E Mail Devotions from the Heart

By Patti Campbell

The publication of E Mail Devotions from the Heart is a dream come true for first time author, Patti Campbell. In the year 2000, she sent out a daily inspirational e mail to several people. Soon the distribution list grew, and it now contains over seventy names. These devotions, inspired by Pattis life and memorable stories she had read, became an important ministry. Many of Pattis readers forward the e mail to friends and relatives. It would be diffi cult to estimate how far her devotions reach and how many people are inspired by them each day.

Here are several responses from Pattis faithful readers:

Patti, just thought that I would pass this along. The e mail you sent today, I forwarded to my best friend. Their son has a brain tumor and needs radiation and chemo. Thank you so much for saving my sanity every day!

Patti, what a beautiful devotion today. I think all too often we get caught up in things like work and school and house work, without taking the time to stop and appreciate the small miracles all around us. Thank you, Patti

• Language: English
• Publisher: iUniverse
• Release date: Aug 9, 2013
• ISBN: 9781491700983

Patti Campbell

Patti Campbell is a native of Columbus, OH and has been a member of Sawmill Baptist Church since 1993. She and her husband Dave reside in Dublin, OH, along with their daughter Nikki and their very spoiled 10 year old Beagle named Comet. “E Mail Devotions From the Heart” is Patti’s first published work.

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E Mail Devotions from the Heart

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E Mail Devotions from the heart

Copyright © 2013 by Patti Campbell.

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ISBN: 978-1-4917-0097-6 (sc)

ISBN: 978-1-4917-0098-3 (ebk)

Library of Congress Control Number: 2013913688

iUniverse rev. date: 08/06/2013

THE HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®, NIV®

Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.®

Used by Permission of Biblica, Inc.® All rights reserved worldwide.

Lyrics taken from If You Could See Me Now © by Don Moen

Contents

Email Devotions from the heart

Introduction

Crisis brings us to our knees

The hidden price of gossip

The ups and downs of life

Fear

The Fragrance of Christ

Stinkin’Thinkin’

We are His masterpiece

Don’t break their spirit

The cross

Just for today

Weariness

Be there for someone

Hope

Anger

Our guide

Lonliness

Protection

Child of the King

The fear of the unknown

The power of prayer

Our defense against the enemy

How is your self image?

A light for the lost

Spiritual Fitness

Be still and know

Our emotions

A new beginning

Learning to see

Miracles

What would you do?

Giving and receiving a blessing

Gaining confidence in our walk

Being a care giver

Food for the soul

Giving

Protection

Moments that take our breath away

Idenity

This day

The storms of life

Physical illness

The unexpected

God is bigger than our troubles

Loving others

Making our speech pleasing to God

The touch of God

What and how we say things

Heaven

Revived by the Master

Love

Unexpected news

Gaining confidence

Today

Pursue not riches

Tears turn to joy

Appreciation

Generosity

My prayer

Who do you love?

Vacations

Friendship

Failure

How do you view weakness?

Fear and anxiety

Expectations

Distractions

Feelings of worthlessness

Seeking God

Kindness

A serviceman’s sacrifice for Christ

The light of God’s love

Kathy’s verse

Nothing can separate you

God’s sifting process

Thank you

It is what it is

Our witness

Family

Christ’s return

Decisions

Self control

Spiritual Inspection

Keeping our mind set on Him

How is your reflection?

Victory in Jesus

Eyes for the eternal

Testing, trials and truth

Our number one goal

Love for God

Waiting

A daily prayer

Our thoughts

Despair

Worry

Cover up

The God jar

The future

How to begin and end our day

Blessed assurance

Quietness and rest

Accountability

God’s plan

God’s Word

The need for sunshine and rain

Change the course of your day

What makes you happy?

Growing old in our physical bodies

Energy

Changing people through prayer

Living free in Him

Integrity

Our spiritual food

Can we really change?

What is God’s purpose?

Self worth

New hope

Waiting on God

Jesus is your everything

Life

Joy and laughter

Patience

Talents and abilities

Being truly thankful

A simple prayer

When you don’t understand God’s ways

God’s watchful care

Keep your focus on God

My prayer

Email Devotions from the heart

This book is dedicated to my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Through you, I can do all things. Without you I am nothing.

To my loving husband, Dave. Thank you for your support and encouragement. I love you forever and ever and a day.

To my beautiful daughter, Nikki. I love you more each day and I am so proud of you.

And to my faithful readers. You are the reason that I have continued to send out my e mail devotions each day. God Bless you.

Introduction

My personal relationship with Jesus began on a summer day in 1987. I was thirty-two years old. There at Believer’s Assembly in Delaware, OH, I surrendered my life to Christ. We are often forced to act during times of desperation, and I felt like my world was crashing in on me.

I was raised Catholic and I believed in Jesus, but I never allowed Him into my heart and soul in the person of the Holy Spirit. I guess I viewed God as a punishing God. In August of 1977, my mother died very suddenly. I thought that God took her away from me, like He was punishing me. From that point on, and until 1985, I travelled down a dangerous road. I abused alcohol during those years. I really don’t think that I ever drank normal. From the moment I took my first drink, I could never stop at just one glass of wine . . . . I had to consume the entire bottle. I ruined many family get-togethers and became very paranoid. I battled depression and feelings of low self esteem.

One very cold and snowy Saturday in 1985, I drove to the liquor store and bought a half gallon of scotch. I consumed all of it in that same afternoon. I also entertained thoughts of taking my own life. A few weeks later, I looked in the mirror and did not like what I saw. Was this the way God wanted me to live my life? Why had I been born? What was I doing to glorify the God of the universe? What happened next was truly a miracle. I picked up the phone and dialed my sister’s number. When she answered, I began sobbing and told her that I knew I had a problem with alcohol and that I needed professional help. I needed treatment for my disease. The next morning, I called Riverside Hospital and in late January of 1985, I began a 21 day treatment program for alcoholics. I learned so much in those three weeks. I knew that I had made the right decision.

In 1986, I met a man in AA and we were married in September of 1986 and had our daughter, Nikki, in June of 1988. I soon realized that my husband was drinking. I found many empty bottles in our home. Soon everything fell apart. He lost his job. Our marriage went down hill very quickly. We separated for awhile, and then in 1992, got back together. I realized that I could not maintain my sobriety in this troubled relationship. My husband had no desire to stop drinking. In 1994, we divorced.

In 1993, we had joined Sawmill Baptist Church and the Pastor and members of the congregation covered Nikki and I with a blanket of love and compassion. I soon became active in the church and attended women’s Bible studies. At that point, I began my walk with the Lord.

Today, I live my life one day at a time. I try to glorify Christ in all that I do. I met a man at work in 1998 and we knew in a very short time that we wanted to spend the rest of our lives together. We were married in March of 1999, and today I feel joy and contentment and a peace that I have never known. I realize now that God is a God of love. He puts people and events in our life to enrich us and to allow us to grow and mature in our faith.

In 2001, I began e mailing a devotion to several people at work. Soon the list grew, and today, the distribution list has grown to seventy people. People who receive the devotion also pass it on to loved ones and friends. There are people reading my devotions whom I have never met. Many of them send me a message about how a particular writing ministered