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THE UPS and DOWNS

All of us have Free Will, and all of us should respect one another. Personally, when I am weak, I am made stronger by my faith in God. Day by day, whether I am weak or strong, the Lord is my Father and my best pal. Don't forget, YOU are a beautiful creation.

Because we know, deep down, that we have a Heavenly Father...
Numbers 6: 24-26 -- May the Lord bless and protect you; may the Lord's face radiate with joy because of you; may he be gracious to you, show you his favor, and give you his peace.

Because we have moments of suffering and need to know others have called out to God and were heard...
Psalms 6: 2-4 -- Pity me, O Lord, for I am weak. Heal me, for my body is sick and I am upset and disturbed. My mind is filled with apprehension and with gloom. Oh, restore me soon. Come, O Lord, and make me well. In your kindness save me.

Because there are always blessing to focus on...
Psalms 16: 11 -- You have let me experience the joys of life and the exquisite pleasures of your own eternal presence.

Because He listens...
Psalms 17: 6 -- Why am I praying like this? Because I know you will answer me, O God! Yes, listen as I pray. Show me your strong love in wonderful ways...

Because miracles do exist...
Psalms 30: 2, 3 -- O Lord my God, I pleaded with you, and you gave me my health again. You brought me back from the brink of the grave, from death itself, and here I am alive!

Because He is our ultimate business partner...
Psalms 37: 5 -- Commit everything you do to the Lord. Trust him to help you do it and he will.

Because we must always have hope for better days...
Psalms 39: 12, 13 -- Hear my prayer, O Lord; listen to my cry! Don't sit back, unmindful of my tears. For I am your guest. I am a traveler passing through the earth, as all my fathers were. Spare me, Lord! Let me recover and be filled with happiness again before my death.

Because we all will travel down this same road...
Psalms 59: 14 -- Death is the shepherd of all mankind...

Because you are never alone...
Psalms 55: 22 -- Give your burdens to the Lord. He will carry them...

Because everyone has times of suffering, but the music is deep within us; He loves hearing it...
Psalms 71: 20- 22 -- You have let me sink down deep in desperate problems. But you will bring me back to life again, up from the depths of the earth. You will give me greater honor than before, and turn again and comfort me. I will praise you with music...

Because those who have experienced the deepest sorrows also radiate powerful joy...
Psalms 83: 5, 6 -- Happy are those who are strong in the Lord, who want above all else to follow your steps. When they walk through the Valley of Weeping it will become a place of springs where pools of blessing and refreshment collect after rains!

Don't give up my brothers and sisters.
Because everyone needs guidance...
Psalms 119: 17-20 -- Bless me with life so that I can continue to obey you. Open my eyes to see wonderful things in your Word. I am but a pilgrim here on earth: how I need a map - and your commands are my chart and guide. I long for your instructions more than I can tell.

Because we should take care of our bodies...
Psalms 127: 2 -- It is senseless for you to work so hard from early morning until late at night, fearing you will starve to death; for God wants his loved ones to get their proper rest.

Because rewards in this life are a blessing and should be enjoyed...
Psalms 128: 5 -- May the Lord continually bless you with heaven's blessings as well as with human joys.

Because we all have issues, none of us will ever be perfect; just keep getting back up every time you fall...
Psalms 141: 3, 4 -- Help me, Lord, to keep my mouth shut and my lips sealed. Take away my lust for evil things; don't let me want to be with sinners, doing what they do, sharing their dainties.

Because it is good to dance, sing and to beat the drums; the Lord put that beat, that music in our soul.
Psalms 149: 3-6 -- Praise his name with dancing, accompanied by drums and lyre. For Jehovah enjoys his people; he will save the humble. Let his people rejoice in this honor. Let them sing for joy as they lie upon their beds. Psalms 150: 3-5 -- Praise him with the trumpet and with lute and harp. Praise him with the tambourines and processional. Praise him with stringed instruments and horns. Praise him with the cymbals, YES, LOUD CLANGING CYMBALS.

Because we all need more wisdom...
Proverbs 2: 3-10 -- Yes, if you want better insight and discernment, and are searching for them as you would for lost money or hidden treasure, then wisdom will be given you, and knowledge of God himself; you will soon learn the importance of reverence for the Lord and of trusting him. For the Lord grants wisdom! His every word is a treasure of knowledge and understanding. He grants good sense to the godly--his saints. He is their shield, protecting them and guarding their pathway. He shows how to distinguish right from wrong, how to find the right decision every time. For wisdom and truth will enter the very center of your being, filling your life with joy. Proverbs 8: 12 -- Wisdom and good judgment live together, for wisdom KNOWS where to discover knowledge and understanding.

Taken at Shook's Church property in The Woodlands, Tx.
(Outside of Houston, Tx.)