Script #131

Beloved,

Quickies:

1. If you'd like to receive some awesomely helpful devotionals to increase intimacy with our Lord, go to the bottom of the sample below and sign up.  Pastor Coley is extraordinarily blessed as a spiritual director;

2. I have never been "into" marriage workshops, seminars, films, and other syrupy and sentimental relational stuff that have always encouraged my feelings of inadequacy as a husband/creature.  Indeed, I became so tired of attending 'em and feeling guilty that I just stopped going.  Besides, I've been reading, studying, and practicing pre/mid/post-marital care and counseling for nearly 4 decades and...  Well, you know what I mean.  But then my wife made me watch a few of Mark Gungor's "Laughing Your Way to a Better Marriage!"  Excellent!  I've never been more impressed, educated, nurtured, and encouraged about marital amelioration than while watching these films.  BTW, what I really like about 'em is his incredibly articulate and clear examination of gender distinctives - understanding the female and male psyches.  Unreal!  Unless you're in a perfect marriage or not considering marriage or have no interactions with the gender other than your own, I recommend/urge your attendance this Saturday, February 9, in our Fellowship Hall from 9-Noon.  Really, you know I rarely pump up anything apart from our only indispensable activity/opportunity/privilege/desire-more-than-duty-in-praise/gratitude: worship!  Catch my drift? See you there; and

3. Speaking of worship, Sunday's coming and I hear that...

Blessings and Love!

P.S. I would like to emphasize something about Gungormania on Saturday.  This is helpful to anyone - not just people thinking about marriage or in a marriage - who wants to know how to relate better to the other gender as well as understanding theirs.  Have I been clear in saying how good...?

P.S.#2 BTW, you won't stick out either!  40+ have alread signed up to attend!  Call 815-544-6402 to let us know if you're coming, so we can have enough refreshments.  And if you forget to call, don't forget to come!

Thought for the Day....Keeping Good Company

Psalm 23:  "Surely Goodness and Mercy shall follow me all the days of my life..."

Beloved:

    Pride is a bad companion to have around.  So are unforgiveness, jealousy, resentment,and bitterness.  These "companions" will suck the life out of us and rob us of our joy and peace.  They are heavy loads to carry and keep us chained to a past event of hurt or failure, and make life pretty miserable.

    The Beloved Psalmist wrote of some other companions that I like to keep around! Follow in Hebrew is the Hebrew word radaph — which means “to pursue, to set off after someone in order to catch him. Goodness and Mercy will chase us down as we follow the Good Shepherd! When we know Him and we understand His ways, even the valley of the shadow of death brings us no fear!  Goodness will spread a table before us in the presence of our enemies! Goodness will extend a hand of favor and help to the down and out,and lift them up with the same grace and love that lifted us. When mercy is our companion, we are empowered to forgive and to show kindness to someone who wronged us. Mercy flows in and through us, freeing us from those oppressive companions that beat us down. When we know the Shepherd,life is sweet and full of joy.

    Even when God seems far away, His mercy and goodness are pursuing you to remind you that you are engraved on the palm of His hand and nothing can separate you from His love. When sin has separated you from His Presence, His Mercy steps in to redeem you and says "I won't let you go!"  When interruptions and trials seem more distressing and discouraging than victorious, His mercy and goodness will deliver you from the hand of the enemy and strengthen you in the trial. When you feel overwhelmed and unable, goodness steps in to remove the oppression and mercy relieves you of the heavy burden. 

    Life is too short to keep bad company!  Follow the Shepherd and become acquainted with Him. As you do, you will take on His nature and the companions of goodness and mercy will follow you wherever you go! Life gets sweeter when you're hanging out with the right companions!

Keeping good company,

Pastor Ella Jane Coley

PO Box 507

Bixby, OK 74008

918-366-4415

Follow us on Facebook!  PassagewayMinistries Church

Visit our web at www.passagewaytulsa.com

If you or someone you know wish to receive our "Thought for the Day" please write us and request to be added to our email list!