Small Interruptions

Good morning and happy Thursday. In the Book of Mark a man named Jarius is begging Jesus to come and help his daughter who is dying. On the way, a woman who was sick, made her way through the crowd to simply to touch His robe. Her faith healed her. This interruption in the trip to the little girl was likely making Jarius mad and impatient. And just as they were about to move on, he gets word his daughter is dead. How would you feel in this moment? If He would have kept going and not stopped He could have healed her. I'm quite sure he was mad and ready to throw his hands up and just give up. "It's too late now, thanks a lot". Bitterness would be settling in too. Jesus remains calm and tells him she is only "asleep". On the way to the house the people are saying to him why bother now, it's too late. The world discouraging him. But he keeps his faith and Jesus takes him and three others with them and tells the little girl to get up. And with the compassion only the Lord has, He has them get her something to eat. A simple thing, but He knew she missed dinner and would be hungry. He just brought her back from death and is concerned about her in the smallest of things. Delayed answers to prayer, because it's in His time. Compassion beyond understanding. Both people being healed and still caring for them in the smallest of details. This is the God we serve. Serve Him well. Wait for Him to do for you. Be doing for him always. It's in His time. In love always. <><

Be About His Work

Good morning and happy Wednesday. I'm pretty sure that most people don't wake up and say, " Well today is my last day. I'm dying today". I'm sure Dr. King didn't know he was gonna be shot as he was giving his speech that day. The space shuttle astronauts were pretty sure they would be home later on. Is there anything here on this earth worth losing our souls for? I'm not sure I'll make it home tonight, so when I go, I want to be doing God's work, or at least not tied up in this world and it's root of evil. For a long time people knew the earth was flat, people knew the earth was the center of the universe, just think what we'll know tomorrow. Man does not have the answers. Man is not in control. God has this whole thing and we are a part of it no matter how small and insignificant we may feel. In the small things of your life, be doing it for God. Be about His work always. That way when it's time to go home, your work is done. In love always. <>< 

Clinging To The World

Good morning and happy Tuesday. Do any of us realize how temporary this life is?  How the things we cling to will all be gone in the blink of an eye. Yet everyday we all do things that effect our eternity and where it will be spent. Jesus spent a good portion of His ministry teaching about just that. That we are clinging to this earthly dwelling instead of our heavenly home. Our minds and actions lead us down roads of temporary satisfaction. All sorts of things come to mind; our diets, work outs, thoughts of the secretary in the office pool. Tons of things we do or ponder are on  the very short sighted, temporary place of this earth. We all do it and we all have ways of dealing with it, but the best way is to make everyday as deeply involved with God as possible. As we do that more and more the easier this world slips away and the thought of eternity takes over. We never know how close we are to moment of leaving this world. In love always. <><

Help Them Stay Wet

Good morning and happy Monday. It was baptism Sunday at church yesterday. A lot of people went public with their faith. It was nice to see hearts being changed and lives headed in a new direction. How long where you wet from your time in the water? In the moment, I felt like it would last forever, but I was about 14 or so and those of you who know my past know it didn't last long. I was dried up and done with the whole mess relatively quick. What happened? I don't believe I was too young. I do believe that there was no one around to help me through the next phases of that change in my life. Too many times people get out of the water and ask, "Now what?". Being there and not letting someone go alone helps them stay wet and keeps your fire burning. God designed us as community people. To be there for each other. To strengthen each other. No isolation or keeping people at an arms length. When your community is all up in your business, you usually keep your business good. Don't be afraid to reach out and don't be afraid to be reached out to. God guides us when we let Him and gives the words to say when we listen. Be an instrument for Him to use in the lives of others. Don't stand by and let another's fire go out. We need each other. In love always. <><

The Seasons

Good morning and happy Friday. God gave most places in the world four seasons. Some get all four in one day. A season is a time of growth and a time of rest and replenishing. There are specific reasons for the seasons. We go through seasons as well and it's what we do with that time in our life that will make the difference for the next one. To understand those times we need God near us and we need wise counsel also. Every year that a tree goes through the seasons it grows taller and stronger. As we go through them we can grow stronger and more mature in Christ. Or we can become confused by it all and end up lost and becoming weaker. The weak are prayed upon and devoured. The strength we find in the Lord as we go through a season will take us anywhere and everywhere He has planned for us. It will require submission to Him. It will we require letting go of what we're comfortable in. It will be a joyous time in our lives also. Turn loose and let go, surrender to Him fully. Be glad that the Father is shaping you in this season. In love always. <><

So What's Your Idea?

