Pamela's Pondering Place

Don't Drink The Water From The Faucet

2012-01-16T10:10:00.001-08:00

Isn't it truly amazing how many water products are now on the market? Honestly! You can find water with electrolytes, vitamins, energy boosters, etc. There's spring water, mountain water, rain water, and on and on they go. Just don't drink the water from the faucet; it's contaminated with all sorts of things you don't want to know about. That's the message, right? As I sit here pondering on my need to drink more water and all the benefits I've been ignoring, I'm reminded about the water story in the Bible.

It's about Jesus' trip through Samaria. He found himself thirsty and sat by the well waiting for someone to come who could give him a drink. It's found in the book of John, chapter 4. The two verses that I will refer to here are verses 13 and 14; from The Message version it reads like this, "Jesus said, everyone who drinks this water will get thirsty again and again. Anyone who drinks the water I give will never thirst --- not ever. The water I give will be an artesian spring within, gushing fountains of endless life."

You know Jesus was the Master Storyteller. His stories intrigue me because they can usually be tied back to the things he created. He uses so many analogies and allegories to engage our minds so that we can apply them to our lives and understand their importance. So I decide to look at the known facts about water and see how much they can be applied to spiritual need.

• A person can live for up to one month without food, but only about one week without water.
• By the time a person feels thirsty, his or her body has lost over 1 percent of its total water amount.
• Water leads to overall greater health by flushing out wastes and bacteria that can cause disease.
• Water can prevent and alleviate headaches.
• Water naturally moisturizes skin and ensures proper cellular formation underneath layers of skin to give it a healthy, glowing appearance.
• Water aids in the digestion process and prevents constipation.
• Water is the primary mode of transportation for all nutrients in the body and is essential for proper circulation.

I think there are many applications that can be made from these. Pastor Kenneth Haney preached a powerful message at Firstborn Ministries about the importance of renewing our minds daily which comes to mind as I write this note. He challenged us to be diligent in the renewing of our minds daily. He quoted this passage:

“I beseech you there, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.” Romans 12: 1-2

Get rid of the stinkin’ thinkin’ that’s between your ears! The only way we can be healthy Christians is to flush out all the waste and bacteria of the world through the infilling of the Holy Ghost on a daily basis. The headache, sickness and disease of the world prevent a healthy glow of the spirit. But proper daily cleansing with nourishment from the Word and spirit of God will transport nutrients into your mind and body that are essential to your personal health and the proper circulation and spreading of revival to the world.

From this point on, my water of choice is Spirit water. The Message version of this same scripture puts it like this and sums up my choice pretty well:
“So here's what I want you to do, God helping you: Take your everyday, ordinary life—your sleeping, eating, going-to-work, and walking-around life—and place it before God as an offering. Embracing what God does for you is the best thing you can do for him. Don't become so well-adjusted to your culture that you fit into it without even thinking. Instead, fix your attention on God. You'll be changed from the inside out. Readily recognize what he wants from you, and quickly respond to it. Unlike the culture around you, always dragging you down to its level of immaturity, God brings the best out of you, develops well-formed maturity in you.” (Romans 12:1-2)

Do you have room for one more?

2011-12-20T02:01:00.000-08:00

I wonder how long Joseph had to search for a place before the innkeeper offered his stable? Were people rude and too busy because of all the hustle and bustle of Christmas? Did the people take time to sincerely help Joseph? As he waited for the innkeepers, were there line crashers and impatient people behind him saying rude things about a man who would take his very pregnant wife out during such a busy time?

Just like that Christmas so long ago, I am finding people who don't have room in their lives for others. They are so busy with creating the most perfectly decorated home, or buying the perfect gift that they don't truly "see" others. Worse, they may even be searching for a gift for someone who they really don't care for and wish that they didn't feel the pressure to buy "something" for them. Some are checking their notes from last year and "re-gifting" that dumb gift from Auntie Sallie's second cousin who felt obligated to bring the hostess a gift, hoping that no one realizes what they did.

A room? Are you kidding? You want to bring a guest? But we didn't buy them a gift? How will they feel not getting a gift? Really? Is that what this precious time of celebrating Christ's birth means to you?

At least, 2000+ years ago, the true state of affairs was that there truly wasn't one more place to put someone in the inn. It's a sad tale. No woman in her right mind can fathom what that must have really been like. But today, it's appalling that we can't seat one more person at the already overflowing table. It's appalling that we don't want to take the time to share our blessings with just one more person. It's appalling to think that we may have truly lost the real meaning of Christmas.

I remember times when my dad would call and tell my mom unexpected guests would be coming. Oh, yes, she wasn't perfect. (sorry mom) She would sometimes complain. Our house wasn't clean enough. We didn't have enough food. She was too tired. BUT, she would make the room. She would improvise and create a wonderful meal that stretched. And surprisingly enough, those were great and memorable times. We had great fun and we gained insight and friends by sharing what we did have.

So I ponder today. Am I rushing around and ignoring people and being too busy to see needs in others? Am I truly forgetting the true reason for this wonderful season? Am I shutting out others just so I have a "perfect" holiday? Am I being rude and unkind to the shoppers around me?

What about you? Do you have room for one more?

Love is All You Need

2011-12-18T07:27:00.000-08:00

To a stable long ago he came

A place where you and I would be ashamed

To make our entrance into the world

No trumpets, flags left unfurled.

How could the Savior, the king

Come to earth where only angels sing

The tidings of comfort and joy

A humble place with no ploy

This is not what we’d expect

Yet even now with great effect

We try to impress others

With gifts for sister and brothers

When the only thing that truly matters

Is the selfless love that shatters

Even the coziest of places

And the hardest of faces

Because our Savior our King did come

From Heaven above with angelic anthem

To share the knowledge and truth

With men, women child and youth

Do what is just and right

Love mercy with all your might

Walk humbly with your God

And one day you will be awed

When you find yourself at His feet

30 seconds of silence when you meet

Because the love of this great man

Over the world did span

Brought life and love to you

Your sisters and brothers too

Be happy and love without malice

Drink deep from life’s chalice

Share what has been given to you

From the babe in a stable, not a statue

The greatest of gifts, one that is rife

With Love and Everlasting Life!

Nearsighted People Are Better Friends

2011-09-15T04:29:00.000-07:00

I wear glasses; well, I do when I have to. Actually, I'm supposed to wear them all the time. But I am able to see what I need to get by in my home. When someone is curious about my eyesight, they often ask, "Are you near or farsighted? I always have to pause for a minute and think about that....let's see, it's opposite of the words. I can see clearly when things are near so, then I can answer, "I'm farsighted."

These past few weeks have been troublesome to me. The earpiece on my glasses came apart. The soldering failed to hold it together. Now I didn't purchase these locally, so it has been a service nightmare. We'll save that story for another time, perhaps. I could not drive since I can't see far away and I have depth perception issues. I finally found that jewelers actually can fix these things. I got them fixed and returned to a normal lifestyle this week. :-)

This along with my devotions in Ephesians got me to pondering this morning and I've decided that nearsighted people are better friends.

If you can see far away, you can go places alone or bring someone with you. If you can't see far away, you have to get a nearsighted friend to help you. If your friend is farsighted and has the same deficiencies that you do with eyesight, then you'll not be able to venture very far from where you are, unless of course, they have eyeglasses.

While I had this issue with my glasses, I complained a lot. Yes, I did. I had to ask people to come closer. I couldn't drive and had to wait for someone to take me places. I had to move the computer closer to me so I could work. My eyes got tired more easily and I was irritable more often. The immediate things overshadowed and drowned opportunities that I might have had.

I find that's true in my spiritual life as well. Paul tells us in Ephesians that we need to put on the armor of God daily. Why? Because if we don't we're farsighted and not a very good friend to have. We lack the things that would give us power, strength, peace and faith. Without these things, we will not be able to stand strong. We'll be complainers and doubters. We won't be able to do anything on our own. We'll need others to prop us up and drive us places. We might even have unintentional failures where we could have succeeded if we'd only put on our glasses, our spiritual armor.

Nearsighted people are more like Christ. They don't ignore the immediate, but they balance it by what they see in the future. They see the opportunities in things, not the overwhelming hard work that must be done today to get there. They see the good in the person that's currently contentious because they don't understand; they see this persons need for knowledge and they take the time to instruct them knowing that they will become the next Sunday School teacher with enthusiasm and impact.

You see, nearsighted people are better friends. They put their glasses on daily. They might have to take them off for a moment and clean them from all the mud that was kicked up in their face, but when they put those glasses back on, they keep looking ahead and pursuing the prize that is set before them. Why? Because they put on their armor every day.

I'll let the Word of God have the last say. Ephesians 6:10-18 in The Message Version:

"And that about wraps it up. God is strong, and he wants you strong. So take everything the Master has set out for you, well-made weapons of the best materials. And put them to use so you will be able to stand up to everything the Devil throws your way. This is no afternoon athletic contest that we'll walk away from and forget about in a couple of hours. This is for keeps, a life-or-death fight to the finish against the Devil and all his angels.

Be prepared. You're up against far more than you can handle on your own. Take all the help you can get, every weapon God has issued, so that when it's all over but the shouting you'll still be on your feet. Truth, righteousness, peace, faith, and salvation are more than words. Learn how to apply them. You'll need them throughout your life. God's Word is an indispensable weapon. In the same way, prayer is essential in this ongoing warfare. Pray hard and long. Pray for your brothers and sisters. Keep your eyes open. Keep each others spirits up so that no one falls behind or drops out."

I don't know about you, but I'm putting my glasses on this morning. I want to be a nearsighted friend of God today!

Leave me alone! I like being Blind, ok?

2011-08-12T08:34:00.000-07:00

I have the day off so I take my cup of coffee and my book out to the deck to enjoy the morning. It's 72 degrees, partly cloudy and a great morning to relax on the deck. This is something very rare and precious to me. Great laziness overcomes me and I lay my book aside, adjust the deck chair to the recline position, lay back and close my eyes.

What a joy to hear the sounds that surround me; lawns being mowed, the birds are chirping away and the dog is in the deck chair beside me enjoying the day. I smell the broasted chicken being cooked at the deli of the store just a few houses away and my mouth is watering. Wind begins to blow through the leaves and it's like music to my ears. Relaxation is about to totally overcome me and the pondering begins.

Blindness. What a terrible handicap. As I lie here identifying all the things I hear, I can also see it in my mind. What if I had never seen a lawn being mowed, would I recognize the sound? If I'd never ate broasted chicken from the deli, would I recognize the smell; would my mouth water at the thought of it? No. Someone would have to describe them as best they could so that I would know what they were. Better yet, I'd have to experience them myself to get the fullest understanding so I'd recognize them the next time.

Over the years my eyesight has deteriorated. I've had to purchase eyeglasses with progressive lenses to see more clearly. I really don't like glasses. However the alternative is not acceptable either. Sometimes I'll delay putting on my glasses for a while. It's fine while I am working around the house. But when I try to look across the street or I have to drive to the store, the glasses have to be put on in order to see more clearly and eliminate the distortion. As much as I hate them, they are essential to my ability to see more than a few feet around me.

My heart asks me a question....what about spiritual blindness? As I think of this question I am struck by the thoughts that rush through me. Do I see the things I should? Can I identify the sounds I hear around me? Have I experienced the things that I should so I can identify them when my eyes are closed? Do I hear the wind blowing through my world? Do I hear the beautiful sounds of birds chirping and smell the things God is preparing for us? Does my mouth water in anticipation of the next service I will participate in or the next message that will be served up in my hearing? Do I need eyeglasses? If so, have I gone for that examination to see exactly what it is I need? Have I asked the right questions of the Savior so that I understand what my needs are?

Honestly, I want to balk at these thoughts. I even want to say leave me alone! I like being blind, ok? I know what to expect of myself and my environment just the way it is. I know where the furniture is and I know what's expected of me in my current environment. I have disappointments and there are things that I wish were different, but hey, I'm good! Leave me alone! At least I know what to expect, right? Some things will never change. Acceptance is my friend, right? Better to just leave things alone as they are. Like I said, I like being blind!

But there are two songs that just play over and over in my mind and I can't get block them out. Open the Eyes of my Heart and If We are the Body. As I let myself hear these songs clearly in my mind, my throat is constricting with the unspoken longing from deep inside. I know that if I give into this and talk to the Master optometrist of the soul, I'll have to submit to the examination of my eyes and he'll examine my heart and point out the things that I need to work on.

What will it cost me to remain as I am? Who will be impacted by my blindness? Why am I even questioning these things? There are two spirits raging inside me. Which one will win?

Someone once said, the winner is the one you feed.....................pondering continues...............

The Predictability of Storms – Storms-Part Two

2011-04-28T06:11:00.000-07:00

My company wrote us an email and reminded us of all the precautions we should take during this “storm season” and procedures to be followed in case one of these storms causes extensive or catastrophic damage. That got my “pondering” juices flowing……

Storms are predictable. My grandfather worked as a foreman on several ranches in the California San Joaquin Valley. He could smell the rain coming. He could feel that the temperatures were going to drop and he’d be up all night tending to the orchards and keeping the smudge pots going. He could read the signs of the physical elements around him and know what type of day or night it would be.

My grandfather used his powers of prediction and amazed me and my cousins one day. When my cousins would come to stay with us in the summer, my mother always sent us out to play. This particular time it was a very, VERY dry California summer. We needed rain badly and we’d heard my parents and grandparents talking of this off and on for several days. I’m not sure why my grandfather stopped by that afternoon, but he did.

