thoughts by Mike Woodard Archives - Page 5 of 6

Words of Wisdom: Always Make Sure they Know You Love Them

Published September 23, 2016

Wisdom from an Astronaut

Many years ago I spent a day with Apollo 15 astronaut James Irwin. I was hosting him for a speaking engagement. It was a memorable day for many reasons. One was because it was the day in January, 1986 when the space shuttle Challenger blew up. I heard news as I drove to the airport. When we met, I broke the news to him. On top of the regular schedule the various media outlets wanted interviews with him because of the Challenger disaster. He handled each event of the day with such calmness.

As we walked through the day I learned he had 4 grown children. Being the father of 4 small children I was looking for advice. In a quiet moment at the end of the day I asked, “You have four adult children, I have four small kids. What advice would you give me?” I remember his simple answer, “Mike, always make sure they know you love them.” I thought to myself surely you have more for me than that!

The profound nature of this advice hit me years later. One of children was going through a really rough time. They were seeing a counselor. When my wife and I met with the counselor she said, “I can’t tell you what is being said but I can tell you, your child has something going for them that many others do not. They know you love them!”

Words of Wisdom: “Always make sure they know you love them!”

“A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” – Jesus Gospel of John 13:34-36 (NIV)

By Mike Woodard
used by permission

Thoughts by All Thoughts by Men thoughts by Mike Woodard

Lessons from Life: the Garden

Published July 19, 2016

Lessons from Life: the Garden

We have a small garden in our yard. In the busyness of life, our garden is often neglected. When it really starts to look bad, I am motivated to do some weeding. Some weeds are easy to pull, but others resist because their roots are strong and deep into the soil. The longer the time between weeding the more difficult the task will be.

My heart is like our garden, sometimes neglected for long periods of time. Weeds of anger, disappointment, fear, frustration, critical attitudes, worry and guilt are allowed to grow to the point that the garden of my heart is in bad shape! The solution…? God’s Spirit, as the Divine Gardener of my heart has to deal with my neglect.

Today, allow God to do the needed weeding in your heart. Ask Him to reveal the weeds that are growing by confessing sin and being honest with Him about the state of your heart. Thank Him for his forgiveness through Christ’s death on the cross. He already knows how rooted some sin has become. Ask God to direct and empower you for a fruitful life through His Spirit. Some weeds will be uprooted easily; others will require daily attention in order to make the deep roots are removed and ensure they don’t grow back.

Solomon in all his wisdom said, “Above all else guard your heart for it is the well spring of life.” Proverbs 4:23

By Mike Woodard

Email Viewers, please visit our webpage to leave a comment. We warmly invite your thoughts on this devotional.

Brought to you by www.thoughts-about-god.com

Thoughts by All Thoughts by Men thoughts by Mike Woodard

God Promises to be With Us

Published June 17, 2016

God Promises to be With Us

“O Lord, You have searched me and known me. You know when I sit down and when I rise up; You understand my thought from afar. You scrutinize my path and my lying down, and are intimately acquainted with all my ways. Even before there is a word on my tongue, behold, O Lord, You know it all. You have enclosed me behind and before, and laid Your hand upon me. Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; it is too high, I cannot attain to it.” Psalms 139:1-6 (NASB)

I will never forget the moment I could have lost my little grandson forever. We had gone for a walk with friends along the edge of the ocean. My grandson was enjoying the challenge of climbing over rocks, up steep banks, and over trees on the rough trail, but suddenly, there he was, hanging by a root over the ocean and rocks below. My heart skipped a beat! He did not say a word. I quickly grabbed his wrists and lifted him back onto the trail. He simply said, “Thank you Papa.” And off he went down the trail.

That moment played over and over in my thoughts for days. Two things struck me: What if he had fallen onto the rocks and into the ocean? What amazing confidence he seemed to have in me!

I had been with him every step along the way, saying again and again, “Let me help you.” But he insisted each time, “Me do it, Papa!” But when crisis came, he knew I was there to help. I’m sure he did not fully understand the danger he was in, but his “thank you” communicated his appreciation.

