Grandpa was a lobster fisherman off the coast of Newfoundland, Canada. I have no idea how that affects me EXCEPT that I have an uncanny love for the ocean. A psychologist might have a field day with that one (is there such a thing as emotional genes?), but I didn't worry about it one bit last week. I was at the OCEAN, the love of my life--sauntering through the surf, soaking up the sun, and sandaling through the somewhat rocky sand! For a non-swimmer, that's cool!
For you see, I was there to see the ocean, and I did--I drowned myself in its majesty and beauty. But I had a bigger delight awaiting me. I met people, real people--people living in and through the storms of life. People submerged in God's great big ocean of love, surrounded and enveloped by His loving care--and you just KNEW they weren't going to drown. They were going to make it--for they knew God!
I went to see the ocean and I saw God. Each person I met, each story I heard touched me deeply and I must share it, anonymously, but from a heart full of observing God's grace at work in the lives of His own. Come along to the Well, meet some wonderful friends, and KNOW that whatever you're going through, there's an ocean of love--God's love--waiting to carry you too above the waves and through the storms. Come meet the Captain of the Sea!
A Helping Word...or
Two!
There's Hope in His Ocean of Love!
Married 33 years. Dumped in an instant. How would you react? Would you be ready to jump in the ocean--or tell HIM to do so? We're all human and capable of revealing the darker side of our spirits when life deals its mean blows. We want to strike back and hurt, but there's a better way. I saw it today...no, I saw GOD today in the life of a beautiful woman, deserted but not drowning. The joy of the Lord was evidenced in her sweet spirit, her gentle manner, and her deep walk with God. For how else do you survive that kind of storm? She was submerged in an ocean of God's love--there was incredible strength and hope for the future that defies any devil who would drown her. Only a God who creates big oceans of love could do that...and He did. I saw Him today.
...and He's got an ocean of love for you too. Whatever storm the devil has swirling around you and within you is not a reason to succumb. There's no need to go down in a sea of anger, bitterness and revenge. That doesn't work--you'll drown! God has a better way--for He, in His infinite love and mercy, rides the storm with you. He's there--to carry you through the storm--to refresh, renew and restore you. You're His child--and that's all you need to know.
There's Peace in His Ocean of Love!
Successful ministry. Leadership position. Now bring on the false accusations, the betrayal, the humiliation, the pain--and it's all gone. How would you react? Despair? Revenge? Nervous breakdown? Well, not when God's got you surrounded in an ocean of love. The accuser of the brethren may try to destroy, but there's a God greater than any test or trial. I saw it this week....in the lives of a couple dedicated to Christ, determined to go on, to keep serving and loving, undeniably at peace with themselves and with God. God's wonderful peace enveloped them--I could see it in their faces, in their eyes, alive with joy, peace and God's love. Only a God who creates big oceans of love could do that...and He did. I saw Him today.
...and He's got an ocean of love for you too. Whatever man has done to you, against you or behind you, you need not drown in destruction and defeat. God is there with you, and He is going to bring you through. Is it unfair? Unkind? UnChristian? Of course, it is--but God's been there. Jesus Christ has suffered rejection, unkindness, cruelty at the expense of His enemies. So He knows--and He will carry you through--until you can ride on the waves of wicked plots and unbelievable disasters, for God rides that storm with you. You're His child--and that's all you need to know.
There's Grace in His Ocean of Love!
Missionary couple. Serving God. Doing His Will. Then comes the storms--early onset Alzheimer's for a ministry husband; mental disability of a son; anguish and heartbreak. How would you react? In discouragement, defeat, despair--anger? Would something deep inside die? How heartbreaking to see and hear--and yet I saw God today. I saw Him in the beauty and loveliness of a smile that radiated the grace of God. I saw Him in the demeanor and life of a lovely lady who is coping, but more than coping. She is riding the storm, with the Captain on board--and by God's all-sufficient grace, she is going to make it. How? Not in human strength--it's too hard. But God's got her surrounded in an ocean of love...I saw Him today.
...and He's got oceans of love stored in heaven above to give you and all who suffer. Do we understand or comprehend His ways and His will? No--but we know He's with us. He's suffered too and He knows. He uplifts and bears you on top of the storm--and you are safe. You're going to make it, for you're His child--and that's all you need to know.
I saw our beloved ocean, Grandpa--but I saw lots more. I saw God's ocean of love. I saw Him alive and well in the hearts of hurting people, who with the hope, peace and grace of God are all going to make it. I saw His love surrounding the people who loved Him; I saw His grace giving strength, His hope giving purpose, His healing bringing peace. And I saw something else too--I saw members of the body of Christ surrounding, loving, caring, supporting, extending themselves to minister to those who hurt. Yes, I went to see the ocean--but I saw more. I saw the Creator of the ocean and the Captain of the sea, One who rides the storms, renews the spirit, and remembers His own. Oceans of love--that's what HE's all about!
His Healing
Words
"That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye...may be able to comprehend, with all saints, what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height, and to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fullness of God (Ephesians 3:17-19 KJV)."
"Lord, there's a storm out there about to drown me. I've been cheated against, robbed, lied about, devastated in mind, body, soul and spirit--and I need to feel that ocean of love today. Surround me; immerse me; envelop me in Your love, for with Your grace, I can make it one day at a time--and I will survive. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Featured links
A REAL Ocean!--thanks to my California friend Gayle!
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...
