Just For Today . . Him Not The Thing . . 1/30/08

dear Holy friends,     Sometimes our circumstances loom in front of us like the tallest mountains. Others times they follow behind us like a predator about to pounce. Then, there are days, they aren't even that big, but like a rock in the rock can stub our toes and stop us cold. This past Sunday Pastor Scott preached from Romans     about how God will use our circumstances to make our faith stronger.   In His Grip, Chandra   Him Not The Thing   Did you see the rock in the road     where you wanted to go? or did you miss it, and stub your toe? Is there a circumstance right now     you can't get through and you wonder why God doesn't help you? When life's obstacles hinder     and it seems too hard to bear faith begins to waiver, you can't see God there. But in the middle of the trials     faith will begin to grow when you hope in the nature of god and all about him you know. Don't face things in your own strength     but with God's holy power focus on Him not the circumstance and His strength on you will shower.   ~Chandra Lynn Smith, 1/30/08   This day my friends, he knows what you face, what you need, so try focusing on Him and let Him focus on the other stuff. His strength is perfected in your weakness.   Love, Chandra

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Start the year off right. Easy ways to stay in shape in the new year.

Just For Today . . .What He Might Say . . 1/22/08

Dear Holy Friends,     Continuing with some of my pastor's thoughts from Sunday, he made a comment that really touched me. He said if we ever go to God ins prayer and say something like 'Lord, I know I don't deserve you to answer this, but . . . ' we might want to listen as God replies with 'have you ever been worthy?' Think about it. If we wait until we are worthy to run to Him, we will never run.   In HisGrip, Chandra   What He Might Say When you come to Me in prayer and feel you have no right you don't deserve my attention you're ignoring My light.   If you come to Me that way I will answer you asking have you ever been worthy by what you did or didn't do?   It wasn't what you did that brought salvation to you so why do you come to prayer and think there's something you must do?   Obedience to Me comes after your faith accepts My grace salvation and approval are yours simply because of your faith.   ~Chandra Lynn Smith, 1/20/08~   I am so thankful we can run to Him before we are worthy and he makes us worthy through faith in His Son, Jesus Christ. Amen.   Love, Chandra

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Start the year off right. Easy ways to stay in shape in the new year.

Just For Today . . . It's Not What I Do . . . 1/21/08

Dear Holy Friends, yesterday my pastor preached on Romans 4:9-16. I believe his words were divinely inspired and they really got me thinking. As I studied my notes later in the day I was struck by the fact that God makes me righteous not because of anything I do or say, and also despite the things I do or say. He does it because I believe and He is Love.   In His Grip, Chandra   It's Not What I Do   It's not by what I do     the rituals I follow it's not by the laws I live     alone, those things are hollow. It's not by going to church     and saying the right prayers nor is it obeying the commandments     that makes God care. There's nothing I can ever do     no words my mouth can say I will never deserve His love     in the past or today. Being right with God     comes from nothing I do despite all my futile efforts     faith is what is true. It's by faith alone     righteousness comes to me God promises His gift of grace     the moment I believe.   ~Chandra Lynn Smith, 1/20/08~   This week, maybe we can each find a way to grasp the depth of that. None of us deserve it, but all of us may receive it if we but believe it.   Love, Chandra

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Start the year off right. Easy ways to stay in shape in the new year.

Just For Today . . The Book . . .1/11/08

Dear Holy Friends,        Life is like a story. And when we think about it, the best stories are not made of only the good, but a mixture of it. Sometimes, I think the fairy tale is at the end of life when you look back and realize every thing made part of your story. One of my favorite songs of all time was Harry Chapin's All My Life's a Story. And since our Author is the same One who Authored creation, we should anticipate our stories to be amazing, surprising and beautiful.   In His Grip, Chandra   The Book Life is a book written by the greatest author each word, every page written by your Father. Everything you do is in the story of your life, lovingly penned, happiness weaving with strife. Some may wonder how I make this sound grand, for your current pages are hard to understand. You are not sure it is a book you would want to read. there is too much hardship, joy is gone indeed. The greatest books ever written have pages hard to take, and you wonder if reading the book is a mistake. Is the chapter you live right now one you would leave out? Do you wonder will it end happy, do you have your doubts? Are there days you wonder if it is worth the bother? Take heart and carry on, your book has the greatest Author.   ~Chandra Lynn Smith, Chambers of The Soul~     Today, may you find a bit of joy in your story. Love, Chandra

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Start the year off right. Easy ways to stay in shape in the new year.

JustFor Today . . Rhythms . . .1/10/08

Dear Holy Friends,     Following the little them I had yesterday today we look at the rhythms of life. Sometimes we get so harried so hassled that we forget to notice the rhythms God places in our lives. Look out your window today and take notice of them. Within nature, every moment, I believe or Lord talks to us, if we just remember to listen.   In His Grip, Chandra   Rhythms   The sun rises faithfully     no matter what happened in the night       and that perfect rhythm         makes things all right. Ocean waves beat the shore     tides in and back out                       nothing stops the pattern          on that we never doubt. The seasons change in their time     that is always true       security is found in nature         and the love of God for you. The wind blows, the rain comes     and you know that will be       the patterns of nature continue         despite what happens to you and me. There is comfort in that     when the world falls all apart       know the Keeper of the rhythms         is also the Keeper of your heart. ~Chandra Lynn Smith, Chambers of the Soul~   Maybe today we could open our hearts and dance a little bit to the rhythms He has placed here for us.   Love, Chandra

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Start the year off right. Easy ways to stay in shape in the new year.

Just For Today . . Soul Keeper . . 1/9/08

Dear Holy Friends,

    I took last week off from posting after the business of December. The next couple of weeks I am going to post from my poetry manuscripts that I hope to sell. They are Chambers of the Soul , All the Earth Proclaims, and It's All About Grace. As you read these, if any of them draw you and you desire to purchase the book, please email me. But my main reason for sending these is to hopefully bless your heart and give me some new year organization time to write new stuff.

In HisGrip, Chandra

 

Soul Keeper

 

The human mind is an amazing thing

        we're still learning what it can do.

The human body is a wonder

         a miracle found in me and you.

And within the mind and body

         is a more amazing thing.

The human soul is indescribable

         the source of your very being.

It's not tangible or measurable

         but each person is given one.

And it can only be completed

         by accepting Jesus, the Son.

And, when the day is difficult

         and you feel beaten and unsure.

Look to the Keeper of your soul

         in His grace you are secure.

 

~Chandra Lynn Smith, Chambers of the Heart

 

This day, no matter what you face, remember the Keeper of your soul faces it with you and offers you His strength that is perfected in your weakness.

 

Love, Chandra

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Start the year off right. Easy ways to stay in shape in the new year.