My Christmas Spirit

If you ask anyone who knows me they will tell you I am a pretty genuine person!  If I say something I mean it.  If I am your friend you can depend on me.  But if I am your friend I may need to depend on you!  That’s how friendship works, any relationship really.  It’s give and take.  I talk you listen, you talk I listen!  It’s a marvelous concept and works well actually.  My earthly relationships work  so well that when I was in that big black hole last year, I had no other choice but to treat God the same way.  I was taking, taking, taking.  It was my turn to talk, talk, talk.  And he listened, listened, listened!  What an amazing feeling to pour out all your troubles to someone who you now loves you no matter what you say!  And it’s like you are having coffee and you are chatting and the waitress keeps coming back to top it off.  But you know how it is when you are out with a friend having coffee and you get that feeling that someone is waiting on your table or your kids or husbands are waiting at home on you to do something!  Well when I talk to God I have His full attention and our cup of coffee has been getting topped off for a long time now!  Our table is reserved for just us!  So just like any good friendship I have to take my turn!  It’s my turn to listen and the things I hear are amazing!  How I hear them?  You will probably think a little unconventional, definitely not God like!  But He created ALL things.  And trust me if He created it, He can talk through it and work through it!  A friend had shared a song with me on Thanksgiving Day.  A beautiful song, but the most amazing thing was that a 10 yr old girl is singing it! She sounds like she is 30.  So yesterday I am with my sister braving the elements of Black Friday which is kind of funny because the title of the song was Dark Waltz! Anyway, she decides to get a haircut so I say cool I am gonna sit in this other chair and put my head phones in while they do hair!  I look this little girl up on YouTube and watch her amazing woman voice come out of her tiny child body; The Dark Waltz.   Then that peaks my curiosity.  What else has she sang! So as I look for more I see where she sings with a famous opera singer.  I begin to listen to it!  So beautiful the voices that take the notes to an octave that I can only dream of.  But then I begin to hear past the angelic voice and “hear” the lyrics, “Time To Say Goodbye”.  I feel just a little tug at my heart and say OK enough of THAT song, NEXT!  Meanwhile Rita and her hairdresser are all this and that with a snip here and a snip there, like ¼ inch is really going to matter?  But Hello!  I do the good sister thing and give her a thumbs up, take off the head phones and tell them, “wonderful, looks good!”  Back with the head phones.  So I go back to YouTube and you all know if you pull up one child singer with a famous person you will get 10,000!  So here is another child singing with Celine Dion.  Beautiful again!  Singing for her mother who is there with her as she sings!  As the song ends once again I feel that tug at my heart as I listen to the lyrics, “Because You Loved Me”

“You were my strength when I was weak, You were my voice when I couldn’t speak, you were my eyes when I couldn’t see you saw the best there was in me.  Lifted me up when I couldn’t reach you gave me faith cause you believed, I’m everything I am because you loved me.

You were always there for me, the tender wind that carried me.  A light in the dark shining your love into my life, you’ve been my inspiration through the lies you were the truth.  My world is a better place because of you!  I’m everything I am because You loved me! 

