Gifts of Love

To love abundantly is to live abundantly, and to love forever is to live forever.

Author Unknown

POWER FOODS: Cinnamon

This ubiquitous and historic spice may benefit your cholesterol levels, blood sugar and so much more.

Here's something that may come as a surprise: That cinnamon you've been stirring into your oatmeal cookie dough and sprinkling on raisin toast is probaly cassia, a close relative of Ceylon, or true cinnamon.  Like Ceylon, cassia comes from the bark of tropical evergreen trees typically found in Asia.  Bold and spicy, it has long been the American favorite ( and the FDA allows it to be sold as "cinnamon"): Europeans prefer the subtler, citrusy Ceylon.  Both were cornerstones of the lucrative spice trade dating back to the 16th century and they continue to deliver a host of benefits for cooking and health.

Power up this weekend.

THE MIRACLE WORKER

Miracle Working God, thank you for intervening in my life today and yesterday, all the days of the past, and all the days of the future.  Your love assures me that even when I pray foolishly or erroneously, you care and you still work miracles.  Thank you.  Amen.

You are the God who performs miracles; you display your power among the people... Your path led through the sea, your way through the mighty waters, though you footprints were not seen. 

Psalms 77:14,19

MY BEST FRIEND

Because Jesus is the Best Friend of all believers, we can open our hearts to him and tell him anything.  Our Best Friend walks with us, cares deeply for us, and wants only good things for us.

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Jesus said, "You are my friends if you do what I command.  I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master's business. Instead, I have called you friends. for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you.  You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit."  John 15:13-16

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My dear friend Jesus,

You're the best friend I've ever had or ever will have.

I'm safe and comfortable with you.

You wont' let me down, betray me, or hurt me.

Please help me be a faithful friend to you.

You deserve my best after all you've done for me.  Amen.

MY FAVORITE TEACHER

Even though we don't understand all the reasons for our mess ups on many of the lessons, Jesus is the Favorite Teacher.  He loves us and wants us to learn, enough that he won't give up on us.  His word to us is, "Come to me...learn from me."

When we respond and pray, "Teach me what I need to know," Jesus hears us.  Those two words alone, "Teach me," please the Teacher because he likes eager pupils.

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Teach me, O Lord, to follow your decrees, than I will keep them to the end.

Psalms 119:33

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Teach me to follow you, and I will obey your truth.  Always keep me faithful.

Psalms 84:16

MY POWERFUL JUDGE

If you belong to Christ Jesus, you won't be punished.  The Holy Spirit will give you life that comes from Christ Jesus and will set you free from sin and death... God set you free when he sent his own son to be like us sinners and be a sacrifice for our sins.

Romans 8:1-3

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Powerful Judge of All Life,

Forgive me because I have sinned against you.

Forgive me for losing sight of right living

and compassion,

and for not loving others the way I love myself.

Powerful Judge,

I accept your forgiveness with joyful thanksgiving. Amen.