The Pink House of Claremore

One way to size up our growth as a person is to observe our response when things don’t go our way. If we fall apart at the prospect of trials or trouble in our life, then we probably have a lot of spiritual growing to do.

Ever hear the story about the farmer who owned an old mule? 

One day the mule tripped and fell into the farmer's well. The farmer heard the mule braying and was unable to figure out how to bring up the old animal. It grieved him that he could not pull the animal out. He'd been a good worker around the farm.

Although the farmer sympathized with the mule, he called his neighbors together and told them what had happened. He had them help haul dirt to bury the old mule in the well and quietly put him out of his misery.

 

At first, the old mule was puzzled, but as the farmer and his neighbors continued shoveling and the dirt hit his back, he had a thought: he ought to shake off the dirt and step up. And he did just that.

 

"Shake it off and step up...shake it off and step up...shake it off and step up." Even though he took painful blows of dirt and fought panic, he just kept right on shaking it off and stepping up!

 

It wasn't long before the old mule stepped up and over the lip of that well. What could have buried him actually blessed him...all because of the manner in which he handled his adversity.

 

What about you? How have you responded to trials in your life? Have you kept a positive attitude or have you allowed yourself to be buried by the dirt?

I believe we all need to remember to have a positive outlook no matter what we’re facing. We need to learn to shake the dirt off and then step up in our faith.

Things will not always go our way…but God promises He’ll help us in our time of need. He’ll give us the courage to overcome our adversity.

Remember the old mule…shake it off and step up.

It’s a great lesson if we’ll learn it.

Ask God for wisdom and strength.

And, don’t be buried by what life shovels on you!

Margo

What kind of resolutions will you make for New Year’s?

We all want to change something about ourselves and our circumstances no matter who we are.

For some, it may be quitting smoking, losing weight, or spending more time with friends and family. For others, it may be reading your Bible more, praying more, or going to church on a more consistent basis.

But, whatever the goal… none of our so-called resolutions, including the spiritual ones, will stick unless we do one important thing…put God at the center of them.

Why do you want to pray or read the Bible more? Is it to grow closer to God or is it just because you know it’s a good thing to do?

Is your wanting to quit smoking or to lose weight more closely tied to your personal gratification or are you honoring Him by looking your best or staying fit?

I think these are important questions to ask ourselves and key to the success we’ll have in fulfilling our hope for improvement.

Phillipians 4:13 tells us, “I can do everything through Him who gives me strength.”

In John 15:5 it says, “I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in Him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.”

You see, God has to be at the center of our resolutions…or our success will hinge on our own strength and not the power He gives to help us. 

With God as our focus, He will give us the wisdom to know what to improve in our life and the heavenly courage to achieve that success.

As Psalm 37:5-6 says, “Commit your way to the Lord; trust in Him and He will do this: He will make your righteousness shine like the dawn, the justice of your cause like the noonday sun.”

Make God the focus for this New Year…and see what He’ll do for you.

Happy New Years,

Margo

What precious gift would you give a king?

When Jesus was born in Bethlehem , the Three Wisemen brought very valuable gifts to Him, all with significant meanings. Gold was a symbol of His kingdom, frankincense—a symbol of His manifestation on earth, and myrrh was a symbol of His crucifixion.

The Wisemen brought worldly wealth as a tribute to the new king of heaven and earth. But the most significant gifts were from people who had few possessions and could only honor Him in simple ways. The shepherds, for example, could only give gifts they made by hand or food items they carried with them. Others probably had even lesser material gifts to offer.

There’s even one story of a little boy who walked miles to Bethlehem with only his drum as his sole possession. He wanted to see the baby Jesus so badly, but knew he had nothing to give Him of tangible value.

When he arrived at the manger and saw the great joy that was present, he discovered he did have a gift after all…he could play his drum. So, he played his drum with all his heart and brought a smile to the baby Jesus lying on a manger bed.

The boy’s gift had no earthly value, but it had eternal significance because it was given out of worship and deep love for his Lord.

You may feel you have nothing to give the King of Kings, but, let me tell you…God is not looking for a gift of earthly value. He wants your heart and longs for the time you give Him in worship and prayer.

You are so special to Him in so many ways. Let Him know you love Him today and give Him that one special gift that’s inside of you.

Remember, joy is being in His presence.

Hope is eternal in His love.

Merry Christmas and God Bless,

Margo

As we prepare for Thanksgiving, I encourage us to find time to quietly say a prayer for the things we are thankful for and for those we love. We are surrounded by so much wonderful beauty and blessings in our lives. I know each of us has a story to tell of what God has done for us and the grace He gives us on a daily basis.

Finding time to convey that in a whispered prayer will give your heart joy and allow you an expression of gratitude to God. Remember He loves you so much and longs to be with you in the quiet moments of your life.

Set aside a few moments today to enjoy His presence and linger in His grace.

Psalm 111 says,

Praise the Lord.
I will give thanks to the Lord with my whole heart, in the company of the upright, in the congregation.
Great are the works of the Lord, studied by all who have pleasure in them.
Full of honor and majesty is his work, and his righteousness endures for ever.
He has caused his wonderful works to be remembered; the Lord is gracious and merciful.
He provides food for those who fear him; he is ever mindful of his covenant.
He has shown his people the power of his works, in giving them the heritage of the nations.
The works of his hands are faithful and just; all his precepts are trustworthy,
they are established for ever and ever, to be performed with faithfulness and uprightness.
He sent redemption to his people; he has commanded his covenant for ever. Holy and terrible is his name!
The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom;
a good understanding have all those who practice it. His praise endures for ever!

Happy Thanksgiving,

Margo

I was reading the Bible recently and saw this scripture that I think goes perfectly with the fall season. You’ve probably heard it before.

“Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up." Galatians 6:9.

Isn't that a great verse? I believe it’s a wonderful reminder to us, especially during this season of the harvest, to never stop doing good or listening to the voice of God.

So many of us are tempted to ease up in our faith at some point in our lives. We may even grow tired of our daily purpose and doubt the existence of good in the world. It’s only natural.

But, let me encourage you today…don’t grow weary of your life’s purpose. Stand firm in your beliefs and never forget about the goodness of God.

His harvest will come in due season and grace will abound richly in your heart.

Keep doing what’s right in the sight of Him and He will reward you with every kind of blessing for your life.

Margo

I think we all know what it’s like to go through trials in our lives. They’re never pleasant but often we come out better for having endured the hardship and seeing God refine us through our troubles and times of pain.

Here’s a story I found online that reminds me how God is always at work in our lives, especially during the challenging times. It’s called the Silversmith. Read it and really let it soak into your heart today. I think you’ll find it a blessing and a great moment of reflection for your life.

There was a group of women in a Bible study of the book of Malachi. As they were studying chapter three, they came across verse three, which says: "He will sit as a refiner and purifier of silver.” This verse puzzled the women 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 allowing us to be in fires of life; 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 silver was being refined.

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 --whatever your troubles may be, remember that God has his eye on you and is refining you until He sees His image in you.

--Author unknown

Blessings,

Margo