I raise my head up as the tears start to sting my eyes and Rita and her hair dresser are still in “hair mode”.    Tuck it here, snip it there!  Trivial things!  But yet, still necessary every day moments that we call life!  Yes God talks to me through YouTube!  Just as sure as he talks to me in church on Sunday morning, He was talking to me through those songs!  Telling me, Yes, it’s time to say goodbye but not SADLY!  Say goodbye GLADLY!  I can say goodbye because he loved me!  Danny was my everything and I will carry him with me every day I go forward! He was my encourager, my inspiration, my eyes, my voice, my strength, the wind that carried me!  And yes my world is a better place because of him.  And not only my world but so many others!  God handpicked those songs for me to hear at that moment so that I could say goodbye.  I struggle with the whole “Christmas Spirit” thing!  I don’t like Christmas because that was Danny’s time!  He loved everything about it.  The excitement, the surprised, the wonder of it all!  The children, those young in age and young at heart!  Since he passed I just can’t find my Christmas spirit.  In December 2011 I bought a book called “The Spirit of Christmas”.  A childrens book complete with illustrations!  Because I knew in my heart this would be his last Christmas.  I never read it.  Didn’t want to!  And I was right, it was his last Christmas!  But this book has something for me!  I just don’t know what!  So I sat this book on a shelf in my Living Room!  It stays there all year!  Every season!  It has been there for 2 years, never moved, never opened, never read.  Last Sunday as I go to Jacob’s room to wake him up for church this book falls out of its spot that it has been for 2 years right in front of me!  So I pick it up and yes, acknowledge God with the fact that He put that before me!  “OK God, I get it!  I need to read the book!”  So I take it with me to church and I find time to read it between worship service and play practice.  I squeeze it in my schedule!  But that’s it!  I didn’t want to give it too much time because I knew there was something in there for me!  Well after I read it, I was like, “yeah nice” Christmas Spirit!  I know I need it!  But knowing it and getting it are two different things!  So after the Celine Dion song and trying to hold back the tears I take my head phones off and say alright God, enough of that today!  I came here to shop!  When I step back into reality of the beauty shop, Rita is almost finishing up.  Of course there is music playing inside the shop!  Back to the relationship with God, it’s still my turn to listen, listen, listen!  We are still topping off that cup of coffee!  Just because I said ENOUGH, didn’t mean He was finished talking.  And I have to listen!  After all He listened to me!  So the song playing as I fight back my tears and feel my heart breaking all over again is Faith Fill singing “Where Are You Christmas?”  You know God has to get that last word in!  He is telling me, “yes, it’s ok to say goodbye to Danny because he loved you so much that’s what he wanted for you!”  To move on and be happy!  And above all he wants me to find “My Christmas” not his Christmas spirit; he wants me to find my Christmas spirit!  So I jump out of my chair and tell them I have to get out of there before I cry all over the place and of course they have no idea what’s been going on in my chair!  Had no clue God was pouring it all over me!  So I go out to wait for Rita to finish up and there by the jewelry store I see a necklace with a cross-not just any necklace but the new style, a sideways cross!  Then I say, nice!  No sooner do I say that, turn around and a lady passes right in front of me with that very necklace on.  That sideways cross!  And it’s like ding ding ding ding!  THAT’S my Christmas Spirit!  It’s not the excitement or surprise!  It’s not the lights or tinsel! Not even the presents or the food!  As I read the book, The Christmas Spirit, yet again, right now, this is what it tells me about The Christmas Spirit!

He spoke to me then in a whisper of wings.  “There are gentle things the season brings.”  Snow that lies silent.  As quiet as a mouse. And all roads that lead to your grandmother’s house.  Ten lords – a leaping as seven swans swim.  And of course, Santa Claus, I’m just getting to him!  I lifted my chin and stared up at the ceiling.  I still wasn’t getting that warm Christmas feeling.  That’s when the spirit of Christmas smiled.  “Remember, this all began with a child.  Because it took nothing but love to begin it, it’s not really Christmas if love isn’t in it.”  Your tree may be large as the room will allow with a big yellow star on the uppermost bough, but of one thing I’m certain, I’m sure of one thing.  It is love that makes the angels sing.  And that’s when I got it.  That’s when I knew!  The thing that was missing from Christmas was you!                          Nancy Tillman, “The Spirit of Christmas”

Psalm 39:7

But now, Lord, what do I look for?  My hope is in you.

That’s my Christmas spirit!  My hope is in Christ Jesus who came to earth as a baby to give us a hope and a future!  But it doesn’t stop there, No!  He walked upon this earth just as we do, talked to his heavenly father, just as we do, and he worked all manner of miracles!  But even that wasn’t enough!  He loved, loved, loved!  He loved us so much He died for us!

John 3:16 (KJV)

¹⁶ For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

That’s my Christmas spirit!  So I may not have a tree with sparkling lights.  I may not have presents under the tree.  I won’t have a wreath on my door but I will have Jesus in my heart and that’s my Christmas spirit! 

My prayer and hope for each of you is that you find “your” Christmas spirit just as I found mine!  And while you are finding your Christmas spirit take just a few moments to find Jesus and let Him fill your heart!  Trust me; it’s the greatest gift of all!  And it will be the start of a beautiful friendship and an “endless cup of coffee”!

Merry Christmas!

 

Reminded: from emily

Things are different, but they're also the same.

Just when I think I'm lost in newness and change and loss, things happen that are just familiar enough to remind me. Of what I'm reminded I'm not exactly sure. But I am reminded.

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A wood stove with a fire in it, a pan of bread sitting on the table, and an old Bible laid open on the counter.

A new garage covered in old license plates and that sawdust smell that never changes.

A sweet old man with a big belt buckle that I've never met who thanks me for the wrapped up plate of food and gives me a hug and it's like I've known him all of my life.

Visiting a family I have known all of my life. His suspenders are bright red and I barely notice the oxygen he's wearing. She's tiny, but she hugs me tight and she's so much like my Grandma that I have to swallow the lump in my throat. So many hugs all around, and another wood stove. While I'm there, she and I pick up right where we left off, like always. We laugh and roll our eyes and it's like we're 13 again.

Praying around the table. Chex mix, mashed potatoes, and stuffing. Stories of when I learned to read the word 'neighbor'.

