[Membersandfriends] Tuesday, November 09, 2004

Mon Nov 8 22:01:16 PST 2004

The Upper Room Daily Devotional -- E-mail Edition
Brought to You by Upper Room Ministries
Tuesday, November 09, 2004

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Spiritual Growth for All Ages ...

The Upper Room offers a resource for family members at every age or stage of their journey with God. Learn more: 
http://www.upperroom.org/store/category_search.asp?category=169&ep_id=220
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OUR MESSES
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Psalm 103:11-17 (NRSV)

For as the heavens are high  above the earth, 
    so great is his steadfast love toward those who fear him; 
as far as the east is from the west, 
    so far he removes our  transgressions from us. 
As a father has compassion for  his children, 
    so the LORD has compassion for those who fear him. 
For he knows how we were made; 
    he remembers that we are dust.  

As for mortals, their days are like grass; 
    they flourish like a flower of the field; 
for the wind passes over it, and it is gone, 
    and its place knows it no more. 
But the steadfast love of the LORD is from everlasting to everlasting 
    on those who fear him, 
    and his righteousness to children's children.

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As a father has compassion for his children, so the LORD has compassion for those who fear him.
- Psalm 103:13 (NRSV)
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"I can do it," declared our four-year-old granddaughter Amber.  She insisted on carrying her own plate of snacks and her drink.  Reluctantly my wife agreed, cautioning Amber to be careful.  As Amber trotted off to her place in front of the television, I thought about how independent she was becoming.

Everything was fine until Amber attempted to sit down.  At that point she lost her balance and spilled her drink.  Fortunately my wife had anticipated just such an accident and had placed an old plastic covering over the living room carpet.  Amber started crying as she stood looking at the mess she had made.  I put my arms around her and told her it was okay.  In a few minutes the mess was gone and so were Amber's tears.  

As I looked at her smiling face, it made me think of my own life.  Many times in the past I have made a mess of things.  Like Amber I have tried to manage life by myself, only to realize later that I need the help of my heavenly Father to help me clean up the mess.

Prayer:  Thank you, heavenly Father, that you are always willing to come to our aid when we make a mess of our lives.  Amen.

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY:
God knows me and responds with help.

-- George Childree (Alabama, U.S.A.)

PRAYER FOCUS: Grandparents

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RELATED READING ...

In PARENTS AND GRANDPARENTS AS SPIRITUAL GUIDES, author Betty Shannon Cloyd explores the simple ways parents and grandparents can introduce children to the presence of God and nurture them spiritually -- even through daily, routine activities. This must-have book includes biblical models of spiritual guides along with insightful stories from children, Christian educators, and the author's own family experience.
http://www.upperroom.org/bookstore/desc.asp?ep_id=30&item_id=12697

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The scripture quotation is from the NEW REVISED STANDARD VERSION of the Bible, copyright (c) 1989, by the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of Churches of Christ in the U.S.A.  Used by permission.  All rights reserved.