God promises to be with us always. In fact, as Psalm 139 declares, we cannot escape His presence. He fully grasps the implications of all the dangers we face. Yet we, like my grandson, do not. God’s commitment is to journey with us in relationship. He seeks to provide for us and to protect us. If we resist Him we may end up in grave circumstances. Each day we have a choice: we can walk under the guidance of his direction or choose to be independent of it. How will you respond to His presence with you today?

Dear Father, Thank You for Your presence in my life journey. May I understand and trust the reality of Your moment-by-moment guidance today and not resist. Amen.

By Mike Woodard

Email Visitors, please visit our webpage to leave a comment. We warmly invite your thoughts on this devotional.

Please Tell a Friend

Would you take just a moment to prayerfully consider sending this to two friends who might be blessed by what we’ve shared today?
If you received this issue from a friend, you can join our list at www.thoughts-about-god.com/blog/

Brought to you by www.thoughts-about-god.com

Thoughts by All Thoughts by Men thoughts by Mike Woodard

Do You Talk to Yourself?

Published May 24, 2016

Do You Talk to Yourself?

“Bless the Lord, O my soul, and all that is within me, bless His holy name. Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget none of His benefits; who pardons all your iniquities, who heals all your diseases; who redeems your life from the pit, who crowns you with loving kindness and compassion; who satisfies your years with good things, so that your youth is renewed like the eagle.” Psalm 103:1-5 (NASB)

Do you ever talk to yourself? Do you ever experience a conflict between your head and your heart? You know what is right, correct, and the best plan, but your emotions want to pull you down a different path.

In today’s passage, David appears to be talking to himself: “Bless the Lord, O my soul and all that is within me, bless His Holy Name…” I think David was attempting to align his heart with his head.

David faced many challenges throughout his life. Some were the result of his unwise choices, while others were simply the result of being in a position of leadership as king. Plus there were difficulties resulting from people with evil intentions. His deep and personal thoughts captured in the Psalms are filled with vivid emotional responses to such circumstances.

In this psalm, David challenges himself to recall and praise God for forgiveness, healing, salvation, love and compassion, provision, and renewal. David trusts in God’s power to re-energize his life when his emotions were beginning to lead him in the wrong direction.

David’s spiritual roots went deep into the soil of God’s character and his experience of God’s faithfulness. Therefore, he consistently brought his feelings into line with the truth of God’s unchanging place in his life. What a place of stability! While feelings change frequently, God does not!

You may need to have a conversation with yourself about the disconnect between your emotions and what you know to be truth based on God’s perspective. Emotions are not bad in and of themselves; it’s how you manage them that determines outcomes.

God thank You that Your presence, love, and compassion surrounds me today. I know You are with me even when I doubt or am unhappy with what life seems to be bringing my way. I will trust You. Amen

By Mike Woodard

Reading this by email? Please comment by Clicking on the Title at the top

Please Tell a Friend

Would you take just a moment to prayerfully consider sending this to two friends who might be blessed by what we’ve shared today?
If you received this issue from a friend, you can join our list at www.thoughts-about-god.com/blog/

Brought to you by www.thoughts-about-god.com

Thoughts by All Thoughts by Men thoughts by Mike Woodard

Published April 19, 2016

RATS

“I would have despaired unless I had believed that I would see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living. Wait for the Lord; be strong and let your heart take courage; yes, wait for the Lord.” Psalms 27:13-14, NASB

In a Behavioral Psychology class years ago, I remember hearing about an experiment with rats. The rats were put in a tub where they swam till they were close to drowning and then removed. A short time later they were placed in the tub again. Their survival time increased significantly. Why? It was the hope that they would once again be rescued. Hope is a powerful motivator, even for rats.

In the dark moments of my soul when I feel like I’m going down for the count, I identify with the Psalmist in his despair. A shadowy gloom can lead me to hidden recesses of blackness if left unchecked. But this hopelessness can be replaced by anticipation that there is a good God who will act!

