Fearlessly
And
Intently
Trusting
Him
Faith... sometimes that little word seems like such a big deal. It is so easy to have faith when everything is going well. Unfortunately, there are times when it seems that nothing is working out the way we want it too and our backs are against the wall. In those times it's difficult to trust and have faith in God. However those are the times when we need to fearlessly and intently trust him (God). Surely our God has proven many times He's worthy of our trust.
Apr 23, 2006
Apr 9, 2006
Why Worry?
"I've already spent$1,200.00 on my ticket and it's non refundable! I can't afford to lose that kind of money! I should have gotten it by now, what am I going to do if it doesn't reach on time?"
This was me a few years ago when I was preparing for a trip to Germany. I had already bought my ticket and was waiting for the special visa I needed to go there. As the time for the trip drew nearer I got more and more worried because my passport with the special visa that would allow me to travel to Germany had not reached yet. In fact I wasn't sure I had been granted the visa.
Finally after waiting as long as I dared I called the UPS office to see if a package was there for me. Guess what? The package with my passport and visa had been there for three days. However, due to some error they had not called me. So for three days I had worried unnecessarily over something that God had already taken care off.
Isn't it amazing how often we do that? We get ourselves all upset and anxious over situations that we can't change by worrying anyway. So instead of worrying over things we can't do anything about why don't we simply trust God. He's the answer to everything, even the things we worry about.
This was me a few years ago when I was preparing for a trip to Germany. I had already bought my ticket and was waiting for the special visa I needed to go there. As the time for the trip drew nearer I got more and more worried because my passport with the special visa that would allow me to travel to Germany had not reached yet. In fact I wasn't sure I had been granted the visa.
Finally after waiting as long as I dared I called the UPS office to see if a package was there for me. Guess what? The package with my passport and visa had been there for three days. However, due to some error they had not called me. So for three days I had worried unnecessarily over something that God had already taken care off.
Isn't it amazing how often we do that? We get ourselves all upset and anxious over situations that we can't change by worrying anyway. So instead of worrying over things we can't do anything about why don't we simply trust God. He's the answer to everything, even the things we worry about.
Apr 2, 2006
A sunflower's Tale
I've always been fascinated by the sunflower. I love its beautiful, bright, cheery petals that seem to reflect the beauty of the sun's rays. Whenever I see one I never fail to think, "How beautiful!" However I'm not just attracted by it's beauty, I'm intrigued by its story.
If flowers were known for their personality type the sunflower would be classified as an optimist. The sunflower always turns away from negativity. When everything is dark and bleak the sunflower turns itself until it finds the little sunlight that is peeking through the clouds and it turns its face that way. It focuses on the little positive and backs away from the negative.
Wouldn't it be nice to be like the sunflower? To turn your back on the negativity and face the brightness of possibility? Just as the sunflower closes up and loses some of it's luster and beauty in the dark so do we lose our bright smiles, enthusiasm and exuberance in the darkness of negativity.
Today let's try to be like the sunflower. Let's turn our back on the darkness of negativity and face the brightness of God's possibilities. Remember God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble (Psalms 46:1) So when you're going through a dark period in your life he's the ray of sunshine shining through the clouds that you need to turn your face towards.
(Written July 17, 2004)
If flowers were known for their personality type the sunflower would be classified as an optimist. The sunflower always turns away from negativity. When everything is dark and bleak the sunflower turns itself until it finds the little sunlight that is peeking through the clouds and it turns its face that way. It focuses on the little positive and backs away from the negative.
Wouldn't it be nice to be like the sunflower? To turn your back on the negativity and face the brightness of possibility? Just as the sunflower closes up and loses some of it's luster and beauty in the dark so do we lose our bright smiles, enthusiasm and exuberance in the darkness of negativity.
Today let's try to be like the sunflower. Let's turn our back on the darkness of negativity and face the brightness of God's possibilities. Remember God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble (Psalms 46:1) So when you're going through a dark period in your life he's the ray of sunshine shining through the clouds that you need to turn your face towards.
