Who is in Control

     Tonight we are expecting severe weather with possible tornadoes.  It is wise to be aware and prepared but not to be overly anxious about it.  What will be is in God's control.  We can take physical cover but there is no greater cover than to pray for His protection over you.
     We must remember that His control is consistent, reliable and never failing.  The earth is defined by physical laws that we count on and plan our days by.  Who makes the sun rise and set?  It's certainly not BillyBob down in some hideaway control room.  It is the Creator and Controller of all things.
      Do you still think you're in control when you sleep at night?  I can assure you that God brought you into this world and He can and will take you out one day.
      As much as we think we would like to be in control, I think it is comforting to know we are not.

For the Week

    My focus has been off lately.  They say 'don't sweat the small stuff' but that's more easily said than done.  Isn't it the little irritations of daily life that get us so worked up?  It makes me think of the song lyric 'where is the love, the love, the love?'  Well I can surely tell you, don't look to me.
    The ultimate show of love should be our focus and is found on the Cross.  Why did Jesus have to die?  We are born with a separated relationship to God because of our sin and sin nature.  Jesus was the innocent sacrifice who paid our sin debt with His blood.  There is no forgiveness without a blood sacrifice,  the Bible says.
    So when you're critical of others, remember how much it cost to forgive you.  We all fall short  and need a Savior who forgives all.

To Love

    We don't have to wait till Valentine's day to show our love, nor should we.  God tells us 'to love one another' as a direct command.  He doesn't say when the time is right or when you feel like it.  He wants love to be shown thru all our actions.  'Without love, we are just a clanging gong.'
     I'm no expert on love and have yet to meet a human that is.  So going to the Bible is the best resource for help on advice.  Above are ten ways on how we can express our love to friends, family or strangers.  If we could only remember these and apply them in our daily lives, would there be peace on earth?
     'All you need is love, love is all you need.'

Your Witness

     How would you define your witness to the world?  If a stranger could define you in five words, what would they be?  As Christians, we should be in a process of transformation of becoming more like Christ.  You should be better than you were yesterday or at least learned something from it.  We don't change that quickly, do we? 

    I want to give two examples of people I do not know but was a witness to their walk.  Our reactions to bad situations can affect our witness to others.

    The other day my dad and I were in Kohl's waiting for a worker to find the flashlights that were on sale.  Another lady was waiting on customer service too and she was fit to be tied.  Her anger was as obvious as the smoke coming out of her ears.  As we checked out, I heard the worker apologize for the problems she encountered.  The lady then said 'well I'm sorry for yelling.'   Do our problems justify the means in which we get them solved?  No, Jesus never threw a hissy fit.

     Back during my cruising days, I was driving down Camp Robinson but looking backwards at some cute guys.  I totally rear ended the car in front of me.  It was totally my fault and I was ready for a blame-filled, tongue lashing.  The man got out and I let him speak first...maybe, hopefully I said I'm sorry first.  He looked at the cars and said, 'I don't see any damage.'  Are you sure?  We agreed no harm, no foul and I high-tailed it out of there for the night.  Being in the right doesn't always justify retribution but forgiveness pays off a greater reward.

     May your witness to the world be the same as the one you want it to be in your heart and mind.

Winter

     Yes, I know it is January and this cold weather is to be expected.  I don't have to like it but just endure it.  This too shall pass, however so slowly it seems.  The temperature today is lower than my age so it's going to take a fire or a really good sale to get me out of the house.  I don't like to bundle up because it interferes with my ability to move.
     We can endure, tolerate and survive through more than we think we can.  My two years living in the Chicago area is proof of that.  I thought I was a frozen dead woman walking up there in the land of no sweet tea.
     I feel for the homeless, both human and animals, on days like these.  Be sure to be thankful for the things we often take for granted...heat, power, shelter, warm clothing and security.

