Thursday Oct. 27, 2011 How to Start Your Day! 4

"For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life."

Good Morning, my dear brothers and sisters, I pray that you are all well and doing just great today. Today, Thursday, and that means it is families day and also schools day. The day we pray for families and also for our schools. Folks, if you can do it, get on your knees today and pray and pray for families, I don't know of many families that within that family there are problems, some not serious, but others that are. Also our schools, I mean our schools are bad. One thing, and this is my opinion, and yes, I will hear from some of you. It seems that our politicians just think if you keep giving more dollars for educations it would get better, but where does the money go? Football complexes, swimming pools, staff benefits, and not books. But let me tell you where you could spend some money and it would help kids to learn... Take a few dollars and go to Lowes (or another lumber store) get some one by twos and cut them in two foot lengths. Then take one end and narrow it down some and wrap it with tape and take the other end and drill a few holes in it... When a kids steps out of line, the leader of that school should take the one by two and grab the taped end in his hand, and apply the end with the holes in it to the backside of the one who needs it... Oh, and if the problem is the teacher's fault, take them by the hand, lead them to the door, and show them the WAY OUT. And while at the door, the one in charge needs to shout out... COME ON IN, JESUS... Notice I did not say "beat the kid," just one swat or two applied during the first or second day of school to a few kids and the word would spread. But anyway, pray for our schools and all that have anything to do with them, and pray for the parents also for they are involved in family and in schools..

Also pray today for the Crockett family. Last night one of their children, Sonya, and a couple of their grandchildren were involved in a bad traffic accident, and the last I heard they were on their way to the hospital. Updates as I get them. Pray for Josh. Prayers for Baby Boy Noah.

How to start your day! Day 4: John 3:16 - "For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life." (NIV)

One of the best ways to start your day is by knowing that God The Father and Jesus, His one and only Son, both love us very, very much. There are many places in the scriptures that tell us just how much God loves us, one I like best is one most everyone can relate to as it is one of those scriptures that is used a lot. Here is another way to show you just how much our loving God really loves us, and loves us regardless of how we start our day.

Romans 5:8 - But God demonstrates His own love for us in this. While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. (NIV)

God did not just give His Son to us to live among us for a while, but also He died for us to save us from ourselves. Think about this as you get up this morning and wait for the water to get hot for your tea and for your toast to Pop up. Yes, one of the ways we like to start our day is with a cup of tea or a cup of coffee or if you are like me, a big, real big, diet cherry Pepsi. In fact most of the time you could find a diet Pepsi setting on the headboard of my bed.

Sometimes we worry and I am sure all of you have worried about this at one time or another, "does someone like me" Me, meaning anyone of us... In grade school, I wondered if this little girl liked me, hey, she looked at me one day. Then as we get older, does someone like us? The truth is we really like everyone to like us. When you start your day and you are worried about if someone likes you or loves you, do this, take the worry, put it in the form of the prayer, and give it to the man, our Lord Jesus, who we know loves us regardless. Regardless of what? Regardless of anything and everything we ever did. He might not like a lot of the things we have done but He still loves us regardless. Unconditional Love. I often think about our beloved dogs, and Martin the most and how much this little boy just loves me. Well, folks, God loves you so, very, very, very much more. So I can only say it this way today... God Loves you regardless... So again I say, He gave us another day, why not live it to please Him? If we don't, He will still love us, but let's really please Him today... OK... Let's love Him, because He first loved us. Amen.

Thanks for loving me, dear Jesus, thanks for loving me regardless. I love You also, Lord, but sometimes I don't show it, so please forgive me. In Jesus' name, I ask this. Amen.

Now go forth sharing your blessings and knowing that God loves you as you start this day and as you go through it and as you end it, and will do it all over again tomorrow... Amen. love ya, Pastor Dan.