Good morning and happy Thursday. Ever wonder why the Pharisee in Jesus' day never saw Him for who He was? The Son of God standing in front of them and doing all kinds of miraculous things and not get it still. They were looking for something more than what He was. They had their own ideas of what their king would be like. They had their own ideas period. He confronted them and showed them the error of their ways. No one likes being told they're wrong. What ideas do you have that aren't part of what He has for you? Following the Lord is not easy and life doesn't just get better. It is better but the world doesn't see you that way. Don't let uncertainty keep you from Jesus. That's the devils tool against us. You know who and what He is, choose today to follow Him and His ideas and let your world see you being Him. His work done through you is more powerful than anything you can do alone. Don't keep a hard heart to who He is and live a new life in Him. in love always <><

What If God was Selfish?

Good morning and happy Wednesday. Who do you think of throughout the day? Is there any one person on your mind all the time? Is it you and your stuff you think about?  That's where most of our thoughts are, on ourselves and the issues we have for the day. It's natural and needed. But, we need to be thinking of others as much as we can and as often as we can. Driving down the road, any road, helps me realize that people really only think of themselves. They're the only ones on the road and they're the only one that matters. It's not intentional but it's the result of selfish thinking. What if God was selfish? What if Jesus was selfish? Ephesians says to imitate Christ, hello, not selfish. He was thinking about everyone of us as He hung there in excruciating pain and agony. Today we need to let our thoughts drift to others and how we can be a part of their lives and help or just be there for them. Our busyness keeps us from that. Make time for others and give of yourself , even if it's just a little. In love always <><

It's Just Easter to Some

Good morning and happy Tuesday. Reflecting back on Friday-Sunday, I was thinking about the Roman soldiers who were there. In a way they represent us. They didn't buy into who Jesus was and really didn't want to be involved in any of the stuff going on. They didn't mind making a spectacle of the whole thing for their own enjoyment though. They were involved in an Easter event and that's it. Some however saw first hand the power of God and came to understand just who this man was. Aren't we really the same in our approach to Christianity? Don't we take a stand back and see attitude? Some will jump on the wagon of putting it down while others will see exactly who Jesus is and what He can do in their life too. Then there are those who know and still aren't on either wagon. I pray that those will let Him in just a little and see how big He truly is. Thank you God for your son and His sacrifice to purchase us all. We're not worth that, but thank you for thinking so. In love always. <>< 

The Giver of LIfe

Good morning and happy Monday. I was sitting in church yesterday and young couple with a small, maybe not 1yr old, was sitting in front of me. As kids do, she got a little restless but nothing terrible at all. The dad was holding her giving mom a break. Then I saw it. The look only a mother who gave birth to a child could have. You could see the love for her child all over her face as she watched her girl. She knew what she needed and what to give her and poor dad was just in the way. But as I looked at her face, I saw how God sees us, as only the giver of life can. He knows our needs and wants before we do. I'm amazed at the amount of love we are capable of. If we even get on the scale of Gods love for us we're doing great. Yesterday was a celebration of that love as He looked down at His Son dying for all of us. I can only imagine the smile on His face as He looked at Him as only the giver of life can. He loves us so much. Love Him and His people back. In love always. <>< 

Saturday's Test of Faith

Good morning and happy Saturday. It's not a usual Saturday so we must finish the story. Jesus is no longer in the world. Their King and Savior is dead. How can this be? He is in a tomb and it's the Sabbath. For those who believed in who He was, there is great remorse for the loss. For those who didn't there was great relief, as the trouble maker is gone.  This day fascinates me the most. What were they gonna do?  Did they remember what He told them about rising on the third day? Doubt had to play a huge role in their day today. Would He come back? Where is your faith at? Do you believe in Him? Does all this matter at all to you? If not, story over. If so, what are you gonna do about what He's left behind for us to do? As these people sat around questioning the same things, they had a choice to make. History shows us what they chose and how they're lives we're changed. It's the same today for us and the decisions and choices are the same. Follow His will or not. Trust in Him or not. But if you trust and believe then you have to obey. We have to put our whole selves into it or get out. They had the same choice. Nothing from Jesus' time has changed really. It's just in our time and we didn't have Him walking among us and teaching us. But yet we do, the Bible. He is with us and left the Holy Spirit to dwell within us. Have great faith in the risen King today. Prepare the way for His resurrection tomorrow and the dwelling of the Spirit within you. In love always. 
<><

A Very Good Friday

Good morning and happy Friday. Good Friday. Those close to Him are gone and don't  know Him. He's before the courts to be silenced once and for all. Not even the Romans want His blood on their hands. Everyone gets who He is but them. The verdict comes down and the sentence is passed. Because they were so tied up in their own way of thinking and wanting to be vindicated, they did not see who God Himself was. Where does that fit in your life today? 

