Reflections of the Heart

Like a thief, anxiety catches me unawares.  Imobilized by the plethfora of emotions,  My thoughts are scrambled and fleeting.  Confused and unproductive I become lost. The blank stare frightens me.  Jesus touch my mind, restore my thoughts;  Help me to overcome my despair. I feel alone and misunderstood. Life springs up all around me, Yet I stand stripped and wounded. Cover me completely in your blood. Allow me to bloom and fill me with new life. Then the enemy of my mind will be defeated! My mind will rest upon your truth. I shall again be fruitful, And my thoughts will be my own. Consumed in your love, I am anxious for nothing. Peace fills my heart and mind. Your love conquers all and for that I am grateful. Saved by your mercy, you are Divine.  -J. Almsteadt

Winking at Ignorance You Must Know Who God Is!

Introducing the newest Grandbaby - KayLynn Ann Grace  Born January 8, 2014 to Ron and Beckie Mitchell.  Elijah and Nate now have a little sister to protect and love.  Kelsie and Samantha make 5 all together. God Bless this family.

9/10/2010   Noah ​Violence filled the world! Wicked, perverse and evil were the continual imaginations and thoughts of mankind.  The Lord was angry! He grieved and promised the destruction of mankind, and all other living creatures. “And it repented the Lord that he had made man on the earth, and it grieved him at his heart” (Gen 6:6).  Furthermore, the Lord goes on to say, “I will destroy man whom I have created from the face of the earth; both man, and beast, and the creeping thing, and the fowls of the air; for it repenteth me that I have made them” (Gen 6:7). A dooms day message for certain! However, a message followed by a breath of hope for just one scripture away the writer declares, “But Noah found grace in the eyes of the Lord” (Gen 6:8). ​Who was this man that stood out in the eyes of God, finding grace in the midst of an evil and perverse world?  As the rest of his generation partied, and performed evil acts and lived lascivious lifestyles, Noah was just and per

Psalm 37:6-8 reads: 6 He shall bring forth your righteousness as the light, And your justice as the noonday. 7 Rest in the Lord, and wait patiently for Him; Do not fret because of him who prospers in his way, Because of the man who brings wicked schemes to pass. 8 Cease from anger, and forsake wrath; Do not fret—it only causes harm. Fast paced and furious is the way of life in this 21st century.  The hustle and bustle of the holiday season is gone, however personal and professional calendars are filled with appointments, goals, deadlines and numerous other activities.  January is threatening an end and February's agenda is in the horizon.  Perhaps you live as the proverbial rabbit who ran chanting " I'm late, I'm late. I'm late for an important date !"  Perhaps you have been conditioned by the ring tone on your cell phone to guide you in what is urgent. As challenging as life may be, I believe it is time to slow down, clear our minds and hearts from the

Pitch black sky, twinkling stars and crisp autumn air was what I experienced when I left my home at 5:30am. As I looked up and gazed at the Big Dipper, I wondered if the Lord allowed the stars to twinkle this morning just for me. Nocturnals would say they love the brilliant night skies, however I am a diurnal otherwise known as a lark, and I truly enjoy the brilliance of the morning sky. I embrace the freshness of the early morning hours. I am truly thankful that the Lord allows me to experience the brilliance of the shining morning stars. The scripture says that he (Jesus) is the "Bright and Morning Star!" (Rev. 22:16) As the sun rises in the East, He paints the sky with marvelous hues that are new each day. The beauty of each sunrise is unique. Every day is a new beginning; a new opportunity to grow closer to the Lord. Embrace life and look up. Is is possible that the bright and morning star that you see is Jesus?