Our Father in Heaven

Our Father which is in heaven

Your name is above all names

Today your will, will be done

Here in the United States as it is in heaven

Give us this day the knowledge of who to choose

And forgive us for all the name bashing

As we forgive those who thought we were foolish

Lead us we move past this day without fighting, rioting, or any foolishness

For your plan is best and your power is over all even if we deny it

Forever and ever

Amen

Will I Get Picked This Time?

But we ought always to thank God for you, brothers loved by the Lord, because from the beginning God chose you to be saved through the sanctifying work of the Spirit and through belief in the truth. He called you, to this through our gospel, that you might share in the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ. 2 Thessalonians 2:13-14 NIV

"Oh no, not again," I thought as I stood with the rest of the kids waiting to be picked to be on a team. Of course the most athletic kids would be picked as captains and they of course would pick the fastest and the best. I wasn't fast and I definitely wasn't the best. I'd be lucky if I even got picked, usually I'd be the one they'd have to take because everyone was already chosen and everybody had to be on a team.

Those days were hard days. It isn't any fun knowing nobody wanted to pick you. This didn't get any easier as I got older either. There would be different things I'd hope to get picked for, but I wouldn't I was the one who was always over looked.

Even as an adult there are times when I still don't get chosen. Of course, that's not all the time now. There have been plenty of times I prayed and I was chosen, even if sometimes the thing I was chosen for seemed way out of my league.

It feels good to be chosen. It feels wonderful to be a part of the team.

Each of us has been chosen, we are all called to be a part of God's team. He doesn't choose you last because He has too. No sirree! He has chosen you from the beginning, and I'm not talking about your beginning. He chose you from before He even created the earth. He has called you to be a part of His team- GOD'S TEAM! Isn't that better than any other team? Shouldn't you say "Yes God, I will be on your team"?

The Soft Blanket

Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God. 2 Corinthians 1:3-4 NIV

I woke up not feeling to well, I wanted to lay down for just a little while. I searched and searched, if I was going to lay down, I needed a blanket. The softness and comfort it brings almost makes not feeling well worth it.

How many of us find comfort in a special blanket? My blankie has teddy bears on it which makes it even more inviting.

There are other things we can find comfort in, our new furniture is one. I can just be sitting there watching TV with my feet up and an hour later I realize I didn't watch one minute of the show. Some how the couch sucked me in to slumber land. It is a comfort.

There is someone else I go to for comfort, God. He is my comforter. Much like my blankie, He helps me feel better when I'm ill or when I'm having a bad day. He's like my couch, sometimes I feel like I'm embraced in His love and that takes away the stress and worry of what's going on in my life.

So when you need comforted, don't just reach for your blankie; reach out to the one who comforts us in all troubles.

Utter Disappointment

David also said to Solomon his son, "Be strong and courageous and do the work. Do not be afraid or discouraged, for the Lord God, my God, is with you. He will not fail you or forsake you until all the work for the service of the temple is finished. 1 Chronicles 28:20 NIV

Another Sunday when no kids showed up.

Another Wednesday night with no one for Bible study.

Disappointment over small numbers when I expected God to show up in BIG ways.

Low turn out for worship again.

Over and over again, it seems whatever I put my hand to is doomed to failure. I try not to worry. I try not to be discouraged. Unfortunately, the trying fails.

"Lord, I just love you so much. I don't understand why others don't feel the same as me. Am I supposed to quit? Is it time to throw in the towel? Should I just walk away? Am I of better use somewhere else?" I asked God.  I'm willing to go where He sends me. (I better not say that too loud.)

Truthfully though, I am a servant of God.

When no kids show up, I ask God what can I do differently. At one time there were enough kids to separate and add another children's Sunday School class. I know that can happen again, as long as I follow His lead.

When no adults come for Wednesday night Bible study or don't come to worship on Sunday. I pray and try to figure out why. What can I do differently? Is there something I'm missing?

As I dig into the Word of God. I find his message-be strong and courageous do the work! God will continue to help me accomplish his work. Do not be afraid or discouraged for God is with me! God is there, He knows what's going on. He will fix it. God will not fail me or forsake me. So even when I feel like I'm failing; God is not failing me.

As I trust Him. I know He's not finished with me yet and something great will happen!

To Stand on the Podium

For you have been my hope, O Sovereign Lord, my confidence since my youth. From birth I have relied on you; you brought me forth from my mother's womb. I will ever praise you. Psalm 71:5-6 NIV

The countdown was on, then I realized we would be gone when it began. Would we be able to see anything?

