A Valentine for All Time
(Part 2: God's Joy for My Present)
A Hurting
Word...
Email is wonderful--it zips around the globe and zaps away our time! It brings love and laughter, hams and scams--but look out! If you ever get email from some mysterious, "smiling cybersaint" with a halo-hanging emoticon that looks like this: O;-) you'll know you've got email from Peggie's Place! Hang on to it--it may be valuable some day...grin....sure! I'm just a saint saved by grace--like you--and I just LIKE to smile, whether in email or by face! One "smile" session I will never forget was my wedding day--smiles and laughter, tears of joy, grins as wide as my facial muscles would allow--this was my wedding day, a glorious, wonderful day. I'd waited a LONG time for it....I was one of those "unclaimed blessings" and over-the-35-hill when a lucky man named Dr. Joe found me....good story--suffice it to say there was joy, pure joy on October 21, 1977, our wedding day, when the organ struck that first triumphant chord of the wedding march. And there were smiles for everyone--with a special smile reserved for my beloved groom!
Now don't ask me about this past Wednesday night--or the smile will dissolve into wild peals of laughter. For you see, the pianist at the grand, old Central Assembly of God, Springfield, Missouri--namely, ME--lost it! I call this hilarious story, "The Lost Chord," for upon my pastor's instruction, "Peggie, STRIKE the chord!" I STRUCK the chord--the WRONG chord, and what came out, amplified, was one awful, discordant sound you would not wish on ANY congregation. For one stunned horrified second, there was silence--and then laughter--first from the pianist, then the pastor doubled over in laughter, then a startled congregation joining in! The morale of the story, I think, is "Laugh (at yourself!) - and the church will laugh with you!" It was a memorable, embarrassing, "smile" moment I will never forget--nor will anyone else!
Joyful sounds...discordant sounds--they're all a part of our lives. Sometimes we break into awesome smiles; sometimes we break into awful tears! And Valentine's Day is no exception--it's probably a high-point/low-point day for us all, depending on what's happening--or not happening--in our lives at the moment. The best part of it all is that GOD knows the happy times and the sad times; HE is there to give us a joy for ALL time. So waltz or march on over to the well...the Lord is waiting to give us HIS joy!
A Helping Word...or
Two!
God's Valentine of Joy: His Song!
God loves us--so much--that He not only sent us His Son; He sent us His joy! The joy of the world is fickle; the Joy to the world is eternal. Only Jesus Christ can give us real, lasting joy, a joy that holds us fast in the good times and the bad times. So someday--or some night--when YOUR song is gone, be still and listen, for just a moment--and you may hear HIS song winging its way deep within your heart. It happens in moments of sorrow or happiness, distress or delight. God comes in an awesome way to place a song in our heart. Listen--it's His Valentine of love for all times--and it's for you today!
God's Valentine of Joy: His Strength!
God loves us--so much--that He not only sent us His Son; He sent us His strength! The strength of the world revolves around physical fitness and muscular prowess; personal fortitude and sheer human ability. And it fails! Only Jesus Christ can give us the strength of character and determination--the willpower and won't power that comes only from a divine source. When we are weakest, He is strongest--He is the strength of our lives and we can gain that strength in prayer and through His precious Word. Draw on it today, for "The joy of the Lord is your strength!" It's His Valentine for all times--and it's for you today!
God's Valentine of Joy: His Salvation!
God loves us--so much--that He sent us His Son--PERIOD! We need no more--HE is our joy and strength; and because He died, we can live. We can live in Him, as our Savior claiming His grace, and as our Lord claiming His guidance. We can know a personal relationship with a Friend who "sticketh closer than a brother" - or a lover, if you're needing one on Valentine's Day. He won't forsake nor let you down--ever! No human love matches God's eternal love poured out on the Cross for you. His salvation freely given--which you found when first you met Him and which comes to you new each day--is His Valentine for all time and for all people--and it's for you today!
A dramatic triumphant chord--or a discordant terrible chord. What's playing in your life right now? It's known to God. He smiles with you in your joys; He cries with you in your tears. His amazing love never ceases--and it's there for you. May His eternal joy fill your heart this Valentine's Day; there's enough for all time--and for us all!
His Healing
Words
"These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full (John 15:11 KJV)."
"Lord, there's no joy, no laughter, no smiles today. I'm hurting and I need Your love. Fill me with the divine love and joy only You can give and may I remember that my song, my strength and my salvation is in You and You alone. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Someone--Prayer written by Peggie ten years before marriage
CyberSaint Look what I found! A real "CyberSaint" Web site--not related to Peggie's Place or her "smiling cybersaint." Visit this fine site which includes a singles ministry and lots more.
Please
e-mail me to say hi.
Thanks for visiting a place where "Christians aren't perfect; they're just
forgiven!" Have a great day serving the Lord!
A place to enjoy other devotionals!
I'm blessed with a wonderful "virtual web family," many
close friends who not only help to keep me sane and smiling, but write wonderful
devotionals. Enjoy their spiritual insights--and their sites as
well!
Celebrating God's goodness . . .. . . 15 million and counting!
Note: Counter keeps a running total of "page views" for the
entire site. --It jogs around the world and around the clock--to find
YOU!
This Christian home has been visited a zillion times
since December 26, 1995! Well, not quite, but there HAS been a houseful--and
STILL room for one more--YOU! The Christian Counter scans the entire site--and there's plenty of chocolate for everyone--so enjoy!
Most of the music playing at Peggie's Place originates from Songs of Praise.
Visit their great Web site to hear beautiful tunes by many talented artists. CDs are available.
Please note that while I strongly adhere to major tenets of the
evangelical Christian faith, I may not personally agree with every specific doctrinal belief set forth in other
Christian pages. I do want to provide a diversity of links and resource material
for the entire Body of Christ to enjoy, and trust you will view it as such.
A safety tip: Internet links and material may include other links and/or material which do not reflect my Christian views or yours. Please choose wisely and use with discretion! And if you find an ugly spider hiding in a dark corner,
you may smash it with a broom from my BROOM
CLOSET--I hate offensive stuff too!
"'Twas the Night before Easter!" - popular parody at Peggie's Place! . . . More Easter resources
A Hurting
Word...
