HELP RID ME OF ANGER!!

What a week this has been! I have had to deal with several issues, both dealing with family, and both that I am very uncomfortable with.

Both of these issues have made me face feelings that I thought I had dealt with yet I obviously have not because they are weighing so heavy on my mind. I realize that in both situations I still harbor a great deal of bitterness, anger, and resentment.

I am trying so hard to rid myself of these feelings yet it is so hard. I know that I cannot do it on my own. I know that God wants to rid me of these feelings and He is the only one that can help me!

Lord, please help me to deal with these situations in the way You would have me to. Help me to get rid of any bitterness, anger, and resentment that I feel. Help me to love those who I feel these feelings toward and show compassion towards them. Help me to show them Your love!!

Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you. Ephesians 4:31-2

NO GREATER JOY

I was just going to run a few errands today and then come home. But my daughter called and we decided to have lunch together. I love spending time with her. With her school schedule, work schedule and social life, our time together is less which makes it even more precious!

I am having to realize that she is growing up (she is actually grown up!), and I am having to let go. I know that we will always be close, but she has a life of her own now - and I am so proud of her.

She has done so well in school. She knew from the beginning what she wanted to do with her career, and she has never wavered. She has worked so hard in school to be able to obtain her goals in the future. I am so proud!

She has worked hard at her job. She knows I don't have a lot of money and she works hard to have the extra cash she needs.

She is always there to take care of me when I need help. Sometimes I can't drive or do much around the house. She is always there to help me and support me.

But what I am most proud of is where her heart is. Although she doesn't attend church every Sunday, I know her heart is with Jesus. She is compassionate, caring, and loving. That is what makes me the most proud!! I don't know if she will read this today or not, but I know she knows how proud of her I am. I thank God everyday for her!

Lord, thank you for my child! She is truly a blessing to me! Even if we don't always see eye to eye on things, Lord, please help me to always show her how proud of her I am and how much of a blessing she is to me!

I have no greater joy than to hear my children are walking in the truth. 3John:5

A MAN OF LEADERSHIP

Everyone, except West Virginians, said it couldn't be done! The WVU Mountaineers could not possibly beat the Oklahoma Sooners in the Fiesta Bowl. Especially not with all the distractions of the once beloved head coach leaving in the circumstances he left. How could our players possibly keep the focus on the bowl game??

Well, they DID keep their focus and they DID win!! They shocked the nation and won 48-28!! They looked fantastic! They made WVU and the entire state of West Virginia proud!

How did they do it? Of course they are an extremely talented team! I won't even begin to list all the talented players they have! But I believe above all was the leadership they had! Bill Stewart, who had been named Interim Coach, proved to be an outstanding coach! He made terrific calls and just coached a great game. But what I was most impressed by was the leadership he was showing! When watching him on the sidelines, you could tell that he truly cared about his players. There were many hugs, many pats on the helmets, many talks to his players. And at the end of the game, there were many tears - from coaches, from players and from fans.

In listening to the interviews after the game, all of the players talked about Coach Stew and how they hoped that he would be named Head Coach. Their wish came true today when Coach Stew was named Head Coach of the Mountaineers! I truly believe that this is a day to celebrate! Coach Stewart truly has a gift of leadership and compassion, and I believe that he will bring the leadership that is so desperately needed for this team. I believe that he is a man to be respected and that he will respect his team, the university, and the state.

God has given us each gifts, whether it be leadership, serving, mercy, encouragement, compassion. While we may not all be coaches, let us all try to use the gifts that God has given us. Let us all honor our commitments and be compassionate to others. Let us show mercy when needed and let us all be generious whether it be with our time, our finances, our hearts.

Lord, thank you for the different gifts and talents you have given each of us. Let us use these gifts and talents to honor You and to show You to others.

"We have different gifts, according to the grace given us. If a man's gift is prophesying, let him use it in proportion to his faith. If it is serving, let him serve; if it is teaching, let him teach, if it is encouraging, , let him encourage; if it is contributing to the needs of others, let him give generously; if it is leadership, let him govern diligently; if it is showing mercy, let him do it cheerfully." Romans 12:6-8