The Storm

Psalm 107:23-32

Those who go down to the sea in ships,

Who do business on great waters,

They see the works of the Lord,

And His wonders in the deep.

For He commands and raises the stormy wind,

Which lifts up the waves of the sea.

They mount up to the heavens

They go down again to the depths;

Their soul melts because of trouble.

They reel to and fro, and stagger

like a drunken man.

And are at their wits' end.

Then they cry out to the Lord in their trouble,

And He brings them out of their distresses.

He calms the storm,,

So that its waves are still.

Then they are glad because they are quiet;

So, He guides them to their desired haven.

Oh, that men would give thanks to

the Lord for His goodness,

And for His wonderful works to the children of men!

Let them exalt Him also in the

assembly of the people,

And praise Him in the company of the elders.

Yesterday, around 3:30 PM, I felt like I was one of these men encountering a fiery storm out in the  middle of the ocean.  Pop-up thunderstorms swept through Middle Tennessee with a fierce intensity.  We were having a patio cover installed and the three men had to rush into the house to find a safe haven from the outside conditions.  It was amazing to watch the power through the windows of the rain, wind, and hail.  It was also a little nerve-wracking to say the least.  As my husband pulled back through town last night after work, he was amazed at the damage that occurred here in Murfreesboro.  Trees were down.  Our power was out for a few hours.  Roads were closed due to debris. 

As I sit here this morning reflecting on the events (and I might add I have found my new quiet place---under the patio), several points come to mind.

(1)  You have to be anchored down. 
Umbrellas, playscapes (yes, our wooden playset in the back was moved about two feet), chairs, flower pots were strewed everywhere.  In some cases, the flying objects busted windows in houses or caused other extensive damage.  When a storm arises in your life (conflict, crisis, health issue), your faith has to have a strong hold or root system.  One of our autumn blaze maples we planted a couple of years ago is now bent over.  Compared to the other 3 that line the back of our property, we now know the weaker one.  Hopefully it will make it.  (Matthew 13:3-9; Hebrews 6:19)

(2)  You need a safe haven.
We had to have a safe place to be during the inclement weather.  It could have been a storm shelter, closet, or even a roof over your head.  The issue with safe havens is people tend to rely on other people to be in that place.  The truth of the matter is:  People will fail you, but the Lord never will.  Who are you fully relying on to be your refuge? (Psalm 46:1; Psalm 62:8)

(3)  You will learn from it....
If you choose to do so.  As a matter of fact, you may even come back stronger than ever before!  Examine your life...the trials you have encountered.  They aren't fun during, but as you sit and reflect, you have probably seen growth...and hopefully learned something that will help you throughout the rest of your journey here on earth (because we will face multiple storms).  (James 1:2-4)


And after the storm...Like the Psalmist said in the end of the above verses...it is time to be GLAD and give thanks for His goodness!  May you have a wonderful day growing in the knowledge of the Lord.

The Game Plan

My favorite time of the year is here...I am not necessarily talking about the warmer weather approaching, but the time of year I probably spend the most in front of the television.  March Madness! Each team has been preparing for this moment... this build up... to see if they will earn a trip to the big dance.  When the big dance arrives, you will sometimes see Cinderella teams upset lower seeds and someone will be declared the champion. 

Before each game, a team spends time in preparation.  They watch film, look at the next move of their opponents, study them, figure out what defense would best shut down their star player(s).  But when the game comes, if they don't follow the plan, they will lose. 

With all of this said, I can't help but think of the Israelites and their journey to the Promise Land.  Along the way, they had to face several opponents.  One in particular though, didn't turn out the way it should have...The (first) Battle of Ai (Joshua 7:1-5).  Why?  

• Men came back and reported that there were few men so the Israelites only needed 2 to 3 thousand (were they a little overconfident?  maybe??)
• You don't see anyone, including Joshua, praying before this battle and looking to the Lord for guidance like in other examples
• And one person...in particular, didn't obey the plan (Achan) by taking things from Jericho after specifically being told not to

And what happened?  Well, they lost.  They did not do what their Coach had asked them to do....they didn't follow the game plan. 

