The First Day ....

Whether we are 1 or 100 this can be the first day of the rest of our lives! There are times when looking back is good, as it gives us a chance to reflect and adjust our actions based on our past results that we want to keep or change, however looking ahead is even more important.

If we keep our eyes on our goals and trust in God's divine provision we are depending on him each step of the way, letting go of past failures and stepping into new provisions. Not fretting, but looking forward to this day! "This is the day the Lord has made, let us rejoice and be glad in it"! Psalms 118:24.

If we look at each day as the first day of the rest of our lives, we run our race without the baggage of the past with more hope and energy. Letting go and acting "as if" this is the first day, fresh, rested, revived, encouraged to press on!

First days are always so much more exciting, our hope is at its' peak, our energy and enthusiasm is real! Remember your first day of school, your first kiss, your first kid, your first day of summer, your first.....you get what I mean. There is a freshness and expectation that only comes with firsts!

As we start the new week, Lord help us to live each day as the first day of the rest of our lives! Help us to see our blessings each day with a freshness and a newness that only comes from knowing you, shinning your joy and love to all we meet, in Jesus name I pray.

Song. Love Will Keep Us Together.  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bau1ItGgYjI&noredirect=1

I'm Alive!

A time to be grateful, a time to celebrate, a time to weep, a time to mourn. The bible reminds us that in this life we will have all of these.

I heard a speaker once that reminded me that there are things we need to forget and things we need to remember. Christ's birth and sacrifice for us was key to what we needed to remember and to keep him center in our lives everyday. He also went on to say that past hurts and failures that tend to drag us down and make us feel less than what God intended us to be, we needed to let go of and forgive ourselves and others so that we could live the joyful lives that God designed for us to live. Profound words to consider.....

The book of Ecclesiastes sums up our time here on earth the best, in my opinion. Read and be inspired today to truly live!

A song that has meant a lot to me during times of hardship and ultimate victory for God's divine provision in my life. May it inspire and encourage you on your walk today as well.
 " I Can Only Imagine" http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0xwzItqYmII

Modeling God's Love

In looking back at past posts I came across this timely piece that I thought to share again on the heels of Father's Day weekend.

I must confess I have never followed Kathy Grifford's career before, but in an interview she gave a reflection of her life, and it would appear she has been a blessing to many people. She states her purpose in life is to be a blessing and that as long as she has a pulse, God has plans for her and she is eagerly looking for ways to reach out in a kind word or deed to those in her path. She states she took her cue from Paul Newman and shares her journey in her new book, "Just When I Thought I'd Dropped My Last Egg". She unabashedly proclaims God in her life and her role as his child and compares his unfailing love for her as modeled by her earthly father who recently passed away.

Personally I am encouraged to check my course and path after hearing her speak and I pray you are too. May God continue to use each of us with our talents and gifts to be an encouragement to those around us daily, so that we may live richer and more meaningful lives touching others with the love of Christ that is in us.

Blessed To Be A Blessing

Like many of you I have been blessed with health, hope and all that I need with more than my share of necessities and luxuries. I know on my worst day I am 100 percent better off than most I encounter daily.

In the bible, it uses the story of the poor woman who put in two of the smallest coins in the offering box. The disciples with Jesus were not very impressed, but Jesus said this woman has given more than any other today. How could that be? Jesus said it was because it was all she had.

How did the woman think she would buy dinner that night? I would guess because she had nothing it was easy for her to trust God to provide because without him she would not be able to survive. She demonstrated her reliance on God in a way that is hard for most of us. Gratitude, humble and appreciative. Are we? Where is our hope? What do our spending habits say about us?

At our worst we are blessed. May we collectively make a difference each day in the lives of those who have nowhere to turn. I am enclosing a link to check out giving organizations for their credibility, but also realize there are many opportunities right in our own communities and people we meet daily, that we could show the love of God in a very practical way. www.give.org

When in doubt about your role as a Christian, read God's word about giving and let him speak to your heart. http://biblehub.com/drb/luke/12.htm

Lord Have Mercy!

