Trading Places

Good morning and happy Tuesday. What if by the power of some freaky thing or coincidence, or whatever, you changed places with your best friend. Like the freaky Friday or the change up movies. I wonder what our friend would find out about what we do and say. We would hear the things we say about them from people we told it to. A very honest and true dialog would open and nothing would be hidden anymore. How would you feel and could you find forgiveness for them if there was some hurt along the way? This is how our relationship with God is supposed to be. What amazes me is that we think we can hide stuff from Him if we don't tell Him. And there is forgiveness from Him when we hurt Him. And we hurt Him everyday. When we live transparent lives, and not pretending to be, our lives are better lived and better examples of someone who is loved by God. In love always. <><

Don't Keep it To Yourself

Good morning and happy Monday. In Jesus' day, He went all throughout the country side preaching to people who hadn't heard the good news given to the Jews. The Jews knew the word and kept it from the world. But then the world saw Jesus and knew exactly who He was while the Jews could not see what was right before their eyes. How bad are we searching? How deep in our own crap are we that we don't see what's right before our eyes?  We know the truth just as the Jews did. We keep it to ourselves and just do the minimum to call ourselves Christians and maybe people we know will think we're good. We're not just good by what we do, it's by what's in our hearts, really, it's who's in our heart. Do you see Jesus in your life today? Do you know who He is and what He's done for you?  Then why are you keeping to yourself?  Is your friend not worth the death paid for them too? We've all been bought at a very high price because we're all worth it. Spread the news to everyone. It's too good to keep locked away. In love always. <><

Tell Them You Love Them

Good morning and happy Friday. Count your blessing and tell everyone in your life you love them. If it's been a while or tension is high and people are on edge, tell them anyway. More importantly, mean it. I wonder if I've done enough to die. I know that we all think about what we would miss if we died. Kids graduations, marriages, grand kids, all that stuff. But what about what we've done? Has it been enough? I sat with an 8 yr old girl who lost her dad. Her first Christmas without him this year. He recorded some books he read to her so she would still have those this year. He knew he was dying and was trying to leave some of himself here for her. I hope that I'm leaving enough of myself here for my girls and my family and friends. God came here and left Himself for us and the impact was forever. If I died tomorrow, I hope that I have done enough for my girls to tell stories when they're eighty. Make everyday count, make everyday one for the Lord and with Him you will leave a mark. I love you. In love always. <>< 

When In The Desert..

Good morning and happy Thursday. Who is God to you? Is He your everything or just your when things are going wrong? Have you ever wondered why God's chosen people lived in the desert?  Do you know why you will find God in the desert?  Because that's where you have nothing left and all there is is Him and you. We always call out to Him at some point when the going gets tough. His people are in the desert because they have lost sight of Him. When you're thirsty and hungry in the desert you will too. But what is the desert you're in? Where have you led yourself that will have you depending on Him to help you? He will be there always. Sometimes when we refuse to see Him, He will strip us down so you have no choice in the matter. Our country's state is an example of that on a large scale. Our own set backs are that on a personal level. But are you giving God the credit for bringing you through it? For being there when you needed Him most. No, we're not. Not like we should. So when you feel like you're in a place alone and no one can understand, that's when He's closest. Look for Him and keep Him close in your walk through the deserts of life. In love always. <><

Bow Before the King

Good morning and happy Wednesday. I was reading an article about the Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem. Its going to under go some repairs and they talked about the design of the door to the room where it is said Jesus was born. It was built very low so that raiders on horse back could not ride through it. No invaders today, but the door is still low and you must bow before entering. They had a practical reason to build it that way then because they knew who Jesus was. I think today it is a reminder for us to remember who He was and to bow before our King. We don't have kings or rulers in this country and aren't used to the idea. I think it would be great for us to be humbled somewhat to the idea of having a King to be a servant to. To bow before our King. What an amazing thing we've never really done. At some point soon, I really recommend and prayer from your knees, bowed before the King. It's just a great reminder of who we serve and that we are His servants. But only do this in content humility. A heart that is ready to truly serve Him. Bow before our King. In love always. <><

