It's a God Thing

    A good night's sleep is 'a God thing.'  Did you catch it in the verse above?  The Lord 'only' gives peace and safety so that we can sleep with ease.  We have to do our part by laying our burdens on Him.  Don't we all have restless nights when we have anxious thoughts?  We can only have peace when we trust that He will take care of things with our good in mind.  '' And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.''   I read that 'worry is believing God's plan is not good enough to be trusted.'  Whoa, I thought, that kind of bites.  There really is no way to justify our doubts.
    May we all sleep purrrrr-fectly tonight, despite all the reasons why we could worry and just hand them over to Him.

Weakness

     The book I'm reading points out that 'at some point you must decide if you want to impress people or influence people.'  So often we just want to show others our strengths, because to show our weaknesses would also show our vulnerabilities.  The truth is when you are weak, you are spiritually stronger.
     'Whenever you feel weak, God is reminding you to depend on Him.'  We often wrestle with God, like Jacob, and try to manipulate things into our way with our strength.  'God touched Jacob’s strength (the thigh muscle is the strongest in the body) and turned it into a weakness. From that day forward, Jacob walked with a limp so he could never run away again. It forced him to lean on God whether he liked it or not. If you want God to bless you and use you greatly, you must be willing to walk with a limp the rest of your life, because God uses weak people.'
     When Gloria suggested that I write a blog that shared my struggles with others, I must admit that my pride didn't want to be that open and honest.  When you share your weaknesses, you do risk rejection.  It's not comfortable to be so transparent, but I've found it to be a blessing and helped me to be more confident of who God made me to be.
    My reading says.....Admit your weaknesses, Be content with your weaknesses, Honestly share your weaknesses, and Glory in your weaknesses.
    Paul said, “I am glad to boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may work through me. Since I know it is all for Christ’s good, I am quite content with my weaknesses.'
    May we all let pride step aside and let others see the strength of God in our weakest moments.

Suffering

   ''Suffering is part of the human condition, and it comes to us all.  The key is how we react to it, either turning away from God in anger and bitterness or growing closer to Him in trust and confidence.''--Rev. Billy Graham

    Suffering is only temporary for the believer and the eternal outcome is the hope that keeps them going.  Even tho, suffering is not pleasant to see or experience, it does have purpose in His plan.  Life is not fair or bliss filled all the time.  Suffering builds our character and perseverance.  Why do we think we should be exempt from suffering, when Jesus suffered for us all?  As the verse above states, we can look forward to the coming day of no pain or sorrow.
    ''"Behold, I stand at the door and knock; if anyone... opens the door, I will come in and eat with him" (Rev 3:20). To believe, according to John's Gospel, is to receive (Jn 1:12), to receive what God has already done. His part is finished ("It is finished," he said on the cross). Our part is to receive that work and let it work itself out in and through our lives, including our tears. We offer it up to him, and he really takes it and uses it in ways so powerful that we would be flattened with wonder if we knew them now.''
     Suffering is part of God's plan to show your need for Him, draw you closer to Him and let Him work through you to the hearts of others.

Did You Hear?

    Well, it takes more than big ears to really hear things.  Of course, we need the ability to hear but it also requires our undivided attention.  We are so easily distracted that our concentration wavers at even the littlest of things.  The noise of the world can deafen us so that we can't hear God's whispers or screams.
     What if I wrote about the same thing every day in my blog and used the same picture, wouldn't you want something new and different?  Some people say they don't need to go to church because they claim to have heard it all before.  If that is true then they should be as close to 'perfect' as you can get but 'know it all' people are far from that. 'The eye is not satisfied with seeing, but is weary of seeing always the same sight, and covets novelty and variety. The ear is fond, at first, of a pleasant song or tune, but soon nauseates it, and must have another; both are surfeited, but neither satiated, and what was most grateful becomes ungrateful.'
     Romans 10:17  'Consequently, faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word about Christ.''  When we hear the gospel, we should be convicted in our hearts.  Just as we develop in our lives from child to adult, our faith builds the more we hear, learn and put into action the message of Christ.
    'To truly hear, you must quiet the mind'.  Have you ever said, 'I can't even hear myself think?'  Tune out the world and find your own quiet space to have a heart to heart with God.

Integrity

He who walks with integrity walks securely, but he who perverts his ways will become known. - Proverbs 10:9

Integrity is best......
--Even when it makes parts of life harder
-- Even when it allows others an unfair advantage
--Even when it requires uncomfortable conversations
--Even when it exposes my weaknesses
--Even if it means I won't fit in
--Even when no one else will know the difference
--Even when it requires me to treat others better than they've treated me

     Integrity is all about doing the right thing, even when no one is looking, caring or interested.  'Integrity is a heart issue and a spiritual habit.'  'Building a reputation of integrity takes years, but it takes only a second to lose, so never allow yourself to ever do anything that would damage your integrity.'
    The 'ends do not justify the means' no matter how much the world tells you that it does. 'A word of advice to those who are striving for a reputation of integrity: Avoid those who are not trustworthy.'  Choose your friends wisely because you will be judged by who you keep company with.  'When you lie down with dogs you get fleas.'
    Success without integrity is failure.  'Do what is right and let the consequence follow.'