The Lord provides us with the best game plan of all...and we know who has already been declared the champion---Him. 

• He gives us a game plan for salvation (Hear, Believe, Repent, Confess, and be Baptized).  So often, people want to change that plan.  You may hear, "Well, I asked Jesus into my heart, or I prayed the Sinner's Prayer."  None of those things are the plan that God has given to become a Christian. The book of Acts gives you MULTIPLE accounts of conversions and not one of them includes just a prayer.  ALL involve baptism (immersion of water).  There is not a Sinner's Prayer in God's Word. 
• You are not "Once Saved Always Saved."  You can mess up.  You can fall from God's grace.  Do I sometimes think that Christians aren't "sure" enough of their salvation.  Yes!  (and boy was I challenged by that this last weekend by Dana Burk at a ladies' weekend).  The last part of the plan is....Live Faithfully.  Noah wasn't sinless, but he was righteous.  He sought out to do what God wanted him to do day in and day out.  We need to strive to do what we are taught. 

God's game plan is the best one of all. If you follow it, you will be declared a champion by having a home in heaven. 

Worry...

Anxiety in the heart of man causes depression,

But a good word makes it glad.

Proverbs 12:25

I didn't realize how much anxiety had overcome me the past couple of months until Friday afternoon.  That day, a huge weight was lifted off my chest.  I finally felt relieved...everything was out in the open and there are no regrets with the decision I had made. 

The only regret I had was.....the worrying that had overcome me since returning from Christmas vacation.  We are talking a good two months.  It contolled my thoughts...my actions....even my emotions.  And I can't take one day of it back and change it.   I know we all have a human tendency to do this, but why?  God wants us...he wants ALL of us!  Jesus himself even taught on this subject. (Matthew 6:25-27) 

Proverbs 3:5-6 Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding.In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.

I definitely did lean on my understanding....not trusting in the Lord.  Take advantage of every opportunity.

 I read a quote that states:

Worry does not empty tomorrow of its sorrow. It empties today of its strength.- Corrie Ten Boom

How true is that. 

Are you full of excuses?

In my occupation (education), I see/hear excuses ALL the time.  Sometimes it is from the student...sometimes it is from the parent.  Sure, things happen every once in a while...but not at a daily rate.

What about in your life?  Are you making excuses?  It seems like it is the easiest way out.  You might say:

• I am just too tired to go to worship.  I won't pay any attention so I think I will just stay home.
• I can't serve in that capacity.  God just hasn't given me that ______________ (you fill in the talent there)
• I can't talk to them about the truth.  They may not talk to me anymore.

Any of those sound familiar?

Making excuses isn't something that just came about in the last decade.  If you go back and read starting in Genesis, you find many accounts of people making excuses: Moses not wanting to go and talk to the Pharaoh or thinking he was able to lead God's people (Exodus 3 and 4).... King Saul and his reasoning for not destroying the Amakelites in 1 Samuel 15...Felix in Acts 24....


I guess that this all comes down to why do people make them in the first place?  Are they scared?  Are they ashamed? 

The fact of the matter is...none of these make/made God happy. 

We are promised that God will NEVER leave us.  Nothing is impossible with God (Luke 1:37). Your strength comes from Him.  Do a heart check.  What is motivating you to make excuses?  Is your heart in the right place...or the wrong?

The finish line is just....right....there...

I continued with my "running" habit this last fall competing (against myself) in three different half marathons within a couple of months.  My body most definitely felt the heat as I battled through an injury that even today with a month or so off still bothers me (take care of your feet!). 


The first one was the end of September in Nashville.  I hadn't planned on one that early, but with some probing from a good friend, I decided to go and do it with her.  For the first time ever, I decided to run with my phone in my new "running" pants that had all sorts of pockets to keep your junk.  About mile 1, I reached down to make sure it was still there...and it wasn't.  We turned around only to find ourselves swimming upstream and I figured that it would be easier to tell my husband than to go through the crowd.  I don't know if I was worried about the phone or what, but my pace was great!  We made it to mile 8 where I remembered I hit my wall during my first half that previous October.  The hills were torturous! At mile 11, the brick wall hit me HARD! I could feel myself losing speed and hope, but my friend kept me going.  She kept pushing....kept encouraging....and I finished...with my PR (personal record).  It couldn't have been done without her.

