I find myself, lately, quoting this verse Philippians 4:6, "Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God." I have said it many times that God has been teaching me patience(His favorite lesson, and I'm one of His worst students sometimes LOL), but I am finding the more He is, the more peaceful I am growing in my circumstance. I admit I have many times when I get anxious or want things to happen, but generally I'm content and happy with where I am now, because I know it's a time of growth and God is really teaching me so much and letting me meet so many great new friends, who I might not have met had things happened a while ago. It's a time where God is preparing me for the future ahead. A time to relax and enjoy what God has given me, and to not worry about what tomorrow will bring. A time of thanksgiving, of bringing my requests before Him and letting HIM work everything out!! I have a great future ahead of me, and God said I don't have to worry about any of it!!! Isn't that a great thing to know?? So no matter what you may be going through, God didn't say do not be anxious for just a few things, He said,

I was worried about tomorrow,

And what the day would hold.

My heart was filled with anxiety,

What it could possibly unfold.

But then I heard your voice,

In the middle of the pain.

"My child, look for rainbows,

In the midst of all the rain."

"Be not anxious for anything,

but through prayer make your requests known to Me!

For there's nothing I can't do, and if you'll only pray

My wondrous grace and mighty works you'll see!

So my child, be not anxious for anything!"

So when my heart is heavy,

Your good word makes it glad.

And You remind me of Your promise,

When my troubles make me sad.

So Lord please keep on searching me,

Help me know this child's heart,

Lord, please help me stop

These anxious thoughts before they start.

I think you will be greatly encouraged by this site. I know you will be deeply touched by her testimony too. It almost sounds like the novel I wrote when I was 16, and then the follow up sequel. It's heartbreaking yet amazing how God works. She is a new friend I have recently met and she has been a great blessing in such a short time. Please check out her site!!!

Joy's Homepage

A businessman was in a great deal of trouble. His business was failing, he had put everything he had into the business, he owed everybody - it was so bad he was even contemplating suicide. As a last resort he went to a priest and poured out his story of tears and woe. When he had finished, the priest said, "Here's what I want you to do: Put a beach chair and your Bible in your car and drive down to the beach. Take the beach chair and the Bible to the water's edge, sit down in the beach chair, and put the Bible in your lap. Open the Bible; the wind will rifle the pages, but finally the open Bible will come to rest on a page. Look down at the page and read the first thing you see. That will be your answer, that will tell you what to do."

A year later the businessman went back to the priest and brought his wife and children with him. The man was in a new custom-tailored suit, his wife in a mink coat, the children shining. The businessman pulled an envelope stuffed with money out of his pocket, gave it to the priest as a donation in thanks for his advice.

The priest recognized the benefactor, and was curious. "You did as I suggested?" he asked.

"Absolutely," replied the businessman.

"You went to the beach?"

"Absolutely."

"You sat in a beach chair with the Bible in your lap?"

"Absolutely."

"You let the pages rifle until they stopped?"

"Absolutely."

"And what were the first words you saw?"

"Chapter 11."

We are all on a journey through life. Some of us get lost, some search for the truth, some have found the truth, and sometimes we all need a little "service station" along the way to continue on. These poems were written for that purpose; for those seeking to find life, for those who have it, but need a little lift, for those who have strayed and need directions back, and for those who just need a little encouragement. It is for every day living, experiences, heartaches that lead us to the realization that God is the only way, the only truth, and the only life. I pray my poems minister to your heart, and give you the energy, direction and encouragement that you need. If you ever wished to be removed, please send me an e-mail and I will remove you, no hard feelings. :) God bless. Please visit my poetry site for other Poems for the Journey.. .http://www.microserve.com/~crosspub/Elisa.html