Visiting another couple I've known forever. They're a lot frailer than I remember but they want to know all about school and about the new buildings in Morgantown. He begins to list all the weddings that he can remember that have ever happened at our church and she chimes in every little bit. More hugs.

New babies and little boys and cousins. Sneaking M&Ms and looking out the window at the dog. Those cookies with the hershey kisses stuck in the middle.

Ravioli from a can and Heiner's bread.

Songs they sang and recorded in 1960. One is about a great speckled bird and the rest are about Jesus.  At the beginning of one they say a little message for him in the army. At the beginnings of all the others, they are shushing several kids.

Long talks sitting on the big bed. Old quilts and new boots.

Going to the hospital (that I've been to a million times) to visit another man that I don't know. More hugs, more thanks, more like I've known them forever.

Even Wal-Mart. Can't go there without seeing at least 14 people you know.

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I am thankful for many things, but today, right now, I'm thankful that He reminds me. When I forget, when I feel lost and uncertain, He wraps me up in familiar things and lets me know that no matter where I am or what the circumstances, I am home.

Out of Control

In our society today everything is about control.  We are in control of every aspect of our life.  Modern technology sees to that!  On our smart phone we can control our TV programming from across the nation!  We can pay our bills while sitting in traffic.  Thanks to Spotify and Pandora we even have control of our radio!  Gone are the days when we listened to what the radio DJ played.  We pick which songs, what order, and when we want to hear them- We Control!  While control is good, do we allow Christ in?  Do people see Him in everything we do?  Because if you don’t see Christ in what I am controlling then I am in BAD need of a tune up!

Philippians 1:27-28(NIV)

²⁷ Whatever happens, conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ. Then, whether I come and see you or only hear about you in my absence, I will know that you stand firm in the one Spirit, striving together as one for the faith of the gospel ²⁸ without being frightened in any way by those who oppose you. This is a sign to them that they will be destroyed, but that you will be saved—and that by God

And I hope someone gives me a clue.  Because I am here to tell ya!  Sometimes I just don’t have a clue!  That’s where my friends and family come in.  God gives us accountability partners. Some folks require more than one!  Hello!  That’s me!  I am a lot of work people and I am not ashamed to tell it!  God wants to do something with me and He is cleaning up a big mess so it’s gonna take a big crew!  Gods PIT crew!  Just when I think I have everything under control! I am rolling along doing what I think He wants me to do and BAM  He changes gears and sometimes He fills me so full with His spirit, I literally bounce off the walls!  Gives a whole new meaning to ADHD!  It’s like I try to control myself but when I pray I sometimes forget that, Yes, He answers!  So Sunday morning I prayed, “Lord just fill me so full of your spirit I am running over with it!”  Well do you know what?  And don’t be surprised, hold on to your britches, but HE DID!

Psalm 37:4 (NIV)

⁴ Take delight in the Lord,
and he will give you the desires of your heart

God knows my heart and right now He is the only one!  Danny was the only person that knew my heart.  Knew it even better than me!  I have prayed and prayed and prayed!  And one day I noticed Oh my goodness, He is listening.  Just when I thought He had given up on me, He was right there waiting for me to finish pouring out my heart!  He waited until I got the whole thing empty!  He wanted it all!  And then I noticed He started filling it back up.  Little by little He took over until one day- this past Sunday- I noticed I was completely out of control!  But the great thing about that was while I was out of control, God was in control!  And oh my, what a feeling!  It’s better than any drug or alcohol high you could ever get!  I couldn’t sit still in my seat, I wanted to meet and greet and just shine for Jesus!  As we sang each song I just knew God was hanging on every note to hear “Oh How We Love”!

 

Colossians 3:16 (NIV)

¹⁶ Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts.

God is just so good and I know He wants us to have control over our lives, but He wants us to know that when we feel that control slipping we have to turn to Him.  We have to say, OK I know I can’t do this but you can!

Matthew 19:26 (NIV)

²⁶ Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.”

As much as I like having control over my situations in my life, I like giving Him the control so much more!  Because I can’t take care of the messes that I make, but He can!  And when I give Him control and let Him drive me around, WOW!  I don’t have to think about things, I just DO!

Philippians 4:13 (NIV)

¹³ I can do all this through him who gives me strength.

I just go and do!  I don’t even make plans anymore.  I literally say, OK God what are we gonna do today?  Where do you want me to go?  How can I help YOU today!  And it never fails, when I give Him the control of my life and follow him wherever, I always receive a blessing.  I always receive far above and beyond anything I could’ve imagined to even ask for.

Ephesians 3:20-21 (NIV)

²⁰ Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, ²¹ to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever! Amen.

