Posted in Life Experiences, Nature, tagged God's blessings, grace, Julie B Cosgrove, refreshing, Where did you find God today on August 30, 2013| Leave a Comment »
A good read from DiAne Gates- PUDDLES OF JOY.
DiAne looks at the bird’s splashing in a puddle on a hot August day, and it reminds her of God’s blessings.
“Did you know God provides puddles of refreshment for His kids too? Puddles of encouragement. Puddles of invigoration. Puddles of comfort. These oasis moments appear like the spontaneity of a summer shower…”
Today – Where will you find your puddles of joy to splash in God’s grace?
Posted in Biblical, Devotional, tagged God's image, hot spot, Julie B Cosgrove, Julie Cosgrove, refined, trust God, when life heats up, Where did you find God today on August 26, 2013| 1 Comment »
This is floating around the internet- it is worth the time to read. God bless whoever wrote this.
Malachi 3:3 says: ‘He will sit as a refiner and purifier of silver.’
This verse puzzled some women in a Bible study and they wondered what this statement meant about the character and nature of God.
One of the women offered to find out the process of refining silver and get back to the group at their next Bible Study.
That week, the woman called a silversmith and made an appointment to watch him at work. She didn’t mention anything about the reason for her interest beyond her curiosity about the process of refining Silver.
As she watched the silversmith, he held a piece of silver over the fire and let it heat up. He explained that in refining silver, one needed to hold the silver in the middle of the fire where the flames were hottest as to burn away all the impurities.
The woman thought about God holding us in such a hot spot; then she thought again about the verse that says: ‘He sits as a refiner and purifier of silver.’
She asked the silversmith if it was true that he had to sit there in front of the fire the whole time.
The man answered that yes, he not only had to sit there holding the silver, but he had to keep his eyes on the silver the entire time it was in the fire. If the silver was left a moment too long in the flames, it would be destroyed.
The woman was silent for a moment. Then she asked the silversmith, ‘How do you know when the silver is fully refined?’ He smiled at her and answered, ‘Oh, that’s easy — when I see my image in it.’
If today you are feeling the heat of the fire, remember that God has his eye on you and will keep watching you until He sees His image in you.
‘Life is a coin. You can spend it anyway you wish, but you can only spend it once.’
When I look at a dime now and see the words “in God We Trust”, I will see it differently. May it always remind me to reflect His Truth and mercy to everyone I meet and to use what He has given me to His glory.
May the love of Christ be reflected in you more and more each day.
Posted in Biblical, Christian, Devotional, Life Experiences, tagged act like Jesus, armor of God, Blood of the Lamb, business, devil, Julie B Cosgrove, Julie Cosgrove, power, Where did you find God today on August 21, 2013| Leave a Comment »
On Sunday, Anglican Bishop Fanuel Magangani of Northern Malawi visited my church. He told us that in Africa, people still have a superstitious nature. It is easy for them to see demons with red faces and horns, and to have visions of angels in glowing white. It is not a leap of faith for them to see miraculous healing taking place. In fact, our missionary team just came back from there about six weeks ago and told us how they’d been vessels of healing, both physically and spiritually.
The Bishop said that in more technologically modern countries, the demons must be more clever. Because we are so scientific and logical in thought, the devil must find other ways to fool us. Subtle ways that seems logical, like the stories in the Bible could never have scientifically happened. They must be metaphors. Or, we need to reinterpret Biblical Truths to fit our modern era. Even that logically, the devil doesn’t exist. It is all neuro-stimuli and hormone balances in our brains.
He smiled and said, “Here in your country, the devil wears a business suit.”
Think about that for a minute. I have – a lot.
I don’t think he was slamming modern business men and women. I think he was saying that by wearing a suit, a person often exudes authority and a successful lifestyle, A person called “a suit” is expected to be knowledgeable, and perhaps, to be admired. They represent power, wealth, and the logical, educated mind. They are also innovative, clever, and yes, they can step on backs as they climb the ladder to success – which is more and more an admirable achievement in the business world today. But, that type of attitude is very ‘me-centered” and relies on one’s own gumption and smarts. It can also stir up emotions of greed, envy and jealousy. That is fertile ground for the devil.