(and by the way....a good Samaritan did find my phone and return it to me as soon as the race was over).

The second one was the Middle Half right here in Murfreesboro.  I knew the course because this was my "first" one the previous year.  It was a beautiful morning!  I caught up with more running buddies (some I had been training with for this race), and off we went!  We kept trucking along when I noticed that the girl I was running with was slowing down.  She had developed a cramp right in her neck which took her breath away.  After trying to get me to go on, I finally told her we had been training together since the summer and I was crossing the line with her!  I knew how it felt to have the encouragement because a few weeks before I had been right in her shoes.  We crossed the line with me cutting 15 minutes off my time from one year before and her reaching her PR. 

The last one was in December on the streets of Memphis.  I soon found that I had lost my other buddies because thousands had come to run the half or full for St. Jude's. This race was by far the hardest...and I know it was because my encouragement wasn't physically right there with me every step of the way.....
As soon as I entered the stadium to finish, I stopped just right before crossing the finish line not thinking I could go any further.  Two days before I had an injection in my foot and I guess that I was trying to protect it too much and my other leg cramped up so hard that it brought tears to my eyes (or it could have been the heat wave that found its way to Tennessee the first of December).  All of a sudden people started screaming at me to FINISH...YOU ARE RIGHT THERE!  I didn't think I could go on.  Somehow though, I gathered up the strength to finish that last tenth of a mile with a time I wasn't too proud of...but grateful to have endured and completed this race.

Hebrews 12:1-3
Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, ² fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. ³ Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.

I couldn't have finished these races if I didn't have (1) my mind set on the joy of finishing or (2) having the encouragement to not quit along the way. 
Each and every single one of has a race that has been set before us known as LIFE.  If your eyes aren't fixed on Jesus, you will grow weary...you will lose heart.  One of the most awesome advantages to being a child of God is the spiritual family you gain as you are running your race.  Guess what...they are running theirs too!  The encouragement they provide for you....and the encouragement you provide with them, helps you to throw off the sin that easily entangles you. Why?  You are both fixing your eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith.  

If you aren't a child of God, why wait?  

 

(Thanks David Roper for a great study in the book of Hebrews this past quarter and Julie Adams for the encouragement to write again)...

My TRUST is in the Lord

 

People let you down, but GOD  never does.

 

People let you down, but GOD NEVER does.

 

People let you down, but GOD NEVER DOES.

Politics, work, personal life.  I have been let down by people whom I have "trusted."  Reflecting now, I noticed something about this...SHAME ON ME.  I have put my confidence in man....not my trust in the Lord! 

Most of the time this has happened...I hold a dark, deep grudge that sits inside of me.  I have no MERCY for these people...with or without them asking for forgiveness.  It spoils my inner heart.  It makes me afraid to love people again...to have relationships with people again...I hide so I "don't" have to deal with it. 

And what's so revealing about the matter?  I need to point the finger at myself.  I disappoint God.  I mess up.  But, He still loves me. 

Let those who fear the Lord now say,

His mercy endure forever. (Psalm 118:4)

 

His mercy endures forever...for me...and for others who fear the Lord.

People WILL disappoint us...but that isn't where my trust should be....My trust should be in the Lord. (Psalm 118:8)  We are to love our neighbor as ourselves....not the behavior if wrong...but the person.  When we do that, we CAN pray for them...we can have a softened heart towards them...and we can love just like the perfect example we have...that gave His life for those who treated Him so unfairly...

Every day is a gift!

This is the day the Lord has made; we will rejoice and be glad in it (Psalm 118:24). 

Every day my eyes open, I need to be grateful for the blessing given to me.  It is an opportunity.  An opportunity to shine the Light that lives in me.  An opportunity to study God's Word with someone.  An opportunity to bring them to Christ.  An opportunity to serve Him and help build my husband up.  An opportunity to bring my children up in the admonition of the Lord. 

