How Careful and Wonderful

Then the Lord God formed (that is created the body of) man from the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and the man became a living being (an individual complete in body and spirit). So the Lord God caused a deep sleep to fall upon Adam; and while he slept, He took one of his ribs and closed up the flesh at that place. And the rib which God had taken from the man He made (fashioned, formed) into a woman, and He brought her and presented her to the man. Genesis 2:7;21-22 AMP

As God created the world, he spoke everything into being. He said, "let there be light"; He said, "let there be an expanse in the sky; He said, "Let the waters be gathered in one place and let the dry land appear"; He said, "let the earth sprout vegetation, plants"; He said, "Let there be light bearers"; He said, "let the waters swarm with living creatures and let birds soar above the earth,"; He said, "Let the earth bring forth living creatures." Each of these things was so.

There was something different though when God created man. He didn't just speak us into being. He created us. His hand was there shaping and molding each part into place. He made us each an individual who is complete with a body and a spirit.

As I read this verse this week for some reason a new message was revealed to me. I have thought about how everything was created by God, but it didn't occur to me how different He took the time to create man. If He takes this much time and detail creating each one of us than maybe we should take that much time getting to know Him a little better.

He didn't just create Adam & Eve, no He has helped create each person. Psalm 139: 13-15 "For you formed my innermost parts; You knit me together in my mother's womb. I will give thanks and praise to you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; Wonderful are your works, and my soul knows very well. my frame was not hidden from you, when I was being formed in secret, and intricately and skillfully formed (as if embroidered with many colors) in the depths of the earth."

God takes the time to create each human life. Let's celebrate that. We are each special to God so as we look at others, take a moment to remember that God uniquely made them just as He made you.

My Intentions Were Good

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

So finally, I have the chance to sit and blog.

My intentions last year were to write here at least once a week. Unfortunately, that didn't exactly happen the way I planned. Sometimes I just needed a rest, other times I just found myself too busy. Not exactly the way I wanted my last year to go.

There have been several times when things haven't gone exactly as I intended. I find myself wondering about different things and lose my focus. Maybe I let a little bit of laziness get in the way. In any case, here I am again with good intentions. I plan to get back to my writing. It is something I enjoy doing and is a good outlet for me.

I am excited for what 2017 has in store for me. Much like a lot of us are. I know some of us were just plain frustrated with 2016. Frustrated because maybe the election didn't turn out exactly the way we wanted. Frustrated because several actors/actresses passed away. Frustrated because life has a funny way of being down right awful at times.

The thing is God has good plans for us. He doesn't want harm to come our way, but when it does He has a way to help us turn it into good. He doesn't want us to be not prosperous, but when it happens He has blessings in store we just may have to look a little harder for them.

So as we journey through another year, crossing off the days of 2017 let us keep in mind that God has good plans and we need to put our hope in Him. After all, God knows everything about us, shouldn't He be the one we look to when things go crazy.

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?