I am not a big sports person, just ask my family. I find it rather a waste of time to sit in front of a TV and watch grown men plummet each other. I'd rather watch reruns of "Gilligan's Island" then watch an endless ball game. I have better things to do.

Now the Olympics is a different story, I really enjoy watching the Olympics. The gymnastics, the swimming, the diving...I really revel in watching these events and cheering on the USA. There is something about us coming together as a country and cheering on our fellow Americans.

It's no longer orange and blue or red and gold, now most homes come together at this time and wear the red, white, and blue. We stand or sit proudly as the National Anthem is played as one of our home team won a gold! We proudly sing along and when it's finished we don't yell out "play ball."

It's amazing to me how long each of these athlete's have trained. It's like it's born in them to be a champion. Us average folks as well as these champions have something born in us too. Did you realize that God has been with you since before your were conceived? He has been there wooing you to Him. He is our hope, our deliverer, or strength.

There will be a day when we stand on a podium before God. He may open the gates of heaven and sing our own anthem while Jesus, the angels, and those who've gone before us stand around proudly watching us begin our eternal life. Who would want to miss out on that?

What the World Needs

Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. 1 John 4:7 NIV

I'm not sure about you, but I'm tired. I'm tired of all the stories about hate. I've wondered where has all the love gone.

The Beatles sang it well,

"All you need is love, love

Love is all you need."

Jackie DeShannon said it as well

"What the world needs now is love, sweet love

It's the thing that there's just too little of

What the world needs  now is love, sweet love

No, not just for some but for everyone"

It would be nice to hear more about the love in the world than the hate. Why do we end up with hate in our hearts rather than love?

I've experienced the hate of someone, maybe not as intense as others have, but it was hate none-the-less. It seemed one child had it out for me, I'm not sure what I did. It could have been I wasn't quite up to her standards. I haven't ever been fast or coordinated. It seemed to me that whenever this person was around she could get everyone to buddy up with her and make my life even harder. She would get them to make fun of me and made sure I knew I wasn't up to par. 

Luckily for me, I have a loving family and through their love I learn to overcome anything anybody tried to do to me. Another thing that has helped me face uncertain days was my surrender to Jesus. One day as I stood in the back of the church listening to the choir practice a song, a message was in there for me. The message that I needed to accept Jesus or I wouldn't get into heaven. Heaven seemed like a pretty loving place, so in the back of that tiny church Jesus became my Savior.

Through this I have learned that true love comes from God. God loves each one of us so much even those who seemed to have no love, God loves him/her too. No matter how many times we say we don't need God or it's foolish to believe in God. He still loves us and always will.

So maybe the answer isn't the world needs love, sweet love but the world needs God, sweet God. With God comes love a love that drives out hate. So instead of turning our backs on Him maybe we should turn towards Him.

A Dirty Bible

Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path. Psalm 119:105 NIV

What is the condition of your Bible? Is it sitting in mint condition on a shelf? Or is it displayed on the coffee table? Do you even know where your Bible is?

Does it sit on the table by your favorite chair? Are pages falling out? Are scriptures highlighted with notes in the margin? Can you find the different books of the Bible without looking in the table of contents or on those Bible tabs?

My Bible sits next to me by my spot on the couch. My pages are crinkled, some verses are highlighted, and yes, there are even a few notes in the margin. I even have another pocket size Bible that journeys with me in my purse. I take time to read it, I love the stories in it, and at times it has brought me comfort. Sometimes I have even written out questions I needed answered and through God's living word I found the answers.

Some may think the Bible is old fashion or the stories in there don't pertain to me. God's inspired word doesn't mean the same today as it did when it was written. Well if it were written today, some of  it would be different because God would change His mind about certain things.

The thing is God is the same yesterday, today, and tomorrow. His love is everlasting and nothing we can do will ever separate us from His love. His word is inspiring and maybe it's time for you to get a dirty Bible. After all, it is still the book that has sold the most copies. So go find that mint condition Bible, blow off the dust, and try getting it a little dirty.

Is Asking Enough?

Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened. Matthew 7:7-8

For me when I first began trusting God completely, this verse held a lot of meaning to me. At the time I had really screwed things up, at any moment our home could have been taken from us. I clung to the promises in this verse, if I asked it would be given. So I asked and asked and asked.

God indeed saved our home, but not without me learning things along the way. At times I would fall back into the same foolish spending habits. Then a wake up call would happen; we'd fall behind and could face losing our house once again. Each of those times we'd fall to our knees asking and believing somehow God's glory would come through again. Each time He did.