This God who is good also has all power, knows every detail of my life, and loves me with a perfect unconditional love. This confidence in God allows me to lift my head to face the overwhelming dark moments with incredible hope.

Our hope as Christ-followers is not an optimism that the circumstances will necessarily change, but rather a conviction that God will give us the needed resources to walk forward. With this realization, the darkness fades and our hearts take courage in the hope of God’s love and presence.

Dear Father, Thank You for Your goodness, love, presence, and power that brings hope to the despairing and courage to the fearful. I will wait for you. Amen

Read Isaiah 40 and reflect on the character of God.

By Mike Woodard

Reading this by email? Please comment by Clicking on the Title at the top

follow on Facebook follow on Twitter follow by EMAIL follow RSS feed

Brought to you by www.thoughts-about-god.com

Thoughts by All Thoughts by Men thoughts by Mike Woodard

Most Important Job

Published February 12, 2016

Most Important Job

My seven year old grandson asked me, “Papa, what is your most important job?” Well, I thought that’s easy, “It’s being your Papa!” His response was so simple and yet profound. He said with a bit of, you should really know this answer, in his voice… “No, Papa it’s to love everyone.” His answer has stuck with me. For some reason it has etched itself in my mind. Over and over I think… My most important job is to love everyone. Everyone includes even those people who I really do not want to love.

God agrees with my grandson! I know, maybe it’s the other way around. The Apostle John said, “For this is the message you heard from the beginning: We should love one another.” 1 John 3:11 (NIV) It’s clear that from the beginning, God’s most important job has not changed.

God also makes it clear that our ability to love is sourced in him. God is the source of love. “Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love.” 1 John 4:7-8 (NIV) Experiencing his love and forgiveness on a personal level makes us able to love and forgive ourselves and others. Because God is perfect in his love he can give us the ability to love beyond our human limitation, to love with his kind of love, a perfect, selfless and unconditional love.

February 14th is Valentine’s Day. We often think about romantic love but how about making the effort to expand the circle, fulfill your most important job… love everyone. The beginning might be to experience God’s love and forgiveness personally. This prayer might help you express your desire…

God I want to personally experience your love and forgiveness. I know I have lived independently of you. I want to invite you to come into my life to be the one who guides me and gives me eternal life. Thank you sending Jesus to die on the cross for my sins. Thank you that I can trust you to direct me and to give me the strength to be the kind of person you want me to be. Amen

If you prayed this to express your desire to God, he has heard you prayer. You can be confident that he has responded to your faith and you can be confident that:

1.       God’s Spirit now lives inside you                 Revelations 3:20
2.       Your sins are forgiven                                   Colossians 1:13-14
3.       You are a child of God                                   John 1:12
4.       You received eternal life                              I John 5:11-13
5.       You will begin to experience God’s love and forgiveness in your life and relationshi

Here’s my story of how faith in God has changed my life and relationships.

By Mike Woodard

Reading this by email? Please comment by Clicking on the Title at the top

Brought to you by www.thoughts-about-god.com

Photo Credi: Davide Cassenello from Flikr. Creative Commons license. Some Rights Reserved.

Thoughts by All Thoughts by Men thoughts by Mike Woodard

Published November 23, 2015

Foot Stool

“Trust in the LORD with all your heart. Never rely on what you think you know. Remember the LORD in everything you do, and he will show you the right way.” Proverbs 3:5-6 ( GNT)

“What made my interview stand out from the other 27 people you interviewed?” I asked. “You sat on the foot stool,” the interviewer replied.

At the end of my second year of university I applied to be a resident assistant (RA) in my dormitory. Twenty-seven guys applied for the two positions available. The interview team decided to give interviews to all the applicants. I walked into the head resident’s apartment to face a team of 7 interviewers, and when invited to sit down, I had a choice of a chair and a footstool. I sat on the footstool. I later learned that I was the only one of the 27 guys interviewed who did that. Yes, there were other things that influenced the decision but my choice to sit on a foot stool caught their attention.