Renewal

    As a catepillar turns into a butterfly, we too can be transformed into a new creation in Christ when we surrender our will to His.  My devotional yesterday talked about how personal renewal can benefit our lives.  Let me share this with you.
    Personal renewal brings New Determination, New Direction, New Dependence, New Desire, New Devotion, and a New Dedication.  Where can we find an example of this in the Bible?  ''When famine came to Bethlehem, Naomi, her husband, and their two sons fled and settled in Moab. In due time, her sons married Moabite women. The Moabites were a race that was born in incest and a people who observed a false religion that was the antithesis to their Jewish heritage. Later, Naomi’s husband died, as did her sons. Left with her two daughters-in-law, Naomi, upon hearing that there was now bread in Bethlehem, set her face like a flint to return to the will of God for her life. She encouraged the two women to go back to their people and to their gods. Orpah kissed Naomi and went back. The other, Ruth, clung to Naomi, saying, “Entreat me not to leave you, or to turn back from following after you; for wherever you go, I will go; and wherever you lodge, I will lodge; your people shall be my people, and your God, my God.” These now familiar words constitute the formula for us when new things come and we cling to Christ in such a manner. When personal renewal comes to our own heart, it brings several new things.'' [biblegateway.com]
     So many people are looking for newness in their lives, just look at all the self-help books on the market in your local bookstore. When you decide to believe in Christ, your life should be dedicated and devoted to Him, like Ruth was to Naomi.
    I encourage everyone to read the book, 'Not a Fan' to understand the difference in being a fan of Jesus versus a follower of His.

Never Alone

Job 7; 17-19  ''What is mankind that you make so much of them, that you give them so much attention, that you examine them every morning and test them every moment?  Will you never look away from me, or let me alone even for an instant?''


      We feel lost and alone when we depend on ourselves for answers, direction and comfort.  Who hasn't said,  'Just leave me alone' at some point.  The walls we build up can often block out the very help we need at the moment.
      You are never alone, never forsaken, and never forgotten... God always knows where you are and how you are.  No, He won't look away from you even for an instant.  Job didn't understand that despite all of his strife that God was looking after him at all times.
     'And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.'  Sometimes it's hard to see the good in the journey when we aren't sure of the plan He has in mind.  Heaven tho is not just about the destination but the journey and the relationship built with Him during it.
    When I was 13, my parents took me on a drive but wouldn't tell me where we were going.  Yes, I've always wanted to know what Point A and Point B are on a trip and the route we are taking.  I had to just trust them in that they knew what they were doing and the best way to get there.  They didn't need my help but just to follow along in the ride. It turned out better than I expected....Magic Springs.  Isn't that how we should trust and obey in God's leading of our lives?  I bet the destination is better than we expect too.

Take It Back

    Oh the heat of the moment!  It is often the devil's playground.  Haven't we all let our mouths run wild and say hurtful things in that moment?  It could be from the stress of the situation, the worry in our minds, or just the blame game in action.  Just because we know later that we didn't mean what we said, we also need to tell the person we said it to that it was wrong.  Hurtful words can be replayed over and over in the mind, therefore deepening the wound in the heart.
    Proverbs 21; 23  ''Those who guard their mouths and their tongues keep themselves from calamity.''
Matthew 6:14-15  ''For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.”
     May we all bridle our tongues, even in the moments when it's so hard to hold back.  A point to ponder.. 'I would rather sit in silence for days than let my hurtful words echo on in someone's heart forever.'

Never Seen

Philippians 1:6  ''Being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.''

      If you're like me, there are some people that you 'think' are never going to change and are beyond hope.  Well that kind of thinking comes from our own arrogance that we have in our own efforts to be more than a seed planter of the gospel.  ''When we get to heaven, we will find out how little we actually had to do with our salvation and how true our verse today is--“He who has begun a good work in you.” Salvation is, from start to finish, from first to last, the work of God Himself in us. He sought us. He found us. He began the good work in us. He keeps us. And one day He will present us faultless before His Father’s throne. After all, it was the shepherd himself who went after the one lost sheep until he found it, and then he carried it on his shoulders safely back to the fold, rejoicing all the while (Luke 15:1– 7).''
    'For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God'.  Did you catch that?  ALL and no one since the fall of Adam is excluded, not me or you, from sin.
   'For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.'  He gave His Son because He loved all of us in this world, even before we knew Him.
   'For, “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”'  There are no exclusions.  No one is beyond the reach of Christ's calling.

