter Meredith was
crying and talking about how much she missed Abbey.

She asked if we could write a letter to God so that when Abbey got to
Heaven, God would recognize her.

I told her that I thought that we could, so she dictated these words:

Dear God,
Will you please take care of my dog?
Abbey died yesterday and is with you in Heaven.
I miss her very much.
I'm happy that you let me have her as my dog even though she got sick.
I hope you will play with her. She likes to swim and play with balls.
I am sending a picture of her so when you see her you will know that she is my dog. I really miss her.
Love, Meredith

We put the letter in an envelope with a picture of Abbey & Meredith,
addressed it to God/Heaven.
We put our return address on it.

Meredith pasted several stamps on the front of the envelope because she
said it would take lots of stamps to get the letter all the way to
Heaven. That afternoon she dropped it into the letter box at the post office.

A few days later, she asked if God had gotten the letter yet.
I told her that I thought He had.

Yesterday, there was a package wrapped in gold paper on our front porch
addressed, 'To Meredith' in an unfamiliar hand. Meredith opened it.
Inside was a book by Mr. Rogers called, 'When a Pet Dies.'
Taped to the inside front cover was the letter we had written to God
in its opened envelope.

On the opposite page was the picture of Abbey & Meredith and this note:

Dear Meredith,
Abbey arrived safely in Heaven. Having the picture was a big help and I recognized her right away.
Abbey isn't sick anymore.
Her spirit is here with me just like it stays in your heart.
Abbey loved being your dog.
Since we don't need our bodies in Heaven, I don't have any pockets to
keep your picture in so I'm sending it back to you in this little book
for you to keep and have something to remember Abbey by.
Thank you for the beautiful letter and thank your mother for helping you write it and sending it to me.
What a wonderful mother you have. I picked her especially for you.
I send my blessings every day and remember that I love you very much.
By the way, I'm easy to find. I am wherever there is love.
Love,
God

GVCC Bible Study for June 27th 2013 Elijah

Garden Valley Community Church

Pastor Shane Moffitt

June 27^th 2013

“Character Study” series

Elijah on Mount Carmel

#1. I Kings 18:17 - What question did evil king Ahab ask Elijah?

___________________________

#2. I Kings 18:18 - What was bold Elijah’s response to king

Ahab?_________________________

#3. I Kings 18:19 - Where did Elijah instruct Ahab to gather all Israel and the

“prophets”? ________

#4. I Kings 18:20-21a - What question did Elijah ask the children of Israel   
there?______________
 

#5. I Kings 18:22 - How many prophets of Baal were at Mount Carmel?

______________________

#6. I Kings 18:23 - What animal was given for each sacrifice?

____________________________

#7. I Kings 18:24b - “Then call on the name of

your god, and I will call on the name of the Lord. The god who answers by setting fire to the wood is the true God!”  

#8. I Kings 18:25-26 - How long did the “prophets” call upon the name of Baal beforethey leaped on the altar? __________________________ 
 

#9. I Kings 18:27-28 - What did these prophets do after Elijah mocked them?

_______________

#10. I Kings 18:29 - Did these prophets receive any answer from Baal?

_____________________

#11. I Kings 18:30 - What did Elijah instruct the people to do when he began to repair the broken altar? _________________________
 

#12. I Kings 18:31 - How many stones did Elijah take?

________________________________

#13. I Kings 18:32 - What did Elijah make “about the altar”?

_______________________________

#14. I Kings 18:33 - What did Elijah have poured on the sacrifice and wood?

_________________

#15. I Kings 18:34 - How many times was this done?

_______________________________

#16. I Kings 18:35 - “the water ran around the

altar and even filled the trench.”

 

#17. I Kings 18:36 - What did Elijah pray would be known?

______________________________

#18. I Kings 18:37 - What did Elijah request of the Lord concerning the heart of Israel?          ____________________________________

#19. I Kings 18:38 - What happened after Elijah prayed?

_____________________________

#20. I Kings 18:39 - What then did all the people do?

_________________________________

#21. I Kings 18:40 - Who did Elijah instruct the people to take?

________________________

#22. I Kings 18:41-42a - Who did Elijah instruct to eat and drink?

_________________________

#23. I Kings 18:42b-44 - What did Elijah’s servant see the last time he looked toward the sea? ____________________________________
 

#24. I Kings 18:45 - What came down from heaven?           ____________________________________

#25. I Kings 18:46 - “Then the Lord gave special strength to Elijah.”

Meditation Verse: 1 Kings 19:46                                        

“And the hand of the LORD was on Elijah”  

How To Be A Friend In Tough Times

How To Be A Friend in Tough Times

We all have weeks that seem to take away more than they give.

When, at the end of the week you look back, roll your eyes, and wonder how you ever survived.