As he was leaving he told us that he could make it rain. Of course, that got our attention. We knew he could not make rain; only God could do that and we told him so. He kept up this back and forth conversation regarding his powers for a bit. He then told us he could show us this old Indian Rain Dance he knew and prove that he could make it rain. So, he did.

We lived in the country and we burned our trash in an old barrel outside. Grandpa walked over to that barrel and started to chant and dance around it. This went on for a little bit and he got us to join him and dance around that old barrel. We had the greatest fun. But inside we knew it was not going to rain but our grandpa was acting silly and we enjoyed every minute of it. Ah, but it did rain. That night there was what I heard my family refer to as a “gully washer”. That next day, the powers of our grandfather were forever stamped in our minds.

Now we are much more sophisticated. Technology has given many people the power to predict the weather patterns and storms. Through these advancements, many lives have been saved and damage minimized or sometimes even avoided because we are aware of the coming storms. Matter of fact, we also know the type of storms coming; there are seasons and patterns.

That brings me to the point of my pondering. It’s the same in our lives. Storms are predictable. Storms have seasons and patterns. Since we know this is true, then we can prepare for and minimize the damage they may bring.

We learn to prepare for storms and problems by the examples around us; parents, family, friends and acquaintances. All play a part in molding our ability to weather the storms of life. The wisdom and knowledge of those around us is a key contributor to how we handle the storm season.

Let me give you a couple examples from my life.

I’ll call this one the “Season of the Young Mother”. When I was a young mother, I thought that having children would totally complete me and I would reach that pinnacle of fulfillment and find the happiness I’d imagined. It wasn’t all I imagined it to be. Hiding in the closet with a flashlight to eat a candy bar and read a book wasn’t what I thought I’d be doing.

I never expected to resent those children. I never expected to be so angry with my husband for not being home during the day and I wanted to leave it all to him when he got home; see how he would deal with it. These things left me feeling like something was terribly wrong with me. I must not be a very good mom. Matter of fact, I must be a really selfish person to resent these little people and the man I had once loved more than anything else.

I did not know that this season of life was like all others; storms occur to help us change. That’s right. This storm was there to help me awaken to the fact that a new dimension of life was opened up. It was no longer about me and my husband and our life together. This season was about focusing on others. My value had just been increased. I needed to adjust my sails so I wouldn’t ship wreck.

I had to adjust to this new season. I had to find others who’d been through this before to help me understand that my life as a mother was the most important job I had. I had to learn to value this role and learn that my frustrations were natural and my feelings were normal. I found others who’d successfully weathered this season and learned to take time for myself when I could. I learned to quit trying to be superwoman, doing it all, to being supermom; setting right and Godly priorities.

How do you prepare for the storms in your life? What have you found that brings the peace and stability to weather the storm? What storm seasons have you weathered?

I’d love to hear from you. You can comment on this post, or you can write me at pvs1960@gmail.com.

My next post will be Storms-Part Three – The Power of the Storm

Taming the Storm - Part One

2011-04-06T05:07:00.000-07:00

I think I was in the sixth grade when we had an illustrated lesson on storms. The teacher had a teapot that was clear. He filled about one-third of the pot with water and placed it over a Bunsen burner to heat. Soon the steam began to build up to the point that it whirled and swirled; faster and faster the hotter it grew. Finally, it was too much to contain in the teapot and began to whistle noisily through the small hole in the cap.

It was an incredible show; small whips of mist built up into very noticeable white steam. Swirls that changed and moved faster and faster the hotter the temperature was. Oh yes, I almost forgot the point he was making. There was a thermometer there. As the temperature of the water rose the steam was more noticeable and it moved faster.

This morning as I was having my devotions, I remembered one thing very clearly - the water was pretty calm throughout most of the experiment. The teacher did mention this, but we really didn’t focus on that. Little water bubbles formed and would move to the top of the surface and escape. The hotter the temperature of the water, the more little bubbles formed and escaped. When the temperature reached the boiling point, that’s when the water erupted into roiling waves.

Today, as I remember this illustrated lesson, I am struck again by how great God is. Jesus’ teachings in the Bible used nature and physical things to teach us spiritual lessons. How did he know so much? He wasn’t very old; he started his public ministry when he was 30. How could he except that he was God. He understood natural science and physiology because he was the Creator of all things.

How many times have you been reminded of this? How many lessons from your early years do you recall that now turns the light of understanding on in your life? Do you see God differently now?

Storms are inevitable. Matter of fact, storms are necessary to the maturity of all living things; including human beings. Storms clean the air and water and encourage growth.

How is your journey so far? Are you praying for a storm-free life? Or are you learning and growing from them? I challenge you to look back at the storms you’ve come through. Can you see the growth experienced because of the storm?

I’m hoping you’ll take some time to share your thoughts with me.

Let's Get Naked!

2011-02-23T06:45:00.000-08:00

There’s nothing like having way too many clothes on. Not only is it hard to move around, but you can get overheated as well. When getting ready to go backpacking in cold weather, I’ve heard the park rangers caution everyone not to overdress. Sweating underneath too many clothes can be as dangerous as not having enough clothing on.

When I was a younger girl, clothing was of some significance in our Western culture. Girls who were pure when they married wore white wedding dresses. If you were going to church, you wore the very best clothing you had and women NEVER wore pants. We did not have ‘dress-down’ Friday’s at work. Women had to wear nylons at work. Men had to wear suit coats. Easter was the first time you could wear white shoes; you never wore white shoes after Memorial Day weekend. If you were going to a funeral, you never wore any bright clothing; it was navy blue, dark brown or black.

There are many references to clothing in the Bible. Clothing was a tool used to identify a person’s position, culture, religion or status in life. Sackcloth was used as a sign of mourning or deep repentance. One phrase I see a lot is they “rent their clothing”. Often it is used to demonstrate a person’s emotion when they were overcome with grief, shame or humiliation.

Clothing can cover a lot of things. If you’re too thin, wear stripes that are broad and run horizontal to the ground. If you’re on the heavier side and want to wear stripes, wear clothing with stripes that are thinner and run vertical to the ground. If you are broad in the shoulders and want to appear smaller, wear v-necklines. If you are too thin in the shoulders, wear square necklines. These are illusions. You’re still too thin or heavy, yet the clothing helps to emphasize or disguise the facts.

The lack of clothing uncovers a lot of things. I know I don’t have to describe this statement because each and everyone of you reading this right now have some mental images playing around in your mind.

Just as clothing can cover and/or disguise things, so can our actions. Our actions can cover and disguise who and what we are.

Have you ever told someone that you knew what they were getting for their birthday for that special someone because you helped to pick it out? Then that someone begged and coerced you into telling them what it was? You cave into their persuasive powers and spill the beans. You tell them because you know that they can be trusted and you make them promise that they will act like they don’t know and BE surprised? Oh my word!! Can YOU even do that? Be serious! That is NEVER going to be possible. Guess who will never help someone buy a birthday gift again? YOU!! Actions are hard to fake, but some of us have mastered the craft.

Jesus exposed some people who had superior talents in this area. In Matthew 23 he talks about the Pharisees. Jesus told his followers that the Pharisees works were being done so people would see them; their beautiful prayer shawls and the borders of their garments were super-sized. (http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew+23&version=KJV) He goes on through this chapter to uncover their lies and hypocrisy.

I love how the Message version of the Bible translates the 23^rd and 24^th verses. “You’re hopeless, you religion scholars and Pharisees! Frauds! You keep meticulous account books, tithing on every nickel and dime you get, but on the meat of God’s Law, things like fairness and compassion and commitment – the absolute basics!—you carelessly take it or leave it. Careful bookkeeping is commendable, but the basics are required. Do you have any idea how silly you look, writing a life story that’s wrong from start to finish, nitpicking over commas and semicolons?”

After carefully considering this chapter in Matthew, I’ve decided I want to get naked! Naked before God and the world! I don’t want what I wear or what I say to define who I am. I want my actions to reflect Christ within the hope of the world. I want them to know me because I love you and everyone else I come into contact with. (John 13:35)

The model we should be following for ministry is Jesus Christ. His model?

1) He ministered to the men who he shared all areas of his life.

2) He had an attitude and demonstration of servanthood to all!

3) He had a comprehensive command of relational love.

You cannot share all areas of your life if you’re not naked; transparent. If you put on all that fancy stuff and use those Harvard terms when talking to others and can’t get down to the 6^th grade level of communication, then you’re going to have a hard time with being a servant. If you don’t understand people from all walks of life and welcome discussions and interactions with them on a personal level, don’t you be expecting to win them to Christ.

I want to be honest, pure, holy, righteous and full of compassion and love as Jesus was. I want to win my world, those people I work and live with, to Jesus Christ. And I’m asking myself this question, how much do I want it? Do I want it enough to get naked?

If not now, when?

2011-02-21T04:00:00.000-08:00

I've passed by our air purifier many times over the last couple of weeks, maybe even longer but I'm not going to admit it to anyone. There's a message displayed screaming at me to clean it. I'm not sure why I don't like cleaning that machine. It's really quite simple. Yet, I still don't clean it. I must have told myself a dozen times if I've said it once, just do it. And still I procrastinate.

Last night when we arrived back home from church service, I decide to clean the air purifier. I pulled all the parts out, washed them, soaked the piece that should be soaked, rinsed all the pieces off and set them on the counter to dry overnight. I got up today and put it all back together. Guess what? The lamp needs replacing. Of course, this got me to pondering................

There are so many things that I've put off in life; to another day, another hour, another what? Why? Some of these things are important, some of them are not, but they are things that should be done. Will it stop the world from spinning? No. Will it cause another person harm? No. But they are things that should be done; you know maintenance things. Things that run more smoothly once they are clean, oiled, swept or used.

Some things I've put off actually make life better. So why do I put these things off? Simply put, because they take discipline. Please don't judge me on this. I have talked to enough of my friends to know we are all the same. So I take a certain liberty with this knowledge. I actually excuse my procrastination because we all deserve a break today.

But the days are adding up. Now it's been weeks and even months in some cases. And just like the air purifier, it's harder now to clean because there's more dirt there than ever before. Some parts of that machine I had to take apart where I don't normally have to do that. And guess what? The lamp now has to be replaced. Oh, I know, that would have eventually needed to be replaced due to the hours of usage. However, I'll never really know if I could have gotten more use out of it if I'd simply performed the maintenance the first time I saw the warning message.

The big question becomes then, if not now, when? If today is not convenient, when is the right time?

In Matthew 8:19-22, Jesus met a man who made a statement "I'll go wherever you go." When Jesus asked him if he was ready to rough it, the man made a legitimate excuse, "I need to go bury my father." Jesus was really tough on this guy in his reply. I've often pondered why Jesus would minimize the impact of the father's death and funeral ritual. He basically told him, he's dead, move on.

Now Jesus wasn't setting an example telling us funerals weren't important or that ones parents death should not be mourned. I know that this is not true because you cannot take one scripture and make a sermon. Many times Jesus not only mourned the death of friends, but he interrupted things to bring them back to life. So that's not the point.

The point is that Jesus saw the man's statement for what it was. He was all show. I'll go wherever you go Jesus. But in his heart the commitment just wasn't there. He was making an excuse for those that were there listening to the exchange. He really didn't want to rough it with the Lord. How do I know that? Because Jesus let him know they weren't staying at the Hyatt Regency Hotel. They didn't even get pillows on their beds. When the man heard this he began making an excuse.

I like to think that the man would have gone home, made the funeral arrangements, attend it and then would have caught up with Jesus. But sadly, if I take my life as an example, more than likely it would not have happened. The impact of that moment where commitment was my intent, when sidetracked by an excuse, impact is lost and I never regain that sense of commitment I once had. At best I struggle and the end result of that labor is not what I thought it would be and some of the joy is gone because I have to work much harder at it.

Oh, before I forget to mention it, I want to talk about the light thing. I'm not sure what the light function is really about in the air purifier, but I know enough about design that it's got a purpose and the full benefits of the purifier will never be received until the lamp is replaced. With that being said, those things we're putting off, they are important too. We'll never be who we are truly meant to be or can be until we do them. Our inner light is never greater nor more brilliant than when we are clean and shining like we were designed to.

I don't know what your excuses have been. I don't know what it is that you've been procrastinating about. If you are truly honest with yourself, I'd say 80% of us know exactly what needs to be done. Whether it's physical or spiritual, you know. You've just been putting it off. Don't be like Felix with Paul when he said "That's enough for today. I'll call you back when it's more convenient." (Acts 24:25 Message)

So now the question remains. If not now, when?

More than Enough!

2011-02-04T09:41:00.000-08:00

I'm driving Ryan to the train station today enjoying a moment of time talking about what's happening in his world. I drop him off and begin the return trip. I look at the odometer and there's a message that also displays the miles left before your tank is empty. The display shows "41 miles to E".

Perfect, I think! It's 32 miles one way so when I arrive in Belvidere, I'll get gas. I merge onto I90 and start listening to the morning talk show host sharing the latest world news.

The sun is reflecting brightly off the fresh snow and once again I am reminded of how beautiful Illinois is. The news fades into the background as I let the blessings of my life wash over me and gratefulness fills my heart. I feel so full of joy and it seems as though I'll never be able fit one more blessing inside.