Jesus Loves Me.....lyrics

Jesus loves me! This I know,
For the Bible tells me so;
Little ones to Him belong;
They are weak, but He is strong.

Refrain:
Yes, Jesus loves me!
Yes, Jesus loves me!
Yes, Jesus loves me!
The Bible tells me so.

Jesus loves me! This I know,
As He loved so long ago,
Taking children on His knee,
Saying, “Let them come to Me.”

Jesus loves me still today,
Walking with me on my way,
Wanting as a friend to give
Light and love to all who live.

Jesus loves me! He who died
Heaven’s gate to open wide;
He will wash away my sin,
Let His little child come in.

Jesus loves me! He will stay
Close beside me all the way;
Thou hast bled and died for me,
I will henceforth live for Thee.

Autumn Blessings

'I found loveliness today, down along life's broad highway-
Saw its beauty in the trees, heard it whisper in the breeze...
Beauty within pastures green, next in clouds of silvery sheen,
Golden glow at break of day, joy in children at their play,
Scented odor of wild rose; peace I found where violet grows-
All along life's broad highway, I found loveliness today.
                                        Carleton Everett Knox


    I hope that as you enjoy today's gorgeous weather, that you recognize the One it came from.  No,  it didn't just happen by accident.  We are surrounded by God's love thru all the created things around us.
Psalm 27;4  ''One thing I ask from the Lord, this only do I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the Lord
all the days of my life, to gaze on the beauty of the Lord and to seek him in his temple.''  We often say on beautiful days like this, 'I wish it could be like this all the time.'  Well the truth of it is, that it can be.  You can see God's beauty shining through in different ways every day of the year.  Take the negative blinders off your eyes and see the countless blessings of God's love.  Dwell in it, Gaze on it, Seek Him in it, and Thank Him for it all.

The Sheep in Us All

    Yes, when you look at the sheep in the caption above, you should see yourself.  How is that?  The Bible has many references to sheep because of how we need to be led by our Shepherd.  Sheep are dumb, directionless and defenseless.
    We are dumb when we try to do things our way based on our own thinking.  The Bible clearly states 'do not lean on your own understanding.' Psalm 94:8  ''Take notice, you senseless ones among the people; you fools, when will you become wise?'''
    'So many men and women go through life without any real sense of direction, void of any perceived purpose. Many simply exist and have never learned how to live because, like sheep, they have no sense of direction in life.'
    We are defenseless but we don't grasp the reality until we are truly humbled.  Only when we are broken and God is all we have is when we realize we have all we need.
    'There is no clearer explanation of what transpired on the cross of Calvary than in these words of Isaiah 53:6. On the cross the Lord Jesus took our sin in His own body, bearing the wrath of God’s punishment that we deserved. He suffered the hurt, the humiliation of our sin, the agony and the death we deserved to die. He died our death so that we could live His life. He took our sin so that we could take His righteousness. Not only was His death on the cross voluntary, but it was vicarious. He died in my place and yours. What a Savior!' [biblegateway.com]

Success

    Motivation to get things done should come from within yourself.  Our minds can often be our biggest obstacle.  We can make excuses faster than the speed of light.  We often put doubt in the place of confidence.
   'Success is a personal standard, reaching for the highest that is in us, becoming all that we can be.'  Nobody in my life said 'you are going to go to college and get a job.'  Those were my desires and expectations to meet my own personal standard.  Your life is your road to walk and nobody can do it for you.
   'Success seems to be connected with action. Successful people keep moving.  They make mistakes but they don't quit.'  Success comes with trying, failure comes when you quit trying
   If you tried, you could probably count all your problems but could you ever truly count all your blessings?  I think it's too infinite of a task.  Count the ones you can,  but know once again how short we fall.

It's a God Thing

    I've started a new 10 day devotional on the '10 Bible verses everyone should know.'  John 3;16 is probably the most quoted verse of the Bible. 'It is the gospel in one verse. It reveals to us salvation’s cause, its cost, its condition, and its consequence.'
   Love is a God thing.  He loved us while we were still sinners.  We love because He first loved us.  His love is unconditional, while ours is prone to leave.  There is no greater love to seek and find than God's love for you.
   Love God passionately, thoughtfully and practically.

For God . . . the greatest Lover
so loved . . . the greatest degree
the world . . . the greatest company that
He gave . . . the greatest act
His only begotten Son . . . the greatest gift
that whoever . . . the greatest opportunity
believes . . . the greatest simplicity
in Him . . . the greatest attraction
should not perish . . . the greatest promise
but . . . the greatest difference
have . . . the greatest certainty
everlasting life . . . the greatest possession

Temptation

Satan’s objectives: [intouch.org]

1. To draw us away from God through both direct and subtle means.
2. To thwart God’s purpose in our lives by getting us out of our Father’s will.
3. To deny God His rightful glory and honor, which results from our choosing to live obedient lives.
4. To destroy us in this world.

