Count All Your Blessings

Good morning and happy Friday. It's good to be back in the routine of living again. Now just getting caught up with work and home stuff so that it's all back to normal. Really, thats my big problem for today?  Two blessings in that, a job and a home. But I'm used to those so I don't count 'em anymore. They're a blessing every day. My car and my kids all these are blessings I don't count every day. I'm thankful for them but am I just expecting more. "Ok God thank you for those, but where's the next one?". That's how I see us living today, with an expecting attitude. Not an I need to do more for others and be happy in what I have received frame of mind. This is in the extreme mode to some but it's not far off the mark with our society in general. We can impact that by how we live for God daily. Those in the shadows are watching our every move. If it's not right then they see us as hypocrites. Be thankful of the blessing you have received and the ones that are with you daily. Keep your heart focused on God, not for what He gives you, but what He uses you for to give to others. In love always. <><

Our Real Home

Good morning and happy Thursday. Home. I love being home. Seeing new places going to old places is fun and needed but when you get home it feels so good. It's comfort. It's familiar. It's your place you've made to be all yours. We tend to like our stuff better than the hotels or friends stuff. But this isn't about us really. Home is not here. Think what that home will be like. John, in Revelation, says it's beyond our wildest imagination. I've got a pretty good imagination and if it's better than that, well let's just say I wanna be there. But I'm making it again about me. It's for God all this is done. It's His glory we have to show here so when we get there we know how to do it better. This is all temporary and we know it. But we live as if it w can't live without it. Home is what I've built it and made it to be. Living without it is what He's asking me to do. To live only for Him. There's a lot in that and some how I've got to find it. We've got to find it. In love always. <><

He's Easy To Find When It's Hard

Good morning and happy Wednesday. Been up driving all night and came to realize something; I can't do it all night and when I get in the construction, I really have to concentrate. When I'm on the regular non-construction it's nice and easy. It's the same with God, when it's hard going I can find Him easy. When things are good, I don't call on Him as much. It's in those long easy times I really need more time with Him. That's when it's the best to grow with Him. But we seem to rely on ourselves then way too much. We forget we need Him so He puts up some construction signs and makes us concentrate more on Him. Enjoy the drive today; especially the tough spots. In love always. <><

God Makes it Good

Good morning and happy Tuesday. Well the trip is over and I'm glad to be home but I miss my friends already. It's funny the long term plans God has for us and the people that come into our lives. If a lot a bad things didn't happen in my life I wouldn't have been on this trip to begin with. He takes our bad and makes it good for us when we do for Him. Things that may not be seen for many years sometimes. He has blessed me with new people in my life since the first time I became divorced. Good friends and good people. Events that are happening in everyday lives come together at a point and time He puts together. Finding the good in what God does is a gift we all need to open and use daily. He surrounds us with Himself all the time. Find the joy of His presence today. In love always. <><

We're All Different

Good morning and happy Monday. Well vacation is over and it's time to get back to real world. It's cool to get away to another part of the country and see and hear another culture. Just a small trip and not too far away you see how different and diverse people from the same country are. It reminds me that God has made us all unique and for a purpose of our own. His plans are as diverse as there are people. The ways we think and feel and see the world are so different all over. So the plan he has for us is one we need to be listening to and acting on the will of God in our lives. Together all of us will be working for the purpose of God. Do your part today. In love always. <><

Forgotten Plans

Good morning and happy Friday. So many times we make plans to do something. I'm gonna do this and this and then I'm gonna do this. We have every intention of getting it done but one thing or another comes up and we never get them done. Not all the time, but most of the time it's because it's not as important to us as the thing that came up and distracted us. Well good news, God does not get distracted or forgets the plans He has made for us. He will never forsake you. You are always on His mind and most importantly His heart. The only requirement of us is to follow his plan. Fall in love with Him and His Son and follow. What an amazing journey He will lead us on. The things on your heart is what you don't forget. You are on His, put Him in yours. In love always. <><

Just Passing BY

Good morning and happy Thursday. Ever have someone just pull out in front of you and then just drive on like they never saw you? They never gave you a moments notice. And then we all say it, " what are you blind? Can't you see me here?". How many people do we pass everyday needing to hear about Jesus and what His salvation brings? How many times have we just kept walking?  Not always do we see, but are we really looking?  Sometimes it's people we know and just don't think about talking to. They are the ones seeing you with everyone else and not seeing them. This awareness for people comes from having a close relationship with God. It's in those times He lets you see through His eyes what needs are to be met. Spend time getting close to Him and see what He has for you to do. In love always. <><

The Easy Road

Good morning and happy Wednesday. Been up driving all night and came to realize something; I can't do it all night and when I get in the construction, I really have to concentrate. When I'm on the regular non-construction it's nice and easy. It's the same with God, when it's hard going I can find Him easy. When things are good, I don't call on Him as much. It's in those long easy times I really need more time with Him. That's when it's the best to grow with Him. But we seem to rely on ourselves then way too much. We forget we need Him so He puts up some construction signs and makes us concentrate more on Him. Enjoy the drive today; especially the tough spots. In love always. <><

