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. <><

To Our Veterans

Good morning and happy Friday. Warriors. The defenders of their country. The ones who are willing to give of themselves to help others. Our military men and women are example of selflessness. The example of willing to die for someone they don't know. Jesus did exactly that. They die for our freedoms, He died for our souls. We set aside a day every year to remember those who died and another to celebrate with the ones who served and made it through. Just like Jesus, we need to be thanking them everyday. Thanking them and their families for the sacrifice they are or have made. We need to be on our knees everyday thanking Him for His grace and mercy. He has fought for us and the war is still raging for our place in eternity. I pray we can all find time to thank those who fought for us. I pray we can to do the same for those still fighting for us. In love always. <>< 

No Apologies

Good morning and happy Thursday. There are a lot of things written about Jesus and the words He said to people. I've thought about it and can't remember Him ever apologizing for the things He said. For the toes He step on or the eyes He poked. It's because He spoke the truth and there is nothing to apologize for. The truth is what sets us free. He did all those things out of love for them all. He didn't want a single soul lost. He wanted them then and us now to know what it is to be with the Father. He knew they would curse Him, laugh at Him, mock Him and ultimately kill Him. How much are we doing in spite of all those things, except the killing part? I don't think many here will die because of the truth but others have and will in other parts of the world. We have to begin to care about more than just friends and family. We have to be stretched a little to reach those in need that we don't see. We have been called to spread His words and we don't have to apologize for them. Just speak them into the lives of others. In love always. <><

Time For A Revival

Good morning and happy Wednesday. The political season is upon us, and I am amazed by the things these candidates say they will do. It's like watching the student body speeches from the movies where they're gonna get snack machine in all the class rooms and no homework on the weekends. What happened to the integrity of man? We've become so singular in our thinking. They say they want it to good for everyone and for all to prosper. What are they doing about the spirituality of our country? Nothing. And they shouldn't. That's our job. See how we all forget.  We've become a silent voice. No longer speaking up for children of God. The churches are who started all the helping programs for people. All with the right intention. What happened?  We quit. We got beat up by the secular world and quit. It's time this sleeping giant arose. A revival of the spirit within us to take this country back and use it's blessed resources for the good of it's own and world it's a part of. It won't happen tomorrow, and that's what the enemy counts on. Our perseverance cannot wane. It has to be strong so our kids see it and can carry on behind us. It's that big of deal. I know it sounds like a crazy idiot with some kind brain problem rambling on, but we're lost as a nation. It starts by a few deciding to do it better and for God. It has to happen. Too many people are playing it safe and trying to simply take care of themselves. People all over our cities need us. They need the love of Jesus we have in us. They need to see they have not been and never have been forgotten. The elite have. Not all but most. But taking the gospel to the downtrodden is not a campaign slogan on the side of any bus. It's our job to do that. Please find a place to plug in and help those who truly need you. In love always. <><

Do You Believe In The Devil

Good morning and happy Tuesday. Do you believe in the devil?  If you believe in God then you do. Good and evil, the classic story line of a lot of movies and stories. It's no wonder we have become so insensitive to it, the power of the devil. So if both are in existence and both wanting us with them for eternity, how can the devil win. He knows his place. He knows the power of God. He wins by taking God away from us. We have all seen this happening. Hardly a child today goes to school and says a prayer in it. We're not allowed to do a lot of things in the light of PC, (political correctness). So the power of Satan comes from us. We allow and become complacent in our beliefs and actions to not stand up at all. Satan's folks are though. They're loud and making headway. So do we shrink into our homes and just be thankful we're saved. What about the one outside your door? Are they not worth saving?  That's our mission. To bring the good news to those who have not heard it in many cases. Think about the kids of today who probably haven't ever heard the news at all. It's not their fault. It's the churches and the lazy people in them. We have got to get loud about Jesus and not let Satan snatch another soul. Evil is winning because it's evil and doesn't care who is offended. Right is right and it wins in the end, but we don't sit back and lose battles along the way just because we do. I hope I haven't offended anyone. In love always. <><

Why Do We Get To Choose

Good morning and happy Monday. The wind and waves obey Him. All things are created by Him. He has power over everything. Why did He give us free will?  So that we would make our own choices to do what He has led us to. So that our love for Him would be pure and true from the heart. The hardest thing we need to do is to submit to His will in our lives and not our own. We have the choice to make and the result of that decision is because of  how we choose to live. But not always do you see the good for the good or the bad for the bad. Why? Because then it would be an us choosing to do good to just get good in return, not to do good because God has asked us to. The ultimate reward is Heaven and an eternity spent with Him. That's where the good really gets the good. True love for Him and a passion to help others the way Christ did is all that He asks of us. Believe in what He has said and follow the example He sent. Rejoice in the salvation He paid for you on the cross and walk in humbled adoration for the God who controls it all. In love always. <><

The Heart Muscle

Good morning and happy Friday. The heart, it's a powerful muscle. It's built and designed to last a lifetime, literally. It's also so fragile. It's not physically hurt by people and things but it is felt to the core. We have doctors who specialize in taking care of the heart. But they can't see what's on the inside even with today's technology. It's that which is on the inside that will be revealed by the great Physician. It's what is on the inside that guides us to do the right and helpful things on this earth. And when we allow the Holy Spirit to dwell there, all things will be good. Doctors can keep it pumping and doing it's manual purpose of circulating blood, but they can't help it to feel the love of our fellow man. It's this emotion that separates us from all other animals. God dwells within us and not animals. It's real and it's more powerful than can be imagined. Every time you feel that tug at our heart, it's God in you. I hope that means something to us. He is with us today the same as He was in the past. He has never changed. Let the love of the Holy Spirit fill your heart today and every day from now on. In love always. <><

Doing It On Our Own

Good morning and happy Thursday. Aka Friday eve. What if no body ever shared a story?  What if we had to learn everything on our own? If we had to figure out how to deal with every emotional issue we faced?  Now really put that to some thought. We have a lot of knowledge. We could get the survival stuff down pretty quick. We would figure out how to eat and get something to drink. It would all be for ourselves first and no one else. We would become as self sufficient as possible and then ultimately die an early death with no one around who cared. Now there would be more for them. Evidence of God is all around us everyday and yet the world is in chaos. When He designed this place, it was to be Eden. We got involved and wanted to be able to rely on ourselves. It seems that the more we move away from God and remove Him from our lives, the more of a mess life becomes. Throughout the old testament and into the new, man as made an effort to be on their own. It's never worked and since we can learn from the past, why is God not the center of everything we do?  We all have different answers and ideas about that, but what are you gonna do about it for your part?  With that knowledge comes the responsibility to put it to use. The smart money is on God and His promises. Put Him first in every decision and action and see what happens. In love always. <><