Just For Today . . . Sonshine . . . 6/20/07

Dear Holy Friends,   I planted sunflowers this year all around. I took the packet of seeds and walked around to find places I thought would be so great to have the bright flowers reaching to the sun each day. All of them have come up. And although we have a drought and the grass is turning brown my sunflower plants standing only 5 inches tall already track the sun across the sky all day. I love daisies, black-eyed susans and sunflowers because they all look like a smile to me. Nature shows us grace all the time.   In His Grip, Chandra     Sonshine   It's in the rising of the sun as it burns the fog away,     the colors in the sky as dawn lights the day.         It's in the songs of the birds waking a sleepy earth,             singing of the beauty of nature and our father's worth. It's in the dew sparkling like gemstones on a field of green,     or flowers opening fully the moment the sun is seen.         It's in the warmth on your face as you stand there in awe,             the knowledge He does faithfully showing us the world should go on. It's in the wind gently blowing the clouds from the sky,     all of nature rejoicing and never asking why.         Sunrise and sunset, wind, rain and snow            His creation understands the secret we long to know. Are you bogged down with pain and worry,     everything is too fast and busy, you're tired of the hurry?        In the beauty of nature He shows us His grace            slow down, look to the Son, let Him shine on your face.                             ~Chandra Lynn Smith, 6/20/07~   Today maybe God will use something in His creation to touch your heart and show you His grace.   Love, Chandra

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JustFor Today . . . Falling Into Flight . . . 6/15/07

Dear Holy Friends,   Have you ever seen an eagle or a hawk take flight? We don't have eagles around here, but we do have some massive red-tailed hawks. I love to watch them sitting in the top of the large oak trees and just fall into flight. That's how they do it. They lean forward and fall, and as they fall, they open their wings and fly! Eagles do the same thing. Sometimes I think our Savior wants us to lean forward ad fall into His plans for us too.   In His Grip, Chandra   Falling Into Flight   An eagle standing on the precipice     looking stately and strong         does the most interesting thing             leans forward, opens its wings and falls.                 No running starts, no gaining speed,                     it just falls into flight                         large wings spread and catch the wind                             what an incredible sight. So many references to eagles and flight     scattered throughout God's Word,         in this majestic creature He shows             how we should trust Him as Lord.                 If you stand on the edge of unknown                     fear enveloping your heart                         open your arms and fall in faith                             trusting Him is when your flight will start.   ~Chandra Lynn Smith, 6.15.07~   Go ahead my friend, step out onto the cliff, and then fall into His grace. I can't think of a better way to fly!   Love, Chandra                              This is an opt-in email list. To be removed send an email to InHisGrip59@aol.com and write 'unsubscribe' in the title.

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Just For Today . . . Learning To Soar . . .6/13/07

Dear Holy Friends,   This week we are gonna look at eagles. Did you know the eagles have a neat mating ritual? The female flies high into the sky and drops sticks. The male must catch them in his talons and not crush them. Why? Because when they teach their young to fly, when she drops them, if they don't fly, he must catch them and not crush them. How cool is that?   There are many references to God and eagles in the Bible. I love them, because the visual is great. In His Grip, Chandra   Learning To Soar She soars high carrying a small stick     then her mighty feet let it go. As the stick tumbles, it's caught     in the talons of the one below. Then she soars high carrying an eaglet     and must drop it and let it go. It tumbles and tries to fly     then is caught by the one below. Ever higher she flies with her young     and he never lets it fall by. Until one time its wings work     and the eaglet has learned to fly.   I tried to soar through life     for a while all was going well. Then I stumbled on a simple thing     and suddenly I fell. And as I tried to get back up     I was weary and wanted to cry. But He caught me and promised     He'd catch me and teach me to fly. So, now when I try to soar     I know I will frequently fall. But he is faithful to His promise     all I have to do is call.   ~Chandra Lynn Smith, 11/02~   Friends, if you are trying to soar and keep falling, it's okay. Our Savior is there, He will not leave you and He will catch you each time. He will be with you and teach you to soar on His love, His grace, His mercy. Don't give up!   Love, Chandra     This is an opt-in email list. To be removed send an email to InHisGrip59@aol.com and write 'unsubscribe' in the title.

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