Marion Gaskins

God has called us to "action".  "Living" for Christ is not getting for ourselves but,  "doing"  His work, "being" His hands and feet, for others!                                                                                    We aren't to live in a bubble of Christianity,  stirring up emotions of feel good goose bumps and petitioning God for His blessings.                                                                                                            ...

God - the Refiner! "Do you feel like fuel has been added to fire in your life? Be advised ,  God is working to reveal Jesus in and through you.     Be encouraged!                                                                            When a refiner purifies gold, he melts it in a pot over a fire. He keeps turning up the heat until the dross, or impurities, rise to the surface. He then bends over the gold to skim off the dross and continues doing so, until he can see his face reflected in the surface of the liquid gold. Gold refined in the fire is a meaningful visual of how God refines us. ( Malachi 3:2-3 ) So, when God, the Refiner turns up the heat, we need to fix our eyes on Him, totally trusting Him to know exactly what He’s doing!      ...

Grandpa's Letter  One day, a young man was cleaning out his late grandfather’s belongings when he came across a bright red envelope. Written on the front were the words, "To my grandson." Recognizing his grandfather’s handwriting, the boy opened the envelope.  A letter inside read: "Dear Grandson, Years ago you came to me for help. You said, "Grandpa how is it that you've accomplished so much in your life? You're still full of energy, and I'm already tired of struggling. How ca n I get that same enthusiasm that you've got?" I didn't know what to say to you then. But knowing my days are numbered, I figure that I owe you an answer. So here is what I believe. I think a lot of it has to do with how a person looks at things. I call it 'keeping your eyes wide open.' First, realize that life is filled with surprises, but many are good ones. If you don't keep watching for them, you'll miss half the exciteme...

Who do you trust? What do you trust? Don't know.....  we retreat to isolation and eventually in to depression. Guard up! I'm not nameless. I am not hungry. I'm not invisible! I just want someone to talk to. I sure would love to have a friend. The streets are crowded.....actually, overcrowded. Can someone just befriend me? I have past hurts, wounds. Words like "bad, ugly, not good enough...... Is there anyone who is honest - authentic? Take off your blinders - I know all about Jesus. He can help! He is watching my back. He will bring justice. I can trust Him. He is safe! I remember - "more abundantly" I remember - "peace on earth". Taking a risk. Trusting....... Not in anyone - but, Him. Compiled - Unknown Authors

Grandpa's Hands Father's Day is nearing and I can't help but always remember my Dad's hands.   They were always kind and gentle.                                                                      Grandpa, some ninety plus years, sat feebly on the patio bench.  He didn't move, just sat with his head down staring at his hands. When I sat down beside him he didn't acknowledge my presence and the longer I sat, I wondered if he was OK. Finally, not really wanting to disturb him but wanting to check on him at the same time, I asked him if he was OK. He raised his head and looked at me and smiled. "Yes, I'm fine. Thank you for asking," he said in a clear strong voice. "I didn't mean to disturb you, Grandpa, but you were just sitting here staring at your hands and I wanted to make sure yo...

A Letter From A Grandmother For my grandchildren, I’d like better. I’d really like for them to know about hand me down clothes and homemade ice cream and leftov er meat loaf sandwiches. I really would. This is my letter to them.... I hope you learn humility by being humiliated, and that you learn honesty by being cheated. I hope you learn to make your own bed and mow the lawn and wash the car. And I really hope nobody gives you a brand new car when you are sixteen. I hope you get a black eye fighting for something you believe in. I hope you have to share a bedroom with your younger brother. And it’s all right if you have to draw a line down the middle of the room, but when he wants to crawl under the covers with you because he’s scared, I hope you let him. When you want to see a movie and your little brother wants to tag along, I hope you’ll let him. I hope you have to walk uphill to school with your friends and that you live in a town where you can do it safely. On rain...

The trees and shrubs in our area are singing new life and beginning to flourish. What a mess though, in the meantime.   Pollen is off the charts! Yet this season for many trees is a time for pruning. Why? To instigate growth. Pruning includes even the insignificant, unsightly smaller branches. Yes, even these small branches steal valuable nutrients from the main branches. Pruning resembles "life" for all of us. Often it is the "little things" that can steal our joy, sap us of our energy and keep us from growing.....whether in our health, personal growth or our spiritual growth. So we need to be pruned! We must cut off or cut back that which needs attention and care or is keeping us from the most important aspects of our lives.   It is vital that we use the correct tools.  God's Word is the perfect tool. Often times the process of new growth gets messy.  It is al...

PAUSE and PREPARE Early Christians felt the importance of Easter called for special preparations . The first mention of a 40-day period of fasting in preparation for Easter is found in the Canons of Nicaea (AD 325). Eventually, the season evolved into a period of  spiritual devotion   for the everyone.                                                            Lent – a 40 day journey to Easter Sunday. The word Lent is an old Saxon word meaning “spring,”  and no, it is not in the Bible.   In fact, the word Easter is not in the original scriptures either.   ( However, one English translation of the Bible does use the word. The King James Version.) The  practices and commitments of Lent such as prayer, fasting, repentance, moderation, self-denial,  ( giving up something—a habi...

Psalm 139:17-18   How precious to me are your thoughts, says God!     How vast is the sum of them! Were I to count them,      they would outnumber the grains of sand —      when I awake,  I am still with you. How many grains of sand do you think there are in the world?  King David tells us in the verses above that God's thoughts towards us outnumber the grains of sand .   In preparation for Spring and outdoor living, I was carefully rearranging some of my treasured, unique pieces of driftwood that were on our back porch. Even after many years some pieces of driftwood continue to carry hidden grains of sand .  Changing the position of the driftwood quickly reveals this fact. Anyway, I'm not sure when it occurred, but all it took was  one grain of sand getting into my eye to remind me.......ALL day long about the importance of and the lessons in life associated wit...