But, Christian bushiness men and women wear suits as well. Each day they live out their lives trying to be obedient to Christ. Their actions portray trustworthiness, honor, fair dealing and giving sacrificially of their time and talents. They will take off their coat to help a widow change a flat tire, or give half the suits in their closets for the unemployed to dress well for an interview. They will whip out their checkbook as they blink back a tear when they hear a missionary’s testimony and roll up their sleeves to serve in a soup kitchen
The difference? Under their suit is the armor of God. And, it is drenched in the Blood of the Lamb. Take to heart what Paul says in Ephesians 4:22-24: put off your old self, which belongs to your former manner of life and is corrupt through deceitful desires, and to be renewed in the spirit of your minds, and to put on the new self, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness.
No matter if you wear a name on your shirt or have it on the corner office door, being Christ in today’s business world isn’t easy. There are a lot of demons out there wearing suits (and, by the way, blue collar uniforms and jeans as well). Be sure to dress in your armor each morning before you head out the door. And, if you display a Fish symbol on your business cards, your lapel or your car, then please act the way Jesus would as much as possible in public and in private. Don’t give the devil a chance.
Posted in Biblical, Christian, Devotional, Life Experiences, tagged God's timing, grow in God, inner struggle, Julie B Cosgrove, Where did you find God today, why is this happening? on August 17, 2013| Leave a Comment »
There it was – in the middle of Rebekah and Isaac’s story in Genesis 25. Verse 22 suddenly became bolded and two fonts bigger in my mind.
The babies jostled each other within her, and she said, “Why is this happening to me?” So she went to inquire of the LORD.
Okay Guys – even though this is about Rebekah’s pregnancy, don’t click off just yet. This is about any idea, dream, passion or hope that is growing inside of you, waiting to be born – whether you are a man or woman, child or senior citizen.
How many of us struggle with our deepest desire – the one we are sure is God-given? We wonder, if I am following Your ways Lord, why is this so hard? Why the roadblocks, the difficulties, the jostling inside of my gut? Why is this happening to me?
As a Christian writer, I can tell you this is a common story. We have a message that is itching to come out. A Divine revelation we know we are called upon to share. But no agent looks our way and we get rejection after rejection from publishers. Or, once we are published, we get an unkind review , or our book only sells 20 copies that month. Why is this happening to me, Lord?
If you have a dream in formation, don’t be impatient with the growth process. When the timing is right, it will come forth. And yes, there may be pain. But there will also be joy.
Do as Rebekah did – go, inquire of the Lord. You just may be surprised at His response. She certainly was!
And truth be told, if this dream or desire is of God, it will come forth when He deems it. So be a willing vessel in the meantime. Your dream is not the only thing growing inside of you, so is your walk with the Lord. Oh, that’s why this is happening to me.
Posted in Christian, Life Experiences, tagged adjust your attitude, Julie B Cosgrove, Power to Change, simple fix, slipping away from God, Where did you find God today on August 11, 2013| Leave a Comment »
“In our living room we have a blue recliner. We’ve had it for years, and it’s my favorite place of contemplation, naps and relaxation. One day I sat on my chair and something fell off. Upon investigation, I discovered a bolt had gradually come unscrewed over time. Fortunately, with merely a few adjustments, it was back in its full glory.
If only life was that simple.
I asked myself: are there areas of my life that are gradually slipping? No one wakes up and says, “I think I’ll become unhealthy… go into debt… destroy my relationships … or grow distant from God”. Yet, it happens; and unlike my chair, often it is not a simple fix….”
read more wisdom from Mike Woodward at at http://powertochange.com/blogposts/2013/08/11/maintenance-check-up/
Posted in Christian, Life Experiences, tagged Christ, eternity, God will lead us home, Grandpa's hands, hands, heaven, hope, Julie B Cosgrove, Julie Cosgrove, Where did you find God today on August 9, 2013| Leave a Comment »
This is floating around Facebook – in case you haven’t seen it.
Whoever wrote it, it is a sweet sentiment with a good message.
The point is this: What will your hands say about you?
Grandpa, some ninety plus years, sat feebly on the patio bench. He didn’t move, just sat with his head down staring at his hands. When I sat down beside him he didn’t acknowledge my presence.Finally, not really wanting to disturb him, but wanting to check on him at the same time, I asked him if he was OK.
He raised his head and looked at me and smiled. “Yes, I’m fine.
Thank you for asking,” he said in a clear strong voice.