I remember feeling overwhelmed before I went into the interview. I prayed and asked God to direct me and give me wisdom in my responses. I think sitting on the footstool was a “God moment” for me. He is indeed the God of the universe, but He is also the God of small things, so trust Him today for challenges both great and small. Humbly sit on the foot stool before him and express your concerns and desires.

By Mike Woodard

We Welcome your comments.
Name*
Email Address*
Enter Email
Country*
Gender
Male
Female
Comment*
reCAPTCHA
If you are human, leave this field blank.

WE WOULD LOVE TO HEAR YOUR COMMENTS. Please click on the Tsitle if you are reading this by email.

Our Twitter Page now has PHOTOS

follow on Facebook follow on Twitter follow by EMAIL follow RSS feed

Brought to you by www.thoughts-about-god.com

Thoughts by All Thoughts by Men thoughts by Mike Woodard

Ultimate Search Engine!

Published November 16, 2015

Ultimate Search Engine!

How many times a day do you hear or ask the question, “Have you googled it?” The power of a search engine is that it can find an answer to almost any question in a vast depository of knowledge, and do it very quickly. The answers you get might not be really good ones but you will have answers, but a prudent searcher always considers the source.

The Bible tells us, “The Spirit searches everything, including the depths of God.” –1 Corinthians 2:10b (CEV)

If a person is convinced God is all wise, all knowing, all powerful, perfect in his love and has a plan for every person, then tapping into his wisdom would make the world wide web search insignificant in comparison. God’s Spirit is the ultimate search engine.

I wonder if the ease of a google search could divert our seeking for answers to a secondary source rather than seeking the very wisdom of God. If God’s Spirit is the ultimate search engine then God is the ultimate source of wisdom and knowledge.

Which search engine are you putting your trust in?

By Mike Woodard

If you are reading this devotional by email you can respond by clicking on the Title above.

Our Twitter Page NOW has PHOTOS

follow on Facebook follow on Twitter follow by EMAIL follow RSS feed

Brought to you by www.thoughts-about-god.com

Photo Credit: ebayink https://www.flickr.com/photos/ebayink/
Some Rights Reserved: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/2.0/

Thoughts by All Thoughts by Men thoughts by Mike Woodard

Stand Up – The Power of Words

Published May 5, 2015

Stand Up – The Power of Words

“A word aptly spoken is like apples of gold in settings of silver. Like an earring of gold or an ornament of fine gold is a wise man’s rebuke to a listening ear.” Proverbs 25:11-12

When I was about ten years old, my older brother and I were riding our bikes on a trail that ran along the edge of the bank of a river. I was carrying a six-pack of Coke in my basket on one side of the back wheel. As I rode through the narrow path, I lost my balance and landed in the water. I started thrashing around yelling “Help, I’m drowning!”

My brother simply yelled back at me, “Stand up.”

Even though I fell in deep water, through my thrashing I had moved to a shallow area. I still wonder whether I would have drowned in shallow water if my brother had not told me to stand up.

Words are incredibly powerful. Words can bless or wound deeply.

There may be someone around you who is thrashing in the currents of life and is in need of some life giving words today. Perhaps you yourself may need a life giving word from someone close to you, who sees a bigger picture than you do.

For all who wrestle with seemingly life threatening challenges, may you be nourished by God’s Word: the source of truth and life.

Thought: There are thousands of people online who are asking very important questions about life, faith, and God. Would you consider becoming an online mentor today? Imagine the incredible power of your words typed on a screen to someone who is hurting from hundreds of miles away!

By Mike Woodard

You can comment on this devotional online at:
https://thoughts-about-god.com/blog/2015/05/05/mw_stand-up-the-power-of-words/

Photo Credit: Nicolas Raymond
Creative Commons License:
https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/2.0/

follow on Facebook follow on Twitter follow by EMAIL

follow RSS feed

Brought to you by www.thoughts-about-god.com

Thoughts by All Thoughts by Men thoughts by Mike Woodard

Me Scaredy!