God wants us to ask Him to take over our lives, not because He likes control, but because He knows what’s best for us.  He knows how the story ends!  He just wants to help us get there!  I am so glad I have learned His voice and even more thankful that I not only hear it but that I let Him have the control!  After having the control for 47 years and seeing what “I” did, and looking at what He has done with the control after 1 year?!  I am sold!  I am a slow learner when it comes to some things but you don’t have to tell this old girl twice when it comes to allowing the Holy Spirit to have His way!

God has a perfect plan for us.  He never does it all at once just step by step because He wants to teach us to “walk by faith” not by sight.    Anonymous

He is teaching me to walk all over again.  Just as if I was a baby crawling and have just turned toddler age!  I am starting to walk and just as a baby feels like a whole new world has been opened up to them, that’s how I feel!  With Heaven in my view, I can do anything with Christ by my side!  Me out of control= God in control!  Lord, when I forget, help me to remember your promise!

Isaiah 54:10 (NIV)

¹⁰ Though the mountains be shaken
and the hills be removed,
yet my unfailing love for you will not be shaken
nor my covenant of peace be removed,”
says the Lord, who has compassion on you.

He has been faithful to me in so many ways!  I know each of you can tell the same stories of His faithfulness, because that’s just who He is!  He is all powerful and can handle anything we dish out!  He wants us to dish it out to Him.  He wants all of our story!

Proverbs 15:23 (NIV)

²³ A person finds joy in giving an apt reply—
and how good is a timely word!

Then after we given Him the story we will give Him the control and He will give us something beautiful!  A fairytale if you will!  Yes I believe Jesus believes in fairytales!  After all the greatest fairytale of all will be when we reach Heaven and look upon His face and know we have an eternity to spend basking in the love of my Lord and Savior!  Now THAT’S a fairytale!

Happy Thanksgiving Y’all!

Our daily bread: Christmas edition

Grandpa's Tree  When I first saw the twisted Christmas tree, I wished Grandpa were alive to fix it. He could make any tree beautiful. No matter how bad it looked when we gave it to him, it was beautiful when he gave it back. He would get out his saws and clippers and begin cutting and shaping. When he was done, the tree looked as if it had been grown in a greenhouse where a caring gardener had watered, pruned, and protected it from storms, drought, and nasty bugs. Then Grandpa would turn the tree over to the rest of the family to finish the job. We added lights, ornaments, and garland, and the imperfect tree was ready for a perfect celebration. What a transformation!  Life is like that crooked tree. Each of us comes to God bent and misshapen from the effects of sin. But when we put our faith in Christ as Savior, God lovingly begins His work in us, transforming us from the inside out (Philippians 1:6). Then He puts us into the care of His family, the church, and they continue His work by adding the lights of truth (Ephesians 4:15), the ornaments of encouragement (2 Timothy 4:2), and the garlands of love (1 Peter 4:8). What teamwork! The message of Grandpa’s tree is this: Under God’s loving care, a life marred by sin can become beautiful! —JULIE ACKERMAN LINK What sin has twisted, God’s grace can straighten. Philippians 1:1-11 Ephesians 4:15 2 Timothy 4:2 Philippians 1:1-11 NIV 1 Paul and Timothy, servants of Christ Jesus,  To all God’s holy people in Christ Jesus at Philippi, together with the overseers and deacons :  2 Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.  Thanksgiving and Prayer  3 I thank my God every time I remember you. 4 In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy 5 because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now, 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.  7 It is right for me to feel this way about all of you, since I have you in my heart and, whether I am in chains or defending and confirming the gospel, all of you share in God’s grace with me. 8 God can testify how I long for all of you with the affection of Christ Jesus.  9 And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, 10 so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless for the day of Christ, 11 filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ—to the glory and praise of God. Mark this reading as completed on YouVersion Ephesians 4:15 NIV 15 Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will grow to become in every respect the mature body of him who is the head, that is, Christ. Mark this reading as completed on YouVersion 2 Timothy 4:2 NIV 2 Preach the word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage—with great patience and careful instruction.  20 Erastus stayed in Corinth, and I left Trophimus sick in Miletus.

Ralph and Vivian Treadway

http://youtu.be/-0geNXTeJFQ

Ignited

Ignited

I stand amazed!  Every day-every second, every minute of every day.  When I look around me I am amazed.  This morning I look out my window and see the beautiful breath taking sunrise God has given us!  God knows all of the woods are going to be filled with those eager hunters in their tree stands in the 0 degree weather.  It’s so like Him to say, “Why don’t I remind my children of Me with a beautiful horizon while they wait on that big buck to come in their cross hairs!”  And when I looked out on it from my bedroom, it’s as if the woods were on fire and the glow from the fire illuminates the Heaven!  Its “catchin’”.  You can’t NOT look at it!  He makes it so gorgeous and so pure, so IGNITED, that you have to see it! 