During this journey I've come to learn that God isn't a genie. Sure it says here to ask and you will receive, but as we read and study further in this section it says God will give good gifts to those who ask him. What God gives is a gift, a blessing. Since we are given a gift, we need to be thankful for it. Not use it the day we receive, only to forget about it the next day.

There have been times when I've asked God, expecting to receive the gift and He said "No" or "Wait, it'll come." Last year, there was an opportunity to go on this wonderful expedition. There was one little problem or 10,000 little problems. For my husband and I to go we would need $10,000 by a certain date. I prayed, "Lord, this would be exciting and something we'd like to do, so the only way we could do this is to receive $10,000. Thanks." 

The due date came and went and as you've might have guessed, $10,000 never showed up. I guess this wouldn't have been a good gift for us.

Now on our fridge hangs a list of things we need to do or would like to have. I placed it there a few years ago not knowing when any of the things on this list would be filled. In fact, the list has hung there so long I forget it's even there. Recently, it caught my eye and I realized that all but three things have been accomplished.

These things I may have prayed for at one time or another, maybe I said "Lord, when you can." But like the list hanging there I'd forgotten I'd asked. Somehow through His great gifts He has allowed us to accomplish some of things on our list and not end up scrapping bottom to do it. I really don't know how, except God gives good gifts to his children.

As I look back, I realize all the mistakes I made. The great thing is though, through these mistakes I have learn that God will supply all our needs and even some of our wants. We just need to ask and then trust He has great plans for us.

Overcoming the Flesh

Thanks be to God-through Jesus Christ our Lord! So then I myself in my mind am a slave to God's law, but in the sinful nature a slave to the law of sin. Romans 7:25 NIV

Have you ever had a thought pop in your head that didn't come from you? There a have been a few times this has happened to me. Most of the times the thoughts are great ideas. There have been a few times though a thought crosses my mind and I know in an instant this is not my thought or God's. This thought has come from Satan himself.

Immediately, I ask God to remove this from my head because I know clearly this is not something I would do. I ask him to remove it from my brain and throw it as far as the east is from the west. He does, so it is very surprising when several months have passed and this same sinful thought comes into my head again.

Concern fills me. Why can't this temptation just go away forever? I don't plan on acting on it, it's not in my nature. I ask God to remove it again, but the fear is there that it will return.

"Why does it?" I wonder. Could it be that God is about to move in a big way if I allow Him? Is that why Satan is trying to stop me?

Am I becoming a slave to my thoughts? Worried that it'll happen again?

Temptation is all around us, always lurking to suck us in. What better way is there for Satan to gain some points than for a person who claims to be a Christian to fall into sin? The media is always on the look out for a good person to fall into temptation.

The thing is we are all sinful, if we say we aren't we are only deceiving ourselves. "If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness." 1 John 1:8-9

I don't know about you much I'd much rather admit what I've done or not done and be purified. So God purify me and help me to be a light for you.

Admission For Church

Worship the Lord with gladness; come before him with joyful songs. Psalm 100:2 NIV

The other day a strange thought crossed by mind. Maybe it's because we have been trying to figure out why church attendance keeps dropping. It seems that meeting at church to worship with other believers is just not high on every one's priority list. Anyway a thought occurred to me, "maybe we should charge for worship."

It seems we are willing to pay for things that are important to us. We pay for our kids activities, our activities, professional sporting games, movies, amusement parks, so hey why not start paying to come and worship the Lord.

I believe attendance would certainly be better. Once you've paid for the something you're going to go because it's not like you're going to lose money by not attending.

The thing is though would you come to church worshiping the Lord with gladness or would you come demanding things be a certain way, after all you paid for it. Once the money's been spent you hope to get your money's worth.

Truth is the price has already been paid.

Once upon a time there was a child born of a virgin. He grew up and taught, healed, and prayed. He knew what his mission was, He really didn't want to go through with it, after all the cost would be high. Still He faced what he must do.

He was beaten, blood poured from his body for us. He was nailed to a cross and died there in excruciating pain. His last breath was with thoughts of us, "Father forgive them they know not what they do."

But this was not the end. On the third day He rose from death. He conquered eternal death so we could have eternal rest.

Isn't that price worth it? Isn't spending one hour out of one hundred sixty-eight out of a week worth the sacrifice? Don't let the what He did be wasted.

Spend sometime this week worshiping the Lord, all those other things don't mean much when it comes to eternal peace.

A Mother's Teaching

Listen my son to your father's instruction and do not forsake you mother's teaching. They will be a garland to grace your head and a chain to adorn your neck. Proverbs 1:8-9 NIV

"Don't touch that, it's hot."