John 8:44 ''You are of your father the devil, and you want to do the desires of your father. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth because there is no truth in him. Whenever he speaks a lie, he speaks from his own nature, for he is a liar and the father of lies.''

1 John 4:1-4 ''Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world. By this you know the Spirit of God: every spirit that confesses that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God; and every spirit that does not confess Jesus is not from God; this is the spirit of the antichrist, of which you have heard that it is coming, and now it is already in the world. You are from God, little children, and have overcome them; because greater is He who is in you than he who is in the world.''

    Many are tempted to believe what they want to hear and are falsely led down the wrong path. 'Faulty thinking leads to disobedient behavior, which impedes God’s purposes for us. Erroneous ideas produce vulnerabilities like worry or fearfulness, which Satan can exploit to hinder our spiritual progress.'  In the verse above, it says 'test the spirits to see whether they are from God.'  In other words, don't believe everything you hear.  What is the test?  Test it with Scripture only.  Don't trust in the person who said it, don't be persuaded by propaganda and don't rely on your own understanding.
     I was looking for information yesterday for my blog and ran across a verse but I didn't recognize the book of the Bible it came from.  The verse sounded good but when I saw that it was from the book of Mormon I knew it was man made, not God breathed scripture. No wonder I didn't know the book it came from.
     Use discernment to know what is true and what is false in every aspect of your life.

Exemplify

   If you looked in the Bible, could you find examples of what you were today?  Giving, humble, gentle, slow to anger..... and the list goes on and on.  We are to the world what it sees and hears of us.  Is that the example you are striving for?
   'Kindness to others, helping others, loving yourself, no judgments about other people, no gossip, and everything coming from love not fear. As you learn this in your own life and apply it, those around you won't need you to speak a word.'
   At some point, you may be questioned about what makes your life different.  How can you handle difficult times with peace?  How can you trust in what's to come?  How can you think of others before yourself?  Be ready and willing to share the Good News with those who have seen the Light in your daily walk with Christ.

Shake It

    'Staying quiet doesn't mean I have nothing to say, it means I don't think you're ready to hear my thoughts.'  Who's with me on this one?
     Oh my goodness, I sometimes think my mind has a mind of it's own.  It's either on non-stop mode, critical mode, repeat it mode or daydream mode when I wish I could shake it all out.  They say sin always starts in the mind and I believe that to be true.  The devil can only tempt us but we make the choice to act on it.  'Thou shalt not murder' includes not only the physical act but also your hateful thoughts.
    Philippians 4:8  ''Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.''
    'Defeat bad thoughts by replacing them with something better.'  Yes, subtract the negative and add the positive.
    

Bring on the Heat

     Are you ready for it?  The weather forecast for tonight's low is 52.  I say 'aghh' while others say 'ahh'.  That's okay, I'm prepared as I leave my electric blanket on my bed year-round.  Yes, and my electric heaters will come out of hiding soon enough for my showers.
     I believe in being prepared for what I know is to come.  Are you prepared not just for winter with a stockpile of firewood, but more importantly... are you prepared to meet your Maker?  'Every knee shall bow before Him.'  Our lives in eternity will be to truly hail the One who deserves all the glory.
     Phillipians 2;9-11 ''Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.''  All in creation is subject and under the authority of Jesus.  Romans 14;11-12  '' It is written:  ‘As surely as I live,’ says the Lord, ‘every knee will bow before me; every tongue will acknowledge God.’ So then, each of us will give an account of ourselves to God.''  If that sounds scary to you, then I suggest you start getting prepared.  Not defensively, but with the blessed assurance of being saved by grace thru Jesus Christ.

A Wish

    Although I don't wish hard times for people, I do wish that someday you'll realize the three things above for yourself... men or women.  I have learned these things and it has made my faith stronger.
    'Stronger' through weakness.  I think of things in the past that have truly tested me in all areas of my life and can say I was strong enough to withstand it.  Your struggles do shape you and build you for the road ahead.
    'Closer' was of my own choosing.  Jesus was always there with me and any distance between us was my fault.  'Yes, through it all I've learned to trust in Jesus.....and depend upon His Word.'
    'Loved' beyond measure.  If love is a light, then I'm always on a spotlight.  I'm surrounded daily with family and friends that love me for me, not for what I can do for them.

It's a God Thing

     Seasons change and 'its a God thing'.  Daniel 2:21 ''He changes times and seasons; he deposes kings and raises up others. He gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to the discerning.''  No man can change the weather or the seasons... no matter their position, their knowledge or how hard he tries.  It may not feel like autumn is here when you step outside today, but if you step into my room you can get into a 'fall' mood.  Karla, my parents and I changed the decor in my room from summer frogs to fall scarecrows yesterday.
Here are a few pictures below.

