GCR Women

I've been babysitting my grandson.  He's 3 and a half - that is to say, he ONLY 3 and a half.  I've been looking forward to our visit.  I love him so and he's such a delight to me.  Sometimes working with a little boy can be frustrating but it's up to me to remember that he's 3 and a half - that he's ONLY 3 and a half.  It requires lots of love and lots of patience. Being 3 and a half means he can do so much more than he used to be able to do.  He can climb and slide safely without me hovering over him.  He can use a fork easily to eat his breakfast without me feeding him one spoonful after another.  Life can be exciting when you're 3 and a half. But since he's ONLY 3 and a half, there's much he can't do yet.  He can't play the pinball game on my home pc by himself.  He needs me to help him with that.  He can't fix his own breakfast.  He needs me to fix it for him.  And when it's bedtime, he needs me to ...

Tuesday, I visited with a friend who works with people in crisis.  She told me that the main reason someone takes her own life is when she loses hope.  Hope.  A short four letter word.  But one filled with power - for some, the power of life or death. What do we face each that drains our hope?  Financial problems?  Health issues?  Family concerns?  Fear?  Drought?  Storm?  When what we hope in is susceptible to failure in some way, it's little wonder when someone loses hope. So, what do you hope in?  We "know" we should hope in God.  But do we live what we "know"?  Our beliefs mean little if they don't transform the way we actually live our lives.  What would our lives look like we really believed God and took Him at His Word and lived in the victory He has in mind for each of us!  I want more in life than I can provide for myself.  I want what only God can provide.  I want to have the l...

I've had a difficult time putting my thoughts into words today.  I want to please God in the way I live my life.  I want to interact with others the way He wants me to.  But I find myself falling back into my old ruts of fear, bitterness, arrogance and self-righteousness.  These are just symptoms of a bigger problem:  trusting God. Do I trust Him to take a broken situation and mend it?  Do I really believe He can take our pitiful disputes and settle them?  Do I think God is big enough and powerful enough to accomplish His will? I realize that God doesn't need me to fix anything.  He needs me to trust Him to fix things.  He'll let me know when He's ready for me to take action .  He'll give me a clear understanding of what I should do and what I should say - if I trust Him. In the meantime, He's telling me :  "First things first, Patrice.  Learn to walk in love."  So, here's my verse for February 15, 2012: ...

My newest grandchild was born yesterday, January 31, 2012.  A beautiful baby girl!  A new life filled with new hope and possibilities. And that's just who we are when we're in Christ - new!  In Christ, the old life is gone and we're given a new life filled with new hope and possibilities. My challenge is living in the newness - remembering that I no longer have to live as a slave to sin, that I now have the Holy Spirit living in me.  I am free!  Free to live in love.  Free to do God's will.  Free to walk by faith in Christ Jesus.  Oh the possibilities! Patrice 1 Peter 1:3 (NIV) Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ!  In His great mercy He has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead.

Change - It's constant.  Some change I like.  Some I don't.  Change takes work.  But I need changing.  I certainly don't want to stay like I am forever.  A couple of weeks ago, we sang a song during worship that goes:  "Ancient words ever true, changing me and changing you."  That's the kind of change I need - the change only that God's Word can make in my heart. If I let Him, what change could God make in me?  Where would He start?  Where could He take me?  Will I stay changed?  Lord, give me the courage and strength - day by day - to choose You.  Lord, change me! Patrice Psalm 51:10 (NIV) Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit in me.

You may be like me and kind of new to the world of blogging.  Don't be dismayed!  As Kay Arthur is fond of saying:  "Hangest thou in there!"  Remember:  1.  All you have to do is find a scripture that you believe God wants to write on your heart for where you are right now.  2.  Enter the verse as a comment on the blogspot.  (Just follow the instructions on the screen.)  3.  Include your name, the location of the verse, the version of the Bible you're using and the verse itself.  See?  Simple!  Even a 57 year old can do it. Here are our goals once again:  Memorize 2 verses each month (one on the 1st and one on the 15th).  Write the verses in a notebook (like an index card spiral or something similar) so you can keep them close at hand for review.  Enter the verse as a comment on the blogspot.  Do this every month this year (2012) and then celebrate what the Lord has done.  We hope to come ...

A new beginning - how many times have I asked God for a new beginning?  What will I do with this new year?  Will I set goals, make plans to do things I've put off doing in years past?  How can I be sure I'll follow through this year? I've decided to make this year different.  Oh, sure, I'll continue to set goals and make plans, but this year, I want to be more intentional about making the most of each day the Lord gives me.  With God's help, I want to live in today. Today, I resolve to live, really live, whether I have it all together or not.  Today, I resolve to see the value in each day and not wish it away - or worse, waste it.  Today, I resolve to submit to God and what He has planned for me.  No more putting things off till tomorrow.  No more excuses  The time is now.  Today.  A new beginning. So, let's get started.  Faith Words.  Select a scripture. Wr...