Psalm 78:3-4 ...things that we have heard and known about, things that our parents have told us. We will not hide them from our children. We will tell the next generation about the LORD'S power and great deeds and the miraculous things he has done. 

In our busyness, sometimes we ignore what is most important--passing onto our children those things needed for them to become strong, independent persons of integrity and faith.

Do I protect too much, not allowing failure or the sweet taste of success (without my help)? Do I spend time sharing my past and live my faith, providing a solid foundations for the future? Do I encourage talents, skills and dreams or only impose my own?

Do I cripple or enable others with my attitude, choices? Do I micromanage or coach to independent thought and action?

Most of all, do I love and trust enough to let go?

Lord, help me pass on my faith to my family and others, doing so with their, not my, best  interests in mind and with trust and not fear. Amen.

http://IDealinHope.com/author
http://IDealinHope.com/bookreviews (Check out the book give away contest)

Posted by Carolyn R Scheidies at 10:31 AM CDT

Share This Post

Post Comment | Permalink

Luke 1:45-47 (Elizabeth said,) "...You are blessed for believing that the Lord would keep his promise to you." 
   Mary said, "My soul praises the Lord's greatness! My spirit finds its joy in God, my Savior,...

This passage indicates a direct correlation between believing and acting on God's promises and His blessing. How many blessings do I miss by not knowing God's promises (i.e. Not reading or studying His Word), or not believing them and trusting God?

I'll only know by staying close to Him. Am I?

http://IDealinHope.com/author
http://IDealinHope.com/bookreviews

Posted by Carolyn R Scheidies at 10:42 AM CDT

Share This Post

Post Comment | Permalink

Genesis 43:14 GW May God Almighty make him merciful to you so that he will send your other brother and Benjamin home with you. If I lose my children, I lose my children.
 
Jacob believed Joseph was dead and overprotected his son Benjamin, Rachel's other, younger son. He didn't trust God to take better care of his son than he could. And yet, however reluctantly, he realized he had to put the welfare of his family above his fear.
 
What he didn't realize was that in doing so he would not only not lose Rachel's youngest son, he would have Joseph restored to him as well.
 
How often do we let fear dictate our lives, decisions and future? How many blessing do we miss by holding on too tightly, not trusting God's love and provision.
 
Today, can I let go my fear to trust enough to follow God's leading?

http://IDealinHope.com/author  
http://IDealinHope.com/bookreviews

Posted by Carolyn R Scheidies at 7:23 AM CDT

Share This Post

Post Comment | Permalink

Mark 14:36 GW He (Jesus) said, "Abba! Father! You can do anything. Take this cup of suffering away from me. But let your will be done rather than mine."
 
Being a God follower--a Christian--isn't a step to take thinking everything will be easy. It actually may result in some difficult choices, ridicule and some very real hardships. It does mean that no matter what happens we don't have to walk through it alone. And that makes all the difference.

http://IDealinHope.com/author  
http://IDealinHope.com/bookreviews

Posted by Carolyn R Scheidies at 8:12 AM CDT

Share This Post

Post Comment | Permalink

Psalm 3:5 I lay down and slept; I awoke, for the Lord sustained me.

Right now I'd like to be asleep. I'm not even all that tired right now. I slept for a while and when I couldn't sleep any more I began to pray. Finally I got up and came into my office to work and read Scripture and update my web sites.

Outside, the night is still except for a myriad of insects going about their business giving sound to the night. We live in town, but there is little traffic at 4 am, though I hear the sound of engines in the distance.

In this quiet I smile
Relax
Knowing that
Even in the darkness
God is here
And I am safe
In His sustaining hands.

With that knowing I'll soon return to my bed, rest...and sleep.

http://IDealinHope.com/author 
http://IDealinHope.com/bookreviews

Posted by Carolyn R Scheidies at 4:08 AM CDT

Share This Post

Post Comment | Permalink

Genesis 41:15-17 GW Pharaoh said to Joseph, "I had a dream, and no one can tell me what it means. I heard that when you are told a dream, you can say what it means." Joseph answered Pharaoh, "I can't, but God can give Pharaoh the answer that he needs."
 
What a perfect time for Joseph to toot his own horn. Joseph had the right audience to show just what he brought to the table. But Joseph didn't live with clichés of life or with the prevailing attitude of every generation to lift up oneself. No. He was a man of deep principle and faith who knew the true source of power, success and fulfillment--God. He wasn't about to make a claim He knew to be false.
 