Rest

     Do you ever wonder if God uses such hot days as today to make us rest a little more and give us more time with Him?  I will gladly take a hot day over a sick day to do just that.  As this caption points out, 'just take a minute' to slow down and count all your blessings.
    How often do we miss what is right in front of us because we are in too big of a rush?  The beauty of the Lord surrounds us everyday and even shouts 'look at me' by all of God's creations. I  hadn't spoken directly to my lil 4yr old friend who was over the other day and she said 'Angie, didn't you see me?'  I think God probably has the same question of us when we don't acknowledge Him in our daily lives.
    May we seek Him, acknowledge Him and glorify Him as we rest in His gracious goodness everyday.

Carry Nothing

     It doesn't matter if you made it, built it, bought it, earned it, or stockpiled it in this life, you cannot take it with you when you die.  I think this is a problem for all ages.  Young people want the coolest, newest things for themselves before thinking of others, and that's 'if' they think past themselves.  Older people are often penny pinchers to a fault by not wanting to spend money to enjoy life or to take care of themselves with a caregiver.
    What you can take with you are the treasures you've built up in heaven.  Matthew 6;19-21  ''Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.''
     'Worldly-mindedness is as common and as fatal a symptom of hypocrisy as any other, for by no sin can Satan have a surer and faster hold of the soul.'  Satan wants us to believe that this life is the end so we are led by the lie to get all you can out of this life and disregard the consequences.  God says believe in Me and promises eternal life.  John 3;16  'For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.'  God doesn't love this world, nor should we, but He loves us in this world.

Cousin Time

    My cousin, Jamie, and I grew up together and are the closest of all the cousins.  I am two years older but that didn't matter back then or now.  We both have a great sense of humor but he is the best joke teller I know.  He can always make me laugh.
    He and his wife, Janet, came by to see me this afternoon.  We shared stories of both past and present.  It is funny to hear stories of what others remember of the past.  He said he could not hear the song 'Abracadabra' by the Steve Miller band without thinking of me.  He said when we were about 6 and 8yrs old that we were listening to the radio on my boom box.  He had never seen a boombox and thought 'I gota get one of those.'  As we were listening, I said 'if Abracadabra comes on I might just go crazy.'  I probably scared the lil guy because he said today 'he didn't know what that meant' and he thought 'Im going to feel that way in 2yrs.'  Haha...this makes me laugh and it totally sounds like us.
     Thanks for the memory Jamie and all of our good times together.

Just Right

     Do you agree?   We are all guilty of comparing ourselves with others and coveting their strong attributes.  If you believe that God makes no mistakes, then that includes you.   You were made with a divine purpose in mind.
     As much as we want to hide our weaknesses, they are there to build our character.  'Men with good intentions make promises, but men with good character keep them.'
     Romans 5:3-5 "Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us. "
     I know personally that I would not be who I am today without my present and past sufferings. 'Character cannot be developed in quiet and ease.  Only through experience of trial and suffering can the soul be strengthened, ambition inspired and success achieved.'-Helen Keller
     What's one man's junk is another man's treasure but to God we are all his precious treasures.

Tradition

     My mom made chicken and dressing the other day and some might say 'it's not Thanksgiving yet.'  That's silly to wait for a certain day to enjoy food that you can love any day of the year.  Just the same, we shouldn't wait for a certain day to 'give thanks' for all of the blessings of the year.
     Traditions can be both good and bad.  Some are just fun and can bring a family together with memories of past years.  Some can just be a ritual with nothing but routine habit in it.
     What about traditions related to church?  Are your beliefs your own or were you just raised that way and you've put no thought into it?  Is going to church on Sunday 'just what we do' or do you look forward to it?  Does the church service seem set in stone with it's unaltering pattern?
      May you see the difference in what is routine and habit-driven in your life and change it to include heartfelt joy and anticipation of your own.

It's a God Thing

   

     Well if you're reading this then that means you woke up today and that's 'a God thing'.  There are many people in this world who did not.  You have been given another day of life.  Did you give thanks for that today?  Are you rejoicing and glad for it?

From odb.org.....

Today God gives you a new opportunity to praise Him. Psalm 118:24 says, “This is the day the Lord has made; we will rejoice and be glad in it.”

Today God provides for you and wants your trust. “Give us day by day our daily bread” (Luke 11:3).

Today God wants to speak to you through His Word. The believers at Berea “searched the Scriptures daily” (Acts 17:11).

Today God desires to renew your inner person. “The inward man is being renewed day by day” (2 Cor. 4:16).

    May the Lord direct your path today and you faithfully follow His leading.  God does lead His dear children along.. 'some thru the waters, some thru the flood, some thru the fire but all thru the Blood.'

Bible

    Where is your Bible right now?  Do you even know?  D.L. Moody said, 'The Bible was not given to us to increase our knowledge but to change lives.'  Has it changed yours?
    We must not just read or hear the Word but be doers of it for it to change our lives.  We must give it the authority it deserves over our lives.  Does culture, peer pressure or tradition interfere with that authority?'
    Matthew 7;24  “Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock.''
    I know nobody likes to read an instruction manual before we try it our own way but the Bible is not just our guide but our Daily Bread.