We, the church, are so like the hunter in the woods!  We sit back and wait and watch for something to come in our cross hairs and then when you least expect it He ignites someone and they first light up the whole church.  They illuminate it.  And God, that fire, is “catchin’”.  And just like that sunrise in the sky, you can’t NOT look at who God has ignited in your church.  You see that anointed ignited person and you say, “Boy O Boy!”  I want a little spark of that flame!  And before you know it the whole woods is on fire; your church is on fire for Jesus!  And you sit back and think, wow, what was that!   It was a little spark!  Just a spark!  A spark that started with a word or a deed and God saw potential!  If we are obedient to Him and do it all, do whatever He tells us, even though, yes, we don’t like the taste of it in our mouth but we know it’s for our best interest and we will be better off if we do it!  He will fan that spark!  It will become a flame and as that flame grows it’s going to grab those closest to it.  And then it starts reaching out to the places you don’t even see. The flames are so high that more sparks are flying off and there starts another flame!

God is just so good.  So so good!  He has been fanning my flame for a while and I will be there first to tell you, some of the things He asks me to do I just have to say “Really?”  “You want me to do THAT? OK, here I go!”  But trust me I have a bad taste in my mouth!  But it doesn’t last forever and the quicker I do what He tells me, the faster I get that minty fresh taste back! 

So if God is telling you to do something you better do it because He wants to fan your flame!  He wants you so ignited that the sparks are flying off of you left and right!  So for all you hunters out there, I envy you!  You have a perfect opportunity to be one with the Almighty, plus many get paid vacation days for it!  Now tell me that’s not a divine plan!  God knows how we work!  How we think!  And the biggest most macho man can’t sit out in a tree stand and see what I saw this morning out my window and not fall to His knees and acknowledge and thank the God Almighty in Heaven who created it!

So BE SAFE in the woods this week!  But if a spark flies your way- CATCH IT!

I'm gonna make it and so are you!

I’m Gonna Make It and So Are YOU!

As I drove to work this morning I had a song in my head, on my heart, right on my lips; so it came out of my mouth.  Which for those that know me, No big surprise!  Typically, it comes out of my mouth before its filtered, or as Chonda Peirce says, sanctified!   

How many of you are going through something?  Anything!  Doesn’t matter to God!  Could be a job situation, health or illness, marriage, relationship, death of a loved one!  These are all the same things to God!  They are called avenues.  He uses each one of these things the devil throws at us to weaken us, to make us fall flat on our face; He uses it as an avenue to make us strong.  He uses it to help us grow!  To teach us!  To “grow us up”!  I think God would just love to “grow us up” so that we don’t have to hurt and feel all this “stuff”.  But this stuff is necessary!  It gives us strength!  He just shows us so much grace and mercy by holding our hand and walking with us.  He goes with us to the places we don’t know we are going because He has already been there.  He has gone ahead of us and cleared the way; Cleared out the junk.  Removed the briars, even the poison ivy!  But we still have to get there.  We have to go through it!

1 John 1:5 (KJV)

⁵ This then is the message which we have heard of him, and declare unto you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all

John 14:2-3 (KJV)

² In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you.

³ And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.

God has given me a message for you all!  I know He is using me to lift others up!  Because sometimes what I say or write it comes from somewhere other than me!  Sometimes after I write a note I have to read it just like you!  It’s the first time for me too!  The words literally go from God to my pen and sometimes I don’t read it till it’s all done!  He heals my wounds with every word I write.  Every bit of ink that flows! He talks to me through MY pen!

Romans 12:8 (KJV)

⁸ Or he that exhorteth, on exhortation: he that giveth, let him do it with simplicity; he that ruleth, with diligence; he that sheweth mercy, with cheerfulness

James 1:17 (KJV)

¹⁷ Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning

And He wants us to have those gifts.  Each and every one of us!  He wants you to know that He is working everything for your good!  He wants you to keep your eyes on Heaven.  Don’t lose sight of Him.

Proverbs 4:18 (KJV)

¹⁸ But the path of the just is as the shining light, that shineth more and more unto the perfect day.

He wants you to have faith in Him, that He knows what’s best for you!

2 Corinthians 5:7 (KJV)

⁷ For we walk by faith, not by sight

If you do that-you’re gonna make it!  You are gonna make it through your illness!  You are gonna make your marriage or relationship work and make it stronger!  You are gonna make it through whatever trial you are in right now!  Just trust Him!