"Stop screaming!"

"No running in the house."

"Don't hit, no name calling, and no pushing!"

Words most of us mother's speak at one time or another. Some of our children pushed the banner anyway by touching the hot burner, falling in the house, or ending up in a big fight because they didn't listen to us mothers.

For me these phrases haven't stopped for several years. I even spoke them before I had children. When your work with children these phrases are part the norm usually with the same results, the kids pushing their limits.

These phrases though are not my most important teachings. For each child that has come through my home I hoped I taught them that God loves them. I try to let them know that everyday. One of the phrases we used to say a lot was, "that's OK God loves me anyway."  A spill would happen and I'd say it encouraging him/her that it was alright. The best time though was when I would spill something and I hear the young voices saying, "That's OK Ms. Diana, God loves you anyway."

Mothers are to nurture and guide their young children to walk with the Lord. Mothers are there when we fall down, when life is amiss, and as an encourager.

We grieve when we lose our mothers or as mothers we grieve when one of our children has lost his/her way. Some of us grieve because we haven't had the chance yet to be mothers.

This Sunday as we honor our Mothers look back upon all that your mother taught you and walk in the ways she taught.

So Much Stuff

Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. Matthew 6:19-21 NIV

To hoard or not to hoard, that is the question.

I really don't think of myself has a hoarder, I can somewhat easily get rid of things. But sometimes I hold unto it just in case I might need it again, one never knows.

These past three weeks have changed my mind. I have packed over 40 boxes of stuff, thrown out 12 bags of garbage, and donated 7 bags of clothing and another box of old toys. It amazes me how quickly we can gather stuff. It wasn't that long ago when we painted the bedrooms-how in the world did they get so full?

It's hard to think of my stuff as treasures. Isn't a treasure a chest full of gold? Could 200 teddy bears qualify? There were also the kids old school work and projects and lots and lots of photos. Books we might like to read again. Trophies from sports activities. Tons of games because we might have a Family Game Night. All kinds of things that we'd forgotten we even owned. Stuff, stuff, and even more stuff.

So I guess our stuff holds a lot of memories and maybe that is why we still have it.

We're told not to treasure up things here on earth where moth and rust destroy (let's not forget about the dust bunnies that quickly accumulate), and maybe we haven't done such a great job of keeping our treasures to a minimum. Bottom line is if God asked us to get rid of it, I believe we could do it. I may grieve for months about having to sacrifice my teddy bear collection (no husband, I don't think I'm asked to do that. At least not yet.), but I know God has a better plan for me and because of that I would be willing to do it.

Maybe this is what this verse means, are you willing to give up treasures here in order to receive better treasures in heaven? Truthfully, I believe I could. Do you think you could the same?

To Each His Own

We did not follow cleverly invented stories when we told you about the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but we were eyewitnesses of his majesty. 2 Peter 1:16 NIV

Some of us have brown eyes, others have blue. Some of us have blond hair or maybe red, or even some brown with gray hairs blending in. Some of us have white skin and some of our skins are dark.

Each of us are a little different which makes this world an interesting place to live. If each of us is so different then why do we expect our stories to be the same?

Some of our stories are filled with heart ache and pain. Others are filled with sickness. A few of us have violent stories, those are the parts we may want to forget.

Not all our stories are filled with such tragedy, a remnant of us have experience joy and laughter. Some of us have unexplainable blessings. Sometimes we like to share these stories.

Those of us who have experienced pain, sadness or illness and reached out for help would like others to know where we have found that help.

When someone has back pain and you've also had back pain, and you found a way to help your back pain. The common thing to do is to share what you've discovered because you don't want anyone to have to suffer the way you did.

This is why those of us whose stories now include Jesus as a part of our lives wish to share what we discovered with those who need to know the source of our joy.

You see God has now come in to our lives, we have a personal story with Him. He is our help when unforeseen tragedies or illnesses come our way. Even though the pain maybe high, we still have the joy that only He can give.

Maybe you've talked with God before, and for some reason His plan didn't go along with your plan. Maybe the illness never was cured here on earth, the person we loved so dearly died anyway. The thing is God sometimes has an even better plan than we can ever imagine. The person we lost is now no longer suffering, he/she has been cured. The cure though had to come with his/her death.

It is sad for us who get to stay here, but joyous for those who now get to experience everlasting life in God's presence. If us who are left here would continue to talk with God even if you're mad at Him, we would come to know a peace, joy, and blessing that only He can give.

