Good morning and happy Tuesday. Have you ever been pulled over in your car on a bright sunny beautiful day ? Then just as you thought the whole day was ruined you got a warning ticket. The officer showed you mercy. The beautiful day is grace from God. Neither one was deserved. Grace and mercy are very similar and not always understood in their proper definition. Mercy is more like judgement withheld that is deserved. Grace is unmerited love no matter the circumstance. People who are married and have issues in that marriage can see it this way. Not getting a divorce and splitting up the belongings and the money and all that goes with that would be in the light of mercy. Continuing to love the person for what ever the reason and wanting to love them with full forgiveness is grace. Which one do you find easier to give to others ? I've never in my life felt what real grace from a human is like. We learn in church about the grace of God. It's too big for me to wrap my head around really until now. I am the receiver of grace from another person and I am in total amazement of what this feels like. Because of human nature I find myself waiting for the other shoe to drop and the real and true feelings to arrive and give me a good swift kick in the head. It would be deserved too. But then that's not grace and that's not what I've been given. Now that I've received this, huge on a people scale, small amount of grace, compared to God's, I'm seeing the grace of God in a whole new light. I can really feel it now. The splendor of the whole world as a whole. The favor, for lack of a better word, that He has for us. The unwavering love of God is so immeasurable. This love is grace. We have to find this within ourselves to be able to fully understand it and be able to express it to one another. Imagine that world for a second. Even if we just put forth the effort without ever expecting anything from it, our own little slice of the world can change. Sometimes God is too big to get, and it takes a small little ole us to pass it along in a small little ole dose to someone so that it can be seen.

Mercy ends because judgement comes in time. Grace is what saves us from the punishment we deserve. I can never express my gratitude for what grace means to me now. I can thank God for exactly what it is and how much I'm unworthy of it but so thankful for it being poured out to me. Always try and show mercy in the same way you yourself receive it, but look for ways to extend grace to people. God's love can be seen in the sunrise; the stars in the sky; the smile on a newborns face. How good does that feel ? Pass this along to others. Tana, thank you. I love you so much. In love always. <><

Good morning and happy Friday. Do you know what you're supposed to do ? How many times in your life, especially when you were younger, did you have someone say "If you'd do what you're supposed to do, that........" ? So when you heard it means you probably didn't do what you were supposed to do.
How far do you think Peter walked out on the water to Jesus? Two or three steps ? Ten yards ? Or just out of the boat ? Matthew is the only gospel that tells this story. Jesus gave him a simple command in reply to Peter's question. Come. That was all he was supposed to do. Go to Jesus, that's it. The verse says he walked on the water toward Jesus then he saw the wind and was afraid. He began to sink and cried out to the Lord "Save me".
How relevant this is to me today. All I have to do is what I'm supposed to. But as I've walked toward Jesus I've seen the wind, and I failed Him. Not just Him but others as well. That's usually what happens when we don't do what we're supposed to. Our ripple effects others and causes winds to blow at them while they themselves are walking toward Jesus. Or, in some cases, Jesus uses those very messes and winds we've stirred to turn someone's boat around so they can see Him walking toward them. Then they can get out and begin walking toward Him too. But we have to do what He's asked us to do. "Come, come to Me". "Follow Me". And when we don't and we begin to sink, all we have to do is just cry out , Lord , save me. By His grace, mercy, and love we are already saved. We just have to receive it. He will never let you go. In love always. <><