We aren't promised tomorrow, so you must make the most of TODAY!

• Put God FIRST in all aspects of your life...that is where He wants to be! Spend time with Him through studying the Word and prayer. (Psalm 119:105)
• Trust Him...He knows the perfect plan for you, so why would you even want to be the co-pilot?  Let Him take control. (Jeremiah 29:11-13)

Do not boast about tomorrow, for you do not know what a day brings forth.  Proverbs 27:1

If you can't say anything nice...

DON"T SAY IT AT ALL!

This seems like such a simple concept to live by, but the truth of the matter is that most people fall into this trap everyday. Gossip is all around us...the grocery store lines with the latest Enquirer, television shows that have the ins and outs of people's lives, and especially now that we are heading into the election season. 

The consequence:  IT IS NEVER FRUITFUL!  Only hurt comes of it. 

The guilty:  men and women of all ages!  We want to get the scoop on other people. The desire to know their dark side has a way of keeping us from maybe feeling like we are the "bad" people.  You find that women are targeted several times in God's Word regarding this subject...1 Timothy 3:11, 1 Timothy 5:13, Titus 2:3. Men are too (2 Timothy 3:3).  It is everywhere...and it is up to you to stop it!

If it doesn't build someone up, it probably isn't even worth spending your breath OR your listening ear.

Proverbs 20:19 Whoever goes about slandering reveals secrets; therefore do not associate with a simple babbler.



I will PRAISE You!

A co-worker of mine has given us a challenge.  For every school day this year, we are to write something down we want to praise or thank God for in our lives.  We have a notebook that we are each recording these starting with Day 181 and counting down (and yes, I can tell you how many school days until summer vacation :) ).  I am extremely grateful for this exercise because I am sad to say....I realize I haven't always really thought long and hard about this!  I realize how spoiled I am.I realize how monetary I am...and it is something that I need to change.  We have to be different.  It isn't about having an ipad, or the best clothes, or an iphone...It is knowing that I am who I am ONLY because of HIM.  I don't know about you, but He has blessed me beyond measure. 


I am sure you have heard the saying before...."What if you woke up one day and had only the things you thanked Him for yesterday.."  What would that look like in your life?

  This is the day that the Lord has made.  I will rejoice and be glad in it.        Psalm 118:24

   Whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through Him to God the Father.-Colossians 3:17

..in everything give thanks; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. - First Thessalonians 5:18

 

 

A New Year is HERE! (School that is...)

Who are you?

Whether you want it to be or not, the truth of the matter is that school is here for most of you (or quickly approaching). Some of you will be walking new halls for all sorts of reasons (entering high school, changing schools, moved, ect.) and others will be doing the same ol', same ol'.



Here are a few tips to help your year be successful...

1. Let your light shine.....You are an influence. You have no choice here. Someone is ALWAYS watching. 1 Timothy 4:12 Let no one despise your youth, but be an example to the believers in word, in conduct, in love, in spirit, in faith, in purity.


2. Surround yourself with those of same moral values...immodest dressing, drinking/partying, inappropriate language, ect. Does a bad apple really spoil the bunch?? It does....and what about evil company corrupts good habits (1 Corinthians 15:33)?? If you surround yourself with sin, you are going to fall....This is a trick I think Satan uses to deceive you...He makes you think that you are strong enough to surround yourself with "friends" who do these types of things...but you aren't. (If you have connections from previous years that you don't think are healthy--get rid of them!!)


3. Keep your priorities in check....Believe me, from personal experience I know how easy it is to allow school activities to interfere with your relationship to God...homework, basketball practice, and choir, as well as others take commitment, but you need to decide right now when you are going to study God's Word and take time for prayer EVERY DAY. On top of that note...don't allow it to take you away from worship either.....

(This is a repost of an entry I wrote back in August of 2010...it still holds true today..even as I reflect on the light I will be for the 5th graders that enter my hall...I still need to let my light shine (for my coworkers and students...display moral values in the books I choose to read or the music I allow them to listen to...and keep my priorities straight.  Sometimes I make myself too "busy" with the school work---yes, teachers do too--and take time away from our personal study and even with our families).