What? 42?

     So, I turned 42 today.  How can that be?  I don't know and I don't know how to act my age because I've never been this old before.  What is 42 supposed to feel like?
     42 to me feels... blessed, more assured in everything, filled with more mature thinking, driven with purpose, secure in my future, full of thankfulness, simpler than the past, and surrounded by generous family and friends.
     Just as our days are fleeting, so too goes the energy level.  The heart is willing but the body requires more rest and recuperation time as we get older.  I'm a good example of this but time management can help me to make the most of my days.
    Thank you to each and every one of you who have made my birthday special.  42 is off to a great start.

Relax

    Well, unlike Woodstock I'm choosing to relax this afternoon inside with the air conditioning on. Sundays are not meant to be lazy but rather still enough to be more focused on the Lord.  Maybe a time to reflect on what God has done in your life over the past week.  Maybe a time to think about what you can do for others over the upcoming week.  Maybe just a time to bask in God's good grace to you.
    Psalm 62;5  ''Yes, my soul, find rest in God; my hope comes from him.''
    Deuteronomy 5;12  ''“Observe the Sabbath day by keeping it holy, as the Lord your God has commanded you. Six days you shall labor and do all your work, 14 but the seventh day is a sabbath to the Lord your God.''
    Even if you are doing some laborious tasks on this Labor Day weekend, do it as if unto the Lord.  May your Sunday be more and more like 'Sonday.'

Time

    Time stops for no one.  No, it doesn't matter how much you'd like it to stay summertime.  Yes, that's me talking.. even if I'm the only one out there who likes the heat.  I dread the cold and the fall allergies that will soon be on their way.  I do like to change my room decor with the seasons so I guess overall change is inevitable.
    Are we ever satisfied with time?  When we're young, we'd like to be two years older.  When we're old, we'd like to be twenty years younger.  Some moments we'd like to freeze in time and other moments we focus on 'this too shall pass.'

   Ecclesiastes 3;1-8
   ''There is a time for everything,
    and a season for every activity under the heavens:
     a time to be born and a time to die,
    a time to plant and a time to uproot,
     a time to kill and a time to heal,
    a time to tear down and a time to build,
     a time to weep and a time to laugh,
    a time to mourn and a time to dance,
     a time to scatter stones and a time to gather them,
    a time to embrace and a time to refrain from embracing,
     a time to search and a time to give up,
    a time to keep and a time to throw away,
     a time to tear and a time to mend,
    a time to be silent and a time to speak,
     a time to love and a time to hate,
    a time for war and a time for peace.

God Will Never Say

10 Things God Will Never Say

1. Oops.
2. What have I done?
3. How did I let that happen?
4. I made a mistake.
5. It was an accident.
6. I don't know what to do.
7. I'm afraid of what will happen now.
8. I can do better than this.
9. What do YOU think I should do?
10. Why didn't I think of that?


    I'm borrowing this list from a book but I don't like to recommend a book unless I've read it myself so we're just going to stick with the list here for now.
    God will never say the things on the list but I think we have probably all said every one of them at some point.  It's a reminder of Who does know all and who doesn't.  There is NOTHING God doesn't know of the past, present or future.  He needs no advisor or consultant.  He makes no mishaps but in everything there is purpose.
   'A few traits about ‎God to ponder: God is sovereign, ‎holy, omniscient, & immutable. These traits are perfectly balanced by His goodness, ‎grace, ‎mercy, & good will, respectively.'
   Why do we trust in ourselves so much, when we can see our faults daily?  I don't think any of us like to be around 'know it all' people but yet sometimes we are all guilty of turning a deaf ear to advice.
   I'm glad there is One who is trustworthy, knows all and always available for me to turn to.

Unity

    I was reading today about the importance of unity in the church and it was quite convicting.  Romans 14;19  ''Let us therefore make every effort to do what leads to peace and to mutual edification.''

    Four things happen when we criticize another believer....
     1.  We lose fellowship with God
     2.  We expose our own pride and insecurity
     3.  We set ourselves up to be judged by God
     4.  We harm the fellowship of the church

    Are you feeling the sting too?  'We must remember that the church is made up of real sinners, including ourselves.'  We all have our own ideas of what's standard but they are all with fault. Christ is our only standard to compare with and strive to be like.  1 Corinthians 1;10  ''I appeal to you, brothers and sisters, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree with one another in what you say and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be perfectly united in mind and thought.''
    May we encourage more and criticize less.  May we think less of ourselves and more for the body of Christ.  UNITY.... You n I together, yes?

