Difficult Day

His will / my will


His direction / my waywardness

His timing / my anxiety

His purpose/ me, me, me

“It’s not about me.” The famous line from Purpose Driven Life by: Rick Warren.

Such a common phrase, but how many of us can say that we practice it to the fullest? How much sacrifice goes into serving God? Didn’t I give Him 30 minutes this morning while I drank my coffee? Oh yeah, and I sang praise music in my car. But then, well, the world became busy with so many distractions. The only thoughts I gave to God were when I screamed, “Hurry up and help me through this day!” Sure, after work or school I will get in my car and the music will sooth me, but is that same praise music now for me or to lift up God? I mean I have had a hectic day, don’t I deserve to relax? After all, once I get home I will be in a better mood to talk to God. Yikes, the dogs need a bath, supper needs cooked, the house is a mess. I’ll get to you soon God. The night falls, I collapse into bed with a mumbled good night to the One who gave me this day.

If you can relate to this, I encourage you, as well as myself, to focus on God and allow Him to be the center of all areas of our lives. Then perhaps our days wouldn’t be so consumed by the world.

God bless!

Recognizing the difference between works and busyness is an ongoing challenge for me. Busyness is when I do what I think God wants me to do with my life and hope it honors Him. Works are performed by an acquired obedience to the One I truly desire to serve and through submission I know it honors His Holy Name: Jesus.

Will you be a fossil?

Another month nearly gone, another day has begun, another minute has just past, another opportunity to serve our Savior is at hand. Will we let it pass unnoticed? How will we impact the world? My son found a fossil in the yard. I was fascinated that the markings of the past, were so vivid in the present. I began considering the future, how will I leave an ongoing mark? What will my legacy become?




At nearly 40 years old, I see how my past has good and bad consequences on those around me and myself. My sin had been hurtful, yet brilliant warnings of bad choices. Lessons learned by watching another’s mistakes is an amazing wisdom. Lessons learned by my own mistakes has brought upon a painful knowledge. However, lessons learned by communication with God has brought me to an understanding that true wisdom and knowledge comes from Him!



How will your life impact the choices others make? What do you see when you look in the mirror? How deeply do those around you see? Are they stopping at skin-deep? I doubt it. Even a stranger notices personality, attitude, and body language before they notice the color of your eyes, the wrinkles forming around your mouth, or the choice of shoes you are wearing.



I just encourage you (as well as myself) to face each moment as a chance to show off our amazing Savior. Do you reveal Him to others by your lifestyle? What impression will you leave on the world? Who will find remains of your spirituial fossil? What will they discover about the life you lived?

Indescribable blessing…

Indescribable blessing…



I have spent the last five years of my life journaling, jotting thoughts on napkins, stopping in traffic to scribble a thought on a receipt found in the floor board of my car. Writing is what I enjoy. Throughout those five years, I have managed to compile a forty chapter book. My hard working editor explained how I needed to begin writing the back cover of my book.
No problem, I mean at the max two paragraphs … how difficult can that be? After all, my book is about God’s transforming power, strength, forgiveness, and love. While in turn it first takes you through my degrading lifestyle of sin and how I was bound by defeat. I wrote my small “sermon” and sent it to the editor. In her loving boldness, she scolded me! She asked, “Who are you writing this for Christians or lost people?” She encouraged me to relate to those still bound.


Hard as I tried, much as I prayed … those once familiar feelings of defeat were so far from my heart and mind that words could not describe the death I once felt. I cried, I read over my own book, I read journals from when I detoxified, I recalled the first hug I felt from my children I abandon, I imagined sitting on the plastic cot behind bars yet nothing could bring back those emotions of hopelessness.


Had God blessed me so much that not even my memories could defeat me? Oh yes, He has renewed my mind, restored my family and remolded me after reaching down in the miry clay and saving His lost daughter! Not only is my past beyond description to me now, but also the way God blesses me is indescribable!!!


Thank You Jesus.

Questions anyone?

To search, is that the same as wondering with action behind your thoughts? Regret, is that to live in the past instead of move forward in life? No matter the question why do some answer with a positive remark while others can only focus on the negative? What makes the human race so different?  Why is it you can destroy an ant hill and yet they just work hard to rebuild ... not give up and bake in the sun?  When the wind blows do you enjoy the coolness on your face or fuss because it messes up your hair?  Do you think a fish ever gets tired of water? So why is it so many are feedup with their surroundings?  How can a bird build a nest out of dead twigs and leaves that have floated to the ground, yet humans aren't happy with their cozy homes?  Life has so many unanswered questions, so many different people but only one Savior.  If you haven't answered the question of where will you go when you die ... well, then do the questions about this life really matter?

FRIENDSHIP

I have recently had the awesome opportunity to reunite with an old friend. After the shock wore off, it was like the twenty years never separated us. At nearly forty, I have a difficult time remembering the names of many childhood playmates. However, even as a teenager, there were people I vowed I’d never forget. Then time goes by, I may recall a face or even a name but there is something missing. Yes, that giggly feeling that made us pals has evaporated into days gone by. Strangely, I cannot put my finger on what exactly I liked about that person or what we could have had in common. That must define an acquaintance.
A person I am sure I thought was funny or nice, but why did I label him or her a friend? I think the test may come when time ticks on and on, thou you lose contact the memories are vivid. For one to find a friend in life is a treasure that needs not be buried. Webster defines a friend as: one attached to another by affection or esteem. Wow! That must be that giggly feeling I have each time I hear my friends voice. The many changes that surround ones life cannot change the impact a friend has on another. As I reminisce, it is clear to me why this person became my friend. I can hear laughter of old times, muse over time spent together, and ask all the “what ifs”. I don’t resent the many years spent apart, but yet I rejoice over the opportunity to hug my friend once more. To laugh, share, and know the true meaning of a friend.

Proverbs 17:17a   A friend loves at all times ...

Smile!

Life is not meant to be so fun!!! Seriously you see people in cars, in the store, walking down the sidewalk, and 90% of the them are not smiling :) Come on people are our cheek muscles that out of shape?  I have been unemployed for 3 weeks, the bills come and go,  my children still desire to eat, and yet I find it a joy to wear a smile.  My joy comes from the Lord.  Won't you allow Him to brighten your day? 

Reality:  Life is hard.

Exception:  Life is better lived for the Giver of Life.

You know,  we will always have problems that don't have solutions, so why not just be okay with accepting some Peace while you endure life's hardship.  It is okay,  go ahead grin (and bear it!) 

Change, good or bad?

Is all change bad? I think not. I have had the opportunity to manage a Christian Bookstore for the last three years. I feel it has been my boot camp to learn to witness to any and every one that has a need. No matter the circumstance, prayer, or praise I became a stranger’s friend. Whether the customer was a repeat or first timer, a Christian or a lost person, a male or female and no matter the race I became ears that listened. Recently there has been a change, God allowed that door to shut, I now see God blessed me with that season for a reason. For the last couple of weeks I have been unemployed and have been overwhelmed with the opportunities to witness to a dying world. I have this hunger, responsibility, and passion to tell others about our awesome Savior! I have been sad about not ministering to my daily customers, but I have found a new joy in taking my training to the streets. Most lost people don’t linger in Christian Bookstores, now I can go to them where ever they are. I find myself striking up conversations at gas pumps, grocery lines, and doctor office waiting rooms. What an awesome God we serve!!! Will you tell somebody or pass up that lost soul? Just wear a shirt that says, “I am okay with the fact that you are going to hell.” That may seem harsh, but that is what your silence says. God bless you in your journey today.