So maybe soon God, Jesus can become a part of your story, and then you will know why it's so important for Him to be a part of your life. Just like He is a part of mine. His story is true and so majestic.

Behold the Power

For since the creation of the world God's invisible qualities-his eternal power and divine nature-have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that men are without excuse. Romans 1:20 NIV

Dirty dishes are a common problem in our house. It's funny, but we enjoy eating and we enjoy the preparation of delicious meals. Though no one in our household enjoys cleaning up the dirty dishes.

In fact, most everyone piles their dishes in the sink hoping the fairy maid (AKA mom) will show up and some how make the dishes clean. Sure enough if they wait long enough she appears and poof their mess disappears.

There have been times when the mess is stuck on so crusty and thick that it has been almost impossible to clean it. An overnight soaking hasn't even done much for it. Maybe if we're lucky a little crust comes free, but a good scrubbing usually makes the dish shiny and clean once again.

About six months ago though something changed for the fairy maid. The time has come to replace the faucet and with that replacement came a spray nozzle. Now since the fairy maid has lived in the house there has been a few other spray nozzles, but they only dribbled. There was no point in trying to rubber band those spray nozzles to surprisingly squirt someone because it wouldn't even fester up enough strength to dribble the sink in front of it yet alone the person standing there wanting to get a drink of water.

The power this new spray nozzle has! Those stuck on crusty messes now have no chance for survival. The fairy maid simply grabs hold of the spray nozzle aiming it for the crust and wallah no more crust. No more soaking of dishes or scrubbing to the arm bulks up three times it's original size.

A lot of us know God, but maybe we don't quite grasp His incredible power. Maybe we just casually address Him, and continue to scrub at our crusty mess only removing a crumb or two on our own. It isn't until we finally grab hold and squeeze into His ever trusting arms that we realize that with one squeeze He can remove all that crusty grim. Isn't time to let Him remove the crusty messes from your life? Behold His power!

Where Did He Learn That?

Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. Ephesians 4:29 NIV

"Oh **** it," comes the talk out of a young child.

My mind is blown away, how could someone so young be learning these words. Apparently, the older children in my care thinks it's funny to teach the younger ones the words I don't allow.

It wasn't that long ago when the worst thing I had to correct the kids on were "Shut-up", "Oh my God", and "Fart". Now I know these sayings may not offend you, but for our house they are words we don't say.

Today though this group of kids are saying things much more offensive. Shockingly, I realized the words these elementary kids are saying, I didn't hear until high school. How come the change?

Could it be it's everywhere? People use these words as if they were part of every day conversations. Now a days no one even apologizes for the use of these words. No more, "I'm sorry ma'am it just slipped out." No sir, now it just pops out and no one even apologizes. They look at you funny if you even react to it.

Why do we even need to say cuss words anyway? Sure there are times when I get upset and have slipped out a "Geez".

I have a friend who slips out some interesting sayings, "Golly Whopper" or "Biscuits and gravy" or something else very interesting. Her sayings never offend anyone. In fact, while having a procedure done, the doctors and nurses were in hysterics just waiting to see what would come out of her mouth. A much better way to be, don't you think?

Maybe I'm just getting old, but I'd really like to go back to the days when "**** You!" or "God **** it" were not a part of every day talk. I think maybe even the God of the universe might like it as well, since we should talk to build each other up instead of tear down.

So the next time we hear someone say something offensive, maybe we can have the courage to help them change or at least apologize.

Waiting is No Fun

Just as man is destined to die once and after that to face judgement, so Christ was sacrificed once to take away the sins of many people; and he will appear a second time, not to bear sin, but to bring salvation to those who are waiting for him. Hebrews 9:27-28 NIV

She walked over to the update screen once again this time she did a little dance in hopes the information we were craving would be different. Instead it remained the same. Then another in the room tried, she thought maybe if she went up to it somehow it'd be different.

Time clicked by as we waited and waited. Finally, when we were involved in conversation the information on the screen changed. The wait was longer than we desired, but at least the results were good.

I wonder if the disciples and the women who were with Jesus felt the same way that first Easter. Mary may have kept wondering outside on the Sabbath to see how far the sun had moved. "Why is today just ticking by? I need to prepare Jesus' body. We just left him in that tomb wrapped in a cloth. I need to get there and purify his body."

The others may have anxiously watched the time tick by as well. Probably asking themselves, "How could this happen? Wasn't he different? And now it's all come to end, what are we to do?"

The grief and anguish they must have felt.

As soon as the reds of the morning sky appeared, they headed for the tomb. They weren't sure how they would even get in, Roman soldiers were guarding it and there was that big stone they'd have to deal with.