Romans 15:13 (KJV)

¹³ Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that ye may abound in hope, through the power of the Holy Ghost

Trust is a tricky thing!  It’s easily broken but not easily mended!  Christ has never broken that trust.  He has never let us down!  And when we trust Him with everything?!  We have to obey Him.  It’s just easy!  If we trust-we obey!  Trust and obey for there’s no other way.  If we trust and obey we are gonna make it!  I am gonna make it and so are you!  He has promised me things.  Things so great I can’t even imagine them!  And I’m here to tell you I am ready to stand in line to receive it!  Just like its commodity cheese! Hey, I love that stuff!

1 Corinthians 2:9 (KJV)

⁹ But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him.

He doesn’t tell us these things for us to mope around all week!  He tells us these things so we can be expectant!  We should all be wondering what He has around the corner for US!  What promise are we gonna get today?!  Because every day I see a sunrise or a baby smile or when someone tells me they love me!?  I chalk that up to one of those promises!  And it just excites me and I expect another and another!

Isaiah 61:1 (KJV)

61 The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me; because the Lord hath anointed me to preach good tidings unto the meek; he hath sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to them that are bound;

When you are in the medical profession words like infectious and contagious are words you never want to hear.  But when you are talking about God!?  Those words just bring joy to my soul!

Revelation 21:4 (KJV)

⁴ And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away

I would’ve never thought I could love more than I did, but I DO!  And that’s what God can do!  And that’s why I’m gonna make It and that’s why you are too!  Because God loves US!  It’s simple!  We’re gonna make it!

DON’T GIVE UP!

Early To Rise

A few weeks ago, after I started working again, God put upon my heart  to get up early and do my bible study, so I tried to be diligent and do what He told me.  I was setting my alarm for 5am instead of 530 but Man I am here to tell ya, I couldn't wake up!  I found myself hitting the snooze alarm on Jesus!  Oh My!  I really felt bad but no matter what I did I couldn't wake up!  I still squeezed in my bible study but the fact is He told me to do it early and I wasn't!  Me and Jesus got our own thing going, He talks I listen, then I talk and He listens.  Not only do I listen I hear!  So the last couple weeks I have not had to set an alarm to get up, I have been waking up at 430, refreshed!  Usually only getting 3 hours of sleep!  Don't ask me how you can be refreshed with only 3 hours of sleep but I am.  They are really good 3 hours.  I don't wake up during those 3 hours I go to sleep at 1 and at 430 I wake up!  Every morning.  So this morning while I am doing my bible study and praying I think man this sure is nice that I don't have to do this feeling so sleepy!  I chalked it up to insomnia!  Bible study was just a benefit.  So when I got to work this morning I opened my computer and I have my home page set to a different verse everyday. 

This is my verse today!

Proverbs 8:17 (KJV)

¹⁷ I love them that love me; and those that seek me early shall find me.
It hit me like a ton of bricks.  I didn't have insomnia I HAVE Jesus!  He is just making it easier on me to do what He told me to do!  Not only does he tell me what to do, He paves the way for me to do it!  Making it impossible for me to fail!  That just gives me those "God Goosebumps"! 
My simple alarm and early rising issues?  He was taking care of those things in the background for me.  I didn't even ask Him too!  He just did it.  So I know without a doubt that what He is working for good in the little things in my life, He is doing with the big things!  They just aren't a quick fix.  But I am seeing them work!  How do you tell someone who is dying that He is doing good works?  I can surely tell you I held on to that verse in Romans

Romans 8:28 (KJV)

²⁸ And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose
All through Dannys illness, I held on to that promise!  And I know its true!  So true!
God bless y'all today and don't worry if God is telling you to get up early? He will work it out so that you do!
Love you guys,

Found

I have a huge burden for young people.  I love the young-really young kids, babies- but my burden is for the teenagers.  My burden is for what they go through every day and the things they will face in the future.  My generation has become so absorbed in their own “self” they can’t or won’t relate and help the teenagers today-their own children.  So we have kids helping kids.  That’s a good thing that they are so willing to help, but in many cases they are not equipped to help and have no clue as to where to go or who to turn to.

Psalm 34:18 New International Version (NIV)

¹⁸ The Lord is close to the brokenhearted
    and saves those who are crushed in spirit

So that’s it!  He is their resource!  The one they turn to!  But in today’s world, our kids don’t even know that!  Our parents stay in bed on Sunday morning because they have worked all week or they are working and kids are at home.  I know our world is going down the crapper-literally!  No one cares about scheduling people to work around church.  There was a time that was important!  I miss those days because I can still remember them!  Even when my kids were young, we didn’t schedule sports practice on Wednesday evenings because folks went to church.  Easy as that. 