It's a God Thing

   
    Are you aware of God's protection over you all the time?  I saw a sticker on a car the other day that said 'Faith 247'.  It took me a minute for me to realize that it meant that their faith was 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.  It is in the moments that we didn't even realize we were vulnerable, that we can thank Him for the never failing protection He provides.
     In 1993, we moved from Dallas, TX to DeKalb, IL.  At the time, we had a brown boat of a car and a sportscar.  With the use of a Uhaul tow bar, we towed the sportscar.  We stayed overnight in Little Rock to visit and rest halfway.  We headed out the next day for the long drive and the less than desirable destination of the land of the frigid.  We stopped in a town [I can't remember the name] in Illinois about 3 or 4 hours short of our destination.  When we stopped to park, the tow bar hitch fell off the car.  Whoa, that was the 'God thing' moment of protection for us and others on the road.  What if it had come off while going 65mph down the highway?  You can just imagine the horrific possibilities.  Even tho it was hard for me, God gave me the strength to drive the car the rest of the way.  We weren't about to trust that tow bar again.
     There is no greater or safer place to be than in God's protective hands.

Praying for the President

    As Christians, we must accept the leaders that represent us in government.  God has allowed them to have  authority in their position.  We can, however, pray for them.
    President Obama claims with his mouth to be a Christian but yet his actions speak otherwise.  I'll let God be the judge of that because He knows the heart.
    I hear it often said 'We need to pray for our President and leaders.'  I also know we are to be specific in our prayers.  I found the following list on how to pray for the President on intouch.org.  I hope our prayers speak louder than our votes.

1. Realize his personal sinfulness and daily need of God’s cleansing power.

2. Recognize his personal inadequacy for the task and therefore depend upon the Lord.

3. Reject all counsel that violates spiritual principles and then trust the Lord to validate him.

4. Resist pressure from individuals or special interest groups that would have him act in violation of his conscience or godly principles.

5. Work at reversing our country’s trends toward socialism and humanism, both of which dethrone the Lord and deify man.

6. Be ready to forsake his political career and personal ambition for the best interest of the nation.

7. Rely upon the Word of God as his source of strength and key to success.

8. Bring dignity, honor, trustworthiness, and righteousness to the office of the presidency.

9. Be a good example, especially to the fathers and sons of the nation.

10. Be reminded daily that he is accountable to Almighty God for his attitudes, actions, and motivations while in office.

Right to Life

    God creates life and God ends life.  Anyone that interferes with either, commits murder.  Today was the March for Life walk here in Arkansas.  The unborn babies need a voice to speak for their right to live.  I think the woman's 'right to choose' ends with prevention.  After that, your choice is the chance you took to change your life.  Every life is a blessing and irreplaceable.
    Psalm 139:13  'For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb.'

Till Tomorrow?

     Which do you prefer?  'Don't do today, what you can put off till tomorrow.' or 'Don't put off till tomorrow, what you can get done today.'  Well that depends on what it is, right?  Is it a priority to you or an eye sore that bothers you?  There are some things that can be delayed but eventually it will all catch up with you.  Like the dishes, you can refuse to wash them but soon there won't be a clean dish in the house.. your time is up.
     Our lives are on the clock and we don't know when the alarm will sound.  Are you prepared?  The decision to believe in God's only Son is one that many people foolishly think they can delay.  Tomorrow is not promised to us, but yet we so often take it for granted.
     My eternal future is secure in the One who paid my debt for me.  You can't pay it yourself so start today in trusting the One who has prepared the way for you.

What We See

     Perspective is how we see things.  Is it always right?  No, of course not.  We are biased, influenced and tainted.  I think it is interesting to hear someone else's comments on the same thing I just heard or saw.  It can open my eyes or ears to something I totally missed.
    Negativity can become a bad habit.  'You must learn a new way to think before you can master a new way to be.'  Do we look for the good in things or the troublesome parts?  I think life is like a rose, it has thorns so we will handle it with care and still get the beauty out of it.
    How do you turn a negative into a positive?  It's as simple as math, add positivity. -1 plus 2=1  So for every negative comment you hear, counter them with two things on the bright side.
    May you see the bright side of the ugliest days and share it with those who need glasses.