When Job is afflicted he prays to God and his friends turn against him. They look at the storm yet Job looks to God. Job prays for mercy and forgiveness and refuses to compromise his integrity. His friends are quick to throw in the towel and play the blame game!

I think we can all see various players in our own lives in similar circumstances. My hope and prayer for  us is that we become more like Job and trust in a living, loving, omnipresent God that is working all things for our good, even our hardships.

As Jesus asks Peter, do you love me three times, I think Christ asks us the same. Do you trust me? Do you really believe I love you? If so, follow me. I imagine him saying, quit your whining and complaining, and get with the program. Are we going forward or not....

I know in times of leadership it is often frustrating because some in the group always want to point out what is not going right, instead of focusing on moving through the situation to a better place. We all go through hardships and tough times, but if our trust is in Christ we know that better times are ahead and we must keep pressing forward.

Do not quit and listen to your friends who are busy tearing you down about what you cannot do, but keep your eyes on the maker of heaven and earth and keep the faith of God's promises.

" The substance of things hoped for the evidence of things not seen. For greater is he that is in you than he that is in the world. I will never leave you nor forsake you." His promises are real and relevant in whatever situation we find ourselves.

Psalms Ch. 1-7, continues to speak of God's unfailing provision for those that follow his commandments and trust him. He sustains, saves and protects us from all those that persecute us. His blessing is upon the righteous.

Help us dear Lord to be that faithful and righteous servant that when others persecute us, we stand firm in our trust and faith in God to see us through each step of the way.

Song: "Lord Have Mercy" http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eDpp_YdXnqs 

Blessed Assurance

 As Christians we are encouraged to be thankful and humble,"Giving thanks with a grateful heart". As we walk on our journey today help us to be that thankful and grateful servant for all his many wonderful blessings he has so graciously given us.

Help our lives and walk reflect that humility in all we do for his glory. Let our actions speak louder than our words, as we continue on our journey that others might be drawn to him. Let this be our story and song, praising our Savior all the day long.

Song by Alan Jackson:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z9XZ_HSquUQ

Standing Firm in Troubled Times

On Christ the solid rock I stand, is a verse that resonates with me. Luke Ch. 6: 47-49. "Whoever comes to me and hears my sayings and does them is like the wise man that built his house on the rock".  Action words. God does not say we will not have troubles in this life, but we are to follow his words and trust in his sovereign provision so that when troubled times come, our house will stand firm. He contrasts that with those who hear his words yet do not do according to them, as a house without a foundation that when the storms came it fell and the ruin of the house was great.

In whatever storm you may find yourself in today, I pray that your hope and trust is solid in God's word and promises.

Song:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OQgD_Wg9DG4

Words and story from the song. http://faithalone.org/journal/1998i/Ward.html

Fill Our Cups Lord!

 Fill my cup Lord, I lift it up Lord, come and cleanse this thirsting of my soul. Bread of heaven feed me till I want no more, fill my cup, fill it up and make me whole. Beautiful words to a familiar hymn.

Out of the abundance of our heart our mouth speaks. Luke 6:45. "A good man brings good things out of the good stored up in his heart, and an evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in his heart. For the mouth speaks what the heart is full of".

May the words of our mouth and the meditation of our heart be pleasing to those around us. May our cup indeed overflow with your love, hope and healing to those who hear. Help us to be a blessing to those around us each day I pray....

Song: "Fill My Cup Lord" http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s4l2yY2r95g

How Great Is Our God!

Sometimes we may be tempted to look at our circumstances and fear, but God's word is there to remind us that he is still in control, no matter how bleak or bad it seems. May we be reminded and encouraged this day through God's word in this song and video. Listen and be reminded of the awesome God we serve!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xi0yLRX4d2M