Published September 9, 2014

Me Scaredy!

“He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds. He determines the number of the stars and calls them each by name.” Psalm 147:3-4

My grandson was helping me with spring cleaning our back yard. Since our backyard is terraced, he cried “me scaredy!” as we went up the second layer. It turned out that he had seen a wild deer wander there before, and he was afraid that it might come again. I wrapped him in my arms and asked, “Do you think Papa can take care of you and chase the deer away?”

When I think about it, I am not so different from Domonic. I get mad, worried, and immobilized by fears too. In the same way that Domonic needed me, God’s reassuring embrace calms me down when I feel overwhelmed.

I remember one star-filled night walking alone with tears down my face, crying out to God for help. I felt Him saying to me, “Who made these stars? Am I big enough to handle your problems and fears?” In a fresh way I started to understand God’s presence. Though the problem did not go away, I received the courage to move forward.

Sometimes we become so crippled by fear that we forget that God is in control. How do you respond when you feel paralyzed by bad experiences?

Father, thank you for the warmth of Your embrace. Even though I face trials and uncertainties, You are always there. Thank You for guiding me whenever I feel stuck and too afraid face my fears. May Your Spirit continue to guide me every day of my life. Amen.

Thought: Are there certain circumstances in your life that you are too afraid to face? During prayer, imagine yourself as a small child being wrapped in God’s embrace. With the help of Scripture, allow Him to speak into your fears.

By Mike Woodard

You can comment on this devotional online at:
https://thoughts-about-god.com/blog/2014/09/09/mw_me-scaredy/

follow on Facebook follow on Twitter follow by EMAIL

follow RSS feed Short Daily quotes at: God-daily.com

Brought to you by www.thoughts-about-god.com

Thoughts by All Thoughts by Men thoughts by Mike Woodard

Published June 22, 2014

Grizzlies Charging

“Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you at the proper time, casting all your anxiety on Him, because He cares for you. Be of sober spirit, be on the alert. Your adversary, the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. Resist him firm in your faith … the God of all grace … will Himself perfect, confirm, strengthen and establish you.” 1 Peter 5:6-10

A friend was hunting for elk with a few buddies when they spotted four adult grizzly bears charging down a ridge toward them. Fear gripped their hearts. There was no point in running; there was no place to hide on the open landscape. Their only hope was to stand their ground and make a lot of noise. Even with high-powered rifles the odds of dispatching four adult Grizzlies was slim.

They could soon smell the stench of the bears; it wafted down on them from behind a line of trees. But the bears never came. They must have entered the trees and proceeded down the creek bed to the valley below. My friend understood in a new way the dangers of the wilderness.

This story made me ask, “What are the deadly beasts that could destroy me if they took hold of my life?” adultery, addictions to alcohol or pornography, love of money and possessions? More subtle sins like pride, bitterness, laziness and jealousy?

What are your grizzlies? What steps can you take to make sure you’re out of harm’s way?

Action Step: Take a practical step to guard your heart, such as setting a new boundary about what you allow your eyes to see or scheduling a time to prayer through something that’s frustrating you.

By Mike Woodard

You can comment on this devotional online at:
https://thoughts-about-god.com/blog/2014/06/22/mw_grizzlies-charging/

Thoughts by All Thoughts by Men thoughts by Mike Woodard

Published September 23, 2013

“My Do It!” – The Danger of Self-Reliance

by Mike Woodard

“Investigate my life, O God, find out everything about me; Cross-examine and test me, get a clear picture of what I’m about; See for yourself whether I’ve done anything wrong — then guide me on the road to eternal life” Psalm 139:23-24 (The Message).

My little two-year-old grandson and I were hiking on a trail along the coast. This 8-kilometer hike was a combination of easy and difficult stretches, with one portion of it being described dangerous.

I was a vigilant coach. I would pick my grandson up and lift him over difficult sections. Each time his response was, “My do it.” He was determined to walk on his own! And then for a split second, I glanced behind me. When I turned back to look at him, my heart missed a beat!

