YOUR SPIRITUAL SURVIVAL KIT

By Vernalee

When we travel, we often carry a roadside emergency kit. We have battery cables, a flashlight, and other essential items. We may also carry a daily survival kit consisting of water, band-aids, Tylenol, and other first aid items. If we get lost along the way, we can use our GPS navigational system. If we have mechanical problems, we can call roadside assistance. Therefore, it should come as no surprise that we need the same tools spiritually. We need a Spiritual Survival Kit. The items that we need are designed to be with us in our hearts, minds, and souls at all times. As you will see, we can carry them with us to sustain us wherever we are and wherever we go. A spiritual emergency kit might include at least five things:  1) a prayer, 2) a scripture verse or psalm, 3) a place, 4) a practice, and 5) a friend. On the road, by the side of the road, and traveling on the road with us – is God. Thank you Lord for your never ending presence; for being there when we need you; for being there before we ask; and for providing the needs and desires of our hearts. Thank you Lord for being an “on time God;” readily available everyday of the week, 24 hours a day. God, we also thank you for equipping us with aids to help us make it through each day. If we are not connected with you Lord or if we’re not grounded in your Word, then storms, crises, problems – can overtake us.  Having these five items in our Spiritual Survival Kit helps. 1. “A Prayer is a good thing to have at hand.  Whether you memorize a prayer, make the Lord’s Prayer your own, or perhaps hold on to a special prayer —it’s good to know a prayer so that whenever you need it, it’s right there with you, inside of you. 2. A verse of Scripture works the same way.  No matter what comes, you can remind yourself of God’s assurance, God’s strength, and God’s care by repeating the scripture you’ve “heard, read, marked, learned, and inwardly made your own. 3. A place that is holy and grounding can be a life-saver.  When you feel like the world is spinning out of control, you simply go to your place and be still.  A holy place might be your room, your church, a chapel, a garden, or any special place. You can be walking, sitting, standing. The place really doesn’t matter as long as you have a designation where you can hit a spiritual “re-set” button. 4. A spiritual emergency kit would also include a practice of some kind – a practice you can do without thinking about it; something calming and routine that puts you back in your own spiritual zone.  It might be yoga, or meditation, or prayer. It might be riding a bike, or walking for twenty minutes. 5. Finally, a spiritual emergency kit would include contact information of a friend, or a clear cut way of reaching a friend.  That friend might be a family member; it may be a religious person ... but it should be someone who you can tell the truth to, someone who will listen but not judge, and absorb what you’re saying. Such a friend will help get you through the roughest of rough places.” A prayer, a scripture verse, a place, a practice, and a friend – all of these ingredients work together like a kit to keep us going. If all else fails, no matter what, we’ve got the Lord! Happy Sunday! Blessings! Photo credit: www.drjnorwood.com; Source: www.jfbeddingfield.com

A PRAYING FAMILY

By Vernalee

Communicate with God. Read the Word. Pray incessantly. Teach your family how to pray and pray with them. Sometimes, it’s important to “go back to the old fashioned stuff.” My Mother taught me and my siblings how to pray. We saw her get on her knees by the side of her bed. Before long, we did the same. She always reminded us, “Don’t forget to say your prayers.“ When we sat at the table, you didn’t pick up your fork before grace was said. These were values being taught before our very eyes; values that were ingrained in us; habits that I would take with me when I left the soils of Mississippi; lessons that I passed down to my family. Nothing and I mean nothing beats sound generational family values. I learned to put God first. Though I cannot "sing a lick," I also learned to praise him with my voice of familiar hymns. I remember my Mother singing gospel hymns while she cooked. Her emotions were reflected in every word as she bellowed, “Praise God, from whom all blessings flow; “Praise Him, all creatures here below; Praise Him above, ye heav’nly host; Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost!”

Memories help position us where we need to be. They keep us grounded.

If our heads swell to make us think that we know it all and that we do not need anyone,

it is then that we need prayer the most.

It is then that I am reminded of the old folks' sage wisdom. "Come down off your high horse! You need God in your life. You need his guidance and direction not just today but everyday. Child, life is so much easier when we follow his Word. We can’t do it on our own." As a family, we should pray together when there is opportunity. Family prayer not only shows love; it unifies us as we honor God by putting him first. Yes ... A family that prays together, stays together! Happy Sunday! Blessings. Photo reprint: www.musefinds.co

THE COUNTDOWN BEGINS

By Vernalee

New Year’s Eve begins the countdown to 2023. Without question, in 2022, we were dealing with the tail end of the pandemic and the continuance of social injustices. 2022 was a year of paramount uncertainties. The assurance of it all is that God is still on the throne! Isiah 41:10 tells us that “Don’t be afraid, for I am with you.

Don’t be discouraged, for I am your God.

I will strengthen you and help you.

I will hold you up with my victorious right hand.” Indeed … As we enter 2023, I praise God for another year and his Blessed assurance! Photo credit: pininterest