Let no one look down on you because you are young...

For the past couple of weeks, the "young" people have come to our home after the mid-week bible study to enjoy each other's company and spend time with one another.  They sang songs of praise, played games, and filled our house with laughter.  Here are some things I noticed about their interactions with one another.  These are lessons a person of any age can learn from!

• Enthusiasm of being with one another:  The house was LOUD :), but only because they all enjoy spending time with one another. Parents and the kids made sacrifices to allow interaction among fellow brothers and sisters in Christ. 
   

He who walks with wise men will be wise,
But the companion of fools will suffer harm. (Proverbs 13:20 NASB)

• No deceit!  At times we had around 25...and there weren't any "clubs" or "groups" that intentionally left anyone out.  Efforts were made to ensure that everyone found their place in a bigger group.

 Deceit is in the heart of those who devise evil, But counselors of peace have joy.

Proverbs 12:20

• Shut out worldliness.  The activities they participated in while here were carefully chosen and avoided to make sure that the wickedness stayed out!

The highway of the upright is to depart from evil;

He who watches his way preserves his ^[i]life.

Proverbs 16:17

I can't help but be reminded of   "Let no one look down on your youthfulness, but rather in speech, conduct, love, faith and purity, show yourself an example ^[e]of those who believe.--1 Timothy 4:12"  These kids did just what was said above...To them, thank you. Thank you for providing the daily positive influence on my kids and the many others who will be "in your shoes" before we know it.  Keep your eyes on the prize throughout the rest of your life...

 

Like Apples on Trees--For the single girls

 We live in a world where beauty isn't viewed biblically.  Perfect hair, perfect teeth, long legs....what "every" girl wants to look like AND what they think "every" guy wants.  Satan uses this.  He sneaks in and lets an extraordinary girl begin to doubt herself...by letting her think she is too fat, or too tall, or even too skinny.  This beautiful girl begins to tell herself that she isn't good enough...so, she begins to change her ways and adapt them whether in her appearance or her personality, or her language, or even her purity to make her feel accepted.  

But it is empty acceptance.  It won't last. 

There is only one true way to endure your self-worth, and that is looking at yourself the way that your Creator does.  There is nothing that will complete you more than God..no man, no friend, no substance.  Our Lord is the only one who will never disappoint you. 

So, while you are waiting for that "price charming" to come along (and hopefully you made your list--see last week's post for more info), don't allow that roaring lion to get to you!  Use your time wisely.  I love 1 Corinthians 7:34.  And the unmarried or betrothed woman is anxious about the things of the Lord, how to be holy in body and spirit. But the married woman is anxious about worldly things, how to please her husband.
Use this "season" of your life to be focused solely on God.  The relationship your build now will be the foundation to your marriage later on.

A friend shared this picture with me today and I thought it couldn't be more appropriate.  When there are those times you are feeling down on yourself because you aren't dating anyone, don't lower your standards.  Make that "brave" guy reach to the top!

What to look for...the list

I had a wonderful group of friends when I was in high school.  Being the typical teenage girls we were, we would dream about "wedding' things and our prince charming.  It was then that we began studying together and were guided by a great mentor on making a list of characteristics we would want in a Christian husband.  We would pray for our future "Boaz," knowing that he displayed the qualities of a man we all wanted to marry.  It would be something that I would hold near to my heart until "he" came along. 

With all that said, the story of Ruth and Boaz never ceases to amaze me. Tragedy....a mother losing her husband and two sons, but a daughter-in-law who gives up everything to move with her....which leads to her finding a remarkable man ( I love that 2:3 states "and she happened to come to the part of the field belonging to Boaz")...and a place in the lineage of Christ. 

Boaz was just a good guy (which is why we would pray for our "Boaz").....When studying this book, several qualities jump out at me...