Hopes Get Smashed

Good morning and happy Tuesday. Have you ever had your hopes in someone, that they might pull through, finish up, or anything like that? That "I know they will do it this time" kind of feeling, and then get that call or text for the excuse why they didn't. It's one of the worst feelings ever isn't it?  It feels like they just don't care how you feel about them at all. Even though it has nothing to do with you really, we still take it personal. I wonder, and really don't want to know, how many times I've let God down the same way. With Him there knowing I'll do it right and follow through and all those things, just to have me let Him down. And unlike us, He's pulling for the small stuff we don't do. And unlike us, with Him it is about Him and it is personal. I don't know why we let each other down. Sometimes we have a good reason. I just want to stop letting Him down. I don't have the answer to that, other than it's a daily and sometimes hourly thing. But I know what it feels like to be let down and I don't want to do that to anyone else, especially God. In love always. <><

Lost in the Chaos

Good morning and happy Monday. I hope you had a wonderful day of Thanksgiving.  It's crazy how busy and overwhelming it can become, when family gets together. So many conversations at one time. One family in one house on one street on one block of one city of this country; families over the country doing pretty much the same thing. How does God keep up with that? I can't even focus on the two I'm involved in. It just goes to further show how awesome He is and how much we really need Him. When we have surrendered to Him fully, He does the guiding and directing. He has all this woven together in a seamless way so that we can live for Him and serve Him and others the way we need to be. All the chatter and noise of this world subsides and peace takes over, and a calmness beyond understanding. He is all we need. In love always. <>< 

Thank You Lord

Good morning and happy Wednesday. Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good. His love endures forever. We are so blessed here in this country. Be thankful this year for the blessings and not just the stuff. A roof, some food today, all the things we almost take for granted. The things we don't realize we should be thankful for until they're not there and small panic hits. But it's ok, we can run down the street and put some gas in the car. There's people all over who can't. There's people all over not sure of the food situation for next week much less for today. Find it in your heart to thank God, truly thank Him for where you are today. There are a thousand people who would trade with you in a minute. Be thankful for the gift of salvation He gave us on a cross two thousand years ago, because when this blink of a life passes on, that's all there will be. Be thankful He loves you no matter what. He is asking us to come home to Him everyday, and He's waiting for us to do just that. Be thankful that He never closes the door to home. Be thankful for the love He's placed in your heart. Don't keep it there selfishly, go and give it away with joy and thanksgiving. I hope you all have a wonderful and blessed day of Thanksgiving. In love always. <><

Are You Trustworthy?

Good morning and happy Tuesday. You ever do something for someone and not tell them how you helped them out?  How was that persons reaction?  I had a person yesterday not believe I did something for them because I did not charge them on the invoice for it. Really? Where has our trust in each other gone? Why have we taken it upon ourselves to decided whether or not good, or bad, was done? I don't recall reading about any of us creating this world and having dominion over it. It's these small moments of time that we can find the true self. But the problem is, we have to know about God and how He wants us living before we know if we're doing it right or not. So how do they hear? Being in the Bible belt most everyone here at least knows about God, but anymore I question how well we know Him. When He guides our lives, we don't see the cynic inside everyone, we begin seeing who they really are instead. So instead of a thank you I got a chewing out and refunded the other work done. It wasn't much and I don't expect thanks, it just got me wondering why we don't trust each other. It also reminded me, I may not be trustworthy in some eyes. Let's you know it's a daily living, not a once in a while thing, that builds that; no matter how far you have to go to get back. In love always. <><

Our Place at The Table

Good morning and happy Monday. Jesus told the elite of His day to not invite the family, friends, and the wealthy to the feast; but to ask the poor, the crippled,and the blind to the feast. (Luke 14:12-13). It's easy to ask the ones we know or that will return the favor, for something or to something. It's much more difficult to invite the ones that you don't know or who can't return a favor to you, to come to your table. In this world today we have to really look at our motivations. As we drive along the good road we may still be on the wrong one. We've gotten ourselves so deep into doing the good we think we should be doing we missed the on ramp to road that God wants us on. Both headed the same direction but ending in two entirely different places. Good intentions are just that. God intentions are that and more and require a great deal more from us. In Luke 14:1 Jesus warns us of setting ourselves at the place of honor at the feast. We are to be humble and as a servant and let the host move us to the place he has for us. God is the host and eternity with Him is the table. Be careful where you sit yourself. Our feast is us spreading the good news. And while you are here, be aware of who you ask to sit at your table. Who are you spreading the good news to for the Host of all hosts? In love always. <><