Then my emotions make a tremendous heart wrenching dive as I glance at that odometer again. WHAT? they scream!!! Only 15 miles of gas left in the tank! That can't be. I am just now approaching the Marengo exit and I've passed the last exit possible to leave the interstate. No way! Something is wrong!!

Now there is choking fear! What to do? I know, my husband who is at home and getting ready to take Vanessa to school, he needs to know about this. Right. You know how that goes. It was something like this.

"Hi, I'm just passing through the Marengo exit and the car ways I have 15 miles of gas left in the gas tank."

"Ok. How fast are you going?"

"I'm only driving 70."

"Well, slow down to 60. You'll get more miles that way."

"Ok. We'll see how this goes. I love you."

"Bye."

At this point, my heart is beating so fast I hear it. I feel like I'm choking and I am breathing in short gasps, trying to think my way out of this. You can't think your way out of running out of gas on I90 in 11 degree weather. Facts are facts, you are going to run out of gas. It's just a matter of when. Make the best of it, Seibold!

So now I start praying. God, please, don't let me run out of gas. I've never run out of gas before Lord and today's not the day I wanted to have this experience. (breathe, gasp) Really Lord, please, I'm serious. I need you to help me out of this. I don't have blankets. I can't be stranded.

Ok, get your mind off of this situation. Turn up the radio loud. NO! Don't look at the odometer. You talked to God about. Either he'll deliver you or he won't. Turn up the radio louder. Not working.

I've never felt doubt, fear and a desire to believe in a miracle fight so hard to dominate one another. I truly am breathing in tiny gasps talking to myself in my head.

Then, I hear Bro. Jason's Sciscoe's message from last night. It's just the memory I need to remind me that I've GOT to have faith. It's time I start using what I have. Now's the time to believe. So now God's talking to me overtime.

Pharaohs army is pounding out a staccato that's equal to the fear in a mother's heart. Her escape from slavery was so short lived it's as though it was just a dream. This can't be happening to her and her family. The Red Sea is impassable! They'll never make it across before this army catches up to them.

The woman with the cruise of oil and a little flour is standing at the cabinet mixing well, getting ready to put the her last meal in the oven. The prophet interrupts her and requests that meal for himself. Fear engulfs her mind and she must make a life changing decision. Feed the prophet and trust his word that she'll never go without food or tell him to get lost.

Ok, so I'm over-reacting. My situation is not life-threatening but to me at that very moment it is my deepest fear. It is my doubt. It is my impossible situation. It it personal, folks! At that moment, I look at my odometer again. "4 miles to E." I am at Anthony Road. No way am I making it to Belvidere without running out of gas.

Right there and then I decided if I run out of gas, then I run out of gas, but I am not, NOT, going to get upset. If, on the other hand, God decides to answer my cry for help, then WOW what a story! So I decide to do what all good Christians everywhere do. Believe, right?

No! FIGHT!! Battle it out between my two ears!! Believe for the incredible? Accept the physical facts? Believe for the incredible? Accept the physical facts and make the best of a bad situation?

I chose to believe! I decide to start praising!! That's how to fight fear, doubt, worry, and physical facts. It starts in my mind. Thank you Lord for providing for our every need. Thank you Lord of caring about me just like I care about my children. (gasp, doubt,choke) Louder....in my mind......Lord you are the God of the Old Testament. Jesus, you are the Savior of the world! (glance at the odometer) YIKES!! Oh my Word!!! "1 mile to E" Car's running fine.

Ok, be reasonable! Get real! I start looking for the mile marker so I can tell the emergency road side service people where to find me. Then a total righteous rebellion of the mind occurs. I AM NOT RUNNING OUT OF GAS. I REFUSE TO RUN OUT OF GAS. IF GOD CAN DO ANYTHING, HE CAN DO THIS FOR ME. NOTHING IS TOO HARD FOR GOD!

Now I'm praising God out loud! I'm thanking him for everything in sight. The snow because there will be plenty of water this summer. The sun for shining and providing light and vitamin D. Yeah, vitamin D will help me lose weight and increase my wellness percentage.

And all of a sudden fear and doubt turns to excited belief that in my small world today, because I am a child of the most high God, I will not run out of gas. God is my provider and I will make it to the WalMart gas station and furthermore I will not putt, putt, choke, shake, putt, putt, NO! I am going to drive up like I have a full tank! I am claiming it and speaking it as though it has already come to pass.

I'm singing and praising at the top of my lungs driving 50 mph on I90. People are driving by and I'm smiling out my window at them. You know, one of those "I'm having a great day toothy smiles" so they wonder what in the world I am doing. I can hear them......Crazy lady! Hazardous driver! Take Highway 20 next time, jerk!

All the while, they're missing the greatest miracle of February fourth two-thousand and eleven. You got it. I arrived at WalMart just like my faith said I would. Like I had a full tank of gas. I even sat there with the car on while I put on my gloves and zipped up my coat, got my debit card out, popped open the trunk to get out the gas tank stuff for cold weather, put on my chap stick, and then I turned off the car, got out and put physical gas in my tank.

Now I'm still praising out loud. I didn't even realize it was still happening. I'm still talking to God. Tears of joy are coursing down my cheeks and I'm thanking God because he's more than enough! Next thing I know, I'm dancing a bit as I pump the gas. I think I may have done one of those tricky moon walking steps as I put things back together and get back in my car.

Don't try to tell me that God doesn't care about the little things in your life. Yes, I should have planned better and I should have never even let the gas tank get below 1/2 tank in this kind of weather. Yes, I should have put gas in the tank when I saw it said "41 miles to E." Yes, yes, yes!! BUT today God loved me so much he provided a miracle for dumb little me. He let me exercise that little bit of faith inside mixed with the offensive weapon of praise and proved that he cares about me. He loves ME!! He will supply ALL my needs.

Guess what I know? I am going to go through my next "crises" better than this one. I know there is going to be a day in the very near future, when the "crises" is going to be a little bigger and I'm going to say to myself.... "Lord, I remember when you cared enough to extend my gas mileage when my gas tank was empty. If you can do that, then I know you can be more than enough in this situation too."

Hey, you should try this thing out! It works!

Do it for the right reason!

2011-02-01T04:38:00.000-08:00

Well, we're through the first month of the new year. Parties are over, that new year feeling is quickly fading away and life is taking on the normalcy of day-to-day living. I sit here this morning after devotions, drinking my coffee, pondering..........

A new year is like a challenge, a new opportunity. For some reason there's a feeling that whatever has happened in the past its behind us and we can begin all over. Some people start the new year by making a resolution to change. There's a lot of data on the information highway about this topic. Here is a list of the top ten most popular new years resolutions that I found:

Spend More time with Family & Friends
Fit in Fitness
Tame the Bulge
Quit Smoking
Enjoy Life More
Quit Drinking
Get Out of Debt
Learn Something New
Help Others
Get Organized

Based on some statistics I saw today, the following shows how many of these resolutions are maintained as time goes on:
- past the first week: 75%
- past 2 weeks: 71%
- after one month: 64%
- after 6 months: 46%

Using this information, it seems to indicate that approximately two-thrids of these folks have already given up on the challenge to change. If they are anything like me, there are several very good reasons why the change they planned on was either impractical to begin with or cannot be achieved because ________; you fill in the blank.

Me? I did not make any new years resolution, this year. I am smart and mature now and don't need to challenge myself with a resolve to change motivated by this tradition that doesn't work any way. I will not be a statistic!

Reviewing the top ten list, I find a couple interesting things to ponder on. 1) All these resolutions take a personal commitment of my time, and 2) In order to achieve these resolutions, one must be disciplined.

Now it's becoming more clear than ever before why approximately two-thirds of the people who made a new years resolution have already given up their resolve to change. Giving our time and being disciplined are not easy areas of our lives to change.

Why do we do this? Why do we complain about our weight or our lack of time to be more engaged with family or friends? Why do we give up after so few days pursuing dreams or desires that year after year we long to achieve? Why do we year after year resolve to meet the same goals?

I will answer for me. It's not a lack of time; I know we all have the same 24 hours a day. It's not a lack of money; these resolutions don't really have to impact my spending budget. It's really that I have not yet truly decided to change. Because when I do, I will achieve what I set out to do.

Those who truly want a better life must continually make time for the activities to achieve it. They must develop the disciplines and habits required to achieve their goals. Then, the most important of all, they must make this a lifestyle change. Too many times the goal is temporary and they revert back to the old way of life.

Bottom line is, if I want to achieve success in any of these ten areas, I must want it for the right reason. When I have the right motivation or reason, I will make the time, I will have the discipline, and I will achieve what I have resolved to do.

I've been putting things off. Just like I put off making any resolutions or goals for this year. How about you? Whatever you have chosen to do, do it for the right reason!

Ain’t No Such Thing As Plan B

2011-01-31T19:24:00.000-08:00

Before you grammar buffs get your feathers all ruffled because the title has a double negative and uses the word ain’t, let me tell you that it is intentional. The intent is to create that same cringe in you as I feel when I hear a fingernail scratch against the chalkboard or the drill in the dentist’s office. Just writing these examples down makes my stomach tighten up with dread.

I believe that God has this same type of reaction when we begin drafting Plan B. Plan B is contrary to the nature of God. Plan B is a man made philosophy.

My work is in the world of Information Technology (IT). Our customers come to us with business problems they need solved. At times they may have an existing system that needs to be enhanced to solve their problem. Other times they have a need which necessitates building a new application solution.

Once the business has come to IT with a problem and ask for our help in providing a solution, the most important phase of the project begins; the gathering and documentation of business requirements. You may be wondering why this is the most important phase. The answer is clear, concise and accurate business requirements reduce the overall cost of the project and eventual maintenance of the solution. IT departments on average spend approximately 75% of their budget on rework and maintenance. Much of this cost can be attributed to insufficient business requirements at the beginning of a project.

Now it’s up to the IT department to take the business requirements and create the solution. On time, on budget are the buzzwords we IT professionals preach to our staff. Our credibility and marketability is tied to being able to bring development projects in “on time, on budget”. This means that the estimates we gave the business at the beginning of the project were accurate. We delivered the solution in the time frame and within the cost estimates we provided.

With that being said, many of us practice contingency planning. What will we do if we get to crunch time and we don’t have enough resources? What will we do if we have problems with infrastructure or hardware? Will we be able to recover and still deliver on time and on budget? In other words, we try to come up with Plan B in case Plan A is not possible.

The practice of creating Plan B options is not Biblical. God never has a Plan B. If He did then he wouldn’t be God. If He did, then the Word of God would not be true.

Let’s look at Romans 11:29 from various translations.

King James Version - “For the gifts and the calling of God are without repentance.”

New King James Version - “For the gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable.”

Contemporary English Version – “God doesn’t take back the gifts he has given or forget about the people he has chosen.”

Simply put, God doesn’t change his mind. God doesn’t do contingency planning. God doesn’t have Plan B. In the IT world, God would be on time and on budget 100% of the time! Who wouldn’t want to work for a company with a reputation like that!

I hear some of you right now saying, that’s only one scripture. You can’t build a theory out of one scripture. You’re absolutely right. Let’s look at a few more.

Romans 9:20 (KJV) “Nay but, O man, who art thou that repliest against God? Shall the thing formed say to him that formed it, Why hast thou made me thus?”

Romans 9:20 (NKJV) “But indeed, O man, who are you to reply against God? Will the thing formed say to him who formed it, “Why have you made me like this?

Psalm 139:13 (NKJV) “For You formed my inward parts; You covered me in my mother’s womb.

Isaiah 44:21 (NJKV) “Remember these, O Jacob, And Israel, for you are My servant; I have formed you, you are My servant; O Israel, you will not be forgotten by Me!”

Let me ask you, friend, when did you give up on God’s plan? What occurred that caused you to doubt God’s plan for your life? When did you begin creating Plan B? Are you beginning to doubt your abilities, your desires, and your dreams? Are you wondering when the promises of God are ever going to come true in your life or in your church? Are you thinking that you better start creating Plan B so that you can at least see part of these things that you are able to make happen yourself occur?

Let’s examine a couple of situations from the Bible where people tried Plan B.

Abraham created Plan B because he did not wait on God to deliver on this promise of a son to carry on his name. That one decision has led to an international crisis between the Israelis and the Palestinians which affects us even today.

Saul could not wait on the man of God to come and offer the sacrifice on the altar; performing a role that was not his. His plan resulted in the loss of the monarchy to another man who, even though he had many failings, was considered a man after God’s own heart.

If you buy into the concept of Plan B, then you are in effect telling God that his plan for your life is flawed. God is the same yesterday, today and forever! God never changes! If God said it, we can believe it. If God gave you a dream, then he is well able to bring that plan to pass in your life.

Do you really believe that God can’t work through you because you committed some sin in your past? If so, then you truly do not know the forgiveness of God and understand the freedom of true repentance.

Do you think that because you are not able to use flowery words and create great oratories that you’ll never see your church grow? Then you must not believe that God used Moses to bring approximately six million people out of Egypt.

Do you think that because you are a woman that God cannot use you? Then you do not know about Deborah, the prophetess, which led the people during the time of the judges to victory over the armies of Sisera.

Do you think that because you are a young person and don’t have a lot of experience that God cannot use you right now, today? Then you’ve never heard the story of the boy named David, who believed that with God’s help he could kill a 9-foot giant that had all the armies of Israel cowering in caves just by the sound of his voice.