It's a God Thing

     I think if you look closely enough, you can always find 'a God thing' on any trip to Walmart.  Who's with me on that theory?  Yesterday, Karla and I were headed to Walmart when we got behind the garbage truck on my street.  Well it was going up the hill at a snail's pace of 5mph when it decided to quit and die.  We were the first car behind it and a string of cars following behind us.  We could see nothing from either side.  Do we go blindly?  Every impatient car behind us passed us so we jumped in to be the caboose to the train of passing cars.  'It's a God thing' that the oncoming traffic was not there while we were all passing.
    To broaden the scope of this story.......   Sometimes in life you have to take a leap of faith or you will be paralyzed in where you are in life.  Whether it is fear or doubt in us, we must make decisions and act on them after praying for wisdom.  Take the leap and build your wings on the way down.
   The caption below illustrates what we do when we put off our old self and become a new creation in Christ.  Are you ready to make the jump?

Reminder

    Sometimes we just have to write stuff down on a list to remember what we need.  Who hasn't gone to the store to get three things, come home with ten things, but forgot one of the three you really needed?  We need reminders because we often get distracted and off focus.
    The caption above shows us 5 ways to daily hit the ground running with confidence.  God should always be first and foremost.  'A smile is a curve that sets everything straight.'  Your faith is worth more than silver or gold, invest it wisely in God above.  Love conquers all, so may the force of it be with you.  Prayer..... never underestimate it's power.
    We remember what is important to us but sometimes a reminder does us some good.  May you take these reminders with you daily.

Tomatoes

    One of the great things of summertime is homegrown tomatoes.  Yum, I love them sliced, diced and juiced.  Are they a fruit or a vegetable?  Who cares.. it's just juicy goodness from God's garden.
     Tomatoes have a special spot of their own in my memory bank.  When I was a kid, I sold tomatoes and a few other veggies down by the road in front of our house.  It was a pretty sweet business deal.  My parents grew the tomatoes, picked them, and hauled them to the road in a wheelbarrow.  Then I set them on display on my table and weighed and sold them by the pound. I borrowed my uncle's scales from across the street.  Yes, I got to keep all the money.  Kids don't know what 'overhead costs' are.. lol.  It was good practice with currency, customer service and perseverance in the heat.
      Proverbs 16;11  ''Honest scales and balances belong to the Lord; all the weights in the bag are of his making.''   Proverbs 11;1  ''The Lord detests dishonest scales, but accurate weights find favor with him.''
    May we always get what we pay for and not be fools for Satan's cheating schemes.

Puddles

What does this caption mean to you?  I love this picture but the quote has me thinking. I came up with three thoughts.

Do you survive the storms of life or remain in the puddles after they're over?  What does that mean?  We are supposed to learn from our trials but sometimes we just hang on to issues that the whole storm was about.  Sometimes we need to step away from the puddle and move on.

or..

Do you know that God will finish the good work He started in you.  We may feel as tho we just survived a testing of some sort and then we are hit with another one.  As the frog here shields himself from the majority of the rain, he will not remain completely dry.  We too have to shield ourselves with the armor of God but we will be hit and tested by the evil of the world.

or..

After the rain comes the rainbow.  Our storms are often showered by blessings.  We must realize that our storms reach beyond us and has an effect on others as well.  There is a purpose to the storm and the puddles of life.

Prayer

    Sometimes when I hear others pray out loud so eloquently, I think I wish my prayers sounded that good.  That's really not the point of prayer tho but more importantly for it to be sincere and from the heart.  Isaiah 29; 13  ''“These people come near to me with their mouth and honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me.''   God desires expressions of devotion from the heart and hates empty ritual.
   Our prayers must be genuine conversations with God.  Even when we don't have the words to express ourselves, He hears the cries of our hearts.  Isn't it good that we can come to our Father freely and at anytime for confession or just to talk?
   Psalm 17;6  ''I call on you, my God, for you will answer me; turn your ear to me and hear my prayer.''
   'Prayer is trading our worries for His wisdom, our pain for His peace and our confusion for His confidence.'

The Bigger Picture

    Crash, Boom, Bam.... is that how your day felt?  Sometimes life does feel like the school of hard knocks, doesn't it?  'At the end of the day, you can focus on what's tearing you apart or what's holding you together.'  As humans, we are so self-centered and we think the world is consistently revolving around us.  I think this caption is a good reminder of how vast God's creation plan is.  We should be humbled that we are part of that plan and that He loves us enough to care about our little problems.
    Romans 1;20  ''For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that people are without excuse.''
    If we look to the world for answers, we will be disappointed.  If we look to ourselves for answers, we will be depressed.  If we look above and to Scripture, we will be impressed and find all we need.
   He who hung the stars, also created and put you here.... is there any better Hands to be in and place your burdens in?  No, not one.