Good morning and happy Monday. Man what a week last week. And it's continuing this week as well. Your prayers have been felt and it's overwhelming. Thank you. I was sitting in a hospice room the other night with a very precious 84 year young lady, watching her as the others had gone to get a bite and take some much needed relief to breathe. As I watched her laying there taking labored breaths, I got to thinking about it being her last ones. She has spent 84 years on this earth taking breaths and having her breath taken away by moments in life. And here we are to last ones. And yet these are the ones taking my breath away. Leaving me pondering life and death and God and heaven. How important these last few of her life are for me. Passing on life in the same way God breathed life into us. The saying is, life is too short, and that's true. But a life well lived will last forever. It's passed on through memories. Our loved ones breathe live into us. We breathe live into others. Our network of relationships is so broad and tangled into others that we leave the memory of ourselves on others we make contact with. What kind of life are we breathing into others ? How much life are we taking from them ? What moments took their breath away ? Her last breaths here were not her last ones. I will carry them with me and pass on that love of family and friends to mine. And I pray that they see God in me and pass on my breaths of Him to others. Let your breath of life speak of God and the salvation His son Jesus has brought to us. Pass on the breath of life to every one you meet and know. It is the most precious and valuable gift in all the world. Let your last breath be singing His praises. In love always <><

Good morning and happy Wednesday. Late Monday night a crew got a call to go to work to go home. A few hours later in their home another crew is called. They got up and packed a lunch and left with the first crew already heading to them. A few hours later many lives where changed forever. The out pouring of care and concern is and was over whelming. You see these lives are gone or changed and their families will feel the effect forever. And by knowing someone who worked with them, you too have been effected in some way small or even big. Our lives are like pebbles dropped in a pool. We leave a ripple of effect that goes on through our entire life. Some close to us feel the fullest effect. Those a little distant might only just hear of something. None the less, we are created by God for a purpose. Some times we may never know what that purpose is or wether or not we completed it. But make no mistake you have a purpose and an effect on people's lives. It could all end tomorrow so please make sure you are living it to the best and fullest extent possible. Make sure the effect and mark you leave on this world is one God has led you too. That your family can find peace and solace in when you're gone. The biggest key in succeeding in that idea is to love. Love people, love life and love God. Please keep these families in your prayers and lift up your neighbor at the same time. Love the Lord your God with all your heart and all your soul and all your mind. Don't dwell on His mystery, trust in His plan. In love always. <><

Good morning and happy Wednesday. I've been busy working in my back yard trying to repair all the damage done to it by a not intentional dog who had a thing about digging. Over the course of time I just got to a point I had to let it go and contend with the fact I'd have to fix the whole thing one day. Well this week is the day. So it's rip up,dig up, shred up, and level up and repair and restore it to what it should be. It will probably be better than it was when it was first put in, only because it's cared about by the person redoing it. What dogs have dug up your life ? How bad is the grass in need of repair and tending to in your life ? Most of the damage has been caused by ourselves but there other things and people who can effect it as well. If we allow God to do the work in us the way we should, He will restore us to much better than we could've ever imagined. But the process isn't easy either. That's why many will start down the road but won't finish. It's too hard to have our lives ripped up, tore up, shredded up and dug up. But the Father, oh the Father can repair us and mend us if we just allow it to happen. Casting Crowns sings an awesome song called "Just Be Held". There's a line that says, yours life's not falling apart, it's falling into place. For that to happen we have to be willing to submit to His ways and not our own. To give up the control we so desperately seek and just be held. It's a difficult road to walk but you're never walking alone. The God of the universe; creator of all things, stands beside you and when needed to, in front of you. And when necessary, will hold you the entire way. So please allow yourself to be held by the Father. Allow the grass of your life to repaired and fixed and mowed by the One who made it in the first place. In love always. <><