Friend, God wants you to go back to Plan A; His plan for your life. He gave you those promises and dreams. The things that you have gone through are ordained of God to bring you to this place, this time, this very hour! They have happened to you in order to form you into the person that God can use.

God couldn’t use Moses when he was in the king’s house. But after the desert experience, Moses was ready to lead! God couldn’t use Peter’s enthusiasm in the Garden of Gethsemane when he tried to defend the Lord. But after his denial of Christ and his repentance, God took that enthusiasm and used it to convince 3,000 on the day of Pentecost that the Holy Ghost was genuine and it changed their lives.

You are right where God wants you. It is now time to awake and see the glory of God fulfilled in your life. Now is not the time to waver and believe that letting down, or backing up and reconsidering, or tweaking the plan will bring it to pass. Don’t fall for that worldly philosophy. It’s a lie! Quit trying to figure out the how or the why. Let God direct your paths.

We’ve got to return to the old paths; the paths of our forefathers. What did Peter and John do that caused them to be so confident that they could tell the man at the gate to “take up his bed and walk”? What was so powerful about Peter that when he walked by and his shadow passed over people that they were healed? What did they do that caused men like John Wesley to walk through a factory and men and women repented? What was the outreach plan or program being used during the times that we hear recounted to us by our forefathers when men and women walked in drunk off the street, ran to an altar, repented of their sins and were filled with the Holy Ghost and walked out completely sober? Times when they were walking by a house and they felt to knock on the door and tell the person that God loves them and found out that person was just about to commit suicide and cried out to God for a sign that he still loved them?

That’s just it. It’s not a program. It’s living in the realm of the supernatural. It’s living the Word of God out in our daily lives. It’s Plan A. God’s original design and plan for mankind. What does it require? The requirement is to have a relationship with God. We must be in his Word. We must be talking to Him. We must be listening to Him. We must be asking for direction. We must be sensitive to His voice. We cannot have this type of ministry without the relationship. Relationships take time. Getting to know someone and recognizing the sound of their voice takes time. If we are to hear from God, then we must spend time in his word. We must spend time around people that know him. We must spend time talking with God. We must spend time listening to God.

I heard that. You just said that this type of relationship takes time and you have very little of that to spare. Between working your job and keeping your family going and all your church responsibilities, you have very little time to just sit around reading and listening. Really? Then would I be correct to say that you haven’t planned any birthday parties, family vacations, get togethers with your friends or family, or that mini-vacation with your spouse? I’m pretty sure your answer is no. You did some or many of these things this year. My point is not to stop doing those things, but to get real. You have time to do the things that are important to you.

Our problem is that we really do not value the things of God so we don’t make time for them. The things that will bring revival to this world today require that we commit time and effort to our relationship with God. Revival will not come to us, to our people, or to our communities without making the time to get to know God. There is no program to follow. There is the Word of God. Perhaps we don’t have the 12 stones taken from the Jordon River such as the Israelite's did, but we have the examples of our forefathers who lived before us to give us direction. Yes, our world has changed. Yes, the challenges that face us today are different than those of our forefathers. And, yes, you can argue that the same methods of evangelism may need to be adapted to reach our world. I won’t argue with that.

What I can say though is that the preparation for ministry has not changed. You must read and study the Word of God. You must pray and fast and learn to hear the voice of God. You must sacrifice your own desires and thoughts to those of God. You must allow God to direct your paths. You must die daily to your selfish desires. You must resist the temptation to follow the other man’s plans because they are working for him. You must resist the temptation to let down a little because “times have changed”.

You cannot expect to be used in the supernatural without building a relationship with the supernatural God we serve. Plan A is still the only plan that will work in your life. Oh, Plan B may have some benefits and results. But Plan A is God’s plan.

Remember God’s gifts and plans are without repentance. He chose you. He gave to you the gifts you have. He expects you to use them.

Someone is saying, yeah, but……I sinned and therefore I can no longer be used in that gift. Really? Who said that, God? I hear the Word telling me that God restores all that Satan has taken from us. I remember the Word of God telling me that God gives His gifts without taking them back. He’s not like the child that gives you something so you’ll be his friend and then takes it back because he no longer likes you. That’s stinking human logic. God gives his gifts and calling without taking it back. His is Plan A. The original! The only plan that brings true satisfaction and fulfillment in your life.

Ain’t no such thing as Plan B in the world that God created!! Take back what the devil has stolen from you! Stand of the Word of God. God has given us the authority, the gifts, the calling to execute Plan A. Begin today to build that relationship with God and execute Plan A!

Proverbs 19:21 “There are many plans in a man’s heart, Nevertheless the Lord’s counsel – that will stand.” (NKJV)

Anybody Can Write A Sermon

2010-10-15T07:32:00.000-07:00

There are two aspects of my life that I am passionate about. They are spiritual and political. I am passionate about them because they shape and impact my present and my future.

I am blessed to be the daughter, the wife, the niece and a sister-in-law of amazing men of God who write and preach some inspiring sermons. I attend a church where the senior pastor is a prolific writer and speaker; you're never bored listening to his sermons. I enjoy hearing people talk about these men in my life with gratitude for their inspiring words of faith and hope. I love the Christ of whom they preach. I've found the faith, hope and salvation they speak about and wouldn't ever think about living any other life. I have a blessed life.

Living in the home I'm blessed with, we pay attention to politics as well. We believe it is not only our right but it is our responsibility as a citizen of the United States of America to participate in the process that supports these freedoms. We have taught our children that if you don't participate in the process and vote, then you have no right to complain or criticize. The political shenanigans, speeches, debates and propaganda really get to me after awhile.

The interesting thing about these two very different and diverse areas of my life is how similar they really are. A politician and a minister have positions of influence in peoples lives. Their job is to convince, persuade and challenge people to support their cause, belief or party. Their oratory can be boring, fiery, animated, passionate or charismatic. They are recorded, quoted, and taped. They are talked about, lied about, idolized, misquoted, loved and hated. They live in glass fish bowls and their life as well as the lives of anyone who is connected to them are examined and judged. Depending on your persuasion, the same politician or minister can be seen as the hero or the villain.

At the end of the day, however, it's not the words of their sermon or speech that matter. Anybody can write a sermon. It's the life they live that's important. It all goes back to the age old adage 'Actions speak louder than words.'

I'm tired of hearing charismatic speeches and sermons. You don't impress me with your oratory ability and your winning personality. Your percentages in the polls do not impress me or convince me to vote for you. The number of people that attend your church does not persuade me that you or the God you say you serve is a place I want to be or the God I want to dedicate my life to.

No, I choose to vote for you because your values are reflected in your voting record or your work in the community. I attend your church not because of the prolific oratory of your sermons, but because you extend mercy and forgiveness when I fail or people do you wrong. You show kindness and love to every person in your life without favor. You help others when they are hungry, hurting, destitute and just want attention.

Anybody can write a sermon. The people I choose to vote for and allow in my life and the lives of my family will be those who live out the life they sermonize about.

Where are the David's?

2010-07-18T13:48:00.000-07:00

I find it pretty difficult to read the books of the Bible that describe the life and works of all the kings. It's gory, filled with violence and fighting, and repetitive. I often wonder why God felt it so important to put some of those things into the Bible.

Today, however, my thoughts have been captured and held tenaciously. Every king is compared to David. Phrases like "he wasn't at all like his ancestor David" and "he did not walk in the ways of his father David." This is not the first time I've seen this and commented on it. However, today a new thought caught my pondering mind.

I really hate to be compared to others. Comparisons make me crazy. You get a new job and you hear, "That's not the way we did it when the other person was in charge." "The other person was so much more easy going than you are." Or let's take it one step further. Getting compared to a brother or a sister. Now that's down right dangerous territory.

Now I'm wanting to know, what's so very special about David. I've heard a lot of messages about David, so I think on this for a while. Here's what I see.

David was not afraid to spend time alone and in the presence of God.
David was passionate about defending God.
David was unafraid to fight people bigger than he was because he was confident in who he was fighting for.
David ministered to people in need. He took bread to his family and he played the harp when the king was troubled.
David honored the anointed authority God placed over him, even when that person of authority was in the wrong.
David led people who were discouraged.
David recognized the service and sacrifice of others and its value. He would not even drink the water his men had risked so much to bring to him.
David understood the power of praise. He was able to encourage himself in the Lord.
David did not care who was around when he danced unto the Lord.
David received counsel from the prophets and responded appropriately. Repented when he had done wrong and moved according to the word when given divine direction.
David suffered great loss due to his sins, accepted the judgment of God and renewed his relationship with God.
David had family problems and took them to God.
David's accepted the partial fulfillment of his dream without hating God. His dream was realized through his son Solomon.

This list is not by any means comprehensive. However, these are the things that readily come to mind when thinking through the life of David. It's pretty impressive to review. What a man! What a resume! From shepherd boy to king he is an incredible example. No wonder the succeeding kings were compared to David. The bar was set pretty high.

What I remember most that pulls at my memory and I have not listed is that David was known as a man after God's own heart. This phrase was said about David when he was a young man. He was still a shepherd boy. He had not yet killed Goliath nor had he played his harp in the palace. He had not yet led the armies of Israel and the band of discouraged men. What he had was a real relationship with God. He knew God.

It was not who David knew, his network of great people, that made him the top candidate for king. It was not David's charisma or pedigree that made him God's choice. It was his relationship with God that set him apart from everyone else. Succeeding kings did not build the type of relationship David had with God and God was displeased with them. Some managed to have a relationship with God, but they "did not tear down the high places". Their leadership was weak in that they let people do what pleased them.

Now I feel challenged. Where are the David's? I look within and I wonder if I were the one they were writing about today in the book of Kings, what would that last sentence look like? Would it read, "and she did not walk in the ways of her father David?"

I feel lucky today. I am not at the end of my journey in this life. I have a chance to work on my relationship with God. So, I ask myself, and you my friend, these questions:

When was the last time you spent more than a few minutes in the Word of God meditating on what you've read and applying it to your life?
When was the last time you didn't care who was around you and you worshiped God with abandon?
When was the last time you put your own self-will on the back burner and did what God told you to do?
When was the last time you sang praises to God and basked in the glow of fellowship between you and God alone?
When was the last time you enjoyed time with God so much that you never wanted to leave that place?

I sincerely pray that these thoughts will encourage you to grow in your relationship with God. As for me, I want more of God in my life. I want to know God! I want to be a woman after God's own heart! I've got some relationship building to do.

WYSIWYG (wi-zee-wig)

2010-07-18T13:17:00.001-07:00

I love this acronym; WYSIWYG. It simply means what you see is what you get. I'm sure you've either used the phrase or heard the phrase used at one time or another. It's actually used in the information systems world by hackers or developers and it refers to software which they are unable to modify for specific purposes not designed for in the original software. Basically, you can't modify the software for anything other than what it was created for.

When I've used this phrase in the past, it was an attempt to communicate that I am transparent or natural. I'm not hiding behind a mask or fake. I'm not pretending to be something or have a hidden agenda. I've even said it feeling a bit self-righteous as I say it. It's got a little attitude.

The truth of the matter, however, is that we all have a "presentation" model of ourselves. When I was growing up you never went to church unless you were in the best clothes you owned. I had school shoes, church shoes, and play shoes. I heard phrases like "we don't act like that in public". Then there were all kinds of rules about when you go on a date, when you look for a job, and when you stay over at so-and-so's house don't talk about.......you fill in the blank.

Now don't get me wrong, I think there are protocols and expectations that we conduct ourselves differently in various situations. There are even occasions and places we go where we should be wearing the correct attire. Things such as weddings, funerals, church and work. There are things that you should not talk about or say depending on where you are and who you are with.

What I am talking about here is the core person you are. If you try to be one way at work to fit in there, then you try to be another way at church and then be someone else at home, you're going to drive yourself crazy! You cannot be happy and fulfilled.

James 3:10-18 from the Message version of the Bible puts it like this:

^10-12My friends, this can't go on. A spring doesn't gush fresh water one day and brackish the next, does it? Apple trees don't bear strawberries, do they? Raspberry bushes don't bear apples, do they? You're not going to dip into a polluted mud hole and get a cup of clear, cool water, are you?

^13-16Do you want to be counted wise, to build a reputation for wisdom? Here's what you do: Live well, live wisely, live humbly. It's the way you live, not the way you talk, that counts. Mean-spirited ambition isn't wisdom. Boasting that you are wise isn't wisdom. Twisting the truth to make yourselves sound wise isn't wisdom. It's the furthest thing from wisdom—it's animal cunning, devilish conniving. Whenever you're trying to look better than others or get the better of others, things fall apart and everyone ends up at the others' throats.

^17-18Real wisdom, God's wisdom, begins with a holy life and is characterized by getting along with others. It is gentle and reasonable, overflowing with mercy and blessings, not hot one day and cold the next, not two-faced. You can develop a healthy, robust community that lives right with God and enjoy its results only if you do the hard work of getting along with each other, treating each other with dignity and honor.

If you are true blue, authentic and consistent, you won't have to respond to anyone in any place "What you see is what you get!" No you won't. Because others will recognize that about you. It's part of the package. Your daily conduct will demonstrate your authenticity.

Sure you'll conduct yourself differently depending on whose company you are in or how comfortable you are in a situation. But you will never change your core values. You won't cuss when you're at work and not cuss when you are home. You won't treat men at work like dirt bags and then treat your husband nicely at home. Oh, you may manage for a while, but you'll blow up eventually.