My small apprentice slipped, and was holding onto a tree root while dangling over a 5-meter rocky drop to the ocean. I quickly I lifted him back to safety. Not realizing the danger he just faced, he simply said, “Thanks, Papa.”

At times we all act like a two-year old towards God. Just as a two-year-old shouldn’t hike on his own, we also were never intended to go through life alone. We are invited to journey with God. David’s prayer in Psalms 139 motivates me to move from self-reliance to God dependence.

How do you allow the Spirit to work in your life when you are tempted to do things your way?

Lord, I know that sometimes I want to let go of Your hand and do everything on my own. Sometimes my independence can turn into stubbornness. I pray that I would always be aware of times when I am intentionally distancing myself away from You. I pray for the humility to come to You and allow You to work powerfully in my life. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.

Action Step: Pick a childhood activity that you used to do with a parent, a grandparent, or a close family member. Whether it’s baking, mowing the lawn, or using technology, allow them to help you in ways that they used to do, even though you do not need their help anymore. In prayer, thank God for the people in your life that have helped you become the person that you are today.

You can comment on this devotional online at:
https://thoughts-about-god.com/blog/2013/09/23/mw_the-danger-of-self-reliance/

Thoughts by All Thoughts by Men thoughts by Mike Woodard

Thankfulness (Lessons from a 5 Year Old)

Published September 22, 2012

Thankfulness (Lessons from a 5 Year Old)

“Coby, you have to be thankful,” is the line of conversation between my two grandsons that caught my attention. I listened as Domonic, the 5 year old, was attempting to teach his 3 year old brother a profound life lesson.

They were negotiating who should play with which toy. Domonic’s plan was to use the “Eeny, Meeny, Miny, Mo” rhyme to determine who should get the more desirable one. But before he used this as the solution to their disagreement, he coached his little brother, saying, “Coby, if you get the larger toy you have to be thankful. No complaining. You have to say thank you. If you get the smaller toy you have to be thankful. No complaining. You have to say thank you.” However well-meaning Domonic was, Coby did not appreciate the wisdom offered by his brother that day, but maintained, “I want this one.”

God has some similar advice for us. In fact, it is a command. In the letter to the Corinthians, Paul urges his readers, “Be thankful in all circumstances.” Thankful words come easily in the moments when we get what we want. It is a little more challenging in the difficult moments to respond with gratitude.

Being thankful in all situations is a step of faith. It is choosing to believe, in spite of the circumstances we’re facing, that God is wise, loving and has a good plan for us. When I make an attitude adjustment and choose to say “thank you” in the difficult moments, it moves my focus from one of complaining, at least in my heart, to anticipation of what God will do and how the circumstances will fit into God’s bigger plan.

“And we know that all thing work together for good to those who love God and are called for his purpose.” Romans 8:28

by Mike Woodard

We’d love to hear from you. If you don’t see our response form, please go to https://thoughts-about-god.com/blog/mw_thankfulness/

Learn more about knowing Jesus at: http://thoughts-about-god.com/four-laws/

Subscribe to Daily Devotionals by Email

Thoughts by Men thoughts by Mike Woodard

Published March 14, 2012

Four Grizzly Bears

By Mike Woodard

A friend was in northern wilderness of British Columbia hunting elk. He and his hunting buddy were positioned on a hill overlooking hundreds of acres of range. Suddenly in the distance they spotted four adult grizzly bears charging down a ridge toward them. Fear gripped their hearts. There was no point in running; there was no place to hide or to find safety. The only hope was to stand their ground and do all they could hoping the bears would never reach them. They knew, even with high powered rifles the odds of dispatching four adult Grizzlies was slim. In the seconds it took to form a plan the bears disappeared into thicket just below them. They only had about a 20 meter window from the thicket to their position. The plan was to make as much noise, yelling and screaming to hopefully spook the bears. In the minutes that followed they could smell the stench of the bears. After exhausting their vocal cords and every ounce of adrenaline they stopped and waited! The bears never came. They must have entered the thicket and proceeded down the creek bed to the valley below. My friend understood in a new way the dangers of the wilderness!!!