It's a God Thing

    Sometimes we can watch the news and it can be so discouraging, that we just shut it off.  Other times tho, we can hear of God's work at hand in a miracle.  The story of Kali Hardig is a definite 'God thing.'
    Who would have thought that swimming in a freshwater pool could have such lethal risks?  Kali got infected with a parasitic amoeba that attacks the brain tissue.  The doctors at ACH gave her an experimental drug that rid her spinal fluid of the amoebas.  She is one of 3 survivors to this bug and continues to make progress every day.
    The Hardig family has also shown a 'God thing' of grace in not speaking maliciously against Willow Springs park.
    God has used Kali to demonstrate His great power in love and healing to so many of us.

1 Wonderful Year

    I can't hardly believe that today marks one year that Karla has been with me as my caregiver.  Other friends have helped make my life better but as far as a consistent, daily blessing Karla has made this the best year since I moved back in 2001.  I'm happy every day she's here and there is absolutely nothing I would change.  The 'R' in Karla must stand for 'remember' because she always knows not only what I like but how I like things.  This is huge when you have to depend on someone else to do things for you.  We are so alike in our thoughts and ways that we have to be more than sisters in Christ in some way.
    They say we should praise God in the hallways of our lives.  I feel that is where I am at but it's lighted ever so brightly.  If I can't be independent nor in heaven yet, then I will dance daily in this wonderful hallway with Karla.
    God's timing was perfect in bringing her here.  Sure I could say I wish it had been 9 years earlier but it's only my selfishness to think I needed Karla more than her previous family.  God knows where we all need to be and when.  I will just cherish this past year and the days to come.
    Karla is love and is loved.  What a blessing!

Trust

    Do you know what God's most frequently used warning in the Bible is?  'Fear not.'  Worry is misplaced fear put into action.  Why do we do it?  It is hard to let go of what we can't control.  Matthew 6; 27  ''Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life?''  Worry not only eats at us but takes away our strength and peace.  ''There is nothing that wastes the body like worry, and one who has any faith in God should be ashamed to worry about anything whatsoever.''-- Mahatma Gandhi
   Our fears should be calmed knowing that God works with our best interest always in mind.  He will also finish the good work He began in us.  'I've no cause to worry or to fear.'  Sometimes we know of things destined for the future and we have to choose how to anticipate it.  We can worry until it happens, waste peaceful days and then see God work it out despite your lack of trust in Him.  Or we can lay our burden before Him in prayer, trust in His grace and accept what we never had control over to begin with.
   'Worry implies that we don't quite trust that God is big enough, powerful enough, or loving enough to take care of what's happening in our lives.'

T - Take one day at a time.
R - Remember all things work together for the good of those who love God.
U - Under no circumstances should you worry.
S - Start every day with prayer & thanksgiving.
T - The Lord will never forsake you. 

Surrender

    'The world wants our best but God wants our all.'  Yes, He wants us to surrender our will for His.  Surrender is usually associated with negative meanings but in God's eye there can be no greater victory for the soul.
     "For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me will find it." Matthew 16:25   Surrender is complete obedience to God.  One of our best examples is Noah,  who was the only man on earth at the time that pleased God.  Do we trust and obey when we face what we don't understand?  Nobody likes half-hearted effort, including God.
    'One of life's most bittersweet moments is when you finally realize you don't have it all figured out.'  'The greatness of a man's power is in the measure of his surrender.'   If we don't surrender to Christ, we will surrender to chaos and idols.
    Hitting rock bottom is one of the toughest moments in people's lives but it can be a surrendering catalyst.  We then realize we've tried everything in our own power and it's never enough.  God allows all this so that we may see our need for a Saviour more clearly.
   
All to Jesus I surrender;
All to Him I freely give;
I will ever love and trust Him,
In His presence daily live.

Pleasing Who?

   My recent reading poses the question of where our focus is.  'How much pleasure am I getting out of life?  or  How much pleasure is God getting out of my life?'  As believers we should have a mind shifted off of ourselves and onto a life lived with the kingdom in mind.
   We often think that if we just don't do anything really 'bad' then we're not living lives offensive to God.  Is that enough?  No... don't confuse activity with productivity.  Revelation 4;11  ''“You are worthy, our Lord and God,to receive glory and honor and power, for you created all things, and by your will they were created and have their being.”  Psalms 149;4 ''For the Lord takes delight in his people; he crowns the humble with victory.''
   Our lives are meant for service.  Are your activities rooted with a God driven purpose?  You can plant seeds anywhere and everywhere you go.  I think we should question our activities and the benefits of them.  We shouldn't just drudge thru another day but recognize that this is another day the Lord has made and rejoice in it.  He created us for His pleasure and we should live our lives with that in mind.


'Day by day, and with each passing moment,
Strength I find, to meet my trials here;
Trusting in my Father’s wise bestowment,
I’ve no cause for worry or for fear.
He Whose heart is kind beyond all measure
Gives unto each day what He deems best—
Lovingly, its part of pain and pleasure,
Mingling toil with peace and rest.'