WYSIWYG should be more than just a phrase you toss over your shoulder in an attitude of "in your face bubba". WYSIWYG should be a way of living, as the Scriptures above describe, "a holy life and is characterized by getting along with others." If you're having trouble with your life perhaps you need to stop trying to change who you are.

Stop trying to hack or modify the programming.

Be the unique and special person God created you to be!

Picked for the team

2010-06-06T06:46:00.001-07:00

Have you ever started reading something that caused emotions to explode in you and it feels like you can't swallow? That happened to me this morning. It's amazing. Feelings of inadequacy from long ago just welled up in me and I felt it all over again as if it was today. It's the old way of choosing sides or being picked for the team.

When I was growing up, and I'm sure it happens still today, we'd start to play a game of softball or basketball or even Red Rover and you had to divide into teams. One person was told they were the captain of each side and then the rest of us all lined up and these two people would choose people, taking turns, until all were chosen. Do you know what it feels like to be one of the last few people chosen? I do. Being chosen in the beginning meant you were really, really good; you were really wanted. Being chosen towards the end meant you weren't so good.

Childhood lessons learned on the playground have a way of sticking with us through life. One must put the right perspective on those things otherwise they can affect our adult years as well. Feelings of inadequacy that are a result of childhood are powerful emotions.

There are also positive childhood experiences that can be triggered by a phrase or a smell. For me, when I smell yeast bread or desserts baking, it brings a feeling of comfort and safety. Memories of my family all getting together eating great meals, lots of laughter, good music and playing games.

What I love about the Kingdom of God is that there is only one Captain and he has chosen each one of us. He said, "You didn't choose me, remember; I chose you, and put you in the world to bear fruit, fruit that won't spoil. As fruit bearers, whatever you ask the Father in relation to me, he gives you." (John 15:16).

He reminds us that he chose us. Why do we have to be reminded? I think it's because it's so easy to forget. It's so easy to revert back to feelings of inadequacy or to feel like we are not very important. Here he reminds us that he chose us, we didn't choose him.

Another important nugget of truth to remember is that everyone has importance in God's kingdom. In Matthew 20, Jesus paid those that were hired first the same as those that were hired for a shorter time frame. The rewards Jesus has for us are not based on how long we've known him or what it is we can do.

He chose me and you. He says we will be successful. Our fruit will not spoil. WOW! What a wonderful Savior. What a great promise!

So whether you can hit a home run,
or whether you are the bat boy,
remember Jesus chose YOU!

Until I met you

2010-05-15T04:39:00.000-07:00

I heard that phrase, until I met you, again this week. For some really crazy reason I can't get it out of my mind. I woke up this morning and it was yelling at me. So I lay still and pondered for a while. . . . . . . . . . .

Until I met you is the preface for sharing how something or someone has influenced you. I have used it several times and I've had people use it when talking with me. It sounds like this.

Until I met you I thought you were stuck up. :-)
Until I met you I never knew what love was really like.
I was about to give up until I met you.
Until I met you I thought ________ you fill in the blank now.

I have heard these statements a lot of times. One night I remember very well. I was a young preacher's wife and was invited to another church for a women's fellowship. It was a great time and we were laughing and sharing and right smack dab in the middle of it this other preacher's wife says, "Until I met you tonight, I thought you were stuck up!" Talk about a show stopper. If I would have had false teeth, I would have swallowed them. It was really silent all of a sudden. All I could think to say was, "I'm sorry." Every laughed and we began talking about how crazy first impressions can be.

I've also made these "Until I met" you comments. It's incredible how our past influences our future. The life experiences we've had. The culture we are from. The area of the world we grew up in. The type of church we were raised in. The people that have passed through our lives. The education we've had. The places we've visited. The choices we've made.

All these things impact and mold who we are. Who we are impacts and molds those around us. You see, it goes both ways. That thing called influence is invisible yet so powerful that it both affects and effects your world.

May and June are the months we celebrate mothers and fathers and it's a wonderful time. These people have the most powerful influences in our lives. Especially since they raise us through the first few years of our lives. But never underestimate your power to influence those around you. You can either reinforce a persons past or you can influence them to change.

Change is hard. Changing someone's belief, who grew up in the Chicago land area, that the Cubs are better than the White Sox is not possible. But changing someone's belief that you are fun to be around, or that honesty is always the best policy, or that living for Jesus Christ is the best thing in the whole world is possible.

I think The Message version of Matthew 5:13 - 16 says it best of all......................
¹³"Let me tell you why you are here. You're here to be salt-seasoning that brings out the God-flavors of this earth. If you lose your saltiness, how will people taste godliness? You've lost your usefulness and will end up in the garbage.

^14-16"Here's another way to put it: You're here to be light, bringing out the God-colors in the world. God is not a secret to be kept. We're going public with this, as public as a city on a hill. If I make you light-bearers, you don't think I'm going to hide you under a bucket, do you? I'm putting you on a light stand. Now that I've put you there on a hilltop, on a light stand—shine! Keep open house; be generous with your lives. By opening up to others, you'll prompt people to open up with God, this generous Father in heaven."

Salt and Light. The two things that are pretty essential to our American way of life. It's also essential to a Christian's life. I will even say that if you become salt and light in your world, people will say.......

"Until I met you, I didn't know how much I needed Jesus in my life."

Praise the Lord!

2010-01-14T02:16:00.000-08:00

A greeting that we Pentecostal's say without meaning it is "Praise the Lord!" It has become a cursory greeting that we say as we shake hands with folks while we make our way to our pews. I know it's cursory because I've sometimes replied with "I do" or "He is faithful!" Most often, the person doesn't even hear what I've said. If they do hear me, they turn around and ask me what I said? You did not expect me to actually "Praise the Lord!"

Last night while driving home from Chicago a speaker was talking about praise. I have no idea who it was. But his comment made me lower the sound and really think about praise.

I've heard it said, and I've even said it myself at times, children and dogs know when someone is being sincere. I think they have a built in antennae or an early warning system that helps them to discern when someone is being sincere.

You know when someone is being sincere when they praise YOU. I do. It's sort of like when one of your children has offended another child. You talk to them about how their actions have hurt the other person and you say, "Now tell them you're sorry." If you've not got your point across to that child, he or she will say "Sorry!" but it has no meaning because they were not sincere. I know you're chuckling.

We do that same thing when we're "praising God". Listen to one of my prayers. "Lord, I praise you. Thank you, Jesus. Lord, you are great! You are awesome!" And I can just see him up there in Heaven replying, "What for?" "I am? Yesterday you wouldn't even speak to me." Or how about the one that we say to our spouses, "Yeah, but do you love me?" See, we're seeking to validate the sincerity of the praise.

The key here is that the person giving the praise must be sincere for it to have any meaning whatsoever. In order to sincerely offer praise, then you must know that person. There is some characteristic, attribute or action for which you are praising that person for. You saw what they did; you heard about what they did; or you were on the receiving end of the action. You know specifically what you are talking about.

Praise is also something that we're supposed to do in the good and bad times. The Bible encourages us by saying "In everything giving thanks....." I have to tell you that's one of the greatest challenges of my life. How in the world am I going to be able to praise God when what I am going through is completely overwhelming me? I can't even remember without significant effort what good has been in my life. Ever been there?

What I realized last night that has energized me is that you can't really do that unless you know God and know what's he's done. I know that's pretty simple, but let me play this out just a bit.

I know that God can make something out of nothing because in Genesis I read that he formed the world, created the environment we live in today called earth, by his spoken word.

I know that God trusted Job so thoroughly that he challenged the devil to test Job and when it was all said and done Job ended up with more than he had before the test.

I know that God provided water out of a rock for approximately 6 million homeless people aimlessly roaming the wilderness.

I know that God heard the prayer of a general leading an army in the middle of the fight and made the sun stand still for half a day. I know that this is not just a story in the Bible but has been scientifically proven.

That's just a few things I know from the Old Testament. If you look at what Jesus did in the New Testament we can add raising the dead to life, healing the blind, the deaf, the crippled and calming the sea before it capsized the boat he and his disciples were traveling in.

If I begin thanking the Lord for these things........ "Lord, I know that you are able to create a world from nothing and hang stars in space by your spoken word." "You are faithful to provide water for 6 million people traveling in the dessert from a rock." And Lord your compassion and understanding are so great because I know you raised a son back to life when the mother was overcome with grief so deep she couldn't stop crying."

When you start praising him with specific things that you know about him and the things that you now remember he has done for you, there's no way that you can suppress the hope that begins to raise in you. If he can do that for other people, he can do that for you. How do I know, because I have also read his Word. He is the same yesterday, today and forever. He never changes. There is nothing that is impossible for him. He promised that we would never see a flood that wiped out the whole earth and gave us a beautiful rainbow as a reminder of that promise; and he has kept it.

You see, it contagious! I can't stop praising him because one thought leads to another and pretty soon I see his hand in my life and joy starts bubbling up! And now I know I am the apple of his eye and that he loves me and he is with me right now and he can and will take care of what began as an overwhelming obstacle in my life.

Warning! This is a repetitive action. Tomorrow you may be right back at the beginning feeling overwhelmed. No....wait, in a hour you may be right back at the beginning feeling overwhelmed...... But praise, sincere, specific and personal praise will lift you right back up to where you know that GOD is an ever present help in the time of trouble. He is able, waiting and ready to carry you through your day. He is with you always!!

So what are you waiting for? Praise the Lord!!

Growing Together; Side By Side

2010-01-01T07:09:00.000-08:00

I’ve often wondered why God would allow the wheat and the tares to grow together until the harvest. Why would he allow this condition?

There are many examples that we can draw on to prove that he wants his people, the Jews and the church, to be a separate people. He commanded that the Jews not marry outside the Jewish race. He commanded Abraham to circumcise all male children 8 days old and upwards in order to create a physical difference between Jews and Gentiles. He even gave commandments that new wine could not be put into old wine skins.

So why do we see this anomaly where the wheat and the tares, the genuine and the fake, are allowed to grow in the same field for the entire growth cycle?

Now I have to admit to the true problem I have with this. How do I know what’s genuine and what’s fake? I don’t like being fooled. I get angry when I feel like I’ve been fooled. So I certainly don’t like it when I am fooled by people that I thought were Christians.

Let’s talk about the wheat and tares for a moment. Why this is such a big deal for me? Wheat and tares look much the same. An untrained gardener or farmer could not readily tell the difference. What if I find out that someone who I thought was a Christian is not really a “genuine” Christian? What if I am fooled?

Well, what if I am? It’s not my place to be trying to figure it out and pass judgment. Why am I trying to do that? Why do I feel that I have to examine it to that level and then, what? Refuse to be friends with them? Refuse to work with them? Refuse to go to that church? Run into the pastor’s office and tell him all about my “findings” so that he can what? Confront that person and make an example of them? Reveal the sinful person amongst us and cast them out?

No! A hundred times no!! That’s the spirit of the world. The spirit of Christ says “Brethren, if a man is overtaken in any trespass, you who are spiritual restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness, considering yourself lest you also be tempted.” (Galatians 6:1). A person who acts as I’ve described in the paragraph above is not a spiritual person.

Ok, so we restore them and work with them and they are not responding? They keep on doing the wrong things. So what? It still doesn’t change the scripture.

The main point in this parable is that if you remove the tares when you “see” or understand that they are not truly “Christians” as you define them, you might hurt a genuine Christian. Jesus put it this way when the disciples asked if they should remove the tares, “No, lest while you gather up the tares you also uproot the wheat with them.” (Matthew 13:29)

Jesus is concerned that we not hurt other growing Christians by identifying and removing those who are failing; those who are “faking it”. So many times Jesus warned us about judging others. We’re not supposed to do that. A good reason not to, is that whatever measure we hold others to, we will be judged by that exact same measuring stick. Have you considered that? Are you ready to be held to the same measures and standards that you are using to judge others? Many times we are wrong in our judgment of others. It causes good Christian people who have been wrongfully judged or accused to be hurt so badly that they never come back to Christ.

I dont' have to wonder any more. The answer is love and restoration.

He loves us so much that he is unwilling to destroy any opportunity to save someone. He allows us both to be nurtured, fed, pruned, fertilized and watered until the harvest. He is giving us all an equal chance at salvation. Only when the entire growth cycle has been completed and everything that can be done has been done, does he separate us and burn the fake and save the genuine product.

He wants us to restore those who have failed with a spirit of gentleness. Gentleness is not a word we use very often today. It simply means kindly, with a gentle manner, not severe, rough or violent; mild, moderate, gradual. Why does it describe restoration in this way? He wants us to consider that one day, we may be in this same situation and that’s how you would want to be restored.

Jesus wants us to grow TOGETHER. Together so we don’t hurt one another; together so that all have a chance to be saved. Together until the day that he comes back and judges. Until then, grow TOGETHER is God’s plan.

The chorus of the song “We Will Stand” written over 20 years ago by Russ Taft, sums this all up.
You’re my brother, you’re my sister
So take me by the hand
Together we will work until He comes
There’s no foe that can defeat us
When we’re walking side by sideAs long as there is love we will stand.

Three Simple Words

2009-12-04T06:58:00.001-08:00

This time of the year brings out the love. Not the love that is commercialized by sexy, smoky scenes of lovers exchanging gifts, although that is seen everywhere; I'm not talking about that kind of love.