Imagine their surprise when the stone was rolled away and no guards were in sight. "Oh thank you God for making this easier on us." They may have said to themselves.

Mary ran ahead only to discover Jesus wasn't there. "He's supposed to be here, this is where we left him." Her heart must have been leaping as she tried to figure out if she was even at the right place.

Then she heard those words, "Why are you looking for the living among the dead. He is not here, He has risen from the dead."

In those moments all of our lives changed. The good news of the risen Savior has made a way for each of us to have a personal close relationship with the Savior. He open the gate to heaven and gave all of us a chance to enter.

Don't wait to long and miss your ticket.

The Heart is What Matters

But the Lord said to Samuel, "Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. The Lord does not look at the things man looks at. Man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart." 1 Samuel 16:7 NIV

As we as citizens of the USA narrow down the presidential candidates, we begin to hear negativity, slander, and misrepresentation of each person running in the race. We are upset when the media tries to predict who the two candidates will be for the major parties. At times mud slinging happens and friends turn their backs on each other. This is why we are warned about talking politics.

I'd like to share with you who I plan to vote for in a couple weeks, but I won't. As each election day approaches I try to educate myself on each candidate or issue that is being presented to us. I also try to figure out the character of the person running.

I want to know how does he/she act when no one except his/her family is around? Does he/she lash out at those who mean the most to him/her? Or does he/she take the time to listen to what his/her spouse or children are telling him/her?

I also want to know if he/she attends church. Does he/she take his/her spiritual life seriously? Does he/she pray? These are the things that are important to me. Maybe they aren't important to you, but for me they are. I feel that if an elected official has a close connection to God then the trials he/she will face will be made a little easier.

Funny, how the lessons I teach the children become an important message for me as well. Last week we learned again about "do unto others as you would have them do unto you", but I had to change it a little bit because for some reason each of them want the other to be mean to them. So now we are saying, "Do as Jesus would do," because he wouldn't be mean to others.

This week we've learned about producing good fruit. No one likes rotten apples or oranges. Rotten fruit is pretty nasty! Yesterday in fact, we said you can tell which kind of fruit is in a person's heart by the way he/she acts.

So as each of you prepares to head to the polls, it is my hope that you at least look at what kind of fruit your candidate is producing. If you're alright with his/her inward appearance then by all means vote for that person, but if not please chose one who produces good fruit because the heart is what matters.

Hey, You're Going the Wrong Way

Hatred stirs up dissension, but love covers over all wrongs. Proverbs 10:12 NIV

"Another wrong way driver had an accident this morning on our interstate, injuring both drivers," comes the almost weekly report.

For some crazy reason wrong way drivers has become more of a norm. Other drivers try to make those driving the wrong way aware of the dire circumstances, but sometimes they are completely ignored.

Children aren't much different, as their caretaker and guide I try to steer them on the right path. I try to make them aware of their wrong doing, only to be completely ignored. At least when I'm ignored I can really guide the child back to the right path by a time-out.

Come to think of it we as adults aren't much different. I know if I'm on the wrong path, I get a little upset when someone tries to guide me back onto the right path. Eventually though, I listen and soon I am successful again. (No time out needed)

I wonder how God feels when He sees us on the wrong path. He sends us the warning signals that we aren't going the way we should. Then we completely ignore Him and continue on the path which will lead to dire circumstances.

Lucky for us we don't have to stay on this wrong path. We can realize it before the disaster happens, and turn back around so we can get on the right path. A path that will lead to righteousness and cover all our wrongs.

Not The Best Picture

"For I know the plans for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and  not to harm you, plans to give you a hope and a future." Jeremiah 29:11 NIV

"This is not the way I pictured it," rings through our heads time and time again.

Back in high school I dreamed about the future: the man I'd marry, the children I'd have, and even the home where I would live. Even further back in middle school, my friends and I would draw out floor plans of our homes. How big our dreams were?

Now as I live my life, it's not exactly as I pictured it. At one point I imagined living in the mountains where my grandparents had a chalet, it was so peaceful there. Instead I live in flat lands where heat seems to be the norm. Our home is modest nothing extraordinary, but I love it. Not exactly the way I pictured it, but it's home.

My family isn't exactly the way I imagined it to be either. There isn't always peace in our home, sometimes there is chaos and strife. My perfect children born in the order I pretended was far from the reality I received. At one point I even thought my dreams were shattered. After 10 weeks of pregnancy, I lost our first child. My heart was broken, would I ever to be able to have children? Thankfully, this was not the case. I'm grateful for my three not-so-perfect children.

