Tuesday, August 14, 2012

my prayer


I pray that you would help me to make it through another day.

Give me the strength and courage to fight the battles that I am sure to face.

Help me to stand up for those who cannot stand on their own.

Make me an encouragement to those around me.

That I might bring hope to a hopeless situation.

That others might see my light shining brightly,

the light from the candle that you lit.

Let it shine even through the toughest storms.

Lord stand by me always.

When I am weak, lift me in your arms and carry me

until I am strong enough to stand on my own again.

Help me to be meek and humble, yet loving and strong.

Remind me to thank you always, for good times and bad.

After all, it is during the difficult times we draw closer to you.

Give me wisdom in times of indecision.

Increase my faith beyond comprehension

In return I will trust in you for all my needs.

I will love you as you have loved me.

Monday, June 1, 2009

Growing Pains

From a mother's perspective I can see how God must feel.
The frustration of a child not living up to their full potential.
The pain and agony of seeing your child suffer the consequences of
their actions even though you know they must experience
the pain in order to experience the growth.
Wanting only the best for your child and trying with everything
in you to teach them from your mistakes but knowing in the end they
too will have to learn from their own mistakes the same way I did.
If they could only see that I am trying to help them avoid
some of the mistakes I too have made in life.
Not wanting them to suffer the excruciating pain that comes
from the consequences of a poorly made decision.
A decision that was made due to lack of experience.
Yet, I know that until they have children of their own they will not
be able to appreciate the advice that I tried to share with them.
Until then they cannot possibly comprehend what it is like to sit back
and let someone you love make a mistake.
One that could affect the rest of their life in a negative way.
I guess that is why they call it growing pains.

Sunday, May 17, 2009

Today's Proverbs 31 Woman

The single christian woman in the new millenium is not perfect and has made her share of mistakes.
She may be single by choice or simply because she hasn't met her Mr. Right, yet.
She may be divorced or widowed but for whatever reason she is now considered single.
She's a strong woman, who enjoys a challenge.
She doesn't mind attempting to fix things around the house but realizes
there are times when she needs help and is not afraid to ask.
She sets goals for herself and works toward Godly characteristics.
She, like most people has fears,
but realizes the only way to overcome a fear is to face it head on.
She can be very opinionated when it comes to moral issues and stands strong in her beliefs.
She is there for her friends and is willing to help in any way she can.
She needs love and affection and is willing to give it in return.
As difficult as it is, she resists sexual temptation because she believes God blesses sexual purity.
No matter how tempted she may be she never chases after a man
but is willing to wait and let God lead him to her.
She has learned that she doesn't need a man
but wouldn't mind having one around for companionship.
She likes to have fun and enjoys being active.
She lives life to it's fullest.
She knows what she wants out of life and is not afraid to go after it.
She can take care of herself financially.
She does not give in to loneliness, instead she treats her time alone
as a gift from God and uses it to draw closer to Him.
She sees it as an opportunity to get involved in the church.
She sees her relationship with God as a race.
She takes off running at a steady even pace, set to go the distance.
She doesn't quit or even look back until the race is won.
Then and only then does she turn to see who has been able to compete with her.
Any man who has endured the race and gone the distance
is a suitable companion for marriage.
Until that special someone comes along, she knows God is always there
to fill in the gaps and meet her needs when no one else can.

My Prayer

Dear Lord,
I pray that you would help me to make it through another day.
Give me the strength and courage to fight the battles that I am sure to face.
Help me to stand up for those who cannot stand on their own.
Make me an encouragement to those around me.
That I might bring hope to a hopeless situation.
That others might see my light shining brightly.
The light from the candle that you lit.
Let it shine even through the toughest storms.
Lord stand by me always.
When I am weak, lift me in your arms and carry me
until I am strong enough to stand on my own again.
Help me to be meek and humble, yet loving and strong.
Remind me to thank you always for good times and bad.
After all, it is during the difficult times we draw closer to you.
Give me wisdom in times of indecision.
Increase my faith beyond comprehension.
In return, I will trust in you for all my needs.
I will love you as you have loved me.

marty shuff

Memories

I love memories because you can change them at will.
Fast forward or rewind.
Rearrange them like a scrapbook in your mind
Hitting pause when it comes to the good times.
Creating your own little fantasy,
reliving all the good memories.
Flashbacks of better times.

marty shuff

Saturday, May 16, 2009

The Perfect Example

Never has there been such a plain and simple man
From His birth in a manger to the grave He was buried in.
He was a carpenter by trade, but a home for Himself, He never made.
He healed the sick and fed the poor even when He was tired and sore.
People mocked and made fun of Him and still
He died on the cross for each and every one of them.
He set an example through His own sacrifice
of how we should live a true Christian life
so when life gets rough and the waters won’t be stilled
remember Jesus once stood on that same hill.
He has known every temptation common to man
and won every battle the same as you and I can
So stay faithful to God, let Him lead you along the way.
Stay buried in His word and don’t forget to pray.
Remember, everything that happens here on this earth
is a direct result of Jesus birth.
For the Bible states: and we know all things work together
for good to them that love the Lord.
To those who are called to carry His sword.
Grave where is thy victory,
Death where is thy sting?
Jesus has risen, praise Him and sing.

Marty Shuff

Prayer Is.....

Prayer to me is simply talking to God as if He were my best friend, after all He should be.
Having a relationship with God is better than anything I have ever known.
I say that because God fully and completely satisfies.
He's like water being poured into your soul.
He fills every single crack and mends every little hole.
He is like cold water, very refreshing,
yet He is also hot water, soothing and relaxing, easing all your pain.
He is comfort-like a huge teddy bear to a small child.
You can snuggle up to Him and get warm and cozy.
I feel safe in His arms, loved and cared for.
I cry on His shoulder and He sends words of comfort.
I cannot even begin to describe the overwhelming sense I get when I am close to Him.
It's a combination of complete joy, extreme energy,
utter excitement, and intense love all rolled into one.
I have truly experienced a God who is so overwhelming that He is beyond our imagination.


Marty Shuff