Day 114 - Happy Thanksgiving!

I hope that during the midst of all the hoopla of this holiday you took time to say a big Thanks to God for all of your blessings.  My family got to go up to visit Aunt Kathy.  We had a great time visiting even though very short.  It was good to spend time with family.  

We can always have something to be thankful for.  The best is for the people around us to love and be loved.

Peace...

Day 109 - Give

It's the season for giving.  Love can be expressed by how we treat those around us.  We are called to be the light in the darkness. I think there is a lot of darkness, sadness, hopelessness, suffering, and pain.  What if we all gave ourselves away every day?  Giving doesn't have to be monetary. Think how you can give encouragement, laughter, kindness, prayers, and love.  Focus on your family. How do you treat them, encourage them, speak to them and love them day to day.  It is never too late to change the way you treat those around you. Ask God to reveal to you where you can make a difference today and give of yourself to others.  Do random acts of kindness to strangers.  Share the love of Christ today.  Let this be a life changing Christmas season that will effect the way you love others in the world.

John 15:11 “I’ve told you these things for a purpose: that my joy might be your joy, and your joy wholly mature. This is my command: Love one another the way I loved you. This is the very best way to love. Put your life on the line for your friends. You are my friends when you do the things I command you. I’m no longer calling you servants because servants don’t understand what their master is thinking and planning. No, I’ve named you friends because I’ve let you in on everything I’ve heard from the Father. 

Day 108 - Now

I am always looking ahead. I am somewhat of a worrier.  I want to know the plan.  I don't like being in limbo.  Chaos makes me nervous. You probably are picking up on my issues. Most of the things I obsess over really don't matter and won't matter at all years from now. Living for now and enjoying each day does matter.  Slowing down and experiencing the moment with the ones you love matters. Spending time with God matters.   I think a good question to ask yourself at bedtime is if what you did today mattered?  Did you share your love with someone?  This Christmas season focus every day on the moment and seek out chances to spread the love to those around you.

Deuteronomy 10:12 So now Israel, what do you think God expects from you? Just this: Live in his presence in holy reverence, follow the road he sets out for you, love him, serve God, your God, with everything you have in you, obey the commandments and regulations of God that I’m commanding you today—live a good life. 

Peace...

Day 106 - Ordinary

Life can be vey ordinary. I have a pretty normal schedule at work and at home.  We eat the same things.  We watch tv at the same time. Exercise during certain times. In all of this there are moments where within the ordinary God will be able to use us for his plan and purpose.  There could be many opportunities to be used by God in the ordinary moments of life.  How do we make ourselves ready?  In our small group we talked about this.  We all agreed:

1.  Read God's Word.

2.  Meditate and pray daily.

3.  Remove our own desires and seek the desires of God in your heart.

4.  Ask God for clear guidance. 

5.  When he calls us, be bold and do it.

You may not see any results.  But trust God and obey.

Peace....

Day 100 - Coconuts

I have never tried to crack open a coconut. But I know it is very hard.  I went and looked on the internet and of course there are many instructional sites and you tube videos to get the job done. After reading the instructions I think I could crack it open eventually.  Now if I was stuck on the deserted island,  I would probably have more problems cracking it open. I won't even go into trying to climb the tree to get one that hasn't fallen to the ground.  

Now think of us as the coconut and God the one who wants to have a relationship with you.  But the coconut, or we, have to be open and ready for him to come into our hearts and minds.  God wants nothing more than to love each and everyone of us and have a real relationship.  What is keeping you closed up like a coconut?  Are you too busy for him?  Do you not know how to find this relationship?  Do you have sin overtaking your life?  Are you more into worldly possessions than eternal?  

Our priorities will quickly tell us what we value most in our lives.  

My priorities were drawing me too far away from my family and God.  Work was great but it wasn't what really mattered to me when I reviewed the way my life was going.  I got to go to China, Europe, and Japan.  I was involved in all the important meetings and decisions of the company.  Many friends and family were impressed with my accomplishments. But what was really important?  Being home for my daughter when she got home from school.  Being able to take time to exercise and work on my health. Taking time to study the word of God and draw nearer to Him.  Be ready to go and do what God wants me to do for the kingdom.  I was talking to a coworker today and he was asking me what I was doing with Nicole after school now that she is in middle school. I told him I stepped down from my position so I could leave and be there for my daughter after school.   He was a little shocked but I could see that he understood where I was coming from. 

Yes there will be less money, no trips, no being in the top group with all the decisions.  But I believe my decision was the best thing I could have done.  Life is very short. Make sure your priorities are in the right order.  It really will make a difference in the end.

Ephesians 1:18-20 I pray that God will open your minds to see his truth. Then you will know the hope that he has chosen us to have. You will know that the blessings God has promised his holy people are rich and glorious. And you will know that God’s power is very great for us who believe. It is the same as the mighty power he used to raise Christ from death and put him at his right side in the heavenly places. 

Peace and blessings to you!

Day 98 - blessings

A friend in our small group shared how she spent time with a younger woman who just got out of prison.  You could tell as she described the visit the compassion she had for this person.  She doesn't have a job, is living with her mom, and is now seeking to make it in this world after being in prison for 6 years.  This woman spoke many times about God.  I was impressed with the courage this woman had in facing this new life.  I was also impressed with my friend's desire in sharing time with her. God calls us to love and be a message of hope those around us.  I have never met anyone who has been in prison.  Most people I meet are like me.  Middle class, working, house, kids, pets.  Linda, your love showed through today.  May you be blessed.

God commanded us to love just as He first loved you.

Love has no condition, love in all you say and do.

Look through you eyes with love inside

The your heart will see.

That when you help the least of them

You're really helping me.

The Father loved the world so much 

He gave His only son

He showed us in the life He lived 

Of how we should become

An imitation of the Father's love

An imitation of the Father's love

Love is patient love is kind

Love never fails

Abide in love through sacrifice

Let's God's love prevail 

Boundless and eternal

The fragrance God desires

Light the world 

Spread the flame

Love is what's required

Day 94 - Near

Take time to discover how to best lift up the spirits of those around you.  This is where life matters.  The day to day moment to moment living with those you are with the most.  We do make a difference in how we act, listen, serve, and love.  

Day 89 - Living Letter

Wow!   This is amazing.  We are a letter written with the Spirit of the Living God. Can others read your letter through your life?

Peace...

Day 88 - Focus

I can honestly say I have not been the most focused at the moment.  I am returning this week to what I began doing.  Good healthy food, water, exercise, family, simplifying, and God.  
Distractions happen so easily for me.  One of the issues I have had is being a little under the weather.  It is just enough to be annoying and effecting the schedule.  I am almost over this now and should be back to my usual self.  I don't have a driven nature.  I seem to crumble during stress times.  I am not sure what I can do to overcome these things other than keeping the focus going. 
Church had a good verse for me.  

Phillipians 3:12-14  12 Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already arrived at my goal, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. 13 Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, 14 I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus. 

Peace....