Our kids today are looking for something.  They aren’t finding it in video games anymore!  Drugs aren’t fulfilling them either!  They are so worn out with sex the “normal” way- the way God has designed it-that they turn to homosexuality!  Just anything they can find.  It’s still our job to lead our kids.  Show them the right way to go!  Guide them!  The Bible tells us so!

Proverbs 22:6 New King James Version (NKJV)

⁶ Train up a child in the way he should go,
And when he is old he will not depart from it

A Mothers Prayer

Oh give me patience when wee hands tug at me with their small demands and give me gentle and smiling eyes.  Keep my lips from hasty replies and let not weariness, confusion or noise obscure my vision from lifes fleeting joys.  So when in years to come my house is still, no bitter memories its rooms may fill.      Author Ida Hall Brown              

All leaders are learners.  The moment you stop learning, you stop leading.                    Pastor Rick Warren    

I told a friend this weekend at our next youth meeting we should let the kids teach and we learn.  There is so much in their world that we don’t even know or realize is going on!  I am afraid if I knew it all I would be in shock.  But sometimes we as teachers, leaders, even as parents, have to step back and go, “OK I know you are going through adult stuff, so teach me so I can help you!”

Kids like facts.  Their world is so full of repeat that sometimes it all gets confused.  In video games, they kill the enemy how many times?  They get new lives how many times?  The new thing now is Vine-where they watch and rewatch and rewatch and rewatch a 7 second video.  You get the picture.  Everything in life is expressed as a game or something that is disposable.   Just get a new one is their answer to everything.  Well this is what they need to know- and this isn’t disposable!

I know there’s a God who knows my name and a son who died to take the blame

I believe that Jesus is coming back ‘cause promises are promises and facts are facts.

As sure as there’s a law of gravity that says what goes up must come down,

This is the ultimate reality that God Is, and God Loves, and God can be found!   Steven Curtis Chapman

He is just waiting to be found!  He is the “fix” all these kids are looking for and when they find Him I want to be a part of it!  Last night Jacob attended Young Life at the leadership of Ryan Longenette.  When I arrived there were kids everywhere!  They assemble for fun and friendship but they also find out about God.  They don’t hear about Him on a church pew, from a hymnal in their Sunday best or even from a Bible with pages!  They may hear about Him through a BibleApp on their phone.  A video on YouTube sitting in a crowded living room on the floor.  The most unconventional way is probably how they are going to learn that Jesus loves them!  And they are going to remember that when they are in their darkest hour.  When they are in a situation that they don’t know how in the world to get out of, they are going to remember an evening of fun when they were surrounded by friends and there was a crazy guy there that agreed to dye his hair pink just because there were 60 kids that came out!  You know, it doesn’t matter how we get kids to assemble, what matters is that we tell them Jesus loves them in what little time we have with them.  We tell them we are available for them 24/7 but when we aren’t there- Jesus IS!  He has the ultimate Wi-Fi connection.  He holds them in the palms of His hand.

Isaiah 49:16 New King James Version (NKJV)

¹⁶ See, I have inscribed you on the palms of My hands;
Your walls are continually before Me.

As they begin to call up on Him for those simple everyday things in their life; math tests, ballgames, relationships, He is teaching them and getting them ready for those times when their faith will be tested.  And they will remember….they will call upon HIM! I love this song by Sidewalk Prophets!

Help Me Find It    (Sidewalk Prophets)

I don't know where to go from here
It all used to seem so clear
I'm finding I can't do this on my own

I don't know where to go from here
As long as I know that You are near
I'm done fighting, I'm finally letting go

I will trust in You
You've never failed before
I will trust in You

If there's a road I should walk
Help me find it if I need to be still
Give me peace for the moment
Whatever Your will, whatever Your will

Can you help me find it?
Can you help me find it?

I'm giving You fear and You give faith
I giving you doubt, You give me grace
For every step I've never been alone

Even when it hurts, You'll have Your way
Even in the valley I will say
With every breath, You've never let me go

I will wait for You
You've never failed before
I will wait for You

If there's a road I should walk
Help me find it if I need to be still
Give me peace for the moment
Whatever Your will, whatever Your will

Can you help me find it?
Can you help me find it?

I lift my empty hands
(Come fill me up again)
Have Your way my King
(I give my all to You)

I lift my eyes again
(Was blind but now I see)
'Cause You are all I need

If there's a road I should walk
Help me find it if I need to be still
Give me peace for the moment
Whatever Your will, whatever Your will

Can you help me find it?
Can you help me find it?

A friend and I have an ongoing theory about putting microchips in children when they are born just to “find” them.  Praise God He doesn’t have to have a microchip or a cell phone number or a Wi-Fi connection when we want to call His name!

