Wordly Troubles

I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart I have overcome the world. John 16:33 NIV

Grieving, that's what a lot of us are doing over this senseless tragedy. Worrying, is another thing some of us are doing as our safety has once again been compromised.

Churches, movie theaters, malls, and now schools are now a place where we wonder "are we really safe?" All of these are places some of us go to regularly without a second thought to our safety. These past few months have shaken our world and caused us to rethink.

Rethinking things is good, it's just horrible that people had to die in order for us to rethink. We've become desensitized to violence. It has become a common occurrence on television, at the movies, or in video games. Fiction has become non-fiction, sometimes we don't even think twice about what our children are watching. As long as they're occupied and being quiet it's OK. It doesn't effect them.

Let me tell you it does, I have worked with children for over twenty years. I can tell which ones watch violence and which ones don't. It comes out in their playing. I continually redirect them and try to get them playing something different. At times I'm successful other times I'm not.

We don't have any guns on our home, play or real. It's not worth it to me. I rely on God to protect me.
Having guns or not having guns is a personal choice, I mean if they became illegal people who wanted them would still get them. The pioneers had them displayed over their fireplaces. I don't ever remember reading in my history book about a teenager getting his father's rifle and shooting up his school or the local general store.

Maybe the answer doesn't lie in the hands of the government, but in the hands of each of us. We need to get back to the basics. Teach our children about God. Teach our children the Ten Commandments, and the new laws that Jesus taught which basically cover the Ten Commandments. "Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: Love your neighbor as yourself." Matthew 22:37-39 NIV

After all God did command his children to talk about him when we get up, when we go about our day, and when we lie down. Maybe if each of us do this there will be less violence and more love. each of us has a choice it's our God given right. What will yours be?

Enjoy the Sunshine of Today

Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is life more important than food and the body more important than clothes. Matthew 6:25 NIV

"Why save up for a rainy day, why not enjoy the sunshine of today?" a character on one of the shows I watch said. His statement set me to thinking.

Part of what he said is true, really we shouldn't go around worrying about everything. This time of year though, the worry tends to sneak up on you.

We were out shopping on Saturday, and at one point I began to worry if I had put enough money in our account. I quickly added in my head and figured we were still OK, but still I worried.

Another thing that can cause worry, is how in the world am I gonna get it all done. There are only so many hours in the day. A friend said, "I decided if the tree gets up, there's a wreath on the door, and a few presents under the tree. Then it'll all be good."  Sometimes in the stress of Christmas and with trying to keep all the traditions; we can lose sight of what Christmas is all about: "The Gift of Salvation."

Another part of me disagrees with what this character said. Sometimes you do need to save for a rainy day because sooner or later the rain does come. Let me tell you the rain does come. See if we go through our days unprepared for an unexpected event, then when the unexpected happens there will be chaos.

One of the best decisions we made this year was to prepare for a rainy day. It has been a blessing  and a great relief to know that we're a little better prepared for the rain. Still I have learned to not worry about life because I know who wins in the end.

I Saw God in the Sky

And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds. Hebrews 10:24 NIV

The text came easy enough, a picture of GOD in the sky. I hurried out back and sure enough God was in the sky, then came God Loves...

It's so true God does love. He has loved us since before we even knew what love was. Some of us know what His love feels like. Others may not know that it's his love they've been feeling all along.

Have you ever felt peace in a stressful situation? Have you been guided through a dangerous place? Have you been doing better than the doctors predicted?

God's love is here for us everyday. He has been in love with you before you even came into being. It's time to know the kind of love he has for us. Reach out talk with him today; maybe even pull out the Bible and read the love chapter 1 Corinthians Chapter 13.

God loves me this I know, and I don't need it written in the sky. But it sure was nice!