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! I smile a lot. 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. 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.
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!
Note: As of 11/30/15, sites will no longer be checked for dead links. Please contact owner at peggiesplace.com due to tremendous amount of links.
Celebrating God's goodness . . .. . . 16 million and more!
Note: Counter keeps a running total of "hits" (which include images and people "hitting" any page or pages), erroneously identified by me as "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.
Additional (previously named) original source for some midis: Gilberto Barreto.
Visit this great Web site to hear beautiful tunes by many talented artists. CDs are available.
All Scriptures on this website, including all applications, etc., are from the King James Version of The Holy Bible, public domain, unless otherwise noted.
+ + + + +
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.
A safety tip: Internet links and material may include other links and/or material which do not reflect my views or yours, Christian or otherwise. 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--I hate offensive stuff too!
A Hurting
Word...