Yesterday, Today, Forever-

Read this years ago and received it in an e-mail today!  Just had to share.  Why should I be the only one with tears in my eyes!  Hugs to you all!   Our house was directly across the street from the clinic entrance of   Johns Hopkins Hospital in  Baltimore .  We lived downstairs and rented the upstairs rooms to out-patients at the clinic.  One summer evening as I was fixing supper, there was a knock at the door.  I opened it to see a truly awful looking man.  "Why, he's hardly taller than my 8-year-old," I thought as I stared at the stooped, shriveled body.  But the appalling thing was his face, lopsided from swelling, red and raw.  Yet his voice was pleasant as he said, "Good evening.  I've come to see if you've a room for just one night.  I came for a treatment this morning from the eastern shore, and there's no bus 'til morning."  He told me he'd been hunting for a room since noon but with no suc...

God brings to light all the evil desires And He makes known all deceit of the heart. For in the presence of His Holy Purity All of the darkness must flee and depart. He will reveal all the wicked intentions. He will reveal the real motives inside. For in the presence of His Power and Majesty He will reveal all, and no one can hide. And God will frustrate the private agendas And He will thwart every devious plan For in the presence of God’s Holy Will What are the lofty plans of man? If there’s repentance and total surrender He’ll cleanse the soul with His perfect Light. For in the presence of His Loving kindness There’s healing, and cleansing, then doing what’s right. For once we did live in the darkness of sin But now we are bathed in the Light of our Lord! The fruit of the Light is to live in His goodness, Be filled with His Spirit and live by His Word. Karin Ristau

No one I know likes criticism. I believe that criticism is a misunderstood concept, almost always seen in the negative light. I see criticism more as an observation, an analysis, or a discernment. Athletes never perform to their peak ability unless they respond humbly to the critique delivered by the coach. The coach analyzes every move and helps the athlete to improve his or her performance. Sometimes the coach has to give tough love. He knows the potential of the athlete and incites him to respond positively to the criticism. He has the athlete’s best interest at heart. The athlete can chose to see what the coach does as criticism, or as encouragement, or as motivation. The coach is doing his job and helping to turn him into a top notch athlete. In the same way, we should not be so thin-skinned that every little input into our lives is seen as negative. In my Christian walk I have been very grateful to God for those very few people in my life who were not afraid to level a word...

Abundant fruit this year! "I am come that they might have life," Abundant, full and free. Not earthly treasures, wealth or gain, But truth and liberty. I am come that in the midst of strife, They may find true and lasting peace. "I am come that they might have life," And blessings from above. Not free from thorny paths or pain, But fullness of my love. I am come that in the midst of sorrow They may find real and wonderful joy. "I am come that they might have life," And guidance without end. Not loneliness, but fellowship, I am their trusted Friend! I am come that in the midst of darkness They may find radiance in my light. "I am come that they might have life," Abundant life eternally. Not fear, anxiety or tears, But life that sets the captive free. I am come that in the midst of despair, They may find fulfillment of their hope. Karin Ristau©