Just For Today . . . Boys . . . 7/31/07

Dear Holy Friends,   Last week I went away with my youngest son and a nephew, just the three of us camping in the mountains of West Virginia. I tell you what . . . John Denver got it right when he sang ' . . . almost heaven, West Virginia . . .' Our campsite was at the top of the campground at Chief Logan State Park in Logan West Virginia. And most of the week we were the only ones on the hilltop-- beside the raccoons trying to get our food each night! The morning 30+ wild turkeys paraded through the site as I sat there drinking my coffee and reading my Bible I was awed.     And by far, one of the greatest joys last week was watching Jeremy and Adam just be boys, no stresses, no expectations, they just got to be boys.   In HisGrip, Chandra   Boys There's something to be said     for letting boys be boys         hiking, biking, laughing             leaving behind electronic toys. Each day an adventure     swimming, diving and water slides         yelling stupid things out the car window             whenever we took a drive. Reading around the campfire     marshmallows and s'mores         thunder and lightning             rain leaking in the tent doors. I watched them as they marveled     at the beauty surrounding us         and even got frustrated             when like brothers they had to fuss. Simple little moments shared     made big memories to last         funny how by Friday             we couldn't believe the week had passed. There's something to be said     for letting boys be boys         and allowing God to touch your heart             with surprises and new joys. ~Chandra Lynn Smith, 7/31/07~   Where was the rest of my family this week? Oh they were also camping at Boy Scout camp here in PA. They also had an awesome week. But I have to tell you, I think the deer, raccoons, foxes, birds, rattlesnake, turkeys, pools, water slides, roller coasters, bumper cars, and two dear sweet boys gave me the best week of all!   May God surprise each of you this week too.   Love, Chandra

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Just For Today . . . Best Friends . . . 7/20/07

Dear Holy Friends,   Yesterday was about the little girl in the field. What about the little boy in the woods? Life tackles him hard too. I know some who found it very difficult to recover from those tackles. But Jesus is always there.   In His Grip, Chandra   Best Friend   Running through mud and brambles     to his best friend's home         they have things to do             places they need to roam. Together they conquer kingdoms     and win every war         theirs is a solid friendship             like none ever before. Years go by, things happen     sports, jobs, girls get in the way         they separate and go on             pretending everything's okay. One by one people leave     the ones supposed to stay         he builds walls, closes his heart             decides it's better that way. Then the Savior calls him     in a voice both tender and strong         drawing the man into His love             asking him to come along. Jesus walks with him and talks     to the wounds inside his heart         assuring him this Savior             is One who will not depart. Jesus runs with him through mud and brambles     until they arrive at his home         and the man knows Jesus is his friend             he'll never again be alone. ~Chandra Lynn Smith, 3/13/03~   I have always loved to watch my sons play. The joy, the mud, the torn jeans are wonderful. Today I would pray that Jesus would help each man find that happy little boy inside of him again.   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 . . . Loves Me . . . 7/19/07

Dear Holy Friends,   I sat on my porch and watched the sun rise. Then I watched the chikory flowers open and cast a translucent blue across the field. I am not sure how anyone could look at nature and not see God. But I do understand how the world beats us up and kills our childlike wonder of life and joy. Some of you reading this are the ones beat by the world, others are the ones who carry the beaten. But maybe the next time you see a daisy you will hear 'He loves me.'   In His Grip, Chandra   Loves me In the middle of the field sitting there no cares flowers in her hair   She's holding daisies wearing necklaces and rings sunshine world she sings   Years go by, she grows now crying in the field to a cruel world she did yield   No more sunshine and songs just her journal and pen her hurt heart keeps withdrawing in   The world changed happiness she forgot she removes the petals each flower ends with 'he loves me not.'   The Savior calls her weary heart shows her how His love will never depart   He draws her to the field a treasure to see every flower now ends with "He loves me."   ~Chandra Lynn Smith, 7/29/05~   Father God, Today may each of us find in the beauty of a daisy or a black-eyed susan the words of love Yo speak to us every day. Amen.   Love, Chandra

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Just For Today . . It Comes Down To Grace . . 7/18/07

Dear Holy Friends,   I think grace is so simple it's complex. It is so free we think it costs too much. God's grace is present in every life, believer or not. His grace created each of us and operates in our lives before we know it. His grace saves us from our sin and His grace sanctifies us in our life so we can stand before Him clean and unblemished. His grace is always operating. (This poem is a repeat, but I feel led to send it today)   InHisGrip, Chandra   It Comes Down To Grace   Grace was present in your life before you knew it was there. The grace of God created you and formed you with loving care. His grace is in every life no matter what we do His grace is ever present grace for me and also for you.   Then the day comes you accept Him as Lord, you pray to Him and seek Him and learn of Him in His Word. The Grace that created you now saves your very soul takes the old and makes it new, makes your brokenness whole.   As you grow in faith and strength you also grow in grace, understanding your salvation knowing Jesus took your place. The grace that created and saved you sanctifies you to perfection,  at life's end you stand at the judgement seat Jesus smile "Let this one in, I have no objection."   ~Chandra Lynn Smith, 6/30/05~    My prayer this day would be that we all stop analyzing, categorizing and administrating grace and maybe just reach up toward heaven and accept it. Amen.   Love, Chandra