My career isn't exactly the way I thought it would be either. I wanted to be an elementary school teacher. A preschool teacher, a teacher of God's love, and a homeschool teacher not exactly the way I pictured it, but exactly where I am supposed to be.

Sure as we enter into the grown up world we all have a big picture; a way of life the way we want it to be. The better picture would be trusting in God in the way He wants it to be. Maybe to you it's not the best picture, but to Him it's picture perfect.

Refreshing Rain

Let us acknowledge the Lord; let us press on to acknowledge him. As surely as the sun rises, he will appear; he will come to us like the winter rains, like spring rains that water the earth. Hosea 6:3 NIV

A hot cub scout family camp out weekend. To take a shower was out of the question. So I figured I could wait until we got home. The greasy hair, the smelly body, and the overall feeling of dirtiness; I couldn't wait to shower. Our trip home though brought unforeseen delays. Refreshment came when I could finally stand under the water and get clean.

The brown grass, the dead plants, and the saggy trees the land couldn't wait for some water. Our poor yard looked like it hadn't seen water in years. The grass in the backyard was almost non-existent. The kids would track dirt into the house. The water from the sprinkler just wasn't enough. Finally, the rain came and soon everything was green and lush again.

The emptiness, the doubt, and the wonder if He is even hearing my prayer. The longing to know why a situation has happened and how exactly does God what me to fix it can be tough to go through. Why do I feel so helpless? Why can't it just get better right now?

Finally, a little hope emerges even when unforeseen circumstances seem to make the situation worse. Still we grab onto the hope knowing God's got this, a little refreshing rain is better than no rain. One day the sun rises and we know He's here carrying us through the situation. Then finally it happens the spring rains drench us and we are refreshed.

The Pole That Always Gets in the Way

Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of throne of God. Hebrews 12:2 NIV

"The school called me today, my daughter walked into a pole," my sister-in-law shares with me.

A memory arises within me. It was my fifth grade year, I was finishing up my post as a patrol and was heading to my bike. "I need to practice," I thought.

So I closed my eyes and began walking around the school. Unfortunately, my plan of pretending to be blind did not end well. Yep, you guessed it. I ran smack dab into a pole. I ended up with a nice goose egg in the middle of my forehead.

Maybe this is why I didn't get the part of a blind girl in "The Miracle Worker."

This got me thinking about how easy it is for us to take our eyes of the path. We become distracted by talking to friends, focusing on something else, or closing our eyes and walking around blindly. We temporarily forget that there is a prize to keep our eyes on.

Jesus kept his eyes on the prize; He endured the pain of the cross so we could all receive the prize. So no matter the pain or crisis we are currently enduring we need to keep our focus on the path, so our heads don't end up meeting a pole.

Over and Over

This is the message we have heard from him and declare to you: God is light; in him there is no darkness at all. If we claim to have fellowship with him yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not live in the truth. But if we walk in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin. 1 John 1:5-7 NIV

Funny, how a certain verse comes to your attention over and over. Yesterday I must have read this verse four times: in a devotion, in my Bible reading, the verse of the day, and at Bible study. I guess God wanted me to really receive this message.

When this happens to me I begin to question God, so I can figure out the why. Maybe it was because I was walking in darkness or maybe because I felt lonely, but no that wasn't the reason. At least not for me at this time, right now there a few things going on in my life but none of them are leading me to darkness. Nope, I keep my eye on the light.

Nearest I can figure is I have received this message because I have some friends who are dealing with the darkness. Someone I know has isolated herself in her home since the death of her husband. She can't seem to put one foot in front of the other to leave her house.

Isolation can be good for a time, but we need to fellowship with other believers so that we can be encouraged. My Tuesday night Bible study group brings me encouragement. We meet together and try to muddle through a lesson, mostly we share and encourage each other during the rough times. We get encouraged by each other when we share the good times. This an important part of my life, and when we don't meet I crave it.

Other friends I know are dealing with health or financial issues. It saddens me when Sunday comes around and they don't come to church. They have legitimate excuses, but Sunday after Sunday they find it easier to remain home rather than come fellowship with others. As I sit in service on another Sunday without them there, my heart grieves for them.

Church is such an important part of my life I just can't imagine not attending. There is just something about coming together to worship and learn more about this awesome God of ours. My heart becomes glad and I am able to endure another week with whatever is thrown at me. If it wasn't for the encouragement I receive from others or singing praises to God I don't know how I could get through the darkest days.