• He takes care of her every need (Head of the household quality) 2:8-9
• He noticed Ruth's heart, and not necessarily her outside beauty 2:11-12
• The Lord has the stronghold of his life (almost every conversation that we can see in His word revolves around the Lord)
• Very diligent in his decisions and always tries to do the right thing (not full of deceit)  (Chapter 4) 

If you are single and you haven't already compiled a list of characteristics you want your future spouse to possess, I suggest you do it!  Search the Word...find the biblical perspective of marriage, pray about it.  And when you are dating, examine them carefully.  If they do not have the qualities you desire, then move on. 

And if you are wondering....My "Boaz" did come along and I married him 9 years ago.  Did he possess qualities I wanted?  Yes, and so much more!  I am very grateful for him...he is a magnifient husband and father to our two little boys. 

**I want to say "Thank You" to my wonderful sister-in-law for helping me compile thoughts about this topic.  You have great things in store for you :).**

Life Lesson....The Art of Teaching

We were getting settled at a local restaurant and bowed down to pray before the meal.  I don't know how many times my 16 month old had observed this in his short life, but this was the night it clicked.  Out of the corner of my eye I noticed he humbly lowered his head, like he knew what we were doing.  The light switch clicked! For the last few weeks, wherever we pray, he does it too! 


That little act wouldn't have been made possible if we hadn't "taught" him to do that.  Webster defines the word teach as: 
(1) to cause to know something; to cause to know how; to accustom to some action or attitude; to cause to know the disagreeable consequences of some action;
(2) to guide the studies of;
(3) to impart the knowledge of;
(4) to instruct by precept, example, or experience; to make known and accepted
(5) to conduct instruction regularly in

I have a HUGE responsibility when raising my children.....a blessing, but something I do not need to take lightly.  At the point in both of my boys' lives right now, I am their only B-I-B-L-E.  They can't read it for themselves, so I have to really use a combination of definitions 4 and 5:  to instruct by precept, example, or experience REGULARLY (Deut. 4:9, Prov. 22:6).  It will be done by their eyes alone! Seeing me in my personal study, having conversations with them, praying with them.....Even when they are a little older and able to read, I will still be guiding (definition #2) until they fully develop a faith of their own and move out of the house (which will be here before I know it!). 


This HUGE responsibility does come with an example.  The GREATEST teacher walked this earth living a perfectly sinless life.  People flocked to see Jesus. And He taught them...I love how Mark 6 depicts people running there on foot to catch up with Him and because of his COMPASSION for them, HE taught them many things!  Maybe looking at the life of Jesus will help me while I impart the knowledge to my offspring....

And what I want accomplished??
3 John 4  "I have no greater joy to hear that my children walk in truth..."

Life lesson...faith of a mustard seed....

My 4 year old asks around 4 million questions in a day....anyone else's do that?  Thankful for his "critical" thinking skills (there goes the school teacher out in me), but sometimes I have to work on my patience with answering him.

While eating lunch this past week, question number 2,299,012 arose.  "Mommy, how big is God?"  Wow!  That is pretty deep.  I felt like this one needed some careful thinking before I answered it.  I am searching through my brain trying to remember any scripture about what God looks like (we are made in his image), what He may sound like (voice from burning bush).....and then, the buzzer for his wait time must have sounded off.

As sure as he could be and with those big bluish green eyes, he looked up and said, "Mommy, God is REALLY BIG."  He began singing:  My God is so BIG, so STRONG, and so MIGHTY, there's NOTHING my God cannot do!

He was perfectly content with the answer of REALLY BIG.  No fancy statistics to go with it.  I had no need of recalling everything I know to help him understand how big He is. 


My hope for myself:  I want more of the faith of my son displayed. (Mark 10:15; Luke 18:17)


A mustard seed is 1 mm to 2 mm....that is it (if you want to know...the wire to make paperclips is about 1 millimeter thick). Jesus told his disciples that if they had the faith of a MUSTARD seed, they could move a mountain (Matthew 17:20). What a great picture for us to cling to!

Fridays....

Teachers begin the countdown to Friday before students even reach the classroom on Monday morning...

So, since I am one of those, I think I will take that day to publish a blog!  A celebration of the end of a work week for me....  If there isn't one posted....well, CALL ME OUT!  I want the accountability.....