Or more to the point, we refuse to even contemplate what next week might hold.

This last Sunday morning, there was a car accident that took the lives of two local men.  Men with families that adored them.  Men with their whole lives in front of them, filled with hopes and dreams.

The devastation is indescribable to their families.

But what we often overlook is the impact their passing has on their friends, coworkers, and acquaintances.

Yesterday I was talking with a close friend of mine who was obviously "off his game".  The more we talked, the more acutely aware I was that something was robbing his soul of peace and joy.  Eventually he let it slip that one of the men in the accident was a very close friend of his.  And being guys, we try to shrug grief off and attempt to "John Wayne" our way through it.  However, grief cannot be ignored, it demands to be faced.

My purpose for this blog is simply to encourage you to slow down, and be aware that many in our community this week are hurting.  

So what can you do for those struggling with grief?

I will give you my personal observations.  Bear in mind that every person grieves in their own way, in their own time.  However, a couple things are consistent.

First, you do not have to say anything.  There are no secret Jedi phrases that heal people's soul and bring sunshine to their day.  However, your presence SCREAMS to them that you consider them a priority and that you care enough to stop your schedule and give them as much time as they need.  This my friends, is simply priceless.  Your presence reveals to them that you love and care for them.

Second, you have to listen.  In my opinion, 90% of grief counseling is listening.  My point is, while the hurt soul is sharing whatever they are feeling or remembering or thinking.... do NOT spend that time contemplating what you are going to respond with. Instead,  Focus on what they are saying.  Be 100% with them.  Do NOT be afraid of long periods of silence.  You do NOT have to fill the silence with words.  They are searching their soul for meaning and reflecting -- its ok not to distract them.

Third, avoid shallow platitudes.  Religious people are often guilty of this.  I suspect it is 1/2 nervous energy and 1/2 out of feeling like we must provide answers -- so we begin muttering shallow fortune cookie one line sentences.  I catch myself doing this on occasion and mentally slap myself on the back of the head for being so insensitive.

Fourth, avoid saying, "If you need anything - give me a call".  WHY?  They are not going to call.  They know that if you really wanted to encourage them, you would show up with a casserole or a big sandwich from Mr. Sub.  Ask yourself this, "When you say that - are you making them feel better or making yourself feel better for reaching out to them?" My point?  Food is always welcome.  Go to Super 1 and grab a case of fried chicken and drop it off.  Trust me, for a moment, they will be overwhelmed by the gesture.

Fifth, and on this one, most of you will cringe but bear with me.  When you leave someone that is grieving, ask, "May I say a brief word of prayer with you?"  This may make you uncomfortable, but in essence you are offering to invite God into the room to provide comfort, perspective and strength.  I have never had anyone refuse this.  Face it, most people have more questions than answers about death so asking God to provide His love and care -- is welcome.

"Heavenly Father,
please give my friend strength, comfort and peace as he (she) walks through this terribly heartbreaking time.  We do not know why or what your plan is, but we know that you are good and will always bring about what is best in every situation.  So LORD, we thank you for every day he (she) had on this earth.  We know that everyday was a gift from you.  Please provide my friend rest and peace. I ask this in your Son's name, Amen"




 

I find this enlightening....

The Bible in 50 Words:
God made
Adam bit
Noah arked
Abraham split
Jacob fooled
Joseph ruled
Bush talked
Pharaoh plagued
Sea divided
Tablets guided
Promise landed
Judges led
Saul freaked
David peeked
Kingdom divided
Prophets warned
People exiled
Hope rose
Jesus born
God walked
Anger crucified
Love rose
Spirit flamed
Word spread
God remained.

Lord it's hard to be humble

Oh Lord it's hard to be humble

“O Lord, my heart is not proud, nor my eyes haughty;
nor do I involve myself in great matters,
or in things too difficult for me.”
Psalm 131:1 NLT

Humility is so often misunderstood.....
If you have a clear understanding of who YOU are before Almighty God....
you cannot be conceited.....
And if you have a clear understanding of who GOD is....
you cannot be arrogant.....

However if you have a clear understanding of who you are before God....
only then can you know true love and acceptance....

My point?
Arrogance trades faith for fear..
Humility trades fear for faith.....

Ego demands that  you try to control things and people....

Here are 3 steps toward the peace of mind that humility can offer:

#1. Accept the limitations you have as a human being

God is God and you are not God

#2. Trust in God to control what you cannot

And that’s pretty much everything.
You can’t control your health.
You can’t control your job.
You can’t control your cars.
You can’t control your kids.
You can’t control your spouse.

#3. Memorize Psalm 131:1

"Lord, my heart is not proud;
    my eyes are not haughty.
I don’t concern myself with matters too great
    or too awesome for me to grasp."

Choose humility and refuse to worry about what God is in control of.

God is God and I am not God.