Happy Birthday Message From Me to You!

Yabba dabba doo!

Just like that, I'm 72!

Oh dear, what shall I do?

With covid-19, I can't even sit in a pew.

Staying safe and dodging the flu,

Not once have I even said , "Achoo!"

Determined this pandemic won't be my Waterloo.

I'm safe at home, but not crying, "Boo hoo!"

Don't fret about me. I am not blue.

Happy times, I've had more than a few.

Grandchildren? I've got way more than two.

They are a fun and crazy crew.

When they arrive, my house is a zoo.

Can you hear them? Moo-o-o-o-o-o-o!

Pumpkin-spice coffee is a good brew

As I ponder God's love for me and for you.

This life is more than just getting through.

As I grow older, eternity is in view.

Heaven is waiting.  Do we have a clue?

 Jesus died for me and for you.

Believe in Him. Yes. He is true.

Repent of your sin. Put on the other shoe.

Jesus becomes your Savior, and your life becomes new.

Salvation for all, the Gentile and Jew.

My prayer as I strive to reach 73,

May all in this world  please get down on your knee.

Ask Jesus to save your soul, is my plea.

Jesus offers Himself as a gift and He's free!

Afterall, I want you to be in Heaven with me. 

Thank you all for your love and support and prayers! Happy Birthday to me!!!

Elaine Shares Her Story as a Guest at the Extraordinary Faith Summit

 

What a blessing to share my faith, my writing, my marriage, and my cancer journey with Patricia Durgin at the Extraordinary Faith Summit. Thank you, Patricia, for this opportunity to show the world the power of Christ in a life. You can see and listen to the interview right here:

https://www.facebook.com/MarketersOnAMission/videos/138224097502294/

May these words bring a splash of serenity to your day!

A Glimpse of Hell on Earth

Our neighbor's house is on fire. Thankfully, no one is hurt.

I've never seen a house on fire up close and personal. It's a shock seeing firetrucks and red flashing lights on the street where our neighbor plays ball with his boy.

I felt the anguish of the moment in my neighbor's arms when I found her by the road staring in disbelief. She didn't want to let me go.  Holding on to a human is more comforting than watching smoke fill your newly redecorated home.

As I stood there marveling at the volunteer firemen and firewomen who risk their lives putting out a neighbor's fire, one could feel the devastation in the air.

It was quiet, but not peaceful.

All I could think of was Hell. That one day those who reject Jesus Christ will burn eternally. No fireman will come and put the fire out. No neighbor will offer an escape or a human touch. There will be no splashes of serenity on that day.

"If anyone's name was not found written in the book of life, he was thrown into the lake of fire." Rev. 20:15

"For God did not appoint us to suffer wrath but to receive salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ."

As quick as a spark, the end will come. Are you ready? Is your neighbor ready? Go and tell them. Go and tell them. Bring Rivers of Living Water to their eternal souls,

Boo! The Holy Ghost Wants You!

Scarey! That's what it was when a retreat committee asked me to speak four times on the Holy Spirit. Who is this guy anyway — the third Person of the Trinity? I went away for a month to pray, read nine books from respected theologians, and meditate on every scripture on the Holy Spirit. With a bit of fear and trembling I  prepared four messages on the subject of the Holy Spirit.

Ha! The Holy Ghost is not to be feared. He is to be embraced. It's true. He wants you more than you want Him and He'll hound you until He gets you.

What should you fear? Life without Him. Now that is scarey. Here's why:

1. If you are a believer in Christ, the Holy Ghost lives in you. He will never leave you (Eph 1:13). Trust me, you don't want Him to ever leave you. Because

2. He empowers you for service by giving you spiritual gifts (Acts 1:8, 1 Cor. 12:4). He leads your life (Eph 2:10). He reveals truth to you (John 14:15-17). He comforts you (John 16:7). He strengthens you (Eph 3:16). He convicts you of sin (Jn 16:8). He fills you with the fruits of the Spirit which are love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, self-control, faithfulness, and gentleness (Gal 5:22).