   He is beaten almost to death before He ever makes it to the cross. Mothers hide their children's eyes from what is happening, that's how bad this is. He feels it all just like a man would. Skin ripped and broken open by the whips. Nails through the hands and feet. All for us. For all of us. When the world went dark and shook, they knew then that what they did was wrong, but will not admit to it. We are just like them. By staying in our sinful ways and not following Him, we are beating Him with a whip all over again and making His death nothing. The kindest loving God sent us hope. Gave us a way Home when there was none. Pours out grace on an undeserving world, so that we will come to Him and be His bride. We are children of the Most High God, act like it. Love each other and help each other. Make what happened on this day mean every thing to you. 

   He came as a man to walk among us and show us the way. He died on a cross to open the door to the Heavens. "It is finished". In love always. <><

Thursday of the Last 7 Days

Good morning and happy Thursday. The Feast of the Unleavened Bread". So Jesus gets His guys to find them a place to have their feast. A lot is going to happen today, but in a nut shell, they have their Last Supper, now our communion. They we're told they would deny Him and that one would betray Him. Thay went to Gethsemane to pray. Here is where I had questions in my learning about Jesus. In His prayer to God, as He sweats blood, He asked if there was another way of doing this. To let this cup pass, but if it's your will.... Why? Was He chickening out? Did He not want to save us now?  Nope. He knew that as He hung on that cross He would become sin and as sin, God would not look at at Him and He would, for the first and only time, be out of God's presence. He could take the beating, the mockery, the humiliation, but not being away from God. Can You?  Can you stand up for what He has you to do and follow His will in spite of what is going to happen because of it? We owe Him at least that much. His buds turned Him in and also left Him, denying Him just like he said. Prophecy fulfilled. This is real and it has happened to save us all. No matter how far away from Him we let ourselves go, there is always a road Home. For Jesus to ask not be away from God, it must be amazing place to be. See you there. In love always. <>< 

Wednesday of the Last 7 Days

Good morning and happy Wednesday. It's the middle of the week and not a lot is happening. Jesus is still teaching, but the big thing going on is the plot behind His back. That gets said as if He didn't know it was going on. One of His twelve has decided to take advantage of a situation. He heard Jesus say He was going to die, why not make a little money and  influence from it. Rationalizing the thought process. Doesn't sound like much has changed in all these years. We still have teachers, on His behalf, and we still think we can do stuff behind His back and get away with it, or at least benefit in some way. It's all selfish thinking and being self centered that causes us to wonder so far away from Him. This thought process ultimately cost Judas his life. The anguish he caused himself was far worse than anything good He could've gained. So before he hung himself, I'm sure he said to himself that none of that was worth it. What plot against Jesus do have in your head? If its not for Him it's against Him. In love always <><

Tuesday of the Last 7 Days

Good morning and happy Tuesday. Jesus began teaching again to show the people who He was and how they have been rejecting Him. He was setting the table for what was to come. It's too long for here but read Luke 20:1- ? about the tenants in the vineyard. Jesus lays the ground work for all the wrong they've been doing. They've been told by the prophets of his coming and rejected what was right before their eyes. So you see, they were looking so intently for the new king, they missed him when He came and ended up killing Him. How much are we missing right before our eyes because we're looking for our own desires of the world? Jesus makes it clear that they knew this day was coming. They grew up hearing it said, and still chose their way over The Way. Mostly because it included the Gentiles. Others besides themselves were getting in on all the good stuff too. "But they didn't have to go through what we did", they said. Why them. This can't be the guy we're looking for. It's not what we think about it, it's what God is doing that matters. This is not about us, it's about ALL of us. Love them all. In love always

<><

Monday of the Last 7 Days

Good morning and happy Monday. On Sunday Jesus rode into Jerusalem on a donkey. He was being heralded as the coming king of the Jews. They wanted their king here that would overthrow the Roman rule they had been under. But as Jesus rode in, he wept over the city because He knew why He was there and what these very same people were going to do. On Monday He was in the Temple running off all the "robbers" that had set up shop there. Really? This is how they were acting in the Holy City during Passover week. He was going to be giving His last teachings here. What are some of the last things you would be telling your loved ones in your last days? What Jesus has to say is going to be very important to those hearing it and those reading it today. This is Passion Week. The week Jesus came to this Earth for. To save us all. This is going to be a great week. In love always.

<><