What about me? Do I try to spin things my way or live to glorify and honor God--giving Him credit.

http://IDealinHope.com/author  
http://IDealinHope.com/bookreviews

Posted by Carolyn R Scheidies at 10:20 AM CDT

Share This Post

Post Comment | Permalink

Genesis 40:23 GW Nevertheless, the chief cupbearer didn't remember Joseph. He forgot all about him.
 
How easy it is to let life and circumstances dictate who we are and how act. When things are going well, do we forget God, forget His Word, His people, His sanctuary? After all, we can handle things in the good times.

Remember how this came about? The cupbearer ended up in prison with Joseph who interpreted his dream. Only, once he was free, he forgot his prison experience and forgot the one who'd given hope.
 
Lord, help me never forget in good times as well as bad to come to you for help, hope and guidance.
 
Mark 12:29-31 GW Jesus answered, "The most important is, 'Listen, Israel, the Lord our God is the only Lord. So love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength.' The second most important commandment is this: 'Love your neighbor as you love yourself.' No other commandment is greater than these."

http://IDealinHope.com/author  
http://IDealinHope.com/bookreviews

Posted by Carolyn R Scheidies at 9:06 AM CDT

Share This Post

Post Comment | Permalink

Genesis 39:3-5 GW Joseph's master saw that the LORD was with him and that the LORD made everything he did successful. Potiphar liked Joseph so much that he made him his trusted servant. He put him in charge of his household and everything he owned.
 
When we serve God first, others take note. Why? Because if we truly serve God, we are people of honesty, integrity, self-controlled, other-centered and honorable. We become people others trust. As we seek to know, follow and serve God, there are other benefits, such as the peace from recognizing it's not about ME. It is having not just our wisdom, but His.
 
Acts 4:13 GW After they found out that Peter and John had no education or special training, they were surprised to see how boldly they spoke. They realized that these men had been with Jesus.
 
The people took note of the disciples BECAUSE they'd been around Jesus and His wisdom.
 
If I want others to look up to , listen to and follow me, the best thing I can do is to look up, listen to and follow Christ.

http://IDealinHope.com/author  
http://IDealinHope.com/bookreviews

Posted by Carolyn R Scheidies at 8:45 AM CDT

Share This Post

Post Comment | Permalink

Psalm 71:5 GW You are my hope, O Almighty LORD. You have been my confidence ever since I was young.
 
Without God, life has no meaning. Right/wrong have no meaning. Love/hate have no context. Without a Savior what I think, do, say has no lasting significance.
 
But life has meaning, because God is, because Jesus came, and because I choose to follow and serve Him.
 
V. 17 O God, you have taught me ever since I was young, and I still talk about the miracles you have done.

http://IDealinHope.com/author  
http://IDealinHope.com/bookreviews

Posted by Carolyn R Scheidies at 9:24 AM CDT

Share This Post

Post Comment | Permalink

Genesis 37:21-22 When Reuben heard this, he tried to save Joseph from their plot. "Let's not kill him," he said. "Let's not have any bloodshed. Put him into that cistern that's out in the desert, but don't hurt him." Reuben wanted to rescue Joseph from them and bring him back to his father.
 
As the eldest son, Reuben should have been the leader at this point. Instead, he was weak, too frightened of his brothers to do more than offer token resistance to their dreadful plan. It did save Joseph's life, but not much else--because of fear.
 
How often does fear keep me from doing what I know is right or do so, like Reuben, half-way? What long term consequences have I put in play because of my fear? What has this fear done to my faith and my witness for Christ

http://IDealinHope.com/author  
http://IDealinHope.com/bookreviews

Posted by Carolyn R Scheidies at 10:16 AM CDT

Share This Post

Post Comment | Permalink

Genesis 37:21-22 When Reuben heard this, he tried to save Joseph from their plot. "Let's not kill him," he said. "Let's not have any bloodshed. Put him into that cistern that's out in the desert, but don't hurt him." Reuben wanted to rescue Joseph from them and bring him back to his father.
 
As the eldest son, Reuben should have been the leader at this point. Instead, he was weak, too frightened of his brothers to do more than offer token resistance to their dreadful plan. It did save Joseph's life, but not much else--because of fear.
 