“I didn’t mean to disturb you, Grandpa, but you were just sitting here staring at your hands and I wanted to make sure you were OK,” I explained to him.
“Have you ever looked at your hands,” he asked.
“I mean really looked at your hands?”
I slowly opened my hands and stared down at them. I turned them over, palms up and then palms down. No, I guess I had never really looked at my hands as I tried to figure out the point he was making. Grandpa smiled and related this story:
“Stop and think for a moment about the hands you have, how they have served you well throughout your years. These hands, though wrinkled, shriveled, and weak have been the
tools I have used all my life to reach out and grab and embrace life. They put food in my mouth and clothes on my back.
As a child my mother taught me to fold them in prayer.
They tied my shoes and pulled on my boots.
They have been dirty, scraped and raw, swollen and bent.
They were uneasy and clumsy when I tried to hold my newborn son.
Decorated with my wedding band they showed the world that I
was married and loved someone special.
They trembled and shook when I buried my parents and spouse
and walked my daughter down the aisle.
They have covered my face, combed my hair, and washed and
cleansed the rest of my body.
They have been sticky and wet, bent and broken, dried and raw.
And to this day, when not much of anything else of me works
real well, these hands hold me up, lay me down, and again
continue to fold in prayer.
These hands are the mark of where I’ve been and the
ruggedness of my life.
But more importantly it will be these hands that God will
reach out and take when he leads me home.
And with my hands He will lift me to His side and there
I will use these hands to touch the face of Christ.”
When my husband passed, I signed papers for one of his hands to be transplanted onto a worker who had just lost his in an accident over 1,200 miles away. I pray every now and then that worker uses it well to God’s glory and to benefit others. I pray he folds it over his own each day when he lifts his heart to God in prayer.
Posted in Christian, Devotional, Life Experiences, tagged desperate pleas, God is in control, Julie B Cosgrove, Laura Story, trials of life, Where did you find God today on August 7, 2013| Leave a Comment »
– Carolyn Peterson
c/o Bible Reading Fellowship
Good New Daily, devotional for Tuesday Aug 6th
Posted in Devotional, Life Experiences, tagged Christ carry your burdens, heavy load, Julie B Cosgrove, Julie Cosgrove, tired, Where did you find God today, worn on July 18, 2013| Leave a Comment »
If you feel beat by life’s waves, there is hope. Last winter when I was in a low spot, I heard this song over the car radio. I had to pull over. I sat on the side of the highway while cleansing tears let Christ flow back in and wash my worries into His lap.
Listen to the honest, heart-felt and hopeful song by Tenth Avenue North. Then fall to your knees and let Him carry the load.
Posted in Christian, Devotional, tagged iChristian, Julie B Cosgrove, morning praise, Prasie God, prayer, Steve Rebus, thank God, Where did you find God today on July 1, 2013| 2 Comments »
reblogged from Steve Rebus- iChristian http://steverebus.com/2013/07/01/praise-god/#like-3600
What a great prayer to start off the day- every day!
Praise God for: mountains and oceans, planets and stars
Praise God for big things
Praise God for: seeds and spiders, petals and drops of dew
Praise God for small things
Praise God for: rolling thunder and the crashing waves
Praise God for loud things
Praise God for: a breath of wind and a whispered prayer
Praise God for quiet things
Praise God for: soaring eagles and hairy gorillas
Praise God for strong things
Praise God for: snowflakes and cobwebs – a tiny baby
Praise God for fragile things
Praise God for: the flash of lightening and a humming bird’s wings
Praise God for fast things
Praise God for: the growth of a tree and the erosion of cliffs
Praise God for slow things
Praise God for: the moon, the sun, other worlds
Praise God for far away things
Praise God for: the person sitting next to me, my own heartbeat
Praise God for close-by things
Thank you that though you are so big,
you become small enough to meet us here on earth
though you are so strong, you show your love in gentleness
though you are loud as thunder, you speak to us in the sound of silence.
Thank you that though you could be faster than the speed of light
You choose to walk at our pace and to hold our hand.
Amen!
Posted in Books, Christian, tagged blog talk radio, Christian Communicators, Julie B Cosgrove on June 25, 2013| Leave a Comment »
Listen Up!
Weds, June 26th 4pm CT Blog Talk Radio Christian Communicators features Julie B Cosgrove on Blessings in Hardships
listen in, call in.
thanks!!
Where Did You Find God Today? 