Christmas Recital Songs

'Bring the Rain' by Mercy Me

'Behold The Lamb'

It's a God Thing

    In May of 1989, I came home early from school one day not feeling well.  As I lay on the couch, my fever climbed and I got progressively worse very quickly.  My parents took me to the ER at Memorial Baptist Hospital.  It was there that I was admitted to the hospital with my first bout of pneumonia.  [I do not remember most of the rest of this story so this is my mom's recollection of events.]  I could not go to sleep and yet I was so tired.  At about 2am, the nurses or doctor decided to give me a little bit of oxygen.  I went to sleep immediately.  After about 30 minutes, my mom had a feeling that she should wake me up to check on me.  This was the 'God thing' moment because she should've been asleep herself and she had no cause, other than the feeling, to wake me up.  Normally, I wake up at the slightest noise or interruption.  This was not the case here.  My mom pushed the nurse call button as she struggled to get me awake.  When I did come to, my eyes were rolled back in my head.  I tried to talk but couldn't and whatever I did say made no sense.  The nurse ran in and then out to get help.  By the time they came back, I was coming around.  They removed the oxygen and the next morning the doctor drained over a liter of fluid off my lungs.
     So what happened?  We breathe in oxygen and breathe out carbon dioxide.  Because of the neuromuscular disease, I don't breathe out sufficiently to get rid of the carbon dioxide and that leads to poisoning.  Carbon dioxide build up puts you to sleep and turns off your body's natural response to wake up.  It's very dangerous.  The oxygen level in your blood will be fine but without a blood gases check of your blood, it can go unnoticed.  It can cause brain damage or death without intervention.
     So don't ignore your gut feelings, it could be God nudging you.  The results could be life-saving.

Trust and Proof

     I lived in the 'Show Me' state, Missouri, for six years.  Show me is our desire to see the proof in the pudding.  I think the world is so fallen that trust has to be earned with proof so that you can trust in something.
    When we start out as babies, we are helpless and have to trust our parents.  With time, we are shown their love for us.  We don't come out of the womb with a check of their resume to see if they're qualified.
    I think God knew our show-me thoughts and provided a form of proof thru the Bible.  We must not just study the Bible but apply it and trust will grow.  So often tho, we are like the Israelites.  We grumble, God provides, then we forget the blessing, and doubt Him in the next trial.
   We are not just sinners but helpless sinners.  There is nothing we can do on our own, ie. good works, to save ourselves.  We must trust in the Savior who was sent to be our only help.  Your life is proof He cares for you but does your life prove you care for Him?

Service

    We have all received bad or no service at a restaurant or a store. We complain with  ''Isn't there anyone working here that can help me?''  We want others to be there and do for us, especially when it's their job.  Patiently waiting is a rare quality in the human race.

    Isn't it our job to work for the Kingdom?  Is God patiently waiting for you to get started?  The song is true, 'there is joy, joy, joy in serving Jesus.'  There is such a rewarding feeling that comes from helping another soul.

    Right now the men from my church are in Mexico helping build apartments for the Camp Berea outreach program. Yes, it requires time off work, volunteer labor and costly supplies.  When you ask God to 'make me a servant', then you do it willingly with the right heart.  You don't grumble and say 'oh what's this going to involve.'

    'Do unto others as you'd have them do to you.'  Putting yourself in the place of others in your mind will help you see their need and spark your heart to fill that need.

Listen Up

     Our minds are often very forgetful and yet are very good at playing our own thoughts over and over. We do a good job at reaffirming ourselves, despite any contradiction. God doesn't speak to us like he did with those in the Bible but He does have His ways.  The Holy Spirit is one way and can guide us, if we listen.
     I think 'Yes, but' is often our response even when we do hear Him.  We want to do things in our own way, instead of His.  We think a little modification will still be within the boundaries but that's not true.  Cain thought his offering from the ground was close enough to what God asked for.  No, it had to be an offering that was a blood sacrifice and that's why Abel's offering was pleasing and acceptable to God.
     Go to the Scriptures to reaffirm your thoughts.  You could be right or you could be wrong, prove it to yourself.

