My Summer Shuttle Service

SUMMER SHUTTLE SERVICE

Devotion
As I continue
My summer shuttle service,
I am reminded:

The Lord watches me –
My coming and my going –
He watches my life.

My help comes from Him;
The Lord will keep me from harm
Now and forever.

As a grandmother of six grandchildren who are living with me this summer, I operate a full and exciting schedule, especially during this week of Vacation Bible School. My “summer shuttle service” hums busily throughout the day beginning at 7:30 A.M. when my teens arrive at V.B.S. to provide child care for the young children of V.B.S. volunteers. At 8:00 A.M. my pastor husband arrives at church. Shortly after, I deliver my three younger grandchildren who are participants in Vacation Bible School’s W.I.L.D. Week, i.e. Winning in Life with Jesus. I return home to devote singular attention to my little two-year-old grandson before returning to church to pick up the younger grandchildren at the conclusion of V.B.S. When responsibilities have concluded for my teen grand-daughters, I return to church to pick them up and return them home for lunch. The library becomes our afternoon destination. Through all the activity of the busy season, God provides all I need to serve Him with gladness. Each day my “summer shuttle service” offers me the opportunity to serve God by serving others with joy.

Bible Reading
“I lift up my eyes to the hills – where does my help come from? My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth…The Lord watches over you – The Lord will keep you from all harm – He will watch over your life; the Lord will watch over your coming and going both now and forevermore. Psalm 121”

Challenge
Perform an act of service today for someone and demonstrate joy in serving another.

Read
Matthew 28:20; Ephesians 6:7

Prayer
Dear Father, thank You for giving me all that I need to be a loving servant to others. Help me serve You by serving others with gladness. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.
Kathy Graumann
June 14, 2011

A Life God Blesses

A LIFE GOD BLESSES

Devotion

Commit to the Lord

Schedules and activities,

Whatever you do;

Understand God’s Will,

Seek His guidance and purpose,

Then plans will succeed.

God wants to help us

Become how He designed us,

Reach our potential,

Achieve tasks He’s planned,

And honor Him with our lives

Each day that He gives us.

May we live each day

According to His purpose,

Spending time with Him.

The eternal trumps

The present circumstances;

Always put God first.

Care for each other,

Share your time with family,

Take care of yourself.

Love begins at home

Then moves beyond to others

To be a blessing.

Follow Christ each day –

Do not become distracted –

Joy in Christ is yours!

 Bible Reading

“Commit to the Lord whatever you do and your plans will succeed. Proverbs 16:3”

Challenge

Dedicate a daily time for private Bible reading and prayer and develop a schedule for reading through the Bible in a given time. Perform one random act of kindness today for someone in your family.


Read

Colossians 1:9-14; Hebrews 10:24,25

Prayer

Dear Father, I commit to You this day my life: myself, my schedule and activities. I seek Your guidance and direction so that each minute of each day may be lived according to Your will and purpose for my life. Help me grow in my love for You, my family, and others, and may I share this love lavishly with others. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.

40th Wedding Anniversary

40^th Wedding Anniversary

June 19, 1971 - June 19, 2011

Wayne and Kathy Graumann

A Haiku Poem to Honor the Occasion

Anniversary:

Forty years of wedded joy –

What a ride it’s been!

So young and in love,

We consecrated our lives

Before God’s altar.

On our wedding day

I promised my dear husband,

Through my poetry,

That I’d be his wife,

And forsaking all others,

Be faithful to him.

Poor, but filled with hope,

We united hearts in Christ

To launch our marriage.

At seminary,

Mount Calvary, Raymondville,

And Salem, Tomball,

We left fingerprints.

Micah and Greta joined us

In our Christian home.

We bore pain untold

And weathered storms unnumbered;

We each have known grief.

We’ve carried burdens –

Our journey’s not been easy –

God was always there.

Though broken vessels,

God molded us for service:

We’ve been used by Him.

Through the years, love grew;

Commitment to each other

Was solidified.

Better together

God was good to unite us –

A team serving Him.

We both recognized

Because we had each other

We were more complete.

Each became more what

God created us to be

As our love blossomed.

Through ev’ry season

God’s promises sustained us;

Our faith was secure.

Love and faithfulness

Have been written on our hearts

As we’ve followed Christ.

We’ve trusted the Lord

And acknowledged Him always;

He’s guided our path.

God’s Word fills our souls;

We follow its instruction –

God has blessed our home.

Blessings abundant –

Never could we imagine

God’s gracious favor.

With Jesus in us,

His character lives within;

We will follow Him.

We pray fervently

As we look to the future:

Bind us together;

Grant us many years

Of service in God’s Kingdom

Blessed with joy and peace.

Time, from Ephesians 5:15-17

"Be very careful, then, how you live--not as unwise, but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. Therefore, do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord's will is."

Ephesians 5:15-17

Time -- a gift from God --

Begin each day with the Lord;

Submit to His Will.

Irreversible,

Be careful to live your days

As stewards of time.

Do not be foolish;

We each are accountable

For the use of time.

Understand God's Will;

Align all activities

To God's purposes.

Seek guidance from God,

Invest in eternity,

Live each day for Him.

The Mind of Christ

Devotion:

Toward wholesome thinking

Second Peter 3, verse 1,

Was written for us.

God designed in love

To provide the mind of Christ:

To think as He does,

To view life events

From His divine perspective,

Aligned to His Word.

To experience life

Abundantly, as God wants,

Replace wrongful thoughts

With the mind of Christ.

Our lives will then be transformed;

We'll glorify God.

God will give to us

A clear mind controlled by Him;

He will guard our thoughts.

Bible Readings:  2 Peter 3:1; Romans 8:5,6

Prayer:

Dear Father, cleanse my mind from all impurities. Replace my wrongful, impure thoughts with the mind of Christ. Guard my mind, and transform my life into the likeness of Christ. In Jesus' name. Amen.

GUIDANCE FOR MY DAY

 

Morning has broken;

It's time to be in the Word;

God's Word brings me peace.

His Word fills my soul –

I follow its instruction;

God will bless my day.

E’en though I’m busy

I’ll not neglect His compass

Lest I miss His gifts.

Love and faithfulness

Will be written on my heart

As I follow Christ.

I trust in the Lord

And acknowledge Him each day;

He will guide my path.

Kathy Graumann

June 6, 2011

SUMMER GRANDPARENTING

Full-time grandmother:

Six grandchildren this summer –

My days are quite full!

Supervising them,

Providing activities,

Keeping them involved;

Potty training one,

A teen, ‘tween, and six- year-old

Make for a full house!

Meeting children’s needs,

Cooking, cleaning, and laundry,

Leave no time for Wayne.

Neglecting husband,

While devoting self to kids,

Is surely not good.

I have little time

For reading, writing, study,

And correspondence.

I cannot fit in

Relaxing, exercise, and

Deep cleaning my home.

Help me, Lord, avoid

Depression and self-pity;

Let me count my gifts.

I shall make a plan

To take care of Wayne and self

To maintain good health.

I want to thank God

For the opportunity

To influence kids.

May God give me grace

To offer love and nurture,

Serving all with joy.

n  A Haiku Poem by Kathy Graumann

n  June 5, 2011