When I heard this story it occurred to me, “What are the Grizzlies in my life?” What are the deadly beasts I hope never reach me? What are the things that would destroy my life? The list included some of the big destroyers: adultery, addictions to alcohol or pornography, love of money and possessions. There are some more subtle ones like pride, bitterness, laziness and jealousy. What are yours? The real question is what am I doing to make sure they never reach me?

There are many things to do, here is a few. First, identify the Grizzlies. They will be different or each person. Second, don’t put yourself in harms way. People that play with fire get burned. Are your activities pushing you toward danger? Third, draw on God’s wisdom by spending time in reading the Bible. Forth, realize there is a real spiritual battle. Consider the following:

“Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you at the proper time, casting all your anxiety on Him, because He cares for you. Be of sober spirit, be on the alert. Your adversary, the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. But resist him firm in your faith, the God of all grace, will Himself perfect, confirm, strengthen and establish you.” 1 Peter 5: 6-10

You can comment on this devotional online at:
https://thoughts-about-god.com/blog/2012/03/14/mw_four-grizzly-bears/
_________________________________________

‘Short Thoughts’ formatted for your Mobile Device – God-daily.com

Thoughts by All Thoughts by Men thoughts by Mike Woodard

Published October 29, 2011

Being Close to Christ

by Mike Woodard

My grandson was visiting. He was not his normal happy self. He was very sad and upset about something. He could not put it into words. We were just about to sit down for lunch. He asked, “Papa can I sit in your chair?” I always sit at the head of the table. I moved and gave him my chair and spot at the table. Something about it seemed to comfort him and reassure him. The tears passed. Funny thing, he has never asked again.

Jesus offers a place of comfort and rest. His invitation…

“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” Matthew 11: 28-30

Being close to Christ is the place of comfort and reassurance!

You can comment on this devotional online at:
https://thoughts-about-god.com/blog/2011/10/29/mw_close-to-christ/

Thoughts by All Thoughts by Men thoughts by Mike Woodard

Category: <span>thoughts by Mike Woodard</span>

Please Tell a Friend

Would you take just a moment to prayerfully consider sending this to two friends who might be blessed by what we’ve shared today? If you received this issue from a friend, you can join our list at www.thoughts-about-god.com/blog/

Brought to you by www.thoughts-about-god.com

Reading this by email? Please comment by Clicking on the Title at the top

Please Tell a Friend

Would you take just a moment to prayerfully consider sending this to two friends who might be blessed by what we’ve shared today? If you received this issue from a friend, you can join our list at www.thoughts-about-god.com/blog/

Brought to you by www.thoughts-about-god.com

Reading this by email? Please comment by Clicking on the Title at the top

Brought to you by www.thoughts-about-god.com

By Mike Woodard

WE WOULD LOVE TO HEAR YOUR COMMENTS. Please click on the Tsitle if you are reading this by email.

Our Twitter Page now has PHOTOS

Brought to you by www.thoughts-about-god.com

Brought to you by www.thoughts-about-god.com

Photo Credit: ebayink https://www.flickr.com/photos/ebayink/ Some Rights Reserved: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/2.0/

Photo Credit: Nicolas Raymond Creative Commons License: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/2.0/

Brought to you by www.thoughts-about-god.com

Would you take just a moment to prayerfully consider sending this to two friends who might be blessed by what we’ve shared today?
If you received this issue from a friend, you can join our list at www.thoughts-about-god.com/blog/

Would you take just a moment to prayerfully consider sending this to two friends who might be blessed by what we’ve shared today?
If you received this issue from a friend, you can join our list at www.thoughts-about-god.com/blog/

Photo Credit: ebayink https://www.flickr.com/photos/ebayink/
Some Rights Reserved: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/2.0/

Photo Credit: Nicolas Raymond
Creative Commons License:
https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/2.0/