Hope you had an awesome day worshipping God!

Breaking the barrier of being desensitized......

I live in the heart of country music....

And it has always been a favorite genre of mine. Until recently, that was probably the "pick" of radio stations we would tune in on while in the car. My 4 year old has a memory that makes me envious...as we were driving down the road not even thinking about the music that was on, he begins to sing along. My mouth dropped....I realized how "conformed to the world" I had really become. Here, the boy I have been given the priviledge to raise, was singing lyrics that he shouldn't have...language, meanings of songs, using the Lord's name in vain....it was definitely an eye opening experience!!!

Today immorality is found everywhere: books we read, television, songs on the radio, movies...and many more follow! We have been desensitized to most of what is darkness in God's eyes. These are CHOICES though...you can choose what you listen to...you can choose what you want to read...you can choose what movies or television shows you want to watch. You should be filling your mind with heavenly things! It is time to WAKE-UP!

May these words of my mouth and this meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer. Psalm 19:14

Do you really think those things are pleasing to Him if your mind is filled with all of that junk?

Remember where your citizenship is...it isn't here on earth...it is in heaven. (Philippians 3:20). Live a life that is worthy of that in ALL areas of your life.

You are the salt of the earth; but if the salt loses its flavor, how shall it be seasoned? It is then good for nothing but to be thrown out and trampled underfoot by men.

¹⁴ “You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. ¹⁵ Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. ¹⁶ Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven. Matthew 5:13-16

You are salt...you are light...How do those CHOICES set you apart?

Oh be careful little eyes what you see.....Oh be careful little ears what you hear....Oh be careful little hands what you do....Oh be careful little feet where you go.  For the Father up above is looking down in love, so be careful little.......

March Madness

March is one of my favorite months of the year. Trees start to blossom, warmer air starts sneaking its way back in, and basketball can be found on a variety of channels. I have to say that my heart always tends to pull for the underdog or the "Cinderella" story. Look at the Final 4 this year! Not one #1 seed! That just proves the point that any given team can be beaten at any given time. You could have the 5 best players in the world out on the court at the same time, and they could lose! How does that happen? Obviously they started the season (or even before that) with a goal of winning the NCAA championship, but now, those 4 #1 seeds will be watching the competition in Houston from the stands instead of playing on the hardwood. It takes 4 games (or 5 if you were VCU) to reach the final 4. 4 or 5 game plans had to be formed, practiced, and executed for them to reach this place.

And each was done one at a time......

This same concept applies to our lives. If your goal is to be more like Christ, you will have to face an opponent--the devil. He will change his "team" or scheme every single day to make you fall. That is why you don't need to look ahead too far. You must take one day at a time. James 4:13-17 tells us: Come now, you who say, "Today or tomorrow we will go to such and such city, spend a year there, buy and sell, and make a profit" ; whereas you do not know what will happen tomorrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapor that appears for a little time and then vanishes away Instead you ought to say "If the Lord wills, we shall live and do this or that." But now you boast in your arrogance. "All such boasting is evil." Therefore to him who know to do good and does not do it, to him it is sin.--James 4:13-17 Duke, Kansas, Pittsburgh, and Ohio State didn't make it to the final 4 like some thought they would. Sure, when you are on the pedestal everyone is out to get you and usually try to bring their best game when they play you. But...the devil does that. He is out to get you. He wants you. He will come at his best game to take you down. Sometimes he works by placing something little in your life that ends up being big. Our arrogance might set in like what is discussed here in James. That is why it is so important to not look too far ahead.

Instead, take it only one day at a time!

You aren't promised tomorrow. So, make the most out of TODAY!! Strive to be more like Christ.

Season of Youth

Life is made up of seasons. What are you doing with yours?

Facebook is a marvelous thing. I have reconnected with people from my past, which for the most part has been a good experience. But, in some ways I can't help but feel embarrassed. Why?? Let's just say some of my decisions back then didn't reflect who I am today. Sure, they can see the "change" now (or I hope so), but how do they remember me from my youth?---I can't take anything back.