Good morning and happy Friday. Well, it's been a while. I'm sorry for that, but here we go. Have you thought of something and how it would turn out? Like a vacation and the things you plan on seeing. A small thing like a little league game and the way it would go, just anything. And then when it's happening and you're there it's like nothing you thought it would be. Sometimes terrible and sometimes amazing. Just not what you thought it would be. I think we expect it to be worse most of the time and end up getting a pleasant surprise. Case in point, I got my wife some tickets to a show for Christmas. I was slick too. I saw she had liked this event on her Facebook page. Oh yeah, gonna score some good job points on this one. When I looked at the event I thought it was a Christian comedian lady we both like. I'm thinking I'm getting some points and a good show of laughs. Well, it wasn't a comedian at all, although she made some funny jokes. What I thought was going to be a pretty cool evening of laughter and comedy turned into one of the most amazing nights of music I've had in a while. Now, you that know me know I love music of all kinds and I like to laugh as much as I can, but this was amazing. What I had gotten my wife and I were tickets to the Sandi Patty concert with special guest Veritas. Oh my goodness. I did not expect that and was completely blown away.
What do you expect from God ? Let that sink in and think real hard about it. If you read this and things like it chances are you've already bought your ticket to the show. What are you expecting ? There are times as Christians, contrary to a mega church ideology, that we are not going to be happy and will feel pain and sadness. Times will be tough and we WILL struggle through some valleys. Not what you expected from God ? Why ? Jesus told you it would be this way. But you see this is not the show you bought a ticket for. The really big show , use your Ed Sullivan voice, is still to come. And while we expect it to be great and wonderful, John, the writer of Revelation, could not even describe it to its fullest. So while life hands out some disappointments from time to time, I'm certain we will not be disappointed for living a life following the King of Kings, Lord of Lords; Jesus Christ. Live your life to the fullest for Him and His glory and wait for the glorious and amazing show to come. In love always. <><

Good morning and happy Thursday. Time. Tons of it, but it always feels there's never enough. When I get the time I'm gonna; when I have some more time I'm gonna go see. When I have enough time I'm going to do. Two sisters had a special guest come to their house. One rushed about and made sure everything was done and everyone was taken care of. The other one with their guest and stayed there in conversation and listening to the things He had to say. As the evening went on the first sister began complaining about the other not helping. The Guest then said to her, "......you are worried and bothered about so many things; but only one thing is necessary, for Mary has chosen the good part, which shall not be taken away from her." While both things needed to be tended to, Mary chose to use her time to be with the Lord. Most times we have to give up one thing in order to do another. Time is priceless. It cannot be bought or earned. It's value is not recognized until it's gone. We can remember time and the things we spent it on and things we didn't. The challenge today is to spend it wisely on what the Lord as set on your heart. Make sure that you spend time at the feet of the Lord sometime today. It is the best value you'll ever have for your time. In love always. <><

Good morning and happy Monday. That moment. That moment when, when it all changes. That moment you decide to make a change. That moment when a decision is made that forever changes a life, yours or anyone else's. Watching The Blind Side last night and I saw the scene where they turned the car around and picked up Big Mike. That moment changed lives forever. It's a small part of the whole thing but it's that moment that makes the whole difference. When we look back over the story of our life and replay the whole "movie" again what moments do you see that changed yours or someone else's life? Do you see that moment when you let God into your life ? That should be or will be the biggest change of direction in your entire life. Are you still on course ? How far off the path are you ? Me, I'm way off, but the good news is, God is quick, fast and in a hurry to set me back on the right track. That moment when we decide to follow. That moment when we quit. That moment when we return. Our lives are filled with moments. Moments that change lives. Make every moment count and make sure it has the stamp of approval from G O D. That is the good house keeping seal we all want. In love always. <><

Good morning and happy Monday. Can you imagine looking into the eyes of God. Directly into them. The creator of the universe and you yourself. The awe and power we would be standing before. Power in the human mind and world doesn't work in the same way His does. In our world, power is pursued. Power is what we will strive for to gain an upper hand or control. In very great contrast, God pursues us. There is nothing or no one more powerful in the universe than God and He pursues you. I have a hard time wrapping my brain around that. I know how to love and give of myself but cannot imagine what His love is capable of. To be rejected and mocked and having the world He created be in the state that it's in. And yet there He is, loving us more than humanly possible. The warmth and compassion of His love is life changing. It's world changing. If at all possible, look into the eyes of God today. He's everywhere. Seek Him with the same passion He seeks you. In love always. <><