I'm talking about the true love that Christ brings into our lives. You see love is an integral theme to Christmas. God sent his son to earth to live and dwell among us to show us how we should live in this world so that we could gain eternal life. God sent his son into this world in a way that would be questioned, ridiculed and mocked until the day he died. Let's examine some things. Put yourself in his shoes and see how they would fit if this were to be you today.

Jesus' mother, Mary, was pregnant and not married. Jesus was born in the lowliest of places amongst animals. Jesus was a very controversial figure stirring up the traditions of men and challenging the beliefs and standards of the day. He plucked corn and ate it on the Sabbath. He sat with publicans and sinners. He consorted with the lowly and despised tax collectors. He healed on the Sabbath day. He talked to Samaritan women and prostitutes. He was very angry and acted out and chased merchants out of the temple. The spiritual leaders of the day sought to kill him and turned others against him.

Jesus also turned the water into wine at a wedding so that the host would not be embarrassed by running out. Jesus had compassion on the blind, the deaf and the lame and healed them. Jesus gave water to a thirsty woman and gave her an everlasting hope. Jesus rebuked those who would have turned children away from him. Jesus provided food for hungry travelers and opened the spiritual eyes of those around him to see and believe the miraculous!

The Bible talks about it this way in I Corinthians 14: 4 - 8. "Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails."

I know, you usually hear this at weddings and anniversary celebrations and it certainly applies. But it's not written in that context. This chapter of the Bible, known as the love chapter, is sandwiched between two chapters teaching on spiritual gifts. Boy that gets me to thinking. Why are we told about the importance of love while teaching on spiritual gifts? Because true spiritual gifts can only prosper and minister when love is the motivation.

This love is not easy to possess. This type of love only comes through self-sacrifice. Jesus' example of love and restoration was the core mission of his ministry. Jesus could have and probably should have in many of our minds, demonstrated his Godliness by exposing their thoughts and motives to their peers. But, that is not the way to do things. Jesus demonstrated love to all humanity. You see, Christ's life was not easy by no means. Can you imagine knowing what people were saying about you, not to mention knowing the thoughts they have and are not saying, and then not exposing that? If you're anything like me, I THINK I know what you are thinking and therefore I respond to that. And I can't really read your thoughts. Jesus could read their unspoken words and they were as human as you and I are so I know that they were not charitable, loving thoughts all the time. Yet, he let them be and he taught them the right way to act and respond. Now that took true love. If someone thought of me as less than acceptable and I could read their thoughts, believe me I would be setting them straighter than an arrow so fast their head would swim.

The religious leaders of that day were jealous of Jesus. They could not compete with what Jesus was doing for and through the people and they were losing their foothold and income. They were not happy with the way things were challenged and traditions were exposed as needless. Their tyranny and power was exercised through the rituals and traditions of men. Maybe some would even brand this as charismatic in his day. People loved him and flocked to hear him preach and minister.

What challenges you today? Better yet, who are you envious of? Who are you holding a grudge against because they think they are better than you? Who are you no longer friends with because you feel intimidated by their talent or their ability to minister in a certain gift? Who have you talked about in such a way as to have made them look less than perfect to others so that, hopefully, you will still look good? Or, who has wronged you and you have not extended forgiveness to them because they are the ones that should be asking you to forgive them, not the other way around?

The beauty of this kind of love is that it is possible for you and I to live like this. Really! Jesus Christ in us brings about such a change that this type of unselfish love is no longer impossible but possible through Christ's forgiveness. Because he forgives us all things, we can extend that grace and forgiveness to others.

It takes three simple words. I forgive you. WOW! Why are those three simple words so hard to say? Why would you want to hold on to grudges and perceived wrongs and even real injustices when you can have a true heart of love through three simple words? It's hard. I've been there. I've had to forgive so many times when I've not truly been at fault. BUT I did it. Why? Because I'd rather extend forgiveness and move on with a friend instead of holding those grudges and wrongs inside and becoming contaminated by greed, hate, bitterness, evil, envy and pride. Those things will eat away at you until you are destroyed and have no hope or joy to sustain you in this life.

So, in the true spirit of Christmas, I am asking you to say these three simple words to those who need to hear them. "I forgive you." It will cost you something. It will cost you your hate, bitterness, envy and pride. It will cost you your need to seek retribution. But the reward of saying those three simple words are a love and joy that is boundless! Lose yourself in forgiveness so that you can find yourself in love!!

What's the hurry?

2009-11-01T05:19:00.000-08:00

I don't believe every thing I hear. I don't always agree with other's assessment of risk. I would venture to say you don't either. When I'm encouraged to read a book about a topic I'm interested in, I ask, "Who's the author?" When I'm talking to someone about a class they took or a conference they attended, I'm usually asking who the speaker or teacher was. Why? Because there are some authors, speakers and educators that I won't spend the time with.

Let me share with you a portion of an email our company sent out. We get these weeklyl "fun" emails that get you thinking; This one sure did.

The photographer for a national magazine was assigned to get photos of a great forest fire. Smoke at the scene was too thick to get any good shots, so he frantically called his home office to hire a plane. "It will be waiting for you at the airport!" he was assured by his editor. As soon as he got to the small, rural airport, sure enough, a plane was warming up near the runway. He jumped in with his equipment and yelled, "Let's go! Let's go!" The pilot swung the plane into the wind and soon they were in the air. "Fly over the north side of the fire," said the photographer, "and make three or four low level passes." "Why?" asked the pilot. "Because I'm going to take pictures! I'm a photographer, and photographers take pictures!" said the photographer with great exasperation. After a long pause the pilot said, "You mean you're not the instructor?"

WOW! I'm thinking what a really stupid thing to do.

How does a normally rational person get into these sitautions? Is it that they don't use common sense? Is it that they don't have the skills to evaluate the potential risk and make a factual-based decision? I don't think that's it. I believe that in these moments we are not thinking at all. We have let our emotions control us and we have overridden our normal rational thinking.

In the joke above, the photographer was in such a hurry to get that perfect picture that he forgot to ensure he was getting into the right airplane. Perhaps he saw this as his one chance at the Pulitzer Prize or a promotion to the senior correspondent for his newspaper. His frantic actions to get those pictures overrode his common sense.

Paul Harvey would have given us the "rest of the story." We didn't get that. So indulge me for a moment. I'd like to think that they reached the control tower and were patched through to a seasoned instructor who was able to guide them through getting back on the ground quickly and safely. The photographer didn't get the picture, but he did learn some valuable lessons about letting the power of the moment or the emotions override the normal check points to ensure safety.

I wish I could say that I never get into those emotional situations where all my normal fact-based reasoning is short circuited. I can't. What I do see is that I'm in too much of a hurry and I allow the "moment" to seize my emotions and I'm off chasing a wild fire.

There is a Bible character that I admire very much. It's Mary the mother of Jesus. In Luke 2:19, the Bible says "But Mary kept all these things and pondered them in her heart". This passage is written right after Mary had delivered the baby Jesus and the angels and shepherds were praising and worshipping. In verse 51, Mary had another occasion to talk about Jesus' when they found him talking with the leaders in the temple when he was twelve years old. The Bible says they were "astonished" at his understanding and answers. Again, the scripture says Mary kept these things to herself.

I can only imagine the emotions that were clamoring for attention in her life. SHE was the mother of the great and long-awaited Messaiah. HER baby was going to deliver Israel. THIS child was special! But she kept quiet and waited until the time was right. Not until the wedding in Cana did she speak out. Her knowledge of who Jesus really was evidenced by her words "Do whatever he tells you." By this time, we're told Jesus was about 30 years old. That's a long time to hold all these thoughts inside!

My question is then, what's the hurry? The situation didn't happen over night. The fire is still burning. That fantastic money-making opportunity will be there tomorrow. That friends problem will work itself out without your "immediate" intervention. Take time to think about it. Take time to ponder the facts and things you have learned over the years before making those decisions. Use your life's experiences to evaluate the facts; use your common sense. I guarantee you, it's much better to know who you're flying with BEFORE you take off!

What is this?

2009-10-19T18:24:00.000-07:00

I gave an assignment out the other day. It was pretty simple and direct. It should have taken about 3 - 4 hours to complete and we'd have an automated monitoring report. I wasn't looking for bells and whistles. I just needed a daily report with the facts.

Towards the end of the day I realized that I still had not received the results. So I walk over to check on how things were going. What a surprise! There were three people around a desk in deep discussion. Now I'm really curious as to what is going on. What I find is that the report is still not done and it's now being coded with automated notification by email and some other 'cool' things. And oh by the way, we added some other things that would be nice to have too.

You can imagine my dismay. What I wanted was a very quick way to get to a specific set of facts that could be used in gauging the health of our new system. What I was going to get was this report with some fancy wrapping paper and sparkling bows. By the way, when I did get it, some of the important facts were missed. Too much time was spent on how 'cool' the technology was and I needed the facts which were totally missed.

When I began to question the developer, I found that his intentions were in the right place. But he wanted something that had "his name on it" to have the latest and greatest techniques. He wanted to make sure that his peers knew, when they would maintain the program, that he used the newest technologies available to him. Bottom line, his pride got in the way of getting the job done and producing the exact results that I was looking for.

As I sit here this morning thinking about this, my mind ponders the similarities between work and the kingdom of God. God has spoken to my heart. I know what he wants. So I go off and begin to do those things. But I don't see the results that I am sure God showed to me. I'm even frustrated because I am getting some results but nothing like the vision God gave to me.

So I wonder. Have I done exactly what God has asked of me? Have I done it the way he told me to? Or, have I in my pride, tried to make the assignment cooler than what it truly is because of what my peers will think or say? Is God looking down on this work and asking "What is this?" Is God wondering what in the world is taking me so long to accomplish a simple assignment?

The passage in Matthew 7:21-23 comes to my mind. The Message version of the Bible says it like this, "Knowing the correct password—saying 'Master, Master,' for instance— isn't going to get you anywhere with me. What is required is serious obedience—doing what my Father wills. I can see it now—at the Final Judgment thousands strutting up to me and saying, 'Master, we preached the Message, we bashed the demons, our God-sponsored projects had everyone talking.' And do you know what I am going to say? 'You missed the boat. All you did was use me to make yourselves important. You don't impress me one bit. You're out of here."

I am humbled again by the way God takes the simple things in my life and speaks directly to my heart. His word goes but right to the root of the issue, doesn't it?

Pride. It's a trait that you want to have. We should take pride in our work, our appearance, and our heritage. We should value who we are and what we have accomplished in life. But that proverbial fine line is there. Pride can become the biggest monster in our closet too. It can destroy who we are and turn us into ugly, self-centered people that no one wants to be around.

When it comes right down to it, God is really looking for simple obedience to his direction. He's not looking for us to embellish on his plan. He's looking for people who will just obey.

So I ponder these things. Is the reason for the lack of results because God doesn't recognize the program? Have I taken the direction of God and tried to embellish it to the point that God no longer recognizes it? Is God looking down on my work and asking "What is this?"

I'm Expecting!

2009-10-02T07:27:00.000-07:00

I'm expecting! That's right. I'm expecting God to do great things! Now that you know what I'm expecting, let's ponder on it for just a moment.

The first definition of the verb expecting, according to Dictionary.com, means "to look forward to; regard as likely to happen; anticipate the occurrence or the coming of". I know some of you hit the down arrow to read this pondering because the first definition you thought of with that phrase was the fourth definition. "to anticipate the birth of (one's child)" LOL

The first Chiropractor that my husband and I visited in Illinois was Dr. Weide. He truly believed in expectations. When you lay down with your face to the ceiling in his examination room, you saw a sign taped to the ceiling that said "Expect a miracle." He firmly believed that this act of expecting was part of the healing process.

Expectations are set by what we hear or what we know about something. I've had my expectations exceeded many times and experienced bliss so yummy you could almost taste it. Reliving that experience brings a smile even today. On the flip side of this, I've had my expectations blown away in a shattering moment of disappointment so intense that tears flow freely and today to relive that moment puts a lump in my throat it's hard to swallow the feelings.

So why am I expecting God to do great things? Because I know Him. He is the Master Redeemer! He is the Great Physician! He is the God of second chances! He is the Restorer of our faith! He is Whatever!

Never in my life time have I been faced with people in my home, in my family, in my church, in my work place and community with such great and diverse needs. Our economy and our world is in such turmoil and unrest it is literally breeding an environment of need beyond anything I've ever seen.

And in this environment, God is the "I Am that I Am". In the language of today, God is Whatever. You basically get a blank check here. Honest! You get to fill it out! I am expecting God to meet the need.

Now before you get so excited, let me share one more very important thing. Let me set your expectations correctly so you clearly understand and you are not disappointed. God doesn't do things in the way that we would. It's true!! God does things in ways that we can't even imagine. So before you go replying to this little pondering message with all your notes about the many times you prayed and didn't get what you asked for, let's get something straight. God is your Father. He loves you more than life itself; literally! So sometimes the way he does things is to say no! And sometimes God's yes is so far out of our understanding that we miss his answer.

Let's review just a few examples:

Abraham and Sarah had a baby at the age of 99/100. Sara laughed when she heard about it.
Joseph was sold by his brothers, falsely accused by his employer's wife, jailed and forgotten by those he helped before he ever realized his dreams. Joseph's family hated him and laughed and pondered about his dreams.
David, the shepherd boy, became King of Israel. No body would have believed it when the boy was brought to the prophet to be anointed.
The widow and her son were saved because she agreed to cook for the prophet of God. Scandalous request by the prophet when he KNEW that the corn and oil she had was for the last cake of all before they were to die.
Lepers found food and saved a whole city for siege by the enemy. How? Because this pack of pathetic, sick and crippled lepers sounded like a large reinforcement coming to attack them and the enemy fled in terror!