How often does fear keep me from doing what I know is right or do so, like Reuben, half-way? What long term consequences have I put in play because of my fear? What has this fear done to my faith and my witness for Christ

http://IDealinHope.com/author  
http://IDealinHope.com/bookreviews

Posted by Carolyn R Scheidies at 9:35 AM CDT

Share This Post

Post Comment | Permalink

 Mark 8:11-12 GW The Pharisees went to Jesus and began to argue with him. They tested him by demanding that he perform a miraculous sign from heaven. With a deep sigh he asked, "Why do these people demand a sign? I can guarantee this truth: If these people are given a sign, it will be far different than what they want!"

How many of us don't just pray, we make demands. If God doesn't answer when we want and how we want, we doubt Him, His Word and our relationship with Him suffers as we back away.

The question is do we truly believe He is God, Sovereign, Creator, Lord or our own private sugar-daddy? We can't pick and choose. Either we serve God or we don't. If our belief is so shallow and our egos and arrogance so large that we think to control God, then are we serving Him at all or only our own sinful hearts?

Do I demand or simply remind Him of His promises and wait for His way, in His time and praise Him even if His answer isn't to my liking?

V. 34-35 GW Then Jesus called the crowd to himself along with his disciples. He said to them, "Those who want to follow me must say no to the things they want, pick up their crosses, and follow me. Those who want to save their lives will lose them. But those who lose their lives for me and for the Good News will save them.

http://IDealinHope.com/author  

http://IDealinHope.com/bookreviews

Posted by Carolyn R Scheidies at 8:36 AM CDT

Share This Post

Post Comment | Permalink

Mark 7:6-7 GW Jesus told them, "Isaiah was right when he prophesied about you hypocrites in Scripture: 'These people honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me. Their worship of me is pointless, because their teachings are rules made by humans.'"
 
Worshiping God isn't just about following traditions or a set of rules or expected “church” practices. Outward behavior means nothing without the right attitude and a heart submitted to His (not church doctrine) will.

V. 13 Because of your traditions you have destroyed the authority of God's word. And you do many other things like that."
 
Am I following the rules or am I truly serving Jesus?
 
Psalm 68:3 GW But let righteous people rejoice. Let them celebrate in God's presence. Let them overflow with joy.

http://IDealinHope.com/author 
http://IDealinHope.com/bookreviews

Posted by Carolyn R Scheidies at 10:03 AM CDT

Share This Post

Post Comment | Permalink

Thank you, Lord

For my husband who works hard to provide and loves to plan surprises.

Thank you for our daughter always sensitive to acknowledge special events with a call, card, a gift or one of her wonderful keepsake scrapbooks.

Thank you for our son who takes his responsibilities for his family seriously.

Thank you for our daughter-in-law and the joy she's brought to our son and the whole family.

Thank you for our delightful grandchildren and the years we had to know them before a job took them away with their parents.

Thank you for the many ways we can stay in touch.

Thank you, Jesus, for the blessing of my family.

http://IDealinHope.com/author

http://IDealinHope.com/bookreviews

Posted by Carolyn R Scheidies at 9:13 AM CDT

Share This Post

Post Comment | Permalink

Mark 5:18-20 GW As Jesus stepped into the boat, the man who had been demon-possessed begged him, "Let me stay with you."  But Jesus would not allow it. Instead, he told the man, "Go home to your family, and tell them how much the Lord has done for you and how merciful he has been to you."
    So the man left. He began to tell how much Jesus had done for him in the Ten Cities. Everyone was amazed.
 
Sometimes we get so excited about something, we want to "go on the road" to share our knowledge, excitement or grief with an audience. We live in a culture that hates, loves and uses the media and where most want to claim their "fifteen minutes of fame."
 
But God isn't always into the big rallys, banners, signs and media events. He knows we are moved by one-on-one interaction. How many times Jesus healed, set free and told the recipient to just go home and start not with the world but with family and friends.
 
Do I share Jesus message to be seen or to change hearts, one-on-one?
 
Psalm 66:16 GW Come and listen, all who fear God, and I will tell you what he has done for me.

http://IDealinHope.com/author 
http://IDealinHope.com/bookreviews

Posted by Carolyn R Scheidies at 5:42 AM CDT

Share This Post

Post Comment | Permalink