One Life At A Time

My father’s life was short in years yet long in impact. Men today still boast of his stand for the Lord. He stood strong and straight, yet gentle and kind. A man of few words ~ speaking volumes. Today I see his image printed on my face and those of my children. Oh, that they may have known him here! Comfort is brought by the knowledge of the eternal. We will, once again, be face to face. They too, by choosing Jesus, can meet with his embrace!
I look back to his father, also a man of God. Love of the Lord, and of his family reflecting in his compassionate eyes. Teaching that God’s Word has all the answers. His gentle hands cultivating lives as well as plants.
I look now and see the impact of another man, another father ~this time the father of my children. God’s love pours from his heart. I hear its beat echoing my father and grandfather’s loving hearts, all beating in time with the Father of all. One man really can change the world ~ one life at time. Lives lived in sacrifice. Lives lived in love. Lives pointed to the One who makes the change ~one life at a time~ Jesus.
My father’s passion for the Lord gave me comfort. My grandfather’s passion for the Lord gave me hope. My husband’s passion for the Lord gives me strength. Oh, that each generation to come would know that passion! That they too ~one life at a time~ would win the world to Jesus!

“Cinderella’s Slipper”

Do you ever feel like Cinderella? Taken advantage of; overworked and under-appreciated? Tasked with the same dull duties day after day, wondering if there will ever be an easier life? Well there is good news! God has sent His Prince Charming. He came to die for us and make us His bride. Trust me – the shoe fits! Life may still not always be easy, but you will no longer be alone through the journey. You don’t even need a fairy god-mother – just the Holy Spirit. In Ecclesiastes 3:11 God tells us “He has everything beautiful in His time”. He HAS – past tense! You are beautiful in God’s eyes. Jesus wants to be you Prince Charming and rescue you from this world. He is preparing a wonderful place for you to live with Him for all eternity. His kingdom does not compare with any you have ever seen or imagined. Streets of gold with gates made of pearl!
Prince Charming is knocking at your door. Will you open the door and put on the glass slipper? Romans 10:9-13 tell us how: If you confess with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord” and believe in you heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved. As the scripture says, “Anyone who trust in Him will never be put to shame.” For there is no difference between Jew and Gentile – the same Lord is Lord of all and richly blesses all who call on Him, for, “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”
A relationship can only grow if it is cultivated. Prince Charming wants to spend time with you – will you spend time with Him? As you ask Him questions, listen for His answers. He’s written you a very special love letter – the Bible. Cherish each word. Enjoy His company – He enjoys yours!

Birthdays

Birthdays come and go each year. Some are good, some are great, and some are disappointing. Most of the time for me, my outlook helps make that determination. Am I grateful for even the smile of someone who cares or am I looking for validation that I am “okay” or “loved”. I have noticed over the years in many aspects of my life that my unrealistic expectation often sets me up for disappointment. I have a dear friend who one year set out to bless her friends on her own birthday. She found great joy that year as she gave of herself, as did those of us whom she blessed. I hope this year to follow suit and find ways to give back to those who have impacted my life over this past year. It will take me more than just a day to accomplish it but for now let me begin with a short message: To my friends, I say thank you. You enrich my life and bring joy to me often. To my family, I say, wow! You have made me proud and have shown me what it is to love unconditionally. To my Mom, I say forgive me for all I’ve put you through over the years! Thank you for bringing me into this world and loving me through it all! To my Jesus, I say praise You, for Your love has rescued me. You have poured out your blessing upon me in ways I could have never imagined. You have given me each day as I gift and my desire this year is to give each one back to you for Your glory. Thank you all for making my life richer, fuller and restored. I pray that in some small way I am able to be a blessing to each of you throughout this coming year. May this day of my birth once again be a time of new beginnings and fresh starts!



Praise, of David. I will lift You up, my God, O King; and I will bless Your name forever and ever. Every day I will bless You; and I will praise Your name forever and ever. Great is Jehovah, and greatly to be praised; and there is no searching out His greatness. One generation shall praise Your works to another, and shall declare Your mighty acts. I will speak of the glorious honor of Your majesty, and of Your wonderful works. And men shall speak of the might of Your awesome works; and I will declare Your greatness. They shall pour forth the memory of Your great goodness, and shall sing of Your righteousness. Jehovah is gracious and full of pity; slow to anger, and of great mercy. Jehovah is good to all; and His tender mercies are over all His works. All Your works shall praise You, O Jehovah; and Your saints shall bless You. They shall speak of the glory of Your kingdom and talk of Your power, to make known to the sons of men His mighty acts, and the glorious majesty of His kingdom. Your kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and Your rule endures throughout all generations. Jehovah upholds all who fall, and raises up all those bowed down. The eyes of all wait on You; and You give them their food in due season. You open Your hand and satisfy the desire of every living thing. Jehovah is righteous in all His ways and holy in all His works. Jehovah is near all those who call on Him, all those who call on Him in truth. He will fulfill the desire of those who fear Him; He also will hear their cry, and will save them. Jehovah watches over all those who love Him; but all the wicked He will destroy. My mouth shall speak the praise of Jehovah; and let all flesh bless His holy name forever and ever.
(Psa 145:1-21)

By His grace!

Who has saved us and called us with a holy calling,
not according to our works, but according to His own purpose and
grace which was given to us in Christ Jesus before time began.
-2 Timothy 1:9

Fear Drops

Fear drops fall but do I let them reign?
Worry rises but I will dam the flood
Do I let emotion win or do I fight with will?
My raft is faith, with leaks of fear

I choose to rise above the rushing tide
Determination plugging every crack
Strength will lead, Faith will win
My God my raft, my umbrella

The Mirror

In the image of God, I was created to be
Yet that is not what, in the mirror, I see
I see the young girl who was teased and made fun
I see the teen feeling awkward and dumb

I hear the lies saying I’m not enough
Those others are better and have the right stuff
I wonder who loves me and who just pretends
I struggle with wondering when it will end

If I buy the right handbag or maybe that dress
Then with all the stuff, I’ll feel like the rest
This can’t be the way it was meant to be
Does anyone else long to be free

I look at God‘s Word and I see a new view
A woman who’s loved and restored and made new
How do I release all the lies of the past
And walk in the freedom and can freedom last


God sent His own Son, to take pain away
To show me the truth and teach me His way
He molded and shaped me with His special care
And loves who I am from my toes to my hair

His grace is sufficient, if just I would cling
He wraps me in righteousness for He is my King
The old He makes new, giving beauty for ashes
His Image revealed as I live out His fashion

He starts with my heart and then overflows
To envelope me fully in His royal clothes
His princess forever is who I will be
Gone are the lies I am finally free

The mirror reminds me at times of my past
So to Jesus I run for style that lasts


Dianne Lombardo ©2009

I AM

“I AM” He said with confidence – “How could you understand
Having no beginning – Forever I will stand”

I stood and watched with wonder – As He then went on to show
How he formed the mighty mountains – And covered them with snow

At His command the sea was born – And all the living things
I AM, you see is God in three – The Spirit , Savior, King

His wonder never ceases – His love it has no end
He came to be our Savior – And wants to be our friend

He’s big enough to do it all – Yet close enough to care
About our every issue – And the numbers of our hair

I AM, is always present – and forever more will be
I AM, wants to redeem us – I AM, loves you and me


Dianne Lombardo © 2009