So maybe this verse repeated throughout my day was so I could encourage others to try to walk in the light. Trust me the light is much better than the darkness.

An Unknown Error

"Keep your servant also from willful sins; may they not rule over me. Then will I be blameless, innocent of great transgression." Psalm 19:13 NIV

"Oh no, I can't believe I did that," I gasped as I realized I had driven earlier in the day without my license.

Immediately, I tried to rectify the situation. I texted my husband who had my license. We had recently gone to a concert, and I didn't want to carry my purse so I handed him my license for safe keeping. Apparently, it was still safely tucked away in his wallet.

"I still have your license," came the text from my husband later that day. I had now driven to a class(after his return home) and he was letting me know that once again my license was safely in his wallet and not in mine.

"Oh my, twice in one day this certainly isn't good." Upon my return home my license was finally safely returned to my wallet. One would have thought that would be the end of it.

My next journey out though, I completely forgot my wallet which led me to once again drive without my license on my possession. Oh the shame of my error.

This made me wonder how many times have I made a mistake and not even been aware of it until later? It isn't easy to always make the right decisions or do the right things. This verse is asking the Lord to keep him/her from willfully sinning, helping him/her to make the right choices.

Maybe I can ask the same of the Lord, and hopefully, I won't drive around without my license again or do something I will later regret.

It Came Crashing Down

Therefore he is able to save completely those who come to God through him, because he always lives to intercede for them. Hebrews 7:25 NIV

The shelf had been wobbling for awhile now, possibly a couple years. One of the pins that helped hold in it place kept working it's way lose. This was mention to the husband who went to buy new pins, but those were the wrong size. Simple fix right, go back to the store and purchase the right size pins. Unfortunately, this did not happen.

Eventually, the wife switched the dishes on that shelf with dishes on another shelf so it would help make the shelf a little more stable. Still every few days the pin would pop out again. The good news was she became very good a getting the pin back in place.

"The hole is to lose, a new pin won't work. I need to move the shelf down one hole," proclaims the husband.

"Then fix it," replied the wife.

Still the shelf remained broken.

This all came to an end this week. As dishes were put away the pin once again popped out of place, this time it became hidden.The wife was unable to find it.She had hoped all would remain well until this situation could be fixed.

"Crash, shatter, crash, shatter, crash, shatter" came the sounds.

She knew at once the shelf had indeed collapsed and glasses were breaking. Strange though how two didn't shatter to pieces.

Is that how we are? Do we keep putting band-aids on problems? Do we quickly fix it hoping it will just somehow go away? Then one day we come crashing down shattering into millions of pieces, or some how we remain intact when the inevitable happens.

I guess it depends on how strong our faith is in God. As soon as a problem arises do we take it immediately to Him? The one who can save or help us fix the problem. Or do we just try and fix it ourselves? Or do we try the wrong solution and never try the right one?

With God all things are possible, He may not fix it the way you would like. He though knows what's best for us and we can become the glass that hits the floor but remains intact.

Here We Go Again

In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. Those have come so that your faith--may be proved genuine and may result in praise, glory, and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed. 1 Peter 1:6-7 NIV

To me it was a rather simple appointment, simply one test to confirm what I suspected I had. Unfortunately, this was not the case. I ended up with a more thorough exam taking much longer than I planned. This resulted in another test a few days later to confirm what the doctor suspected.

Fifteen years ago I was also in an exam room, this time I knew I had a problem so when the extra tests were needed I wasn't surprised. Of course when a doctor mentions tumor or cysts one's mind goes to the "C" word. The word most of us fear, especially when the night before someone shared she has the dreadful "C" word.

My journey fifteen years ago resulted in a surgery and the removal of a fibroid cyst the size of a basketball. It was my first trip to the hospital when the removal of something wasn't a baby. Luckily for me, this cyst was non-cancerous.

Fear once again returned with this recent trip the doctor, this time I had no idea there was this type of problem. Of course now after researching online, most of the symptoms I've had all line up with what the doctor suspected. For me the news of more cysts came as a relief, since I thought it was just a sign of getting older.

Now the question is what lies ahead? I know the Lord will guide me as to the right choices to make. For now I am going to try some natural methods of dealing with these pesky invaders of my body and hopefully no surgeries will be needed. I am greatly relieved it isn't the "C" word.

I know I'm not the only one who has had to deal with these cysts or any type of illness. I know some have lost their fight with illnesses. This little trial isn't really going to be to big a deal in the overall scheme of things. I will try to rejoice as I face what lies ahead, because my faith is genuine I have hope that I will overcome all things with God by my side.