Refreshed

Good morning and happy Tuesday. Doesn't it feel good to be refreshed? To have the days that have beaten you down be melted away and just find that sense of renewal. Most of us don't realize the need for it and so don't ever really step away from things long enough to get it. I bet everything would be handled and covered if you weren't there to do it. We act like we're the ones in charge and it will all fall apart if we don't handle it. Now we can't all spend 40 days on vacation. Jesus' time in the desert was spent staying close to the Father. We need that renewal in our spirit to get back to a closer place than ever before. It's how we grow. So if you haven't, try and take some time away from the world and just be with God. It can be as easy as just letting everything go for a while and simply taking in the world around you. No hustle and bustle, just letting go of the worldly things that keep us occupied and away from God. Breathe, relax and enjoy life a little bit more. In love always <><

Life Is Hard

Good morning and happy Monday. Parents shouldn't ever have to say goodbye to a child. It just doesn't seem right. The bewilderment in their eyes and the wonder as to why is so easily seen on their face. We know that a better place is where they've gone and that we will see them again, but it doesn't help us now. I think of Mary as she watched her son die. With all that she knew about who He was and from where He came and to where He was going and what this meant for the world, it hurt. Why? It's a reminder of our humanity. We're not whole yet. Until that day that God calls us home we need Him. For our strength, comfort, and provision. When people pass, we begin to examine life. Theirs, ours and see the good in them. We beat ourselves up enough with the bad. Find God in all things and there you will find the good. And it may have to hurt a little. In love always. <><

Life's Elevator Ride

Good morning and happy Friday. Why is it when I get in a crowded elevator and I have to just squeeze in and ride facing everyone, it feels so weird? Is it really any different than being turned around facing the door?  No, it just doesn't feel right. When we go through our lives facing the wrong way but doing the same thing as others, two things can happen. One, just feel weird and want to turn around and do it like everyone else and feel comfortable. Or two, we see the faces of the people we're riding with in life and can get a better look at them and how they are feeling. Not judging but seeing. A woman in the corner with her face down. A man in the middle looking straight up. Whats happening in their lives and can I be a help to them. Being uncomfortable and out of our comfort zones can be uplifting and powerful. Don't just ride along life like everyone else. Be the person God made you to be and listen to His instructions for you life. Next time you can, ride the elevator backwards. See if God shows you people's lives if you look. In love always. <>< 

Life is a Snapshot

Good morning and happy Thursday. As I write this I'm at the ER with a dear friend of mine. Between this and some other good friends losing a son, I have been able to see just how life is really just a snapshot. My friend here is older and the son lost was a mere 22 yrs old. It doesn't really matter the age we are, it's how we lived our life. Aaron died saving someone else. That speaks volumes in itself. Delbert is living helping to save others. It's how we do this thing called life. God does things we just can't see or sometimes can't understand. But if we take the time to draw close to Him we can take comfort there and find a peace beyond understanding. He does that for us in those times and more importantly so we see our need for Him. So no matter the age of the picture, young or old, it's the life the picture shows the ones left behind that attests to God the Father. Aaron left a beautiful picture and Delbert is still making his. His work not yet done. Paint a beautiful picture of God in your life. In love always. <><

Feed The Fire

Good morning and happy Wednesday. In the weeks that have past I've noticed less hoopla over Casey Anthony. Make no mistake, she's still hated by plenty. But it's not dominating the FB pages and tweets and conversations like it was a week ago. Already the fire waning out. Someone will fan them and start it up again but it will only go back out quicker until soon it's just gray ashes. I love going to mens retreats for that renewal and fuel for the fire in my heart that fades out from time to time. We're passionate people we humans. But are we passionate about the right things? I wish that the fire of hatred we can turn up so fast and high was lit up for God instead. That we could become so passionate about Him that we don't stop talking about Him. The next big news break doesn't take our mind off of Him. Because just as we are passionate we are also easily distracted. Our focus is short lived. But like an athlete who trains for the long race, training and practice helps us with our focus on God. Get in the Word and let Him reveal Himself to you today. Keep the fire burning. In love always. <><

Trust His Ways

Good morning and happy Tuesday. God is in control. He has a plan for everything. Why can't we trust that? We want to feel like we're driving our lives? We trust people so easily and then when that trust is, and most of the time will, be broken, we have a hard time trusting again. Is that it? We lost trust in people some time ago so we just don't trust at all? To someone who doesn't really know God, His ways would seem confusing and not possible. That is exactly why it's that way so that we see it can only be Him that is involved in what's going on. The plan is so crazy and unpredictable that it can only be Him. He is revealing Himself to us just like He did with Moses. God doesn't change, we do. He's the same as He was and if He showed Himself and His power then, what makes us think He won't now. We got smart and stuff huh. We figured it out. That's what Satan did in the garden. Convinced us of our own power apart from God. Seems like history repeats itself a little. Trust Him. He is handling our lives if we let Him. Understand that this is all temporary and He wants us with Him. Live for that idea for a while as you start to trust Him more and more. In love always. <><

His Ways Are Not Like Ours

Good morning and happy Monday. Isn't it strange how we so desperately want to be forgiven but yet we can't give forgiveness. We want things to be a way that "we're" used to but don't consider what others may think, feel or need. We always put ourselves first. We're good, when reminded, to put others first. But generally it's ourselves. And the one that should be first is the One who helps us to understand all this. His ways are not like ours so we tend not to follow them because they seem so weird and strange. His plans don't seem to make much sense so we put it away as odd and not possible. We want; but we're not willing to give. To give into His plan and His direction and until we do, life will not make much sense in the long run of it. No one can explain why things happen the way they do. But I do know this; if God was in it, it was for good and if He wasn't, good will come from it. The choice is ours to except or reject Him. He will be where He is no matter what our choice is. Thank you God for your forgiveness. In love always. <><