Good morning and happy Thursday. Do you believe God puts people in places for a reason? We've all said it a thousand times. Do we give the credit to God? So as you shake your head yes let me ask you this, why does He do it ? What's the purpose? If we truly believe He's done this why are we not obeying Him in pursuing the reason to the end? How are there people out there without a friend or someone to love them? He pushes and nudges and guides us to people all the time. What do we do when we get there ? Love them. Show them God's love for them. Show them they're not forgotten. Show them he's standing right there ready to walk with them the whole way Home. We all are in need of these things. We can help each other with God's guidance or continue to do it on our own, that's led us to where we are now. We believe that God does things for a reason, so believe in Him to finish what He got started. We all have something we don't want out in the light. We all need help in some way. He sends Himself to us through His people. Embrace Him and let Him love you back to healthy and strong. He may need you next to help someone else. You are strong enough, because He is your strength. In love always. <><

Good morning and happy Monday. Aren't the eyes amazing? Think about how they work. It's mind boggling. And what what about all the pretty things in the world? So much to see and take in. It's a beautiful world we live in. It's been made so ugly by man. Not all of it but a lot. But back to the good stuff. Have you ever seen something so pretty you couldn't stop staring at it? For a little bit, your full attention is on it and nothing else. You have to tell others about it. You can't keep it to yourself. You wished you could take it home and have it to look at all the time. Our world is filled with so many things that catch our attention and hold it. Some are intentional by man and his need to seduce us to his product or service. Simple ads and things like that. But what about when you see God ? We've all seen Him in one way or another. The natural beauty of this earth is enough for most. Does He have your attention the way other worldly things do ? Do you want to take Him home to have all the time? It's so easy to get lost in all the distractions of life and forget about what should be holding our complete attention all the time. It's never too late to start and we're never too far gone to go back. It's a matter of the heart being willing to. That hole and emptiness we feel, that we try so hard to fill with life, can only be filled with Him. He made us and left a place for Himself to reside within us if we just let Him. How beautiful is that? Start seeing with the heart and not with our eyes. Thank you Father God for your love for us. In love always <><

Good morning and happy Thursday. I got a chance last week to go do something I've never done, snowmobiling. Man was it fun. Beautiful scenery and a good company of friends. I also learned that snow covers up hidden dangers. Yes, I crashed. Banged up a little bit and not thinking it was too bad we carried on. Next day, can't raise my arm. One week later still the same but on the mend real slow. So I was getting some fast food and it was quite embarrassing when I couldn't use my arm to get the order or even pay for it. I had to use my other arm to help it out the window. All this to say how amazing God made us. We were designed by Him to help each other in times of need. It's just a matter of whether or not we do it. You see someone fall, not a friend, you rush to help them. A friend you laugh first then help. Someone trying to get a heavy item in a truck at the lumber store, you help them. If we have been designed by God in His image and instilled with His love and Spirit, why wouldn't we believe Him to help us in our times of need. When the world crashes in, we tend to retreat to our own safe place and bunker down to ride it out. Why? In order for a blacksmith to make a beautiful piece of steel into something, he has to put it in the fire. From that fire comes beauty. It melts all the ugliness away and brings out its beauty. God is there with you in this trial of your life. He is shaping you from the fire into a beautiful piece of work for the world to see that God is alive and well in us still today. It's been sung best, "My God's not Dead". Face your struggles with a smile knowing God is using this time, this season of your life to do something amazing with you. Make sure you give and point all glory to Him when all this happens for you. He loves you more than you know. He is there to lift your arm, to lift you up. In love always. <><