The Bigger Picture

God morning and happy Friday. I can't stand it when I let people inside my head. When the things they say effect the way I  go about my day. It would be different if they knew me or what was going on in my life before they began to make their remarks. We do this to each other all the time. We make assumptions and then speak out on those without a clue as to the facts themselves. We piece together some things and call it proof. The danger in that is it can make you, the accused, lose focus on the bigger picture and dwell in the smaller pixel. Sometimes the race is long and there are lessons along the way for others as well as yourself to be learned and lived before the race is over. As long as we can keep focus on God and not let Satan weave his way into our minds it will be ok. Because your heart will go where your mind is if you don't stay strong. God's plan is not like ours, but if you are doing what He is leading you to, then trust Him to bring you, and the others, through it. Follow through with God's plan and do all you can, when you can, and as you can. The hurt inside is real when can't do what you feel you should be doing. But that may create a bigger problem because your thinking of your plan and not what God may be having you do. I trust Him more than you. Keep your heart filled with Him and don't let anyone change the way He is leading you, even when it feels right to do so. Go to Him and let Him guide you not the words of someone who doesn't know you. In love always. <><

The Web of Life

Good morning and happy Thursday. I just love when God shows up in the place you are and you can't help but feel Him there. When we feel alone or lost or simply unsure of where we're at or what to do, be still. When a fly lands in a spider web, the web works best when the fly tries to fly his way out in a chaotic way. His best chance of surviving is by being still and slowly working his way free. With our lives and the webs we find ourselves in, God simply says be still. But what do you do when you're still. There shouldn't be an answer here but I bet we're are thinking of something. The only thing is to listen. Do nothing and simply wait on God to show you. You still go to work, pay the bills, feed the kids and take a shower. But in those times listen for Him. Trust in God is the key to all of this. Let Him work in you. Let Him have His way in your life. The freedom is amazing and the life change is for real. And your change will affect others as well. So in the web of life today, be still and know that He is God. In love always. <><

Amazing Love

Good morning and happy Wednesday. By now you've seen or heard about Mark and Gabby Giffords story. It's amazing that she survived and is able to carry on the way she can. Praises are heralded over Mark's devotion to her and her recovery. It's absolutely beautiful. But it made me wonder about how many other couples have gone through very similar circumstances. Without a peep of national news they made it and loved each other like never before. The Giffords story is inspirational and gives hope to others. Those who have gone this road as well have touched the lives of the people who know them. So no matter how big the event is or made out to be, our lives and how we get through them, can and will, touch lives. We don't have to have fanfare and hoopla to make a difference. When others see your life being lived out for Christ, a difference is made; a life is changed. Both are needed, quiet and big bangs, so that everyone has a chance to be a witness to it. Jesus didn't have the media the way we do, and His impact was huge. He made a difference in the small things and the big and it all mattered. Just do what you can and be that little bit of Jesus someone needs to see. In love always. <><

Buy Into Yourself

Good morning and happy Tuesday.  Have you bought into yourself yet? Do you believe in yourself? It occurred to me that if I don't believe in myself, then I don't believe in what God can do in my life. I have begun to see that He gives us dreams. I've always known He talks to us in our dreams, I just never thought about not following through on what He is saying. It's telling Him " I don't think that's right and I'm gonna do it my way". I want to do a better job of listening and then following. My stubbornness has cost me plenty. It may be costing me eternity. Obedience is at the root of our salvation. Hell will be full of "good" people. I don't want to be one of those. I believe in what God can do in all our lives. I believe He is leading His people to great things for His glory. Most of us, me, are not following. Change your mind set and really begin to listen to what God is saying to you today. Then follow with the faith that He has got it handled for you. We could see a change in many lives, but sadly, only a few will step up. In love always. <><

How's Your CEO Doing?

Good morning and happy Monday. If you're the CEO of a company that's failing or not performing as well as it should, do you feel you deserve your bonus at the end of the year?  What if you're one of the employees who gets a bonus? I don't think anyone but those in those positions think they should. How many feel like they deserve to go to Heaven?  Is the "company" of you performing as it should be? Is it doing the things that are expected of it?  Fortunately there is a difference. The CEO doesn't have remorse and ask forgiveness, he just rationalizes his faults. When it comes to our "company" with God, as long as we can admit our faults and not do them again, He will give us the bonus we still don't deserve. But it all has to come with a heart of humbleness, gratitude, and desire to be truly forgiven by the One who can forgive. I'm amazed at what we "expect" in this country. We are greatly blessed here and it's so we can do for others. That's the idea behind our company on this Earth. To help and give to others. How is your CEO performing?  Should he get his bonus?  In love always. <><