Greetings!  

 "When God created the world He put everything into balance. There is perfect timing to it. The only things in this world that seem to get out of timing and off balance are human beings." - Norman Vincent Peale

It seems we are all striving for balance these days.  Everywhere I go and everyone I meet is looking to have more time for work, play, love and a deeper connection to God.  Days have exactly the same amount of hours in them, and yet we feel there is less time to fit everything in.  If I could just live for today, not think about all I didn't get done yesterday, and stop worrying about tomorrow, I believe I would feel lighter and more at peace. Is this even possible?

Dr. Peale had a great outlook on balance! 

In the booklet "How to Make a New Start",  there is a basic principle that can lead you to balanced living everyday.  The positive principle called 'Live Today' is a great way to move toward the balance we desire and pray for.  

Here it is:

The Lord brings down a curtain of darkness every 24 hours to shut off the day that is past and to get you ready for tomorrow.  Did you ever stop to think of the beneficence of the Lord in doing that?  Sir William Osler, the great turn-of-the-century physician, said that we should live in "day-tight" compartments.  Each night, he said, we should pull down a great mental curtain, shutting out the past, and another great curtain, shutting out tomorrow, and go to sleep, unburdened by the past or anxieties about the future.

Can you imagine doing this each night, or imagine doing this moment-to-moment?  Compartments of time for each activity throughout our day where there is no room for yesterday's regrets or tomorrow's worries!  Being present with the Lord, hearing His guidance and moving through each task at hand can bring peace and joy to each moment with a great sense of balance.   

We can make our plans, but the LORD determines our steps. - Proverbs 16:9 (NLT)

An old Bible Club letter caught my attention recently.  The title of the letter is "Keys to a Complete Life."  On the letter is a cross with a prescription that Marjorie Holmes' husband George gave to her.  The vertical bar is drawn with Love at the top and Prayer at the base, symbolic for the pillar of strength and the foundation of our lives to keep us strong and moving forward.  Prayer is our connection to the Lord and a constant reminder to Love others as the Lord loves us.  The horizontal bar symbolizes Work and Play as two opposites to emphasize the importance of balancing Work and Play.  Too much work or play can throw our life out of balance.  

Dr. Peale says, "Just as people brood about yesterday, they worry about tomorrow. 

But if you take care of today, tomorrow will take care of itself.  So, forgetting those things that are behind, reach forward to those things that are ahead, remembering that your job is to be worthy, and God will take care of you.  Assimilate know-how from the past, live well today and you will come to tomorrow in the strength of right thinking and right living."

If we turn to God daily in prayer and listen to His guidance, love others as He loves us, be responsible at work and remember to be playful, we will live well as God intended.

Now that's what I call Balance!

Daily Reflections

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness,
goodness, faithfulness. - Galatians 5:22

A Time to Think 

Sometimes your joy is the source of your smile, but sometimes your smile can be
the source of your joy.-Thich Nhat Hanh 

Keep hope in your life and a smile on your face.

Lord, help me to understand that I can be joyful at all times and in all situations because
I am Your child and You are my God.
 

CLICK HERE for daily devotionals!

Answered Prayers 
 

Prayer is the foundation of which we build our lives.  Take time to pray for your own needs and the needs of others.  Spend time with God and feel the embrace of his loving care for you. God is peace, and through prayer He listens. 

Come pray with us!    

My son is off drugs but is somewhat sliding back with his friends BUT God is still at work. He is finishing a college class. He is working. I praise God for what He has done and for the walls that will be crumbled completely and the restored son that will walk with His Savior and proclaim His goodness. His change will be apparent in all areas of his life.
-Kim

God has been answering my prayers...sometimes it takes longer than we hope/expect to get to the end result though. That has been the case with the two prayer requests I've sent in lately. One was job related, the other was a place to live where I would have peace, contentment and serenity. I have hope, I see light and I am encouraged...THAT is a BLESSING in itself. Thanks to ALL that prayed and are praying!!
Anonymous

CLICK HERE to read more answered prayers!

Hearing God Takes Undivided Attention   

Having trouble hearing God? Rev. Dr. Peola C. Hicks of OurPrayer shares a personal story to help us realize the importance of removing distractions from our life when we want to hear God clearly.

CLICK HERE to hear how we need to be reminded to listen to God!

Your Support at Work!

Grateful words to share with you...

"We appreciate publications that our residents can enjoy.  Guideposts is an important part of our resident's spiritual needs.  The positive, uplifting stories are exactly right for people in our long term care setting." - Mary, Nursing Home in Georgia

Guideposts Outreach ministry is uplifting the elderly that so desperately need words of encouragement, hope, and faith while enduring lonely days in Nursing Homes and Care Facilities.  Magazines and booklets are provided free of charge for the staff to distribute to its residents.

 Your support makes this possible.  

Thank you!

Together, we make a significant impact on many!