(Written July 17, 2004)
Mar 18, 2006
A Picture of Trust
I was out for a Sunday drive recently with my cousin and her daughters, one of whom happen to be my very cute goddaughter.
While my cousin and I were chatting in the front I happened to glance in the back and saw the sweetest sight... my goddaughter looking like a little angel, still in her church outfit had fallen fast asleep. As luck would have it, I had my camera with me because I couldn't resist taking a photo of such a perfect picture of innocence and complete trust.
Later as I looked at the photo I thought that it told a story without saying a word. My gooddaughter fell asleep knowing that she was safe and surrounded by people who loved her. Oh what trust. Her photo reminded me that God's word tells us that "unless we become as a little child we cannot inherit the kingdom of heaven." He expects us to have the same childlike faith in him that children have in their parents. In fact he reminds us to "cast all our cares upon him because he cares about us."
So, I encourage you to put all the things that concern you in God's hands. Put a picture in your mind this week of the little children you may see and the trust they display. Remember that God wants us to display that same trust in him.
Mar 6, 2006
Lessons from the Road
Bump, bump, bump, jerk, screech.... Today as I took my weekly sixty plus miles ride to church I tried to take a little nap. However I was unable to because the road is under construction. The road is being worked on in sections hence there some parts that are smooth and some parts are riddled with pot holes. So unfortunately for me, every time I made myself as comfortable as I could on a crowded church bus I'd feel a bump and jerk forward in my seat. This was my cue that the next few minutes was going to be a bumpy ride.
I could have gotten grumpy because I couldn't enjoy my nap but I didn't. I endured the rough parts because I knew that in a few minutes I'd be enjoying a smooth ride and ultimately it would all be smooth sailing.
As I was on a particularly rough patch, (since I couldn't sleep) I thought about life. Just like the road I was traveling on life has parts that are smooth and parts that are rough. Unfortunately, sometimes I get so caught up in grouching and complaining over the bad times that I forget to enjoy and thank God for the good time. In fact sometimes I'm tempted to spend most of the good times anticipating the bad times. However, today my journey to church really taught me a lesson about life.
So during the course of this week I encourage you to think about the goodness of God and all he's done for you and thank him for it. Also, if you're going through a rough time, remember the words of Yolanda Adams, this too shall pass.
Yolanda Adams -
In the middle of the turbulence surrounding you
These trying times that are so hard to endure
In the middle of what seems to beyour darkest hour
Hold fast your heart and be assured
THIS TOO SHALL PASS
Like every night that's come before it
He'll never give you more than you can bear
This too shall pass So in this thought be comforted
It's in His Hands
Ecclesiastes 3:1,4 (New International Version)
1 There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven:4 a time to weep and a time to laugh, a time to mourn and a time to dance,
Mar 2, 2006
A Heart Like Yours
A Heart Like Yours
A heart like yours is my desire
A heart like yours is what I’m searching for
Full of compassion nothing wrong within
Please hear me Lord give me a heart like yours
Cece Winans
CD Throne Room
I think the lyrics to Cece Winan's express exactly what I'm feeling. I can't state it any clearer than those words. They express my every desire right now, to have a heart that is more like that of my heavenly father. This week I will pursue my desire to have a heart that is more like His by making the choices that will please him even if they aren't the easy ones to make.
March 30, 2004
A heart like yours is my desire
A heart like yours is what I’m searching for
Full of compassion nothing wrong within
Please hear me Lord give me a heart like yours
Cece Winans
CD Throne Room
I think the lyrics to Cece Winan's express exactly what I'm feeling. I can't state it any clearer than those words. They express my every desire right now, to have a heart that is more like that of my heavenly father. This week I will pursue my desire to have a heart that is more like His by making the choices that will please him even if they aren't the easy ones to make.
March 30, 2004
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