Nahum 1:7 New King James Version (NKJV)

⁷ The Lord is good,
A stronghold in the day of trouble;
And He knows those who trust in Him

Jesus Christ knows us-each and every one!  Father God knows His children and when we put our trust in Him He will be there for us.  All we have to do is reach out and grab hold.  He will deliver us from our times of trouble.  He will laugh with us when we are happy, He cries with us when we are sad.  He comforts us, holds us and loves us!  That’s all our kids need to know!  And who knows, maybe they can teach us a thing or two!

Philippians 4:13 New King James Version (NKJV)

¹³ I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me

Move Over!

I have never thought of myself as an adventurous person!  I am very predictable.  I get up at the same time every day, whether I work or not.  I eat the same thing for breakfast every day; a bagel or oatmeal-YES I know I am also very exciting!  Oh and coffee!  The high test kind no decaf for me!  When I walk I go the same place, when I listen to music I rarely put it on shuffle.  I often get a song on my mind and it’s on repeat for 2 miles!  I watch the same movies on TB, I even find myself reading the same book of the Bible!  If I find a verse I really like, I stay in that chapter until I wear it out then I venture out into the rest of that book until I exhaust it.  I do get a little crazy with my beverages now and then.  It’s usually a diet coke but on occasion I mix it up with a diet Mountain Dew!

But when it comes to my faith, I am steadfast for sure, that doesn’t change.  But I have in the last year learned to not control it.  I have become adventurous!  And I did it when I wasn’t looking.  I have to analyze everything to death.  Why-when-where-when-when-when!  I am trying to do that thing everyone says, “Let Go and Let God”.  But I am here to tell ya it is not as easy as it sounds.  That’s where my adventure comes in.  I have just let “stuff” I am praying about go!  I ask questions and He never leaves me without an answer!  So I finally caught on!  OK, ask and ye shall receive, right?!  It’s that easy!  He has answered every question and not with that, “Oh yeah I think I got it” or a warm and fuzzy feeling!  I have been given scripture by Jesus Christ to answer all my questions.  And I have come to rely on that.  I am tired of answering my own questions when His answers are so much more!  He promises and He delivers!

I had to step out on that unwavering faith though.  And it was scary; like I would have imagined Peter when walking on the water.  But I stayed on that water.  I didn’t look back!  And what He is telling me is so much more than I could’ve ever imagined!  God is just so good!

1 Corinthians 2:9

King James Version (KJV)

⁹ But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him

He wants us to have everything, like it is Christmas every day.  But we stand in our own way.  It is beyond me why we do it!  This week I have literally moved over so that He can stand right beside me and He whispers in my ear, “Now is the time” and I have to say, it is an amazing feeling.  To trust someone so deeply that you can walk hand in hand, heart to heart!  Knowing they always have your best interest at heart.  You never have to worry about what someone is going to say about you because if God is working His plan, He has everything ahead of you worked out already.  Just makes things less messy.  No clean up, no cover up!  If we could all just get in the center of His will and do what He says life would be a Utopia!

When you really want to do the Lords will-what He has planned for your life-He will move Heaven and earth to show you the way!  No matter what He does- for example a relationship- He will take that relationship to heights you can never imagine if you stay I His will!  Let Him be the guide, not you.  He will use you to do great and marvelous things for His kingdom.  All we have to do is get out of the way and let Him lead!  Let Him whisper in our ears and then obey Him when He says, “OK its time, this is what we’re gonna do!”

“I just want to be more like Jesus to lose my selfish desires and to be found in Him”     Unknown

Matthew 21:21

King James Version (KJV)

²¹ Jesus answered and said unto them, Verily I say unto you, If ye have faith, and doubt not, ye shall not only do this which is done to the fig tree, but also if ye shall say unto this mountain, Be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea; it shall be done

I am faithful to my God!  I do what He asks of me, even though I don’t understand sometimes why.  He always reveals to me the why-in His time!  Relationships always have puzzled me and I am beginning to understand why.  It is because we are in the way.  We want what we want.  We pray for what we want.  Even though we don’t know what’s best for us and then when we don’t get it, we take it out on God.  It was never part of His plan in the first place, it was our plan.  I know what His will is for my life now; I have endured and stayed the course.  He has revealed to me what, and so now I just wait to receive the promises!

Hebrews 10:35-36

King James Version (KJV)

³⁵ Cast not away therefore your confidence, which hath great recompense of reward.

³⁶ For ye have need of patience, that, after ye have done the will of God, ye might receive the promise.

For I am greatly blessed, highly favored, and deeply loved       Matthew 5:3

Isaiah 64:4

New King James Version (NKJV)

⁴ For since the beginning of the world
Men have not heard nor perceived by the ear,
Nor has the eye seen any God besides You,
Who acts for the one who waits for Him.