As you well know, I could go on and on because you have read the book too. What I will ask you today is this. Do you believe what it says? I know bold question, however, it's the right question. Do you really believe the word? Because if you do, then you're expecting too!! or you should be expecting!!

God's Word is true! He is the same yesterday, today, and forever. If:

he could give a child to a couple that are past child bearing days,
he can take a shepherd boy and make him into a king,
he can take childhood dreams and bring them to fruition after great personal adversity,
he can take a little oil and meal and sustain a family until the economy changes, and,
he can take sick people and use them to overwhelm the odds and bring deliverance to an entire city

then I am expecting that God will meet the needs of all those in my world today. He is the same God. He has the same power. He says we have to ask, believing! Put that another way, He says we have to ask and expect! Expect that He will answer. Just remember that His way of answering is different that ours. So expect the unexpected! Believe the unbelievable!

My God cannot ignore the world where I am living at. There are so many opportunities for him to work in and through that he cannot NOT do something. But the key is, are we asking and expecting! He's right there waiting to be asked!

I'm expecting! I am looking forward to miracles, regarding things as likely to happen quickly, and I am anticipating the occurrence or the coming of God on the scene! My expectation is so intense that my heart is pounding in anticipation! I can hardly wait to see and experience the unbelievably unique solutions God will provide! What about you? Are you expecting?

Love in with the Apples

2009-09-29T08:17:00.000-07:00

My daughter, Vanessa, came home last night with some apples. Actually, Vanessa came home with a whole lot of apples last night. Her crew were creating boxes to send to our American troops and they sent the leftovers home with every one.

When I got up this morning I realized that we needed to do something with them otherwise they would spoil. We eat apples here and there, but not that many, and we're leaving for St. Louis tomorrow. So what to do.

Looking at them more closely, I realized they were not store bought. These apples were a mixture of varieties, sizes, shapes and quality. I started examining them and found scars, bruised spots and very odd shapes. They certainly are not what I buy in the store. You know what I'm talking about. You go down the fruit isle in the store and your mouth waters because they are perfectly shaped and have a consistent, beautiful, shiny red very appealing skin. Not these. These looked like they'd lived and could tell us some stories. LOL

I decided that I could make some pies. I had some leftover pie crusts from a holiday and got excited thinking who I could bless today with some apple pie. You might wonder why I don't just fix if for my family. Guess what? They don't like pie. :-)

So I start washing the apples. I tossed out some bruised ones and there were a couple I threw out because they just had some icky looking scars. As I worked through the pile I started thinking about those I threw away. I'm going to be peeling them. There's bound to be a good part of that apple that's usable. I could make more than one pie if I get those back out and cut off those areas that were not usable.

So I grab those out of the trash. I washed them again and worked on them to get to the usable parts. Some of the apples that looked good on the outside, when I halved them, were actually very scarred on the inside around the core. I didn't see that from the outside. Some apples had very large core areas with less fruit. Some had very small cores and a lot of fruit.

By the time I had them peeled, cored, and sliced I had way more apple than I can use in two pies. So I decide to make some apple crisp too. Then I remembered that Pastor Anthony was coming over to spend some time with Ryan today. So I made a couple apple crisp desserts. I can't believe how many desserts I was able to make with a bag of apples. I ended up with 2 apple pies and 3 apple crisp desserts.

I put the apple crisp in the oven first and they started cooking and I began to clean up the area. I'm not Sally Homemaker so I did throw all the cores out and all the peelings. I know, I have a friend who's reading this and can't believe I wasted all those peelings .......... I hear her loud and clear..there's a use for all apple parts. You're wasting good usable parts.

Wouldn't you know it? God started talking to me. As the smell of cinnamon and apples begins to fill the house, I start hearing God. We're just like those apples.

There are so many different types of people. People come in all different shapes and sizes. Some are so beautiful on the outside. We see them and think they're really going to do great things for God. They have it so together that very shortly they're going to be so useful in the Kingdom. We see others and their scars and bruises are very apparent from the outside. We know God can use them but we also know it's going to take a good long time before they're productive. Some we look at and we throw them away immediately. We don't see anything good in saving that one and we throw them out before spending much time looking.

But God does it different. He starts by washing us off gently. Then He starts working on those areas that are not very appealing. He smooths out the scars and heals the bruised areas. And by the time He's finished, we are actually quite appealing. He too finds pretty ones that have very little fruit on the inside, but he uses what there is. And He also finds the not so pretty ones that inside are just full of precious fruit.

Best of all, God's not surprised at the harvest. He's not surprised that so little becomes so much when He completes the process of preparation. And He has so many things that people of all shapes, sizes and tastes can do that it's impossible not to be fruitful if you want to be.

God, the Master Creator and Reconstructor, with love changes lives. He's the only one that can love me when I'm not so pretty or my bruised ego or attitude needs some adjustments. He's the only one that can take what I am and who I am and change me to be what He sees in me. He loves us so much and He knows just how much peeling, coring and slicing we need in order to bring enjoyment to those around us.

You see, I found love in the apples today!

The Faithless Wife vs. The Harlot

2009-09-24T04:07:00.000-07:00

I love to read the Bible and learn the principles that create a great foundation for a successful life. My husband taught me a long time ago the value of reading Proverbs every day. I love it. What I find difficult, however, is the prophets in the Old Testament. All the types and shadows, allegory's and prophesy challenge me so much that I honestly lose interest. BUT......

I decided to try once more to read one of them. Actually, a message I heard recently tweaked my interest and I thought I'd try to read Ezekiel. I mean, really, if these books were not important in some way, then God would never have moved upon folks to write them. Right?

Right! Man did the Word of God speak to my heart today. You see I'm in chapter 16 of Ezekiel. God is talking to him about Judah, and how she played the harlot. God took Judah and created something wonderful out of nothing. He gave them embroidered clothing, jewels fit for a king, fed them with the tastiest of pastries and sweets and gave them beauty as well. Judah was the envy of all the people around them. She had everything!

Then it all fell apart. Judah played the role of a harlot. She began taking the things she was given and created images and began worshiping idols instead of the God who created her beauty and provided for her. She began trusting in herself instead of the God who provided all things. Judah began to praise and promote herself. But it didn't stop there, Judah also taught the next generation to do the same.

What really grabbed my attention, however, is the fact that God changes His characterization of Judah in this chapter. Instead of being a harlot, he says, you are a faithless wife. You are giving it away free. You are not even charging for your harlotry. So you've taken your wickedness to a more depraved state. You're a wife who should be committed to your relationship, but you are throwing it all away for nothing!

Then I stop to think about this. What role am I playing today? Am I the real deal? Am I living like royalty and appreciating the blessings and beauty that God has created in my life? Am I appreciating His provisions in my life and walking in the way I know I should? Am I trusting God to provide my needs? Am I promoting myself instead of letting God promote me? Am I teaching my children to live for God in a way that brings glory to Him and appreciates the life He has blessed us with?

Or am I the faithless wife or harlot? Have I lost sight of the value of God's blessings and provisions and become just like Judah? Am I acting like a faithless wife? Worse than a harlot? I made my life's commitment to walk with God, love Him and serve Him. So He forgave me of my sins and washed me with His blood and gave me salvation. Am I faithful? Is my relationship with God a priority? Do I talk to Him every day? Do I seek His favor in all I do and say? Do I take my daily needs to the Lord and trust Him to take care of them? You know, leave it there?

The NEB version of the Bible puts it this way. "We are God's handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to devote ourselves to the good deeds for which God has designed us". (Eph. 2:10) I need to remember that I am significant and unique, not because of what I do, but because of whose I am.

Two for one

2009-09-12T12:43:00.000-07:00

I love bargains. Actually, I love bargains that are truly a bargain. The reason I say that is that some of these fast food restaurants have "meal" deals. Some times when you add up the items separately, they are really not a bargain at all. They are just wrapped up with pretty packaging that makes you feel like you just got a bargain.

There's a scripture that talks about two for one. Matthew 5:41 says "If someone forces you to go one mile, go with him two miles." Now just so we get this right let's talk a bit about what was going on here. Jesus was teaching and he was using law of that day as his reference in teaching. This law was that if a soldier required you to carry his pack, then you had to do it. But it put a cap on how far; one mile. Jesus was teaching the people to go the second mile. Do more than you are asked to do.

This is truly a valuable principle to learn. One story that uses this scripture says that if you only go the first mile you only get what's expected, but when you go the second mile, you make a friend.

Service to one another is rewarding. It is work too. Doing more than is required, going the extra mile, giving more than was asked for takes a special kind of mentality. It's called a servants heart. Jesus Christ declared that he came to serve and tells us we should also seek to serve. Serving one another takes love and compassion.

Matter of fact, out of all of the fruit of the spirit, love is the greatest. Why? Because by this trait, Jesus says, they will know you are my disciples. He also states that if we don't have love, then we are not his.

Love is the only trait that I know of that will cause you to go the second mile. Love is the only trait that will motivate you to sacrifice your time, energy, and money for another person or a worthy cause.

So where's the bargain in this? How is this "Two for One" principle a bargain? I think it's because first you are helping another person and second you reap the benefits of discipleship.

Lest we forget those benefits, let me list just a few.

Peace knowing Jesus is in control of every situation.
Courage knowing that I'm never alone.
All my needs provided for because Jesus is my provider.
Friendship knowing that Jesus is a friend that sticks closer than a brother.
Health because Jesus heals.
Salvation and hope for tomorrow because He has saved me by his blood.

When I think about the Lord, how he saved me, how he raised me, how he filled me with the Holy Ghost......It makes me want to shout Hallelujah, thank you Jesus, Lord you're worthy, of all the honor and all of the glory and all of the praise!! (Everett, Shane Barnard & Shane) Oh what a Savior!!

Are you a fool?

2009-09-12T05:16:00.000-07:00

I read a joke my sister sent me the other day about there being a holiday for everyone...even fools. The scripture reference in that joke was this Psalm 14:1 "The fool says in his heart, "There is no God." ....."

As I laughed at the joke, I also wondered if there are times that I am the fool saying there is no God? Ok, I've not said it out loud, but have my actions said that. When I was growing up, my parents would quote that little phrase "actions speak louder than words". They would warn us that who we were with and what we did in times of stress or play actually said more about us than our actual words.

There's a new phrase I've been hearing more frequently. Living out loud. So I wonder what God hears in my actions.

When I participate in gossip, am I really saying that I don't believe God hates gossipers?

When I omit some important fact in a conversation that would otherwise, if shared, place the responsibility or blame on me, do I really think God doesn't know I am lying through my front teeth? Do I really think that God excludes me from His wrath for lying?

When I am unkind and have no compassion for those people I come into contact with everyday, including the people I live with, am I thumbing my nose at God and ignoring His commandments?

I have to wonder about this. Because if you look at the entire verse of that scripture it says, "Psalm 14:1 "The fool says in his heart, "There is no God." They are corrupt, their deeds are vile; there is no one who does good."

So I take a little closer look at two words; corrupt and vile. Corrupt means "guilty of dishonest practices, as bribery; lacking integrity; crooked" Vile means "wretchedly bad or highly offensive, unpleasant, or objectionable."

So, I conclude that my actions are saying "There is no God". Because I have not always refrained from gossip. I have not always told the truth all the time. I have not always chosen to take the higher standard and walk away when others are engaged in questionable conversations. By association, by staying around, I am guilty by association. Verdict: I am a fool.

But there is hope!! God loves us! He will and does forgive us the moment we repent and ask Him. God is hearing my actions BUT He's also right there when we need to ask for forgiveness. One of the greatest scriptures of all times says it all. "If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness" (1 John 1:9)

Put another way by the Message version of the Bible "If we claim that we're free of sin, we're only fooling ourselves. A claim like that is errant nonsense. On the other hand, if we admit our sins—make a clean breast of them—he won't let us down; he'll be true to himself. He'll forgive our sins and purge us of all wrongdoing. If we claim that we've never sinned, we out-and-out contradict God—make a liar out of him. A claim like that only shows off our ignorance of God. ".

The question is "Are you a fool?" I am. I am a repented fool. I am thankful that God is there waiting to hear my confession and extend grace and mercy when I repent.

What are you waiting for?

2009-09-11T04:35:00.000-07:00

Riding the train to and from work has its curses and blessings. The curse is its noisy and prolongs my commute time. I'm tired and people annoy me. The blessings are that there's less wear and tear on my car, the commute is cheaper and I don't have to fight the traffic. I also have about an hour just to "zone" if I want.

Another blessing is the people. Ok, I know I said that I'm tired and the people annoy me, but sometimes it is rather entertaining. Last night I was trying to get in the "zone" and that's when I begin to hear the people. See when I zone, I hear everything until my mind finally cops out and I "zone". So in that time of hearing everyone I must of heard 2 to 3 people talk about what they are waiting on. One was waiting on her daughter, one was waiting on the boss, you get the picture.

For some reason, my mind jumped to a lady I talked to in church recently. I asked how she was doing and she told me she was waiting on a specific minister to come back to our church to pray for her. Then she knew she'd get what she was waiting for. Huh? I was stunned.