The Holy Ghost wants all of you. He wants to fill you with Himself. Scripture says be filled with the Holy Spirit  (Eph 5:18).  So how do we receive this power and filling?

1. Believe in the Lord Jesus as your Savior and Lord (Eph 1:13).
2. Confess your sin (1 Jn 1:9). The Holy Spirit cannot fill a dirty heart (1 Jn 1:7).
3. Renounce sin. You can't confess your sin and then keep doing it (Ps. 66:18).
4. Daily surrender yourself to Christ (Romans 12:1-2).
5. Obey God's commands (Acts 5:32).
6. Believe. If you confess, renounce sin, surrender, and obey, then you will be filled with the Holy Spirit.

One day I stood at my kitchen window and I received the Holy Spirit. My marriage was a mess, my life was a mess. I cried out to God and all the anger and sadness and evil flew out of my heart and the Holy Spirit flew in. No more filled with fear, my heart filled with love for my Jesus and my husband. My life and my marriage have never been the same.

BOO! I hope the Holy Ghost gets you!

I wrote this as simply as I could. If you have any questions, please ask me privately or comment on this blog.

The Holy Spirit is the water that brings Splashes of Serenity to your life.

Enjoy your walk with Him!

Better than Superbowl Sunday

I grew up in western Pennsylvania. You know what that means? I'm a football fan. People in Pittsburgh follow football like some follow a religion.

My father loved football. He'd watch two games at once while listening to another one on the radio. When his team scored, He was out of his seat cheering with every bit of passion within him. When his team lost, he had lots to say about it. Watching dad watch football was entertainment in itself.

I'm passionate like my father. I love the Steelers, but I love God more. Once when Dad and I had one of our spiritual conversations, he chastised me for being too passionate about my religion. We both laughed at my response to him, "Hey, dad, have you ever watched yourself watch football? If you can get that excited about a game, I think it is all right for me to get excited about God." He didn't dispute my statement.

Funny, how things change when you meet God face-to-face. Football becomes frivolous and God becomes fundamental. Dad received two weeks notice of his death. I suppose you could call it his two-minute warning. He didn't talk about football--he talked about Jesus. Before he died his eyes twinkled, he smiled, and he boldly lifted his hands to Heaven. Sort of reminded me of referees calling a "touchdown!" Jesus threw him a pass, Dad ran for the goal, and scored his eternal victory! Heaven has Steeler Nation beat and that is something to jump up and shout about.

Have a splashes of serenity superbowl Sunday!

Elaine

I gave up sugar; He gave up His life

I'm ashamed. My plan (and my doctor's advice) was to give up sugar for Lent. I don't think my resolve lasted 30 minutes. Fallen again, I picked myself up and realized how silly to think I can deny myself sugar and somehow please God. He wants my heart more than He wants my waistline.

If surrendering all sweets during this Holy Season for the purpose of losing weight is my goal; I am thinking of self. My heart isn't truly trying to please God who sacrificed Himself for me. How ridiculous to think giving up something for a short time will somehow make God happy and gain me access to the Holy One.

Forgive me, Lord. I give you my heart not just for Lent and Easter, but every day as a sacrifice of praise for what You did for me. You died on the cross to take the punishment for my sins so that I can be acceptable to God. Then You rose from the dead and ascended to Heaven. How blessed am I that You now sit at the right hand of the Father praying for me--waiting for me to join You one day. You are amazing! You are my Savior!

I give my heart and my life to You, Jesus. Thank You for the abundant life on earth and eternal life in Heaven promised to those who believe that God so loved the world that He gave His only Son--Jesus--that whoever believes in Him will not perish, but have everlasting life. I pray for the readers of this blog. May they know the joy of their salvation.

Serenity comes when you surrender to the Savior. May this truth hit you like a splash today.

If you want to be sure you are on your way to Heaven, please email me at SplashesofSerenity@yahoo.com.

Blessed Easter,
Elaine