How do you want to be remembered in your youth?

You live in a world where sin is all around you. It is thrown at you in television shows, in books, in technology that wasn't even available to me at your age (and I realize I am aging, but I like to think I am not too "old"). This isn't new though. Even though things have been modernized, youths in biblical times were faced with adversity too. Paul gave the warning in 1 Timothy 4:12 "Let no one despise your youth, but be an example to the believers in word, in conduct, in love, in spirit, in faith, in purity." So, watch what you say...watch what you do...put others above yourself...every breath you take should reflect that you NEED the Lord, and keep away from things that cloud your minds and your bodies.

THE TIME IS NOW!!

The Ecclesiastes writer in the eleventh chapter gives some really good advice.."Rejoice,
O young man in your youth, and let your heart cheer you in the days of your youth; walk in the ways of your heart, and in the sight oh your eyes; but know for all these God will bring you into judgement, Therefore, remove sorrow from your heart, and put away evil from your flesh, for childhood and youth are vanity. " (11:9-10) Life is a vapor--so make the most of it today. We are not guaranteed tomorrow. Sure, you will make mistakes--we all fall short. But, as the writer here says---put away evil things!! Get them out of your life!!

Make sure a good name follows you...."A good name is better than precious ointment and the day of death than the day of birth..." Ecclesiastes 7:1. Be that example........

Change

Change--it is all around us.

We see it in creation with the seasons. We see it in a day's time period with light and darkness. We see it with the different landscapes of the earth that God created (flat grassland to mountains). We see it humans--baby, toddler, child, teenager, adult, aging adult. And the list could go on....

Our family was blessed with the birth of our second son three weeks ago, which has really sent me down a time of reflection of my life. From growing up in a small town in the Texas panhandle, to college in Lubbock, to getting married to a wonderful man, to moving to the "city" (Houston), to moving to Tennessee, welcoming our first-born, and now our second, I have seen friends come and go, I have been in spiritual highs, and spiritual lows, it has been nothing but CHANGE.

What impact does the word change have on a Christian? It should be everything! Paul tells us in Galatians 2:20 "I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ now lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me." He goes on in Ephesians 5:1 "Therefore be imitators of God as dear children." Does your life reflect change? Have you died to yourself? Have you changed to be an imitator of God in every aspect of your life---your speech, your dress, your relationships? With every breath you take, are you Christ-like?

A passage in Hebrews 10:19-25 is a great resource for this word. Read carefully....

Therefore, brethren, having boldness to enter the Holiest by the blood of Jesus by anew and living way which He consecrated for us through the veil, that is, His flesh, and having a High Priest over the house of God, let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water. Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful. And let us consider one another in order to stir up good works, not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as in the manners of some, but exhorting one another, and so much more as you see the day approaching.

What can we take from this?

C: Consider one another....Have you ever noticed that when you take "less" attention to yourself and put more on others, CHANGE will occur! Stir up those good works! (10:24)

H: Hope...If your hope is in Christ, why should you not be a CHANGED person? There is nothing to fear because HE is FAITHFUL! (10:23)

A: Assembly....assemble with one other. When you spend time with people assembling together, they can hold you accountable! We are told here that you shouldn't forsake this!! (10:25)

N: Near...Draw NEAR to God with a true heart. Your heart will be sprinkled with protection from evil! (10:22)

G: Grateful....WE can enter heaven because of the blood of Jesus. WE CAN enter heaven because of the blood of Jesus. WE CAN ENTER heaven because of the blood of Jesus. WE CAN ENTER HEAVEN because of the blood of Jesus. We have every reason to be grateful. (10:19)

E: Educate! Educate! Educate! How do you expect to change if you don't know what you are to do? We have a life instruction manual right there ready to use, but do you know it?
Whoever transgresses and does not abide in the doctrine of Christ does not have God. he who abides in the doctrine of Christ has both the Father and the Son. 2 John 9
There is no sugar-coating here. If you do not abide in the doctrine of Christ, you do not have God. Make sure you know the very words that were inspired by our Heavenly Father!

Be a CHANGED person today!