I remembered a time in the Bible when Jesus healed a man that was waiting. He was waiting for several years for the water in the pool of Bethesda to move all by itself. If memory serves me correctly, it moved only about once a year. Why had he been waiting for so long? He needed someone to help him into the water. Because only the first person in the water at the time it moved on its own was healed. Because he was dependent on others to help him, he never made it in time. So he was still waiting. But now that Jesus was on the scene, as we know, he healed the man there and then and he left completely made whole. A completely changed man.

So, what bothers me is this, why is that lady at church waiting? She's waiting on some one to be here before God can heal her. Why? If Jesus is "in the house" or in our midst all the time, then I'm confused. Why is she waiting? We know that healing comes from God. We know that all we need is found in God. Don't we?

Now I have to ask myself, is there something that I'm waiting for before I __________? Are you waiting for _________ before God can move? before God can provide? before God can....................you fill in the blank. Now my criticism for the lady in my church turns inward. Why am I waiting? Waiting for what? Waiting for who? Is my inability to be completely changed and made whole because I'm waiting when there is really no need to? What am I waiting for?

Dress Code

2009-09-06T04:59:00.000-07:00

Back to school month, that is what September has become here in the United States of America. The stores are filled with uniforms and school supplies. It seems that more and more schools are requiring that students wear uniforms.

I get to work on Wednesday and open my email and see a company wide notice. It's all about dress code. The opening paragraph states, "We want to remind all employees of the importance of projecting a professional image to customers, business associates and co-workers through the clothes we wear." As you read through the note, it goes so far as to state guidelines/rules regarding frayed pants, flip flops, length of shorts (for those areas of the company where they are allowed), and modesty of tops women may wear. It even gives definitions for what a flip flop is. AND to top if all off, those in management may not have a casual day on Friday. There is never a day for those in management to be casual in the work place.

So, I have to ask, why do we balk at church when there are standards set for those in leadership or for those participating on the platform in a service? What is wrong if the church sets requirements for apparrel when on church trips or when representing the church in functions it supports. If our workplace sets standards to project a professional image and we comply without issue, then what's wrong with churches setting standards?

Modesty in all things is a Biblical principle. Creating an environment where those in leadership or those participating on the platform are modest is important to creating an environment where God is the focus. Is that too much to ask?

What's up with the fence?

2009-08-02T05:13:00.000-07:00

We went to California on a family vacation this year. It was wonderful and refreshing. We grew up there, well....we were born and raised there and left when we were both 21. I think the true growing up came later. LOL There are things that really "reach out and grab you" when you return to the place where you were born and raised. For me, this year, it was the architecture; especially the residential areas. It was the fences.

In Illinois here, we have a fence around our backyard. It's very nice since we have a dog. The fence keeps him inside and we can let him out to roam around and laze in the sun (when there is sun..ha).

California is a different story, however. Just about every one has a fence around their back yard there. Matter of fact, I don't recall seeing any residential property without a fence around their backyard.

Looking at all the various fences you would say that some were truly functional and providing a greater level of protection and security. I did wonder if these would really protect the families behind them or if the trust they placed in them was warrented. Still many others use them more for boundary marking and perhaps for adding additional beauty to the property.

Researching a bit on google, I found some interesting things. There are cities, towns, and counties with laws and fines regarding fences. They truly care about the fence height in your front yard versus your backyard. They even dictate whether you can have a fence. There are areas that have rules about the material the fence is constructed with.

My mind started thinking about fences that people build around themselves. You can't truly see them, but they are there none the less. You know how I know? Because some of us can't trust anyone. Some of us can't laugh and joke with others. Some of us are afraid to even get around a sinner for fear that their "sin" will corrupt us.

Oh, don't get me wrong, I think we better have some fences built. We have to protect our minds in what we see and allow ourselves to think about. The Bible has a lot to say on this subject. In a world that is exposed to constant visual stimulants of sex, drugs, and violence, you better have some pretty strong fortified fences to protect yourself with.

But those are not the fences that I am talking about. The fences that I am talking about are those that keep people out. How can we be salt and light in this world when we are fencing them out? How can we show them Jesus if we refuse to get involved with them?

Jesus sat with prostitutes and offered them living water. Jesus ate dinner with dirty politicians. Jesus took his disciples out for times of mentoring and had enough love in his heart to address their egotistical thinking.

I ask you now, "What's up with the fence?" Remember, most things can be used for both evil and good. What's the purpose of your fence?

A Time for Change vs. an Unchangeable God

2009-07-14T11:08:00.000-07:00

I've read many things lately about the need for change in our world. Let's face it, the message our president won his election on was the need for change and his perceived ability to make that happen. The Sotomayor hearings are filled with questions that are trying to filter through all the "things we think we know about her" and her answers to the questions the committee asks her over a fews days time. From what I can tell, it seems they are all trying to determine how much her addition to the Supreme Court may actually change the rulings handed down by the court.

No matter what your political leanings are in these matters, the truth is we are in a culture that is seeking change. I would even agree that we need change in our world. I don't like many of our tax and spend policies. I don't like some of the decisions made by our highest court. I do not subscribe to the philosphy that there are no absolutes. In these things we certainly need change and I embrace those that are trying to make a difference in these areas.

The thought of change is a challenging one. How far will "change" go in our world? Our president has taken liberties of power that the office was never designed to have, but he, without any real resistance, has done things that has set the United States in a tailspin. Where it will end it not determined. What will the final outcomes be of this quick decisions and unprecedented use of his power will be are not clear. What we do know is that we are getting the change that the majority of the voters asked for.

With that being said, I do know that there are some things that should not be changed. Matter of fact, they are 100% unchangeable. Those things are the laws of God. They will never change. I'm not sure how you feel about that fact, however, it gives me great hope and security. Our God is unchangeable! He is the Creator of all mankind and the Author of the laws of reciprocity. Therefore, there are consequences of all decisions that bring about change. That's why the Bible is accurate when it states that God is in control. No matter who is in power or what occurs, God will have the last word. For this I am grateful.

So to encourage and increase my faith and yours, I give you some thoughts about our unchangeable God.

God does not change. Malachi 3:6 states "I am the Lord, I do not change;...."

God is always the same. Hebrews 13:8 states "Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever."

Sin brings death & the gift of God is eternal life. In Romans 6:23 it states, "For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord."

I quote all these scriptures to make this point, some things will and should never change. God's word, His promises, His power, His redeeming blood, His judgements, His love, His mercy, His forgiveness, His provisions, and His blessings will never change. I know that I can depend on, trust in and hope in God.

The changes our president or local governments make that affect our taxes, pay, health insurance or individual "rights" will never limit my needs being supplied. God supplies all my needs according to His riches in glory.

The laws of reciprocity that govern the outcomes of sin will not change. Sin brings death. It's really that simple. Those that engage in sinful practices are only enjoying them "for a season". The outcome is death. Never forget that.

The laws of reciprocity that govern the outcomes of living for God will not change. It's really that simple. Live by the principles of the Word of God and you will have good success. You will receive eternal life. Never, ever forget that.

Are there prices to pay for these two opposing life-styles? YES! That is an absolute. NEVER forget that. You are what you read, eat, think and do. Your choices today determines your tomorrow. Change your choices today and you change your tomorrows.

In summary, it is time for change. We need to change who we are looking to for answers. We need to remember that this world is not our home; we are just passing through. Our choices should be thoughfully considered and with the clear understanding that the laws of reciprocity will always be applied. AND most of all, that our God is unchangeable. We need to change to be more like Him!! We need to believe His word and develop a relationship with Him so we can hear His voice and know with clarity and assurance what changes we need to make in order to find fulfillment and the promise of eternal life.

Are you too big for your body?

2009-07-05T07:03:00.000-07:00

I read a devotional today that has really caught my attention. A young child was rough housing around with his uncle and having all kinds of fun when the little guy looked up and said, "You know what's wrong with you? You're skin is too big for your body."

Yes, we do take ourselves too seriously and forget to have plain old fun with our children. Here we are on vacation, back where we grew up. So many things have changed and so many things I've forgotten. What surprises me most are the simple things that I've forgotten, which when remembered now, causes a belly laugh that's hard to control.

I remember a summer when it was so hot and we needed rain so badly. My grandfather came by during his lunch hour and told us that we needed to do the rain dance. He then procededed to teach us how. He proceeded to dance on one foot to another circling the old barrel we used outside to burn trash. He told us if we all did that it would rain. We danced around it with him like a bunch of indians and sure enough it rained that night. Ha! We thought he was magic!!

I remember camping vacations in Yosemite with my family. Daddy would rope us all together and take us on 1/2 day hiking trips. That rope kept us safe and secure as we climbed up trails and we saw some of the most beautiful sights in the world.

Both of these memories remind me of the simple trust and faith we had in the adults in our lives. When my grandfather told us to dance and it would rain we laughed and cavorted and wore ourselves out. We had so much fun with him. It rained! It was awesome. When dad roped us together and told us that the rope would keep us together so we wouldn't get lost and help us to be safe as we climbed up those trails, we gladly roped ourselves together and trusted that we'd be safe and we'd make it to the top.

I think that is what God meant when he said we were to become as little children. The ability to believe anything that you were told and to do it without questioning it's possibilities. Just do it. Just believe it AND most of all, expect it to happen. Simple faith and trust.

But have we gotten too big for our bodies? Are we able to be as little children? Can we go back to the time when we could believe that we could just dance and the rain would come? Do I have the ability to believe that God's word said it and therefore it so? Lord I hope not!!

God's word says He is the supplier of all our needs. God's word says that He is the healer of all our diseases. God's word says that a sparrow will only fall to the ground if He wills it and He knows the number of hairs on our head....so we are not to be afraid because He cares even more for us than the sparrows. (Matthew 10:29-31). He knows where I am and cares for me!!

God's word tells me to sing songs, praise, dance and give thanks in the middle of my troubles. (Eph 5:15-21) Ok, it doesn't say in the middle of my troubles....it says "in all things". So am I too big to take this simply as it's stated? If not, then that means that I should sing and make a melody in my heart no matter what or where I am. I SHOULD thank Him when my job is stressful and I have too much work. I SHOULD sing a song and have a joyful heart when the kids are fighting in the back seat and we have just begun a 4-hour road trip. It means that if God said he would supply all my needs, then I should be singing and dancing and thanking Him for doing just that.

I have to remember the life lessons I was taught without ever being in the classroom. My grandfather knew it was going to rain that evening because he saw the clouds coming and knew the signs and could interpret those accurately. So he had us dance before it ever began; joyful in the knowledge that it was coming. That's just like God. God has already supplied all my needs. I need to dance in anticipation of the final outcome.

My father knew that his strength along with that rope tied around his children would keep us safe and secure and following in his footsteps. God knows that if we do as His word commands that nothing can ever separate us from His love and security. God will lead us in the pathway that is ours to travel and experience life in a beautiful way.

It's simple really. Become as a little child. Laugh and play and believe all the words you read in the Bible. They are not stories. They are true! They are mine to live!! They are mine to have!!

Am I too big for the things that God has in store for me? Unless I become as a little child.......I think I may be.

No Password Necessary!

2009-06-26T04:37:00.000-07:00

I had to change my password today. Every 30 days this event occurs. There are rules that you have to follow for changing your password. It has to be a certain length. It has to have at least 7 characters. It cannot be all letters. It must contain 1 number. It cannot be similar in any way to a prior password, etc. Oh, and by the way, don't write it down anywhere!

When you question this practice, it's all about being secure. Security provides safety or a freedom from risk. It lessens the danger of someone being able to break through the walls of your defense. Basically, it is there for your protection. My corporation requires a password in order to protect me and them from tampering by another co-worker or an outside entity. A lot of corporate resources are assigned, both financial and physical, to ensuring that I and the company are safe from intruders and risk.

The password is such an important element in providing technical security that you only get a certain number of chances to remember it and enter it correctly. After your chances expire, you are totally locked out of the system and you must call to have it "reset" so you can once again have access to the system.

AND as it that's not enough, there are certain applications in our system that require a different password to gain access. Even some levels of operation that limit you by your user ID. So just because you get through the first set of "security measures" doesn't mean you have access to everything that's available.

These thoughts caused me to ponder just a moment. No password is necessary in God's kingdom. God never locks us out. He does not have a limit on the number of times you try to gain access to Him. What an awesome thought!

God's kingdom and access into His realm is totally secure. There is no risk of intruders sabatoging His "system". When you're in His "system" you have the freedom to go anywhere and access any level of operation you desire. God's Kingdom is secure! He paid the price one time for all of us forever!!

God will never lock us out no matter how many times we forget some of the steps or measures. God will never prevent us from going to the next level. God is totally transparent and provides all things for all people who seek him and desire more. His Kingdom is limitless and you can reach for the stars and attain the greatest heights. It's all up to you!

I have full access to everything in God's Kingdom 24.7.365!!

Just begin....

2009-06-23T04:23:00.000-07:00

I've wanted to have a blog for a long time. What stopped me? The commitment. I would begin to check into it and read other blogs and think how cool it would be to have one of my own. I would envy them the time and the thoughts. I would dream about "the day" that I would have a blog. I'd more often than not stop dreaming and get back to the "real world".

Then this morning I began on that same ol' track of thinking again. I really want to blog. I wish I had the time and could do it. Then reality hit me. I'll never do it. I keep coming here to this point and stop before I ever really commit to creating it. This is a cycle that needs breaking. I'll never accomplish something if I never try, never begin. So, I've begun.

How many things have you wanted to do but never have because of the commitment would be too much? How do you know if you never try?