Good morning and happy Monday. Well, the Super Bowl is over and the buzz is the last play called by the Seahawks. Pete Carroll isn't a dumb coach, and many today will disagree. He's been around football a long time. He made a decision based on few things that they saw on the field and went with it. On most days days and tries, that play scores or gets knocked down. I watched that replay and saw Malcolm Butler watching Russell's eyes. He knew it was coming. He reacted without hesitation and saved, not won, saved the game for his team. How many decisions do you think you make in a day? How many big decisions do you make in a day? How many life changing decisions maybe? We won't get them all right and we'll make most based on information we have or on past experience. And some people are gonna judge our choice and not have a clue one as to why. Pete Carroll owned up to and took all blame for making that call. Who's giving credit to a great play made by Malcolm Butler? What choices are you making that aren't helping team "you"? Why are you making them? Which ones are glorifying God? Everything we do is to be a reflection of and a pointer to God the Father. I own up to mine. I have several things I've done and will probably do others that aren't very good ideas. The world I live in will judge me to an extent but God is who I'm concerned about instead. Praise Him for His forgiveness and grace. Make your decisions based on Him and winning the big game of eternity. It's hard and doesn't seem to be the right call sometimes, but you know in your heart it is. He's there inside you dwelling within. Make the choice to follow Him and no matter what, it will be the right one. In love always. <><

Good morning and happy Monday. My dad is having surgery today to fix his knee. It's not being replaced just repaired, but still an endeavor none the less. I've asked the folks on FB to lift him up in prayer today and the response was immediate and growing in numbers. I like that we can bring our trials and struggles to a place and have a community of people stand with us. I'm amazed too, though, at how quickly we will come to each other's aid in these things, which is good, but won't say much on a post that may be a little convicting. I read a lot of stuff on here and I'm always observing the nature of people. I'm a people watcher, and what I find in our "nature" is that we are quick to help others and very slow to help or ask for help for ourselves. I was just like that once. I'm not saying that this page or any other will be what helps you, but I would hope that if it does you talk about it. Don't let pride get in the way of you finding the path again. God created us to be communal and to help one another. We most certainly need and require His help and guidance daily. I've always wanted this page to be a place that someone can ask or say what ever they feel and create a dialog that can help everyone. We're all in need of something, but once we've turned our lives over to Jesus the biggest part is done but then it becomes the maintaining that can get rough. Routines and what not that keep us from a daily talk with God. Maybe this post today sparks a talk with a friend about how far off the track you may be. I know it helps me greatly just to talk about it now. It helps keep me in the right frame of mind with putting God first. I love that I have friends praying for my dad right now, but I'm more excited that they, we, are talking to God. Lift yourself up in prayer today. Bring it to others to pray for you as well. Don't let the devil use your pride to keep you in the dark alone. I like to pray. I will pray for you and with you any time. In love always. <><

Good morning and happy Friday. Have you ever wondered what heaven will be like? The beautiful colors and majesty of it all. Not even to mention the awesomeness of the glory of God. It will be amazing. Have you thought about hell any? I had a vision the other day of a person being welcomed into Heaven by the Angels. It was amazing. And as I stood there looking at it all I could see the tormented past this person had lived. It looked like what hell might start off looking like. But the person was coming out of darkness and into the most beautiful light. The angles were protecting them from even a glance back at what used to be their life and only could look ahead. The light was so bright but yet so easy to look at. There was singing that cannot be described at all and so beautiful on the ears to hear. I stood just outside and not allowed to see any further than I was standing now. With just the bit of what I saw I never want to be out of that place again. But just as the person entered in, their face was reflected back to me in the shiny golden streets and walls, and it was my own face. As I turned to leave with an unsure of what I saw feeling, again I was looking back at the life of the one who entered. It was so ugly and horrible. I couldn't help but wonder how this person made it to heaven. The doubt soon subsided when I saw events of recent past that I knew then were mine. It was me. But how I do not know. It gives me great hope to know that no matter how far away from God I may get, He's always one turn around from holding me in His arms. Never let anything or anyone or any circumstance keep you from the loving grace of God. In love always. <><