My Wishes

    My wishes are my prayers for you today and always.  Sometimes all you can do for someone else is pray for them.  If you know a prayer warrior, I recommend getting on their list and becoming one yourself.
    There is great joy in praying for others.  You may see the results without them even knowing it was an answered prayer.  It also takes your focus off yourself, which is a good thing.
    You will be blessed when you ask for others to be blessed.  It's a win-win situation.

Trust God

    Are you a worry wart?  Worry is like a rocking chair, it gives you something to do but gets you no where. I've never known anything to change because I worried about it.  Now turning my worries into prayers is a different story.
    Do you trust God to take care of your problems?  Many would say yes but I think our doubts arise from whether we will find His solution to our liking.  If I ask, will He provide what I want and the way I want it?  We have to ask and trust 'according to His will', not our own.
    Abraham surely didn't like the idea of sacrificing his only son, but he trusted God's word completely.  Abraham's life of faith was lived without an acceptable factor to him but one of trust in God's word and promises.
Matthew 6:34  '' Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.''
 
 

Both Wrong

    I am reading a book this year called 'The Stranger on the Road to Emmaeus.'  It brought up something I had overlooked.  Where was Adam when the serpent talked to Eve?  I had just assumed that he was in the garden of Eden somewhere but that she was alone.  The Bible says differently, 'he was with her.'  Eve gets most of the blame even tho it's referred to as Adam's curse or fall.  Genesis 3;6  ''When the woman saw that the fruit of the tree was good for food and pleasing to the eye, and also desirable for gaining wisdom, she took some and ate it. She also gave some to her husband, who was with her, and he ate it.''
    So instead of playing the blame game, we should recognize that they were both guilty of disobeying God.  They both doubted God's word. We often want to put the blame somewhere else for our own transgressions.  It's easier that way than taking responsibility.  Free will makes it so that we are not controlled robots so therefore we alone are responsible for our sinful choices.  Yes, we all sin and are with a sinful nature but we will each face judgement alone.

It's a God Thing

    With so many people sick right now, I thought a blog post on one of the many times God has been there for me during an illness would be appropriate.  It confirms the three characteristics that He alone has... all-knowing, all powerful, and ever-present.
    When I was married, we lived in an apartment in Naperville, IL during 1994-95.  Sometime during that winter I got the stomach flu.  I've never had a case of it so bad and hope to never again.  I was home alone and went to our second bathroom off the kitchen.  I was sitting on the commode with my head on the vanity and feeling pretty awful.  Without knowing it, I passed out.  When I came to, everything looked strange and I didn't know where I was at.  I soon realized I was upside down in the bathtub and looking up at the under side of the tub's spout.  My shoe was caught on the corner of the vanity and I was still on the toilet.  Yes, both an uncomfortable and panic moment.  I can't remember exactly, but I think I wiggled my foot loose to get unstuck.  I'm still in the bathtub on my head.  My 'its a God thing' moment was that I used the shower curtain and rod to pull myself up and out of there.  We all know how flimsy those are so I know He gave both me and the curtain strength at the needed time.  I can also say 'its a God thing' that I didn't bust my head open during the fall.  After all this, I made it to the phone and Marc came home.  We spent the next few days suffering the virus together.
     We will suffer through sickness in this world but we are never alone.  He is there, He knows, and He provides the strength needed to get thru it.

One, Two... and Three?

     Okay so I can do the first two things in this caption with no problem, but the third does just about kill me at times.  Giving grace is not my specialty.  'Always be kinder than you feel' is a good starting place.  You may feel irritated by a mistake someone made but if we remember our own faults then a little grace will soften your blow.
    Now I'm not gracious like Princess Diana or Grace Kelly either.  I think I was in dance class for about two weeks before the teacher recommended that I switch to baton class.  Some of us just don't have the genes to walk on air but instead we stumble thru the best we can.
   'His grace is greater than your sins.'  There is no limit on what the grace of God can cover.  'His grace is sufficient.'  He will not take you further than His grace will carry you.  It is an amazing grace.