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Just For Today . . .Goliath and Stones . . .7/10/07

Dear Holy Friends,   In the midst of all of my recent thoughts and study about stones, etc. my pastor did a great sermon on David and Goliath. You might think that is a story that has been overdone and nothing new could possibly be gained from it. Might I remind me and all of us that is why the Bible is the Living Word of God? ;)  Pastor Scott gave some things to think about and it prompted today's poem.   In His Grip, Chandra   Goliaths and Stones   King Saul had armor and swords     David tried them on         the small shepherd boy             knew things were wrong. He picked up his sling and walked out     grabbed a handful of rocks         he had no stature or strength            he had his faith in God. The Israelites doubted     Goliath laughed in his face         one rock, one sling, the giant fell             a boy with mighty faith. In life we face giants     fights too big to win         taunting and defeating             despair can set in. But God is there for us     as He was the shepherd boy         He's given us all we need             to feel His love and joy. In your heart you hold a 'rock'     His Spirit will be your sling         your giants are gonna fall             faith accomplishes great things. ~Chandra Lynn Smith, 6/28/07~   Today, stand before your 'giant' with Jesus' Holy Spirit guiding you. His strength is perfected in you and through Him you can do all things. Your giant is gonna fall! I will listen today for the thumps of giants hitting the ground!   Love, Chandra

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Just For Today . . . On Rocks #2 . . . 7/4/07

Dear Holy Friends,

 

    Have you ever stood at a perfectly still body of water and thrown a rock in? Notice how the ripples go out from the splash, make it to the shore and sometimes come back and meet themselves? Sometimes, maybe we look at rocks as only implements of danger and wrath. Today I have a different view of rocks than yesterday.

 

On Rocks #2

 

The water is still like glass

    stand upon the shore

        pick up a rock

            and throw . . .

See it fly and drop

    splashing in the calm

        still is broken

            watch the ripples go . . .

Jesus' love in your heart

    produces calm and peace

        and must be shared

            like a rock give it a throw . . .

One word spoken in love

    splashes into the world

        ripples of mercy and

            God's kingdom grows . . .

 

~Chandra Lynn Smith, 6/28/07~

 

This day, maybe we can all be one to throw our rocks of love out and let ripples of His grace spread out and meet.

 

Love, Chandra 

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Just For Today . . . Rock Throwers . . . 7/6/07

Dear Holy Friends,   I wonder if anyone other than me allowed a moment of chest puffing the other day and thought that at least we don't stone people anymore, and if we did, I  surely wouldn't? But somehow, I think maybe we just throw different rocks.   In His grip, Chandra   Rock Throwers   It's something we learn when we are young     a simple act, a pure joy, we do it as we grow         there's nothing better than picking a rock             winding up and giving it a throw. In the Bible we learn another form of throwing     stoning those who were caught in sin         whole towns would come and whip the stone             so the sinner couldn't come back in. Such a brutal way to punish crime     but it was what they knew          at least we don't do things like that now             I don't throw rocks, do you? Yet when I search my heart I know     I do throw stones today         stones of judgement and anger             by things I do and say. I throw rocks at sinners when I     decide my sin's not that bad         or maybe it's rocks of bitterness             when someone hurts me or made me sad. The rocks children throw are harmless     and bring laughter and loads of fun         but rocks thrown at people cause pain             and make us want to run. The only One who can throw     is the One with the pure heart         and He could throw them at us all             He should be the One to start. But He stood there between me and my sin     and told me He'd run block         so I stand here now and say to Him,             "Okay Lord, I'm dropping my rock." ~Chandra Lynn Smith, 11/22/03~   Today my simple prayer would be that when we stand with our fists tightly closed around the rock, ready to hurl it, maybe we can see Jesus' mercy and open our fingers. Listen for the thud of grace as the rock hits the ground.   Love, Chandra

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Just For Today . . . On Rocks #1 . . . 7/3/07

Dear Holy Friends,   If you look up verses that refer to stones in the Bible you will find several different ways to view them. The next three days I am going to have us look at some of those ways. Maybe you will find a piece of you and a large portion of His grace within them.   In His Grip, Chandra   On Rocks #1   standing in the circle clinching it in your hand ready to wing it hard, knowing where it should land . . . crouching, afraid, alone, she braces for the onslaught unsure where he went, why he left her there she just knows she was caught . . .   Jesus draws in the sand speaking words for us all the one without sin goes first that's how she will fall . . .   look at the rock you hold think of the sin you own see her worried eyes, ponder at the grace Jesus shows . . . drop your rock on the ground and reach on love to her find the meaning of forgiveness as mercy makes sin become a blur . . .   ~Chandra Lynn Smith, 6/28/07~   Justin Luckado reminded us last week at Creation Festival that all sin is sin, and when we stop comparing ours against one we think is worse, God can show us how to deal with ALL of it. Let's drop our rocks and hear the thud of grace!   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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